Mechanisms involved in the control of pheromone production in female moths: recent developments

Species-specific pheromone blends of nocturnal female moths, derived from fatty acid precursors, are produced and released for mate-finding, and are initiated by the circadian, trophic hormone, Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide (PBAN). PBAN, produced in the sub-oesophageal ganglion, is a 33 amino acid neuropeptide with a minimum active core in its FXPRLamide C-terminal. PBAN acts directly on pheromone gland cells of mature females by binding to a specific G-protein-coupled membrane receptor (GPCR), and thereby initiating a signal transduction cascade involving calcium and cAMP. This discussion will review recent developments concerning the identification of the PBAN GPCR, its regulation by juvenile hormone (JH), and its mode of action at the level of the pheromone biosynthetic pathway. The discussion will also include recent developments concerning events occurring as a result of the transfer of pheromonostatic compounds of male origin after mating.