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Chem Senses

Title:		"Structure-activity studies with pheromone-binding proteins of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar"
Author(s):		Honson N; Johnson MA; Oliver JE; Prestwich GD; Plettner E;
Address:		"Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby BC, Canada V5A 1S6"
Journal Title:		Chem Senses
Year:		2003
Volume:		28
Issue:		6
Page Number:		479 - 489
DOI:		10.1093/chemse/28.6.479
ISSN/ISBN:		0379-864X (Print) 0379-864X (Linking)
Abstract:		"Pheromone olfaction in the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, involves accurate distinction of compounds with similar structure and polarity. The identified sex pheromone is (7R,8S)-2-methyl-7,8-epoxyoctadecane, 1a, and a known antagonist is (7Z)-2-methyloctadec-7-ene, 4a. The first step in pheromone olfaction is binding of odorants by small, soluble pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs), found in the pheromone-sensing hairs. We have studied the molecular determinants recognized by the two PBPs found in the gypsy moth, using three pheromone/PBP binding assays. Results indicate that (i) PBPs bind analogs of the pheromone with some discrimination; (ii) PBPs experience enhancement of binding when presented with 1a or its enantiomer and 4a simultaneously; and (iii) the binding enhancement is also seen at high ligand:PBP ratios. We found no evidence of allostery, so the synergistic binding effects and the concentration effect may only be explained by multimerization of PBPs with each other, which leads to more than one population of binding sites. We suggest that the enhanced ligand binding at high ligand:PBP ratios may serve to sequester excess ligand and thereby attenuate very strong signals"
Keywords:		Alkanes/chemistry/metabolism Alkenes/metabolism Animals Carrier Proteins/*metabolism Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Insect Proteins/*metabolism Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins Ligands Moths/*metabolism/physiology Radioligand Assay Sex Attractant;
Notes:		"MedlineHonson, Nicolette Johnson, Margaret A Oliver, James E Prestwich, Glenn D Plettner, Erika eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2003/08/09 Chem Senses. 2003 Jul; 28(6):479-89. doi: 10.1093/chemse/28.6.479"