| Title: | Five types of olfactory receptor neurons in the strawberry blossom weevil Anthonomus rubi: selective responses to inducible host-plant volatiles |
| Author(s): | Bichao H; Borg-Karlson AK; Araujo J; Mustaparta H; |
| Address: | "Neuroscience Unit, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7489 Trondheim, Norway. Helena.Bichao@bio.ntnu.no" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0379-864X (Print) 0379-864X (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Plants release hundreds of volatiles that are important in the interaction with herbivorous animals, but which odorants are detected by which species? In this study, single receptor neurons on the antenna of the oligophagous strawberry blossom weevil Anthonomus rubi were screened for sensitivity to naturally produced plant compounds by the use of gas chromatography linked to electrophysiological recordings from single cells. The narrow tuning of the neurons was demonstrated by responses solely to a few structurally related sesquiterpenes, aromatics or monoterpene hydrocarbons out of hundreds of plant constituents tested. We present five olfactory receptor neuron types, identified according to one primary odorant i.e. the compound to which the neurons are most sensitive. These odorants, (-)-germacrene D, (-)-beta-caryophyllene, methyl salicylate, E-beta-ocimene and (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, present in the intact strawberry plant, are induced in higher amounts by weevil feeding. This suggests that these compounds can provide information about the presence of conspecifics. We used protocols especially designed to allow comparison with previously investigated species. Striking similarities, but also differences, are demonstrated between receptor neuron specificity in the strawberry weevil and moths" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Chromatography, Gas Electrophysiology Fragaria/*chemistry Microelectrodes Molecular Structure Oils, Volatile/*chemistry/pharmacology Olfactory Receptor Neurons/drug effects/*physiology Sensitivity and Specificity Volatilization Weevils/*physiology;neuroscience;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineBichao, Helena Borg-Karlson, Anna-Karin Araujo, Jorge Mustaparta, Hanna eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2005/02/11 Chem Senses. 2005 Feb; 30(2):153-70. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bji012" |
