草地螟普通气味结合蛋白Ⅰ（Lsti-GOBP1）蛋白表达纯化及结合特性分析

气味结合蛋白在昆虫对寄主挥发性气味识别过程中有着重要的生理功能。本研究通过对草地螟Loxostege sticticalis L. 普通气味结合蛋白Ⅰ（Lsti-GOBP1）进行克隆及原核表达的基础上, 分离纯化得到体外重组的Lsti-GOBP1蛋白。并利用N-苯基-1-萘胺(N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, 1-NPN）作为荧光探针研究了Lsti-GOBP1蛋白与醇类、 醛类、 酯、 烯等50种气味标样的结合特性, 结果表明Lsti-GOBP1可与其中35种气味化合物结合, 但只有1-己醇、 1-庚醇、 肉桂醛和莰烯4种气味标样能在20 μmol/L浓度（探针与蛋白结合的饱和浓度值）下将1-NPN从Lsti-GOBP1中替换50%, 其结合常数分别为8.997, 7.283, 7.289 和9.814 μmol/L。据此可以得出, Lsti-GOBP1蛋白的气味物质结合谱很广, 同时具有较强的特异性, 其中1-己醇、 1-庚醇、 肉桂醛、 莰烯等化合物在草地螟识别寄主植物气味物质的过程中起重要作用。     

Three Amino Acid Residues Bind Corn Odorants to McinOBP1 in the Polyembryonic Endoparasitoid of Macrocentrus cingulum Brischke

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) play a central role in transporting odorant molecules from the sensillum lymph to olfactory receptors to initiate behavioral responses. In this study, the OBP of Macrocentrus cingulum McinOBP1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by Ni ion affinity chromatography. Real-time PCR experiments indicate that the McinOBP1 is expressed mainly in adult antennae, with expression levels differing by sex. Ligand-binding experiments using N-phenyl-naphthylamine (1-NPN) as a fluorescent probe demonstrated that the McinOBP1 can bind green-leaf volatiles, including aldehydes and terpenoids, but also can bind aliphatic alcohols with good affinity, in the order trans-2-nonenal>cis-3-hexen-1-ol>trans-caryophelle, suggesting a role of McinOBP1 in general odorant chemoreception. We chose those three odorants for further homology modeling and ligand docking based on their binding affinity. The Val58, Leu62 and Glu130 are the key amino acids in the binding pockets that bind with these three odorants. The three mutants, Val58, Leu62 and Glu130, where the valine, leucine and glutamic residues were replaced by alanine, proline and alanine, respectively; showed reduced affinity to these odorants. This information suggests, Val58, Leu62 and Glu130 are involved in the binding of these compounds, possibly through the specific recognition of ligands that forms hydrogen bonds with the ligands functional groups.     

Functional characterization and immunolocalization of odorant binding protein 1 in the lucerne plant bug, Adelphocoris lineolatus (GOEZE)

In the insect phylum, the relationships between individuals and their environment are often modulated by chemical communication. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are widely and robustly expressed in insect olfactory organs and play a key role in chemosensing and transporting hydrophobic odorants across the sensillum lymph to the olfactory receptor neuron. In this study, a novel OBP gene (AlinOBP1) in the lucerne plant bug, Adelphocoris lineolatus was identified, cloned and expressed. Real-time PCR results indicated that the expression level of AlinOBP1 gene differed in each developmental stage (from first instar to adult) and was predominantly expressed in the antennae of adults. The expression level of AlinOBP1 was 1.91 times higher in male antennae than in female antennae. The binding properties of AlinOBP1 with 114 odorants were measured using a fluorescence probe, N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine (1-NPN), with fluorescence competitive binding. The results revealed that AlinOBP1 exhibits high binding abilities with two major putative pheromone components, ethyl butyrate and trans-2-hexenyl butyrate. In addition, it was observed that six volatiles released from cotton, octanal, nonanal, decanal, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, β-caryophyllene and β-ionone also bind to AlinOBP1. Immunocytochemistry analysis showed that AlinOBP1 was expressed in the sensillum lymph of sensilla trichodica and sensilla basiconca. Our results demonstrate that AlinOBP1 may function as a carrier in the chemoperception of the lucerne plant bug.     

草地螟滞育幼虫的蛋白和核酸含量变化

为了阐明草地螟Loxostege sticticalis 滞育的分子调控基础, 本研究应用Trizol法、 DNA和蛋白质定量试剂盒、 SDS-PAGE电泳技术分别对进入滞育1, 2, 3和4个月、 解除滞育以及非滞育草地螟老熟幼虫中的核酸含量、 总蛋白含量和组分的变化进行了测定。结果表明： 滞育不同月份幼虫的总RNA含量显著低于非滞育幼虫的总RNA含量（P＜0.05）; 解除滞育幼虫的总RNA含量显著高于滞育2, 3和4个月的幼虫, 但仍显著低于非滞育的对照组。滞育不同月份、 非滞育以及解除滞育幼虫的总DNA含量没有显著差异（P＞0.05）。RNA/DNA比值随滞育的开始而显著下降, 随着滞育的结束而显著上升。滞育不同月份的幼虫总蛋白含量显著高于非滞育幼虫的总蛋白含量（P<0.05）, 但解除滞育与非滞育幼虫的总蛋白含量无显著差异。利用SDS-PAGE电泳分析发现滞育幼虫体内存在滞育关联蛋白, 蛋白条带在24 kDa左右, 但非滞育和已经解除滞育的幼虫则没有该蛋白条带。这些结果表明, 总RNA含量的降低、 RNA/DNA比值下降、 总蛋白含量的升高, 以及24 kDa蛋白的存在是草地螟幼虫滞育的主要生理特征。     

梨小食心虫气味结合蛋白GmolOBP3的cDNA克隆、表达谱及结合特性分析

【目的】为了更好地了解昆虫气味结合蛋白（odorant binding proteins, OBPs）在梨小食心虫Grapholita molesta（Busck）嗅觉识别中的作用,并明确其与寄主挥发物的结合特性。【方法】利用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆梨小食心虫OBP基因;采用RT-PCR和实时定量PCR对该基因在成虫不同组织和羽化后不同日龄成虫中的表达情况进行了测定;以N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine（1-NPN）为荧光探针,采用荧光竞争结合试验对GmolOBP3蛋白的结合特性进行了分析。【结果】得到梨小食心虫一个新的气味结合蛋白基因,命名为GmolOBP3（GenBank登录号：KF395363）。GmolOBP3开放阅读框全长492 bp,编码163个氨基酸残基,预测分子量和等电点分别为18.72 kDa和4.93,呈酸性,具有典型的6个半胱氨酸位点。GmolOBP3在雌、雄成虫触角和腹部均有表达,成虫在羽化后5 d内,雌蛾触角中GmolOBP3表达量随羽化后日龄而增加,但雄蛾在羽化后第5天触角中 GmolOBP3表达量显著降低。通过构建GmolOBP3原核表达载体,在大肠杆菌Escherichia coli中诱导表达并获得了GmolOBP3重组蛋白。荧光竞争结合实验对GmolOBP3蛋白与16种寄主挥发物及4种性信息素类似物的结合力发现,在供试的4种梨小食心虫性信息素类似物中,GmolOBP3蛋白与反-8-十二碳烯醋酸酯和十二烷-1-醇不结合,而与顺-8-十二碳烯醋酸酯和顺-8-十二碳烯醇结合,但结合力较弱,结合常数分别为83.00和103.70 μmol/L;与16种寄主挥发物结合能力也不强,其中结合最强的是β 紫罗酮,结合常数为49.36 μmol/L。【结论】由此推断,GmolOBP3具有选择性识别和结合各种配基的特性。     

基于线粒体COI、Cytb和COII基因的中国草地螟不同地理种群遗传分化分析

【目的】揭示中国草地螟Loxostege sticticalis不同地理种群的遗传分化程度。【方法】采用PCR技术扩增中国西北和华北地区草地螟11个地理种群的线粒体 COI, Cytb和COII基因序列,基于其序列变异及单倍型贝叶斯系统发育树和单倍型网络图分析,探讨不同地理种群间的遗传距离、分子系统发生关系及遗传分化程度。【结果】草地螟11个地理种群的线粒体 COI, Cytb和COII基因序列分别有24, 12和69个变异位点(分别占总序列的3.6%, 2.7%和8.8%),检测到的单倍型分别为22, 14和16个,单倍型多样度(Hd)分别为0.7600, 0.5842和0.7341,核苷酸平均差异度(K)分别为1.704, 0.752和3.997,不同单倍型间的遗传距离平均值分别为0.004, 0.005和0.013。总种群的Tajima’s D和Fu’s Fs值皆不显著,表明草地螟不同地理种群间的遗传分化不明显,群体大小稳定。根据各地理种群的单倍型建立的系统发育树和单倍型网络图表明,各单倍型散布在不同的地理种群中,无明显的地理分布格局。【结论】草地螟各地理种群的遗传距离与地理距离间不具有显著的相关性,其遗传分化不明显。     

桃蛀螟性信息素结合蛋白Cpun-PBP1的cDNA克隆、表达谱及其与配体化合物的结合特性分析

【目的】为了更好地了解性信息素结合蛋白（pheromone binding proteins, PBPs）在桃蛀螟Conogethes punctiferalis （Guenée）嗅觉识别过程中的作用,明确其与配体化合物的结合特性。【方法】本研究利用RT-PCR结合RACE方法克隆了桃蛀螟一个性信息素结合蛋白基因;采用Real-time PCR方法分析了该蛋白在桃蛀螟不同发育阶段及雌雄蛾间的表达差异;利用荧光竞争结合实验对Cpun-PBP1蛋白与16种配基化合物的结合特性进行了分析。【结果】克隆了一个桃蛀螟性信息素结合蛋白基因,命名为Cpun-PBP 1（GenBank登录号：KP027486）。Cpun-PBP 1开放阅读框全长510 bp,编码 169个氨基酸,预测分子量为19.12 kDa,等电点为5.09,N-末端包括由起始位置开始的30个氨基酸组成的信号肽。蛋白特征分析显示,该氨基酸序列具有昆虫气味结合蛋白的典型特征,即含有6个保守的半胱氨酸残基。Cpun-PBP 1在桃蛀螟成虫阶段表达量最高,且几乎全部在触角中表达,卵期微量表达,幼虫期和蛹期均不表达。通过构建Cpun-PBP 1原核表达载体,诱导并获得Cpun-PBP 1重组蛋白。荧光竞争结合实验对2种性信息素组分和14种寄主植物挥发物的结合力发现,Cpun-PBP1不但能有效地与桃蛀螟性信息素组分（顺-10-十六碳烯醛和十六醛）结合,结合常数分别为7.32和9.39 μmol/L;还能与8种寄主植物挥发物有效结合;其中,与莰烯的结合能力最强,结合常数为3.76 μmol/L。【结论】根据这些结果,我们推测Cpun-PBP1在桃蛀螟感受性信息素和寄主植物挥发物的过程中发挥着双重作用。     

甜菜夜蛾触角结合蛋白Ⅱ的cDNA克隆、 组织分布及配体结合特性分析

触角结合蛋白（antennal binding proteins, ABPs）是气味结合蛋白（odorant binding proteins, OBPs）的一个亚类, 推测其在昆虫嗅觉中起作用。为了探讨这一问题, 本研究通过转录组数据分析并利用RACE技术, 克隆了甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua触角结合蛋白Ⅱ基因（SexigABP2）的全长cDNA序列（GenBank登录号为HQ234486）。序列分析表明, 该基因开放阅读框长444 bp, 编码148个氨基酸, 具有OBPs典型的6个半胱氨酸位点; 其氨基酸序列和烟芽夜蛾Heliothis virescens的HvirABP2的一致性最高, 达72%。实时定量PCR分析显示, 该基因主要在触角中表达, 在喙、 足、 翅等组织中也有少量表达, 且在雌蛾触角及足中的表达量显著高于雄蛾。进一步对该基因进行原核表达和纯化, 利用荧光竞争结合实验测定了SexigABP2对35种气味物质的结合能力, 发现其对甜菜夜蛾性信息素组分(Z)-9-十四碳烯醇和植物挥发物法尼醇的结合能力较强, 结合常数分别为8.24 μmol/L和8.14 μmol/L。结合能力比较表明, SexigABP2对不饱和长碳链化合物较饱和短碳链化合物具有更强的结合能力; 在不饱和长碳链化合物中, 对醇类物质又较乙酸酯类物质具有更强的结合能力。结果提示SexigABP2可能参与了成虫对不饱和长碳链的植物挥发物的感受。     

北半球500hPa高度场遥相关指数对我国草地螟成虫物候期与幼虫发生面积的影响

北半球500hPa高度场的遥相关指数(遥相关指数)是一个综合了气温,降水以及气压等众多气象因素的气候变化指数,很多生物学现象都与其有关;为了探究遥相关指数是否对我国的草地螟的发生危害有影响,作者分析了我国草地螟Loxostege sticticalisL.成虫物候期及幼虫发生面积的变化趋势及两者与遥相关指数的相关关系,结果表明:我国草地螟成虫始见期年际间有显著提前的趋势,平均每年提前0.40d,与1—5月极地-欧亚型遥相关指数均值(POL1-5)相关性最大;终见期有显著延后的趋势,平均每年延后1.31d,与6—10月东太平洋型遥相关指数均值(EP-NP6-10)相关性最大;全国草地螟幼虫发生面积年际间有显著增长的趋势,平均每年增长57.07khm2,与1—10月东大西洋型遥相关指数均值(EA1-10)相关性最大。     

草地螟越冬代虫量与第一代草地螟发生关系的研究

通过对康保县植保站 1 979～ 2 0 0 2年共 2 4年草地螟系统监测资料研究分析 ,明确了草地螟越冬基数和越冬代成虫种群量与第 1代草地螟之间的发生关系。为掌握草地螟发生规律 ,开展草地螟预测预报 ,提高预报准确率提供了科学依据。     

桔小实蝇气味结合蛋白BdorOBP2的cDNA克隆、组织表达及配基结合特性

为了研究桔小实蝇Bactrocera dorsalis气味结合蛋白(odorant-binding proteins, OBPs)参与其嗅觉识别过程中的功能及其与植物气味的结合特性, 本研究克隆了桔小实蝇的一个气味结合蛋白基因, 命名为BdorOBP2（GenBank登录号为KC773766）, 并对该基因进行了原核表达。BdorOBP2开放阅读框长447 bp, 编码148 个氨基酸, 具有典型的6个半胱氨酸位点。定量PCR结果显示, 桔小实蝇BdorOBP2在不同组织中均有表达, 其中头部中的表达量最高, 翅中表达量最低（为头部表达量的63%±6%）。构建了BdorOBP2原核表达载体, 诱导并获得了重组BdorOBP2并进行了亲和层析纯化。最后以N-苯基-1-萘胺（N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, 1-NPN）为荧光探针, 利用荧光竞争结合实验测定了重组BdorOBP2与7种主要寄主水果气味物质的结合能力, 发现其对多数酯类和醛类化合物亲合力较强, 亲合力最强的气味物质为反-2-己烯醛和β-紫罗兰酮, 结合常数KD分别为9.96和15.37 μmol/L。本研究结果可为高效地开发和设计桔小实蝇的嗅觉引诱剂配方提供一定的理论依据和参考。     

草地螟对寄主植物的选择性及其化学生态机制

田间自然条件下,草地螟成虫产卵对不同植物具有明显的选择性,其中灰菜上落卵量最多,占调查总卵量的50%以上;甜菜、大豆上次之,玉米和马铃薯上最少。在室内条件下,草地螟成虫产卵对灰菜、大豆、玉米和马铃薯的选择性与田间调查结果完全吻合。而且,草地螟幼虫的嗜食性与成虫产卵对寄主的选择性是一致的。吸附、收集上述植物的挥发物后进行GC-MS测定,并利用风洞进行了生测。其中灰菜和大豆的主要挥发物成分为反-2-己烯醛、青叶醇、青叶酯、1-十八烯等;玉米和马铃薯的挥发物性成分包括青叶酯、芳樟醇、香叶醇、紫罗酮、1-十八烯。生测结果表明,灰菜的挥发物对草地螟雌蛾引诱力最大,选择系数为78%;大豆苗挥发物对其也有较高的诱虫活性;但玉米和马铃薯几乎无引诱作用。自然生长的4种植物的诱虫结果与其挥发物的诱虫结果相似。这些生测结果与成虫和幼虫选择寄主的一致性反映了草地螟选择寄主行为的化学机制。     

Discrimination of pheromone enantiomers by two pheromone binding proteins from the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar

The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, uses (7R, 8S)-cis-2-methyl-7, 8-epoxyoctadecane, (+)-disparlure, as a sex pheromone. The (-) enantiomer of the pheromone is a strong behavioral antagonist. Specialized sensory hairs, sensillae, on the antennae of male moths detect the pheromone. Once the pheromone enters a sensillum, the very abundant pheromone binding protein (PBP) transports the odorant to the sensory neuron. We have expressed the two PBPs found in gypsy moth antennae, PBP1 and PBP2, and we have studied the affinity of these recombinant PBPs for the enantiomers of disparlure. To study pheromone binding under equilibrium conditions, we developed and validated a binding assay. We have addressed the two major problems with hydrophobic ligands in aqueous solution: (1) concentration-dependent adsorption of the ligand on vial surfaces and (2) separation of the protein-bound ligand from the material remaining free in solution. We used this assay to demonstrate for the first time that pheromone binding to PBP is reversible and that the two PBPs from L. dispar differ in their enantiomer binding preference. PBP1 has a higher affinity for the (-) enantiomer, while PBP2 has a higher affinity for the (+) enantiomer. The PBP from the wild silk moth, Antheraea polyphemus (Apol-3) bound the disparlure enantiomers more weakly than either of the L. dispar PBPs, but Apol-3 was also able to discriminate the enantiomers. We have observed extensive aggregation of both L. dispar PBPs and an increase in pheromone binding at high (>2 microM) PBP concentrations. We present a model of disparlure binding to the two PBPs.     

二化螟Minus-C气味结合蛋白的分子克隆及功能鉴定

气味结合蛋白（odorant binding proteins, OBPs）在昆虫对寄主气味的感受中起重要作用, 但有关Minus-C OBP及其功能的报道很少。本研究通过基因组数据分析并利用RACE技术, 克隆和鉴定了二化螟Chilo suppressalis (Walker)的一个Minus-C OBP基因, 命名为CsupOBP1（GenBank登录号： KC492498）。CsupOBP1基因的开放阅读框长423 bp, 编码141个氨基酸, 其中N端的18个氨基酸为预测的信号肽序列, 成熟蛋白序列中具有4个保守的半胱氨酸位点。实时定量PCR分析显示, 该基因在幼虫头部及成虫雌雄足、 翅和雄性触角等化感组织中高表达, 其中在雄虫触角内的表达量显著高于雌虫触角。利用荧光竞争结合实验对CsupOBP1重组蛋白与38种化合物的结合特性的测定表明, 重组CsupOBP1与β 紫罗兰酮的结合能力最强（Ki=9.53 μmol/L）。触角电位测定表明, 二化螟成虫可对β-紫罗兰酮产生显著的触角电生理反应, 但雄虫反应明显强于雌虫, 与结合试验及雄虫触角中CsupOBP1的表达量显著高于雌虫触角的测定结果相一致。鉴于β-紫罗兰酮是水稻等植物中普遍存在的一种芳香气味组分, 推测CsupOBP1可能通过对该气味的结合和运输, 从而在二化螟对寄主植物的嗅觉定向中起作用。     

幼虫密度对草地螟血细胞数量和组成的影响

为了阐明幼虫密度对草地螟Loxostege sticticalis L.（鳞翅目： 螟蛾科）细胞免疫能力的影响, 本研究调查了在活体灰菜植株上1,5,10和20头/瓶（900 mL）4种密度条件下的其5龄幼虫血细胞种类、数量和组成。结果表明： 草地螟幼虫血淋巴中有原血细胞、浆血细胞、 颗粒血细胞、珠血细胞和类绛色血细胞等5种（类）血细胞。血细胞总数、 浆血细胞、颗粒血细胞数量随幼虫密度的增加而显著递增, 但原血细胞、珠血细胞和类绛色血细胞数量在幼虫密度间的差异不明显;各种血细胞所占血细胞总数的比例在4个密度中的排序相同, 但10和20头/瓶密度下的浆血细胞比例显著高于1头/瓶的,其余4种血细胞的比例在不同密度之间无显著差异。可见, 幼虫密度主要是通过影响草地螟幼虫浆血细胞和颗粒血细胞的数量及血细胞总数, 从而影响草地螟的细胞免疫能力。     

我国北方农牧区草地螟暴发周期特点及原因剖析

通过对１９７９～１９８５年草地螟暴发的历史资料和近年来发生情况的研究分析,明确了草地螟暴发周期的特点、越冬区的变迁以及造成种群数量暴发的原因。     

DIFFERENTIAL PROTEOME ANALYSIS OF THE MALE AND FEMALE ANTENNAE FROM Holotrichia parallela

To understand the olfactory mechanisms of Holotrichia parallela antennae in detecting volatile compounds in the environment, protein profiles of H. parallela antennae were analyzed using two‐dimensional electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analyses. Approximately 1,100 protein spots in silver staining gel were detected. Quantitative image analysis revealed that in total 47 protein spots showed significant changes in different genders of adult antennae. Thirty‐five differentially expressed proteins were identified by Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF/TOF) tandem mass spectrometer, among which 65.7% are involved in carbohydrate and energy metabolism, antioxidant system, transport, and amino acid/nucleotide metabolism. Some proteins identified here have not been reported previously in insect antennae. Identified male‐biased proteins included odorant‐binding protein 4, pheromone‐binding protein‐related protein 2, odorant‐binding protein 14, prophenoloxidase‐I, acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase, aldo‐keto reductase‐like, carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, etc. whereas some proteins are female biased, such as antennae‐rich cytochrome P450, aldehyde dehydrogenase, and putative glutamine synthetase. Alterations in the levels of some proteins were further confirmed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The proteomic resources displayed here are valuable for the discovery of proteins from H. parallela antennae.     

中华按蚊气味结合蛋白基因AsinOBP1的克隆和表达分析

【目的】蚊虫的行为在很大程度上依赖于嗅觉系统, 例如寻找宿主和产卵场所等。中华按蚊Anopheles sinensis是我国最重要的传疟媒介之一, 但有关中华按蚊嗅觉信号传递过程的研究甚少。本研究旨在克隆和表达分析中华按蚊的气味结合蛋白（odorant binding proteins, OBPs）基因, 为进一步研究中华按蚊嗅觉传递的分子机制奠定基础。【方法】通过分析中华按蚊的转录组数据克隆气味结合蛋白基因, 采用RT-PCR和实时定量PCR技术分析该基因在成虫不同组织和在吸血前后的表达模式。【结果】克隆到一个气味结合蛋白基因, 命名为AsinOBP1 (GenBank登录号为KJ958382)。AsinOBP1基因开放阅读框长435 bp, 编码144个氨基酸, 具有典型的6个半胱氨酸位点。RT-PCR组织表达谱分析发现, AsinOBP1在检测的所有成虫触角、下颚须、喙和头部组织中都有表达, 而在足和去掉头部以外的躯体组织中不表达。定量分析发现AsinOBP1在雌蚊触角中的表达水平最高, 吸食血液后, AsinOBP1的表达水平显著下降; 仅用小鼠气味处理后, AsinOBP1的表达水平也显著下降。【结论】研究结果说明AsinOBP1可能是嗅觉组织特异性表达的基因, 与雌蚊寻找宿主等行为有关, 其功能还需深入研究。     

草地螟触角化学感受器的电镜观察

应用扫描电镜对草地螟成虫触角的外部形态结构进行观察的结果表明 :成虫触角存在着 5种感觉器 ,即毛形感器、刺形感器、腔锥感器、锥形感器和耳形感器 ,其中以毛形感器数目最多 ,刺形感器分为Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型。并对草地螟触角两性差异及与其它相近昆虫的差异进行了讨论。     

Interaction of fatty acids with recombinant rat intestinal and liver fatty acid-binding proteins

Intestinal enterocytes contain two homologous fatty acid-binding proteins, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP)2 and liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP). Since the functional basis for this multiplicity is not known, the fatty acid-binding specificity of recombinant forms of both rat I-FABP and rat L-FABP was examined. A systematic comparative analysis of the 18 carbon chain length fatty acid binding parameters, using both radiolabeled (stearic, oleic, and linoleic) and fluorescent (trans-parinaric and cis-parinaric) fatty acids, was undertaken. Results obtained with a classical Lipidex-1000 binding assay, which requires separation of bound from free fatty acid, were confirmed with a fluorescent fatty acid-binding assay not requiring separation of bound and unbound ligand. Depending on the nature of the fatty acid ligand, I-FABP bound fatty acid had dissociation constants between 0.2 and 3.1 microM and a consistent 1:1 molar ratio. The dissociation constants for L-FABP bound fatty acids ranged between 0.9 and 2.6 microM and the protein bound up to 2 mol fatty acid per mole of protein. Both fatty acid-binding proteins exhibited relatively higher affinity for unsaturated fatty acids as compared to saturated fatty acids of the same chain length. cis-Parinaric acid or trans-parinaric acid (each containing four double bonds) bound to L-FABP and I-FABP were displaced in a competitive manner by non-fluorescent fatty acid. Hill plots of the binding of cis- and trans- parinaric acid to L-FABP showed that the binding affinities of the two sites were very similar and did not exhibit cooperativity. The lack of fluorescence self-quenching upon binding 2 mol of either trans- or cis-parinaric acid/mol L-FABP is consistent with the presence of two binding sites with dissimilar orientation in the L-FABP. Thus, the difference in binding capacity between I-FABP and L-FABP predicts a structurally different binding site or sites.