Altstein, M., Department of Entomology, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Ben-Aziz, O., Department of Entomology, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Bhargava, K., Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
Li, Q., Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, United States
Martins-Green, M., Dept. of Cell Biol. and Neurosci., University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States

The presence of the pyrokinin (PK)/ Pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) receptor in pheromone gland cells of Heliothis peltigera females was demonstrated, and its spatial distribution in the ovipositor was visualized with two photo-affinity biotinilated ligands: BpaPBAN1-33NH 2 and BpaArg27-PBAN28-33NH2. Light microscopy histological studies revealed that the gland is contained within the inter-segmental membrane (ISM) between the 8th and 9th abdominal segments. The gland was found to be composed of a single layer of columnar epithelial cells positioned under the inter-segmental cuticle. Similar epithelial cells were also found in the dorsal and ventral regions of the 9th abdominal segment. All regions containing the glandular cells bound both ligands, indicating presence of the PK/PBAN receptor. The patterns obtained with both ligands were similar, hinting at the possibility that either both ligands bind to the same receptor, or, that if there are two distinct receptors, their spatial distribution throughout the gland is very similar. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.