Molecular Mechanisms of Rapid Inactivation of Signals in Pheromone-Oriented Navigation in Insects

信息素是一种由动物释放的化合物，可以作为对配偶的特定引诱剂，在飞蛾和其他昆虫中得到了很好的研究。在空气中，气味羽流的特征是湍流涡流；因此，检测可能涉及高强度气味信号和完全没有信号之间的快速变化。为了在正常环境中最大限度地检测复杂的气味混合物，嗅觉系统需要能够快速灭活信息素化学信号，因为需要高时间分辨率才能正确地跟随湍流羽流的脉动信号到其来源。本项目利用生物化学和分子生物学的新方法，从野生蚕蛾的触角中分离酶，并验证了通过信息素降解酶实现昆虫触角中信息素的快速失活的假设。结果将有助于解决关于这种降解是否比结合蛋白更重要的争论。这项研究的影响将超越感觉神经生物学，在设计生物传感器和害虫控制措施方面可能具有潜力。该项目还为研究生和本科生，特别是来自代表性不足群体的学生提供培训机会。

Pheromones are chemical compounds released by an animal that can act as specific attractants for a mate, and are well studied in moths and other insects. In the air, the odor plume is characterized by turbulent eddies; thus, detection can involve rapid changes between a high intensity odorant signal and complete absence of a signal. To maximize detection among the complex mix of odorants in a normal environment, the olfactory system needs to be able to inactivate pheromonal chemical signals rapidly because a high temporal resolution is needed to follow the pulsatile signals of the turbulent plume correctly to its source. This project utilizes biochemistry and molecular biology in a novel protocol to isolate enzymes from the antenna of the wild silkmoth, and to test the hypothesis that fast inactivation of pheromones in the insect antenna is achieved by pheromone-degrading enzymes. Results will help to resolve the controversy over whether such degradation may be more important than binding proteins for the fast inactivation. This study will have an impact beyond sensory neurobiology to a possible potential in designing biosensors and for pest control measures. The project also provides training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, particularly from under-represented groups.