title: RNAi-Induced Electrophysiological and Behavioral Changes Reveal two Pheromone Binding Proteins of Helicoverpa armigera Involved in the Perception of the Main Sex Pheromone Component Z11-16:Ald.
abstract: Pheromone binding proteins (PBPs) are thought to play key roles in insect sex pheromone recognition; however, there is little in vivo evidence to support this viewpoint in comparison to abundant biochemical data in vitro. In the present study, two noctuid PBP genes HarmPBP1 and HarmPBP2 of the serious agricultural pest, Helicoverpa armigera were selected to be knocked down by RNA interference, and then the changes in electrophysiological and behavioral responses of male mutants to their major sex pheromone component (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald) were recorded. There were no significant electrophysiological or behavioral changes of tested male moths in response to Z11-16:Ald when either single PBP gene was knocked down. However, decreased sensitivity of male moths in response to Z11-16:Ald was observed when both HarmPBP1 and HarmPBP2 genes were silenced. These results reveal that both HarmPBP1 and HarmPBP2 are required for the recognition of the main sex pheromone component Z11-16:Ald in H. armigera. Furthermore, these findings may help clarify physiological roles of moth PBPs in the sex pheromone recognition pathway, which in turn could facilitate pest control by exploring sex pheromone blocking agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.|State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310008, China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors.forename: Jing-Tao
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors.forename: Shao-Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, UK.
authors.forename: Jing-Jiang
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors.forename: Ruo-Nan
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.|Department of Entomology, Faculty of Crop Protection, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Tandojam, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Khalid Hussain
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Dhiloo
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors.forename: Xi-Wu
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China. yjzhang39@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Yong-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057506:Arthropod Antennae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D007300:Insect Control; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007659:Ketones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011485:Protein Binding; D034622:RNA Interference; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: C480312:11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone; D019476:Insect Proteins; D007659:Ketones; D012724:Sex Attractants
keywords: Helicoverpa armigera; Pheromone binding proteins; RNA interference; Sex pheromone detection