花椒窄吉丁触角转录组及嗅觉相关基因分析

【目的】建立花椒窄吉丁Agrilus zanthoxylumi成虫触角转录组数据库,挖掘嗅觉相关基因,为今后研究其触角的化学感受机制及生物防控提供理论支撑。【方法】采用高通量测序平台IlluminaNovaSeq 6000对花椒窄吉丁雌雄成虫触角进行转录组测序,用Trinity软件对获得的高质量reads进行序列拼接与组装;使用BLAST软件将触角转录组数据比对NR, NT, Swiss-Prot, GO, KEGG, BLASTX,eggNOG, Pfam, TmHMM, SignalP, KO, Map, BLASTP和RNAMMER公共数据库;基于初步筛选到的花椒窄吉丁候选气味结合蛋白(odorant binding protein, OBP)和化学感受蛋白(chemosensory protein, CSP)以及其他鞘翅目昆虫的同源蛋白的核苷酸序列,利用MEGA软件进行系统进化分析。运用RPKM (reads perkilobase per million mapped reads)值对嗅觉相关基因表达量进行分析。【结果】花椒窄吉丁雌雄成虫触角转录组测序共获得36 209条基因和90 982条转录本,其N₅₀分别为2 103和2 523 bp,组装完整性较高。注释到NR数据库的基因最多(41.62%),其中与赤拟谷盗Tribolium castaneum相似基因所占比例最高(19%)。在GO数据库中比对到11 614个基因,按功能分为细胞组分、分子功能与生物学进程三大类57个分支,其中分子功能大类中的结合(70.57%)与催化活性(45.51%)相关基因占比最多;KEGG代谢途径分析表明,7 427条基因参与了5类代谢通路,其中涉及信号转导的基因最多,为815条;筛选到7个候选OBP基因和5个具有全长开放阅读框的CSP基因,其编码蛋白均具有化学感受蛋白家族的典型特征。系统进化分析表明,花椒窄吉丁OBPs和CSPs分别与苹果小吉丁A. mali的OBPs和CSPs氨基酸序列一致性最高。RPKM值表明,嗅觉相关基因AzanOBP1和AzanOBP2在雌成虫触角中不表达,在雄成虫触角中微量表达;AzanOBP3在雄成虫触角中高丰度表达。【结论】首次获得了花椒窄吉丁成虫触角转录组数据,筛选到了花椒窄吉丁OBP, CSP, Or, IR和SNMP等的嗅觉相关基因。推测触角中高丰度表达的OBPs对雄成虫识别同类异性释放的信息素或寄主植物释放的挥发物起关键作用。研究结果可为花椒窄吉丁化学感受基因功能分析及嗅觉感受机制研究奠定分子基础。     

Expression pattern analysis of odorant‐binding proteins in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum

Odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) are soluble proteins mediating chemoreception in insects. In previous research, we investigated the molecular mechanisms adopted by aphids to detect the alarm pheromone (E)‐β‐farnesene and we found that the recognition of this and structurally related molecules is mediated by OBP3 and OBP7. Here, we show the differential expression patterns of 5 selected OBPs (OBP1, OBP3, OBP6, OBP7, OBP8) obtained performing quantitative RT‐PCR and immunolocalization experiments in different body parts of adults and in the 5 developmental instars, including winged and unwinged morphs, of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. The results provide an overall picture that allows us to speculate on the relationship between the differential expression of OBPs and their putative function. The expression of OBP3, OBP6, and OBP7 in the antennal sensilla suggests a chemosensory function for these proteins, whereas the constant expression level of OBP8 in all instars could suggest a conserved role. Moreover, OBP1 and OBP3 are also expressed in nonsensory organs. A light and scanning electron microscopy study of sensilla on different body parts of aphid, in particular antennae, legs, mouthparts, and cornicles‐cauda, completes this research providing a guide to facilitate the mapping of OBP expression profiles.     

Identification of odorant-binding protein genes from antennal expressed sequence tags of the onion fly, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Delia antiqua</Emphasis>

Insect odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are thought to play a crucial role in the chemosensation of hydrophobic molecules such as pheromones and host chemicals. The onion fly, Delia antiqua, is a specialist feeder of Allium plants, and utilizes a host odorant n-dipropyl disulfide as a cue for its oviposition. Because n-dipropyl disulfide is a highly hydrophobic compound, some OBPs might be indispensable for perception of it. However, no OBP gene has been identified in D. antiqua. Here, to obtain the DNA sequences of D. antiqua OBPs, we performed an analysis of antennal expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Among 288 EST clones, eight D. antiqua OBP genes were identified for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that each D. antiqua OBP gene is more closely related to its Drosophila orthologs than to the other D. antiqua OBP genes, suggesting that these OBP genes had emerged before the divergence of Delia and Drosophila species. All of the eight D. antiqua OBPs are expressed not only in the antennae but also in the legs, suggesting additional roles in the taste perception of non-volatile compounds. These findings serve as an important basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the host adaptations of D. antiqua.     

A subset of chemosensory genes differs between two populations of a specialized leaf beetle after host plant shift

Due to its fundamental role in shaping host selection behavior, we have analyzed the chemosensory repertoire of Chrysomela lapponica. This specialized leaf beetle evolved distinct populations which shifted from the ancestral host plant, willow (Salix sp., Salicaceae), to birch (Betula rotundifolia, Betulaceae). We identified 114 chemosensory candidate genes in adult C. lapponica: 41 olfactory receptors (ORs), eight gustatory receptors, 17 ionotropic receptors, four sensory neuron membrane proteins, 32 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), and 12 chemosensory proteins (CSP) by RNA‐seq. Differential expression analyses in the antennae revealed significant upregulation of one minus‐C OBP (ClapOBP27) and one CSP (ClapCSP12) in the willow feeders. In contrast, one OR (ClapOR17), four minus‐C OBPs (ClapOBP02, 07, 13, 20), and one plus‐C OBP (ClapOBP32) were significantly upregulated in birch feeders. The differential expression pattern in the legs was more complex. To narrow down putative ligands acting as cues for host discrimination, the relative abundance and diversity of volatiles of the two host plant species were analyzed. In addition to salicylaldehyde (willow‐specific), both plant species differed mainly in their emission rate of terpenoids such as (E,E)‐α‐farnesene (high in willow) or 4,8‐dimethylnona‐1,3,7‐triene (high in birch). Qualitatively, the volatiles were similar between willow and birch leaves constituting an “olfactory bridge” for the beetles. Subsequent structural modeling of the three most differentially expressed OBPs and docking studies using 22 host volatiles indicated that ligands bind with varying affinity. We suggest that the evolution of particularly minus‐C OBPs and ORs in C. lapponica facilitated its host plant shift via chemosensation of the phytochemicals from birch as novel host plant.     

Molecular and functional characterization of three odorant binding proteins from the oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricide)

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) act in recognizing odor molecules and their most well‐studied functions are transporting odors across the sensillum lymph to olfactory receptor neurons within the insect antennal sensillum. The adults of Grapholita molesta highly depend on olfactory cues in locating host plants and selecting oviposition sites, in which OBPs play an important role in perceiving and recognizing host plant volatiles. Exploring the physiological function of OBPs could facilitate our understanding of their importance in insects’ chemical communication. In this study, three OBP genes were cloned and named GmolOBP4, GmolOBP5, and GmolOBP10. Quantitative real‐time PCR results indicated that GmolOBP4 and GmolOBP10 were predominantly expressed in adult antennae and GmolOBP5 was expressed in multiple tissues, including head, legs, and wings in addition to antennae. The binding affinities of the three recombinant GmolOBPs (rGmolOBPs) with four sex pheromone components and twenty‐nine host plant volatiles were measured using 1‐N‐Phenyl‐naphthylamine as a fluorescence probe. The three rGmolOBPs exhibited specific binding properties to potential ligands, GmolOBP4 and GmolOBP10 bound to minor sex pheromone components, such as (Z)‐8‐dodecenyl alcohol and dodecanol, respectively. rGmolOBP4 showed intermediate binding ability with hexanal, benzyl alcohol, and pear ester, rGmolOBP5 had a weak affinity for benzaldehyde, pear ester and, methyl jasmonate, and rGmolOBP10 showed strong binding capacity toward hexanol, decanol, and α‐ocimene. We speculate that the GmolOBP4 and GmolOBP10 have dual functions in perception and recognition of host plant volatiles and sex pheromone components, while GmolOBP5 may serve other function(s).     

Expression of odorant-binding proteins and chemosensory proteins in some Hymenoptera

The expression of chemosensory proteins (CSPs) and odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) in individuals of different castes and ages have been monitored in three species of social hymenopterans, Polistes dominulus (Hymenoptera, Vespidae), Vespa crabro (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) and Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae), using PCR with specific primers and polyclonal antibodies. In the paper wasp P. dominulus, OBP is equally expressed in antennae, wings and legs of all castes and ages, while CSP is often specifically present in antennae and in some cases also in legs. In the vespine species V. crabro CSP is antennal specific, while OBP is also expressed in legs and wings. The three CSPs and the five OBPs of A. mellifera show a complex pattern of expression, where both classes of proteins include members specifically expressed in antennae and others present in other parts of the body. These data indicate that at least in some hymenopteran species CSPs are specifically expressed in antennae and could perform roles in chemosensory perception so far assigned only to OBPs.     

绿豆象气味结合蛋白基因的克隆及表达分析

【目的】对绿豆象Callosobruchus chinensis气味结合蛋白(odorant binding proteins, OBPs)基因进行克隆、鉴定和组织表达分析,为研究OBPs在绿豆象嗅觉感受过程中的功能奠定基础。【方法】基于绿豆象触角转录组数据,通过RT-PCR克隆绿豆象6个OBP基因并进行生物信息学分析;通过qRT-PCR分析OBP基因在绿豆象雌雄成虫头(不含触角)、触角、腹、足和翅各组织中的表达情况。【结果】获得了6个绿豆象OBP基因的开放阅读框,命名为CchiOBP1-CchiOBP6(GenBank登录号: MN832700-MN832703, MN901841-MN901842);CchiOBP5为一段C端不完整的Minus-C OBP,其余均属于完整的Classical OBPs,预测6个CchiOBPs均含有信号肽。系统发育分析表明CchiOBP1, CchiOBP2和CchiOBP5与叶甲科(Chrysomelidae)昆虫OBPs的亲缘关系较近,CchiOBP3, CchiOBP4和CchiOBP6与天牛科(Cerambycidae)昆虫OBPs的亲缘关系较近。qRT-PCR结果表明,6个CchiOBPs基因在绿豆象成虫的触角、头(不含触角)、腹、翅和足部均有不同的表达量,CchiOBP1-4和CchiOBP6在雌雄成虫触角中均呈现高表达,且极显著高于在其他组织中的。CchiOBP5在雌成虫触角和头部(不含触角)中呈现高表达,但在雄成虫中表现为在足部的表达量显著高于在其他组织中的,在触角中的表达量最低。【结论】确定了绿豆象6个CchiOBPs基因的核苷酸和氨基酸序列组成,其中有5个CchiOBPs基因在绿豆象雌雄成虫触角中高表达,推测其在绿豆象嗅觉识别寄主植物过程中发挥重要作用。     

Odorant-binding-protein subfamilies associate with distinct classes of olfactory receptor neurons in insects

The olfactory receptors of terrestrial animals exist in an aqueous environment, yet detect odorants that are primarily hydrophobic. The aqueous solubility of hydrophobic odorants is thought to be greatly enhanced via odorant binding proteins (OBP) which exist in the extracellular fluid surrounding the odorant receptors. We have isolated and partially sequenced 14 candidate OBPs from six insect (moth) species. All 14 represent a single homologous family based on conserved sequence domains. The 14 proteins can be divided into three subfamilies based on differences in tissue specific expression and similarities in amino acid sequences. All 14 proteins are specifically expressed in antennal olfactory tissue. Subfamily I represents previously described pheromone binding proteins (PBP), which are male-specific, associate with pheromone-sensitive neurons, and are highly variable in their sequences when compared among species. Subfamilies II and III are expressed in both male and female antennae, appear to associate with general-odorant-sensitive neurons, and are highly conserved when compared among species. The properties of the subfamily II and III proteins suggest these are general-odorant binding proteins (GOBP). The properties of the respective insect OBP subfamilies suggest that they have different odorant binding specificities. The association of different insect OBP subfamilies with distinct classes of olfactory neurons having different odorant specificities suggests that OBPs can act as selective signal filters, peripheral to the actual receptor proteins.