Pheromone binding components

Watanabe et al. (2007) now have isolated and fully sequenced one tissue-specific pheromone binding protein (PBP) from antennae of A. selenaria cretacea, with a partial sequence of a second. Whereas the fully sequenced PBP was found in the antennae of both sexes, it was present in much larger quantities in antennae from males. In binding studies, the PBP was found to strongly bind the natural pheromone components (3Z,6Z,9Z-19 H and 6Z,9Z-cB-3,4-epo-19 H). Interestingly, the PBP also bound 3Z,9Z-m-6,7-epo-19 H and 3Z,6Z-m-9,10-epo-19 H, which have been shown to antagonize the behavioral response to the pheromone (Witjaksono et al., 1999). 

Danty et al. 1999) binding studies with the PBP and the aliphatic acid pheromone components... 

Gustavsson A.-L., Tuvesson M., Larsson M. C., Wenqi W., Hansson B. S. and Liljefors T. (1997) Bioisosteric approach to elucidation of binding of the acetate group of a moth pheromone component to its receptor. J. Chem. Ecol. 23, 2755-2776. 

The tissue distribution of CSPs was examined by amplifying CSP cDNAs from different parts of the M. brassicae body, including legs (unpublished) and female pheromonal glands (Jacquin-Joly et al., 2001), as well as antennae and proboscis. Moreover, proteins extracted from these tissues appeared to bind tritium-labeled pheromone components. Figure 17.4A shows binding of Zll-... 

Several arguments favor a role for CSPs in chemoreception, either olfaction or taste. First, in M. brassicae, CSPs were clearly shown to bind pheromone components and a behavioral antagonist (Bohbot et al., 1998), although without specificity. Second, most identified CSPs are reported to be associated with... 

The GOBPs mainly found in the female moth antennae seem to carry odorant molecules found in plant volatiles (Steinbrecht et al., 1995). In the honeybee, Apis mellifera, ASP2 (AmelOBP2) expressed in the antennae of workers and drones can bind odorant molecules of floral scents such as 1,8-cineol, 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine, 2-heptanone and isoamyl-acetate but do not bind pheromone components (Danty et al., 1997, 1999 Briand et al., 2001). 

Watanabe, H., Tabunoki, H., Miura, N., Sato, R. and Ando, T. (2007). Analysis of odorant-binding proteins in antennae of a geometrid species, Ascotis selenaria cretacea, which produces lepidopteran Type II sex pheromone components. Invert. Neuroscience, 7, 109-118. 

Although CSPs natural ligands have not yet been determined, the binding data indicate that they bind highly hydrophobic short to medium chain length (14-18 carbons) linear molecules similar to insect pheromones and fatty acids. It has been demonstrated that MbraCSPA6 from antennae is able to bind several components of... 

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