title: A look inside odorant-binding proteins in insect chemoreception.
abstract: Detection of chemical signals from the environment through olfaction is an indispensable mechanism for maintaining an insect's life, evoking critical behavioral responses. Among several proteins involved in the olfactory perception process, the odorant binding protein (OBP) has been shown to be essential for a normally functioning olfactory system. This paper discusses the role of OBPs in insect chemoreception. Here, structural aspects, mechanisms of action and binding affinity of such proteins are reviewed, as well as their promising application as molecular targets for the development of new strategies for insect population management and other technological purposes.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nathália F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Monica F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: anamelo@iq.ufrj.br.
authors.forename: Ana C A
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Melo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002633:Chemotaxis; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007313:Insecta / Q000502:physiology*; D055696:Olfactory Perception; D018035:Receptors, Odorant / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012903:Smell
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins; D018035:Receptors, Odorant; C045648:odorant-binding protein
keywords: Chemical communication; Insect; Odorant-binding protein; Olfactory system; Review