Stress-induced reproductive arrest in Drosophila occurs through ETH deficiency-mediated suppression of oogenesis and ovulation.

Background: Environmental stressors induce changes in endocrine state, leading to energy re-allocation from reproduction to survival. Female Drosophila melanogaster respond to thermal and nutrient stressors by arresting egg production through elevation of the steroid hormone ecdysone. However, the mechanisms through which this reproductive arrest occurs are not well understood.

A pheromonotropic peptide of Helicoverpa zea, with melanizing activity, interaction with PBAN, and distribution of immunoreactivity.

The sequence of an 18-amino acid residue peptide was deduced from the gene encoding PBAN and other peptides with common C-termini in Helicoverpa zea. The peptide caused melanization in larvae and pheromone production in females of H. zea, and was designated pheromonotropic melanizing peptide (Hez-PMP).