Gohl Thomas, Krieger Jürgen
Institute of Physiology (230), University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
Invert Neurosci. 2006 Mar;6(1):13-21. doi: 10.1007/s10158-005-0012-9. Epub 2006 Jan 10.
Pheromone recognition in insects is thought to involve distinct receptor proteins in the dendritic membrane of antennal sensory neurons. We have generated antibodies directed against a peptide derived from the sequence of the candidate pheromone receptor HR13 from Heliothis virescens. The antibodies specifically labelled the cell bodies of a distinct neuron population housed in male-specific pheromone-sensitive sensilla. Combining antibody staining with in situ hybridization the reactive cells were found to express the HR13 gene. In addition, dendrites projecting into sensilla hairs as well as the axonal processes of immunoreactive cells were labelled. Labelling of axons has allowed visualization of their fasciculation within antennal segments and permits tracking of axons as they merge into the antennal nerve. The HR13 protein was first detected 1 day before eclosion. Thus, the distribution of HR13 protein in the antennal neurons of the male moth strongly suggests a role of the HR13 receptor in recognition of pheromones.
昆虫中的信息素识别被认为涉及触角感觉神经元树突膜中的独特受体蛋白。我们已经制备了针对源自烟芽夜蛾候选信息素受体HR13序列的一种肽的抗体。这些抗体特异性标记了存在于雄性特异性信息素敏感感器中的一个独特神经元群体的细胞体。将抗体染色与原位杂交相结合，发现反应性细胞表达HR13基因。此外，伸入感器毛的树突以及免疫反应性细胞的轴突也被标记。轴突的标记使得能够观察它们在触角节段内的成束情况，并允许追踪轴突汇入触角神经的过程。HR13蛋白在羽化前1天首次被检测到。因此，HR13蛋白在雄蛾触角神经元中的分布强烈表明HR13受体在信息素识别中发挥作用。
