Current understandings of olfactory molecular events in the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Abstract

The Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a serious corn pest with widespread distribution in East Asia. Its olfactory mechanism is a focus of scientific study, aiming to find good ways to control this pest. Molecular events are considered to be important in olfactory mechanism. Current understandings of olfactory molecular events in O. furnacalis, mainly involving sex pheromones and olfactory proteins, were summarized to provide a reference for further studies. O. furnacalis sex pheromone contains two components E‐12‐tetradecenyl acetate and Z‐12‐tetradecenyl acetate, which may be recognized and bound by the pheromone binding proteins OfurPBP3 and OfurPBP2, and then transported to the odorant receptors (ORs) OfurOR4 and OfurOR6 to activate them. The ORs OfurOR8, OfurOR7 and OfurOR5b mainly respond to the sex pheromone components of other Ostrinia species, E‐11‐tetradecenyl acetate, Z‐11‐tetradecenyl acetate and Z‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate. The OR OfurOR27 responds strongly to plant odorants nonanal, octanal and 1‐octanol. Much work remains to be done to fully understand odorants with olfactory activity to O. furnacalis and the functions of its olfactory proteins. These studies will help to reveal olfactory mechanism in O. furnacalis, with the aim of regulating its behaviors to control this pest.

A Study of Adult Olfactory Proteins of Primitive Ghost Moth, Endoclita signifer (Lepidoptera, Hepialidae)

“…Both the qRT-PCR results and FPKM values indicated that EsigOR16 exhibits the highest expression among the odorant receptors, making it the key receptor involved in odorant recognition. Likely, in O. furnacalis, OfurOR8, OfurOR7, and OfurOR5b primarily respond to the sex pheromone components of other Ostrinia species, while OfurOR27 strongly responds to plant odorants such as nonanal, octanal, and 1-octanol [9]. These findings highlight the specificity and diversity of odorant receptors in different insect species, reflecting the species' adaptations to specific ecological niches and behaviors.…”

“…Specifically, the sex pheromones E-12-tetradecenyl acetate and Z-12-tetradecenyl acetate are recognized and bound by the pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) OfurPBP3 and OfurPBP2. Subsequently, these bound pheromones are transported to the odorant receptors (ORs) OfurOR4 and OfurOR6, leading to their activation [9]. Factually, ORs function as the primary receptors, and they form heteromers with a shared, highly conserved subunit known as the OR coreceptor (Orco) in insects [10,11].…”

Genomic identification and evolutionary analysis of chemosensory receptor gene families in two Phthorimaea pest species: insights into chemical ecology and host adaptation

“…He et al sequenced the antennal transcriptome of P. operculella and analyzed the function of the sex pheromone receptor PR in P. operculella [ 27 ]. Li et al analyzed the types and functions of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) in P. operculella , providing important insights for the study of the chemical ecology of P. operculella [ 28 ] . To further investigate the chemical ecological mechanisms of P. operculella and P. absoluta , comprehensive identification and analysis of their chemosensory genes are urgently needed and potentially of great significance.…”

Candidate odorant‐binding protein and chemosensory protein genes in the turnip aphidLipaphis erysimi

“…Olfaction plays an essential role in the regulation of a diverse array of physiological behaviors throughout the life cycles of insects, such as foraging, predator avoidance, mating, and oviposition (Suh et al, 2014). The processes that facilitate olfactory perception involve interactions between odor molecules and various families of olfactory proteins, including odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), olfactory receptors, ionotropic receptors, and sensory neuron membrane proteins (Leal, 2013; Li & Zhang, 2022). When hydrophobic odorant molecules (e.g., insect pheromones or host plant volatiles) penetrate the cuticle pores at the surface of antennal sensilla, they are proposed to be trapped and bound to OBPs and CSPs.…”

“…This is then followed by transport through the hydrophilic sensillum lymph towards the dendrites of olfactory receptor neurons. In turn, these bound molecules are then detected by chemosensory receptors of olfactory receptor neurons, which triggers the propagation of electrophysiological signals (Leal, 2013; Li & Zhang, 2022).…”