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Liu XL, Pei YW, Wu ZR, Zhang XQ, Lu M. Binding Properties of Odorant Binding Protein 37 in Plagiodera versicolora to Host Volatile, o-Cymene. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:5682-5689. [PMID: 38446420 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c09827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The chemosensory system plays an important role in the host plants location. Plagiodera versicolora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a worldwide leaf-eating forest pest that feeds exclusively on salicaceous trees. There is no function study of odorant binding proteins (OBPs) in P. versicolora. In the current study, we found that PverOBP37 has a high expression in male and female antennae, heads, and legs by quantitative real-time PCR. The binding properties of PverOBP37 to 18 host plant volatiles were determined by fluorescence competition binding assays. The results showed that PverOBP37 could bind to the host plant volatile, o-cymene. Furthermore, four candidate key amino acid residues (F8, Y50, F103, and R107) of PverOBP37 to o-cymene were identified by molecular docking. The functional assay to confirm Y50, F103, and R107 mutations were key amino acid residues of PverOBP37 involved in the binding to o-cymene. Knockdown of PverOBP37 and Y-tube behavioral bioassays of mated females led to a significantly reduced attraction to o-cymene. This study not only revealed the molecular mechanism of PverOBP37 but also suggested that PverOBP37 is essential to detect host plant volatiles as cues to search for egg-laying sites in P. versicolora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Long Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Yi-Wen Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Zhe-Ran Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Disease and Pests, Ministry of Education/Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Min Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
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Chen XL, Li BL, Chen YX, Li GW, Wu JX. Functional analysis of the odorant receptor coreceptor in odor detection in Grapholita molesta (lepidoptera: Tortricidae). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 108:e21837. [PMID: 34293199 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The olfactory system must detect and discriminate various semiochemicals in the environment. In response to such diversity, insects have evolved a family of odorant-gated ion channels composed of a common receptor (coreceptor, Orco) and a ligand-binding tuning odorant receptor (OR) that confers odour specificity. This study aims to examine the expression pattern of Orco gene of Grapholita molesta (GmolOrco) and to elucidate the role of GmolOrco in detecting G. molesta sex pheromone and green leaf volatiles by using gene silencing via RNA interference (RNAi) coupled antennal electrophysiological (EAG). Multiple sequence alignment showed that GmolOrco shared high sequence similarities with the Orco ortholog of lepidopterans. The results of real-time quantitative PCR detection demonstrated that GmolOrco was predominantly expressed in adult antennae and had the highest expression quantity in adult period among the different developmental stages. Compared with the noninjected controls, GmolOrco expression in GmolOrcodouble-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-injected males was reduced to 39.92% and that in females was reduced to 40.43%. EAG assays showed that the responses of GmolOrco-dsRNA injected males to sex pheromones (Z)-8-dodecenyl acetate (Z8-12:OAc) and (Z)-8-dodecenyl alcohol (Z8-12:OH) were significantly reduced, and the GmolOrco-dsRNA-injected female to green leaf volatile (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate also significantly declined. We inferred that Orco-mediated olfaction was different in male and female G. molesta adults and was mainly involved in recognizing the sex pheromones released by female moths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Lin Chen
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bo-Liao Li
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu-Xin Chen
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guang-Wei Li
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jun-Xiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources & Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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Luo J, Zhang Z, Li D, Liu J, Li K, Sun X, He L. Identification and Functional Analysis of SlitOBP11 From Spodoptera litura. Front Physiol 2021; 12:619816. [PMID: 33643066 PMCID: PMC7904875 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.619816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) play a key role in the olfactory recognition of insects, whose functions have been extensively studied in adult insects but rarely in larvae. In this study, one OBP (SlitOBP11) with high expression in larval antenna but low expression in adult antenna of Spodoptera litura was screened by RNA-seq and verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, the function of SlitOBP11 was explored by analysis of the expression patterns and prokaryotic expression of proteins as well as assays of competitive binding. Competitive binding assay demonstrated that SlitOBP11 had high binding affinity to all four female sex pheromone components, but exhibited almost no binding affinity to plant volatiles except for a low affinity to Phenylacetaldehyde and Phenethyl acetate. Homology modeling and molecular docking implied that the shape of these four sex pheromones were linear, which were appropriate for the binding channel of SlitOBP11 and the amino acid residue Asn99 of SlitOBP11 might play an important role in binding. Taken together, our results indicate that SlitOBP11 may be involved in the perception of female sex pheromones by S. litura larvae, and OBPs in the larvae of S. litura play an important role in the olfactory perception process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Luo
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongzhen Li
- Laboratory of Forest Pathogen Integrated Biology, Research Institute of Forestry New Technology, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kun Li
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Lin He
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Cheng W, Zhang Y, Yu J, Liu W, Zhu-Salzman K. Functional Analysis of Odorant-Binding Proteins 12 and 17 from Wheat Blossom Midge Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11120891. [PMID: 33348639 PMCID: PMC7767053 DOI: 10.3390/insects11120891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Sitodiplosis mosellana is one of the most destructive pests of wheat. Adults rely highly on wheat spike volatiles to search and locate oviposition sites. Insect odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are important in binding and transporting host plant volatiles to the olfactory receptors. Therefore, OBP-based behavioral interference is believed to be a novel and effective pest management strategy. The objectives of this study were to clone two S. mosellana female antenna-enriched OBP genes (SmosOBP12 and SmosOBP17), determine the functions of the encoded SmosOBP proteins in binding wheat volatiles, and investigate behavioral responses of female S. mosellana to odorant molecules. Results indicated that SmosOBP12 had a broader ligand-binding spectrum than SmosOBP17 to wheat volatiles. Female S. mosellana showed intensive response to 3-hexanol, 1-octen-3-ol, D-panthenol, 3-carene, (Z)-3-hexenylacetate, hexyl acetate, methyl salicylate, heptyl acetate, ethyl heptanoate, α-farnesene, and ocimene. Notably, all these compounds except α-farnesene exhibited strong affinity to SmosOBP12. In conclusion, SmosOBP12 may play more crucial roles than SmosOBP17 in perception and transportation of biologically active host volatiles. This information has enhanced our molecular understanding of the S. mosellana olfaction, which could also serve as an important reference for developing attractants or repellents to control this pest. Abstract The wheat blossom midge Sitodiplosis mosellana, one of the most disastrous wheat pests, depends highly on olfactory cues to track suitable plants. To better understand the olfactory recognition mechanisms involved in host selection, in the present study we cloned two S. mosellana adult antenna-specific odorant binding protein (OBP) genes, SmosOBP12 and SmosOBP17, and evaluated bacterially expressed recombinant proteins for their selectivity and sensitivity for host wheat volatiles using the fluorescence-based ligand binding assay. The results showed that both SmosOBPs effectively bound alcohol, ester, ketone, and terpenoid compounds. Particularly, SmosOBP12 had significantly higher affinities (Ki < 10.5 μM) than SmosOBP17 (Ki2 > 0.1 μM) to 3-hexanol, 1-octen-3-ol, D-panthenol, 3-carene, (Z)-3-hexenylacetate, hexyl acetate, methyl salicylate, heptyl acetate, and ethyl heptanoate. Consistently, S. mosellana females were attracted to all these chemicals in a behavioral assay using Y-tube olfactometer. SmosOBP12 also bound aldehyde, but neither bound alkanes. Notably, SmosOBP12 exhibited strong affinity to ocimene (Ki = 8.2 μM) that repelled S. mosellana. SmosOBP17, however, was insensitive to this compound. Taken together, our results indicate that SmosOBP12 may play a greater role than SmosOBP17 in perceiving these biologically active plant volatiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weining Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources & Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (Y.Z.); (J.Y.); (W.L.)
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (K.Z.-S.)
| | - Yudong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources & Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (Y.Z.); (J.Y.); (W.L.)
| | - Jinlin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources & Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (Y.Z.); (J.Y.); (W.L.)
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources & Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (Y.Z.); (J.Y.); (W.L.)
| | - Keyan Zhu-Salzman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (K.Z.-S.)
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Cheng WN, Zhang YD, Liu W, Li GW, Zhu-Salzman K. Molecular and functional characterization of three odorant-binding proteins from the wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana. INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 27:721-734. [PMID: 31017726 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sitodiplosis mosellana, a periodic but devastating wheat pest, relies on wheat spike volatiles as a cue in selecting hosts for oviposition. Insect odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are thought to play essential roles in filtering, binding and transporting hydrophobic odorant molecules to specific receptors. To date, the molecular mechanisms underlying S. mosellana olfaction are poorly understood. Here, three S. mosellana antenna-specific OBP genes, SmosOBP11, 16 and 21, were cloned and bacterially expressed. Binding properties of the recombinant proteins to 28 volatiles emitted from wheat spikes were investigated using fluorescence competitive binding assays. Sequence analysis suggested that these SmosOBPs belong to the Classic OBP subfamily. Ligand-binding analysis showed that all three SmosOBPs preferentially bound alcohol, ester and ketone compounds, and SmosOBP11 and 16 also selectively bound terpenoid compounds. In particular, the three SmosOBPs had high binding affinities (Ki < 20 μmol/L) to 3-hexanol and cis-3-hexenylacetate that elicited strong electroantennogram (EAG) response from female antennae. In addition, SmosOBP11 displayed significantly higher binding (Ki < 8 μmol/L) than SmosOBP16 and 21 to 1-octen-3-ol, D-panthenol, α-pinene and heptyl acetate which elicited significant EAG response, suggesting that SmosOBP11 plays a major role in recognition and transportation of these volatiles. These findings have provided important insight into the molecular mechanism by which S. mosellana specifically recognizes plant volatiles for host selection, and have facilitated identification of effective volatile attractants that are potentially useful for pest monitoring and trapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ning Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu-Dong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guang-Wei Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Keyan Zhu-Salzman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Li GW, Chen XL, Chen LH, Wang WQ, Wu JX. Functional Analysis of the Chemosensory Protein GmolCSP8 From the Oriental Fruit Moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Front Physiol 2019; 10:552. [PMID: 31133881 PMCID: PMC6516043 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) belong to a family of small water-soluble proteins that can selectively bind and transport odorant molecules for olfactory communication in insects. To date, their definite physiological functions in olfaction remain controversial when compared with odorant binding proteins (OBPs). To investigate the functions of CSPs in the oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta, we determined the tissue expression patterns and binding properties of the CSP, GmolCSP8. The key binding sites of GmolCSP8 with a representative ligand were evaluated using molecular flexible docking, site-directed mutagenesis and ligand-binding experiments. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that GmolCSP8 possesses a typical conserved four cysteines motif and shares high sequence identity with some CSP members of other Lepidopteran insects. GmolCSP8 was predominantly expressed in the wings and antennae of both male and female adults and may be involve in contact chemoreception. Recombinant GmolCSP8 (rGmolCSP8) exhibited specific-binding affinities to small aliphatic alcohols (C4–12) and had the strongest binding affinity to 1-hexanol. The three-dimensional structure of GmolCSP8 was constructed using the structure of sgCSP4 as a template. Site-directed mutagenesis and ligand-binding experiments confirmed that Thr27 is the key binding site in GmolCSP8 for 1-hexanol binding, because this residue can form hydrogen bond with the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl group in 1-hexanol, and Leu30 may play an important role in binding to 1-hexanol. We found that pH significantly affected the binding affinities of rGmolCSP8 to ligand, revealing that ligand-binding and -release by this protein is related to a pH-dependent conformational transition. Based on these results, we infer that GmolCSP8 may participate in the recognition and transportation of 1-hexanol and other small aliphatic alcohols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Wei Li
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, Yan'an University, Yan'an, China.,College of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
| | - Xiu-Lin Chen
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, Yan'an University, Yan'an, China.,College of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
| | - Li-Hui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management (Northwest A&F University), Ministry of Education, Yangling, China
| | - Wen-Qiang Wang
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, Yan'an University, Yan'an, China.,College of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
| | - Jun-Xiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management (Northwest A&F University), Ministry of Education, Yangling, China
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Li GW, Chen XL, Xu XL, Wu JX. Degradation of sex pheromone and plant volatile components by an antennal glutathione S-transferase in the oriental fruit moth,Grapholita molesta Busck (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 99:e21512. [PMID: 30387866 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Insect antennae have a primary function of perceiving and discerning odorant molecules including sex pheromones and host plant volatiles. The assumption that genes highly expressed in the antennae may have an olfactory-related role associated with signal transduction. Here, one delta subfamily glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene (GmolGSTD1) was obtained from an antennal transcriptome of Grapholita molesta. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results revealed that GmolGSTD1 was mainly expressed in antennae and the expression levels were significantly higher in female antennae than in male antennae. The recombinant GmolGSTD1 (rGmolGSTD1) showed glutathione-conjugating activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrates. The pH range for optimal rGmolGSTD1 enzyme activity was 6.0-6.5, and rGmolGSTD1 enzyme activity had maximal peaks at 35-40°C. Spectrophotometric analysis indicated that insecticides had weak inhibitory effects on the activity of rGmolGSTD1 with the inhibitory rates of 28.82% for chlorpyrifos, 22.27% for lambda-cyhalothrin, 18.07% for bifenthrin, 20.42% for acetamiprid, 17.57% for thiamethoxam, 25.67% for metaflumizone, 27.43% for abamectin, and 7.24% for chlorbenzuron. rGmolGSTD1 exhibited high degradation activity to the sex pheromone component (Z)-8-dodecenyl alcohol and the host plant volatile butyl hexanoate with the degradation efficiency of 75.01% and 48.54%, respectively. We speculate that GmolGSTD1 works in inactivating odorant molecules and maintaining sensitivity to olfactory communication of G. molesta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Wei Li
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management (Northwest A&F University), Ministry of Education, Yangling, China
| | - Xiu-Lin Chen
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management (Northwest A&F University), Ministry of Education, Yangling, China
| | - Xiang-Li Xu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management (Northwest A&F University), Ministry of Education, Yangling, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jun-Xiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management (Northwest A&F University), Ministry of Education, Yangling, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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Venthur H, Zhou JJ. Odorant Receptors and Odorant-Binding Proteins as Insect Pest Control Targets: A Comparative Analysis. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1163. [PMID: 30197600 PMCID: PMC6117247 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, two alternative targets in insect periphery nerve system have been explored for environmentally-friendly approaches in insect pest management, namely odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs). Located in insect antennae, OBPs are thought to be involved in the transport of odorants to ORs for the specific signal transduction of behaviorally active odorants. There is rich information on OBP binding affinity and molecular docking to bioactive compounds as well as ample 3D crystal structures due to feasible production of recombinant proteins. Although these provide excellent opportunities for them to be considered as pest control targets and a tool to design pest control agents, the debates on their binding specificity represent an obstacle. On the other hand, ORs have recently been functionally characterized with increasing evidence for their specificity, sensitivity and functional roles in pest behaviors. However, a major barrier to use ORs for semiochemical discovery is the lack of 3D crystal structures. Thus, OBPs and ORs have not been analyzed comparatively together so far for their feasibility as pest control targets. Here, we summarize the state of OBPs and ORs research in terms of its application in insect pest management. We discuss the suitability of both proteins as pest control targets and their selection toward the discovery of new potent semiochemicals. We argue that both proteins represent promising targets for pest control and can be used to identify new super-ligands likely present in nature and with reduced risk of resistance development than insect pesticides currently used in agriculture. We discuss that with the massive identification of OBPs through RNA-seq and improved binding affinity measurements, these proteins could be reconsidered as suitable targets for semiochemical discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert Venthur
- Laboratorio de Química Ecológica, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.,Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research Applied to the Environment (CIBAMA), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jing-Jiang Zhou
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
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