Identification and tissue distribution of chemosensory protein and odorant binding protein genes in Athetis dissimilis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Insect olfactory and gustatory systems play important roles in communication with the external environment. Two families of small soluble proteins, the chemosensory proteins (CSPs) and odorant binding proteins (OBPs), are believed to mediate chemoreception in insects. In this study, we identified ten putative CSP and five classic OBP genes by sequencing transcripts from the antennae of Athetis dissimilis Hampson, an emerging lepidopteran crop pest. The results of real-time quantitative PCR revealed that CSP genes were expressed broadly in A. dissimilis: six of the ten CSP genes were highly expressed in the antennae, including three that exhibited male-biased expression and three that exhibited female-biased expression. In addition to the antennae, CSP genes were also highly expressed in the proboscis, labial palpi, abdomen, legs, and wings of A. dissimilis. All OBP genes were primarily expressed in the female and male antennae of A. dissimilis. Three OBP genes exhibited female-biased expression patterns, while one was male-biased in the antennae. Surprisingly, the expression of AdisOBP6 was very high in the testes of A. dissimilis. This study is the first characterization of CSPs and OBPs in A. dissimilis and provides the foundation for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of chemoreception in A. dissimilis.