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Functional Characterization of Odorant Binding Protein 27 (RproOBP27) From
Daniele S Oliveira1, Nathália F Brito1, Thiago A Franco1
1Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Vetores, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Frontiers in Physiology
|September 14, 2018
Summary
Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) in Rhodnius prolixus, a Chagas disease vector, were characterized. RproOBP27 was identified as a potential pheromone-binding protein, crucial for insect sexual behavior and vector management strategies.
Area of Science:
- * Entomology
- * Molecular Biology
- * Biochemistry
Background:
- * Olfactory proteins, specifically Odorant Binding Proteins (OBPs), are crucial for insect survival by transporting odor molecules to receptors.
- * Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease, relies on olfactory cues for essential behaviors, making its OBPs potential targets for vector control.
- * Understanding OBP function in R. prolixus can lead to novel strategies for managing this disease vector.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To functionally characterize Odorant Binding Proteins (OBPs) in the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus.
- * To identify specific OBPs involved in behaviors such as host-finding, oviposition, and sexual communication.
- * To investigate the potential role of RproOBP27 in pheromone reception and sexual behavior.
Main Methods:
- * Bioinformatics approaches were used to select candidate OBP genes.
- * Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was employed to determine OBP expression levels across different R. prolixus tissues and sexes.
- * RNA interference (RNAi) was used to silence RproOBP27, followed by observation of sexual behavior and molecular docking analysis.
Main Results:
- * Out of 17 screened OBPs, 11 were ubiquitously expressed, while six were antennae-specific.
- * RproOBP6 and RproOBP13 showed expression in both sexes, suggesting roles in common semiochemical detection.
- * RproOBP27 transcripts were highly expressed in male antennae, and its silencing significantly reduced male sexual behavior, with docking analysis supporting its role in binding pheromones.
Conclusions:
- * RproOBP27 is likely a pheromone-binding protein involved in mediating sexual communication in Rhodnius prolixus.
- * Differential expression patterns of OBPs suggest specific roles in host-finding, oviposition, and pheromone reception.
- * Functional characterization of OBPs provides insights into R. prolixus behavior and potential avenues for vector control.
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