盲蝽科昆虫性信息素研究概况

盲蝽科MIridae昆虫具有重要的经济价值,包含许多农林业的重要害虫和一些害虫的重要天敌。目前,已确定性信息素化学成分的有3属4种盲蝽。这4种盲蝽性信息素的化学成分分别是显角微刺盲蝽Campylomma verbasci：丁酸丁酯和反-2-丁酸丁烯酯(16：1),Phytocoris californicus：乙酸己酯和反-2-乙酸龙脑脂(2：1),Phytocoris relativus：乙酸己酯和反-2-丁酸龙脑脂(2：1)及Lygocoris pabulinus：顺-9-二十五碳烯和顺-7-二十五碳烯(5：1)。相反,草盲蝽属Lygus昆虫的性信息素却难以鉴定。尽管从草盲蝽属昆虫中已分离鉴定20多种化合物,但至今没有1种或1个组分能成功地产生吸引该属雄虫的生物活性。     

蛾类昆虫性信息素受体及其作用机理

蛾类昆虫性信息素受体首先从烟芽夜蛾Heliothis virescens和家蚕Bombyx mori中鉴定出来, 到目前为止已经克隆得到了19种蛾类昆虫的几十种性信息素受体基因, 并且这些基因在系统发育树中聚成一个亚群。性信息素受体从蛾类蛹期开始表达, 主要表达在雄性触角的毛形感器中, 少部分受体在雌性触角、 雄性触角其他感器以及身体其他部位中也有表达。大部分蛾类性信息素受体的配体并不是单一的, 而是能够对多种性信息素组分有反应, 部分性信息素受体还能够识别性信息素以外的其他物质, 还有一部分性信息素受体的识别配体目前尚不清楚。另外发现在雌性蛾类触角中也存在一些嗅觉受体能够识别雄性分泌的性信息素。在蛾类性信息素受体与性信息素识别的过程中, 性信息素结合蛋白不仅能够特异性地运送配体到嗅觉神经元树状突上, 还能够提高性信息素与性信息素受体之间的结合效率。另外, OrCo类受体与性信息素受体共表达在嗅觉神经元中, 在蛾类性信息素受体与配体的识别过程中扮演了重要角色。但是蛾类信息素对神经元刺激的终止并非由性信息素受体控制, 而是由细胞中的气味降解酶等其他因子调控。蛾类性信息素受体研究中还有很多疑问需要解答, 其过程可能比我们想象的更为复杂。     

昆虫信息素结合蛋白的研究概况

在昆虫感受信息素的嗅觉反应中,信息素结合蛋白发挥了重要的作用。它作为脂溶性信息素的溶剂和载体,在亲水性淋巴液中起着运载信息素和使之失活的双重作用。由于它在昆虫识别信息素物质中起着重要的作用,近1 0年来,国内外对其进行了广泛、深入的研究。文章从信息素结合蛋白的生化特点、表达情况、代谢以及生理功能等方面的概况进行综述。     

国槐尺蠖性信息素的生物学研究

国槐尺蠖(semiothisa cinerearia Bremer et Grey)的性信息素腺体位置通过触角电位、扫描电镜和组织学三种研究技术进行了检查。触角电位证明性信息素腺体位于产卵器。扫描电镜确定在雌蛾腹部第Ⅷ和Ⅸ—Ⅹ节之间的节间膜背面有一囊状结构。触角电位进一步证明这一囊状结构为性信息素腺体。腺体横切显示性信息素腺体细胞特征为核大,细胞体呈柱状,细胞质内有小空泡。触角电位证明雌蛾在暗周期(20:00,21:00和22:00)产生的性信息素比在光周期(8:00、9:00和10:00)多。风洞试验显示雄蛾在暗周期(21:00)比在光周期(9:00)对性信息素提取物的行为反应强烈。田间试验证明性信息素腺体提取物具有诱蛾活性。上述结果为国槐尺蠖性信息素的化学分离和鉴定提供了基础。     

昆虫信息素结合蛋白及其分子运输机制和生理功能研究进展

昆虫信息素结合蛋白是气味结合蛋白多基因家族的一个分支,在昆虫识别性信息素过程中起重要作用。该文从信息素结合蛋白的分子特征、与信息素分子的结合及释放机制、生理功能和进化基因组学等方面进行了综述,针对鳞翅目昆虫进行了重点阐述。     

国槐尺蠖性信息素的生物学研究

国槐尺蠖(semiothisa cinerearia Bremer et Grey)的性信息素腺体位置通过触角电位、扫描电镜和组织学三种研究技术进行了检查.触角电位证明性信息素腺体位于产卵器.扫描电镜确定在雌蛾腹部第Ⅷ和Ⅸ—Ⅹ节之间的节间膜背面有一囊状结构.触角电位进一步证明这一囊状结构为性信息素腺体.腺体横切显示性信息素腺体细胞特征为核大,细胞体呈柱状,细胞质内有小空泡.触角电位证明雌蛾在暗周期(20:00,21:00和22:00)产生的性信息素比在光周期(8:00、9:00和10:00)多.风洞试验显示雄蛾在暗周期(21:00)比在光周期(9:00)对性信息素提取物的行为反应强烈.田间试验证明性信息素腺体提取物具有诱蛾活性.上述结果为国槐尺蠖性信息素的化学分离和鉴定提供了基础.     

桃蛀螟性信息素结合蛋白CpunPBP3的表达模式及性信息素结合特性

[目的]本研究旨在对桃蛀螟Conogethes punctiferalis性信息素结合蛋白CpunPBP3进行鉴定和定性分析,完善对桃蛀螟性信息素感受机制的理解.[方法]扩增、分析桃蛀螟CpunPBP3的cDNA序列,并与其他草螟科昆虫的同源蛋白氨基酸序列进行比较.利用qRT-PCR测定桃蛀螟不同日龄雄成虫触角中Cpu...     

昆虫对气味分子的感受机制

昆虫对外界气味的感受作用是一个庞大而复杂的体系,多种蛋白参与了这一过程。其中包括气味结合蛋白,气味结合蛋白受体,气味降解酶等多种蛋白。昆虫不仅可以通过外界气味分子携带的信息来识别配偶,天敌,还可以通过对外界环境特征的识别来寻找食物来源,产卵等。明确昆虫的化学感受机制不仅可以帮助我们理解昆虫的行为,还有助于深入了解动物的行为机制。文章综述昆虫对气味分子的识别、气味分子在昆虫体内的运输以及电化学信号传导机制等方面的进展。     

性信息素对斜纹夜蛾雄蛾嗅觉相关基因 abp,pbp 和 or 表达的影响

【目的】信息素是个体之间传递信息的重要分子,研究性信息素对斜纹夜蛾 Spodoptera litura 嗅觉相关基因表达的影响对于增加性信息素作用机理的认识及其应用有重要的意义。【方法】本研究通过实时定量PCR（qRT-PCR）技术探究在性信息素刺激处理条件下,斜纹夜蛾成虫嗅觉相关基因 abp, pbp 和 or 表达水平的变化;利用性信息素在田间诱捕斜纹夜蛾雄蛾,并通过自动计数器记录每小时诱虫量,从而间接显示其交配行为的节律性。【结果】斜纹夜蛾雄虫触角中嗅觉相关基因abp, pbp 和 or 的表达具有节律特性。经性信息素化合物(Z9, Z11-14:OAc+Z9, Z12-14:OAc)刺激处理后,abp, pbp 和 or 表达量也发生了显著的改变。通过记录田间性信息素诱捕器在一天中不同时间段内诱捕的雄蛾数量,发现诱捕到的斜纹夜蛾也具有节律特性。【结论】基因表达水平上的节律特性可能与雄虫交配活动的节律相关联,说明性信息素处理也在一定程度上改变了其节律及其对性信息素的神经反应。这一结果也首次从基因水平证明性信息素的刺激处理提高了周缘神经系统对性信息素反应的敏感性,有助于我们理解性信息素作用的分子机理,对迷向及性诱和测报应用具有指导意义。     

鱼类嗅觉系统和性信息素受体的研究进展

鱼类嗅觉系统包括外部嗅觉器官、嗅神经和嗅球三个部分.嗅觉器官也称为嗅囊,由嗅上皮和髓质组成.气味物质的化学信息主要由嗅上皮上随机分布的嗅觉感受神经元感知,通过嗅神经将嗅觉信息传递到嗅球,嗅球在空间上有不同的功能分区,嗅觉信息经过嗅球各分区整合后分别传入端脑,发挥其生理功能.性信息素在鱼类生殖过程中的作用是通过嗅觉系统来完成的,其中嗅觉感受神经元上的性信息素受体起着重要作用.鱼类性信息素受体的研究主要从两个方面入手,一是从低浓度特异的性信息素引起嗅觉器官电生理反应或行为反应入手,寻找特异的性信息素受体;二是参照哺乳动物嗅觉受体的研究结果,从嗅觉受体基因遗传保守性入手,研究鱼类性信息素受体的结构与功能.     

A comparative study of pheromone perception in two species of Noctuid moths

The electrical activity of single olfactory receptor neurons in male soybean looper (SBL) Pseudoplusia includens(Walker) and cabbage looper (CL) Trihoplusia ni(Hübner) moths was evaluated in response to stimulation with fixed amounts of the individual components of their respective pheromone blends. In common with earlier observations in the CL, there are at least two classes of morphologically distinct pheromone sensitive sensilla on the antenna of male SBL, each of which contains two olfactory receptor neurons. In both species, one class of sensilla contains an olfactory receptor neuron sensitive to (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol acetate (Z-7, 12:AC), the major component in each insect's blend, and a companion receptor neuron which is sensitive to (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol (Z7,12: OH). In both species the second class of sensilla contains an olfactory receptor neuron which is sensitive to one of the minor components of the pheromone blend. (Z)-5-dodecen-1-ol acetate (Z-5,12:AC) is an effective stimulus in SBL, whereas (Z)-7-tetradecen-1-ol acetate (Z-7,14:AC) is an effective stimulus in CL. However, these two stimulatory compounds have been identified only in the female CL gland; neither has been found in the SBL gland. Thus, in contrast to the CL, which has receptor neurons which are responsive exclusively to conspecific pheromone components, the SBL has a class of receptor neurons which is responsive to a minor component of another species' pheromone blend. Field-trapping assays in which Z-5,12:AC is added to the SBL blend suggest that this single CL component is a powerful inhibitor of male SBL behavioral responses to conspecific pheromone blends. The difference observed in the specificity of the receptor neurons in this second class of sensilla are thus believed to play an integral role in the isolation processes that are maintained between these two species and may well account for the observed behavioral differences in their responses to heterospecific pheromone blends.     

Venom as an interspecific sex pheromone, and species recognition by a cuticular pheromone in Paper Wasps (Polistes, Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

ABSTRACT. The venoms of Polistes fuscatus (subspecies fuscatus) (F.) and P. exclamans Viereck from sympatric populations in North Carolina, U.S.A., contain a pheromone which attracts males and stimulates sexual behaviour in both conspecific and heterospecific males. Males of P. fuscatus (subspecies variatus Cresson), a subspecies from Wisconsin, respond to venom of P. fuscatus fuscatus, P. exclamans, and Vespula maculifrons (Buysson) from North Carolina, although the levels of response to P. exclamans and V. maculifrons venom are less than that to P. fuscatus variatus venom.
Caged Wisconsin P. fuscafus males do not attempt to mate with P. exclamans females, but will attempt to mate with conspecifics. A series of bioassays indicates that males discriminate between females of P. fuscatus and P. exclamans on the basis of chemical, rather than behavioural or visual cues. The venom apparently is not important in species recognition. Instead, the results of two sets of bioassays suggest that species recognition is mediated by a surface pheromone on the cuticle of females.     

Beyond species recognition: somatic state affects long-distance sex pheromone communication

Long-range sex pheromones have been subjected to substantial research with a particular focus on their biosynthesis, peripheral perception, central processing and the resulting orientation behaviour of perceivers. Fundamental to the research on sex attractants was the assumption that they primarily coordinate species recognition. However, especially when they are produced by the less limiting sex (usually males), the evolution of heightened condition dependence might be expected and long-range sex pheromones might, therefore, also inform about a signaller''s quality. Here we provide, to our knowledge, the first comprehensive study of the role of a male''s long-range pheromone in mate choice that combines chemical analyses, video observations and field experiments with a multifactorial manipulation of males'' condition. We show that the emission of the long-distance sex pheromone of the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides is highly condition-dependent and reliably reflects nutritional state, age, body size and parasite load—key components of an individual''s somatic state. Both, the quantity and ratio of the pheromone components were affected but the time invested in pheromone emission was largely unaffected by a male''s condition. Moreover, the variation in pheromone emission caused by the variation in condition had a strong effect on the attractiveness of males in the field, with males in better nutritional condition, of older age, larger body size and bearing less parasites being more attractive. That a single pheromone is influenced by so many aspects of the somatic state and causes such variation in a male''s attractiveness under field conditions was hitherto unknown and highlights the need to integrate indicator models of sexual selection into pheromone research.     

Role of the male claw sensilla in perception of female mounting sex pheromone in Dermacentor variabilis,Dermacentor andersoni and Amblyomma americanum

The foreleg claw sensilla of male D. variabilis, D. andersoni and A. americanum ticks indlude the receptors that perceive the female contact mounting sex pheromone (MSP). In all three tick species, the foreleg claw sensilla comprise six anteriorly-directed setae arranged in three symmetrical pairs, two each on the opposite sides of the apotele of the claw and one on the ventral side. Morphological study and behavioral bioassays of these setae revealed that only the dorsal and middle (=lateral) pairs of claw sensilla are mechanogustatory. While the ventral pair are strictly mechanoreceptors. The dorsal and middle sensory setae exhibit a single pore-like structure located at or near their tip, a feature characteristic of mechanogustatory sensilla. These setae are similar to those found on the palps that are believed to function as pheromone receptors. In all three tick species, male mounting and postmounting behaviors were suppressed only when the dorsal and middle pairs of claw sensilla were ablated or covered with gelatin; normal behavior was restored when the gelatin was removed. Doscresponse bioassays were conducted with D. variabilis males to authenticate the results of the gelatin tests. The results of these bioassays demonstrated that the gelatin coat was impervious to the pheromone. The characteristics of the ixodid tick mating system that distinguish it from mating processes in other arthropods are discussed.     

Modulation of sex pheromone perception in female moths of the eastern spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana by altosid

Topical application of 10 μg of Altosid, a juvenile hormone analogue to adult female moths of the spruce budworm significantly reduced their electroantennogram responses to their own synthetic female sex pheromone provided the EAG recordings were performed at least 10–15 hr after JHA treatment. Newly emerged moths were more sensitive to JHA treatment than older moths. Acetone-treated moths (control) showed an increase in EAG response to sex pheromone with increasing age. These age related responses of moths to their sex pheromone and their reduction by Altosid treatment are discussed in terms of endogenous JH titres.     

Taste and pheromone perception in mammals and flies

The olfactory systems of insects and mammals have analogous anatomical features and use similar molecular logic for olfactory coding. The molecular underpinnings of the chemosensory systems that detect taste and pheromone cues have only recently been characterized. Comparison of these systems in Drosophila and mouse uncovers clear differences and a few surprising similarities.     

Molecular biology of pheromone perception in mammals

In mammals, olfactory sensory perception is mediated by two anatomically and functionally distinct sensory organs: the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) and the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Pheromones activate the VNO and elicit a characteristic array of innate reproductive and social behaviors, along with dramatic neuroendocrine responses. Recent approaches have provided new insights into the molecular biology of sensory transduction in the vomeronasal organ. Differential screening of cDNA libraries constructed from single sensory neurons from the rat VNO has led to the isolation of a family of genes which are likely to encode mammalian pheromone receptors. The isolation of these receptors from the vomeronasal organ might permit the analysis of the molecular events which translate the bindings of pheromones into innate stereotypic behaviors and help to elucidate the logic of pheromone perception in mammals.     

An airborne sex pheromone in snakes

Most reptile sex pheromones so far described are lipid molecules too large to diffuse through the air; instead, they are detected via direct contact (tongue-flicking) with another animal's body or substrate-deposited trails, using the vomeronasal system. The only non-lipid pheromone reported in snakes involves courtship termination in red-sided gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis): males that encounter copulatory fluids cease courtship, presumably reflecting the futility of courting an already-mating female. Our field experiments at a communal den in Manitoba show that this pheromone can work via olfaction: courtship is terminated by exposure to airborne scents from mating conspecifics, and does not require direct contact (tongue-flicking). Hence, the sexual behaviour of reptiles can be affected by airborne as well as substrate-bound pheromones.