Chemosensory proteins of Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acrididae).
We describe a family of proteins abundantly expressed in the chemoreception sensory organs, the antennae and legs, of the desert locust, Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera, Acrididae). Using polymerase chain reaction-based approaches and homology screenings, "OS-D"-like proteins were identified in L. migratoria. The different sub-types (LmigOS-Ds) are very similar to each other and share about 50-70% identity with OS-Ds from Drosophila melanogaster and Periplaneta americana. A similar degree of identity was also observed with moth OS-Ds. Northern blot analysis revealed a strong expression of the LmigOS-Ds in the antennae and legs, suggesting their involvement in chemosensory processes. Despite the lack of direct evidence for their role in chemosensation, LmigOS-Ds and their homologs seem to constitute a large protein family, characterized by a striking abundance and diversity among insect chemosensory organs.
Picimbon
J F
JF
Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. jfp@uni-hohenheim.de
Dietrich
K
K
Breer
H
H
Krieger
J
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006110:Grasshoppers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D019476:Insect Proteins