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Ha TS, Sengupta S, Powell J, Smith DP. An angiotensin converting enzyme homolog is required for volatile pheromone detection, odorant binding protein secretion and normal courtship behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2023; 224:iyad109. [PMID: 37283550 PMCID: PMC10484059 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad109] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In many arthropods, including insects responsible for transmission of human diseases, behaviors that include mating, aggregation, and aggression are triggered by detection of pheromones. Extracellular odorant binding proteins are critical for pheromone detection in many insects and are secreted into the fluid bathing the olfactory neuron dendrites. In Drosophila melanogaster, the odorant binding protein LUSH is essential for normal sensitivity to the volatile sex pheromone, 11-cis vaccenyl acetate (cVA). Using a genetic screen for cVA pheromone insensitivity, we identified ANCE-3, a homolog of human angiotensin converting enzyme that is required for detection of cVA pheromone. The mutants have normal dose-response curves for food odors, although olfactory neuron amplitudes are reduced in all olfactory neurons examined. ance-3 mutants have profound delays in mating, and the courtship defects are primarily but not exclusively due to loss of ance-3 function in males. We demonstrate that ANCE-3 is required in the sensillae support cells for normal reproductive behavior, and that localization of odorant binding proteins to the sensillum lymph is blocked in the mutants. Expression of an ance-3 cDNA in sensillae support cells completely rescues the cVA responses, LUSH localization, and courtship defects. We show the courtship latency defects are not due to effects on olfactory neurons in the antenna nor mediated through ORCO receptors, but instead stem from ANCE-3-dependent effects on chemosensory sensillae in other body parts. These findings reveal an unexpected factor critical for pheromone detection with profound influence on reproductive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Soo Ha
- Department of Biomedical Science, Daegu University, 201 Daegudae-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk, 38453 Republic of Korea
| | - Samarpita Sengupta
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
- Department of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Health Professions, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Jordan Powell
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Dean P Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
- O’Donnell Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
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Liggri PGV, Tsitsanou KE, Stamati ECV, Saitta F, Drakou CE, Leonidas DD, Fessas D, Zographos SE. The structure of AgamOBP5 in complex with the natural insect repellents Carvacrol and Thymol: Crystallographic, fluorescence and thermodynamic binding studies. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 237:124009. [PMID: 36921814 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Among several proteins participating in the olfactory perception process of insects, Odorant Binding Proteins (OBPs) are today considered valid targets for the discovery of compounds that interfere with their host-detection behavior. The 3D structures of Anopheles gambiae mosquito AgamOBP1 in complex with the known synthetic repellents DEET and Icaridin have provided valuable information on the structural characteristics that govern their selective binding. However, no structure of a plant-derived repellent bound to an OBP has been available until now. Herein, we present the novel three-dimensional crystal structures of AgamOBP5 in complex with two natural phenolic monoterpenoid repellents, Carvacrol and Thymol, and the MPD molecule. Structural analysis revealed that both monoterpenoids occupy a binding site (Site-1) by adopting two alternative conformations. An additional Carvacrol was also bound to a secondary site (Site-2) near the central cavity entrance. A protein-ligand hydrogen-bond network supplemented by van der Waals interactions spans the entire binding cavity, bridging α4, α6, and α3 helices and stabilizing the overall structure. Fluorescence competition and Differential Scanning Calorimetry experiments verified the presence of two binding sites and the stabilization effect on AgamOBP5. While Carvacrol and Thymol bind to Site-1 with equal affinity in the submicromolar range, they exhibit a significantly lower and distinct binding capacity for Site-2 with Kd's of ~7 μΜ and ~18 μΜ, respectively. Finally, a comparison of AgamOBP5 complexes with the AgamOBP4-Indole structure revealed that variations of ligand-interacting aminoacids such as A109T, I72M, A112L, and A105T cause two structurally similar and homologous proteins to display different binding specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota G V Liggri
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Katerina E Tsitsanou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece
| | - Evgenia C V Stamati
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Francesca Saitta
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Christina E Drakou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetres D Leonidas
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Fessas
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Spyros E Zographos
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
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Ha TS, Smith DP. Recent Insights into Insect Olfactory Receptors and Odorant-Binding Proteins. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13100926. [PMID: 36292874 PMCID: PMC9604063 DOI: 10.3390/insects13100926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Human and insect olfaction share many general features, but insects differ from mammalian systems in important ways. Mammalian olfactory neurons share the same overlying fluid layer in the nose, and neuronal tuning entirely depends upon receptor specificity. In insects, the olfactory neurons are anatomically segregated into sensilla, and small clusters of olfactory neurons dendrites share extracellular fluid that can be independently regulated in different sensilla. Small extracellular proteins called odorant-binding proteins are differentially secreted into this sensillum lymph fluid where they have been shown to confer sensitivity to specific odorants, and they can also affect the kinetics of the olfactory neuron responses. Insect olfactory receptors are not G-protein-coupled receptors, such as vertebrate olfactory receptors, but are ligand-gated ion channels opened by direct interactions with odorant molecules. Recently, several examples of insect olfactory neurons expressing multiple receptors have been identified, indicating that the mechanisms for neuronal tuning may be broader in insects than mammals. Finally, recent advances in genome editing are finding applications in many species, including agricultural pests and human disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Soo Ha
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Natural Science, Daegu University, Gyeongsan 38453, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea
| | - Dean P. Smith
- Departments of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Correspondence:
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Chen X, Yang H, Wu S, Zhao W, Hao G, Wang J, Jiang H. BdorOBP69a is involved in the perception of the phenylpropanoid compound methyl eugenol in oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) males. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 147:103801. [PMID: 35717009 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) is a devastating fruit pest that infests more than 450 plant species. Methyl eugenol (ME) has been used as male attractant to monitor and eradicate B. dorsalis populations for 70 years, but the molecular basis of its activity remains largely unclear. Previously, BdorOBP83b and BdorOBP56f-2 as odorant binding proteins (OBPs) were identified responsible for ME perception. In this study, ME-induced expression profiles and in vitro binding assays revealed that BdorOBP69a is also produced in response to ME and binds directly to it with strong affinity (Kd = 9.54 μM). BdorOBP69a-/- null mutants generated by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis showed significantly lower electroantennogram and behavioral responses to ME than wild-type controls. Molecular docking analysis followed by site-directed mutagenesis showed that residues Leu89 and Phe145 are essential for the interaction between BdorOBP69a and ME. BdorOBP69a is therefore an important component involved in the perception of ME in B. dorsalis and a promising molecular target for the development of new male attractants. The molecular docking and binding assay data also provide an important reference for future OBP gene manipulation and ME chemical engineering to improve the efficiency of male attractants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Shuangxiong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Research and Development Center for Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Gefei Hao
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Research and Development Center for Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - JinJun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.
| | - Hongbo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.
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Santos SA, Romão TP, Helvecio E, Barbosa RMR, Leal WS, Ayres CFJ. Elevated expression of odorant receptors and odorant-binding proteins genes detected in antennae of Culex quinquefasciatus field females. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.874727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Culex quinquefasciatus is responsible for the transmission of filarial worms and several arboviruses. Olfaction plays a crucial role in disease transmission as it influences behaviors that are essential for the survival and reproduction of the mosquito, such as the host-seeking behavior, courtship, and oviposition. Understanding the molecular events that coordinate how mosquitoes find their host may lead to alternative methods to reduce diseases transmission. Our aim was to investigate the differential expression profile of odorant receptor (ORs) and odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) genes in Cx. quinquefasciatus field females compared with CqSLab laboratory mosquito colony. Seventeen genes of interest were evaluated for their qualitative and specific expression by RT-PCR on RNAs extracted from female antennae, female legs, complete male bodies, incomplete female bodies (no head and no legs), and L4 larvae. The general expression mapping of olfactory genes revealed that all analyzed genes were expressed in antennae. Some genes showed different qualitative expression profiles, such as CquiOR2, CquiOR64, CquiOR93, CquiOBP11, and CquiOBP16, which were expressed exclusively in female antennae. On the other hand, CquiOR37, CquiOBP2, and CquiOBP43 are expressed in all sample types, and CquiOBP10 was expressed in female antennae and legs and in the complete male bodies. The expression of CquiOBP5 was detected in the female’s antennae and body, but it was absent in the legs. The quantitative differential expression analysis of six of the 17 genes by RT-qPCR was performed from RNA samples from antenna pools collected in three physiological states, post-emergence, post-mating, and post-blood feeding of the field females and CqSLab. A total of 3,600 antennae were analyzed, in pools containing 100 pairs. Most genes screened showed a higher expression level in field mosquitoes when compared with the laboratory strain CqSLab. The expression of CquiOBP5 and CquiOBP10 genes was significantly different between the post-mating and post blood-meal samples of laboratory females (p < 0.05). Our results suggest specialization of the function of the genes studied and divergence in the expression pattern of field mosquitoes compared with laboratory mosquitoes, and therefore, caution should be exercised in the interpretation of data from laboratory mosquito studies.
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Shah JS, Buckmeier BG, Griffith W, Olafson PU, Perez de Leon AA, Renthal R. Odorant-binding protein from the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) has a high-histidine N-terminal extension that binds transition metals. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 141:103707. [PMID: 34979251 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103707] [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: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The role of odorant- and pheromone-binding proteins (OBPs) in olfactory function is not fully understood. We found an OBP sequence from the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, ScalOBP60, that has a 25 amino acid N-terminal extension with a high content of histidine and acidic amino acids, suggesting a possible metal binding activity. A search of public databases revealed a large number of other fly OBPs with histidine-rich N-terminal extensions, as well as beetle, wasp and ant OBPs with histidine-rich C-terminal extensions. We recombinantly expressed ScalOBP60, as well as a truncated sequence which lacks the histidine-rich N-terminal region, tScalOBP60. Using fluorescence quenching and electrospray quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF), we detected two different types of metal-binding sites. Divalent copper, nickel and zinc bind to the N-terminal histidine-rich region, and divalent copper binds to an internal sequence position. Comparison of the ESI-QTOF spectra of ScalOBP60 and tScalOBP60 showed that the histidine-rich sequence is structurally disordered, but it becomes more ordered in the presence of divalent metal. When copper is bound to the internal site, binding of a hydrophobic ligand to ScalOBP60 is inhibited. The internal and N-terminal metal sites interact allosterically, possibly through a conformational equilibrium, suggesting a mechanism for metal regulation of ligand binding to ScalOBP60. Based on our studies of ScalOBP60, we propose several possible olfactory and non-olfactory functions for this OBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaee Shailesh Shah
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | | | - Wendell Griffith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Pia Untalan Olafson
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Lab, Kerrville, TX, 78028, USA
| | | | - Robert Renthal
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA.
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Liu F, Chen Z, Ye Z, Liu N. The Olfactory Chemosensation of Hematophagous Hemipteran Insects. Front Physiol 2021; 12:703768. [PMID: 34434117 PMCID: PMC8382127 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.703768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As one of the most abundant insect orders on earth, most Hemipteran insects are phytophagous, with the few hematophagous exceptions falling into two families: Cimicidae, such as bed bugs, and Reduviidae, such as kissing bugs. Many of these blood-feeding hemipteran insects are known to be realistic or potential disease vectors, presenting both physical and psychological risks for public health. Considerable researches into the interactions between hemipteran insects such as kissing bugs and bed bugs and their human hosts have revealed important information that deepens our understanding of their chemical ecology and olfactory physiology. Sensory mechanisms in the peripheral olfactory system of both insects have now been characterized, with a particular emphasis on their olfactory sensory neurons and odorant receptors. This review summarizes the findings of recent studies of both kissing bugs (including Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans) and bed bugs (Cimex lectularius), focusing on their chemical ecology and peripheral olfactory systems. Potential chemosensation-based applications for the management of these Hemipteran insect vectors are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Liu
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Zhou Chen
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Zi Ye
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Nannan Liu
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
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