Title: Oral: Pheromone Binding to Pest Control: Investigating Olfaction Mechanisms in Ostrinia furnacalis

Understanding the molecular intricacies of pheromone binding and release in insects is paramount for developing innovative and eco-friendly pest control strategies. Pheromones are hydrophobic and volatile chemicals that are secreted by female insects to attract the male insects for mating. Pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) in the antennae of male insects serve a crucial role in transporting hydrophobic pheromone molecules to olfactory receptor neurons (ORN). This process enables male insects to locate a mate. Unraveling this mechanism opens the door to designing synthetic ligands that can compete with natural pheromones, confusing male pests and impeding their mating. Such an approach offers an effective pest mitigation strategy without the reliance on traditional pesticides.

The invasive agricultural pest, Ostrinia furnacalis, inflicts substantial damage to crops globally. The highly sensitive olfactory system in male O. furnacalis moths depends on pheromone detection facilitated by PBP. However, the intricate details of pheromone recognition, binding, and release by O. furnacalis PBP2 (OfurPBP2) remain largely unexplored. The current study focuses on the production of recombinant OfurPBP2 and its mutants through bacterial expression, and thereafter, various mechanistic analyses that help to elucidate its binding mechanism.