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Zboray K, Toth AV, Miskolczi TD, Pesti K, Casanova E, Kreidl E, Mike A, Szenes Á, Sági L, Lukacs P. High-throughput ligand profile characterization in novel cell lines expressing seven heterologous insect olfactory receptors for the detection of volatile plant biomarkers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21757. [PMID: 38066004 PMCID: PMC10709440 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47455-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Agriculturally important crop plants emit a multitude of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are excellent indicators of their health status and their interactions with pathogens and pests. In this study, we have developed a novel cellular olfactory panel for detecting fungal pathogen-related VOCs we had identified in the field, as well as during controlled inoculations of several crop plants. The olfactory panel consists of seven stable HEK293 cell lines each expressing a functional Drosophila olfactory receptor as a biosensing element along with GCaMP6, a fluorescent calcium indicator protein. An automated 384-well microplate reader was used to characterize the olfactory receptor cell lines for their sensitivity to reference VOCs. Subsequently, we profiled a set of 66 VOCs on all cell lines, covering a concentration range from 1 to 100 μM. Results showed that 49 VOCs (74.2%) elicited a response in at least one olfactory receptor cell line. Some VOCs activated the cell lines even at nanomolar (ppb) concentrations. The interaction profiles obtained here will support the development of biosensors for agricultural applications. Additionally, the olfactory receptor proteins can be purified from these cell lines with sufficient yields for further processing, such as structure determination or integration with sensor devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Zboray
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
- TetraLab Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Adam V Toth
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
- Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tímea D Miskolczi
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
- Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Pesti
- TetraLab Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Agricultural Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
| | - Emilio Casanova
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emanuel Kreidl
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Novartis AG, 6336, Langkampfen, Austria
| | - Arpad Mike
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
- Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Áron Szenes
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Sági
- Agricultural Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
| | - Peter Lukacs
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary.
- Agricultural Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary.
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Du HT, Lu JQ, Ji K, Wang CC, Yao ZC, Liu F, Li Y. Comparative Transcriptomic Assessment of Chemosensory Genes in Adult and Larval Olfactory Organs of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2165. [PMID: 38136987 PMCID: PMC10742765 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a notorious pest of rice in Asia. The larvae and adults of C. medinalis utilize specialized chemosensory systems to adapt to different environmental odors and physiological behaviors. However, the differences in chemosensory genes between the olfactory organs of these two different developmental stages remain unclear. Here, we conducted a transcriptome analysis of larvae heads, male antennae, and female antennae in C. medinalis and identified 131 putative chemosensory genes, including 32 OBPs (8 novel OBPs), 23 CSPs (2 novel CSPs), 55 ORs (17 novel ORs), 19 IRs (5 novel IRs) and 2 SNMPs. Comparisons between larvae and adults of C. medinalis by transcriptome and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the number and expression of chemosensory genes in larval heads were less than that of adult antennae. Only 17 chemosensory genes (7 OBPs and 10 CSPs) were specifically or preferentially expressed in the larval heads, while a total of 101 chemosensory genes (21 OBPs, 9 CSPs, 51 ORs, 18 IRs, and 2 SNMPs) were specifically or preferentially expressed in adult antennae. Our study found differences in chemosensory gene expression between larvae and adults, suggesting their specialized functions at different developmental stages of C. medinalis. These results provide a theoretical basis for screening chemosensory genes as potential molecular targets and developing novel management strategies to control C. medinalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tao Du
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (H.-T.D.); (J.-Q.L.); (K.J.); (C.-C.W.); (Z.-C.Y.)
| | - Jia-Qi Lu
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (H.-T.D.); (J.-Q.L.); (K.J.); (C.-C.W.); (Z.-C.Y.)
| | - Kun Ji
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (H.-T.D.); (J.-Q.L.); (K.J.); (C.-C.W.); (Z.-C.Y.)
| | - Chu-Chu Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (H.-T.D.); (J.-Q.L.); (K.J.); (C.-C.W.); (Z.-C.Y.)
| | - Zhi-Chao Yao
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (H.-T.D.); (J.-Q.L.); (K.J.); (C.-C.W.); (Z.-C.Y.)
| | - Fang Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (H.-T.D.); (J.-Q.L.); (K.J.); (C.-C.W.); (Z.-C.Y.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yao Li
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (H.-T.D.); (J.-Q.L.); (K.J.); (C.-C.W.); (Z.-C.Y.)
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Liu XY, Yan R, Chen SJ, Zhang JL, Xu HJ. Orco mutagenesis causes deficiencies in olfactory sensitivity and fertility in the migratory brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1030-1039. [PMID: 36354196 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The migratory brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is the most destructive pest affecting rice plants in Asia and feeds exclusively on rice. Studies have investigated the olfactory response of BPHs to the major rice volatile compounds in rice. The insect olfactory co-receptor (Orco) is a crucial component of the olfactory system and is essential for odorant detection. Functional analysis of the Orco gene in BPHs would aid in the identification of their host preference. RESULTS We identified the BPH Orco homologue (NlOrco) by Blast searching the BPH transcriptome with the Drosophila Orco gene sequence. Spatiotemporal analysis indicated that NlOrco is first expressed in the later egg stage, and is expressed mainly in the antennae in adult females. A NlOrco-knockout line (NlOrco-/- ) was generated through clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis. The NlOrco-/- mutants showed no response to rice volatile compounds and consequently no host-plant preference. In addition, NlOrco-/- mutants exhibited extended nymphal duration and impaired fecundity compared with wild-type BPHs. CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that BPHs exhibit strong olfactory responses to major rice volatile compounds and suggest that NlOrco is required for the maximal fitness of BPHs. Our results may facilitate the identification of potential target genes or chemical compounds for BPH control applications. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ru Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sun-Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Portilla Pulido JS, Urbina Duitama DL, Velasquez-Martinez MC, Mendez-Sanchez SC, Duque JE. Differentiation of action mechanisms between natural and synthetic repellents through neuronal electroantennogram and proteomic in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Sci Rep 2022; 12:20397. [PMID: 36437275 PMCID: PMC9701785 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24923-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural-based compounds with repellent activity arise nowadays with the possibility to replace commercial synthetic repellents wholly or partially, such as N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). It is due to DEET's demonstrated toxicity and cutaneous irritation for human beings. Besides, research recommends avoiding using it with kids and pregnant women. The search for a repellent product implies early stages of detailed research that resolve the modes of action against the target insect. Therefore the objective of the current study was to analyze neuronal electrophysiological signals and olfactory system protein expression when the Aedes aegypti mosquito with exposition to natural-based repellents. Adult females of Ae. aegypti of Rockefeller strain were exposed to specific concentrations of repellent compounds like geranyl acetate, α-bisabolol, nerolidol, and DEET. The neuronal effect was measured by electroantennography technique, and the effect of exposure to either DEET or a mixture of natural molecules on protein expression was determined with 2D-PAGE followed by MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry (MS). This approach revealed that DEET affected proteins related to synapses and ATP production, whereas natural-based repellents increased transport, signaling, and detoxification proteins. The proteomic and electrophysiology experiments demonstrated that repellent exposure disrupts ionic channel activity and modifies neuronal synapse and energy production processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Sebastián Portilla Pulido
- grid.411595.d0000 0001 2105 7207Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica y Microbiología (GIBIM), Facultad de ciencias, Escuela de Química, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia ,grid.411595.d0000 0001 2105 7207Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Centro de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales-CINTROP, Facultad de Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander Colombia
| | - Diana Lizeth Urbina Duitama
- grid.411595.d0000 0001 2105 7207Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica y Microbiología (GIBIM), Facultad de ciencias, Escuela de Química, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia ,grid.411595.d0000 0001 2105 7207Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Centro de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales-CINTROP, Facultad de Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander Colombia
| | - María Carolina Velasquez-Martinez
- grid.411595.d0000 0001 2105 7207Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Grupo de investigación en Neurociencias y Comportamiento UIS-UPB, Facultad de Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander Colombia
| | - Stelia Carolina Mendez-Sanchez
- grid.411595.d0000 0001 2105 7207Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica y Microbiología (GIBIM), Facultad de ciencias, Escuela de Química, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Jonny Edward Duque
- grid.411595.d0000 0001 2105 7207Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Centro de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales-CINTROP, Facultad de Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander Colombia
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Chen L, Feng C, Wang R, Nong X, Deng X, Chen X, Yu H. A chromosome-level genome assembly of the pollinating fig wasp Valisia javana. DNA Res 2022; 29:6589890. [PMID: 35595238 PMCID: PMC9160881 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Fig wasp has always been thought the species-specific pollinator for their host fig (Moraceae, Ficus) and constitute a model system with its host to study co-evolution and co-speciation. The availability of a high-quality genome will help to further reveal the mechanisms underlying these characteristics. Here, we present a high-quality chromosome-level genome for Valisa javana developed by a combination of PacBio long-read and Illumina short-read. The assembled genome size is 296.34 Mb from 13 contigs with a contig N50 length of 26.76 kb. Comparative genomic analysis revealed expanded and positively selected genes related to biological features that aid fig wasps living in syconium of its highly specific host. Protein-coding genes associated with chemosensory, detoxification and venom genes were identified. Several differentially expressed genes in transcriptome data of V. javana between odor-stimulated samples and the controls have been identified in some olfactory signal transduction pathways, e.g. olfactory transduction, cAMP, cGMP-PKG, Calcim, Ras and Rap1. This study provides a valuable genomic resource for a fig wasp, and sheds insight into further revealing the mechanisms underlying their adaptive traits to their hosts in different places and co-speciation with their host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianfu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guangzhou 510650, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Chao Feng
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Rong Wang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Tiantong National Station for Forest Ecosystem Research, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xiaojue Nong
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Xiaoxia Deng
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Xiaoyong Chen
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Tiantong National Station for Forest Ecosystem Research, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guangzhou 510650, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guangzhou 510650, China
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Time-Dependent Odorant Sensitivity Modulation in Insects. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040354. [PMID: 35447796 PMCID: PMC9028461 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Insects, including blood-feeding female mosquitoes, can transmit deadly diseases, such as malaria, encephalitis, dengue, and yellow fever. Insects use olfaction to locate food sources, mates, and hosts. The nature of odorant plumes poses a challenge for insects in locating odorant sources in the environment. In order to modulate the system for the detection of fresh stimuli or changes in odorant concentrations, the olfaction system desensitizes to different concentrations and durations of stimuli. Without this ability, the chemotaxis behaviors of insects are defective. Thus, understanding how insects adjust their olfactory response dynamics to parse the chemical language of the external environment is not only a basic biology question but also has far-reaching implications for repellents and pest control. Abstract Insects use olfaction to detect ecologically relevant chemicals in their environment. To maintain useful responses over a variety of stimuli, olfactory receptor neurons are desensitized to prolonged or high concentrations of stimuli. Depending on the timescale, the desensitization is classified as short-term, which typically spans a few seconds; or long-term, which spans from minutes to hours. Compared with the well-studied mechanisms of desensitization in vertebrate olfactory neurons, the mechanisms underlying invertebrate olfactory sensitivity regulation remain poorly understood. Recently, using a large-scale functional screen, a conserved critical receptor phosphorylation site has been identified in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster, providing new insight into the molecular basis of desensitization in insects. Here, we summarize the progress in this area and provide perspectives on future directions to determine the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate the desensitization in insect olfaction.
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Miazzi F, Jain K, Kaltofen S, Bello JE, Hansson BS, Wicher D. Targeting Insect Olfaction in vivo and in vitro Using Functional Imaging. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:839811. [PMID: 35281299 PMCID: PMC8907589 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.839811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects decode volatile chemical signals from its surrounding environment with the help of its olfactory system, in a fast and reliable manner for its survival. In order to accomplish this task, odorant receptors (ORs) expressed in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in the fly's antenna process such odor information. In order to study such a sophisticated process, we require access to the sensory neurons to perform functional imaging. In this article, we present different preparations to monitor odor information processing in Drosophila melanogaster OSNs using functional imaging of their Ca2+ dynamics. First, we established an in vivo preparation to image specific OSN population expressing the fluorescent Ca2+ reporter GCaMP3 during OR activation with airborne odors. Next, we developed a method to extract and to embed OSNs in a silica hydrogel with OR activation by dissolved odors. The odor response dynamics under these different conditions was qualitatively similar which indicates that the reduction of complexity did not affect the concentration dependence of odor responses at OSN level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Miazzi
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Kalpana Jain
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Sabine Kaltofen
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Jan E. Bello
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Bill S. Hansson
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Dieter Wicher
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
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Cheema JA, Carraher C, Plank NOV, Travas-Sejdic J, Kralicek A. Insect odorant receptor-based biosensors: Current status and prospects. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 53:107840. [PMID: 34606949 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Whilst the senses of vision and hearing have been successfully automated and miniaturized in portable formats (e.g. smart phone), this is yet to be achieved with the sense of smell. This is because the sensing challenge is not trivial as it involves navigating a chemosensory space comprising thousands of volatile organic compounds. Distinct aroma recognition is based on detecting unique combinations of volatile organic compounds. In natural olfactory systems this is accomplished by employing odorant receptors (ORs) with varying specificities, together with combinatorial neural coding mechanisms. Attempts to mimic the remarkable sensitivity and accuracy of natural olfactory systems has therefore been challenging. Current portable chemical sensors for odorant detection are neither sensitive nor selective, prompting research exploring artificial olfactory devices that use natural OR proteins for sensing. Much research activity to develop OR based biosensors has concentrated on mammalian ORs, however, insect ORs have not been explored as extensively. Insects possess an extraordinary sense of smell due to a repertoire of odorant receptors evolved to interpret olfactory cues vital to the insects' survival. The potential of insect ORs as sensing elements is only now being unlocked through recent research efforts to understand their structure, ligand binding mechanisms and development of odorant biosensors. Like their mammalian counterparts, there are many challenges with working with insect ORs. These include expression, purification and presentation of the insect OR in a stable display format compatible with an effective transduction methodology while maintaining OR structure and function. Despite these challenges, significant progress has been demonstrated in developing OR-based biosensors which exploit insect ORs in cells, lipid bilayers, liposomes and nanodisc formats. Ultrasensitive and highly selective detection of volatile organic compounds has been validated by coupling these insect OR display formats with transduction methodologies spanning optical (fluorescence) and electrical (field effect transistors, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) techniques. This review summarizes the current status of insect OR based biosensors and their future outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamal Ahmed Cheema
- Polymer Biointerface Centre, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Colm Carraher
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Natalie O V Plank
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
| | - Jadranka Travas-Sejdic
- Polymer Biointerface Centre, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
| | - Andrew Kralicek
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Scentian Bio Limited, 1c Goring Road, Sandringham, Auckland 1025, New Zealand.
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Lin JY, Yang Z, Yang C, Du JX, Yang F, Cheng J, Pan W, Zhang SJ, Yan X, Wang J, Wang J, Tie L, Yu X, Chen X, Sun JP. An ionic lock and a hydrophobic zipper mediate the coupling between an insect pheromone receptor BmOR3 and downstream effectors. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101160. [PMID: 34480896 PMCID: PMC8477192 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pheromone receptors (PRs) recognize specific pheromone compounds to guide the behavioral outputs of insects, which are the most diverse group of animals on earth. The activation of PRs is known to couple to the calcium permeability of their coreceptor (Orco) or putatively with G proteins; however, the underlying mechanisms of this process are not yet fully understood. Moreover, whether this transverse seven transmembrane domain (7TM)-containing receptor is able to couple to arrestin, a common effector for many conventional 7TM receptors, is unknown. Herein, using the PR BmOR3 from the silk moth Bombyx mori and its coreceptor BmOrco as a template, we revealed that an agonist-induced conformational change of BmOR3 was transmitted to BmOrco through transmembrane segment 7 from both receptors, resulting in the activation of BmOrco. Key interactions, including an ionic lock and a hydrophobic zipper, are essential in mediating the functional coupling between BmOR3 and BmOrco. BmOR3 also selectively coupled with Gi proteins, which was dispensable for BmOrco coupling. Moreover, we demonstrated that trans-7TM BmOR3 recruited arrestin in an agonist-dependent manner, which indicates an important role for BmOR3–BmOrco complex formation in ionotropic functions. Collectively, our study identified the coupling of G protein and arrestin to a prototype trans-7TM PR, BmOR3, and provided important mechanistic insights into the coupling of active PRs to their downstream effectors, including coreceptors, G proteins, and arrestin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yu Lin
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhao Yang
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chan Yang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Ji-Xiang Du
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Pan
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shi-Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xu Yan
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lu Tie
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jin-Peng Sun
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
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A Comparative Perspective on Functionally-Related, Intracellular Calcium Channels: The Insect Ryanodine and Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11071031. [PMID: 34356655 PMCID: PMC8301844 DOI: 10.3390/biom11071031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis is vital for insect development and metabolism, and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a major intracellular reservoir for Ca2+. The inositol 1,4,5- triphosphate receptor (IP3R) and ryanodine receptor (RyR) are large homotetrameric channels associated with the ER and serve as two major actors in ER-derived Ca2+ supply. Most of the knowledge on these receptors derives from mammalian systems that possess three genes for each receptor. These studies have inspired work on synonymous receptors in insects, which encode a single IP3R and RyR. In the current review, we focus on a fundamental, common question: “why do insect cells possess two Ca2+ channel receptors in the ER?”. Through a comparative approach, this review covers the discovery of RyRs and IP3Rs, examines their structures/functions, the pathways that they interact with, and their potential as target sites in pest control. Although insects RyRs and IP3Rs share structural similarities, they are phylogenetically distinct, have their own structural organization, regulatory mechanisms, and expression patterns, which explains their functional distinction. Nevertheless, both have great potential as target sites in pest control, with RyRs currently being targeted by commercial insecticide, the diamides.
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11
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Dolzer J, Schröder K, Stengl M. Cyclic nucleotide-dependent ionic currents in olfactory receptor neurons of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta suggest pull-push sensitivity modulation. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:4804-4826. [PMID: 34128265 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta sensitize via cAMP- and adapt via cGMP-dependent mechanisms. Perforated patch clamp recordings distinguished 11 currents in these ORNs. Derivatives of cAMP and/or cGMP antagonistically affected three of five K+ currents and two non-specific cation currents. The Ca2+ -dependent K+ current IK(Ca 2+ ) and the sensitive pheromone-dependent K+ current IK(cGMP-) , which both express fast kinetics, were inhibited by 8bcGMP, while a slow K+ current, IK(cGMP+) , was activated by 8bcGMP. Furthermore, application of 8bcAMP blocked slowly activating, zero mV-reversing, non-specific cation currents, ILL and Icat(PKC?) , which remained activated in the presence of 8bcGMP. Their activations pull the membrane potential towards their 0-mV reversal potentials, in addition to increasing intracellular Ca2+ levels voltage- and ILL -dependently. Twenty minutes after application, 8bcGMP blocked a TEA-independent K+ current, IK(noTEA) , and a fast cation current, Icat(nRP) , which both shift the membrane potential to negative values. We conclude that conditions of sensitization are maintained at high levels of cAMP, via specific opening/closure of ion channels that allow for fast kinetics, hyperpolarized membrane potentials, and low intracellular Ca2+ levels. In contrast, adaptation is supported via cGMP, which antagonizes cAMP, opening Ca2+ -permeable channels with slow kinetics that stabilize depolarized resting potentials. The antagonistic modulation of peripheral sensory neurons by cAMP or cGMP is reminiscent of pull-push mechanisms of neuromodulation at central synapses underlying metaplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Dolzer
- Biologie, Tierphysiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Institut für Zoologie, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Schröder
- Animal Physiology/Neuroethology, Biology, FB 10, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
| | - Monika Stengl
- Biologie, Tierphysiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Institut für Zoologie, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Animal Physiology/Neuroethology, Biology, FB 10, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
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12
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Kolesov DV, Ivanova VO, Sokolinskaya EL, Kost LA, Balaban PM, Lukyanov KA, Nikitin ES, Bogdanov AM. Impacts of OrX and cAMP-insensitive Orco to the insect olfactory heteromer activity. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:4549-4561. [PMID: 34129187 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06480-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Insect odorant receptors (ORs) have been suggested to function as ligand-gated cation channels, with OrX/Orco heteromers combining ionotropic and metabotropic activity. The latter is mediated by different G proteins and results in Orco self-activation by cyclic nucleotide binding. In this contribution, we co-express the odor-specific subunits DmOr49b and DmOr59b with either wild-type Orco or an Orco-PKC mutant lacking cAMP activation heterologously in mammalian cells. We show that the characteristics of heteromers strongly depend on both the OrX type and the coreceptor variant. Thus, methyl acetate-sensitive Or59b/Orco demonstrated 25-fold faster response kinetics over o-cresol-specific Or49b/Orco, while the latter required a 10-100 times lower ligand concentration to evoke a similar electrical response. Compared to wild-type Orco, Orco-PKC decreased odorant sensitivity in both heteromers, and blocked an outward current rectification intrinsic to the Or49b/Orco pair. Our observations thus provide an insight into insect OrX/Orco functioning, highlighting their natural and artificial tuning features and laying the groundwork for their application in chemogenetics, drug screening, and repellent design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danila V Kolesov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - Violetta O Ivanova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Liubov A Kost
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel M Balaban
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Evgeny S Nikitin
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey M Bogdanov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia.
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13
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Abbas F, Vinberg F. Transduction and Adaptation Mechanisms in the Cilium or Microvilli of Photoreceptors and Olfactory Receptors From Insects to Humans. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:662453. [PMID: 33867944 PMCID: PMC8046925 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.662453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensing changes in the environment is crucial for survival. Animals from invertebrates to vertebrates use both visual and olfactory stimuli to direct survival behaviors including identification of food sources, finding mates, and predator avoidance. In primary sensory neurons there are signal transduction mechanisms that convert chemical or light signals into an electrical response through ligand binding or photoactivation of a receptor, that can be propagated to the olfactory and visual centers of the brain to create a perception of the odor and visual landscapes surrounding us. The fundamental principles of olfactory and phototransduction pathways within vertebrates are somewhat analogous. Signal transduction in both systems takes place in the ciliary sub-compartments of the sensory cells and relies upon the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to close cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) cation channels in photoreceptors to produce a hyperpolarization of the cell, or in olfactory sensory neurons open CNG channels to produce a depolarization. However, while invertebrate phototransduction also involves GPCRs, invertebrate photoreceptors can be either ciliary and/or microvillar with hyperpolarizing and depolarizing responses to light, respectively. Moreover, olfactory transduction in invertebrates may be a mixture of metabotropic G protein and ionotropic signaling pathways. This review will highlight differences of the visual and olfactory transduction mechanisms between vertebrates and invertebrates, focusing on the implications to the gain of the transduction processes, and how they are modulated to allow detection of small changes in odor concentration and light intensity over a wide range of background stimulus levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Abbas
- Vinberg Lab, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, John A. Moran Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Frans Vinberg
- Vinberg Lab, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, John A. Moran Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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14
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Ng R, Salem SS, Wu ST, Wu M, Lin HH, Shepherd AK, Joiner WJ, Wang JW, Su CY. Amplification of Drosophila Olfactory Responses by a DEG/ENaC Channel. Neuron 2019; 104:947-959.e5. [PMID: 31629603 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Insect olfactory receptors operate as ligand-gated ion channels that directly transduce odor stimuli into electrical signals. However, in the absence of any known intermediate transduction steps, it remains unclear whether and how these ionotropic inputs are amplified in olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). Here, we find that amplification occurs in the Drosophila courtship-promoting ORNs through Pickpocket 25 (PPK25), a member of the degenerin/epithelial sodium channel family (DEG/ENaC). Pharmacological and genetic manipulations indicate that, in Or47b and Ir84a ORNs, PPK25 mediates Ca2+-dependent signal amplification via an intracellular calmodulin-binding motif. Additionally, hormonal signaling upregulates PPK25 expression to determine the degree of amplification, with striking effects on male courtship. Together, these findings advance our understanding of sensory neurobiology by identifying an amplification mechanism compatible with ionotropic signaling. Moreover, this study offers new insights into DEG/ENaC activation by highlighting a novel means of regulation that is likely conserved across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renny Ng
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Secilia S Salem
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shiuan-Tze Wu
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Meilin Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hui-Hao Lin
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Andrew K Shepherd
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - William J Joiner
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jing W Wang
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Chih-Ying Su
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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15
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Hill SR, Ghaninia M, Ignell R. Blood Meal Induced Regulation of Gene Expression in the Maxillary Palps, a Chemosensory Organ of the Mosquito Aedes aegypti. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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16
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Raad H, Robichon A. The pleiotropic effects of Innexin genes expressed in Drosophila glia encompass wing chemosensory sensilla. J Neurosci Res 2019; 97:1319-1330. [PMID: 31257643 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The neuroanatomy of Drosophila wing chemosensilla and the analysis of their sensory organ precursor cell lineage have demonstrated that they are surprisingly related to taste perception. The microarchitecture of wing bristles limits the use of electrophysiology methods to investigate wing chemosensory mechanisms. However, by monitoring the fluorescence of the complex calcium/GCaMP, calcium flux triggered upon tastant stimulation was observed within sensilla aligned along the wing anterior nerve. This string of fluorescent puncta was impaired in wings of Innexin 2 (Inx2) mutant flies; although it is unclear whether the Innexin proteins act at the level of the wing imaginal disc, adult wing and/or at both levels. Glial cells known to shelter Innexin(s) expression have no documented role in adult chemosensory sensilla. Our data suggest that Innexin(s) are likely required for the maturation of functional wing chemosensilla in adulthood. The unexpected presence of most Innexin transcripts in adult wing RNAseq data set argues for the expression of Innexin proteins in the larval imaginal wing disc that are continued in wing chemosensilla at adulthood. OPEN PRACTICES: This article has earned an Open Data badge for making publicly available the digitally-shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available as supporting materials and includes the electronic lab notebook. Learn more about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science: https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Raad
- INRA, CNRS, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, Sophia Antipolis, France.,Lebanese International University, Mazraa, Lebanon
| | - Alain Robichon
- INRA, CNRS, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, Sophia Antipolis, France
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17
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Slankster E, Odell SR, Mathew D. Strength in diversity: functional diversity among olfactory neurons of the same type. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2019; 51:65-75. [PMID: 30604088 PMCID: PMC6382560 DOI: 10.1007/s10863-018-9779-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Most animals depend upon olfaction to find food, mates, and to avoid predators. An animal's olfactory circuit helps it sense its olfactory environment and generate critical behavioral responses. The general architecture of the olfactory circuit, which is conserved across species, is made up of a few different neuronal types including first-order receptor neurons, second- and third-order neurons, and local interneurons. Each neuronal type differs in their morphology, physiology, and neurochemistry. However, several recent studies have suggested that there is intrinsic diversity even among neurons of the same type and that this diversity is important for neural function. In this review, we first examine instances of intrinsic diversity observed among individual types of olfactory neurons. Next, we review potential genetic and experience-based plasticity mechanisms that underlie this diversity. Finally, we consider the implications of intrinsic neuronal diversity for circuit function. Overall, we hope to highlight the importance of intrinsic diversity as a previously underestimated property of circuit function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eryn Slankster
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St., MS: 0314, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Seth R Odell
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St., MS: 0314, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
- Integrated Neuroscience Program, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Dennis Mathew
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St., MS: 0314, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
- Integrated Neuroscience Program, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
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18
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Low Ca 2+ levels in the culture media support the heterologous expression of insect odorant receptor proteins in HEK cells. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 312:122-125. [PMID: 30476491 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heterologous expression of insect odorant receptors (ORs) in mammalian or insect cells is challenging due to the insufficient intracellular trafficking of ORs and their ability to form leak ion channels. NEW METHOD We tested whether reducing the Ca2+ levels in the cell culture medium after electroporation by means of a Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) without calcium, in a 1:1 ratio with Ham's F12 nutrient mixture, together with 10% fetal calf serum, can improve the success rate of insect OR expression in HEK293 cells. RESULTS We show that a reduced extracellular Ca2+ level supports functional expression of insect ORs by increasing the fraction of cells responding to the co-receptor agonist VUAA1 and by reducing the intracellular Ca2+ base level of transfected cells. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) A DMEM formula without calcium outperforms standard DMEM in a 1:1 ratio with Ham's F12 mix and 10% serum, when culturing HEK293 cells transiently expressing insect OR proteins. CONCLUSIONS Reducing the extracellular Ca2+ level of HEK293 cell culture media after transfection increases the success of functional insect OR expression.
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19
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Eliason J, Afify A, Potter C, Matsumura I. A GAL80 Collection To Inhibit GAL4 Transgenes in Drosophila Olfactory Sensory Neurons. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2018; 8:3661-3668. [PMID: 30262521 PMCID: PMC6222567 DOI: 10.1534/g3.118.200569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Fruit flies recognize hundreds of ecologically relevant odors and respond appropriately to them. The complexity, redundancy and interconnectedness of the olfactory machinery complicate efforts to pinpoint the functional contributions of any component neuron or receptor to behavior. Some contributions can only be elucidated in flies that carry multiple mutations and transgenes, but the production of such flies is currently labor-intensive and time-consuming. Here, we describe a set of transgenic flies that express the Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAL80 in specific olfactory sensory neurons (OrX-GAL80s). The GAL80s effectively and specifically subtract the activities of GAL4-driven transgenes that impart anatomical and physiological phenotypes. OrX-GAL80s can allow researchers to efficiently activate only one or a few types of functional neurons in an otherwise nonfunctional olfactory background. Such experiments will improve our understanding of the mechanistic connections between odorant inputs and behavioral outputs at the resolution of only a few functional neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Eliason
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute' Ashburn, VA, 20147
- Department of Biochemistry; Emory University School of Medicine; Atlanta, GA, 30322
| | - Ali Afify
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Christopher Potter
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Ichiro Matsumura
- Department of Biochemistry; Emory University School of Medicine; Atlanta, GA, 30322
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20
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Zufall F, Domingos AI. The structure of Orco and its impact on our understanding of olfaction. J Gen Physiol 2018; 150:1602-1605. [PMID: 30385592 PMCID: PMC6279367 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201812226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Zufall and Domingos discuss the significance of the recent structure of the insect odorant co-receptor Orco to the field of olfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Zufall
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ana I Domingos
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
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21
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Levakova M, Kostal L, Monsempès C, Jacob V, Lucas P. Moth olfactory receptor neurons adjust their encoding efficiency to temporal statistics of pheromone fluctuations. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006586. [PMID: 30422975 PMCID: PMC6258558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficient coding hypothesis predicts that sensory neurons adjust their coding resources to optimally represent the stimulus statistics of their environment. To test this prediction in the moth olfactory system, we have developed a stimulation protocol that mimics the natural temporal structure within a turbulent pheromone plume. We report that responses of antennal olfactory receptor neurons to pheromone encounters follow the temporal fluctuations in such a way that the most frequent stimulus timescales are encoded with maximum accuracy. We also observe that the average coding precision of the neurons adjusted to the stimulus-timescale statistics at a given distance from the pheromone source is higher than if the same encoding model is applied at a shorter, non-matching, distance. Finally, the coding accuracy profile and the stimulus-timescale distribution are related in the manner predicted by the information theory for the many-to-one convergence scenario of the moth peripheral sensory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Levakova
- Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lubomir Kostal
- Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Vincent Jacob
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, INRA, Versailles, France
- Peuplements végétaux et bioagresseurs en milieu végétal, CIRAD, Université de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Ile de la Réunion, France
| | - Philippe Lucas
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, INRA, Versailles, France
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22
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Gomez-Diaz C, Martin F, Garcia-Fernandez JM, Alcorta E. The Two Main Olfactory Receptor Families in Drosophila, ORs and IRs: A Comparative Approach. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:253. [PMID: 30214396 PMCID: PMC6125307 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Most insect species rely on the detection of olfactory cues for critical behaviors for the survival of the species, e.g., finding food, suitable mates and appropriate egg-laying sites. Although insects show a diverse array of molecular receptors dedicated to the detection of sensory cues, two main types of molecular receptors have been described as responsible for olfactory reception in Drosophila, the odorant receptors (ORs) and the ionotropic receptors (IRs). Although both receptor families share the role of being the first chemosensors in the insect olfactory system, they show distinct evolutionary origins and several distinct structural and functional characteristics. While ORs are seven-transmembrane-domain receptor proteins, IRs are related to the ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) family. Both types of receptors are expressed on the olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) of the main olfactory organ, the antenna, but they are housed in different types of sensilla, IRs in coeloconic sensilla and ORs in basiconic and trichoid sensilla. More importantly, from the functional point of view, they display different odorant specificity profiles. Research advances in the last decade have improved our understanding of the molecular basis, evolution and functional roles of these two families, but there are still controversies and unsolved key questions that remain to be answered. Here, we present an updated review on the advances of the genetic basis, evolution, structure, functional response and regulation of both types of chemosensory receptors. We use a comparative approach to highlight the similarities and differences among them. Moreover, we will discuss major open questions in the field of olfactory reception in insects. A comprehensive analysis of the structural and functional convergence and divergence of both types of receptors will help in elucidating the molecular basis of the function and regulation of chemoreception in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Gomez-Diaz
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Fernando Martin
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Esther Alcorta
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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23
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Gawalek P, Stengl M. The Diacylglycerol Analogs OAG and DOG Differentially Affect Primary Events of Pheromone Transduction in the Hawkmoth Manduca sexta in a Zeitgebertime-Dependent Manner Apparently Targeting TRP Channels. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:218. [PMID: 30087596 PMCID: PMC6066562 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
For the hawkmoth Manduca sexta accumulating evidence suggests that pheromone transduction acts via a metabotropic signal transduction cascade, with G-protein-dependent phospholipase C (PLC) activations generating diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol trisphosphate as the primary events in hawkmoth pheromone transduction. In contrast, ionotropic olfactory receptor (OR) coreceptor (Orco)-dependent mechanisms do not appear to be involved. In hawkmoths pheromones activated a specific sequence of PLC-dependent ion channels of unknown identity. In several sensory systems transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels were found downstream of PLC as primary transduction channels. Also in the mammalian vomeronasal organ, DAG-dependent TRP channels are employed. Therefore, we hypothesized that TRPs may be downstream targets for DAG also in the hawkmoth pheromone signal transduction pathway. To test this, we employed two DAG analogs, OAG and DOG for in vivo single-sensillum tip-recordings of pheromone-sensitive sensilla. Since olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) expressed circadian changes in sensitivity throughout the day, we recorded at two different Zeitgebertimes (ZTs), the hawkmoths activity phase at ZT 1 and its resting phase at ZT 9. We found that the DAG analogs targeted at least two different TRP-like channels that underlie the primary events of hawkmoth pheromone transduction daytime-dependently. At both ZTs OAG sped up and increased the Orco-independent phasic action potential response without affecting the Orco-dependent late, long-lasting pheromone response. Thus, OAG most likely opened a transient Ca2+ permeable TRP channel that was available at both ZTs and that opened pheromone-dependently before Orco. In contrast, DOG slowed down and decreased the sensillum potential, the phasic-, and the late, long-lasting pheromone response. Therefore, DOG appeared to activate a protein kinase C (PKC) that closed TRP-like Ca2+ permeable channels and opened Ca2+ impermeable cation channels, which have been previously described and are most abundant at ZT 9. These data support our hypothesis that hawkmoth pheromone transduction is mediated by metabotropic PLC-dependent mechanisms that activate TRP-like channels as the primary event of pheromone transduction. In addition, our data indicate that at different times of the day different second messenger-dependent ion channels are available for pheromone transduction cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monika Stengl
- Animal Physiology, FB 10, Biology, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
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24
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Guo L, Zhao H, Jiang Y. Expressional and functional interactions of two Apis cerana cerana olfactory receptors. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5005. [PMID: 29910990 PMCID: PMC6001824 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Apis cerana cerana relies on its sensitive olfactory system to perform foraging activities in the surrounding environment. Olfactory receptors (ORs) are a primary requirement for odorant recognition and coding. However, the molecular recognition of volatile compounds with ORs in A. cerana cerana is still not clear. Hence, in the present study, we achieved transient transfection and cell surface expression of A. cerana cerana ORs (AcerOr1 and AcerOr2; AcerOr2 is orthologous to the co-receptor) in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells. AcerOr2 narrowly responded to N-(4-ethylphenyl)-2-((4-ethyl-5-(3-pyridinyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) thio) acetamide (VUAA1), whereas AcerOr1 was sensitive to eugenol, lauric acid, ocimene, 1-nonanol, linolenic acid, hexyl acetate, undecanoic acid, 1-octyl alcohol, and nerol. Of the compounds tested, AcerOr1 showed the highest sensitivity to these odorants with EC50 values of 10−7 and 10−8 M, and AcerOr2 recognized VUAA1 with higher sensitivity [EC50 = (6.621 ± 0.26) × 10−8]. These results indicate that AcerOr2 is an essential gene for olfactory signaling, and AcerOr1 is a broadly tuned receptor. We discovered ligands that were useful for probing receptor activity during odor stimulation and validated three of them by electroantennography. The response increased with concentration of the odorant. The present study provides insight into the mechanism of olfactory discrimination in A. cerana cerana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Guo
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Huiting Zhao
- College of Life Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Yusuo Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
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Zielonka M, Breer H, Krieger J. Molecular elements of pheromone detection in the female moth, Heliothis virescens. INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 25:389-400. [PMID: 28026117 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Pheromones play pivotal roles in the reproductive behavior of moths, most prominently for the mate finding of male moths. Accordingly, the molecular basis for the detection of female-released pheromones by male moths has been studied in great detail. In contrast, little is known about how females can detect pheromone components released by themselves or by conspecifics. In this study, we assessed the antenna of female Heliothis virescens for elements of pheromone detection. In accordance with previous findings that female antennae respond to the sex pheromone component (Z)-9-tetradecenal, we identified olfactory sensory neurons that express its cognate receptor, the receptor type HR6. All HR6 cells coexpressed the "sensory neuron membrane protein 1" (SNMP1) and were associated with supporting cells expressing the pheromone-binding proteins PBP1 and PBP2. These features are reminiscent to male antennae and point to congruent mechanisms for pheromone detection in the two sexes. Further analysis of the SNMP1-expressing cells revealed a higher number in females compared to males. Moreover, in females, the SNMP1 neurons were arranged in clusters, which project their dendrites into a common sensillum, whereas in males there were only solitary SNMP1-neurons and only 1 per sensillum. Not all SNMP1 positive cells in female antennae expressed HR6 but instead the putative pheromone receptors HR11 and HR18, respectively. Neurons expressing 1 of the 3 receptor types were assigned to different sensilla. Together the data indicate that on the antenna of females, sensory neurons in a subset of sensilla trichodea are equipped with molecular elements, which render them responsive to pheromones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Zielonka
- Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Heinz Breer
- Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krieger
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology/Zoology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Legeay S, Clere N, Apaire-Marchais V, Faure S, Lapied B. Unusual modes of action of the repellent DEET in insects highlight some human side effects. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 825:92-98. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Corcoran JA, Sonntag Y, Andersson MN, Johanson U, Löfstedt C. Endogenous insensitivity to the Orco agonist VUAA1 reveals novel olfactory receptor complex properties in the specialist fly Mayetiola destructor. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3489. [PMID: 29472565 PMCID: PMC5823858 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21631-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect olfactory receptors are routinely expressed in heterologous systems for functional characterisation. It was recently discovered that the essential olfactory receptor co-receptor (Orco) of the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Mdes), does not respond to the agonist VUAA1, which activates Orco in all other insects analysed to date. Here, using a mutagenesis-based approach we identified three residues in MdesOrco, located in different transmembrane helices as supported by 3D modelling, that confer sensitivity to VUAA1. Reciprocal mutations in Drosophila melanogaster (Dmel) and the noctuid moth Agrotis segetum (Aseg) Orcos diminish sensitivity of these proteins to VUAA1. Additionally, mutating these residues in DmelOrco and AsegOrco compromised odourant receptor (OR) dependent ligand-induced Orco activation. In contrast, both wild-type and VUAA1-sensitive MdesOrco were capable of forming functional receptor complexes when coupled to ORs from all three species, suggesting unique complex properties in M. destructor, and that not all olfactory receptor complexes are “created” equal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yonathan Sonntag
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Urban Johanson
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Terrado M, Yu Y, Plettner E. Correlation of pheromone-binding protein–ligand equilibrium dissociation constants with electroantennogram response patterns. CAN J CHEM 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjc-2017-0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) are water-soluble proteins found at high concentration in the lymph fluid of pheromone-sensing hairs on insect antennae. PBPs could function as pheromone transporters, ferrying the hydrophobic odorants to their cognate odorant receptors. However, it is also possible for these proteins to bind the odorants near the dendritic membrane of pheromone-sensing neurons and, therefore, function as scavengers. The two functions are not mutually exclusive. In this paper, the transporter and (or) scavenger roles of PBPs in pheromone perception were investigated using the pheromone of the gypsy moth (7R, 8S)-epoxy-2-methyloctadecane and analogues with heteroatom (O or S) substitutions in the hydrocarbon chain. PBP–ligand equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) were correlated with electroantennogram (EAG) response patterns of male gypsy moth antennae to the pheromone, its enantiomer, and their respective analogues. EAG measures the potential drop across the antenna due to odorant receptor activation and subsequent ion channel opening. Three quantifiable properties of the EAG responses were used: lag times from stimulus to response onset, depolarization rates (rate of receptor activation), and repolarization rates (rate of receptor deactivation). Negative correlations were observed between Kd and lag times and between Kd and repolarization rates. Positive correlations were seen with Kd against depolarization rates. The inverse relationship of Kd constants with lag times and the direct relationship with depolarization rates strongly supports transporter function of PBPs. Interestingly, the inverse correlation of Kd constants with repolarization rates suggests a scavenger effect. These results indicate that PBP affects odorant receptor activity through both odorant transport and scavenger functions. Through differences in ligand binding affinities, PBPs influence pheromone availability for receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mailyn Terrado
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Erika Plettner
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
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Fleischer J, Pregitzer P, Breer H, Krieger J. Access to the odor world: olfactory receptors and their role for signal transduction in insects. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:485-508. [PMID: 28828501 PMCID: PMC11105692 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2627-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The sense of smell enables insects to recognize and discriminate a broad range of volatile chemicals in their environment originating from prey, host plants and conspecifics. These olfactory cues are received by olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) that relay information about food sources, oviposition sites and mates to the brain and thus elicit distinct odor-evoked behaviors. Research over the last decades has greatly advanced our knowledge concerning the molecular basis underlying the reception of odorous compounds and the mechanisms of signal transduction in OSNs. The emerging picture clearly indicates that OSNs of insects recognize odorants and pheromones by means of ligand-binding membrane proteins encoded by large and diverse families of receptor genes. In contrast, the mechanisms of the chemo-electrical transduction process are not fully understood; the present status suggests a contribution of ionotropic as well as metabotropic mechanisms. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge on the peripheral mechanisms of odor sensing in insects focusing on olfactory receptors and their specific role in the recognition and transduction of odorant and pheromone signals by OSNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joerg Fleischer
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology/Zoology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Pablo Pregitzer
- Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Heinz Breer
- Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krieger
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology/Zoology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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Birgiolas J, Jernigan CM, Gerkin RC, Smith BH, Crook SM. SwarmSight: Real-time Tracking of Insect Antenna Movements and Proboscis Extension Reflex Using a Common Preparation and Conventional Hardware. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 29364251 PMCID: PMC5908382 DOI: 10.3791/56803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Many scientifically and agriculturally important insects use antennae to detect the presence of volatile chemical compounds and extend their proboscis during feeding. The ability to rapidly obtain high-resolution measurements of natural antenna and proboscis movements and assess how they change in response to chemical, developmental, and genetic manipulations can aid the understanding of insect behavior. By extending our previous work on assessing aggregate insect swarm or animal group movements from natural and laboratory videos using the video analysis software SwarmSight, we developed a novel, free, and open-source software module, SwarmSight Appendage Tracking (SwarmSight.org) for frame-by-frame tracking of insect antenna and proboscis positions from conventional web camera videos using conventional computers. The software processes frames about 120 times faster than humans, performs at better than human accuracy, and, using 30 frames per second (fps) videos, can capture antennal dynamics up to 15 Hz. The software was used to track the antennal response of honey bees to two odors and found significant mean antennal retractions away from the odor source about 1 s after odor presentation. We observed antenna position density heat map cluster formation and cluster and mean angle dependence on odor concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sharon M Crook
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University; School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State University
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Odor-evoked inhibition of olfactory sensory neurons drives olfactory perception in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1357. [PMID: 29116083 PMCID: PMC5676773 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01185-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory response occurs throughout the nervous system, including the peripheral olfactory system. While odor-evoked excitation in peripheral olfactory cells is known to encode odor information, the molecular mechanism and functional roles of odor-evoked inhibition remain largely unknown. Here, we examined Drosophila olfactory sensory neurons and found that inhibitory odors triggered outward receptor currents by reducing the constitutive activities of odorant receptors, inhibiting the basal spike firing in olfactory sensory neurons. Remarkably, this odor-evoked inhibition of olfactory sensory neurons elicited by itself a full range of olfactory behaviors from attraction to avoidance, as did odor-evoked olfactory sensory neuron excitation. These results indicated that peripheral inhibition is comparable to excitation in encoding sensory signals rather than merely regulating excitation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that a bidirectional code with both odor-evoked inhibition and excitation in single olfactory sensory neurons increases the odor-coding capacity, providing a means of efficient sensory encoding. It is well established that odor-evoked excitation in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) encodes odor information. Here the authors report that odor-evoked inhibition in OSNs of Drosophila also encodes odor identity, and can in itself drive both attraction and avoidance behaviors.
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Rahman S, Luetje CW. Mutant cycle analysis identifies a ligand interaction site in an odorant receptor of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:18916-18923. [PMID: 28972152 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.810374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of information about the structure of insect odorant receptors (ORs) hinders the development of more effective repellants to control disease-transmitting insects. Mutagenesis and functional analyses using agonists to map the odorant-binding sites of these receptors have been limited because mutations distant from an agonist-binding site can alter agonist sensitivity. Here we use mutant cycle analysis, an approach for exploring the energetics of protein-protein or protein-ligand interactions, with inhibitors, to identify a component of the odorant-binding site of an OR from the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae The closely related odorant-specificity subunits Agam/Or15 and Agam/Or13 were each co-expressed with Agam/Orco (odorant receptor co-receptor subunit) in Xenopus oocytes and assayed by two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology. We identified (-)-fenchone as a competitive inhibitor with different potencies at the two receptors and used this difference to screen a panel of 37 Agam/Or15 mutants, surveying all positions that differ between Agam/Or15 and Agam/Or13 in the transmembrane and extracellular regions, identifying position 195 as a determinant of (-)-fenchone sensitivity. Inhibition by (-)-fenchone and six structurally related inhibitors of Agam/Or15 receptors containing each of four different hydrophobic residues at position 195 served as input data for mutant cycle analysis. Several mutant cycles, calculated from the inhibition of two receptors by each of two ligands, yielded coupling energies of ≥1 kcal/mol, indicating a close, physical interaction between the ligand and residue 195 of Agam/Or15. This approach should be useful in further expanding our knowledge of odorant-binding site structures in ORs of disease vector insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhaila Rahman
- From the Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33101
| | - Charles W Luetje
- From the Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33101
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Zhang QH, Wu ZN, Zhou JJ, Du YJ. Molecular and functional characterization of a candidate sex pheromone receptor OR1 in Spodoptera litura. INSECT SCIENCE 2017; 24:543-558. [PMID: 26573759 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction is primarily mediated by highly specified olfactory receptors (ORs). Here, we cloned and identified an olfactory receptor, named SlituOR1 (Genbank no. JN835269), from Spodoptera litura and found evidence that it is a candidate pheromone receptor. It exhibited male-biased expression in the antennae, where it was localized at the base of sensilla trichoidea, the antennal sensilla mainly responsive to pheromones in moths. Conserved orthologues of this receptor, found among known pheromone receptors within the Lepidoptera, and SlituOR1 were placed among a clade of candidate pheromone receptors in a phylogeny tree of insect OR gene sequences. SlituOR1 showed differential expression in S. litura populations attracted to traps baited with different ratios of the two sex pheromone components (9Z,11E)-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9E11-14:OAc) and (9Z,12E)-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9E12-14:OAc). Knocking down of SlituOR1 by RNA interference reduced the electroantennogram (EAG) response to Z9E11-14:OAc, and this result is consistent with the field trapping experiment. We infer that variation in transcription levels of olfactory receptors may modulate sex pheromone perception in male moths and could provide some of the flexibility required to maintain the functionality of communication with females when a population is adapting to a new niche and reproductive isolation becomes an advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin-Hui Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
- Institute of Health & Environmental Ecology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Zhong-Nan Wu
- Institute of Health & Environmental Ecology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Jing-Jiang Zhou
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, BBSRC, Harpenden, Herts. AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Yong-Jun Du
- Institute of Health & Environmental Ecology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
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Tick Haller's Organ, a New Paradigm for Arthropod Olfaction: How Ticks Differ from Insects. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18071563. [PMID: 28718821 PMCID: PMC5536051 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are the vector of many human and animal diseases; and host detection is critical to this process. Ticks have a unique sensory structure located exclusively on the 1st pairs of legs; the fore-tarsal Haller’s organ, not found in any other animals, presumed to function like the insect antennae in chemosensation but morphologically very different. The mechanism of tick chemoreception is unknown. Utilizing next-generation sequencing and comparative transcriptomics between the 1st and 4th legs (the latter without the Haller’s organ), we characterized 1st leg specific and putative Haller’s organ specific transcripts from adult American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis. The analysis suggested that the Haller’s organ is involved in olfaction, not gustation. No known odorant binding proteins like those found in insects, chemosensory lipocalins or typical insect olfactory mechanisms were identified; with the transcriptomic data only supporting a possible olfactory G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signal cascade unique to the Haller’s organ. Each component of the olfactory GPCR signal cascade was identified and characterized. The expression of GPCR, Gαo and β-arrestin transcripts identified exclusively in the 1st leg transcriptome, and putatively Haller’s organ specific, were examined in unfed and blood-fed adult female and male D. variabilis. Blood feeding to repletion in adult females down-regulated the expression of all three chemosensory transcripts in females but not in males; consistent with differences in post-feeding tick behavior between sexes and an expected reduced chemosensory function in females as they leave the host. Data are presented for the first time of the potential hormonal regulation of tick chemosensation; behavioral assays confirmed the role of the Haller’s organ in N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) repellency but showed no role for the Haller’s organ in host attachment. Further research is needed to understand the potential role of the GPCR cascade in olfaction.
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Kepchia D, Moliver S, Chohan K, Phillips C, Luetje CW. Inhibition of insect olfactory behavior by an airborne antagonist of the insect odorant receptor co-receptor subunit. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177454. [PMID: 28562598 PMCID: PMC5451006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Response to volatile environmental chemosensory cues is essential for insect survival. The odorant receptor (OR) family is an important class of receptors that detects volatile molecules; guiding insects towards food, mates, and oviposition sites. ORs are odorant-gated ion channels, consisting of a variable odorant specificity subunit and a conserved odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) subunit, in an unknown stoichiometry. The Orco subunit possesses an allosteric site to which modulators can bind and noncompetitively inhibit odorant activation of ORs. In this study, we characterized several halogen-substituted versions of a phenylthiophenecarboxamide Orco antagonist structure. Orco antagonist activity was assessed on ORs from Drosophila melanogaster flies and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and assayed by two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology. One compound, OX1w, was also shown to inhibit odorant activation of a panel of Anopheles gambiae mosquito ORs activated by diverse odorants. Next, we asked whether Orco antagonist OX1w could affect insect olfactory behavior. A Drosophila melanogaster larval chemotaxis assay was utilized to address this question. Larvae were robustly attracted to highly diluted ethyl acetate in a closed experimental chamber. Attraction to ethyl acetate was Orco dependent and also required the odorant specificity subunit Or42b. The addition of the airborne Orco antagonist OX1w to the experimental chamber abolished larval chemotaxis towards ethyl acetate. The Orco antagonist was not a general inhibitor of sensory behavior, as behavioral repulsion from a light source was unaffected. This is the first demonstration that an airborne Orco antagonist can alter olfactory behavior in an insect. These results suggest a new approach to insect control and emphasize the need to develop more potent Orco antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin Kepchia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Scott Moliver
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kunal Chohan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Cameron Phillips
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Charles W. Luetje
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
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Wicher D, Morinaga S, Halty-deLeon L, Funk N, Hansson B, Touhara K, Stengl M. Identification and characterization of the bombykal receptor in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 220:1781-1786. [PMID: 28254882 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.154260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Manduca sexta females attract their mates with the release of a species-specific sex-pheromone blend, with bombykal (E,Z)-10,12-hexadecadienal and (E,E,Z)-10,12,14-hexadecatrienal being the two major components. Here, we searched for the hawkmoth bombykal receptor in heterologous expression systems. The putative pheromone receptor MsexOr1 coexpressed with MsexOrco in Xenopus oocytes elicited dose-dependent inward currents upon bombykal application (10-300 μmol l-1), and coexpressed in HEK293 and CHO cells caused bombykal-dependent increases in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration. In addition, the bombykal receptor of Bombyx mori BmOr3 coexpressed with MsexOrco responded to bombykal (30-100 μmol l-1) with inward currents. In contrast, MsexOr4 coexpressed with MsexOrco responded neither to bombykal (30-100 μmol l-1) nor to the (E,E,Z)-10,12,14-hexadecatrienal mimic. Thus, MsexOr1, but not MsexOrco and probably not MsexOr4, is the bombykal-binding pheromone receptor in the hawkmoth. Finally, we obtained evidence that phospholipase C and protein kinase C activity are involved in the hawkmoth's bombykal-receptor-mediated Ca2+ signals in HEK293 and CHO cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Wicher
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Satoshi Morinaga
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, The University of Tokyo and JST ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Lorena Halty-deLeon
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Nico Funk
- University of Kassel, Biology, Animal Physiology, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Bill Hansson
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Kazushige Touhara
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, The University of Tokyo and JST ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Monika Stengl
- University of Kassel, Biology, Animal Physiology, 34132 Kassel, Germany
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Abstract
Summary
Odorants provide insects with crucial information about their environment and trigger various insect behaviors. A remarkably sensitive and selective sense of smell allows the animals to detect extremely low amounts of relevant odorants and thereby recognize, e.g., food, conspecifics, and predators. In recent years, significant progress has been made towards understanding the molecular elements and cellular mechanisms of odorant detection in the antenna and the principles underlying the primary processing of olfactory signals in the brain. These findings show that olfactory hairs on the antenna are specifically equipped with chemosensory detector units. They contain several binding proteins, which transfer odorants to specific receptors residing in the dendritic membrane of olfactory sensory neurons (OSN). Binding of odorant to the receptor initiates ionotropic and/or metabotropic mechanisms, translating the chemical signal into potential changes, which alter the spontaneous action potential frequency in the axon of the sensory neurons. The odor-dependent action potentials propagate from the antennae along the axon to the brain leading to an input signal within the antennal lobe. In the antennal lobe, the first relay station for olfactory information, the input signals are extensively processed by a complex network of local interneurons before being relayed by projection neurons to higher brain centers, where olfactory perception takes place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Sachse
- Abt. Evolutionäre Neuroethologie, Max Planck Institut für Chemische Ökologie Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krieger
- Universität Hohenheim, Institut für Physiologie (230) Garbenstr. 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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Nolte A, Gawalek P, Koerte S, Wei H, Schumann R, Werckenthin A, Krieger J, Stengl M. No Evidence for Ionotropic Pheromone Transduction in the Hawkmoth Manduca sexta. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166060. [PMID: 27829053 PMCID: PMC5102459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect odorant receptors (ORs) are 7-transmembrane receptors with inverse membrane topology. They associate with the conserved ion channel Orco. As chaperon, Orco maintains ORs in cilia and, as pacemaker channel, Orco controls spontaneous activity in olfactory receptor neurons. Odorant binding to ORs opens OR-Orco receptor ion channel complexes in heterologous expression systems. It is unknown, whether this also occurs in vivo. As an alternative to this ionotropic transduction, experimental evidence is accumulating for metabotropic odor transduction, implicating that insect ORs couple to G-proteins. Resulting second messengers gate various ion channels. They generate the sensillum potential that elicits phasic-tonic action potentials (APs) followed by late, long-lasting pheromone responses. Because it is still unclear how and when Orco opens after odor-OR-binding, we used tip recordings to examine in vivo the effects of the Orco antagonist OLC15 and the amilorides MIA and HMA on bombykal transduction in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. In contrast to OLC15 both amilorides decreased the pheromone-dependent sensillum potential amplitude and the frequency of the phasic AP response. Instead, OLC15 decreased spontaneous activity, increased latencies of phasic-, and decreased frequencies of late, long-lasting pheromone responses Zeitgebertime-dependently. Our results suggest no involvement for Orco in the primary transduction events, in contrast to amiloride-sensitive channels. Instead of an odor-gated ionotropic receptor, Orco rather acts as a voltage- and apparently second messenger-gated pacemaker channel controlling the membrane potential and hence threshold and kinetics of the pheromone response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Nolte
- Department of Animal Physiology, FB 10 Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Petra Gawalek
- Department of Animal Physiology, FB 10 Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Sarah Koerte
- Department of Animal Physiology, FB 10 Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - HongYing Wei
- Department of Animal Physiology, FB 10 Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Robin Schumann
- Department of Animal Physiology, FB 10 Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Achim Werckenthin
- Department of Animal Physiology, FB 10 Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krieger
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology/Zoology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06108, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Monika Stengl
- Department of Animal Physiology, FB 10 Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Large, complex brains have evolved independently in several lineages of protostomes and deuterostomes. Sensory centres in the brain increase in size and complexity in proportion to the importance of a particular sensory modality, yet often share circuit architecture because of constraints in processing sensory inputs. The selective pressures driving enlargement of higher, integrative brain centres has been more difficult to determine, and may differ across taxa. The capacity for flexible, innovative behaviours, including learning and memory and other cognitive abilities, is commonly observed in animals with large higher brain centres. Other factors, such as social grouping and interaction, appear to be important in a more limited range of taxa, while the importance of spatial learning may be a common feature in insects with large higher brain centres. Despite differences in the exact behaviours under selection, evolutionary increases in brain size tend to derive from common modifications in development and generate common architectural features, even when comparing widely divergent groups such as vertebrates and insects. These similarities may in part be influenced by the deep homology of the brains of all Bilateria, in which shared patterns of developmental gene expression give rise to positionally, and perhaps functionally, homologous domains. Other shared modifications of development appear to be the result of homoplasy, such as the repeated, independent expansion of neuroblast numbers through changes in genes regulating cell division. The common features of large brains in so many groups of animals suggest that given their common ancestry, a limited set of mechanisms exist for increasing structural and functional diversity, resulting in many instances of homoplasy in bilaterian nervous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Farris
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, 3139 Life Sciences Building, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
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40
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Qu SX, Ma L, Li HP, Song JD, Hong XY. Chemosensory proteins involved in host recognition in the stored-food mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2016; 72:1508-1516. [PMID: 26515037 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) have been proposed to transport a range of aliphatic compounds, esters and other long-chain compounds. A large number of CSPs from different gene subfamilies have been identified and annotated in arthropods; however, the CSP genes in mites remain unknown. Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank is an important stored-product and house-dust pest. RESULTS By analysing the transcriptome, two putative CSPs were identified, namely TputCSP1 and TputCSP2 (14.9 kDa and 12.1 kDa respectively). The phylogenetic tree showed that the two TputCSPs shared most homology with CSPs in Ixodes scapularis and partially with Diptera, including Anopheles gambiae, Drosophila melanogaster, D. pseudoobscura, D. simulans, Delia antiqua and Culex quinquefasciatus. Additionally, they had similar secondary structure. The 3D models revealed that there are six α-helices enclosing the hydrophobic ligand binding pocket. Based on a docking study, we found that three ligands, (-)-alloaromadendrene, 2-methylnaphthalene and cyclopentadecane, had high binding affinities for TputCSP1. Moreover, the TputCSP2 protein had a higher inhibition constant with different affinities to all test ligands from host volatile substances. CONCLUSION The two CSPs have distinct physiological functions. TputCSP1 may mediate host recognition. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Xuan Qu
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Vegetable Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Institute of Vegetable Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui-Ping Li
- Institute of Vegetable Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jin-Di Song
- Institute of Vegetable Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Yue Hong
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Raad H, Ferveur JF, Ledger N, Capovilla M, Robichon A. Functional Gustatory Role of Chemoreceptors in Drosophila Wings. Cell Rep 2016; 15:1442-1454. [PMID: 27160896 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroanatomical evidence argues for the presence of taste sensilla in Drosophila wings; however, the taste physiology of insect wings remains hypothetical, and a comprehensive link to mechanical functions, such as flight, wing flapping, and grooming, is lacking. Our data show that the sensilla of the Drosophila anterior wing margin respond to both sweet and bitter molecules through an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) levels. Conversely, genetically modified flies presenting a wing-specific reduction in chemosensory cells show severe defects in both wing taste signaling and the exploratory guidance associated with chemodetection. In Drosophila, the chemodetection machinery includes mechanical grooming, which facilitates the contact between tastants and wing chemoreceptors, and the vibrations of flapping wings that nebulize volatile molecules as carboxylic acids. Together, these data demonstrate that the Drosophila wing chemosensory sensilla are a functional taste organ and that they may have a role in the exploration of ecological niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Raad
- INRA, University Nice Sophia Antipolis, CNRS, UMR 1355-7254, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, 06900 Sophia Antipolis. 400 route des Chappes, P.O. Box 167, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Jean-François Ferveur
- UMR CNRS 6265/INRA 1324/Université de Bourgogne, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Neil Ledger
- INRA, University Nice Sophia Antipolis, CNRS, UMR 1355-7254, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, 06900 Sophia Antipolis. 400 route des Chappes, P.O. Box 167, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Maria Capovilla
- INRA, University Nice Sophia Antipolis, CNRS, UMR 1355-7254, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, 06900 Sophia Antipolis. 400 route des Chappes, P.O. Box 167, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Alain Robichon
- INRA, University Nice Sophia Antipolis, CNRS, UMR 1355-7254, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, 06900 Sophia Antipolis. 400 route des Chappes, P.O. Box 167, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France.
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Derby CD, Kozma MT, Senatore A, Schmidt M. Molecular Mechanisms of Reception and Perireception in Crustacean Chemoreception: A Comparative Review. Chem Senses 2016; 41:381-98. [PMID: 27107425 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjw057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes our present knowledge of chemoreceptor proteins in crustaceans, using a comparative perspective to review these molecules in crustaceans relative to other metazoan models of chemoreception including mammals, insects, nematodes, and molluscs. Evolution has resulted in unique expansions of specific gene families and repurposing of them for chemosensation in various clades, including crustaceans. A major class of chemoreceptor proteins across crustaceans is the Ionotropic Receptors, which diversified from ionotropic glutamate receptors in ancient protostomes but which are not present in deuterostomes. Representatives of another major class of chemoreceptor proteins-the Grl/GR/OR family of ionotropic 7-transmembrane receptors-are diversified in insects but to date have been reported in only one crustacean species, Daphnia pulex So far, canonic 7-transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors, the principal chemoreceptors in vertebrates and reported in a few protostome clades, have not been identified in crustaceans. More types of chemoreceptors are known throughout the metazoans and might well be expected to be discovered in crustaceans. Our review also provides a comparative coverage of perireceptor events in crustacean chemoreception, including molecules involved in stimulus acquisition, stimulus delivery, and stimulus removal, though much less is known about these events in crustaceans, particularly at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adriano Senatore
- Present address: Biology Department, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
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Miazzi F, Hansson BS, Wicher D. Odor-induced cAMP production in Drosophila melanogaster olfactory sensory neurons. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 219:1798-803. [PMID: 27045092 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.137901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Insect odorant receptors are seven transmembrane domain proteins that form cation channels, whose functional properties such as receptor sensitivity are subject to regulation by intracellular signaling cascades. Here, we used the cAMP fluorescent indicator Epac1-camps to investigate the occurrence of odor-induced cAMP production in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) of Drosophila melanogaster We show that stimulation of the receptor complex with an odor mixture or with the synthetic agonist VUAA1 induces a cAMP response. Moreover, we show that while the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration influences cAMP production, the OSN-specific receptor OrX is necessary to elicit cAMP responses in Ca(2+)-free conditions. These results provide direct evidence of a relationship between odorant receptor stimulation and cAMP production in olfactory sensory neurons in the fruit fly antenna and show that this method can be used to further investigate the role that this second messenger plays in insect olfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Miazzi
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Hans-Knöll-Str. 8, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Bill S Hansson
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Hans-Knöll-Str. 8, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Dieter Wicher
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Hans-Knöll-Str. 8, Jena D-07745, Germany
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44
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Distinct signaling of Drosophila chemoreceptors in olfactory sensory neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E902-11. [PMID: 26831094 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1518329113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In Drosophila, olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) rely primarily on two types of chemoreceptors, odorant receptors (Ors) and ionotropic receptors (Irs), to convert odor stimuli into neural activity. The cellular signaling of these receptors in their native OSNs remains unclear because of the difficulty of obtaining intracellular recordings from Drosophila OSNs. Here, we developed an antennal preparation that enabled the first recordings (to our knowledge) from targeted Drosophila OSNs through a patch-clamp technique. We found that brief odor pulses triggered graded inward receptor currents with distinct response kinetics and current-voltage relationships between Or- and Ir-driven responses. When stimulated with long-step odors, the receptor current of Ir-expressing OSNs did not adapt. In contrast, Or-expressing OSNs showed a strong Ca(2+)-dependent adaptation. The adaptation-induced changes in odor sensitivity obeyed the Weber-Fechner relation; however, surprisingly, the incremental sensitivity was reduced at low odor backgrounds but increased at high odor backgrounds. Our model for odor adaptation revealed two opposing effects of adaptation, desensitization and prevention of saturation, in dynamically adjusting odor sensitivity and extending the sensory operating range.
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45
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Carraher C, Dalziel J, Jordan MD, Christie DL, Newcomb RD, Kralicek AV. Towards an understanding of the structural basis for insect olfaction by odorant receptors. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 66:31-41. [PMID: 26416146 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Insects have co-opted a unique family of seven transmembrane proteins for odour sensing. Odorant receptors are believed to have evolved from gustatory receptors somewhere at the base of the Hexapoda and have expanded substantially to become the dominant class of odour recognition elements within the Insecta. These odorant receptors comprise an obligate co-receptor, Orco, and one of a family of highly divergent odorant "tuning" receptors. The two subunits are thought to come together at some as-yet unknown stoichiometry to form a functional complex that is capable of both ionotropic and metabotropic signalling. While there are still no 3D structures for these proteins, site-directed mutagenesis, resonance energy transfer, and structural modelling efforts, all mainly on Drosophila odorant receptors, are beginning to inform hypotheses of their structures and how such complexes function in odour detection. Some of the loops, especially the second extracellular loop that has been suggested to form a lid over the binding pocket, and the extracellular regions of some transmembrane helices, especially the third and to a less extent the sixth and seventh, have been implicated in ligand recognition in tuning receptors. The possible interaction between Orco and tuning receptor subunits through the final intracellular loop and the adjacent transmembrane helices is thought to be important for transducing ligand binding into receptor activation. Potential phosphorylation sites and a calmodulin binding site in the second intracellular loop of Orco are also thought to be involved in regulating channel gating. A number of new methods have recently been developed to express and purify insect odorant receptor subunits in recombinant expression systems. These approaches are enabling high throughput screening of receptors for agonists and antagonists in cell-based formats, as well as producing protein for the application of biophysical methods to resolve the 3D structure of the subunits and their complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm Carraher
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Julie Dalziel
- Food Nutrition & Health Team, Food & Bio-based Products Group, AgResearch Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Melissa D Jordan
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - David L Christie
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Richard D Newcomb
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Andrew V Kralicek
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
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46
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Benton R. Multigene Family Evolution: Perspectives from Insect Chemoreceptors. Trends Ecol Evol 2015; 30:590-600. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2015.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Olsson SB, Challiss RAJ, Cole M, Gardeniers JGE, Gardner JW, Guerrero A, Hansson BS, Pearce TC. Biosynthetic infochemical communication. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2015; 10:043001. [PMID: 26158233 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/10/4/043001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
There is an ever-increasing demand for data to be embedded in our environment at ever-decreasing temporal and spatial scales. Whilst current communication and storage technologies generally exploit the electromagnetic properties of media, chemistry offers us a new alternative for nanoscale signaling using molecules as messengers with high information content. Biological systems effectively overcome the challenges of chemical communication using highly specific biosynthetic pathways for signal generation together with specialized protein receptors and nervous systems. Here we consider a new approach for information transmission based upon nature's quintessential example of infochemical communication, the moth pheromone system. To approach the sensitivity, specificity and versatility of infochemical communication seen in nature, we describe an array of biologically-inspired technologies for the production, transmission, detection, and processing of molecular signals. We show how it is possible to implement each step of the moth pheromone pathway for biosynthesis, transmission, receptor protein binding/transduction, and antennal lobe processing of monomolecular and multimolecular signals. For each implemented step, we discuss the value, current limitations, and challenges for the future development and integration of infochemical communication technologies. Together, these building blocks provide a starting point for future technologies that can utilize programmable emission and detection of multimolecular information for a new and robust means of communicating chemical information.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Olsson
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
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48
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Schendzielorz T, Schirmer K, Stolte P, Stengl M. Octopamine regulates antennal sensory neurons via daytime-dependent changes in cAMP and IP3 levels in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121230. [PMID: 25785721 PMCID: PMC4364694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The biogenic amine octopamine (OA) mediates reward signals in olfactory learning and memory as well as circadian rhythms of sleep and activity. In the crepuscular hawkmoth Manduca sexta, OA changed pheromone detection thresholds daytime-dependently, suggesting that OA confers circadian control of olfactory transduction. Thus, with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays we searched hawkmoth antennae for daytime-dependent changes in the concentration of OA and its respective second messengers. Antennal stimulation with OA raised cAMP- and IP3 levels. Furthermore, antennae expressed daytime-dependent changes in the concentration of OA, with maxima at Zeitgebertime (ZT) 20 when moths were active and also maximal concentrations of cAMP occurred. Maximal IP3 levels at ZT 18 and 23 correlated with maximal flight activity of male moths, while minimal IP3 levels at dusk correlated with peaks of feeding activity. Half maximal effective concentration (EC50) for activation of the OA-receptor decreased during the moth’s activity phase suggesting daytime-dependent changes in OA receptor sensitivity. With an antiserum against tyramine, the precursor of OA, two centrifugal neurons were detected projecting out into the sensory cell layer of the antenna, possibly mediating more rapid stimulus-dependent OA actions. Indeed, in fast kinetic assays OA receptor stimulation increased cAMP concentrations within 50 msec. Thus, we hypothesize that fast, stimulus-dependent centrifugal control of OA-release in the antenna occurs. Additional slow systemic OA actions might be based upon circadian release of OA into the hemolymph mediating circadian rhythms of antennal second messenger levels. The resulting rhythms of odor sensitivity are suggested to underlie circadian rhythms in odor-mediated behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katja Schirmer
- University of Kassel, Biology, Animal Physiology, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Paul Stolte
- University of Kassel, Biology, Animal Physiology, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Monika Stengl
- University of Kassel, Biology, Animal Physiology, 34132, Kassel, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Amino acid coevolution reveals three-dimensional structure and functional domains of insect odorant receptors. Nat Commun 2015; 6:6077. [PMID: 25584517 PMCID: PMC4364406 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect Odorant Receptors (ORs) comprise an enormous protein family that translates environmental chemical signals into neuronal electrical activity. These heptahelical receptors are proposed to function as ligand-gated ion channels and/or to act metabotropically as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Resolving their signalling mechanism has been hampered by the lack of tertiary structural information and primary sequence similarity to other proteins. We use amino acid evolutionary covariation across these ORs to define restraints on structural proximity of residue pairs, which permit de novo generation of three-dimensional models. The validity of our analysis is supported by the location of functionally important residues in highly constrained regions of the protein. Importantly, insect OR models exhibit a distinct transmembrane domain packing arrangement to that of canonical GPCRs, establishing the structural unrelatedness of these receptor families. The evolutionary couplings and models predict odour binding and ion conduction domains, and provide a template for rationale structure-activity dissection.
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50
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DeGennaro M. The mysterious multi-modal repellency of DEET. Fly (Austin) 2015; 9:45-51. [PMID: 26252744 PMCID: PMC4594586 DOI: 10.1080/19336934.2015.1079360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
DEET is the most effective insect repellent available and has been widely used for more than half a century. Here, I review what is known about the olfactory and contact mechanisms of DEET repellency. For mosquitoes, DEET has at least two molecular targets: Odorant Receptors (ORs) mediate the effect of DEET at a distance, while unknown chemoreceptors mediate repellency upon contact. Additionally, the ionotropic receptor Ir40a has recently been identified as a putative DEET chemosensor in Drosophila. The mechanism of how DEET manipulates these molecular targets to induce insect avoidance in the vapor phase is also contested. Two hypotheses are the most likely: DEET activates an innate olfactory neural circuit leading to avoidance of hosts (smell and avoid hypothesis) or DEET has no behavioral effect on its own, but instead acts cooperatively with host odors to drive repellency (confusant hypothesis). Resolving this mystery will inform the search for a new generation of insect repellents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew DeGennaro
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute & Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; Miami, FL USA
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