Journal Article

Pheromone-Binding Protein 1 Performs a Dual Function for Intra- and Intersexual Signaling in a Moth

Zhang, Jiahui, Zhan, Yidi, Xu, Mengxian, Liu, Yong, Francis, Frederic

2024

Overview

Moths use pheromones to ensure intraspecific communication. Nevertheless, few studies are focused on both intra- and intersexual communication based on pheromone recognition. Pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) are generally believed pivotal for male moths in recognizing female pheromones. Our research revealed that PBP1 of Agriphila aeneociliella (AaenPBP1) serves a dual function in both intra- and intersexual pheromone recognition. Here, a total of 20 odorant-binding protein (OBP) family genes from A. aeneociliella were identified and subjected to transcriptional analysis. Among these, AaenPBP1 was primarily highly expressed in the antennae. Competitive fluorescence binding assays and molecular docking analyses demonstrated that AaenPBP1 exhibits a strong binding affinity for the female sex pheromone (Z)-9-Hexadecenyl acetate and the male pheromone 1-Nonanal. Notably, hydrogen bonds were observed between Ser56 and the ligands. The analysis of pheromone components and PBPs in lepidopteran lineage suggested that their strong and precise interactions, shaped by coevolution, may play a crucial role in facilitating reproductive isolation in moths. Our findings provide valuable insight into the functional significance of PBPs in invertebrates and support the development of behavioral regulation tools as part of an integrated pest management strategy targeting crambid pests.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
• Subject: 9 hexadecenyl acetate / Acetates / Agriphila aeneociliella / Amino acids / animal / Animal reproduction / Animals / Behavior / binding affinity / Binding proteins / Butterflies & moths / carrier protein / Carrier Proteins / Carrier Proteins - genetics / Carrier Proteins - metabolism / Cnaphalocrocis medinalis / Communication / competitive binding assay / complementary DNA / controlled study / DNA synthesis / Entomologie & lutte antiravageur / Entomology & pest control / Female / Females / fluorescence / Genes / Genetic transcription / genetics / Hydrogen / hydrogen bond / Hydrogen bonds / insect protein / Insect Proteins / Insect Proteins - genetics / Insect Proteins - metabolism / Insects / intraspecies communication / Lepidoptera / Life sciences / Male / Males / mating behavioral manipulation / metabolism / molecular docking / Molecular Docking Simulation / molecular interaction / moth / Moths / Moths - genetics / Moths - metabolism / nonhuman / odorant binding protein / odorant binding protein 13 / odorant binding protein 18 / odorant binding protein 2 / odorant binding protein 22 / odorant binding protein 28a / odorant binding protein 29 / odorant binding protein 4 / odorant binding protein 40 / odorant binding protein 9 / olfactory receptor / pheromone / pheromone binding protein 1 / pheromone binding protein, insect / pheromone recognition mechanism / Pheromones / Phylogenetics / Phylogeny / Protein binding / protein expression / protein function / protein localization / Proteins / Receptors, Odorant / Receptors, Odorant - genetics / Receptors, Odorant - metabolism / reproductive isolation / Sciences du vivant / Sex Attractants / Sex Attractants - metabolism / sex pheromone / Signal Transduction / transcriptome / unclassified drug