Chemosensory Proteins (chemosensory + protein)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Expression of a pheromone receptor in ovipositor sensilla of the female moth (Heliothis virescens)

INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
P. Widmayer
Abstract Female moths release pheromones that influence various behavioral and physiological processes. The highly specific responses elicited by pheromones are mediated via specific chemosensory proteins, pheromone binding proteins and chemoreceptors, operating in the antennal sensory neurons. In Heliothis virescens, the response to the major pheromone component (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Al) is mediated by the pheromone binding protein PBP2 and the receptor type HR13. PCR experiments revealed that transcripts for relevant chemosensory molecules are also present in the abdomen suggesting an additional role. In the female, mRNA for HR13 as well as for the related PBP2 was found in the ovipositor tip and in an immunohistochemical analysis with a specific antiserum it was possible to visualize the receptor protein in distinct sensilla types surrounding the ovipositor tip. The expression of HR13 implies a chemosensory responsiveness of these sensilla types to pheromones possibly provided by PBP2. Due to the close vicinity of sensillar HR13 cells and pheromone producing cells in the ovipositor we propose that the HR13 cells might mediate abdominal responses to the emitted pheromones. [source]


The major antennal chemosensory protein of red imported fire ant workers

INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
D. González
Abstract Some chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are expressed in insect sensory appendages and are thought to be involved in chemical signalling by ants. We identified 14 unique CSP sequences in expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. One member of this group (Si-CSP1) is highly expressed in worker antennae, suggesting an olfactory function. A shotgun proteomic analysis of antennal proteins confirmed the high level of Si-CSP1 expression, and also showed expression of another CSP and two odorant-binding proteins (OBPs). We cloned and expressed the coding sequence for Si-CSP1. We used cyclodextrins as solubilizers to investigate ligand binding. Fire ant cuticular lipids strongly inhibited Si-CSP1 binding to the fluorescent dye N-phenyl-naphthylamine, suggesting cuticular substances are ligands for Si-CSP1. Analysis of the cuticular lipids showed that the endogenous ligands of Si-CSP1 are not cuticular hydrocarbons. [source]


Expression of chemosensory proteins in hairs on wings of Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
S.-H. Zhou
Abstract The hairs on the wings of Locusta migratoria were observed and mapped using light microscopy, as well as by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Based on their ultrastructure, we can distinguish four main types of hairs on the wings of adult L. migratoria, viz, short, medium and long hairs, and sensilla chaetica. The long hairs are located only on the ventral surface of the hindwing, whereas the other three types are present both on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of forewing and hindwing in both sexes. Medium hairs and sensilla chaetica are significantly more abundant on the dorsal surface of forewings in both females and males, than on the ventral surface, whereas the opposite was observed for short hairs (P < 0.01). No significant difference between males and females was observed in the density of any type of hairs (P > 0.1). Several dendritic branches, enveloped by a dendrite sheath, are situated in the lymph cavity of sensilla chaetica. Instead, no dendritic structure was observed in the cavity of the other three types of hairs. Immunocytochemical localization of chemosensory proteins (CSPs) was performed on ultrathin sections of hairs on wings. The antiserum against chemosensory proteins from L. migratoria (LmigCSP-II) strongly labelled sensilla chaetica, with gold granules only found in the outer sensillum lymph. In addition, the epidermal cell membrane of the wing was stained by the antiserum against LmigCSP-II. The other three types of hairs were never labelled. The results indicate that the wings might involve in contact chemoreception process. [source]


Analysis of expressed sequence tags from a significant livestock pest, the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans), identifies transcripts with a putative role in chemosensation and sex determination,

ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2010
Pia Untalan Olafson
Abstract The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is one of the most significant pests of livestock in the United States. The identification of targets for the development of novel control for this pest species, focusing on those molecules that play a role in successful feeding and reproduction, is critical to mitigating its impact on confined and rangeland livestock. A database was developed representing genes expressed at the immature and adult life stages of the stable fly, comprising data obtained from pyrosequencing both immature and adult stages and from small-scale sequencing of an antennal/maxillary palp,expressed sequence tag library. The full-length sequence and expression of 21 transcripts that may have a role in chemosensation is presented, including 13 odorant-binding proteins, 6 chemosensory proteins, and 2 odorant receptors. Transcripts with potential roles in sex determination and reproductive behaviors are identified, including evidence for the sex-specific expression of stable fly doublesex - and transformer -like transcripts. The current database will be a valuable tool for target identification and for comparative studies with other Diptera. Published 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., [source]


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

ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2009
Yanxue Yu
Abstract 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. [source]