Candidate pheromone receptors provide the basis for the response of distinct antennal neurons to pheromonal compounds

摘要: Males of the moth species Heliothis virescens are able to detect female-released pheromone with remarkable sensitivity and specificity, distinguishing between highly related pheromonal compounds. In past, electrophysiological studies succeeded in assigning sensory hairs identified compounds revealing three functional types long sensilla trichodea housing neurons specifically responding distinct semiochemicals. The specific responsiveness implies that express different receptor tuned components. this study we demonstrate heterologously expressed candidate receptors from responded several compounds, including major sex-pheromone component Z-11-hexadecenal indicating a limited specificity each type. Nonetheless, based on analysis situ hybridization analysed could tentatively be assigned trichodea, containing pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) HvirPBP1 HvirPBP2 sensillum lymph. Substituting organic solvent PBPs solubilize hydrophobic assays revealed an increase especially specificity. It was found presence HvirPBP2, cells expressing type HR13 main sex blend only. data provide further evidence combination binding protein underlie response observed detection vivo.