Identification and Functional Disparity of Pheromone-Binding Proteins from Tomato Leafminer <i>Tuta absoluta</i> in Detection of Sex Pheromone Components

Studies on the olfactory sensory systems of pests have substantial theoretical potential for the development of eco-friendly control strategies. <i>Tuta absoluta</i> (Meyrick, 1917), one of the most damaging invasive pests of Solanaceae crops, has limited research on its sex pheromone recognition mechanism. In the present study, five PBPs, including three PBP1, PBP2, and PBP3, were identified in <i>T. absoluta</i>. Four TabsPBPs were predominantly expressed in the antennae of male moths, of which TabsPBP1.1 had a strong and similar binding affinity to sex pheromones (3<i>E</i>,8<i>Z</i>,11<i>Z</i>)-tetradecatrien-1-yl acetate (TDTA) and (3<i>E</i>,8<i>Z</i>)-tetradecadien-1-yl acetate (TDDA), and TabsPBP3 had a stronger binding affinity to TDDA than the primary sex pheromone component TDTA. TabsPBP1.3 did not show a sex-biased expression pattern in the antennae, but showed binding affinity to sex pheromones and the host plant volatile terpinolen. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted the key active sites for the binding of TabsPBPs to sex pheromones. TabsPBP1.1/1.3/3 could serve as potential targets for the development of attractants or repellents.