Journal of Insect Physiology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
154, P. 104628 - 104628
Published: Feb. 20, 2024
Herbivorous
insects
can
identify
their
host
plants
by
sensing
plant
secondary
metabolites
as
chemical
cues.
We
previously
reported
the
two-factor
acceptance
system
of
silkworm
Bombyx
mori
larvae.
The
chemosensory
neurons
in
maxillary
palp
(MP)
larvae
detect
mulberry
metabolites,
chlorogenic
acid
(CGA),
and
isoquercetin
(ISQ),
with
ultrahigh
sensitivity,
for
recognition
feeding
initiation.
Nevertheless,
molecular
basis
ultrasensitive
these
compounds
remains
unknown.
In
this
study,
we
demonstrated
that
two
gustatory
receptors
(Grs),
BmGr6
BmGr9,
are
responsible
attomolar
sensitivity
Calcium
imaging
assay
using
cultured
cells
expressing
putative
sugar
(BmGr4-10)
revealed
BmGr9
serve
CGA
ISQ
human
embryonic
kidney
293T
cells.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated
knockout
(KO)
resulted
a
low
probability
making
test
bite
leaves,
suggesting
they
lost
ability
to
recognize
leaves.
Electrophysiological
recordings
showed
loss
Gr-KO
strains
was
due
drastic
decrease
MP
toward
BmGr6-KO
BmGr9-KO
Our
findings
have
Grs,
considered
be
receptors,
molecules
detecting
phenolics
recognition.
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
81(1)
Published: June 15, 2024
Sex
pheromones
play
crucial
role
in
mating
behavior
of
moths,
involving
intricate
recognition
mechanisms.
While
insect
chemical
biology
has
extensively
studied
type
I
pheromones,
II
remain
largely
unexplored.
This
study
focused
on
Helicoverpa
armigera,
a
representative
species
noctuid
moth,
aiming
to
reassess
its
sex
pheromone
composition.
Our
research
unveiled
two
previously
unidentified
candidate
pheromones-3Z,6Z,9Z-21:H
and
3Z,6Z,9Z-23:H-in
H.
armigera.
Furthermore,
we
identified
HarmOR11
as
an
orphan
receptor
3Z,6Z,9Z-21:H.
Through
AlphaFold2
structural
prediction,
molecular
docking,
dynamics
simulations,
elucidated
the
basis
key
residues
governing
sensory
nuances
both
receptors,
particularly
HarmOR13.
not
only
reveals
presence
but
also
establishes
comprehensive
framework
for
PRs,
contributing
understanding
connections
between
evolutionary
adaptations
emergence
new
types.
Cell Discovery,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
10(1)
Published: Aug. 6, 2024
Dear
Editor,Taste
perception
is
essential
for
food
selection
and
animal
feeding
behaviors
1
.While
mammals
use
G
protein-coupled
receptors
(GPCRs)
sweet
bitter
tastant
perception,
insects
such
as
fruit
flies
a
unique
family
of
proteins
called
gustatory
(Grs)
2
.Attractive
compounds
aversive
are
perceived
by
different
subsets
Grs
distributed
in
distinct
subpopulations
sensory
cells,
which
eventually
drive
innate
attraction
or
repellency
.Like
mammals,
this
crucial
choosing
the
appropriate
food,
thereby
survival
.8
members
(Gr5a,
Gr61a,
Gr64a-f)
out
68
from
Drosophila
melanogaster
3,4
found
to
be
located
taste
neurons
5
,
most
them
involved
6
.Among
them,
Gr5a,
trehalose
sensing,
first
member
with
known
sugar
specificity
7
whereas
Gr64a
was
suggested
sensing
multiple
sugars,
including
glucose,
sucrose,
maltose
8
.More
recently,
Gr43a
its
homologs
were
identified
narrowly
tuned
fructose
receptors,
they
also
expressed
brain
function
sensor
hemolymph
levels,
regulating
9
.To
unravel
overall
structure
these
their
features
that
define
specificity,
we
determined
cryo-electron
microscopy
(cryo-EM)
structures
mojavensis
(DmoGr43a)
(given
better
biochemical
behavior
than
(DmGr43a))
(DmGr64a)
apo
sugar-bound
states.Despite
limited
vivo
relevance,
performed
electrophysiology
and/or
calcium
imaging
artificial
system
(HEK293
cells)
obtain
some
hints
about
function.These
assays
demonstrated
both
DmoGr43a
DmGr64a
can
form
functional
ion
channels
(Fig.
1a-d;
Supplementary
Figs.S1
andS2).Among
sugars
tested,
e.g.,
100
mM
maltose,
arabinose,
trehalose,
fructose,
only
activated
DmoGr43a,
measured
EC
50
42.97
±
4.69
~30
respectively
1a,b;
Fig.
S1).For
DmGr64a,
among
tested
several
sucrose
able
activate
our
experiments,
glucose
arabinose
could
not
1c,d;
S2).The
~1.77mM.Both
purified
homogeneity
single
particle
cryo-EM
analysis,
yielding
4
states:
state,
fructose-bound
state
sucrosebound
1e-h;
Figs.S3-S6).As
expected,
tetramer,
topologically
similar
each
other,
Orco
Apocrypta
bakeri
10
odorant
receptor
Machilis
hrabei
(MhOR5)
11
1;
Insects,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(9), P. 653 - 653
Published: Aug. 30, 2024
Population
replacement
refers
to
the
process
by
which
a
wild-type
population
of
insect
pests
is
replaced
possessing
modified
traits
or
abilities.
Effective
necessitates
gene
drive
system
capable
spreading
desired
genes
within
natural
populations,
operating
under
principles
akin
super-Mendelian
inheritance.
Consequently,
releasing
small
number
genetically
edited
insects
could
potentially
achieve
control
objectives.
Currently,
several
approaches
are
exploration,
including
newly
adapted
CRISPR-Cas
genome
editing
system.
Multiple
studies
investigating
methods
engineer
that
incapable
causing
crop
damage
transmitting
vector-borne
diseases,
with
notable
successful
examples
documented.
This
review
summarizes
recent
advancements
in
realm
and
provides
insights
into
research
methodologies,
testing
protocols,
implementation
strategies
for
techniques.
The
also
discusses
emerging
trends
prospects
establishing
genetic
tools
pest
management.
Neuroscience Research,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Nov. 1, 2024
Chemogenetics
uses
artificially-engineered
proteins
to
modify
the
activity
of
cells,
notably
neurons,
in
response
small
molecules.
Although
a
common
set
chemogenetic
tools
are
G
protein-coupled
receptor-based
DREADDs,
there
has
been
great
hope
for
ligand-gated,
ion
channel-type
that
directly
impact
neuronal
excitability.
We
have
devised
such
technology
by
exploiting
insect
Ionotropic
Receptors
(IRs),
highly
divergent
subfamily
ionotropic
glutamate
receptors
evolved
detect
diverse
environmental
chemicals.
Here,
we
review
series
studies
developing
and
applying
this
"IR-mediated
activation"
(IRNA)
with
Drosophila
melanogaster
IR84a/IR8a
complex,
which
detects
phenyl-containing
ligands.
also
discuss
how
variants
IRNA
could
be
produced
modifying
composition
IR
using
natural
or
engineered
subunits,
would
enable
artificial
activation
different
cell
populations
brain
distinct
