Expression pattern and ligand‐binding properties of odorant‐binding protein 13 from Monochamus alternatus hope

Odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) are believed to play an important role in olfactory recognition. In this study, expression pattern and fluorescence binding characteristics of MaltOBP13 from the Japanese pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus alternatus Hope, were investigated via qPCR analysis of MaltOBP13 mRNA level and binding assay of MaltOBP13 and ligands. qPCR monitoring indicated MaltOBP13 mainly expressed in newly emerged males, particularly highly expressed in the last abdominal segment of males, and the expression level was significantly higher in 13‐day‐old mated adults than those of other stages. To further understand the function of the MaltOBP13 protein in odorant reception, the binding affinity of recombinant MaltOBP13 to ligands was tested by fluorescence binding assays with N‐phenyl‐1‐naphthylamine as a fluorescent probe. The results of this assay indicated that MaltOBP13 exhibited a high binding affinity for pine volatiles and binding capacity was higher in acidic conditions than in neutral environment, indicating a possible role in finding host plants.     

云南省6个松墨天牛种群形态差异分析

对云南省松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus Hope 6个地理种群159个个体体长、前胸背板纵长、前胸背板横宽值及前胸背板斑纹进行了差异系数计算、聚类分析及判别分析.各松墨天牛种群间的差异系数均小于1.28;聚类分析表明,畹町种群形态与其他5个种群差异较大;基于4个形态特征建立的判别函数可以将畹町种群与云南其他种群区别开来.畹町种群与其他松墨天牛种群的形态差异可能由于其遗传差异造成.     

松褐天牛触角感器的扫描电镜观察

利用扫描电镜对松褐天牛Monochamus alternatusHope触角上的感器进行了观察和研究。结果表明:松褐天牛触角上共存在着6种感器,即毛形感器(Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型)、B hm氏鬃毛、锥形感器、耳形感器、钟形感器、角形感器。并对松褐天牛触角不同种类感器的形态、分布以及雌雄感器在分布和数量上的差别进行了描述。     

Identification and expression profiles analysis of odorant‐binding proteins in soybean aphid,Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, is an extreme specialist and an important invasive pest that relies on olfaction for behaviors such as feeding, mating, and foraging. Odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) play a vital role in olfaction by binding to volatile compounds and by regulating insect sensing of the environment. In this work we used rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends technology to identify and characterize 10 genes encoding A. glycines OBPs (AglyOBPs) belonging to 3 subfamilies, including 4 classic OBPs, 5 Plus‐C OBPs, and one Minus‐C OBP. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated variable specific expression patterns for the 10 genes based on developmental stage and aphid tissue sampled. Expression levels of 7 AglyOBPs (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10) were highest in the 4th instar, indicating that the 4th nymphal instar is an important developmental period during which soybean aphids regulate feeding and search for host plants. Tissue‐specific expression results demonstrated that AglyOBP2, 7, and 9 exhibited significantly higher expression levels in antennae. Meanwhile, ligand‐binding analysis of 5 OBPs demonstrated binding of AglyOBP2 and AglyOBP3 to a broad spectrum of volatiles released by green leaf plants, with bias toward 6‐ to 8‐carbon chain volatiles and strong binding of AglyOBP7 to trans‐β‐farnesene. Taken together, our findings build a foundation of knowledge for use in the study of molecular olfaction mechanisms and provide insights to guide future soybean aphid research.     

Developmental expression of odorant‐binding proteins and chemosensory proteins in the embryos of Locusta migratoria

We have investigated the development of chemosensilla and the secretion of odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) in the embryo of Locusta migratoria manilensis. We first report the changes of each sensillum in embryo just preceding hatch in detail and show that different sensilla have different developmental processes. Trichogen cells are first involved in forming the structure of pegs, and then, after retraction, they start secreting OBPs and CSPs in the sensillar lymph. The synthesis of LmigOBP1 starts during the embryogenesis about 0.5 h preceding hatching, specifically in sensilla trichodea and basiconica of the antenna. LmigOBP2, instead, was only found in the outer sensillum lymph (oSl) of sensilla chaetica of the antenna, while we could not detect LmigOBP3 in any type of sensilla of the antenna. The ontogenesis of CSPs in the embryos is similar to that of OBPs. Expression of CSPI homolog in Locusta migratoria is detected using the antiserum raised against SgreCSPI. CSPI is specifically expressed in the outer sensillum lymph of sensilla chaetica of the antenna, and anti‐LmigCSPII dose not label any sensilla of the embryos. These data indicate that in locusts, OBPs and CSPs follow different temporal expression patterns, and also that OBPs are expressed in different types of sensilla. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

松墨天牛成虫对幼虫虫粪挥发性物质的触角电位反应及林间驱避试验

为了研制松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus Hope驱避剂,本文利用触角电位技术和田间试验的方法研究了松墨天牛雌雄成虫对幼虫虫粪挥发性物质的触角电位反应及幼虫虫粪己烷提取物、合成化合物混合物的林间驱避作用。结果表明：α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯、3-蒈烯、柠檬烯和长叶烯均能引起松墨天牛雌雄成虫一定的触角电生理反应,而4-甲基-2,6-二叔丁基苯酚不能引起松墨天牛雌雄成虫的触角电生理反应。林间驱避试验结果说明,幼虫虫粪的己烷提取物处理过的树干上的刻槽数明显少于对照树干上的刻槽数,二者具有极显著差异;有合成化合物的混合物存在的诱捕器诱捕到的雌虫数（平均值3.80±1.02）与对照诱捕到的雌虫数（平均值16.80±1.16）差异极显著。结果显示α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯、3-蒈烯、柠檬烯、长叶烯和4-甲基-2,6-二叔丁基苯酚的混合物对松墨天牛雌虫具有驱避作用,有望开发出一类新的驱避剂。     

Molecular and functional characterization of three odorant‐binding proteins from the wheat blossom midge,Sitodiplosis mosellana

Sitodiplosis mosellana, a periodic but devastating wheat pest, relies on wheat spike volatiles as a cue in selecting hosts for oviposition. Insect odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) are thought to play essential roles in filtering, binding and transporting hydrophobic odorant molecules to specific receptors. To date, the molecular mechanisms underlying S. mosellana olfaction are poorly understood. Here, three S. mosellana antenna‐specific OBP genes, SmosOBP11, 16 and 21, were cloned and bacterially expressed. Binding properties of the recombinant proteins to 28 volatiles emitted from wheat spikes were investigated using fluorescence competitive binding assays. Sequence analysis suggested that these SmosOBPs belong to the Classic OBP subfamily. Ligand‐binding analysis showed that all three SmosOBPs preferentially bound alcohol, ester and ketone compounds, and SmosOBP11 and 16 also selectively bound terpenoid compounds. In particular, the three SmosOBPs had high binding affinities (K_i < 20 μmol/L) to 3‐hexanol and cis‐3‐hexenylacetate that elicited strong electroantennogram (EAG) response from female antennae. In addition, SmosOBP11 displayed significantly higher binding (K_i < 8 μmol/L) than SmosOBP16 and 21 to 1‐octen‐3‐ol, D‐panthenol, α‐pinene and heptyl acetate which elicited significant EAG response, suggesting that SmosOBP11 plays a major role in recognition and transportation of these volatiles. These findings have provided important insight into the molecular mechanism by which S. mosellana specifically recognizes plant volatiles for host selection, and have facilitated identification of effective volatile attractants that are potentially useful for pest monitoring and trapping.     

Ligand binding and homology modelling of insect odorant‐binding proteins

This review describes the main characteristics of odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) for homology modelling and presents a summary of structure prediction studies on insect OBPs, along with the steps involved and some limitations and improvements. The technique involves a computing approach to model protein structures and is based on a comparison between a target (unknown structure) and one or more templates (experimentally determined structures). As targets for structure prediction, OBPs are considered to play a functional role for recognition, desorption, scavenging, protection and transportation of hydrophobic molecules (odourants) across an aqueous environment (lymph) to olfactory receptor neurones (ORNs) located in sensilla, the main olfactory units of insect antennae. Lepidopteran pheromone‐binding proteins, a subgroup of OBPs, are characterized by remarkable structural features, in which high sequence identities (approximately 30%) among these OBPs and a large number of available templates can facilitate the prediction of precise homology models. Approximately 30 studies have been performed on insect OBPs using homology modelling as a tool to predict their structures. Although some of the studies have assessed ligand‐binding affinity using structural information and biochemical measurements, few have performed docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations as a virtual method to predict best ligands. Docking and MD simulations are discussed in the context of discovery of novel semiochemicals (super‐ligands) using homology modelling to conceive further strategies in insect management.     

Comparison of volatile organic compounds from uninfested and Monochamus alternatus Hope infested Pinus massoniana Lamb.

Monochamus alternatus is a destructive stem‐boring herbivore of Pinus massoniana, and the principal vector of pine wood nematode. To investigate the impacts of boring by M. alternatus larvae on the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from their host trees, the VOCs from uninfested and M. alternatus larvae infested P. massoniana trees were observed using a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer. We detected 12, 9, 18 and 14 volatile organic compounds from infested xylem, infested phloem, uninfested xylem and uninfested phloem, respectively. In P. massoniana xylem, the boring of M. alternatus larvae induced cyclosativene, and inhibited 4‐carene, humulene, styrene, α‐phellandrene, β‐myrcene, β‐phellandrene and γ‐terpinene. The relative amounts of camphene, copacamphene, longicyclene, longifolene, tricyclene and α‐longipinene were significantly increased, and the relative amounts of α‐pinene and β‐pinene were significantly decreased by the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae. In P. massoniana phloem, the boring of M. alternatus larvae induced 2‐bornanone, copacamphene, longicyclene and α‐longipinene, and inhibited 2‐carene, 4‐carene, styrene, α‐phellandrene, β‐myrcene, β‐phellandrene, β‐pinene, γ‐terpinene and ο‐cymene. The relative amounts of camphene, caryophyllene and longifolene were significantly increased by the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae. The results indicate that the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae changed both the sorts and contents of the VOCs from P. massoniana trees.     

松墨天牛幼虫体内神经毒性酯酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶对甲胺磷敏感性的比较

松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus Hope是传播松材线虫Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Nickle的主要媒介昆虫,在其化学防治中经常使用有机磷杀虫剂,而这类杀虫剂有些可通过作用于神经毒性酯酶（neurotoxic esterase, NTE）使敏感的脊椎动物产生迟发性神经毒性。为了深入理解有机磷杀虫剂对害虫毒杀作用机理,增强对昆虫体内NTE活性的了解,我们在松墨天牛中开展了相关的研究。通过差异测定法和经典的乙酰胆碱酯酶（acetylcholinesterase, AChE）活性测定方法,分别测定了松墨天牛幼虫体内NTE和AChE的活性。结果发现,在松墨天牛体内存在NTE活性,其头部的NTE活力为2.80±0.30 nmol·min^-1·mg^-1,比脂肪体高出了近10倍,但仍较鸟类等脊椎动物为低。体内实验显示,松墨天牛体内NTE可被甲胺磷所抑制; 但在体外实验条件下,甲胺磷对来自松墨天牛头部的NTE活性并没有产生明显抑制作用,而此浓度下的甲胺磷对AChE表现出较高水平的抑制作用。表明松墨天牛体内NTE和AChE对甲胺磷的敏感性完全不同。     

不同危害状态下寄主萜烯挥发物含量的变化及松墨天牛对其组分的触角电位反应

用气相色谱-质谱（GC-MS）联用法对5种生理状态（健康、人为物理损伤、饵木、取食和产卵）的马尾松Pinus massoniana和取食危害状态的雪松Cedrus deodara的萜烯进行分析。研究结果显示,5种生理状态下,α-蒎烯在萜烯组分中均占有最高比例。健康状态下马尾松树干和树枝中的萜烯组分不同且含量有显著差异。随着饵木的衰弱进程,α-蒎烯的相对含量显著减少,β-蒎烯的含量显著增加,我们推测,α-蒎烯与β-蒎烯的相对比例越小则寄主树势衰弱的程度越深,其两者比例的变化是马尾松寄主树势衰弱程度变化的一个重要信号。人为物理损伤的马尾松树干与树枝的α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯和β-水芹烯含量差异显著。不同产卵危害程度的马尾松树干萜烯类组分不同,同一产卵危害程度的马尾松树干上部和下部的多数萜烯组分相对含量差异显著,但变化无明显规律。取食危害状态下马尾松和雪松萜烯种类不同且含量差异显著。重度产卵危害马尾松树干与取食危害树枝萜烯中,α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯、柠檬烯和β-水芹烯相对含量差异显著。第13天的饵木与人为物理损伤的马尾松树干的萜烯中,饵木的β-蒎烯和柠檬烯相对百分含量均比人为物理损伤状态的高,而α-蒎烯则相反。α-蒎烯和β-蒎烯在取食危害树枝中的含量显著高于健康树枝,而β-月桂烯、β水芹烯和反式石竹烯在健康状态树枝中的含量显著高于取食危害树枝。除了α-蒎烯和β蒎烯,健康状态与产卵危害状态的马尾松树干萜烯相对含量大都差异显著。α-蒎烯,β-蒎烯和β-水芹烯在人为物理损伤与虫害状态的马尾松树干及树枝中含量差异较大。总之,α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯和β-水芹烯很可能是影响和调节松墨天牛取食和产卵行为最为重要的信号物质。松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus Hope对寄主萜烯的触角电位（EAG）表明,该天牛对β-蒎烯的EAG活性高于其他萜烯,乙醇也能引起较高的EAG反应活性,但总体上对单一萜烯的EAG反应活性不强,且存在雌雄差异。     

昆虫触角气味结合蛋白的研究进展

昆虫触角气味结合蛋白是一类亲水性的酸性蛋白,在触角感器淋巴液中浓度很高,主要分为4种,即性外激素结合蛋白、普通气味结合蛋白1、普通气味结合蛋白2和气味结合蛋白类似蛋白。由于它们在昆虫识别外界气味物质中起着重要的作用,近10年来,国外对其进行了广泛、深入的研究。该文从气味结合蛋白的研究方法、生化特性、分子结构和生理功能等方面进行综述。     

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。     

家蝇气味结合蛋白基因cDNA片段的克隆与序列分析

根据同源性设计特异性引物,采用RT-PCR方法扩增出了家蝇Musca domestica 2种气味结合蛋白基因cDNA片段,大小分别为381 bp和353 bp,分别命名为MdomOBP1(GenBank登录号：AY730350)和MdomOBP2(GenBank登录号：AY730351)。测序分析结果表明,它们具有气味结合蛋白的标志性结构域。对这2个片段推导的氨基酸序列进行同源性分析,结果表明两者与已报道的双翅目昆虫的气味结合蛋白的同源性分别达57%～88% 和52%～91%。     

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.     

虫生真菌中对松墨天牛高毒性蛋白的筛选及性质测定

从6株虫生真菌中分离纯化了48种蛋白。以松墨天牛Monochamusalternatus为试虫,通过 生测筛选出4种高毒性蛋白,并从4种高毒性蛋白中筛选出毒力最强的蛋白Bb36W-D。蛋白Bb36W D含2个亚基,大亚基和小亚基的分子量分别约为24 kD和17 kD;等电点分别为9.47和9.32 。该蛋白含16种氨基酸,其中精氨酸、组氨酸及丙氨酸含量较高。     

松墨天牛取食和人为损伤对马尾松针叶部分化学物质含量的影响

为探索松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus Hope与其寄主马尾松相互作用的关系,测定了松墨天牛取食和人为损伤1天、3天、6天、10天和15天后马尾松针叶营养物质和次生代谢物质含量的变化。结果表明： 松墨天牛取食和人为损伤均能引起马尾松针叶可溶性糖和粗多糖含量的下降,但虫害处理使新叶和老叶中可溶性糖降低更多。两种方式处理后10天马尾松新叶和老叶中蛋白质含量降到最低,然后逐渐回升; 相比较而言,虫害处理蛋白质含量降幅更大。松墨天牛取食和人为损伤均引起马尾松针叶单宁和黄酮类物质含量的增加,虫害处理的针叶中单宁和黄酮类物质的含量更高。结果提示马尾松对松墨天牛的取食为害具有特殊的应激反应机制。