The diapause hormone-pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide gene of Helicoverpa armigera encodes multiple peptides that break, rather than induce, diapause.

FXPRLamide peptides encoded by the DH-PBAN (diapause hormone-pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide) gene induce embryonic diapause in Bombyx mori, but terminate pupal diapause in Helicoverpa armigera (Har). Here, we explore the mechanisms of terminating pupal diapause by the FXPRLamide peptides. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we observed that expression of Har-DH-PBAN mRNA in the SG of nondiapause-type pupae was significantly higher than in diapause-type pupae. Immunocytochemical results indicated that the level of FXPRLamide peptides and axonal release are related to the diapause decision. Ecdysteroidogenesis in prothoracic glands (PGs) was stimulated by synthetic Har-DH in vivo and in vitro, and labeled Har-DH bound to the membrane of the PG, thus suggesting that DH breaks diapause by activating the PG to synthesize ecdysone. Furthermore, the response of DH in terminating diapause was temperature dependent. Decerebration experiments showed that the brain can control pupal development through the regulation of DH, and DH can terminate diapause and promote development without the brain. This result suggests a possible mechanism of response for the signals of DH and other FXPRLamide peptides in H. armigera.