cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence of apolipophorin-III from Agrius convolvuli (Sphingidae: Lepidoptera)

Abstract

The cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence for apolipophorin-III from the sweet potato hornworm, Agrius convolvuli, have been determined. The degree of sequence identity of apolipophorin-III between A. convolvuli and the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, is quite high. The amino acid sequence from A. convolvuli also showed high similarity to the sequence of apolipophorin-III of four other Lepidopterans, Bombyx mori, Bombyx mandarina, Galleria mellonella and Spodoptera litura. The high level of cDNA and amino acid sequence identity between A. convolvuli and M. sexta indicates a relatively close phylogenetic relationship with respect to the apolipophorin-III gene.