Identification and cloning of a pheromone-binding protein from the Oriental beetle, Exomala orientalis

J Chem Ecol. 2001 Nov;27(11):2183-92. doi: 10.1023/a:1012270602288.

Abstract

We have identified and cloned a pheromone-binding protein (EoriPBP) from the Japanese and American populations of the Oriental beetle, Exomala orientalis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). The protein showed more than 90% amino acid identity to the previously identified pheromone-binding proteins from Popilliajaponica (PjapPBP) and Anomala osakana (AosaPBP), as well as to one of the odorant-binding proteins from Phyllopertha diversa (PdivOBP1). EoriPBP has 116 amino acids, with a calculated molecular mass of 12,981 Da. pI of 4.3, and six highly conserved cysteine residues. 5'-RACE amplifications led to the characterization of a signal peptide with 19 amino acids. The signal peptide showed high amino acid identity to the signal peptide for AosaPBP. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of the PBPs involved in the detection of similar ligands, i.e., monounsaturated lactones and ketone, suggests that the most variable residues among the PBPs from E. orientalis, P. japonica, and A. osakana are probably the most discriminating residues. As with the pheromone-binding protein from Bombyx mori, the residues at positions 61, 64, 71, and 82 in EoriPBP, PajpPBP, and AosaPBP, which are either valine, leucine, isoleucine, or methionine, are likely to be specificity determinants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Coleoptera / chemistry*
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Insect Proteins*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pheromones / metabolism*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Protein Sorting Signals

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Insect Proteins
  • Pheromones
  • Protein Sorting Signals
  • pheromone binding protein, insect