亚洲玉米螟雌性触角特异性表达气味受体的化学感受机制研究

In lepidopteran insects, odorant receptors are involved in the perception of sex pheromones and general odorants. Male-biased olfactory receptors (ORs) are well known for detecting pheromones which produced by females, while female-biased ORs are considered for function as mating-acceptation and oviposition site selection, although less evidences were provided. In the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, 54 ORs have been identified through NGS, in which the gene encoding odorant receptor co-receptor OfurOrco has been functional studied using a genomic editing tool, TALEN. Besides, three female-biased ORs were identified, which may play important roles in female behaviors. In this study, 1) Ligands of the three female-biased ORs will be screened; 2) Genomic editing tool CRISPR will be carried out for mutagenesis of the three female-biased ORs. Physiological and behavioral differences will be analyzed respectively for revealing the functions of these receptors. This study will explain the mechanism of chemosensation in females, indicate the odorant-mediated female-specific behaviors in O. furnacalis, make a better understanding of chemosensory systems in wild insects, and open a new way in pest control of Asia corn borer.

在鳞翅目昆虫中，雄性触角高表达气味受体（包括特异性表达受体）与寻找雌性相关，它们可以特异性识别性信息素。雌性高表达气味受体推测与交配接受和产卵相关，但具体功能和机理尚不明确。在亚洲玉米螟（Ostrinia furnacalis）中，申请者通过触角转录组测序鉴定了54个嗅觉受体，使用基因组编辑技术，首次在亚洲玉米螟活体中验证了OfurOrco基因的功能。此外，新发现的3个雌性高表达受体，可能与亚洲玉米螟交配接受或产卵位点选择等雌性特异性行为密切相关。本研究将1）通过非洲爪蟾卵母体外表达系统筛选3个受体的气味配体；2）使用CRISPR基因组编辑技术，敲除3个受体基因，通过比对基因突变型与野生型的生理和行为学差异，分析其在生物体内的真实功能。本研究将阐明亚洲玉米螟雌性特异性化学感受机理，解析气味对亚洲玉米螟雌性的行为调控机制，为亚洲玉米螟的绿色可持续防治提供理论依据和新思路。

在鳞翅目昆虫中，性别特异性触角高表达气味受体可能与特定性别的昆虫行为相关。比如，雄性触角高表达气味受体可以特异性识别性信息素，与寻找雌性相关进行交配的行为相关。雌性高表达气味受体推测与交配接受和产卵相关，但具体气味配体、功能尚不明确。在亚洲玉米螟（Ostrinia furnacalis）中，申请者前期的研究工作通过触角转录组测序鉴定了54个嗅觉受体，包含8个性信息素受体和45个一般气味受体。8个性信息素受体为雄性触角高表达气味受体，但他们识别性信息素的分子编码机制尚不明确。此外，发现3个一般气味受体在雌性触角中具有较高的表达偏好性，可能与亚洲玉米螟交配接受或产卵位点选择的雌性特异性行为密切相关。因此，本研究通过非洲爪蟾卵母体外表达系统对亚洲玉米螟雄性触角高表达的性信息素受体和雌性触角高表达的受体进行功能研究，筛选他们的气味配体，进而通过行为学验证这些气味配体对亚洲玉米螟的影响。本研究将阐明亚洲玉米螟性别特异性气味受体的分子识别机制，鉴定针对亚洲玉米螟不同性别的性别特异性行为调控化合物，为亚洲玉米螟的绿色可持续防治提供理论依据和新思路。