cDNA sequence and expression of the ceratotoxin gene encoding an antibacterial sex specific peptide from the medfly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera)

Ceratotoxins are antibacterial 3-kDa molecular mass amphiphilic peptides isolated from the female reproductive accessory glands of the medfly Ceratitis capitata. They are physiologically related to bee melittin and show amino acid sequence homology with magainin peptides. In this paper, we report the complete sequence of cDNA coding for ceratotoxin A and the expression of the gene during the life cycle of the insect. Experimental data show that the ceratotoxin is a gene expressed exclusively in the imaginal stages and that it is female-specific, related to sexual maturity, and stimulated by mating. Differently from most antibacterial insect hemolymph peptides, it is not induced by microbial infection. Western blot analysis using an anti-ceratotoxin antibody indicates the female accessory glands as the only site where the production of the ceratotoxin peptide occurs.