Study of Natural Turpentine-Derived Molecules as Potential GOBP Target Indicators to Control <i>Plutella xylostella</i>

For rational control of <i>Plutella xylostella</i>, 23 target compounds from the natural product α-pinene were designed and synthesized, and the electroantennography and behavioral responses of adult <i>P. xylostella</i> affected by target compounds were evaluated. At a concentration of 500 μg/mL in the Y-tube olfactometer, compound <b>4a</b>_<b>2</b> had a lure rate of 74.26%, while compound <b>4a</b>_<b>11</b> had a repellent rate of 94.44%. Oviposition experiments showed that compound <b>4a</b>_<b>2</b> attracted egg-laying, whereas compound <b>4a</b>_<b>11</b> deterred it with effects varying by concentration. Real-time quantitative PCR verified that compounds <b>4a</b>_<b>2</b> and <b>4a</b>_<b>11</b> significantly altered the gene expression of the <i>Pxyl</i>GOBPs proteins. Competitive fluorescence binding assays further demonstrated the effective binding of compound <b>4a</b>_<b>11</b> to <i>Pxyl</i>GOBPs. The binding modes of compounds <b>4a</b>_<b>2</b> and <b>4a</b>_<b>11</b> with <i>Pxyl</i>GOBP1 and <i>Pxyl</i>GOBP2 were analyzed by molecular docking. This study illuminated on the derivation of volatile natural products for biological pest control using a "push-pull" strategy.