Antennal esterase cDNAs from two pest moths, Spodoptera littoralis and Sesamia nonagrioides, potentially involved in odourant degradation

• Published in: Insect molecular biology 2007-02, Vol.16 (1), p.73-81
• Main Authors: Merlin, C, Rosell, G, Carot-Sans, G, François, M.-C, Bozzolan, F, Pelletier, J, Jacquin-Joly, E, Guerrero, A, Maïbèche-Coisne, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; antennal esterases; DNA, Complementary - genetics; DNA, Complementary - isolation & purification; Esterases - genetics; Esterases - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Insect Proteins - chemistry; Insect Proteins - genetics; Insect Proteins - metabolism; Lepidoptera; Life Sciences; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Moths - enzymology; Moths - genetics; Odorants; odourant-degrading enzymes; olfaction; Phylogeny; Sense Organs - metabolism; Sense Organs - ultrastructure; Sesamia nonagrioides; smell; Spodoptera littoralis
• ISSN: 0962-1075; 1365-2583
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2006.00702.x

Rapid degradation of odours after interaction with olfactory receptors is a critical step of the signal reception process. However, the implied mechanisms are still largely unknown in vertebrates as well as in insects. Involvement of odourant-degrading enzymes in odourant degradation within the antennae has been shown in some insect species and, in particular, esterases could play a key role in degradation of sex pheromones from Lepidoptera. Using a PCR-based strategy, we isolated cDNAs encoding two new esterases from two moths which used acetates as pheromone compounds: the Egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis and the Mediterranean corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides. In antennae, both transcripts were clearly restricted to olfactory sensilla, suggesting their involvement in the degradation of odourant acetate components.