Method for pheromone discovery in insects
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorRobert David Renthal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed generally to a method of identifying an insect pheromone. Initially, a candidate insect pheromone-binding protein is obtained and sequenced. Specific proteins may then be selected by observing the pattern of pheromone-binding protein expression in the insect stage, phase or caste; and/or in the antenna and other sensilla by, for example, in situ hybridization; and/or by comparison with sequence of known pheromone binding proteins. A composition of one or more pheromones may then be contacted with the pheromone-binding protein. Any pheromones bound to the protein may then be eluted and analyzed.
Claims30
A method of identifying an insect pheromone comprising:
- a) obtaining one or more insect pheromone-binding proteins;
- b) placing the one or more pheromone-binding proteins on a solid support;
- c) obtaining a composition comprising an extract of whole insects, parts of insects, larvae, pupae, or nest middens, wherein the composition potentially comprises one or more insect pheromones;
- d) contacting the one or more pheromone-binding proteins on the solid support with the composition under conditions conducive to allow at least one suitable pheromone, if present, to bind to at least one of the pheromone binding proteins on the solid support;
- and
- e) eluting any molecule specifically bound to the one or more pheromone-binding proteins on the solid support, wherein any eluted molecule is identified as a pheromone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.