The aim of the present study was to further characterize the PK/PBAN receptors and their interaction with various PK/PBAN peptides in order to get a better understanding of their ubiquitous and multifunctional nature. Two cloned receptors stably expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells were used in this study: a Heliothis peltigera pheromone gland receptor (Hep-PK/PBAN-R) (which stimulate...

The non-proteinogenic amino acid γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is present in all plant species analyzed so far. Its synthesis is stimulated by either acidic conditions occurring after tissue disruption or higher cytosolic calcium level. In mammals, GABA acts as inhibitory neurotransmitter but its function in plants is still not well understood. Besides its involvement in abiotic stress resistance,...

Baculovirology has been studied on the African continent for development of insect virus-based biopesticides and, to a much lesser extent, vaccine production and delivery, since 1960s. In this review, we focus only baculoviruses as agricultural pests in Africa. At least 11 species baculovirus have discovered or continent, some with several distinct isolates, objective most cases being biopestic...