Bric à brac controls sex pheromone choice by male European corn borer moths

ABSTRACT: In the context of O. nubilalis male pheromone preference, we used whole mount in situ hybridizations to compare cellular localized expression of bric à brac and other genes involved in the pheromone response circuit during olfactory system development. We analyzed pheromone receptors OnubOR4 (detecting E11-14:OAc), OnubOR6 (detecting Z11-14:OAc) and OnubOR7 (likely detecting Z11-16:Ald, an antagonist), and the odorant receptor co-receptor Orco, which obligately co-expressed with each odorant receptor (OR) in the same antennal olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) for proper ligand gated channel function. Pupal antenna bab and orco were co-expressed in the same OSN precursor cells, while in the adult, cells expressing bab were separate from OSNs expressing OR4, OR6, OR7 or orco but directly adjacent (co-localized) in the same trichoid sensilla. These results indicate that neuronal cells are not yet fully differentiated in 4-day old pupae, and that differential expression of bab may affect neurogenesis at this developmental stage to establish adult OSN functional topology.

ORGANISM(S): Ostrinia nubilalis

SUBMITTER: Koutroumpa Fotini 

PROVIDER: S-BSST601 | bioimages |

REPOSITORIES: bioimages