THE PHEROMONE BINDING-PROTEIN OF BOMBYX-MORI - PURIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION

A pheromone-binding protein (PBP) has been purified from the antennae of male Bombyx mori. It is a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 16 kDa and an isoelectric point of 4.9. The PBP is present in the male and, to a minor extent, also in the female antennae, but not in other parts of the body. Strong crossreactivity has been observed with antibodies against the PBP of Antheraea polyphemus. Immunocytochemical localization indicates that the protein is concentrated in the sensillum lymph of sensilla trichodea