Contribution of odorant binding proteins to olfactory detection of (Z)-11-hexadecenal in Helicoverpa armigera

Helicoverpa armigera utilizes (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald) as its major sex pheromone component. Three binding proteins (PBPs) and two general odorant (GOBPs) are abundantly expressed in the male antennae of H. armigera. However, their precise roles olfactory detection Z11-16:Ald remain enigmatic. To answer this question, we first synthesized antibody against HarmOR13, an receptor (OR) primarily responding to mapped local associations between PBPs/GOBPs HarmOR13. Immunostaining showed that HarmPBPs HarmGOBPs were localized supporting cells trichoid sensilla basiconic respectively. In particular, HarmPBP1 HarmPBP2 colocalized surrounding neurons (ORNs) expressing Next, using noninterfering binary expression tools, heterologously HarmPBP1, HarmOR13 Drosophila T1 validate functional interplay PBPs We found addition or HarmPBP2, not HarmPBP3, significantly increased HarmOR13's response Z11-16:Ald. presence either was ineffective change tuning breadth modulate kinetics receptor. Taken together, work demonstrates both involved detection. Our results support idea can contribute peripheral sensitivity but do little modulating selectivity corresponding ORs.