Detection of Proteins with a High Affinity for Imidazole Insect Growth Regulator, KK-42

Abstract

For explanation on mode of action of KK-42, an imidazole insect growth regulator, an amine analog of KK-42 (1-(3-aminopropyl)-5-[(E)-2,6-dimethyl-1,5-heptadienyl]imidazole, ADHI) has been designed and prepared as a ligand to detect proteins with high affinity in pharate first larvae of wild silk moth associated with artificial hatching. The mode of action of KK-42 for induction of precocious metamorphosis is speculated to be an inhibition of ecdysteroid biosynthesis at the prothoracic gland (PG). Since the PG in 5th instar larvae of silkworm on day 7 has strong biosynthetic activity and is sensitive to KK-42, a supernatant of a homogenate of the PG was applied to ADHI-Sepharose. After optimization of the condition of affinity chromatography, a single protein was eluted with free KK-42. This protein did not bind to the affinity gel when incubated with KK-42 before the application.