Sensilla esterase

In 1981, the pheromone binding protein (PBP) and sensilla esterase (SE) of Antheraea polyphemus were identified [44] and in 1985 a new model for pheromone detection was proposed, in opposition to the previous model. In this model, PBPs transported pheromone to receptor proteins (replacing pore-tubules in this role) and SE rapidly inactivated pheromone by enzymatic degradation [45]. PBPs have become established as only a subclass of a much larger family of insect OBPs that are represented at least throughout the neopterous insects, from cockroach to honeybee. 

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