斜纹夜蛾普通气味结合蛋白ⅡcDNA的克隆及在原核细胞中的表达

采用同源克隆结合RACE的方法克隆了斜纹夜蛾的普通气味结合蛋白Ⅱ（S1GOBPⅡ）的cDNA序列（GenBank登录号为EU086371）。序列分析表明,S1GOBPⅡ可读框序列为489bp,编码162个氨基酸,分子量为18.2kD,等电点为5.72。S1GOBPⅡ具有昆虫气味结合蛋白的典型特征,即氨基酸序列中具有6个保守的半胱氨酸残基,呈酸性。S1GOBPⅡ氨基酸序列与草地贪夜蛾（S.frugiperda）和甜菜夜蛾（S.exigua）气味结合蛋白具有较高的同源性。RT-PCR和Northem blot检测表明,SIGOBPⅡ具有触角组织表达特异性。将S1GOBPⅡ,克隆到表达载体pET-32a上,阳性重组子转化表达宿主菌BL21（DE3）中,在IPTG诱导下进行了高效表达。SDS-PAGE检测表明S1GOBPⅡ在大肠杆菌中可表达相对分子质量（Mr）为32.0kD的可溶性融合蛋白,Westem blot分析表明表达产物能与Ni-NTA螯合物特异性结合,表明表达的S1GOBPⅡ为N端带有6His标签的融合蛋白。利用Ni^2＋-NTA亲和柱进一步纯化了S1GOBPⅡ,以该融合蛋白免疫新西兰大白兔制备了抗S1GOBPⅡ的抗血清,ELISA滴度为1：12800,Western印迹检测结果显示,S1GOBPⅡ抗血清与表达的融合蛋白呈阳性反应,表明所表达的融合蛋白仍保持原有蛋白的免疫原性。     

斜纹夜蛾信息素结合蛋白SlitPBP4的分子克隆、组织表达谱及结合特性分析

【目的】鉴定斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura新的信息素结合蛋白(pheromone binding protein,PBP)基因,明确其在斜纹夜蛾不同组织中的表达水平并探讨其功能。【方法】基于已报道的烟草天蛾Manduca sexta、家蚕Bombyx mori、君主斑蝶Danaus plexippus和庆网蛱蝶Melitaea cinxia 4种非夜蛾科昆虫PBP4同源基因的序列特点及与其他PBP基因在染色体上的相邻关系,通过分析实验室先前克隆到的斜纹夜蛾PBP/GOBP基因序列,克隆斜纹夜蛾PBP4同源基因;通过RT-PCR和q PCR技术测定该基因在斜纹夜蛾雌雄成虫不同组织中的表达水平;利用体外表达和荧光竞争性结合实验测定斜纹夜蛾PBP4蛋白对性信息素组分和植物气味物质的结合能力。【结果】在夜蛾科昆虫斜纹夜蛾中鉴定到首个PBP4基因,命名为Slit PBP4(Gen Bank登录号:MG356847),c DNA编码210个氨基酸,具有N末端信号肽、疏水性气味分子结合域及6个保守半胱氨酸等PBP的典型序列特征,其基因组DNA在保守位置也含有2个内含子;但和已报道的斜纹夜蛾3个PBP相比,PBP4的C末端明显较长。Slit PBP4在雄成虫腹部(生殖系统)极高表达,在雌雄成虫触角及其他组织中仅微弱表达或不表达。荧光竞争性结合实验结果表明,Slit PBP4蛋白与被测定的信息素组分及植物气味物质均没有明显结合能力。【结论】报道了夜蛾科昆虫的首个PBP4基因,该基因可能主要参与雄虫生殖相关的生理过程而非嗅觉功能。     

斜纹夜蛾嗅觉受体基因Ⅱ的表达谱分析

气味调控斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura的觅食、 交配和产卵等行为, 而嗅觉受体（olfactory receptor, OR）作为气味的直接受体, 是嗅觉神经信号产生的起点, 是嗅觉信息的编码及信号的传递通路的重要组成部分。本研究通过RT-PCR和Western blot技术, 对斜纹夜蛾嗅觉受体基因Ⅱ（Spodoptera litura olfactory receptor gene Ⅱ, SlitOR2）（GenBank登录号： DQ845292）的组织特异性和不同发育阶段表达情况进行分析鉴定。半定量RT-PCR研究结果表明, SlitOR2主要在成虫期的触角中表达, 其他部位和发育期未检测到表达。Western blot鉴定结果表明SlitOR2主要在成虫触角表达, 与半定量RT-PCR结果基本一致。但在成虫足、 头和中期蛹中也看到有微量蛋白表达。可能是与目的蛋白大小类似的其他非特异性蛋白条带, 也可能是该蛋白在成虫足部、 头部和中期蛹中有微量表达, 因为足部的跗节和头部的口喙也分布有少量的嗅觉感器。目的条带单一清晰, 表明制备的多肽抗体特异性较好, 可以用于后续相关实验。     

家蚕蛹和成虫期GOBP/PBP亚家族基因簇基因定位与表达分析

昆虫的气味结合蛋白（odorant binding proteins, OBPs）在昆虫与外界环境化学信息交流过程中起着重要作用, 对昆虫觅食、求偶、繁殖具有重要意义。普通气味结合蛋白/性信息素结合蛋白（general odorant binding protein/ pheromone binding protein, GOBP/PBP）是鳞翅目昆虫OBP家族的一个重要单系群。为进一步明确家蚕Bombyx mori GOBP/PBP基因的结构、表达及功能, 本研究利用染色体定位及半定量表达分析方法对其进行了分析。染色体定位分析显示, 这些基因以基因簇的形式存在于第19染色体的nscaf3052上, 基因结构相似, 转录方向一致, 表明这些基因可能由同源基因复制产生, 并具有类似功能。对家蚕蛹和成虫不同发育阶段的雌、雄虫多种组织中进行表达分析发现, 这些基因的表达在不同发育时期和不同组织间差异明显（P<0.05）, 相对表达量均以触角中为最高, 其他非嗅觉组织中也多有表达, 性别间差异不大, 说明了该基因簇基因除了具有嗅觉相关的功能外, 很可能具有其他尚未被发现的功能。     

草地贪夜蛾与斜纹夜蛾嗅觉味觉相关基因的比较分析

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda,近期侵入中国并迅速扩张。与其近缘物种斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura不同,草地贪夜蛾主要偏好玉米、水稻、小麦等禾本科农作物,暴食危害重。此外两种害虫在交配、产卵频率等繁殖特征上也存在差异。这些差异可能与嗅觉、味觉相关蛋白的分歧密切相关。本研究对两种夜蛾科害虫的嗅觉、味觉相关基因进行了系统的鉴定及系统发育分析,并对部分嗅觉结合蛋白进行了选择信号与氨基酸差异位点分析。分别在草地贪夜蛾中鉴定到261个嗅觉相关基因,数目明显大于斜纹夜蛾(179个);鉴定到233个味觉相关基因,数目略大于斜纹夜蛾(217个)。嗅觉相关基因中气味结合蛋白(OBP)基因数目差异最为明显。系统发育分析显示该基因存在夜蛾科特异的分支,且该分支中草地贪夜蛾中基因数目远高于斜纹夜蛾;发现位于I类触角结合蛋白(ABPI)分支的一类OBP成员在草地贪夜蛾中拷贝数增加,其中两个基因拷贝受到正选择,且在草地贪夜蛾中特有的氨基酸替换还可能影响蛋白质功能。本研究为草地贪夜蛾食性特征的遗传机制解析提供线索,为草地贪夜蛾的生物防治提供参考依据和基因素材。     

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。     

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。     

斜纹夜蛾3种SlitPBPs的组织表达模式分析

性信息素结合蛋白(pheromone binding proteins,PBPs)能够与性信息素分子结合,从而启动昆虫的寻偶及交配行为。本研究采用半定量RT-PCR技术分别对斜纹夜蛾3种性信息素结合蛋白SlitPBP1、SlitPBP2和SlitPBP3基因在雌、雄虫不同组织的基因表达模式进行了比较分析。组织表达模式结果表明,SlitPBP1基因只在雌、雄虫触角和雌虫前足中表达而在其他组织中无表达;SlitPBP2基因在雌虫的触角、喙、前足、中足、后足、翅膀和雄虫的触角、喙、前足、翅膀中均有表达,且在同一部位,SlitPBP2基因在雌虫的表达量均高于雄虫相应部位的表达量;除雌、雄虫的胸部外,SlitPBP3在雌、雄虫的触角、喙、前足、中足、后足、腹部和翅膀中均有较高水平的表达。可见,SlitPBP1、SlitPBP2和SlitPBP3基因在斜纹夜蛾不同组织的表达模式各不相同。本研究结果可为深入研究不同SlitPBPs蛋白在斜纹夜蛾生长发育过程中的不同生理功能提供科学参考。     

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。     

家蚕ABP与ABPX基因定位与表达分析

气味结合蛋白（odorant binding proteins, OBPs）在昆虫与外界环境化学信息交流过程中起着重要作用, 对昆虫的觅食、 求偶、 繁殖具有重要意义。触角结合蛋白（antennal binding protein, ABP）是OBP家族中的重要成员之一。为进一步探明家蚕Bombyx mori ABP与ABPX基因的结构、 表达及功能, 本研究利用染色体定位、 基因分析及半定量表达分析方法对其进行了研究。染色体定位分析表明, BmABP和BmABPX分别位于家蚕第5和第26染色体上, 基因结构差异较大, 可能功能上有较大差异。对家蚕胚胎、 幼虫和成虫不同发育阶段的雌、 雄虫多种组织进行基因表达谱分析发现, BmABP在家蚕发育的各个虫态、 多种组织器官中都有较高表达, 无时间特异性和组织特异性; BmABPX在不同发育时期和不同组织间差异显著（P<0.05）, 相对表达量以触角中最高, 其他非嗅觉组织中也多有表达, 性别间差异不大。结果提示, BmABP和BmABPX除了具有嗅觉相关功能外, 很可能还具有其他未知的生理功能。     

小菜蛾化学感受蛋白基因PxylCSP1的克隆和表达

利用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆到小菜蛾Plutella xylostella 化学感受蛋白（CSP）基因PxylCSP1（GenBank登录号: FJ361903）,其核苷酸序列全长405 bp,编码134个氨基酸残基,预测N-末端包含19个氨基酸组成的信号肽序列,估测其成熟蛋白分子量为13.56 kD,等电点为6.12。该基因编码氨基酸序列和其他鳞翅目昆虫CSP的氨基酸序列比对同源性较高（70%~80%）。RT-PCR结果表明PxylCSP1不仅存在于小菜蛾的触角中,还存在于头、足、腹和翅中。Real-time PCR结果表明PxylCSP1的表达水平因被测小菜蛾的性别、日龄、组织不同和交配与否而异。     

PARTIAL CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE cDNA OF GENERAL ODORANT BINDING PROTEIN 1 GENE IN THE ANTENNA OF HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA (HÜBNER)*

Abstract Using RT‐PCR and RACE techniques, part of the cDNA encoding the general odorant binding protein 1 gene (named as GOBP1‐Harra) from the antenna of Helwoverpa armigera (Hubner) has been cloned. The cDNA length of GOBP1‐Harm is 876 bp. The results of sequencing and structural analysis showed that the mature protein reading frame of GOBPl‐Harm is 435 base pairs in length and 145 amino acids encoded. The predicted MW and pl are 17.0 kD and 4.89, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence showed a highly similarity to the sequence of GOBP1 from different moth species and shared several common structural features with odorant binding proteins from other insects.     

烟实夜蛾触角普通气味结合蛋白Ⅱ cDNA的克隆、序列分析及在大肠杆菌中的表达

利用RT PCR技术扩增了编码烟实夜蛾Helicoverpa assulta雌、雄虫触角普通气味 结合蛋白Ⅱ的Cdna片段,将其克隆至Pgem-T Easy载体,获得了普通气味结合蛋白Ⅱ基因成熟蛋白阅读框序列。将该基因重组到表达型质粒Pet-30a(+)中,并转化入原核细胞中表达。序列 测定结果表明,烟实夜蛾触角普通气味结合蛋白基因的成熟蛋白阅读框全长489 bp,编码162个 氨基酸残基,预测分子量和等电点分别为18.2 kD和5.35。推导的氨基酸序列与已报道的10种昆虫普通气味结合蛋白Ⅱ高度同源（73%～98%）,并具有气味结合蛋白的典型特征。SDS-PAGE和Western印迹分析表明,经IPTG诱导,普通气味结合蛋白Ⅱ基因能在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达,电泳检测到一条约23 kD大小的外源蛋白,与预测的融合蛋白分子量大小相应。     

cDNA cloning and recombinant expression of the general odorant binding protein II from Spodoptera litura

A cDNA encoding the general odorant binding protein II (GOBP II) was isolated from the antennae of Spodoptera litura (SlGOBP II, GenBank Accession No. EU086371) by homologous cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Sequencing and structural analyses revealed that the open reading frame (ORF) of SlGOBP II was 489 bp, encoding 162 amino acids with a predicted MW of 18.2 kD and pI of 5.72. SlGOPB II shared typical structural features of odorant binding proteins with other insects, including the six conservative cysteine residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of SlGOPB II shared significant identity with the GOBP II from S. frugiperda and S. exigua. RT-PCR and Northern blot analyses showed that SlGOBP II was specifically expressed in the antennae. cDNA encoding SlGOBP II was constructed into the pET-32a vector and the recombinant protein was highly expressed in Es-cherichia coli BL21 (DE3) after induction with IPTG. SDS electrophoresis and Western blot analysis confirmed the molecular weight of the recombinant SIGOBPII i.e, 32 kD, which has a 6×His tag at the N-terminus. The recombinant SlGOBP II was purified by single-step Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and used to raise antiserum in rabbits. ELISA showed that the titer of antiserum was 1︰12800, while Western blot analysis showed that the recombinant SlGOBP II was recognized as anti-SlGOBP II an-tiserum.     

The expression pattern of four odorant-binding proteins in male and female silk moths, Bombyx mori

Four recombinant odorant-binding proteins of Bombyx mori, pheromone-binding protein (PBP), general odorant-binding protein 1 (GOBP1), general odorant-binding protein 2 (GOBP2) and antennal binding protein X (ABPX), were expressed in E. coli and used to raise polyclonal antisera. Immunoblots of antennal homogenates showed that these antisera were specific. In Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical labelling experiments, the sera against recombinant PBP and GOBP2 of B. mori gave identical results as sera against native PBP and GOBP2 of Antheraea polyphemus, respectively, thus confirming earlier results obtained with the latter. Labelling consecutive cross sections of various sensillum types with all four antisera revealed different labelling patterns in male and female sensilla (s.) trichodea and s. basiconica. Long s. trichodea in males and females represented uniform labelling types, whereas for short s. trichodea, s. intermedia, and s. basiconica a great variety of labelling patterns was observed, some being more common than others. Long s. trichodea, which in males are uniformly tuned to the pheromone components bombykol and bombykal, all strongly expressed PBP; labelling with antisera against the other three odorant-binding proteins hardly was above background, only in some hairs GOBP1 was expressed somewhat more strongly. Long s. trichodea of females, which respond specifically to linalool and benzoic acid, showed a different labelling pattern. Here, we observed strong labelling with antibodies against GOBP2 and medium labelling with anti-GOBP1, sometimes with anti-ABPX. S. basiconica in both sexes most commonly co-expressed GOBP1 and GOBP2, but other patterns were occasionally found, with some of them showing PBP expression, also in females. The great variety of labelling types in short s. trichodea, s. intermedia, and s. basiconica suggests a similar variety of functional subtypes as observed in plant odour-sensitive sensilla of other moth species.     

斜纹夜蛾两个天蚕素D基因的克隆及序列分析

天蚕素是昆虫抵御病菌入侵的一类抗菌肽家族。根据斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura天蚕素B基因设计特异引物,通过PCR扩增得到2个新的天蚕素基因部分序列,分别命名为cecD1和cecD2（GenBank登录号分别为EF555567和EF555568）。2个基因编码同一个天蚕素D蛋白,该蛋白的成熟肽与天蚕素B存在2个氨基酸残基差异。序列分析发现cecD1和cecD2中分别包含568 bp和377 bp的内含子序列,它们有相同的5′和3′拼接位点,A+T含量分别为59.7%和69.8%,符合大多数真核生物内含子高A+T含量的特征。     

Immunolocalization of pheromone-binding protein and general odorant-binding protein in olfactory sensilla of the silk moths Antheraea and Bombyx

The distribution of odorant-binding proteins among olfactory sensilla of three moth species was studied by immuno-electron microscopy. Two polyclonal antisera were used in a post-embedding labelling protocol on sections of cryo-substituted antennae. The first was directed against the pheromone-binding protein (PBP) of Antheraea polyphemus, the second against the general odorant-binding protein (GOBP) of the same species. Immunoblots showed that these antisera were highly specific; both antisera did, however, cross-react with related proteins in the related species A. pernyi, and in the bombycid moth B. mori. PBP and GOBP were localized only in olfactory sensilla trichodea and sensilla basiconica, the principal site being the sensillum lymph surrounding the sensory dendrites. In the males of all three species, the pheromone-sensitive long sensilla trichodea exclusively contained PBP. the majority of the sensilla basiconica in both sexes in these species contained GOBP; these sensilla are known to respond to plant and other general odours. Some sensilla were not labelled by either antiserum; presumably, these held an odorantbinding protein of a different subfamily. Never were PBP and GOBP co-localized in the same sensillum. Two observations deserve special attention: (1) PBP was also found in a few sensilla in females, and (2) in B. mori, where the long sensilla trichodea have a different functional specificity in males (pheromone) and females (plant odours), the expression of the odorant-binding protein (males: PBP; females: GOBP) is similarly different. The distinct and complex distribution pattern of odorant-binding proteins supports the notion that these proteins participate in stimulus recognition.Dedicated to Professor Ya.A. Vinnikov on the occasion of his 85. birthdayThis work was partly supported by DFG grant ste 501/3-1.     

中华蜜蜂信息素结合蛋白ASP1 cDNA的克隆及时空表达

信息素结合蛋白（pheromone binding proteins, PBPs）在昆虫信息素的识别、传递和处理过程中具有重要作用。本研究首次克隆了中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana的一个PBP基因Ac-ASP1（GenBank序列号为DQ449670）,其预测蛋白具有典型的气味结合蛋白（OBPs）标志（即成熟肽含有6个保守的半胱氨酸）。利用real-time PCR技术对Ac-ASP1在中蜂不同组织和发育历期的时空表达谱进行了鉴定。绝对定量结果显示Ac-ASP1高丰度地表达于工蜂触角（2.07×10⁶ 拷贝数/μg）,而在其他组织（如头、胸、腹、翅及足）中呈低丰度表达（10²拷贝数/μg）; 相对定量结果显示Ac-ASP1在各发育历期如幼虫、蛹以及成虫发育早期（1～6日龄）均有大量表达,而在21日龄前后具有另外一个高丰度表达时期。这些结果可为明确Ac-ASP1在中蜂蜂王信息素信号识别传递过程中的作用提供参考。     

Cloning,expression and immunocytochemical localization of a general odorant-binding protein gene from Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

A cDNA clone coding for general odorant-binding protein2 was isolated from the antenna of Helicoverpa armigera by RT-PCR and (5'/3')-RACE technique. Results of sequencing and structural analyses showed that the full-length of GOBP2Harm was 636 bp, possessing 162 amino acid residues and a signal peptide of 21 amino acids. Its predicted molecular weight and isoelectric point were 18.2 kDa and 5.21, respectively. This deduced amino acid sequence shared some common structural features with odorant-binding proteins from several moth species, including the six conserved cysteine motif, typical of insect's OBPs. Northern blot showed that GOBP2Harm is specifically expressed in the antenna of Helicoverpa armigera at similar levels in both sexes. In order to obtain sufficient GOBP2 for further determining its biochemical and physiological properties, a bacterical expression vector of GOBP2 was constructed and successfully expressed. The protein was obtained mainly as insoluble inclusion bodies, that, however, could be solubilized and refolded. The rGOBP2 was purified by affinity chromatography and gel filtration. The rGOBP2 was shown to cross-react with an anti-GOBP antiserum from Antheraea polyphemus. Finally, polyclonal antibodies against GOBP2Harm were used to mark the distribution of the protein in olfactory sensilla and were tested by immuno-electron microscopy. In the male, GOBP2Harm is mainly expressed in sensilla basiconica, while in the female, it is equally expressed in sensilla basiconica and in sensilla trichodea.