Abstract: Sex pheromone production in lepidopteran insects is regulated by the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN), which is produced in suboesophageal ganglion. We first reported the molecular characterization of a gene encoding the Heliothis assulta PBAN (Has PBAN) by polymerase chain reaction. A 630 bp fragment containning the entire Has PBAN gene was isolated and characterized. Has PBAN gene comprised two exons interspersed by a single intron, and the consensus sequence for splicing junction is identified at the exon/intron boundary. The result showed that PBAN gene is localized in the genome of H.assulta. Further, the gene expression analysis suggests that the PBAN mRNA is present in suboesophageal ganglion.

Key words: pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide, gene cloning, DNA sequencing, Heliothis assulta