Project Number: 5352-22000-017-35
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2008
End Date: Feb 28, 2010

Objective:
The long term goal of this project is to identify key proteins involved in the codling moth's ability to smell, taste, and regulate feeding and reproduction as targets for novel insect control compounds. In this proposed research project, I will clone and identify odorant and gustatory receptors from sensory tissues. Once the molecules that bind to the receptors are identified, a cell-based assay will be developed that can be used to identify strong agonist and antagonists that can be used in codling moth control programs. The specific objectives of this proposal include: 1) construct tissue specific cDNA pools from codling moth sensory organs; 2) sequence individual cDNA pools and perform computer searches to identify target receptors; 3) amplilfy potential receptors from cDNA pools using degenerate oligonucleotide primers; 4) clone target receptors into an expression system suitable for analysis in insect cell lines; 5) develop and implement assays to identify receptors for pheromones and kairomones used in codling moth control programs.

Approach:
Odorant and gustatory receptors are members of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. These receptor proteins have a conserved 7 transmembrane domain structure and are identified by this structural feature. I will take advantage of the 7 transmembrane domain structure to identify potential dormant and gustatory receptors in the codling moth. The following approach will be used: 1) isolate mRNA transcripts from codling moth sensory organs (transcripts should be highly enriched for our target receptors). The mRNA transcripts will be converted to cDNA for use in PCR analysis and direct pyrosequence analysis; 2) cDNA pools will be sequented from each of the target tissue or organ types and the generated DNA sequencees will be analyzed by computer searches against a database for identification. Those sequences that have a predicted 7 transmembrane domain structure will be further analyzed for predicted similarities to know odorant and gustatory receptors; 3) cDNA pools from each of the target tissue or organ types will also be used to amplify potential receptors using degenerate oligonuceotide primers designed from odorant and gustatory receptors identified in other insects; 4) potential odorant receptor clones isolated from each of the target tissue or organ types will be used in a cell based expression system to identify receptors for codling moth pheromones and kairomones. Potential gustatory receptor clones will be used in the assay system to identify potential taste receptors. Documents Reimbursable with CSREES. Log 38112.