The novel function of an orphan pheromone receptor reveals the sensory specializations of two potential distinct types of sex pheromones in noctuid moth

• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05303-2
• Publication Date: 2024-06-15T08:02:37Z
• Authors: Chenrui Wang; Song Cao; Chen Shi; Mengbo Guo; Dongdong Sun; Zheyi Liu; Peng Xiu; Yong Wang; Guirong Wang; Yang Liu
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; 0303 health sciences; Moths; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Receptors, Pheromone; Molecular Docking Simulation; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Animals; Insect Proteins; Original Article; Female; Amino Acid Sequence; Sex Attractants; Phylogeny

AbstractSex pheromones play crucial role in mating behavior of moths, involving intricate recognition mechanisms. While insect chemical biology has extensively studied type I pheromones, type II pheromones remain largely unexplored. This study focused on Helicoverpa armigera, a representative species of noctuid moth, aiming to reassess its sex pheromone composition. Our research unveiled two previously unidentified candidate type II sex pheromones—3Z,6Z,9Z-21:H and 3Z,6Z,9Z-23:H—in H. armigera. Furthermore, we identified HarmOR11 as an orphan pheromone receptor of 3Z,6Z,9Z-21:H. Through AlphaFold2 structural prediction, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations, we elucidated the structural basis and key residues governing the sensory nuances of both type I and type II pheromone receptors, particularly HarmOR11 and HarmOR13. This study not only reveals the presence and recognition of candidate type II pheromones in a noctuid moth, but also establishes a comprehensive structural framework for PRs, contributing to the understanding of connections between evolutionary adaptations and the emergence of new pheromone types.