Insect retinoid-like receptor compositions and methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to the discovery of novel insect receptor polypeptides, which, when complexed with certain ligands, or otherwise activated by certain compounds, modulate transcription of certain genes by binding to cognate response elements associated with the promoters of the genes. The novel receptors of the invention are substantially similar to previously discovered mammalian receptors which are activated to modulate transcription of certain genes in cells, when the cells are exposed to retinoic acid. The invention provides DNAs encoding the novel receptors, including expression vectors for expression of the receptors in cells; cells transformed with such expression vectors; cells co-transformed with such expression vectors and with reporter vectors to monitor activation of the receptors to modulate transcription, when the cells are exposed to ligand for the invention receptor; and methods of using such co-transformed cells in screening for compounds which are capable of leading to activation of the receptors and for compounds which are capable of interfering with such activation and, as such, are potentially potent insecticides. The invention also provides DNA and RNA probes for identifying DNA's encoding related receptors, of insects and other animals, of the class, to which the novel receptors of the invention belong.