The Experts below are selected from a list of 11751 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Ryohei Kanzaki - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Targeted disruption of a single Sex Pheromone receptor gene completely abolishes in vivo Pheromone response in the silkmoth
Scientific reports, 2015Co-Authors: Takeshi Sakurai, Hidefumi Mitsuno, Hideki Sezutsu, Akihisa Mikami, Keiro Uchino, Masashi Tabuchi, Feng Zhang, Ryohei KanzakiAbstract:Male moths use species-specific Sex Pheromones to identify and orientate toward conspecific females. Odorant receptors (ORs) for Sex Pheromone substances have been identified as Sex Pheromone receptors in various moth species. However, direct in vivo evidence linking the functional role of these ORs with behavioural responses is lacking. In the silkmoth, Bombyx mori, female moths emit two Sex Pheromone components, bombykol and bombykal, but only bombykol elicits Sexual behaviour in male moths. A Sex Pheromone receptor BmOR1 is specifically tuned to bombykol and is expressed in specialized olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the Pheromone sensitive long sensilla trichodea of male silkmoth antennae. Here, we show that disruption of the BmOR1 gene, mediated by transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), completely removes ORN sensitivity to bombykol and corresponding Pheromone-source searching behaviour in male moths. Furthermore, transgenic rescue of BmOR1 restored normal behavioural responses to bombykol. Our results demonstrate that BmOR1 is required for the physiological and behavioural response to bombykol, demonstrating that it is the receptor that mediates Sex Pheromone responses in male silkmoths. This study provides the first direct evidence that a member of the Sex Pheromone receptor family in moth species mediates conspecific Sex Pheromone information for Sexual behaviour.
-
molecular and neural mechanisms of Sex Pheromone reception and processing in the silkmoth bombyx mori
Frontiers in Physiology, 2014Co-Authors: Takeshi Sakurai, Shigehiro Namiki, Ryohei KanzakiAbstract:Male moths locate their mates using species-specific Sex Pheromones emitted by conspecific females. One striking feature of Sex Pheromone recognition in males is the high degree of specificity and sensitivity at all levels, from the primary sensory processes to behavior. The silkmoth Bombyx mori is an excellent model insect in which to decipher the underlying mechanisms of Sex Pheromone recognition due to its simple Sex Pheromone communication system, where a single Pheromone component, bombykol, elicits the full Sexual behavior of male moths. Various technical advancements that cover all levels of analysis from molecular to behavioral also allow the systematic analysis of Pheromone recognition mechanisms. Sex Pheromone signals are detected by Pheromone receptors expressed in olfactory receptor neurons in the Pheromone-sensitive sensilla trichodea on male antennae. The signals are transmitted to the first olfactory processing center, the antennal lobe (AL), and then are processed further in the higher centers (mushroom body and lateral protocerebrum) to elicit orientation behavior towards females. In recent years, significant progress has been made elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the detection of Sex Pheromones. In addition, extensive studies of the AL and higher centers have provided insights into the neural basis of Pheromone processing in the silkmoth brain. This review describes these latest advances, and discusses what these advances have revealed about the mechanisms underlying the specific and sensitive recognition of Sex Pheromones in the silkmoth.
-
Sex-linked transcription factor involved in a shift of Sex-Pheromone preference in the silkmoth Bombyx mori
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2011Co-Authors: Tsuguru Fujii, Susumu Katsuma, Takeshi Fujii, Yukio Ishikawa, Shigehiro Namiki, Hiroaki Abe, Takeshi Sakurai, Akio Ohnuma, Ryohei Kanzaki, Toru ShimadaAbstract:In the Sex-Pheromone communication systems of moths, odorant receptor (Or) specificity as well as higher olfactory information processing in males should be finely tuned to the Pheromone of conspecific females. Accordingly, male Sex-Pheromone preference should have diversified along with the diversification of female Sex Pheromones; however, the genetic mechanisms that facilitated the diversification of male preference are not well understood. Here, we explored the mechanisms involved in a drastic shift in Sex-Pheromone preference in the silkmoth Bombyx mori using spli mutants in which the genomic structure of the gene Bmacj6, which encodes a class IV POU domain transcription factor, is disrupted or its expression is repressed. B. mori females secrete an ∼11:1 mixture of bombykol and bombykal. Bombykol alone elicits full male courtship behavior, whereas bombykal alone shows no apparent activity. In the spli mutants, the behavioral responsiveness of males to bombykol was markedly reduced, whereas bombykal alone evoked full courtship behavior. The reduced response of spli males to bombykol was explained by the paucity of bombykol receptors on the male antennae. It was also found that, in the spli males, neurons projecting into the toroid, a compartment in the brain where bombykol receptor neurons normally project, responded strongly to bombykal. The present study highlights a POU domain transcription factor, Bmacj6, which may have caused a shift of Sex-Pheromone preference in B. mori through Or gene choice and/or axon targeting.
-
a single Sex Pheromone receptor determines chemical response specificity of Sexual behavior in the silkmoth bombyx mori
PLOS Genetics, 2011Co-Authors: Takeshi Sakurai, Hidefumi Mitsuno, Hideki Sezutsu, Takaaki Nishioka, Keiro Uchino, Stephan Shuichi Haupt, Fumio Yokohari, Isao Kobayashi, Toshiki Tamura, Ryohei KanzakiAbstract:In insects and other animals, intraspecific communication between individuals of the opposite Sex is mediated in part by chemical signals called Sex Pheromones. In most moth species, male moths rely heavily on species-specific Sex Pheromones emitted by female moths to identify and orient towards an appropriate mating partner among a large number of sympatric insect species. The silkmoth, Bombyx mori, utilizes the simplest possible Pheromone system, in which a single Pheromone component, (E, Z)-10,12-hexadecadienol (bombykol), is sufficient to elicit full Sexual behavior. We have previously shown that the Sex Pheromone receptor BmOR1 mediates specific detection of bombykol in the antennae of male silkmoths. However, it is unclear whether the Sex Pheromone receptor is the minimally sufficient determination factor that triggers initiation of orientation behavior towards a potential mate. Using transgenic silkmoths expressing the Sex Pheromone receptor PxOR1 of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella in BmOR1-expressing neurons, we show that the selectivity of the Sex Pheromone receptor determines the chemical response specificity of Sexual behavior in the silkmoth. Bombykol receptor neurons expressing PxOR1 responded to its specific ligand, (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), in a dose-dependent manner. Male moths expressing PxOR1 exhibited typical Pheromone orientation behavior and copulation attempts in response to Z11-16:Ald and to females of P. xylostella. Transformation of the bombykol receptor neurons had no effect on their projections in the antennal lobe. These results indicate that activation of bombykol receptor neurons alone is sufficient to trigger full Sexual behavior. Thus, a single gene defines behavioral selectivity in Sex Pheromone communication in the silkmoth. Our findings show that a single molecular determinant can not only function as a modulator of behavior but also as an all-or-nothing initiator of a complex species-specific behavioral sequence.
Takeshi Sakurai - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
A Single Sex Pheromone Receptor Determines Chemical Response Specificity of Sexual Behavior in the Silkmoth
2016Co-Authors: Bombyx Mori, Takeshi Sakurai, Hidefumi Mitsuno, Keiro Uchino, Stephan Shuichi Haupt, Fumio YokohariAbstract:In insects and other animals, intraspecific communication between individuals of the opposite Sex is mediated in part by chemical signals called Sex Pheromones. In most moth species, male moths rely heavily on species-specific Sex Pheromones emitted by female moths to identify and orient towards an appropriate mating partner among a large number of sympatric insect species. The silkmoth, Bombyx mori, utilizes the simplest possible Pheromone system, in which a single Pheromone component, (E, Z)-10,12-hexadecadienol (bombykol), is sufficient to elicit full Sexual behavior. We have previously shown that the Sex Pheromone receptor BmOR1 mediates specific detection of bombykol in the antennae of male silkmoths. However, it is unclear whether the Sex Pheromone receptor is the minimally sufficient determination factor that triggers initiation of orientation behavior towards a potential mate. Using transgenic silkmoths expressing the Sex Pheromone receptor PxOR1 of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella in BmOR1-expressing neurons, we show that the selectivity of the Sex Pheromone receptor determines the chemical response specificity of Sexual behavior in the silkmoth. Bombykol receptor neurons expressing PxOR1 responded to its specific ligand, (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), in a dose-dependent manner. Male moths expressing PxOR1 exhibited typical Pheromone orientation behavior and copulation attempts in response to Z11-16:Ald and to females of P. xylostella. Transformation of the bombykol receptor neurons had no effect on their projections in the antennal lobe. These results indicate that activation of bombykol receptor neurons alone is sufficien
-
Targeted disruption of a single Sex Pheromone receptor gene completely abolishes in vivo Pheromone response in the silkmoth
Scientific reports, 2015Co-Authors: Takeshi Sakurai, Hidefumi Mitsuno, Hideki Sezutsu, Akihisa Mikami, Keiro Uchino, Masashi Tabuchi, Feng Zhang, Ryohei KanzakiAbstract:Male moths use species-specific Sex Pheromones to identify and orientate toward conspecific females. Odorant receptors (ORs) for Sex Pheromone substances have been identified as Sex Pheromone receptors in various moth species. However, direct in vivo evidence linking the functional role of these ORs with behavioural responses is lacking. In the silkmoth, Bombyx mori, female moths emit two Sex Pheromone components, bombykol and bombykal, but only bombykol elicits Sexual behaviour in male moths. A Sex Pheromone receptor BmOR1 is specifically tuned to bombykol and is expressed in specialized olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the Pheromone sensitive long sensilla trichodea of male silkmoth antennae. Here, we show that disruption of the BmOR1 gene, mediated by transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), completely removes ORN sensitivity to bombykol and corresponding Pheromone-source searching behaviour in male moths. Furthermore, transgenic rescue of BmOR1 restored normal behavioural responses to bombykol. Our results demonstrate that BmOR1 is required for the physiological and behavioural response to bombykol, demonstrating that it is the receptor that mediates Sex Pheromone responses in male silkmoths. This study provides the first direct evidence that a member of the Sex Pheromone receptor family in moth species mediates conspecific Sex Pheromone information for Sexual behaviour.
-
molecular and neural mechanisms of Sex Pheromone reception and processing in the silkmoth bombyx mori
Frontiers in Physiology, 2014Co-Authors: Takeshi Sakurai, Shigehiro Namiki, Ryohei KanzakiAbstract:Male moths locate their mates using species-specific Sex Pheromones emitted by conspecific females. One striking feature of Sex Pheromone recognition in males is the high degree of specificity and sensitivity at all levels, from the primary sensory processes to behavior. The silkmoth Bombyx mori is an excellent model insect in which to decipher the underlying mechanisms of Sex Pheromone recognition due to its simple Sex Pheromone communication system, where a single Pheromone component, bombykol, elicits the full Sexual behavior of male moths. Various technical advancements that cover all levels of analysis from molecular to behavioral also allow the systematic analysis of Pheromone recognition mechanisms. Sex Pheromone signals are detected by Pheromone receptors expressed in olfactory receptor neurons in the Pheromone-sensitive sensilla trichodea on male antennae. The signals are transmitted to the first olfactory processing center, the antennal lobe (AL), and then are processed further in the higher centers (mushroom body and lateral protocerebrum) to elicit orientation behavior towards females. In recent years, significant progress has been made elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the detection of Sex Pheromones. In addition, extensive studies of the AL and higher centers have provided insights into the neural basis of Pheromone processing in the silkmoth brain. This review describes these latest advances, and discusses what these advances have revealed about the mechanisms underlying the specific and sensitive recognition of Sex Pheromones in the silkmoth.
-
Sex-linked transcription factor involved in a shift of Sex-Pheromone preference in the silkmoth Bombyx mori
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2011Co-Authors: Tsuguru Fujii, Susumu Katsuma, Takeshi Fujii, Yukio Ishikawa, Shigehiro Namiki, Hiroaki Abe, Takeshi Sakurai, Akio Ohnuma, Ryohei Kanzaki, Toru ShimadaAbstract:In the Sex-Pheromone communication systems of moths, odorant receptor (Or) specificity as well as higher olfactory information processing in males should be finely tuned to the Pheromone of conspecific females. Accordingly, male Sex-Pheromone preference should have diversified along with the diversification of female Sex Pheromones; however, the genetic mechanisms that facilitated the diversification of male preference are not well understood. Here, we explored the mechanisms involved in a drastic shift in Sex-Pheromone preference in the silkmoth Bombyx mori using spli mutants in which the genomic structure of the gene Bmacj6, which encodes a class IV POU domain transcription factor, is disrupted or its expression is repressed. B. mori females secrete an ∼11:1 mixture of bombykol and bombykal. Bombykol alone elicits full male courtship behavior, whereas bombykal alone shows no apparent activity. In the spli mutants, the behavioral responsiveness of males to bombykol was markedly reduced, whereas bombykal alone evoked full courtship behavior. The reduced response of spli males to bombykol was explained by the paucity of bombykol receptors on the male antennae. It was also found that, in the spli males, neurons projecting into the toroid, a compartment in the brain where bombykol receptor neurons normally project, responded strongly to bombykal. The present study highlights a POU domain transcription factor, Bmacj6, which may have caused a shift of Sex-Pheromone preference in B. mori through Or gene choice and/or axon targeting.
-
a single Sex Pheromone receptor determines chemical response specificity of Sexual behavior in the silkmoth bombyx mori
PLOS Genetics, 2011Co-Authors: Takeshi Sakurai, Hidefumi Mitsuno, Hideki Sezutsu, Takaaki Nishioka, Keiro Uchino, Stephan Shuichi Haupt, Fumio Yokohari, Isao Kobayashi, Toshiki Tamura, Ryohei KanzakiAbstract:In insects and other animals, intraspecific communication between individuals of the opposite Sex is mediated in part by chemical signals called Sex Pheromones. In most moth species, male moths rely heavily on species-specific Sex Pheromones emitted by female moths to identify and orient towards an appropriate mating partner among a large number of sympatric insect species. The silkmoth, Bombyx mori, utilizes the simplest possible Pheromone system, in which a single Pheromone component, (E, Z)-10,12-hexadecadienol (bombykol), is sufficient to elicit full Sexual behavior. We have previously shown that the Sex Pheromone receptor BmOR1 mediates specific detection of bombykol in the antennae of male silkmoths. However, it is unclear whether the Sex Pheromone receptor is the minimally sufficient determination factor that triggers initiation of orientation behavior towards a potential mate. Using transgenic silkmoths expressing the Sex Pheromone receptor PxOR1 of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella in BmOR1-expressing neurons, we show that the selectivity of the Sex Pheromone receptor determines the chemical response specificity of Sexual behavior in the silkmoth. Bombykol receptor neurons expressing PxOR1 responded to its specific ligand, (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), in a dose-dependent manner. Male moths expressing PxOR1 exhibited typical Pheromone orientation behavior and copulation attempts in response to Z11-16:Ald and to females of P. xylostella. Transformation of the bombykol receptor neurons had no effect on their projections in the antennal lobe. These results indicate that activation of bombykol receptor neurons alone is sufficient to trigger full Sexual behavior. Thus, a single gene defines behavioral selectivity in Sex Pheromone communication in the silkmoth. Our findings show that a single molecular determinant can not only function as a modulator of behavior but also as an all-or-nothing initiator of a complex species-specific behavioral sequence.
Longwa Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
functional disparity of three Pheromone binding proteins to different Sex Pheromone components in hyphantria cunea drury
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2021Co-Authors: Yanan Zhang, Shuanglin Dong, Xiaoqing Zhang, Dingze Mang, Hui Liao, Jiali Qian, Qinghe Zhang, Endang R Purba, Longwa ZhangAbstract:Hyphantria cunea (Drury) is a destructive invasive pest species in China that uses type II Sex Pheromone components. To date, however, the binding mechanisms of its Sex Pheromone components to their respective Pheromone-binding proteins (HcunPBPs 1/2/3) have not been explored. In the current study, all three HcunPBPs were expressed in the antennae of both Sexes. The prokaryotic expression and ligand binding assays were employed to study the binding of the moth's four Sex Pheromone components, including two aldehydes and two epoxides, and 24 plant volatiles to the HcunPBPs. Our results showed that the abilities of these HcunPBPs to bind to the aldehydes were significantly different from binding to the epoxides. These three HcunPBPs also selectively bind to some of the plant volatiles tested. Our molecular docking results indicated that some crucial hydrophobic residues might play a role in the binding of HcunPBPs to their Sex Pheromone components. Three HcunPBPs have different selectivities for Pheromone components with both major and minor structural differences. Our study provides a fundamental insight into the olfactory mechanism of moths at the molecular level, especially for moth species that use various type II Pheromone components.
-
identification of cytochrome p450 odorant binding protein and chemosensory protein genes involved in type ii Sex Pheromone biosynthesis and transportation in the tea pest scopula subpunctaria
Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 2020Co-Authors: Jiali Qian, Zongxiu Luo, Xiaoming Cai, Lei Bian, Chunli Xiu, Zongmao Chen, Longwa ZhangAbstract:Sex Pheromone-based pest management technology has been widely used to monitor and control insect pests in the agricultural, forestry, and public health sectors. Scopula subpunctaria is a widespread tea pest in China with Type II Sex Pheromone components. However, limited information is available on the biosynthesis and transportation of Type II Sex Pheromone components. In this study, we constructed an S. subpunctaria Sex Pheromone gland (PG) transcriptome and obtained 85,246 transcripts. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs) thought to epoxidize dienes and trienes to epoxides in the PG and odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory genes (CSPs) thought to be responsible for the binding and transportation of Sex Pheromone components. In present study, a total of 79 CYPs, 29 OBPs and 17 CSPs were identified. We found that SsubCYP341A and SsubCYP341B_ortholog1 belonged to the CYP341 family and were more highly expressed in the PG than in the female body. Of these, SsubCYP341A was the seventh-most PG-enriched CYP in the PG transcriptome. Two CYP4 members, CYP340BD_ortholog2 and CYP4G, were the top two most PG-enriched CYPs. Tissue expression and phylogenetic tree analysis showed that SsubOBP25, 27, and 28 belonged to the moth Pheromone-binding protein family; they were distinctly expressed in the antennae and were more abundant in male antennae than in female antennae. SsubCSP16 was distributed into the same clade as CSPs from other moths that showed high binding affinities to Sex Pheromone components. It indicated that all the above-mentioned genes could be involved in Sex Pheromone biosynthesis or transportation. Our study provides large-scale PG sequence information that can be used to identify potential targets for the biological control of S. subpunctaria by disrupting its Sex Pheromone biosynthesis and transportation pathways.
Navarro Fuertes Ismael - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
synthesis of the Sex Pheromone of the oleander scale aspidiotus nerii
Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2019Co-Authors: Mary Montano Castaneda, Marzo Bargues Javier, Jaime Primo, Navarro Fuertes IsmaelAbstract:A total synthesis of the oleander scale [Aspidiotus nerii (Bouche)] Sex Pheromone, the unique sesquiterpenoid containing a cyclobutane moiety of this class of compounds, has been developed. In orde...
Hidefumi Mitsuno - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
A Single Sex Pheromone Receptor Determines Chemical Response Specificity of Sexual Behavior in the Silkmoth
2016Co-Authors: Bombyx Mori, Takeshi Sakurai, Hidefumi Mitsuno, Keiro Uchino, Stephan Shuichi Haupt, Fumio YokohariAbstract:In insects and other animals, intraspecific communication between individuals of the opposite Sex is mediated in part by chemical signals called Sex Pheromones. In most moth species, male moths rely heavily on species-specific Sex Pheromones emitted by female moths to identify and orient towards an appropriate mating partner among a large number of sympatric insect species. The silkmoth, Bombyx mori, utilizes the simplest possible Pheromone system, in which a single Pheromone component, (E, Z)-10,12-hexadecadienol (bombykol), is sufficient to elicit full Sexual behavior. We have previously shown that the Sex Pheromone receptor BmOR1 mediates specific detection of bombykol in the antennae of male silkmoths. However, it is unclear whether the Sex Pheromone receptor is the minimally sufficient determination factor that triggers initiation of orientation behavior towards a potential mate. Using transgenic silkmoths expressing the Sex Pheromone receptor PxOR1 of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella in BmOR1-expressing neurons, we show that the selectivity of the Sex Pheromone receptor determines the chemical response specificity of Sexual behavior in the silkmoth. Bombykol receptor neurons expressing PxOR1 responded to its specific ligand, (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), in a dose-dependent manner. Male moths expressing PxOR1 exhibited typical Pheromone orientation behavior and copulation attempts in response to Z11-16:Ald and to females of P. xylostella. Transformation of the bombykol receptor neurons had no effect on their projections in the antennal lobe. These results indicate that activation of bombykol receptor neurons alone is sufficien
-
Targeted disruption of a single Sex Pheromone receptor gene completely abolishes in vivo Pheromone response in the silkmoth
Scientific reports, 2015Co-Authors: Takeshi Sakurai, Hidefumi Mitsuno, Hideki Sezutsu, Akihisa Mikami, Keiro Uchino, Masashi Tabuchi, Feng Zhang, Ryohei KanzakiAbstract:Male moths use species-specific Sex Pheromones to identify and orientate toward conspecific females. Odorant receptors (ORs) for Sex Pheromone substances have been identified as Sex Pheromone receptors in various moth species. However, direct in vivo evidence linking the functional role of these ORs with behavioural responses is lacking. In the silkmoth, Bombyx mori, female moths emit two Sex Pheromone components, bombykol and bombykal, but only bombykol elicits Sexual behaviour in male moths. A Sex Pheromone receptor BmOR1 is specifically tuned to bombykol and is expressed in specialized olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the Pheromone sensitive long sensilla trichodea of male silkmoth antennae. Here, we show that disruption of the BmOR1 gene, mediated by transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), completely removes ORN sensitivity to bombykol and corresponding Pheromone-source searching behaviour in male moths. Furthermore, transgenic rescue of BmOR1 restored normal behavioural responses to bombykol. Our results demonstrate that BmOR1 is required for the physiological and behavioural response to bombykol, demonstrating that it is the receptor that mediates Sex Pheromone responses in male silkmoths. This study provides the first direct evidence that a member of the Sex Pheromone receptor family in moth species mediates conspecific Sex Pheromone information for Sexual behaviour.
-
a single Sex Pheromone receptor determines chemical response specificity of Sexual behavior in the silkmoth bombyx mori
PLOS Genetics, 2011Co-Authors: Takeshi Sakurai, Hidefumi Mitsuno, Hideki Sezutsu, Takaaki Nishioka, Keiro Uchino, Stephan Shuichi Haupt, Fumio Yokohari, Isao Kobayashi, Toshiki Tamura, Ryohei KanzakiAbstract:In insects and other animals, intraspecific communication between individuals of the opposite Sex is mediated in part by chemical signals called Sex Pheromones. In most moth species, male moths rely heavily on species-specific Sex Pheromones emitted by female moths to identify and orient towards an appropriate mating partner among a large number of sympatric insect species. The silkmoth, Bombyx mori, utilizes the simplest possible Pheromone system, in which a single Pheromone component, (E, Z)-10,12-hexadecadienol (bombykol), is sufficient to elicit full Sexual behavior. We have previously shown that the Sex Pheromone receptor BmOR1 mediates specific detection of bombykol in the antennae of male silkmoths. However, it is unclear whether the Sex Pheromone receptor is the minimally sufficient determination factor that triggers initiation of orientation behavior towards a potential mate. Using transgenic silkmoths expressing the Sex Pheromone receptor PxOR1 of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella in BmOR1-expressing neurons, we show that the selectivity of the Sex Pheromone receptor determines the chemical response specificity of Sexual behavior in the silkmoth. Bombykol receptor neurons expressing PxOR1 responded to its specific ligand, (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), in a dose-dependent manner. Male moths expressing PxOR1 exhibited typical Pheromone orientation behavior and copulation attempts in response to Z11-16:Ald and to females of P. xylostella. Transformation of the bombykol receptor neurons had no effect on their projections in the antennal lobe. These results indicate that activation of bombykol receptor neurons alone is sufficient to trigger full Sexual behavior. Thus, a single gene defines behavioral selectivity in Sex Pheromone communication in the silkmoth. Our findings show that a single molecular determinant can not only function as a modulator of behavior but also as an all-or-nothing initiator of a complex species-specific behavioral sequence.
-
identification of receptors of main Sex Pheromone components of three lepidopteran species
European Journal of Neuroscience, 2008Co-Authors: Hidefumi Mitsuno, Takeshi Sakurai, Masatoshi Murai, Tetsuya Yasuda, Soichi Kugimiya, Rika Ozawa, Haruhiko Toyohara, Junji Takabayashi, Hideto Miyoshi, Takaaki NishiokaAbstract:Male moths discriminate conspecific female-emitted Sex Pheromones. Although the chemical components of Sex Pheromones have been identified in more than 500 moth species, only three components in Bombyx mori and Heliothis virescens have had their receptors identified. Here we report the identification of receptors for the main Sex-Pheromone components in three moth species, Plutella xylostella, Mythimna separata and Diaphania indica. We cloned putative Sex-Pheromone receptor genes PxOR1, MsOR1 and DiOR1 from P. xylostella, M. separata and D. indica, respectively. Each of the three genes was exclusively expressed with an Or83b orthologous gene in male olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) that are surrounded by supporting cells expressing Pheromone-binding-protein (PBP) genes. By two-electrode voltage-clamp recording, we tested the ligand specificity of Xenopus oocytes co-expressing PxOR1, MsOR1 or DiOR1 with an OR83b family protein. Among the seven Sex-Pheromone components of the three moth species, the oocytes dose-dependently responded only to the main Sex-Pheromone component of the corresponding moth species. In our study, PBPs were not essential for ligand specificity of the receptors. On the phylogenetic tree of insect olfactory receptors, the six Sex-Pheromone receptors identified in the present and previous studies are grouped in the same subfamily but have no relation with the taxonomy of moths. It is most likely that Sex-Pheromone receptors have randomly evolved from ancestral Sex-Pheromone receptors before the speciation of moths and that their ligand specificity was modified by mutations of local amino acid sequences after speciation.
