biostudies-literatureLehmann JDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg150https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11229289biostudies-literatureUnknown22(1)<h4>Background</h4>Accurate detection of pheromones is crucial for chemical communication and reproduction in insects. In holometabolous flies and moths, the sensory neuron membrane protein 1 (SNMP1) is essential for detecting long-chain aliphatic pheromones by olfactory neurons. However, its function in hemimetabolous insects and its role for detecting pheromones of a different chemical nature remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated the relevance of SNMP1 for pheromone detection in a hemimetabolous insect pest of considerable economic importance, the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria, which moreover employs the aromatic pheromone phenylacetonitrile (PAN) to govern reproductive behaviors.<h4>Results</h4>Employing CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing, a mutant locust line lacking functionaBMC biologySNMP1 is critical for sensitive detection of the desert locust aromatic courtship inhibition pheromone phenylacetonitrile.PMC11229289EXC 2117 - 422037984KR1786/5-1Khosravian MFleischer JGunzel YKraus SHansson BSLehmann JBreer HCouzin-Fuchs ELibnow JSChang HKrieger JCassau SfalseSNMP1 is critical for sensitive detection of the desert locust aromatic courtship inhibition pheromone phenylacetonitrile.<h4>Background</h4>Accurate detection of pheromones is crucial for chemical communication and reproduction in insects. In holometabolous flies and moths, the sensory neuron membrane protein 1 (SNMP1) is essential for detecting long-chain aliphatic pheromones by olfactory neurons. However, its function in hemimetabolous insects and its role for detecting pheromones of a different chemical nature remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated the relevance of SNMP1 for pheromone detection in a hemimetabolous insect pest of considerable economic importance, the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria, which moreover employs the aromatic pheromone phenylacetonitrile (PAN) to govern reproductive behaviors.<h4>Results</h4>Employing CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing, a mutant locust line lacking functiona2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jul2026-07-15T05:14:43.99Z2025-04-04T11:25:29.448ZS-EPMC112292893897300110.1186/s12915-024-01941-x