Expression and functional analysis of an odorant binding protein PopeOBP16 from Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are essential proteins in the peripheral olfactory system, responsible for odorant recognition and transport to olfactory receptors. Phthorimaea operculella (potato tuber moth) is an important oligophagous pest on Solanaceae crops in many countries and regions. PopeOBP16 is one of the OBPs in potato tuber moth. This study examined the expression profiles of PopeOBP16. The results of qPCR indicated that PopeOBP16 was highly expressed in the antennae of adults, especially in males, suggesting that it may be involved in odor recognition in adults. The electroantennogram (EAG) was used to screen candidate compounds with the antennae of P. operculella. The relative affinities of PopeOBP16 to 27 host volatiles and two sex pheromone components with the highest relative EAG responses were examined with competitive fluorescence-based binding assays. PopeOBP16 had the strongest binding affinity with the plant volatiles: nerol, 2-phenylethanol, linalool, 1,8-cineole, benzaldehyde, β-pinene, d-limonene, terpinolene, α-terpinene, and the sex pheromone component trans-4, cis-7, cis-10-tridecatrien-1-ol acetate. The results provide a foundation for further research into the functioning of the olfactory system and the potential development of green chemistry for control of the potato tuber moth.