FST, a female-specific transcript from the medfly Ceratits capitata (Diptera, Tephritidae)

We report here the sequence of a novel cDNA clone (FST, female-specific transcript), isolated by differential screening during a search for sexually mature accessory gland-specific transcripts from the medfly Ceratitis capitata. It contains an open reading frame (ORF) with a potential translational start site encoding a putative precursor peptide of 100 amino acids. The FST gene is expressed only in the female reproductive accessory glands. Like the accessory gland-specific antibacterial peptides ceratotoxins, its expression reaches the maximum level when sexual maturity is achieved. However, in contrast to ceratotoxins, it is expressed at a basal level in newly emerged females, and its expression does not increase after mating.