Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

Olfaction plays a dominant role in the mate-finding and host selection behaviors of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella), an important pest of apple, pear and walnut orchards. Antennal transcriptome analysis (Bengtsson et al. 2012, Walker et al. 2016) revealed a number of abundantly expressed genes related to the moth olfactory system, including those encoding olfactory receptors (ORs), some of which belong to the putative pheromone receptor (PR) lineage, the co-receptor (CpomOrco) and Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels. Using heterologous expression, in both human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells and in Drosophila olfactory sensory neurons, coupled with calcium imaging and electrophysiological recording, respectively, we characterize the basic physiological and pharmacological properties of these receptors and demonstrate that they form functional ionotropic receptor channels. Molecular biological analysis of ORs and TRPs suggests that at least some receptors are expressed as a complex combination of splice-isoforms and their pattern may correlate with the expression of other ion channels.