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Liu X, Shi L, Khashaveh A, Shan S, Lv B, Gu S, Zhang Y. Loss of Binding Capabilities in an Ecologically Important Odorant Receptor of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, by a Single Point Mutation. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:13003-13013. [PMID: 37625381 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c04247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction plays a crucial role in locating food sources, mates, and spawning sites in the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In the current study, SfruOR14, a highly conserved odorant receptor (OR) in lepidopteran species, was newly uncovered in S. frugiperda. In two-electrode voltage clamp recordings, the SfruOR14/Orco complex was narrowly tuned to six volatile compounds including phenylacetaldehyde (PAA), benzaldehyde, heptaldehyde, (E)-2-hexen-1-al, cinnamaldehyde, and 2-phenylethanol, among which PAA showed the strongest binding affinity. Subsequent homology modeling and molecular docking revealed that Phe79, His83, Tyr149, Pro176, Gln177, Leu202, and Thr348 in SfruOR14 were the key binding residues against the six ligands. Finally, as a result of site-directed mutagenesis, the SfruOR14His83Ala mutant completely lost its binding capabilities toward all ligands. Taken together, our findings provide valuable insights into understanding the interaction between SfruOR14 and the chemical ligands including PAA, which can help to design novel olfactory modulators for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohe Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Longfei Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Adel Khashaveh
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuang Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Beibei Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- Institute of Cotton Research, Shanxi Agricultural University, YunCheng 044000, China
| | - Shaohua Gu
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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Cao S, Shi C, Wang B, Xiu P, Wang Y, Liu Y, Wang G. Evolutionary shifts in pheromone receptors contribute to speciation in four Helicoverpa species. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:199. [PMID: 37421463 PMCID: PMC11072504 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04837-1] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Male moths utilize their pheromone communication systems to distinguish potential mates from other sympatric species, which contributes to maintaining reproductive isolation and even drives speciation. The molecular mechanisms underlying the evolution of pheromone communication systems are usually studied between closely-related moth species for their similar but divergent traits associated with pheromone production, detection, and/or processing. In this study, we first identified the functional differentiation in two orthologous pheromone receptors, OR14b, and OR16, in four Helicoverpa species, Helicoverpa armigera, H. assulta, H. zea, and H. gelotopoeon. To understand the substrate response specificity of these two PRs, we performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of OR14b and OR16 based on AlphaFold2 structural prediction, and molecular docking, allowing us to predict a few key amino acids involved in substrate binding. These candidate residues were further tested and validated by site-directed mutagenesis and functional analysis. These results together identified two hydrophobic amino acids at positions 164 and 232 are the determinants of the response specificity of HarmOR14b and HzeaOR14b to Z9-14:Ald and Z9-16:Ald by directly interacting with the substrates. Interestingly, in OR16 orthologs, we found that position 66 alone determines the specific binding of Z11-16:OH, likely via allosteric interactions. Overall, we have developed an effective integrated method to identify the critical residues for substrate selectivity of ORs and elucidated the molecular mechanism of the diversification of pheromone recognition systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Chen Shi
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Bing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Peng Xiu
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yong Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- The Provincial International Science and Technology Cooperation Base On Engineering Biology, International Campus of Zhejiang University, Haining, 314499, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Guirong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China.
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Two odorant receptors regulate 1-octen-3-ol induced oviposition behavior in the oriental fruit fly. Commun Biol 2023; 6:176. [PMID: 36792777 PMCID: PMC9932091 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04551-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is a notorious pest of fruit crops. Gravid females locate suitable oviposition sites by detecting host plant volatiles. Here, we demonstrate that 1-octen-3-ol, a volatile from mango, guides the oviposition behavior of female flies. Two odorant receptors (BdorOR7a-6 and BdorOR13a) are identified as key receptors for 1-octen-3-ol perception by qPCR analysis, heterologous expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes and HEK 293 cells followed by in vitro binding assays, as well as CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in B. dorsalis. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis are used to determine major binding sites for 1-octen-3-ol. Our results demonstrate the potential of 1-octen-3-ol to attract gravid females and molecular mechanism of its perception in B. dorsalis. BdorOR7a-6 and BdorOR13a can therefore be used as molecular targets for the development of female attractants. Furthermore, our site-directed mutagenesis data will facilitate the chemical engineering of 1-octen-3-ol to generate more efficient attractants.
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Structural model for ligand binding and channel opening of an insect gustatory receptor. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102573. [PMID: 36209821 PMCID: PMC9643425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect gustatory receptors play roles in sensing tastants, such as sugars and bitter substances. We previously demonstrated that the BmGr9 silkworm gustatory receptor is a d-fructose–gated ion channel receptor. However, the molecular mechanism of how d-fructose could initiate channel opening were unclear. Herein, we present a structural model for a channel pore and a d-fructose–binding site in BmGr9. Since the membrane topology and oligomeric state of BmGr9 appeared to be similar to those of an insect odorant receptor coreceptor, Orco, we constructed a structural model of BmGr9 based on the cryo-EM Orco structure. Our site-directed mutagenesis data suggested that the transmembrane region 7 forms channel pore and controls channel gating. This model also suggested that a pocket formed by transmembrane helices 2 to 4 and 6 binds d-fructose. Using mutagenesis experiments in combination with docking simulations, we were able to determine the potent binding mode of d-fructose. Finally, based on these data, we propose a conformational change that leads to channel opening upon d-fructose binding. Taken together, these findings detail the molecular mechanism by which an insect gustatory receptor can be activated by its ligand molecule.
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Cao S, Liu Y, Wang G. Protocol to identify ligands of odorant receptors using two-electrode voltage clamp combined with the Xenopus oocytes heterologous expression system. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101249. [PMID: 35310077 PMCID: PMC8931473 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) combined with the Xenopus laevis oocytes heterologous expression system is a powerful electrophysiological tool widely used to study the properties of many transmembrane proteins. Here, we describe a protocol using this combined approach to identify the ligands of odorant receptors that form ligand-gated ion channels. We detail the procedures for site-directed mutagenesis, oocyte microinjection, and TEVC recording. This protocol can also be used to identify the key residues and illustrate the structure-function relationships of these proteins. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Cao et al. (2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.,Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guirong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.,Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
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Sims C, Birkett MA, Withall DM. Enantiomeric Discrimination in Insects: The Role of OBPs and ORs. INSECTS 2022; 13:368. [PMID: 35447810 PMCID: PMC9030700 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction is a complex recognition process that is critical for chemical communication in insects. Though some insect species are capable of discrimination between compounds that are structurally similar, little is understood about how this high level of discrimination arises. Some insects rely on discriminating between enantiomers of a compound, demonstrating an ability for highly selective recognition. The role of two major peripheral olfactory proteins in insect olfaction, i.e., odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs) has been extensively studied. OBPs and ORs have variable discrimination capabilities, with some found to display highly specialized binding capability, whilst others exhibit promiscuous binding activity. A deeper understanding of how odorant-protein interactions induce a response in an insect relies on further analysis such as structural studies. In this review, we explore the potential role of OBPs and ORs in highly specific recognition, specifically enantiomeric discrimination. We summarize the state of research into OBP and OR function and focus on reported examples in the literature of clear enantiomeric discrimination by these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie Sims
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (C.S.); (M.A.B.)
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Michael A. Birkett
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (C.S.); (M.A.B.)
| | - David M. Withall
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (C.S.); (M.A.B.)
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Sims C, Withall DM, Oldham N, Stockman R, Birkett M. Computational investigation of aphid odorant receptor structure and binding function. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 41:3647-3658. [PMID: 35352606 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2053743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Odorant receptors (OR) play a critical role in signal transduction and olfactory recognition in insects. Unfortunately, insect ORs are difficult to express and purify, and limited structural data are available. Computational methods were used to predict models for aphid ORs, and binding interactions with aphid pheromones and other semiochemicals were investigated. Previously functionally characterised ORs from the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, ApisOR4 and ApisOR5, were screened against functional ligands. ApisOR5 had a defined binding site, and had predicted interactions with the aphid alarm pheromone, (E)-β-farnesene. ApisOR4 had multiple distinct binding sites and showed broad tuning to multiple odorants. Screening of six other highly conserved ORs showed some interactions and potential enantiomeric discrimination between the aphid sex pheromone components (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone and (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol. These results indicate that specific binding sites may be more critical to understanding olfactory activity of ligands and ORs than kinetic data, and greater knowledge of the method of action of ORs is required.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie Sims
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK.,School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - David M Withall
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Neil Oldham
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Robert Stockman
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Michael Birkett
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
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8
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Franco FP, Xu P, Harris BJ, Yarov-Yarovoy V, Leal WS. Single amino acid residue mediates reciprocal specificity in two mosquito odorant receptors. eLife 2022; 11:82922. [PMID: 36511779 PMCID: PMC9799979 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82922] [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: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, utilizes two odorant receptors, CquiOR10 and CquiOR2, narrowly tuned to oviposition attractants and well conserved among mosquito species. They detect skatole and indole, respectively, with reciprocal specificity. We swapped the transmembrane (TM) domains of CquiOR10 and CquiOR2 and identified TM2 as a specificity determinant. With additional mutations, we showed that CquiOR10A73L behaved like CquiOR2. Conversely, CquiOR2L74A recapitulated CquiOR10 specificity. Next, we generated structural models of CquiOR10 and CquiOR10A73L using RoseTTAFold and AlphaFold and docked skatole and indole using RosettaLigand. These modeling studies suggested space-filling constraints around A73. Consistent with this hypothesis, CquiOR10 mutants with a bulkier residue (Ile, Val) were insensitive to skatole and indole, whereas CquiOR10A73G retained the specificity to skatole and showed a more robust response than the wildtype receptor CquiOR10. On the other hand, Leu to Gly mutation of the indole receptor CquiOR2 reverted the specificity to skatole. Lastly, CquiOR10A73L, CquiOR2, and CquiOR2L74I were insensitive to 3-ethylindole, whereas CquiOR2L74A and CquiOR2L74G gained activity. Additionally, CquiOR10A73G gave more robust responses to 3-ethylindole than CquiOR10. Thus, we suggest the specificity of these receptors is mediated by a single amino acid substitution, leading to finely tuned volumetric space to accommodate specific oviposition attractants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia P Franco
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Pingxi Xu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Brandon J Harris
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Walter S Leal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
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Cao S, Liu Y, Wang B, Wang G. A single point mutation causes one-way alteration of pheromone receptor function in two Heliothis species. iScience 2021; 24:102981. [PMID: 34485863 PMCID: PMC8403742 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The sex pheromone processing system of moths has been a major focus of research on olfaction and speciation, as it is highly specific and closely related to reproductive isolation. The two noctuid moths Heliothis virescens and Heliothis subflexa have been used as a model for deciphering the mechanisms underlying differentiation in pheromone communication, but no information exist regarding the functions of the pheromone receptors (PRs) of H. subflexa. Here, we functionally characterized all candidate PRs of H. subflexa, and found that only the response profile of OR6 differed between the two species. Through domain swapping and site-directed mutation followed by functional characterization, we identified a critical amino acid in OR6 caused a one-way alteration in specificity. This result suggests HsubOR6 evolved from an ancestral OR6 gene with a HvirOR6-like function and implies that the evolutionary direction of the receptor specificity was from the H. virescens-like pattern to H. subflexa-like pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Bing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guirong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
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Speth Z, Kaur G, Mazolewski D, Sisomphou R, Siao DDC, Pooraiiouby R, Vasquez-Gross H, Petereit J, Gulia-Nuss M, Mathew D, Nuss AB. Characterization of Anopheles stephensi Odorant Receptor 8, an Abundant Component of the Mouthpart Chemosensory Transcriptome. INSECTS 2021; 12:593. [PMID: 34208911 PMCID: PMC8304465 DOI: 10.3390/insects12070593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Several mosquito species within the genus Anopheles are vectors for human malaria, and the spread of this disease is driven by the propensity of certain species to feed preferentially on humans. The study of olfaction in mosquitoes is important to understand dynamics of host-seeking and host-selection; however, the majority of these studies focus on Anopheles gambiae or An. coluzzii, both vectors of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Other malaria vectors may recognize different chemical cues from potential hosts; therefore, in this study, we investigated An. stephensi, the south Asian malaria mosquito. We specifically focused on the mouthparts (primarily the maxillary palp and labella) that have been much less investigated compared to the antennae but are also important for host-seeking. To provide a broad view of chemoreceptor expression, RNAseq was used to examine the transcriptomes from the mouthparts of host-seeking females, blood-fed females, and males. Notably, AsOr8 had a high transcript abundance in all transcriptomes and was, therefore, cloned and expressed in the Drosophila empty neuron system. This permitted characterization with a panel of odorants that were selected, in part, for their presence in the human odor profile. The responsiveness of AsOr8 to odorants was highly similar to An. gambiae Or8 (AgOr8), except for sulcatone, which was detected by AsOr8 but not AgOr8. Subtle differences in the receptor sensitivity to specific odorants may provide clues to species- or strain-specific approaches to host-seeking and host selection. Further exploration of the profile of An. stephensi chemosensory proteins may yield a better understanding of how different malaria vectors navigate host-finding and host-choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Speth
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (Z.S.); (G.K.); (D.M.)
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (R.S.); (D.D.C.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Gurlaz Kaur
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (Z.S.); (G.K.); (D.M.)
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (R.S.); (D.D.C.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Devin Mazolewski
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (Z.S.); (G.K.); (D.M.)
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (R.S.); (D.D.C.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Rayden Sisomphou
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (R.S.); (D.D.C.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Danielle Denise C. Siao
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (R.S.); (D.D.C.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Rana Pooraiiouby
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (R.S.); (D.D.C.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Hans Vasquez-Gross
- Nevada Bioinformatics Center, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (H.V.-G.); (J.P.)
| | - Juli Petereit
- Nevada Bioinformatics Center, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (H.V.-G.); (J.P.)
| | - Monika Gulia-Nuss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA;
| | - Dennis Mathew
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA;
| | - Andrew B. Nuss
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; (R.S.); (D.D.C.S.); (R.P.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA;
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Musundi SD, Ochieng PJ, Wamunyokoli F, Nyanjom SG. Expression profile of odorant receptors in brain, gut and reproductive tissues in male and female Glossina morsitans morsitans. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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12
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Gomulski LM, Manni M, Carraretto D, Nolan T, Lawson D, Ribeiro JM, Malacrida AR, Gasperi G. Transcriptional variation of sensory-related genes in natural populations of Aedes albopictus. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:547. [PMID: 32767966 PMCID: PMC7430840 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06956-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a highly dangerous invasive vector of numerous medically important arboviruses including dengue, chikungunya and Zika. In four decades it has spread from tropical Southeast Asia to many parts of the world in both tropical and temperate climes. The rapid invasion process of this mosquito is supported by its high ecological and genetic plasticity across different life history traits. Our aim was to investigate whether wild populations, both native and adventive, also display transcriptional genetic variability for functions that may impact their biology, behaviour and ability to transmit arboviruses, such as sensory perception. RESULTS Antennal transcriptome data were derived from mosquitoes from a native population from Ban Rai, Thailand and from three adventive Mediterranean populations: Athens, Greece and Arco and Trento from Italy. Clear inter-population differential transcriptional activity was observed in different gene categories related to sound perception, olfaction and viral infection. The greatest differences were detected between the native Thai and the Mediterranean populations. The two Italian populations were the most similar. Nearly one million quality filtered SNP loci were identified. CONCLUSION The ability to express this great inter-population transcriptional variability highlights, at the functional level, the remarkable genetic flexibility of this mosquito species. We can hypothesize that the differential expression of genes, including those involved in sensory perception, in different populations may enable Ae. albopictus to exploit different environments and hosts, thus contributing to its status as a global vector of arboviruses of public health importance. The large number of SNP loci present in these transcripts represents a useful addition to the arsenal of high-resolution molecular markers and a resource that can be used to detect selective pressure and adaptive changes that may have occurred during the colonization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludvik M Gomulski
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mosè Manni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Davide Carraretto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Tony Nolan
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Daniel Lawson
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - José M Ribeiro
- NIAID, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIH, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Anna R Malacrida
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuliano Gasperi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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Abstract
Odorant receptors detect a vast diversity of chemical compounds and underlie many aspects of life. The structure of insect odorant receptors, however, has remained unknown. A cryo-EM study now reveals an intriguing architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Luo
- Dept. of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8103, USA
| | - John R Carlson
- Dept. of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8103, USA.
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14
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Chepurwar S, Gupta A, Haddad R, Gupta N. Sequence-Based Prediction of Olfactory Receptor Responses. Chem Senses 2019; 44:693-703. [PMID: 31665762 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjz059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Computational prediction of how strongly an olfactory receptor (OR) responds to various odors can help in bridging the widening gap between the large number of receptors that have been sequenced and the small number of experiments measuring their responses. Previous efforts in this area have predicted the responses of a receptor to some odors, using the known responses of the same receptor to other odors. Here, we present a method to predict the responses of a receptor without any known responses by using available data about the responses of other conspecific receptors and their sequences. We applied this method to ORs in insects Drosophila melanogaster (both adult and larva) and Anopheles gambiae and to mouse and human ORs. We found the predictions to be in significant agreement with the experimental measurements. The method also provides clues about the response-determining positions within the receptor sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Chepurwar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Abhishek Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.,Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rafi Haddad
- The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Nitin Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
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15
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Venthur H, Machuca J, Godoy R, Palma-Millanao R, Zhou JJ, Larama G, Bardehle L, Quiroz A, Ceballos R, Mutis A. Structural investigation of selective binding dynamics for the pheromone-binding protein 1 of the grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 101:e21557. [PMID: 31062883 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller), is a serious pest in vineyards in North and South America. Mating disruption techniques have been used to control and monitor L. botrana on the basis of its sexual communication. This needs a well-tuned olfactory system, in which it is believed that pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) are key players that transport pheromones in the antennae of moths. In this study, the selectivity of a PBP, named as LbotPBP1, was tested by fluorescence binding assays against 11 sex pheromone components and 6 host plant volatiles. In addition, its binding mechanism was predicted on the basis of structural analyses by molecular docking and complex and steered molecular dynamics (SMD). Our results indicate that LbotPBP1 binds selectively to sex pheromone components over certain host plant volatiles, according to both in vitro and in silico tests. Thus, chain length (14 carbon atoms) and functional groups (i.e., alcohol and ester) appear to be key features for stable binding. Likewise, residues such as Phe12, Phe36, and Phe118 could participate in unspecific binding processes, whilst Ser9, Ser56, and Trp114 could participate in the specific recognition and stabilization of sex pheromones instead of host plant volatiles. Moreover, our SMD approach supported 11-dodecenyl acetate as the best ligand for LbotPBP1. Overall, the dynamics simulations, contact frequency analysis and SMD shed light on the binding mechanism of LbotPBP1 and could overcome the imprecision of molecular docking, supporting the in vitro binding assays. Finally, the role of LbotPBP1 in the chemical ecology of L. botrana is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert Venthur
- Laboratorio de Química Ecológica, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Centro de Investigación Biotecnológica Aplicada al Medio Ambiente, CIBAMA, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Juan Machuca
- Laboratorio de Química Ecológica, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Carrera Bioquímica, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Ricardo Godoy
- Laboratorio de Química Ecológica, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Centro de Investigación Biotecnológica Aplicada al Medio Ambiente, CIBAMA, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Rubén Palma-Millanao
- Millenium Nucleus Centre in Molecular Ecology and Evolutionary Applications in Agroecosystems, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Jing-Jiang Zhou
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Herts, United Kingdom
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Giovanni Larama
- Departamento de Ingeniería Matemática, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Centro de Excelencia de Modelación y Computación Científica, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Leonardo Bardehle
- Laboratorio de Química Ecológica, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Centro de Investigación Biotecnológica Aplicada al Medio Ambiente, CIBAMA, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Andrés Quiroz
- Laboratorio de Química Ecológica, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Centro de Investigación Biotecnológica Aplicada al Medio Ambiente, CIBAMA, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Ricardo Ceballos
- Laboratorio de Ecología Química, Centro Tecnológico de Control Biológico, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA)-Quilamapu, Chillán, Chile
| | - Ana Mutis
- Laboratorio de Química Ecológica, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Centro de Investigación Biotecnológica Aplicada al Medio Ambiente, CIBAMA, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Centro de Excelencia de Modelación y Computación Científica, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
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16
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Shaw KH, Johnson TK, Anderson A, de Bruyne M, Warr CG. Molecular and Functional Evolution at the Odorant Receptor Or22 Locus in Drosophila melanogaster. Mol Biol Evol 2019; 36:919-929. [PMID: 30768139 PMCID: PMC6502086 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect odorant receptor (Or) genes determine the responses of sensory neurons that mediate critical behaviors. The Drosophila melanogaster Or22 locus represents an interesting example of molecular evolution, with high levels of sequence divergence and copy number variation between D. melanogaster and other Drosophila species, and a corresponding high level of variability in the responses of the neuron it controls, ab3A. However, the link between Or22 molecular and functional diversity has not been established. Here, we show that several naturally occurring Or22 variants generate major shifts in neuronal response properties. We determine the molecular changes that underpin these response shifts, one of which represents a chimeric gene variant previously suggested to be under natural selection. In addition, we show that several alternative molecular genetic mechanisms have evolved for ensuring that where there is more than one gene copy at this locus, only one functional receptor is generated. Our data thus provide a causal link between the striking levels of phenotypic neuronal response variation found in natural populations of D. melanogaster and genetic variation at the Or22 locus. Since neuronal responses govern animal behavior, we predict that Or22 may be a key player in underlying one or more olfactory-driven behaviors of significant adaptive importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine H Shaw
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Travis K Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Marien de Bruyne
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Coral G Warr
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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17
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Batra S, Corcoran J, Zhang DD, Pal P, K.P. U, Kulkarni R, Löfstedt C, Sowdhamini R, Olsson SB. A Functional Agonist of Insect Olfactory Receptors: Behavior, Physiology and Structure. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:134. [PMID: 31110474 PMCID: PMC6501728 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical signaling is ubiquitous and employs a variety of receptor types to detect the cacophony of molecules relevant for each living organism. Insects, our most diverse taxon, have evolved unique olfactory receptors with as little as 10% sequence identity between receptor types. We have identified a promiscuous volatile, 2-methyltetrahydro-3-furanone (coffee furanone), that elicits chemosensory and behavioral activity across multiple insect orders and receptors. In vivo and in vitro physiology showed that coffee furanone was detected by roughly 80% of the recorded neurons expressing the insect-specific olfactory receptor complex in the antenna of Drosophila melanogaster, at concentrations similar to other known, and less promiscuous, ligands. Neurons expressing specialized receptors, other chemoreceptor types, or mutants lacking the complex entirely did not respond to this compound. This indicates that coffee furanone is a promiscuous ligand for the insect olfactory receptor complex itself and did not induce non-specific cellular responses. In addition, we present homology modeling and docking studies with selected olfactory receptors that suggest conserved interaction regions for both coffee furanone and known ligands. Apart from its physiological activity, this known food additive elicits a behavioral response for several insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and cockroaches. A broad-scale behaviorally active molecule non-toxic to humans thus has significant implications for health and agriculture. Coffee furanone serves as a unique tool to unlock molecular, physiological, and behavioral relationships across this diverse receptor family and animal taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srishti Batra
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Dan-Dan Zhang
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pramit Pal
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Umesh K.P.
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Renuka Kulkarni
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Ramanathan Sowdhamini
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Shannon B. Olsson
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
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18
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Li J, Liu X, Man Y, Chen Q, Pei D, Wu W. Cell-free expression, purification and characterization of Drosophila melanogaster odorant receptor OR42a and its co-receptor. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 159:27-33. [PMID: 30872132 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Olfactory receptors (OR), a group of classic membrane proteins, plays a vital role in insect reproduction and acclimatization. Deciphering the molecular mechanism of insect olfaction could enhance pest control and environmental protection. Studies on ORs have faced a major bottleneck due to the notoriously strong hydrophobicity of ORs, which results in difficult expression in heterologous cell systems. Here, we demonstrated that insect ORs could be functionally produced using the E. coli cell-free protein synthesis system (CFPS), in which the highest yield of total ORs is 350 μg per 1 ml reaction. We tested the effects of detergent types and concentrations on soluble expression of ORs. The ORs showed a classic α-helical infrared spectrum. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) was used to demonstrate that ORs fold correctly and respond to their ligands. This is the first report that insect OR42a could be functionally produced in vitro. This approach may facilitate the development of biomimetic olfactory biosensors and may also be utilized for drug positioning and development, environmental protection and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyong Li
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Xingping Liu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Yahui Man
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Di Pei
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjian Wu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.
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19
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Robertson HM. Molecular Evolution of the Major Arthropod Chemoreceptor Gene Families. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 64:227-242. [PMID: 30312552 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The evolutionary origins of the three major families of chemoreceptors in arthropods-the odorant receptor (OR), gustatory receptor (GR), and ionotropic receptor (IR) families-occurred at the base of the Insecta, Animalia, and Protostomia, respectively. Comparison of receptor family sizes across arthropods reveals a generally positive correlation with their widely disparate complexity of chemical ecology. Closely related species reveal the ongoing processes of gene family evolution, including gene duplication, divergence, pseudogenization, and loss, that mediate these larger patterns. Sets of paralogous receptors within species reveal positive selection on amino acids in regions likely to contribute to ligand binding and specificity. Ligands of many ORs and some GRs and IRs have been identified; however, ligand identification for many more chemoreceptors is needed, as are structures for the OR/GR superfamily, to improve our understanding of the molecular evolution of these ecologically important receptors in arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh M Robertson
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA;
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20
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Moindi AO, Tare C, Ochieng PJ, Wamunyokoli F, Nyanjom SRG. Expression of odorant co-receptor Orco in tissues and development stages of Glossina morsitans morsitans, Glossina fuscipies fuscipies and Glossina pallidipies. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2018.e00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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21
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Venthur H, Zhou JJ. Odorant Receptors and Odorant-Binding Proteins as Insect Pest Control Targets: A Comparative Analysis. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1163. [PMID: 30197600 PMCID: PMC6117247 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, two alternative targets in insect periphery nerve system have been explored for environmentally-friendly approaches in insect pest management, namely odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs). Located in insect antennae, OBPs are thought to be involved in the transport of odorants to ORs for the specific signal transduction of behaviorally active odorants. There is rich information on OBP binding affinity and molecular docking to bioactive compounds as well as ample 3D crystal structures due to feasible production of recombinant proteins. Although these provide excellent opportunities for them to be considered as pest control targets and a tool to design pest control agents, the debates on their binding specificity represent an obstacle. On the other hand, ORs have recently been functionally characterized with increasing evidence for their specificity, sensitivity and functional roles in pest behaviors. However, a major barrier to use ORs for semiochemical discovery is the lack of 3D crystal structures. Thus, OBPs and ORs have not been analyzed comparatively together so far for their feasibility as pest control targets. Here, we summarize the state of OBPs and ORs research in terms of its application in insect pest management. We discuss the suitability of both proteins as pest control targets and their selection toward the discovery of new potent semiochemicals. We argue that both proteins represent promising targets for pest control and can be used to identify new super-ligands likely present in nature and with reduced risk of resistance development than insect pesticides currently used in agriculture. We discuss that with the massive identification of OBPs through RNA-seq and improved binding affinity measurements, these proteins could be reconsidered as suitable targets for semiochemical discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert Venthur
- Laboratorio de Química Ecológica, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.,Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research Applied to the Environment (CIBAMA), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jing-Jiang Zhou
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
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22
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Butterwick JA, Del Mármol J, Kim KH, Kahlson MA, Rogow JA, Walz T, Ruta V. Cryo-EM structure of the insect olfactory receptor Orco. Nature 2018; 560:447-452. [PMID: 30111839 PMCID: PMC6129982 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0420-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The olfactory system must recognize and discriminate amongst an enormous variety of chemicals in the environment. To contend with such diversity, insects have evolved a family of odorant-gated ion channels comprised of a highly conserved co-receptor (Orco) and a divergent odorant receptor (OR) that confers chemical specificity. Here, we present the single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structure of an Orco homomer from the parasitic fig wasp Apocrypta bakeri at 3.5 Å resolution, providing structural insight into this receptor family. Orco possesses a novel channel architecture, with four subunits symmetrically arranged around a central pore that diverges into four lateral conduits that open to the cytosol. The Orco tetramer has few inter-subunit interactions within the membrane and is bound together by a small cytoplasmic anchor domain. The minimal sequence conservation among ORs maps largely to the pore and anchor domain, shedding light on how the architecture of this receptor family accommodates its remarkable sequence diversity and facilitates the evolution of odour tuning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel A Butterwick
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josefina Del Mármol
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kelly H Kim
- Laboratory of Molecular Electron Microscopy, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Martha A Kahlson
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jackson A Rogow
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Walz
- Laboratory of Molecular Electron Microscopy, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vanessa Ruta
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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23
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Yang K, Huang LQ, Ning C, Wang CZ. Two single-point mutations shift the ligand selectivity of a pheromone receptor between two closely related moth species. eLife 2017; 6:29100. [PMID: 29063835 PMCID: PMC5673308 DOI: 10.7554/elife.29100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Male moths possess highly sensitive and selective olfactory systems that detect sex pheromones produced by their females. Pheromone receptors (PRs) play a key role in this process. The PR HassOr14b is found to be tuned to (Z)-9-hexadecenal, the major sex-pheromone component, in Helicoverpa assulta. HassOr14b is co-localized with HassOr6 or HassOr16 in two olfactory sensory neurons within the same sensilla. As HarmOr14b, the ortholog of HassOr14b in the closely related species Helicoverpa armigera, is tuned to another chemical (Z)-9-tetradecenal, we study the amino acid residues that determine their ligand selectivity. Two amino acids located in the transmembrane domains F232I and T355I together determine the functional difference between the two orthologs. We conclude that species-specific changes in the tuning specificity of the PRs in the two Helicoverpa moth species could be achieved with just a few amino acid substitutions, which provides new insights into the evolution of closely related moth species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ling-Qiao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen-Zhu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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24
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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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25
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Liu H, Liu T, Xie L, Wang X, Deng Y, Chen CH, James AA, Chen XG. Functional analysis of Orco and odorant receptors in odor recognition in Aedes albopictus. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:363. [PMID: 27350348 PMCID: PMC4924234 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1644-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aedes albopictus is a globally invasive mosquito and a major vector of arboviruses, including dengue, Zika and Chikungunya. Olfactory-related behaviors, particularly host-seeking, offer opportunities to disrupt the disease-transmission process. A better understanding of odorant receptors (ORs) may assist in explaining host selection and location, and contribute to novel strategy of vector control. Methods Based on previous prediction of 158 putative odorant receptors by Ae. albopictus genome analysis, 29 AalORs were selected for tissue-specific expression profiles in the present study. AalOrco (AalOR7), AalOR10 and AalOR88, highly expressed in female olfactory tissues, were chosen for further structure predictions as well as functional validation including calcium imaging assay in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells and RNA interference assay in Ae. albopictus. We also conducted electrophysiological and behavioral assays in mosquitoes after RNA interference of the three genes to determine their roles in host-seeking. Results The results support previous conclusions that individual conventional (ORXs) and Orco can form heteromeric complexes to recognize odorants and respond to components of human volatiles in HEK293 cells. The reduction of AalOrco transcript levels led to a significant decrease in host-seeking and confusion in host preference. In contrast, AalOR10 and AalOR88 knockdown mosquitoes showed no significant behavioral differences compared with controls. The functions of conventional ORs at least AalOR10 and AalOR88 are abolished with inhibited expression of the Orco gene orthologs, along with the concomitant relevant olfactory behavior. Conclusions Combining structural and functional data, we conclude that the product of the Orco gene in this mosquito is crucial for transmitting olfactory signaling and conventional ORs contribute directly to odorant recognition. Our results provide insight into the linkage between odorant receptors and host-seeking in this important vector species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1644-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihua Xie
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhua Deng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Hong Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Anthony A James
- Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 3205 McGaugh Hall, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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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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27
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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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Wu W, Bush KT, Liu HC, Zhu C, Abagyan R, Nigam SK. Shared Ligands Between Organic Anion Transporters (OAT1 and OAT6) and Odorant Receptors. Drug Metab Dispos 2015; 43:1855-63. [PMID: 26358290 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.115.065250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The multispecific organic anion drug transporters OAT6 (SLC22A20) and OAT1 (SLC22A6) are expressed in nasal epithelial cells and both can bind odorants. Sequence analysis of OAT6 revealed an evolutionarily conserved 79-amino acid (AA) fragment present not only in OAT6 but also in other SLC22 transporters, such as the organic anion transporter (OAT), organic carnitine transporter (OCTN), and organic cation transporter (OCT) subfamilies. A similar fragment is also conserved in some odorant receptors (ORs) in both humans and rodents. This fragment is located in regions believed to be important for ligand/substrate preference and recognition in both classes of proteins, raising the possibility that it may be part of a potential common ligand/substrate recognition site in certain ORs and SLC22 transporters. In silico screening of an odorant database containing known OR ligands with a pharmacophore hypothesis (generated from a set of odorants known to bind OAT6 and/or OAT1), followed by in vitro uptake assays in transfected cells, identified OR ligands capable of inhibiting OAT6- and/or OAT1-mediated transport, albeit with different affinities. The conservation of the AA fragments between these two different classes of proteins, together with their coexpression in olfactory as well as other tissues, suggests the possibility that ORs and SLC22 transporters function in concert, and raises the question as to whether these transporters function in remote sensing and signaling and/or as transceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- Departments of Pediatrics (K.T.B., S.K.N.), Medicine (Division of Nephrology and Hypertension)(W.W., S.K.N.), Bioengineering (H.C.L.), Biomedical Sciences (C.Z.), School of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Science (R.A.), and Cellular and Molecular Medicine (S.K.N.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Kevin T Bush
- Departments of Pediatrics (K.T.B., S.K.N.), Medicine (Division of Nephrology and Hypertension)(W.W., S.K.N.), Bioengineering (H.C.L.), Biomedical Sciences (C.Z.), School of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Science (R.A.), and Cellular and Molecular Medicine (S.K.N.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Henry C Liu
- Departments of Pediatrics (K.T.B., S.K.N.), Medicine (Division of Nephrology and Hypertension)(W.W., S.K.N.), Bioengineering (H.C.L.), Biomedical Sciences (C.Z.), School of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Science (R.A.), and Cellular and Molecular Medicine (S.K.N.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Christopher Zhu
- Departments of Pediatrics (K.T.B., S.K.N.), Medicine (Division of Nephrology and Hypertension)(W.W., S.K.N.), Bioengineering (H.C.L.), Biomedical Sciences (C.Z.), School of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Science (R.A.), and Cellular and Molecular Medicine (S.K.N.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Ruben Abagyan
- Departments of Pediatrics (K.T.B., S.K.N.), Medicine (Division of Nephrology and Hypertension)(W.W., S.K.N.), Bioengineering (H.C.L.), Biomedical Sciences (C.Z.), School of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Science (R.A.), and Cellular and Molecular Medicine (S.K.N.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Sanjay K Nigam
- Departments of Pediatrics (K.T.B., S.K.N.), Medicine (Division of Nephrology and Hypertension)(W.W., S.K.N.), Bioengineering (H.C.L.), Biomedical Sciences (C.Z.), School of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Science (R.A.), and Cellular and Molecular Medicine (S.K.N.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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Brand P, Ramírez SR, Leese F, Quezada-Euan JJG, Tollrian R, Eltz T. Rapid evolution of chemosensory receptor genes in a pair of sibling species of orchid bees (Apidae: Euglossini). BMC Evol Biol 2015; 15:176. [PMID: 26314297 PMCID: PMC4552289 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-015-0451-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Insects rely more on chemical signals (semiochemicals) than on any other sensory modality to find, identify, and choose mates. In most insects, pheromone production is typically regulated through biosynthetic pathways, whereas pheromone sensory detection is controlled by the olfactory system. Orchid bees are exceptional in that their semiochemicals are not produced metabolically, but instead male bees collect odoriferous compounds (perfumes) from the environment and store them in specialized hind-leg pockets to subsequently expose during courtship display. Thus, the olfactory sensory system of orchid bees simultaneously controls male perfume traits (sender components) and female preferences (receiver components). This functional linkage increases the opportunities for parallel evolution of male traits and female preferences, particularly in response to genetic changes of chemosensory detection (e.g. Odorant Receptor genes). To identify whether shifts in pheromone composition among related lineages of orchid bees are associated with divergence in chemosensory genes of the olfactory periphery, we searched for patterns of divergent selection across the antennal transcriptomes of two recently diverged sibling species Euglossa dilemma and E. viridissima. Results We identified 3185 orthologous genes including 94 chemosensory loci from five different gene families (Odorant Receptors, Ionotropic Receptors, Gustatory Receptors, Odorant Binding Proteins, and Chemosensory Proteins). Our results revealed that orthologs with signatures of divergent selection between E. dilemma and E. viridissima were significantly enriched for chemosensory genes. Notably, elevated signals of divergent selection were almost exclusively observed among chemosensory receptors (i.e. Odorant Receptors). Conclusions Our results suggest that rapid changes in the chemosensory gene family occurred among closely related species of orchid bees. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that strong divergent selection acting on chemosensory receptor genes plays an important role in the evolution and diversification of insect pheromone systems. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0451-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Brand
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, D-44801, Bochum, Germany. .,Department for Evolution and Ecology, Center for Population Biology, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, 95616, Davis, USA.
| | - Santiago R Ramírez
- Department for Evolution and Ecology, Center for Population Biology, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, 95616, Davis, USA.
| | - Florian Leese
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, D-44801, Bochum, Germany. .,Present address: Faculty of Biology, Aquatic Ecosystems Research, University of Duisburg and Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5, D-45141, Essen, Germany.
| | | | - Ralph Tollrian
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, D-44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Thomas Eltz
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, D-44801, Bochum, Germany.
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Engsontia P, Sangket U, Robertson HM, Satasook C. Diversification of the ant odorant receptor gene family and positive selection on candidate cuticular hydrocarbon receptors. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8:380. [PMID: 26306879 PMCID: PMC4549895 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1371-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chemical communication plays important roles in the social behavior of ants making them one of the most successful groups of animals on earth. However, the molecular evolutionary process responsible for their chemosensory adaptation is still elusive. Recent advances in genomic studies have led to the identification of large odorant receptor (Or) gene repertoires from ant genomes providing fruitful materials for molecular evolution analysis. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that diversification of this gene family is involved in olfactory adaptation of each species. Results We annotated the Or genes from the genome sequences of two leaf-cutter ants, Acromyrmex echinatior and Atta cephalotes (385 and 376 putative functional genes, respectively). These were used, together with Or genes from Camponotus floridanus, Harpegnathos saltator, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, Linepithema humile, Cerapachys biroi, Solenopsis invicta and Apis mellifera, in molecular evolution analysis. Like the Or family in other insects, ant Or genes evolve by the birth-and-death model of gene family evolution. Large gene family expansions involving tandem gene duplications, and gene gains outnumbering losses, are observed. Codon analysis of genes in lineage-specific expansion clades revealed signatures of positive selection on the candidate cuticular hydrocarbon receptor genes (9-exon subfamily) of Cerapachys biroi, Camponotus floridanus, Acromyrmex echinatior and Atta cephalotes. Positively selected amino acid positions are primarily in transmembrane domains 3 and 6, which are hypothesized to contribute to the odor-binding pocket, presumably mediating changing ligand specificity. Conclusions This study provides support for the hypothesis that some ant lineage-specific Or genes have evolved under positive selection. Newly duplicated genes particularly in the candidate cuticular hydrocarbon receptor clade that have evolved under positive selection may contribute to the highly sophisticated lineage-specific chemical communication in each ant species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1371-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patamarerk Engsontia
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Research Unit, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, 90112, Thailand. .,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, 90112, Thailand.
| | - Unitsa Sangket
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science, The Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics Research, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, 90112, Thailand.
| | - Hugh M Robertson
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Chutamas Satasook
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, 90112, Thailand.
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de Fouchier A, Sun X, Monsempes C, Mirabeau O, Jacquin-Joly E, Montagné N. Evolution of two receptors detecting the same pheromone compound in crop pest moths of the genus Spodoptera. Front Ecol Evol 2015. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2015.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Almeida FC, Sánchez-Gracia A, Walden KKO, Robertson HM, Rozas J. Positive selection in extra cellular domains in the diversification of Strigamia maritima chemoreceptors. Front Ecol Evol 2015. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2015.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Andersson MN, Löfstedt C, Newcomb RD. Insect olfaction and the evolution of receptor tuning. Front Ecol Evol 2015. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2015.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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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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