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Yang W, Ye C, Wang L, Nie J, Liu X, Zhang T, Zhang W, Saba NU, Yin L, Xing L, Su X. Binding properties of olfactory proteins to host volatiles, free fatty acids and cuticular hydrocarbons in the termite Reticulitermes aculabialis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2025; 176:104211. [PMID: 39542378 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 09/25/2024] [Accepted: 11/10/2024] [Indexed: 11/17/2024]
Abstract
As eusocial insects prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, termites are characterized by highly organized behaviors and exceptional adaptability, rooted in caste differentiation and chemical communication. These traits make them excellent models for studying insect social structures and ecological interactions. Investigating how termites use chemical signals to perceive and respond to their environment provides insights into their coordination and adaptation within complex ecosystems. This study delved into the chemosensory mechanisms of Reticulitermes aculabialis, examining the interactions of four olfactory proteins with 70 ligands, including host volatiles, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), and free fatty acids (FFAs). Molecular docking simulations revealed varied affinities of the olfactory proteins for long-chain hydrocarbons (n-C23 to n-C28), suggesting a nuanced chemical communication system through specific hydrocarbon detection. RacuCSP1 and RacuCSP2 exhibited specific binding to linoleic acid and undecanoic acid, respectively, highlighting the significance of FFAs in the physiological and behavioral processes of termites. The four olfactory proteins showed a strong affinity for longifolene in fluorescence competitive binding experiments. Notably, RacuOBPs exhibited unique affinities for terpenoid volatiles such as β-lonone and neocembrene, while RacuCSPs specifically bound with terpenoids like 3-carene, myrtenol, α-pinene oxide and β-pinene indicating their critical roles in host detection. Behavioral observations following gene silencing revealed that RacuOBP5 was essential for recognizing longifolene and α-lonone recognition, while RacuCSP1 was key for detecting α-pinene in termites. These findings enhance our understanding of the termite chemosensory system and offer insights for developing precise pest management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxu Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chenxu Ye
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lu Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinjuan Nie
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tiange Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenxiu Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Noor Us Saba
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lingfang Yin
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lianxi Xing
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaohong Su
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.
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Gao Y, Xu H, Jia B, Liu Y, Hassan A, Huang Q. Circadian Rhythms of Locomotor Activity Mediated by Cryptochrome 2 and Period 1 Genes in the Termites Reticulitermes chinensis and Odontotermes formosanus. INSECTS 2023; 15:1. [PMID: 38276815 PMCID: PMC10816429 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Locomotor activity rhythms are crucial for foraging, mating and predator avoidance in insects. Although the circadian rhythms of activity have been studied in several termite species, the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms in termites are still unclear. In this study, we found that two termite species, R. chinensis and O. formosanus, exhibited clear circadian rhythms of locomotor activity in constant darkness along with rhythmically expressed core clock genes, Cry2 and Per1. The knockdown of Cry2 or Per1 expression in the two termite species disrupted the circadian rhythms of locomotor activity and markedly reduced locomotor activity in constant darkness, which demonstrates that Cry2 and Per1 can mediate the circadian rhythms of locomotor activity in termites in constant darkness. We suggest that locomotor activity in subterranean termites is controlled by the circadian clock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyong Gao
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.G.); (H.X.); (B.J.); (Y.L.); (A.H.)
- Research and Development Centre of Ecological and Sustainable Application of Microbial Industry of the Loess Plateau in Shaanxi Province, College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an 716000, China
- Key Laboratory of Termite Control of Ministry of Water Resources, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Huan Xu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.G.); (H.X.); (B.J.); (Y.L.); (A.H.)
- Research and Development Centre of Ecological and Sustainable Application of Microbial Industry of the Loess Plateau in Shaanxi Province, College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an 716000, China
- Key Laboratory of Termite Control of Ministry of Water Resources, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Bao Jia
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.G.); (H.X.); (B.J.); (Y.L.); (A.H.)
| | - Yutong Liu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.G.); (H.X.); (B.J.); (Y.L.); (A.H.)
| | - Ali Hassan
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.G.); (H.X.); (B.J.); (Y.L.); (A.H.)
| | - Qiuying Huang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.G.); (H.X.); (B.J.); (Y.L.); (A.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Termite Control of Ministry of Water Resources, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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