Chemical sensors identified in the genome of a moth
Food Futures Flagship researchers have identified many of the genes that give silkmoths their sense of smell.
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6 February 2007 | Updated 12 January 2012
A research team, including scientists from the Food Futures Flagship, has identified 41 olfactory receptor genes in the genome of the silk moth. This more than doubles the number of known lepidopteran olfactory receptor genes.
This research will expand the variety of sensor molecules available for developing improved electronic noses, which increases the range of odorants that will be detectable.
Electronic noses have many applications in food manufacturing and development.
Sensor molecules
A moth’s sense of smell responds to different types of volatile chemicals, such as from other insects, or chemicals found in food product.
Therefore, the work may also help scientists understand what attracts moths to lay their eggs on some host plants and not on others.
It does this by using sensor molecules on the ends of nerve cells.
These molecules react with the chemical in the air and trigger a response in the nerve cell.
Insects express between about 60 and 170 olfactory receptors compared with between 250 and 1 000 in mammals.
Identifying olfactory receptor genes is the first step in a process that links each olfactory receptor to the chemicals they can detect. Once this has been done, the receptors may be incorporated in an electronic nose to detect chemicals of that type.
Understanding moth behaviour
The research also showed that several of the newly identified genes are expressed in a sex-specific manner.
This makes them likely candidates for recognising host plant volatiles.
Therefore, the work may also help scientists understand what attracts moths to lay their eggs on some host plants and not on others.
Who was involved
The research was carried out by a team lead led for CSIRO by Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Alisha Anderson.
The team included scientists from:
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Wanner KW, Anderson AR, Trowell SC, Theilmann DA, Robertson HM, Newcomb RD. 2007. Female-biased expression of odourant receptor genes in the adult antennae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Insect molecular biology. 16: 107-119.
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