Molecular Mechanisms of pheromone Perception: Role of Pheromone Binding Protein

检测和响应化学刺激的能力是所有生物体的基本行为。 鳞翅目雄蛾有一个非常敏感的嗅觉系统，能够感知雌蛾释放的空气中的信息素分子，并在很远的距离上对它们做出反应。 它们能够区分不同物种的密切相关的信息素。 信息素结合蛋白在嗅觉中起着重要的作用。它们是将挥发性疏水性信息素分子穿过水淋巴液运输到膜结合的嗅觉受体的载体蛋白。 信息素和信息素结合蛋白的相互作用是导致受体激活的顺序事件的第一步。尽管来自不同蛾类的信息素结合蛋白具有超过50%的序列同一性，但它们具有不同的底物特异性。 本项目的总体目标是了解信息素结合蛋白在识别过程中的作用。 本计画利用生物化学、分子生物学及结构生物学来验证信息素特异性编码于信息素结合蛋白的假说。 从这些研究中获得的知识可能对昆虫控制具有重要意义，通过基于信息素的综合害虫管理计划来控制农业害虫以及那些媒介传播疾病的携带者。该项目将有助于斯托尼布鲁克大学通过“妇女参与科学和工程方案”为高中生、本科生和研究生，特别是妇女和代表性不足的群体提供培训机会。

The ability to detect and respond to chemical stimuli is a fundamental behavior of all organisms. Lepidoptera male moths have an exquisitely sensitive olfactory system that is capable of perceiving airborne pheromone molecules released by females and responding to them over great distances. They are capable of distinguishing between closely related pheromones of different species. Pheromone binding proteins play an important role in olfaction. They are carrier proteins that transport the volatile hydrophobic pheromone molecules across the aqueous lymph to the membrane-bound olfactory receptors. Interaction of pheromone and pheromone binding protein is the first step in the sequential events that leads to the activation of the receptor. Despite over 50 % sequence identity pheromone binding proteins from different moth species have different substrate specificity. The overall goal of this project is to understand the role of pheromone binding protein in the process of recognition. This project utilizes biochemistry, molecular biology, and structural biology to test the hypothesis that pheromone specificity is encoded in the pheromone binding proteins. Knowledge gained from these studies may have significance to insect control, through pheromone based integrated pest management programs to control agricultural pests and also those who are carrier of vector borne diseases. This project will contribute to Stony Brook University through "Women in Science and Engineering program provide training opportunities for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, particularly for women and under-represented groups.