Mice lacking the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor are hypophagic and lean

Members of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor family (M1-M5) have central roles in the regulation of many fundamental physiological functions. Identifying the specific receptor subtype(s) that mediate the diverse muscarinic actions of acetylcholine is of considerable therapeutic interest, but has proved difficult primarily because of a lack of subtype-selective ligands. Here we show that mice deficient in the M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R-/- mice) display a significant decrease in food intake, reduced body weight and peripheral fat deposits, and very low levels of serum leptin and insulin. Paradoxically, hypothalamic messenger RNA levels of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), which are normally upregulated in fasted animals leading to an increase in food intake, are significantly reduced in M3R-/- mice. Intra-cerebroventricular injection studies show that an agouti-related peptide analogue lacked orexigenic (appetite-stimulating) activity in M3R-/- mice. However, M3R-/- mice remained responsive to the orexigenic effects of MCH. Our data indicate that there may be a cholinergic pathway that involves M3-receptor-mediated facilitation of food intake at a site downstream of the hypothalamic leptin/melanocortin system and upstream of the MCH system.

Diffuse panbronchiolitis. A disease of the transitional zone of the lung

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a disease with chronic inflammation exclusively located in the region of respiratory bronchioles. The pathologic features of the disease are characterized by thickening of the wall of the respiratory bronchiole with infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells and histiocytes, and extension of the inflammatory changes toward peribronchiolar tissues. In the advanced stage, secondary ectasia of proximal bronchioli may occur. These changes appear as diffusely disseminated small nodular shadows throughout both lungs on the chest roentgenogram. Obstructive respiratory functional impairment, occasional symptoms of wheezing, and also cough and sputum resemble the feature of emphysema, bronchial asthma, or chronic bronchitis, respectively. In the advanced stage, large amounts of purulent sputum and dilatation of proximal terminal conducting bronchioli resemble bronchiectasis. However, diffuse panbronchiolitis belongs to a distinctly different category from these diseases, and should be distinguished from them, because it may often show rapid progression with fatal outcome. The disease is dominant in males and the onset is unrelated to age. More than 1,000 cases of probable diffuse panbronchiolitis and 82 histologically-confirmed cases have been collected in Japan.

Silk protein, sericin, inhibits lipid peroxidation and tyrosinase activity

This study provided the first evidence for an antioxidant action of the silk protein sericin by showing that sericin suppressed in vitro lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, sericin was found to inhibit tyrosinase activity. These results suggest that sericin may be a valuable natural ingredient for food and cosmetic industries.

Orexin-induced food intake involves neuropeptide Y pathway

Orexins (orexin-A and -B) are recently identified neuropeptides, which are thought to be implicated in the regulation of feeding behavior. We used a NPY-Y1 receptor specific antagonist, BIBO3304, to examine whether NPY is involved in orexin-induced feeding behavior. Intracerebroventricular administration of orexin-A (10 nmol) induced food intake in rats (food intake for 3 h; vehicle 0.3+/-0.2 g vs. orexin-A 10 nmol, 4.0+/-0.5 g, n=4). Orexin-induced feeding behavior was partially inhibited by prior administration of BIBO3304 (3 h food intake: orexin-A 10 nmol, 4.0+/-0.5 g vs. BIBO3304 (60 microgram) + orexin-A 10 nmol, 2.2+/-0.2 g, n=4). A low dose of BIBO3304 (30 microgram) did not show a significant inhibitory effect. BIBO3457, an inactive enantiomer, used as a negative control, did not show any inhibitory effect on orexin-A-induced feeding behavior. Fos expression was observed in NPY-containing neurons in the arcuate nucleus 1 h after orexin-A (10 nmol) was administered intracerebroventricularly (control 0.3+/-0.08%, orexin-A 10.2+/-0.8%, n=5 rats/group). These observations suggest that NPY is involved in orexin-induced feeding behavior. However, BIBO3304 did not completely abolish the effect of orexin-A. These results suggest that orexin-A elicits feeding behavior partially via the NPY pathway. The NPY system could be the one of downstream pathways by which orexin-A induces feeding behavior. Another pathway may also be involved in orexin-A-induced feeding behavior, because BIBO3304 did not completely abolish orexin-A-induced feeding behavior.

Abrupt increase in the level of hydrogen peroxide in leaves of winter wheat is caused by cold treatment

After cold treatment of seedlings of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), levels of hydrogen peroxide in the leaves were measured. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide increased to about three times the control level within a few minutes, and returned to the normal level in 15 to 20 minutes. The elevated level of hydrogen peroxide was found to be equivalent to 1.5 micromoles per gram fresh weight tissues of leaves.

Chronic intracerebroventricular administration of orexin-A to rats increases food intake in daytime, but has no effect on body weight

Orexins are recently identified neuropeptides, and have been shown to increase food intake when administered intracerebroventricularly. We examined the effects of chronic administration of orexin in rats by continuous intracerebroventricular administration by means of an osmotic minipump. Continuous administration of orexin-A (0.5 nmol/h) for 7 days in rats resulted in a significant increase in food intake in the daytime. Daytime food intake increased to 180% of the control value. However, it resulted in a slight decrease nighttime food intake as compared with vehicle-treated rats. The total amount of food intake per day was almost comparable with that of vehicle-administered rats. The gain of body weight and blood glucose, total cholesterol and free fatty acid levels were normal. Chronic orexin-A treatment did not cause obesity in rats. We observed abnormal behavior during the daytime after starting administration of orexin-A; these rats kept awake during the daytime. Our present observation showed that continuous administration of orexin-A could not overcome the regulation of energy homeostasis and body weight. However, orexin-A might be implicated in short-term, immediate regulation of feeding behavior.

Orexins/hypocretins regulate drinking behaviour

Orexin/hypocretins are recently identified neuropeptides which regulate feeding behaviour. We found orexins increased water intake when administrated intracerebroventricularly to rats. The effect of orexin-A was more potent as compared with orexin-B, suggesting the possible involvement of OX(1) receptor. The efficacy of orexin-A was almost comparable with that of angiotensin II, and the effect lasted more than 3 h. Prepro-orexin mRNA level was up-regulated when rats were deprived of water. Orexin-immunoreactive varicose axons were observed in the subfornical organ and area postrema, regions implicated in drinking behaviour. These observations suggest a physiological role for orexin as mediators that regulate drinking behaviour.

Synergistic action of cholera toxin B subunit (and Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin B subunit) and a trace amount of cholera whole toxin as an adjuvant for nasal influenza vaccine

Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) and Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin (LTB) (2 micrograms), each supplemented with a trace amount of cholera toxin (CT) (0.02-20 ng), were examined for the adjuvant effect on antibody (Ab) response against influenza inactivated HA (haemagglutinin) vaccine in Balb/c mice. Each mouse received a primary intranasal (i.n.) inoculation of the vaccine (1.5 micrograms) and the CT-containing CTB and in 4 weeks a second i.n. inoculation of the vaccine alone. The primary inoculation of the vaccine with CTB alone did not induce either anti-HA IgA or IgG Ab response, or haemagglutination-inhibition Ab responses in the serum. The vaccine with less than 2 ng of CT also failed to induce Ab response. On the other hand, the vaccine with CT-containing CTB induced a high Ab response, which increased depending on the CT dose. Moreover, the second vaccine induced a response more than ten times higher than the primary one and the response increased depending on the CT dose. Similar enhancement was found in the local anti-HA IgA Ab response in the nasal wash. Such synergistic effects were observed also between LTB and CT. The amount of Ab produced by the synergism was considered to be enough to protect against virus infection. These results suggest that CTB (or LTB) containing a trace amount of CT (about 0.1%) can be used practically as a potent adjuvant for nasal vaccination of humans against influenza.

Inhibitory effects of cranberry juice on attachment of oral streptococci and biofilm formation

Cranberry juice is known to inhibit bacterial adhesion. We examined the inhibitory effect of cranberry juice on the adhesion of oral streptococci strains labeled with [3H]-thymidine to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite beads (s-HA). When the bacterial cells were momentarily exposed to cranberry juice, their adherence to s-HA decreased significantly compared with the control (P < 0.01). Their hydrophobicity also decreased dependently with the concentration of cranberry juice. We also evaluated the inhibitory effect of cranberry juice on biofilm formation. By using a microplate system, we found that the high molecular mass constituents of cranberry juice inhibited the biofilm formation of the tested streptococci. The inhibitory activity was related to the reduction of the hydrophobicity. The present findings suggest that cranberry juice component(s) can inhibit colonization by oral streptococci to the tooth surface and can thus slow development of dental plaque.

Anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal basal segments of the left lower lobe

BACKGROUND

Anomalous arterial supply to the normal basal segments of the lower lobe without sequestration is a rare congenital abnormality, and whether it belongs to the broad spectrum of sequestration disorders remains controversial.

METHODS

The cases of all 4 patients who were treated surgically by us were reviewed together with 8 previously reported cases.

RESULTS

The anomalous artery originated from the descending thoracic aorta, distributed to the basal segments of the left lower lobe, and drained to a normal inferior pulmonary vein in each case. The anomalous artery was thick and elastic walled. From the review of all 12 cases, male gender, left side, descending thoracic aorta as the aberrant arterial origin, absence of pulmonary blood flow to the basal segments, and normal pulmonary venous drainage were predominant. Despite some differences, the findings seemed closely related to intralobar sequestration. Surgical treatments were lung resection, anastomosis, and ligation of the anomalous artery.

CONCLUSIONS

This anomaly is probably one type of sequestration complex. Both aortic and pulmonary arterial angiographic studies are needed to plan the definitive surgical procedure.

Immunolocalization of prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunits, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and extracellular matrix components in human lens capsules with lens implants

Lens capsules become fibrotic after the extraction of a cataract. To understand this phenomenon, we evaluated the immunolocalization of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (an enzyme involved in procollagen hydroxylation), and extracellular matrix components and cytoskeletal components in a normal human lens capsule and in others with intraocular lenses. Lens capsules containing intraocular lenses were removed from a patient with proliferative vitreoretinopathy and three with proliferative diabetic retinopathy during vitreous surgery. Two circular sections of the anterior capsules with lens epithelial cells were obtained by anterior capsulotomy during cataract surgery. In addition, a lens capsular bag was obtained immediately after phacoemulsification. The lens capsules were processed for light microscopic immunohistochemical detection of the alpha and beta subunits of prolyl 4-hydroxylase, extracellular matrix components (including collagen types, laminin and cellular fibronectin) or cytoskeletal components (such as cytokeratin, vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin). Monolayer lens epithelial cells were seen on the inner surface of the normal anterior capsules. Each intraocular lens was found to be fixed in the capsular bag. Light microscopic immunohistochemistry showed that these proliferating cells expressed vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin; in contrast, quiescent lens epithelial cells did not stain for alpha-smooth muscle actin. Marked immunostaining for subunits of prolyl 4-hydroxylase was detected in lens epithelial cells proliferating on the capsules, while no or only faint prolyl 4-hydroxylase immunoreactivity was detected in quiescent lens epithelial cells immediately after phacoemulsification. Collagen types I, III and VI and cellular fibronectin were observed diffusely in accumulated connective tissue on a capsule with an intraocular lens. Type IV collagen immunoreactivity was seen both in the capsules and in the connective tissue accumulation on the capsules. Collagen V and laminin were detected in association with cellular proliferation. Collagen VII and VIII and laminin 5 were not seen. We concluded that during wound healing of the lens capsule after cataract extraction, the lens epithelial cells that proliferate on the inner surface of the capsule transform it into a myofibroblastic phenotype, expressing prolyl 4-hydroxylase and alpha-smooth muscle actin. These proliferating cells are involved in the production of collagen on the lens capsule. This results in a postoperative fibrotic process and contraction of the lens capsule.

Refractive changes after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy

PURPOSE

To study the visual and refractive changes in patients with superficial corneal opacities after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK).

SETTING

Eye Clinic, Kobe Kaisei Hospital, Kobe, Japan.

METHODS

One hundred twelve eyes of 80 patients with superficial corneal opacities had PTK with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser system. All patients had routine ophthalmic examinations including uncorrected and Landolt best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements, subjective and objective refractions, keratometry, EyeSys (Premier Laser Systems, Inc.) corneal topography performed before and 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after PTK, and pachymetry performed before and 12 months after PTK. The change in refractive status within 12 months of PTK and the relationship between factors such as ablation depth, transition zone (TZ) setting, and use of masking agents and the amount of hyperopic shift were also assessed.

RESULTS

The BCVA increased by more than 2 lines in 65.1% of eyes and by 1 line in 24.1%. The BCVA did not change in 12 eyes (10.8%) because of cataract or underlying retinal disease. A mean hyperopic shift of 3.42 +/- 1.15 diopters (D) (range 1.00 to 5.25 D) was seen in all eyes at 12 months. The hyperopic shift peaked 1 month after PTK and tended to decline after that; it stabilized at 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Although PTK is a safe and efficient method for the treatment of superficial corneal opacities, induced hyperopia after the procedure remains a major problem. A shallow ablation depth (less than 100 microm), presence of a TZ setting, and use of a masking agent decrease the hyperopic shift significantly.

Gasless laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy during pregnancy: comparison with laparotomy

OBJECTIVE

The efficacy and safety of gasless laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy during pregnancy were compared with those of conventional laparotomy.

STUDY DESIGN

Subjects for the 2 study groups were selected from consecutive patients who satisfied all entrance criteria. Seventeen women who underwent gasless laparoscopic cystectomy were compared with 18 women who underwent cystectomy by laparotomy. The intraoperative and postoperative courses, pregnancy outcomes, and complications were compared.

RESULTS

The patients' ages, body mass indexes, mean cyst diameters, fetal gestational ages, and types of cysts did not differ significantly between the two groups. Blood loss, analgesic use, and need for tocolytic agents were significantly less in the laparoscopy group than in the laparotomy group. No abortions or preterm deliveries occurred in the laparoscopy group, whereas 1 abortion was recorded in the laparotomy group.

CONCLUSION

Gasless laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy offers significant advantages with respect to laparotomy for the pregnant patient.

Alteration of the ocular surface with recurrence of granular/avellino corneal dystrophy after phototherapeutic keratectomy: report of five cases and literature review

PURPOSE

To study the changes in ocular surface findings with recurrence after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in patients with Avellino and granular dystrophy.

DESIGN

Observational case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Five eyes of five patients with recurrent granular/Avellino corneal dystrophy after PTK seen at Kobe Kaisei Hospital were studied.

INTERVENTION

The patients underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, corneal sensitivity measurements, tear film breakup time (BUT), Schirmer test, tear film lipid layer interferometry, and conjunctival impression cytology.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The alterations of clinical features, tear function, and conjunctival impression cytology parameters with a recurrence after PTK were investigated.

RESULTS

The average pre-PTK corneal sensitivity and tear film breakup time were low in all five patients. Tear film lipid layer interferometry grade and conjunctival squamous metaplasia displayed higher grades before PTK. All of these parameters improved gradually after PTK and were maintained until a recurrence, which was associated with further worsening of the corneal sensitivity, tear function, and impression cytology parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Although PTK improves the ocular surface health in granular/Avellino corneal dystrophies, recurrence of the initial dystrophy is associated with decline of the ocular surface health parameters. Our findings also suggest that corneal epithelium is most probably involved in the recurrence of the disease process in Avellino/granular corneal dystrophy.

Cell cycle-dependent expression of mammalian E2-C regulated by the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome

Progression through mitosis requires the precisely timed ubiquitin-dependent degradation of specific substrates. E2-C is a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme that plays a critical role with anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) in progression of and exit from M phase. Here we report that mammalian E2-C is expressed in late G(2)/M phase and is degraded as cells exit from M phase. The mammalian E2-C shows an autoubiquitinating activity leading to covalent conjugation to itself with several ubiquitins. The ubiquitination of E2-C is strongly enhanced by APC/C, resulting in the formation of a polyubiquitin chain. The polyubiquitination of mammalian E2-C occurs only when cells exit from M phase. Furthermore, mammalian E2-C contains two putative destruction boxes that are believed to act as recognition motifs for APC/C. The mutation of this motif reduced the polyubiquitination of mammalian E2-C, resulting in its stabilization. These results suggest that mammalian E2-C is itself a substrate of the APC/C-dependent proteolysis machinery, and that the periodic expression of mammalian E2-C may be a novel autoregulatory system for the control of the APC/C activity and its substrate specificity.

Inhibitory effect of cranberry polyphenol on biofilm formation and cysteine proteases of Porphyromonas gingivalis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cranberry polyphenol fraction on biofilm formation and activities of Arg-gingipain and Lys-gingipain in Porphyromonas gingivalis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The polyphenol fraction was prepared by using a glass column packed with Amberlite XAD 7HP and 70% aqueous ethanol as an elution solvent.

RESULTS

Synergistic biofilm formation by P. gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum was significantly inhibited by the polyphenol fraction at a concentration of 250 microg/mL compared with untreated controls (p < 0.01). Arg-gingipain and Lys-gingipain activities in P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 and FDC 381 were inhibited significantly at a polyphenol fraction concentration of > or = 1 microg/mL (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that the polyphenol fraction inhibits biofilm formation and the Arg-gingipain and Lys-gingipain activities of P. gingivalis.

Subtype-specific trafficking of endothelin receptors

We investigated the subcellular localization of two endothelin receptors (ET(A)R and ET(B)R). To visualize these receptors directly, the C terminus of each receptor was fused to the N terminus of enhanced green fluorescent protein (designated as ETR-EGFP). When transiently expressed in various mammalian cell lines, ET(A)R-EGFP was predominantly localized on the plasma membrane. By contrast, ET(B)R-EGFP was, independent of ligand stimulation, predominantly localized on the intracellular vesicular structures containing Lamp-1. Immunoblot analyses revealed that at steady state ET(B)R-EGFP was highly degraded, and its degradation was inhibited by bafilomycin A(1). Antibody uptake experiments suggested that the ET(B)R-EGFP molecules were internalized from the plasma membrane. It is therefore likely that ET(B)R is first transported to the plasma membrane and then internalized, irrespective of ligand stimulation, to lysosomes where it undergoes proteolytic degradation. Exchanging the C-terminal cytoplasmic tails of the two ETRs revealed that the cytoplasmic tail is responsible for both the intracellular localization and the degradation of the receptors. Deletion of the extreme C-terminal 35 amino acids from both receptors allowed the receptor proteins to localize predominantly in the intracellular vesicles and to degrade. These observations indicate that the cytoplasmic tail of ET(A)R determines its plasma membrane localization. Stimulation with endothelin-1 increased the amount of intact ETR-EGFP fusion proteins without increasing their de novo synthesis, suggesting that binding of endothelin-1 stabilizes the ETRs.

Orexin-mediated feeding behavior involves both leptin-sensitive and -insensitive pathways

Orexin-A and -B are neuropeptides that are implicated in the regulation of vigilance states and energy homeostasis. Orexins are specifically produced by neurons located within the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), a region implicated in the regulation of feeding behavior. Here, we examined the functional interactions between orexins and anorectic factors [leptin, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)] in rats. Intracerebroventricular injection of orexin-A (10 nmol) potently augmented food intake in rats. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) (0.3 nmol) and galanin (3 nmol) also induced a transient increase in food intake. Both NPY- and galanin-induced feeding behaviors were completely inhibited by preadministration of leptin (3 microg), while the same or a higher dose (10 microg) of leptin only partially inhibited orexin-A or -B-induced increase of food intake. Preadministration of anorectic peptides (alpha-MSH and GLP-1), which are shown to be regulated by leptin, abolished NPY-induced feeding; however, orexin-induced feeding was only partially inhibited by these anorectic peptides. These observations suggest that NPY- and galanin-induced increases of feeding involve a leptin-sensitive pathway, while orexin-induced feeding involves both leptin-sensitive and -insensitive pathways.

Ocular surface changes after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy

PURPOSE

To study the ocular surface disorder in patients with Avellino, granular, and lattice dystrophy, band keratopathy, and corneal leukoma before and after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy.

DESIGN

A prospective case-controlled study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 45 eyes of 33 patients with superficial corneal opacities seen at Kobe Kaisei Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, and 40 eyes of 20 normal control subjects were studied.

INTERVENTION

The subjects underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, corneal sensitivity measurements, tear film break up time (BUT), Schirmer test, tear film lipid layer interferometry, and conjunctival impression cytology.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The patients and the control subjects were compared for prephototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) tear function parameters, tear film lipid layer interferometry grade, goblet cell density, and conjunctival squamous metaplasia grade. Alterations of these parameters within 3 months after PTK were also looked for.

RESULTS

The average pre-PTK corneal sensitivity and tear film break up time were lower in patients compared with control subjects before PTK. Tear film lipid layer interferometry grade and conjunctival squamous metaplasia grades were higher in the patients than the controls before PTK. All these parameters improved gradually and significantly after PTK. Goblet cell density was significantly lower in the patients compared with controls before PTK. Schirmer test results and goblet cell density did not show any significant alterations after PTK.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent improvements in corneal sensitivity, tear film break up time, lipid layer interference grades, and conjunctival squamous metaplasia grades all point to the favorable effects of PTK on the ocular surface by improving the stability of the tear film and ocular surface health through attainment of a regular corneal surface and probably inducing qualitatively/quantitatively better mucin production by a healthier epithelium after PTK.

Orexins suppress catecholamine synthesis and secretion in cultured PC12 cells

New orexigenic peptides called orexin-A and -B have recently been described in neurons of the lateral hypothalamus and perifornical area. No orexins have been found in adipose tissues or visceral organs, including the adrenal gland. However, expression of the orexin-receptor 2 (OX2R) in the rat adrenal gland has been reported. To test the effects of orexins on peripheral organs, we investigated their effects on catecholamine synthesis and secretion in the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12. Orexin-A and -B (100 nM) significantly reduced basal and PACAP-induced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) (the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines) mRNA levels. Orexin-A and -B (100 nM) also significantly inhibited the PACAP-induced increase in the cAMP level, suggesting that the suppressive effect on TH mRNA is mediated, at least in part, by the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway. Furthermore, orexin-A and -B (100 nM) significantly suppressed basal and PACAP-induced dopamine secretion from PC12 cells. Next, we examined whether orexin receptors (OX1R, OX2R) were present in the rat adrenal gland and PC12 cells. In the adrenal glands, OX2R was as strongly expressed as in the hypothalamus, but OX1R was not detected. On the other hand, neither OX1R nor OX2R was expressed in PC12 cells. However, binding assays showed equal binding of orexin-A and -B to PC12 cells, suggesting the existence in these cells of some receptors for orexins. These results indicate that orexins suppress catecholamine release and synthesis, and that the inhibitory effect is mediated by the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway.

Molecular cloning and characterization of cDNA for insect biogenic peptide, growth-blocking peptide

Growth-blocking peptide (GBP) is an insect biogenic peptide that prevents the onset of metamorphosis from larva to pupa. A cDNA coding for GBP is described. Mixed oligonucleotides derived from a GBP peptide sequence were used to generate amplified DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Based on the sequence of the amplified DNA, a 41 bases oligonucleotide was designed for screening a cDNA library which was constructed from the armyworm Pseudaletia separata larvae parasitized with the parasitic wasp Cotesia kariyai. The cloned cDNA for GBP was 809 base pairs in length. An open reading frame of 429 base pairs encodes a pre-pro-peptide of 143 amino acid residues in which GBP is localized at the C-terminal region, and other three peptides including a putative signal peptide and appropriate processing sites for endoproteolytic cleavage precede the GBP sequence. Northern blot analyses demonstrate the presence of a 800-base mRNA transcript in fat body and 2.5-kilobase transcript in brain and nerve cord, suggesting the possibility that the transcription of GBP gene is regulated in a tissue-dependent manner. This interpretation was supported by isolating a GBP cDNA fragment from cDNA pool of brain-nerve cords. GBP mRNA is constantly expressed in both parasitized and non-parasitized last instar larvae and there is no difference in the levels of the mRNA between both larvae, thus indicating that parasitism may effect on translational or posttranslational level to elevate plasma GBP concentration.