蜂巢小甲虫气味结合蛋白基因AtOBP1的分子特性及功能研究

【目的】本研究旨在明确蜂巢小甲虫Aethina tumida气味结合蛋白1(odorant binding protein 1, OBP1)的表达模式,分析AtOBP1在蜂巢小甲虫嗅觉识别中的作用。【方法】基于蜂巢小甲虫转录组和基因组数据库扩增AtOBP1的cDNA全长序列,并进行生物信息学分析;利用RT-qPCR检测该基因在蜂巢小甲虫不同发育阶段(卵、幼虫、蛹和雌雄成虫)、羽化后第7天成虫不同组织(头、表皮、翅、足、脂肪体、肠道、马氏管、精巢和卵巢)以及羽化后不同日龄成虫头部的表达量;采用RNA干扰技术和Y型管行为选择实验,解析AtOBP1在蜂巢小甲虫嗅觉识别中的生物学功能。【结果】AtOBP1基因(GenBank登录号：MT211982.1)的cDNA全长序列包含6个外显子,其开放阅读框(ORF)长447 bp,编码148个氨基酸残基,预测分子量和等电点分别为15.9 kD和4.73,具有PBP＿GOBP亚家族的保守结构域;AtOBP1蛋白是由6个α螺旋组成的二聚体,且有6个保守的半胱氨酸形成3个二硫键;系统发育进化树显示该蛋白与鞘翅目(Coleoptera)黄粉虫Tenebrio...     

柑橘大实蝇气味结合蛋白基因BminOBP25的克隆、原核表达及组织表达分析

【目的】昆虫的气味结合蛋白(odorant binding proteins,OBPs)与嗅觉识别密切相关,在触角感受器淋巴液内运输外界的脂溶性气味分子顺利到达嗅觉受体过程中起着关键的作用。本研究对柑橘大实蝇Bactrocera minax的气味结合蛋白基因进行了克隆和表达分析,旨在更好地了解气味结合蛋白在柑橘大实蝇嗅觉识别中的作用及为进一步研究柑橘大实蝇嗅觉传递的分子机制奠定基础。【方法】利用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆柑橘大实蝇的气味结合蛋白基因,并进行生物信息学分析;构建重组表达载体p ET28a(+)-Bmin OBP25,转化到大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)中,SDS-PAGE及Western blotting鉴定重组表达蛋白;采用荧光定量PCR检测该基因在柑橘大实蝇成虫不同组织中的表达。【结果】克隆获得柑橘大实蝇气味结合蛋白基因的c DNA全长序列,命名为Bmin OBP25(Gen Bank登录号:MH181875)。测序结果表明,Bmin OBP25开放阅读框全长447 bp,编码148个氨基酸,预测分子量为17.5 k D,编码序列具有OBPs典型的6个保守半胱氨酸和6个α螺旋区域特征。在IPTG诱导下目标蛋白以6×His标签融合蛋白的形式在宿主菌中得到稳定表达。荧光定量PCR分析表明,Bmin OBP25 mRNA在成虫触角、头(去除触角)、胸、腹、足、翅和产卵器中均有表达,其中在触角、头(去除触角)、足和产卵器中表达量较高。【结论】Bmin OBP25在柑橘大实蝇成虫触角、头、足和产卵器中具有高转录活性,提示该基因在非嗅觉组织中可能也具有生理功能,特别是可能在昆虫的取食与产卵地选择过程中起重要作用,其功能还需深入研究。本研究实现了Bmin OBP25基因的原核表达,为深入研究Bmin OBP25基因的功能奠定基础。     

梨小食心虫Minus-C气味结合蛋白的分子克隆、表达谱及结合特性分析

【目的】通过克隆梨小食心虫Grapholita molesta的Minus-C气味结合蛋白(odorant binding protein,OBP)基因,并测定其在成虫不同组织中的表达量及其重组蛋白对气味配体的结合能力,推测其嗅觉生理功能。【方法】基于梨小食心虫雌虫触角转录组测序数据,利用RT-PCR克隆MinusC OBP基因的完整编码区;qPCR测定该基因在成虫不同组织[触角、头(去除触角)、胸、腹、足、翅]中的表达量;构建原核表达系统表达重组蛋白,利用SDS-PAGE和Western blot检测蛋白的表达和纯度;运用荧光竞争结合实验测定重组蛋白与35种气味配体的结合能力。【结果】成功克隆了梨小食心虫的一个Minus-C OBP基因,命名为GmolOBP14(GenBank登录号:MF066361)。GmolOBP14开放阅读框长411 bp,编码136个氨基酸,成熟蛋白具有4个保守的半胱氨酸残基,属于Minus-C OBP亚家族。GmolOBP14在雌雄成虫的不同组织中均有表达,但在雄成虫翅和雌成虫触角中的表达量显著高于同性别的其他组织。重组蛋白GmolOBP14与气味配体的结合谱较窄,仅能与16种配体表现出不同程度的结合活性,其中与梨酯和十二醛的结合能力较强,解离常数Ki分别为6.92和12.74μmol/L;与癸醛、十四醛、顺-3-己烯-1-醇、苯甲醇和己酸丁酯有中等程度的结合活性,Ki分别为25.54,20.61,24.35,23.44和23.33μmol/L;GmolOBP14对性信息素组分没有结合活性,提示该蛋白不参与对性信息素的感受和识别。【结论】根据GmolOBP14基因的组织表达特点及其重组蛋白的结合特性,推测GmolOBP14除具有选择性结合和运输寄主植物挥发物的作用外,还参与与嗅觉无关的生理过程。     

棉铃虫气味结合蛋白HarmOBP16的组织表达谱及配基结合特性分析

【目的】揭示棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera气味结合蛋白(odorant binding protein,OBP)基因Harm OBP16的组织表达谱及其重组蛋白与气味化合物的结合特性。【方法】基于棉铃虫触角转录组数据,利用PCR技术从棉铃虫成虫触角中PCR克隆气味结合蛋白基因,并进行生物信息学和系统进化分析;采用qPCR对其进行组织[头部(去除触角和喙)、胸部、腹部、足、翅、触角和喙]表达谱分析;进一步采用原核表达系统表达和纯化重组蛋白;最后采用荧光竞争结合实验测定该重组蛋白与85种候选气味物质的结合能力。【结果】从棉铃虫成虫触角中克隆得到一个Atypical OBP家族基因Harm OBP16(Gen Bank登录号:JQ753074),其开放阅读框长441 bp,编码146个氨基酸,推断的编码蛋白等电点为6.87,具有10个保守的半胱氨酸。组织表达谱结果表明,Harm OBP16在雌成虫翅中高表达。纯化后的重组蛋白Harm OBP16对植物花的挥发物香叶基丙酮(Ki=14.2μmol/L)、β-紫罗兰酮(Ki=15.2μmol/L)、辛醛(Ki=15.3μmol/L)、芳樟醇(Ki=16.8μmol/L)、(R)-(+)-柠檬烯(Ki=14.9μmol/L)和β-蒎烯(Ki=17.3μmol/L)有较强的结合能力。【结论】Harm OBP16可能在棉铃虫识别寄主植物的过程中发挥一定的作用,可为基于气味物质的棉铃虫引诱剂或驱避剂的研发提供潜在的分子靶标。     

桃小食心虫成虫期高表达气味结合蛋白基因的克隆与表达谱分析

【目的】桃小食心虫Carposina sasakii是我国北方落叶果树的重要蛀果害虫,一旦幼虫蛀入果内,便会对果实的品质产生影响。成虫期是控制此害虫发生为害的关键时期。气味结合蛋白(odorant binding protein, OBP)作为昆虫嗅觉感受系统中与气味分子结合的重要气味运转蛋白,在成虫寄主植物定位及交配行为中具有重要作用。本研究对桃小食心虫气味结合蛋白基因进行克隆、鉴定和成虫组织表达分析,以期为OBPs在桃小食心虫嗅觉感受过程中的功能研究奠定基础。【方法】基于前期获得的桃小食心虫转录组测序数据,选择在其雌雄成虫触角中相对高表达的5个OBP基因(CsasOBP7, CsasOBP12, CsasOBP15, CsasOBP19和CsasOBP21)。采用RACE技术克隆出这5个OBP基因cDNA全长序列,进行生物信息学分析;通过qRT-PCR技术检测这5个OBP基因在桃小食心虫不同发育阶段(1和5日龄卵、初孵幼虫、老熟幼虫和蛹)以及在刚羽化、交配高峰期的和交配后6 h的雌雄成虫不同组织［触角、头(不含触角)、胸、腹、足和翅］中表达量。【结果】获得桃小食心虫5个OBP基因CsasOBP7, CsasOBP12, CsasOBP15, CsasOBP19和CsasOBP21的全长cDNA序列(GenBank登录号: MZ476786-MZ476790)。其中CsasOBP19为一段C端不完整的Minus-C OBP,其余均属于完整的Classical OBPs,且均含有信号肽。系统发育分析表明,在桃小食心虫5个CsasOBPs中, CsasOBP7和CsasOBP19的亲缘关系最近。qRT-PCR结果表明,CsasOBP7和CsasOBP19均在桃小食心虫蛹期高表达,而CsasOBP12, CsasOBP15和CsasOBP21均在卵期高表达。从桃小食心虫成虫刚羽化、交配高峰直至交配后6 h,5个CsasOBP基因表达量总体呈下降趋势。在成虫刚羽化时,这5个CsasOBP基因在各组织中均有表达,且主要在雄虫组织中高表达;在成虫交配高峰期,这5个CsasOBP基因在雄虫触角中高表达,特别是CsasOBP7和CsasOBP15只在雄虫触角中特异性表达;在成虫交配后6 h,每个CsasOBP基因只特异性地高表达于1或2个组织中。【结论】桃小食心虫的这5个CsasOBP基因在成虫交配高峰期雄虫触角中高表达,意味着这些CsasOBP基因可能在雄虫寻找雌虫过程中发挥着重要作用。     

光肩星天牛气味结合蛋白AglaOBP12的基因克隆、表达及配体结合特征

【目的】克隆和鉴定光肩星天牛Anoplophora glabripennis气味结合蛋白(odorant binding proteins,OBPs)基因,明确其表达特点及与寄主植物挥发物的结合特性,有助于阐明光肩星天牛嗅觉识别的分子机制。【方法】根据光肩星天牛雌成虫触角转录组数据,利用RT-PCR克隆OBP12基因,并进行生物信息学分析。通过实时定量PCR(qRT-PCR)测定OBP12在光肩星天牛成虫触角、头(移除触角)、胸、腹、足、翅中的转录水平。利用原核表达系统和Ni离子亲和层析技术表达和纯化OBP12重组蛋白,荧光竞争结合实验测定重组蛋白与39种气味配体的结合能力。【结果】获得光肩星天牛气味结合蛋白基因AglaOBP12(GenBank登录号:KX890109)的完整编码序列,其开放阅读框长414 bp,编码137个氨基酸,N末端具有18个氨基酸组成的信号肽序列,蛋白序列具有6个保守的半胱氨酸残基,Agla OPB12属于Classical OBPs亚家族基因。qRT-PCR测定结果表明,AglaOBP12主要在成虫触角中表达,在其他组织微量表达。在待测的39种寄主植物挥发物中,重组蛋白AglaOBP12仅与19种化合物具有结合活性,表明AglaOBP12对寄主植物挥发物具有明显的选择结合特性。重组蛋白AglaOBP12与十二烷醇、十四烷醇、法尼醇、十二醛、乙酸-顺-3-己烯酯和β-石竹烯的结合能力较强,结合常数分别为1.96,0.96,1.03,0.82,0.77和0.74μmol/L。【结论】明确了AglaOBP12的核苷酸和氨基酸序列组成,重组AglaOBP12蛋白与主链有12个碳原子的醇类、醛类和萜烯类挥发物有特异性的结合活性。根据AglaOBP12基因的表达特点和重组蛋白的结合特性,推测AglaOBP12在光肩星天牛成虫定位补充营养寄主植物中发挥重要作用。     

花椒窄吉丁气味结合蛋白基因AzanOBP3的克隆、原核表达及组织表达谱分析

【目的】本研究克隆花椒窄吉丁Agrilus zanthoxylumi气味结合蛋白(odorant binding protein, OBP)基因AzanOBP3,并对其进行序列和表达分析,旨在更好地了解OBP基因在花椒窄吉丁成虫触角识别气味物质过程中的作用,为农林害虫的绿色防控提供理论依据。【方法】利用RT-PCR扩增花椒窄吉丁气味结合蛋白基因AzanOBP3的cDNA序列,采用生物信息学软件分析其核苷酸和氨基酸序列;构建重组表达载体pET-28a(+)/AzanOBP3,转化到大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)感受态细胞中进行融合蛋白的IPTG诱导表达,SDS-PAGE及Western blot鉴定重组表达蛋白;基于qPCR技术分析AzanOBP3基因在花椒窄吉丁雌雄成虫不同组织(头、胸、腹、足和翅)中的表达情况。【结果】克隆获得了花椒窄吉丁气味结合蛋白基因AzanOBP3的cDNA全长序列(GenBank登录号:MT318832),预测到其开放阅读框长414 bp,共编码137个氨基酸,等电点为4.79,蛋白分子量为16.038 kD,N末端具有29个氨基酸组成的信号肽序列,蛋白序列中具有6个保守的半胱氨酸残基,属于典型的昆虫OBP。序列分析表明,AzanOBP3的氨基酸序列分别与苹果小吉丁Agrilus mali AmalOBP2和白蜡窄吉丁Agrilus planipennis AplaGOBP的一致性最高,分别为74.45%和76.92%,在进化关系上更加同源。构建了重组表达载体pET-28a(+)/AzanOBP3。在37℃180 r/min摇床培养及1 mmol/L IPTG诱导4 h条件下,AzanOBP3在大肠杆菌中成功地表达出了与预测蛋白分子质量大小一致的AzanOBP3融合蛋白。qPCR检测结果表明,AzanOBP3基因在雌性和雄性成虫的不同组织中都有表达,其中在雄成虫足中的表达量最高。【结论】明确了AzanOBP3的核苷酸和氨基酸序列组成及编码蛋白的理化特性。组织表达谱结果提示, AzanOBP3的功能可能不仅局限于嗅觉识别,在非嗅觉器官中可能也具有重要的生理功能,特别是在其寻找寄主植物与取食的过程中可能发挥着重要作用,AzanOBP3功能还需更深入的研究。本研究为今后更深入地探究气味结合蛋白的结构及其在花椒窄吉丁化学感受系统中的作用机制提供依据。     

松墨天牛OBP基因MaltOBP2和MaltOBP6的克隆、序列分析及组织表达谱和原核表达研究

【目的】本研究旨在探索松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus Hope在嗅觉识别寄主植物过程中扮演重要角色的气味结合蛋白(odorant binding proteins,OBPs)的结构及功能。【方法】利用生物信息学方法对得到的Malt OBP2和Malt OBP6基因序列和蛋白结构进行分析,并通过实时荧光定量PCR分析Malt OBP2和Malt OBP6在松墨天牛雄虫不同组织和时空中的表达差异,利用p ET32a(+)原核表达载体对Malt OBP2和Malt OBP6进行了诱导蛋白表达。【结果】本研究得到两个松墨天牛气味结合蛋白基因——Malt OBP2(Gen Bank登录号:KP120891)和Malt OBP6(Gen Bank登录号:KP120892),ORF长度分别为402 bp和408 bp,翻译的氨基酸序列均含有4个保守的半胱氨酸位点,表明得到的两个OBP基因的编码蛋白均属于Minus-C OBP亚家族;推导的两个OBP蛋白均有6个α螺旋区域,且α螺旋区域在两个蛋白的位置非常相似,但是两个OBP蛋白推测的配体结合位点和位点极性却完全不同。组织表达模式表明,Malt OBP2和Malt OBP6在成虫头部、触角、下颚(唇)须、腹部末端和足中均有表达,表达程度不一,但都在头部显著表达,触角中的表达量相比其他组织中较低或只是持平。发育表达结果表明,Malt OBP2在蛹触角中的表达量最高,而Malt OBP6在幼虫头部的表达量最高。本研究成功构建了原核表达载体p ET32aMalt OBP2和p ET32a-Malt OBP6,并进行了OBP蛋白诱导表达,低温(16℃和20℃)条件利于蛋白表达在上清液中,延长诱导表达时间(12 h)可以增加蛋白的表达量。【结论】本研究从松墨天牛体内得到了Minus-C OBP蛋白亚家族的两个基因Malt OBP2和Malt OBP6,通过配体结合位点推测它们具有不同的生理功能;通过组织表达谱结果推测这两个OBP基因在松墨天牛中的功能不仅仅局限于嗅觉识别,或还有味觉感受、化学感受等其他生理功能。本研究结果为两个OBP蛋白的结构和功能研究奠定了基础,为探索松墨天牛的化学感受机制提供了条件。     

小菜蛾触角结合蛋白PxylOBP31的鉴定与结合特性分析

【目的】触角结合蛋白(antennal binding proteins,ABPs)为昆虫气味结合蛋白(odorant binding proteins,OBPs)家族的一个亚类,是昆虫识别和响应外界环境中气味信号的载体之一,对昆虫的生存和繁衍有着重要的意义。明确触角结合蛋白在小菜蛾Plutella xylostella(L.)嗅觉识别中的作用,有助于揭示小菜蛾嗅觉识别分子机制。【方法】利用PCR技术克隆小菜蛾的一个触角结合蛋白基因;采用实时荧光定量PCR技术对该基因在小菜蛾不同发育阶段和成虫不同组织中的表达量进行分析;利用荧光竞争结合实验测试该触角结合蛋白与39种配基化合物的结合特性。【结果】成功克隆了一个小菜蛾触角结合蛋白基因,命名为Pxyl OBP31(Gen Bank登录号:KT156676)。序列分析结果显示,其开放阅读框全长411 bp,编码136个氨基酸,N端自起始位置开始21个氨基酸为信号肽,含有气味结合蛋白家族的6个保守半胱氨酸残基,预测分子量为14.74 k D,等电点为4.41。表达谱分析表明,Pxyl OBP31主要在雄蛾中表达,且交配后的雄蛾中表达量明显降低;该基因在小菜蛾触角中有较高表达,在雄蛾触角中的表达量比雌蛾触角中高近2倍。结合特性实验结果显示,Pxyl OBP31与醛、酮、萜品油烯以及邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯等物质的结合能力较强,与3种性信息素及其他烯烃与酯类结合能力弱。【结论】本研究明确了Pxyl OBP31的核苷酸序列以及发育和组织表达谱。根据qRT-PCR和荧光竞争结合实验结果,推测Pxyl OBP31蛋白可能与小菜蛾觅偶、定位寄主植物等行为有关。     

悬铃木方翅网蝽触角气味结合蛋白基因鉴定

【目的】悬铃木方翅网蝽Corythucha ciliata是专性危害悬铃木属Platanus植物的外来入侵害虫,本研究旨在获得该害虫触角中气味结合蛋白(OBPs)基因信息,以期寻求有效控制害虫的嗅觉分子靶标。【方法】利用Illumina HiSeq~(TM) 4000高通量测序技术对悬铃木方翅网蝽雌雄成虫触角进行转录组测序并对测序结果进行生物信息学分析;通过实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)方法,分析OBP基因在悬铃木方翅网蝽雌雄成虫触角中的表达模式。【结果】对悬铃木方翅网蝽雌雄成虫触角6个样品的转录组测序,共获得40.87 Gb clean reads,各样品的序列长度均达到6.31 Gb。转录组数据分析共鉴定出26个推测的悬铃木方翅网蝽OBP基因,其编码蛋白中24个(CcilOBP1-24)属于Classic OBPs,CcilOBP25/26属于Plus-C OBPs;与半翅目其他昆虫相关OBPs系统发育分析表明,大部分CcilOBPs形成独立一簇,少数与其他半翅目昆虫OBPs直系同源。qPCR分析显示,有11个OBP基因在雌雄成虫触角中表达量差异显著,其中有9个OBP基因(CcilOBP5/6/9/10/17/18/21/24/25)在雄成虫触角中显著高表达,有2个OBP基因(CcilOBP14/16)在雌成虫触角中显著高表达。【结论】本研究获得了悬铃木方翅网蝽成虫触角气味结合蛋白基因信息,研究结果为生物控制该害虫提供了重要基础数据和候选分子靶标。     

Infestation of commercial bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) field colonies by small hive beetles (Aethina tumida)

Abstract.  1. The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida , is a parasite of honeybee ( Apis mellifera ) colonies native to sub-Saharan Africa and has become an invasive species. In North America the beetle is now sympatric with bumblebees, Bombus , not occurring in its native range. Laboratory studies have shown that small hive beetles can reproduce in bumblebee colonies but it was not known whether infestations occur in the field.
2. For the first time, infestation of bumblebee colonies by small hive beetles was investigated in the field. Commercial Bombus impatiens colonies ( n = 10) were installed in proximity to infested apiaries. Within 8 weeks, all colonies that were alive in the 5-week observation period ( n = 9) became naturally infested with adult small hive beetles and successful small hive beetle reproduction occurred in five colonies.
3. In four-square choice tests, the beetles were attracted to both adult bumblebee workers and pollen from bumblebee nests, suggesting that these odours may serve as cues for host finding.
4. The data indicate that bumblebee colonies may serve as alternative hosts for small hive beetles in the field. To foster the conservation of these essential native pollinators, investigations on the actual impact of small hive beetles on wild bumblebee populations are suggested.     

Longevity and reproductive success of Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) fed different natural diets

The longevity and reproductive success of newly emerged, unfed adult Aethina tumida Murray assigned different diets (control = unfed; honey-pollen; honey; pollen; empty brood comb; bee brood; fresh Kei apples; and rotten Kei apples) were determined. Longevity in honey-fed small hive beetle adults (average maximum: 167 d) was significantly higher than on other diets. Small hive beetles fed empty brood comb lived significantly longer (average maximum: 49.8 d) than unfed beetles (average maximum: 9.6 d). Small hive beetle offspring were produced on honey-pollen, pollen, bee brood, fresh Kei apples, and rotten Kei apples but not on honey alone, empty brood comb, or in control treatments. The highest reproductive success occurred in pollen fed adults (1773.8 +/- 294.4 larvae per three mating pairs of adults). The data also show that A. tumida can reproduce on fruits alone, indicating that they are facultative parasites. The pupation success and sex ratio of small hive beetle offspring were also analyzed. Larvae fed pollen, honey-pollen, or brood had significantly higher pupation success rates of 0.64, 0.73, and 0.65 respectively than on the other diets. Sex ratios of emerging adults fed diets of pollen or brood as larvae were significantly skewed toward females. Because small hive beetle longevity and overall reproductive success was highest on foodstuffs located in honey bee colonies, A. tumida are efficient at causing large-scale damage to colonies of honey bees resulting in economic injury for the beekeeper. Practical considerations for the control of A. tumida are briefly discussed.     

Identification of a third rat odorant-binding protein (OBP3)

From a rat olfactory epithelium cDNA library clones encoding a lipocalin were isolated with sequence identity to the previously described salivary-specific alpha-2u globulin and the N-terminal region of mouse odorant-binding proteins OBP-III and OBP-IV. In situ hybridization showed strong expression in nasal glands displaying a pattern equivalent to rat OBP1. Heterologously expressed protein was evaluated for its binding properties using spectroscopic approaches. The recombinant protein interacted with two fluorescent probes, 1-aminoanthracene (1-AMA) and 1,1'-bis(4-anilino-5-naphthalene)-sulfonic acid. 1-AMA binding was competed by several odorants with high affinity. The thermodynamic parameters of the protein-odorant interaction were determined using isothermal titration calorimetry. Due to its nasal expression and odorant-binding characteristics this protein was designated OBP3.     

中华蜜蜂气味结合蛋白基因OBP4的分子特性及时空表达

气味结合蛋白OBPs在蜜蜂识别气味分子和生理反应的过程中起到了十分重要的作用。本研究通过利用生物信息学软件预测分析中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana气味结合蛋白基因OBP4(AcerOBP4)编码的蛋白理化特性和结构特征;采用MEGA 5.2软件中的邻位相连法(Neighbor-joining, NJ)构建AcerOBP4及其它昆虫OBPs的系统发育树;通过qRT-PCR技术分析AcerOBP4在中华蜜蜂的哺育蜂、采集蜂和1日龄工蜂各组织的表达情况。结果表明,中华蜜蜂和意大利蜜蜂Apis melliferaOBP4(AmelOBP4)氨基酸同源性为78%,AcerOBP4在中华蜜蜂的触角表达量最高,其次是足和头部组织表明该基因与蜜蜂的嗅觉行为密切相关。此外,AcerOBP4在蜜蜂脑部有一定的表达,但是在腹部组织表达量很低。该研究结果丰富了蜜蜂OBPs表达特性的研究数据,同时也为继续深入研究OBP4在中华蜜蜂中是否影响嗅觉行为提供了基础。     

Novel odorant-binding proteins expressed in the taste tissue of the fly

A taste tissue cDNA library of the fleshfly Boettcherisca peregrina was screened with a subtracted cDNA probe enriched with taste-receptor-tissue-specific cDNA. Seven genes were identified with sequence similarity to insect odorant-binding protein (OBP) genes. The predicted amino acid sequences of the genes contain the putative signal peptide sequence at the N-terminal and most of them conserve the six cysteines common to known insect OBPs. These genes show a high degree of sequence divergence with approximately 20% amino acid identity. The most striking feature was that all seven of these genes are expressed mainly in the taste tissues, such as the labellum and tarsus, unlike the known insect OBP genes expressed in olfactory tissue. The predicted amino acid sequences had the highest degree of sequence similarity to the Drosophila melanogaster OBPs named pheromone binding protein-related proteins (PBPRPs). These gene products are here referred to as gustatory PBP-related proteins (GPBPRPs) 1-7. Homologous GPBPRP genes were found also in D. melanogaster by database search and are shown to be expressed in Drosophila taste tissues.     

Estimating reproductive success of Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in honey bee colonies by trapping emigrating larvae

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida Murray) is a scavenger and facultative predator in honey bee colonies, where it feeds on pollen, honey, and bee brood. Although a minor problem in its native Africa, it is an invasive pest of honey bees in the United States and Australia. Adult beetles enter bee hives to oviposit and feed. Larval development occurs within the hive, but mature larvae leave the hive to pupate in soil. The numbers leaving, which can be estimated by trapping, measure the reproductive success of adult beetles in the hive over any given period of time. We describe a trap designed to intercept mature larvae as they reach the end of the bottom board on their way to the ground. Trap efficiency was estimated by releasing groups of 100 larvae into empty brood boxes and counting the numbers trapped. Some larvae escaped, but mean efficiency ranged from 87.2 to 94.2%. We envision the trap as a research tool for study of beetle population dynamics, and we used it to track numbers of larvae leaving active hives for pupation in the soil. The traps detected large increases and then decreases in numbers of larvae leaving colonies that weakened and died. They also detected small numbers of larvae leaving strong European and African colonies, even when no larvae were observed in the hives.     

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;...     

Trapping of Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) from Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies with an in-hive baited trap

The effectiveness of two lures for trapping the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, by means of in-hive traps was tested by field trials in apiaries located in Florida, Delaware, and Pennsylvania during 2003-2005. Both lures included a mixture (pollen dough) consisting of bee pollen and commercial pollen substitute formulated with or without glycerol and honey. Before it was used in the traps, the dough was conditioned either by the feeding of adult small hive beetles or by inoculation with the yeast Kodamaea ohmeri (NRRL Y-30722). Traps baited with conditioned dough captured significantly more beetles than unbaited traps, and traps positioned under the bottom board of a hive captured significantly more beetles than traps located at the top of a hive. In fact, baited in-hive bottom board traps nearly eliminated the beetles from colonies at a pollination site in Florida. However, when these honey bee colonies were moved to an apiary, trap catch increased markedly over time, indicating a resurgence of the beetle population produced by immigration of beetles from nearby hives or emerging from the soil. In tests at three Florida apiaries during 2006, yeast-inoculated dough baited bottom board traps captured significantly more beetles than unbaited traps, showing the effectiveness of yeast-inoculated dough as a lure and its potential as a tool in managing the small hive beetle.