A Female-Biased Odorant Receptor from Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) Tuned to Some Plant Odors

Abstract

Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a serious pest of cotton, jujube, grape and many other crops around the world. Understanding how olfactory information directs this insect to its host plants may provide environment-friendly approaches to the control of its population in agriculture. In our study, we cloned an odorant receptor gene, AlucOR46, that was specifically expressed in antennae and female-biased. Functional expression of AlucOR46 in Xenopus oocytes showed that it is tuned to six plant volatiles (S)-(−)-Limonene, (R)-(+)-Limonene, (E)-2-Hexenal, (E)-3-Hexenol, 1-Heptanol and (1R)-(−)-Myrtenol. Electroantennogram (EAG) recordings revealed that all six compounds could elicit electrophysiological responses from the antennae of A. lucorum, higher in females. Our results are in agreement with previous reports showing that (E)-2-Hexenal could attract female A. lucorum in behavior experiments. These results suggest that AlucOR46 might play an important role in locating the host plants of A. lucorum and therefore represents a suitable target for green pest control.

Deorphanization of an odorant receptor revealed new bioactive components for green mirid bug Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae)

“…AlucOR46, a female‐biased OR in A. lucorum , tuned to six plant volatiles namely ( S )‐(−)‐Limonene, ( R )‐(+)‐Limonene, ( E )‐2‐Hexenal, ( E )‐3‐Hexenol, 1‐Heptanol and (1 R )‐(−)‐Myrtenol. These results suggest that this receptor could be involved in finding the appropriate host plants for feeding and oviposition . However, another male‐biased receptor in A. lucorum , AlucOR40, only responded to one ligand in Xenopus heterologous expression system, suggesting that the AlucOR40 might be involved in detection of ( E )‐2‐hexenol and play a role in identification of female by male during mating .…”

“…Among a large number of ORs expressed in the antennae of A. lucorum , a few have been functionally characterized and their ligands have been identified . AlucOR46, a female‐biased OR in A. lucorum , tuned to six plant volatiles namely ( S )‐(−)‐Limonene, ( R )‐(+)‐Limonene, ( E )‐2‐Hexenal, ( E )‐3‐Hexenol, 1‐Heptanol and (1 R )‐(−)‐Myrtenol.…”

“…However, only six ORs have been deorphanized so far. AlucOR28, 30, 40 and 46 narrowly tuned to floral scents whereas AlucOR12 and AlucOR18 did not respond to any tested odorant …”

“…AlucOR28, 30, 40 and 46 narrowly tuned to floral scents whereas AlucOR12 and AlucOR18 did not respond to any tested odorant. 17,21,22 In the current study, an OR, AlucOR80, was newly identified and cloned. RT-PCR and qPCR were carried out to evaluate the expression pattern of this receptor.…”

Functional analysis of female‐biased odorant binding protein 6 for volatile and nonvolatile host compounds in Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze)

“…Our tissue expression profiles suggest that AlinOBP6 is strongly expressed in adult antenna tissue and is female‐biased (Fig. ), indicating a potential olfactory role in adult A. lineolatus in perceiving female‐related chemical cues for feeding and oviposition (Anderson et al ., ; Zhang et al ., ). The results from the ligand binding assay showed that AlinOBP6 specifically binds to the tested host plant volatiles rather than the bug‐produced sex pheromones, with high binding affinity [dissociation constant (Ki) below 10 µM] to 6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐2‐one, acetophenone, nonanal and five host plant terpenoids (Fig.…”