biostudies-literatureLiang BMolecular Mechanisms of BdorOr45a in cis-Linalool Oxide Recognition in Female Bactrocera dorsalis1139https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12653480biostudies-literatureUnknown16(11)<i>Bactrocera dorsalis</i> Hendel is a devastating invasive pest that costs billions of dollars in agricultural losses worldwide. Current control strategies rely heavily on male-specific attractants such as methyl eugenol, which are less effective against females, underscoring the need for female-targeted control approaches. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying female attraction to cis-linalool oxide by functionally characterizing the odorant receptor <i>OR45a</i>, identifying it as a molecular target for female-oriented pest management. We conducted spatiotemporal expression analysis of <i>OR45a</i> in response to cis-linalool oxide, followed by RNAi and behavioral assays. Phylogenetic analysis of OR45a orthologs from 10 Dipteran species, combined with structural topoInsectsOdorant Receptor &lt;i&gt;OR45a&lt;/i&gt; Mediates Female-Specific Attraction to &lt;i&gt;cis&lt;/i&gt;-Linalool Oxide in &lt;i&gt;Bactrocera dorsalis&lt;/i&gt;.PMC12653480RZ2500008301Wen JXiao LLu XWang SCao FMiao WLiang BfalseOdorant Receptor &lt;i&gt;OR45a&lt;/i&gt; Mediates Female-Specific Attraction to &lt;i&gt;cis&lt;/i&gt;-Linalool Oxide in &lt;i&gt;Bactrocera dorsalis&lt;/i&gt;.<i>Bactrocera dorsalis</i> Hendel is a devastating invasive pest that costs billions of dollars in agricultural losses worldwide. Current control strategies rely heavily on male-specific attractants such as methyl eugenol, which are less effective against females, underscoring the need for female-targeted control approaches. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying female attraction to cis-linalool oxide by functionally characterizing the odorant receptor <i>OR45a</i>, identifying it as a molecular target for female-oriented pest management. We conducted spatiotemporal expression analysis of <i>OR45a</i> in response to cis-linalool oxide, followed by RNAi and behavioral assays. Phylogenetic analysis of OR45a orthologs from 10 Dipteran species, combined with structural topo2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Nov2026-05-19T03:22:17.003Z2026-05-19T03:11:57.796ZS-EPMC126534804130288510.3390/insects16111139