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Bezerra-Santos MA, Benelli G, Germinara GS, Volf P, Otranto D. Smelly interactions: host-borne volatile organic compounds triggering behavioural responses in mosquitoes, sand flies, and ticks. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:227. [PMID: 38755646 PMCID: PMC11100076 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06299-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals emitted as products of cell metabolism, which reflects the physiological and pathological conditions of any living organisms. These compounds play a key role as olfactory cues for arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, sand flies, and ticks, which act in the transmission of pathogens to many animal species, including humans. Some VOCs may influence arthropod behaviour, e.g., host preference and oviposition site selection for gravid females. Furthermore, deadly vector-borne pathogens such as Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania infantum are suggested to manipulate the VOCs profile of the host to make them more attractive to mosquitoes and sand fly vectors, respectively. Under the above circumstances, studies on these compounds have demonstrated their potential usefulness for investigating the behavioural response of mosquitoes, sand flies, and ticks toward their vertebrate hosts, as well as potential tools for diagnosis of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Herein, we provide an account for scientific data available on VOCs to study the host seeking behaviour of arthropod vectors, and their usefulness as attractants, repellents, or tools for an early diagnosis of VBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Liggri PGV, Pérez-Garrido A, Tsitsanou KE, Dileep KV, Michaelakis A, Papachristos DP, Pérez-Sánchez H, Zographos SE. 2D finger-printing and molecular docking studies identified potent mosquito repellents targeting odorant binding protein 1. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023:103961. [PMID: 37217081 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Personal protection measures against the mosquitoes like the use of repellents constitute valuable tools in the effort to prevent the transmission of vector-borne diseases. Therefore, the discovery of novel repellent molecules which will be effective at lower concentrations and provide a longer duration of protection remains an urgent need. Mosquito Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) involved in the initial steps of the olfactory signal transduction cascade have been recognized not only as passive carriers of odors and pheromones but also as the first molecular filter to discriminate semiochemicals, hence serving as molecular targets for the design of novel pest control agents. Among the three-dimensional structures of mosquito OBPs solved in the last decades, the OBP1 complexes with known repellents have been widely used as reference structures in docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulation studies for the structure-based discovery of new molecules with repellent activity. Herein, ten compounds known to be active against mosquitoes and/or displaying a binding affinity for Anopheles gambiae AgamOBP1 were used as queries in an in silico screening of over 96 million chemical samples in order to detect molecules with structural similarity. Further filtering of the acquired hits on the basis of toxicity, vapor pressure, and commercial availability resulted in 120 unique molecules that were subjected to molecular docking studies against OBP1. For seventeen potential OBP1-binders, the free energy of binding (FEB) and mode of interaction with the protein were further estimated by molecular docking simulations leading to the selection of eight molecules exhibiting the highest similarity with their parental compounds and favorable energy values. The in vitro determination of their binding affinity to AgamOBP1 and the evaluation of their repellent activity against female Aedes albopictus mosquitoes revealed that our combined ligand similarity screening and OBP1 structure-based molecular docking successfully detected three molecules with enhanced repellent properties. A novel DEET-like repellent with lower volatility (8.55 × 10-4 mmHg) but a higher binding affinity for OBP1 than DEET (1.35 × 10-3 mmHg). A highly active repellent molecule that is predicted to bind to the secondary Icaridin (sIC)-binding site of OBP1 with higher affinity than to the DEET-site and, therefore, represents a new scaffold to be exploited for the discovery of binders targeting multiple OBP sites. Finally, a third potent repellent exhibiting a high degree of volatility was found to be a strong DEET-site binder of OBP1 that could be used in slow-release formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota G V Liggri
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635, Athens, Greece; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Alfonso Pérez-Garrido
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), 30107, Spain
| | - Katerina E Tsitsanou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635, Athens, Greece
| | - Kalarickal V Dileep
- Laboratory for Computational and Structural Biology, Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, 680005, India
| | - Antonios Michaelakis
- Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, 8 S Delta Str. 14561, Kifissia, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios P Papachristos
- Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, 8 S Delta Str. 14561, Kifissia, Athens, Greece
| | - Horacio Pérez-Sánchez
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), 30107, Spain.
| | - Spyros E Zographos
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635, Athens, Greece.
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Boonyuan W, Tisgratog R, Ahebwa A, Leepasert T, Thanispong K, Chareonviriyaphap T. Spatial repellency and attractancy responses of some chemical lures against Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Anopheles minimus (Diptera: Culicidae) using the high-throughput screening system. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023:7160368. [PMID: 37167551 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated the behavioral responses of Aedes albopictus and Anopheles minimus to 3 isovaleric acid and lactic acid-based chemical lure blends and 2 individual alcohols, using Spatial Repellency Assay in a high-throughput screening system (HITSS). Five doses of 0.0002, 0.001, 0.0025, 0.005, and 0.01 g were tested per lure. A BG-lure was used as a reference standard. After 10-min exposure, the number of mosquitoes moving toward or away from the treated chamber was calculated. The results showed that all lures were repellent against Ae. albopictus except for Lure-4 (4% w/v isovaleric acid + 2% w/v lactic acid + 0.0025% w/v myristic acid + 2.5% w/v ammonium hydroxide) which showed a nonsignificant attractancy at the lowest dose. Significantly high spatial repellency was observed at the highest dose of all the tested lures including BG-lure. Lure-2 (isoamyl alcohol) was significantly repellent at all the tested doses. Against An. minimus, Lure-5 (0.02% w/v isovaleric acid + 2% w/v lactic acid) showed significant spatial repellency while Lure-4 was significantly attractant, at all the tested doses. All lures, except Lure-4, showed strong spatial repellency at high doses and attractancy or weak spatial repellency at the lowest dose of 0.0002 g. In summary, our study demonstrated that spatial repellency and attractancy of the tested lures were influenced by both the dose tested and the mosquito species. Lure-2 and Lure-4 are potential spatial repellents and attractants, respectively, for malaria and dengue vectors. However, further studies are necessary to confirm these results at a semifield and open field level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasana Boonyuan
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (Public Organization), Ongkharak, Nakhon Nayok 26120, Thailand
| | - Rungarun Tisgratog
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Alex Ahebwa
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Theerachart Leepasert
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Kanutcharee Thanispong
- Bureau of Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
| | - Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Royal Society of Thailand, Thailand
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Abstract
Among the many wonders of nature, the sense of smell of the fly Drosophila melanogaster might seem, at first glance, of esoteric interest. Nevertheless, for over a century, the 'nose' of this insect has been an extraordinary system to explore questions in animal behaviour, ecology and evolution, neuroscience, physiology and molecular genetics. The insights gained are relevant for our understanding of the sensory biology of vertebrates, including humans, and other insect species, encompassing those detrimental to human health. Here, I present an overview of our current knowledge of D. melanogaster olfaction, from molecules to behaviours, with an emphasis on the historical motivations of studies and illustration of how technical innovations have enabled advances. I also highlight some of the pressing and long-term questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Benton
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Kritsi E, Liggri PGV, Stamati ECV, Tsitsanou KE, Zographos SE, Michaelakis A, Papachristos D, Zoumpoulakis P. A Combined Computational Methodology for the Discovery of Hit Compounds with Putative Insect Repellency Properties. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200271. [PMID: 35754000 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes and other hematophagous arthropods, the primary vectors of multiple parasites and viruses, are responsible for the transmission of serious diseases to humans. Nowadays, the interest is focused on the development of novel repellents to the existing ones with advanced properties. The present study attempts the discovery of novel hit compounds which may evolve as insect repellents using a combined computational methodology targeting the Odorant Binding Protein 1 (OBP1). The in silico results indicated two compounds, namely coniferyl alcohol and 1,2-diphenyl-2-propanol, which were further evaluated (a) in vitro for their binding affinity to AgamOBP1 and (b) in vivo using dose-depended repellence tests against the aggressive-day biting Aedes albopictus. The combination of in vitro and in vivo results pointed that coniferyl alcohol and 1,2-diphenyl-2-propanol exhibited high binding affinity over OBP1 with 69.4 and 84.7 nM, respectively as well as efficient repellent activity. Compounds were also tested for their dose-depended repellency activity in vivo against Aedes albopictus. Overall, the selected compounds can serve as scaffolds for the development of novel repellents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eftichia Kritsi
- National Hellenic Research Foundation Institute of Chemical Biology: Ethniko Idryma Ereunon Institouto Chemikes Biologias, Chemical Biology, GREECE
| | - Panagiota G V Liggri
- National Hellenic Research Foundation Institute of Chemical Biology: Ethniko Idryma Ereunon Institouto Chemikes Biologias, Chemical Biology, GREECE
| | - Evgenia C V Stamati
- National Hellenic Research Foundation Institute of Chemical Biology: Ethniko Idryma Ereunon Institouto Chemikes Biologias, Chemical Biology, GREECE
| | - Katerina E Tsitsanou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation Institute of Chemical Biology: Ethniko Idryma Ereunon Institouto Chemikes Biologias, Chemical Biology, GREECE
| | - Spyros E Zographos
- National Hellenic Research Foundation Institute of Chemical Biology: Ethniko Idryma Ereunon Institouto Chemikes Biologias, Chemical Biology, GREECE
| | - Antonios Michaelakis
- Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, GREECE
| | - Dimitrios Papachristos
- Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, GREECE
| | - Panagiotis Zoumpoulakis
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, Vas. Constantinou 48, 11635, Athens, GREECE
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Sims C, Birkett MA, Withall DM. Enantiomeric Discrimination in Insects: The Role of OBPs and ORs. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040368. [PMID: 35447810 PMCID: PMC9030700 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction is a complex recognition process that is critical for chemical communication in insects. Though some insect species are capable of discrimination between compounds that are structurally similar, little is understood about how this high level of discrimination arises. Some insects rely on discriminating between enantiomers of a compound, demonstrating an ability for highly selective recognition. The role of two major peripheral olfactory proteins in insect olfaction, i.e., odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs) has been extensively studied. OBPs and ORs have variable discrimination capabilities, with some found to display highly specialized binding capability, whilst others exhibit promiscuous binding activity. A deeper understanding of how odorant-protein interactions induce a response in an insect relies on further analysis such as structural studies. In this review, we explore the potential role of OBPs and ORs in highly specific recognition, specifically enantiomeric discrimination. We summarize the state of research into OBP and OR function and focus on reported examples in the literature of clear enantiomeric discrimination by these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie Sims
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (C.S.); (M.A.B.)
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Michael A. Birkett
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (C.S.); (M.A.B.)
| | - David M. Withall
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (C.S.); (M.A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)-1582-938201
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Sims C, Withall DM, Oldham N, Stockman R, Birkett M. Computational investigation of aphid odorant receptor structure and binding function. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 41:3647-3658. [PMID: 35352606 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2053743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Odorant receptors (OR) play a critical role in signal transduction and olfactory recognition in insects. Unfortunately, insect ORs are difficult to express and purify, and limited structural data are available. Computational methods were used to predict models for aphid ORs, and binding interactions with aphid pheromones and other semiochemicals were investigated. Previously functionally characterised ORs from the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, ApisOR4 and ApisOR5, were screened against functional ligands. ApisOR5 had a defined binding site, and had predicted interactions with the aphid alarm pheromone, (E)-β-farnesene. ApisOR4 had multiple distinct binding sites and showed broad tuning to multiple odorants. Screening of six other highly conserved ORs showed some interactions and potential enantiomeric discrimination between the aphid sex pheromone components (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone and (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol. These results indicate that specific binding sites may be more critical to understanding olfactory activity of ligands and ORs than kinetic data, and greater knowledge of the method of action of ORs is required.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie Sims
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK.,School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - David M Withall
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Neil Oldham
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Robert Stockman
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Michael Birkett
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
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Quality Control Methods for Aedes albopictus Sterile Male Transportation. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020179. [PMID: 35206755 PMCID: PMC8878208 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Genetic based mosquito control methods have been gaining ground in recent years for their potential to achieve effective suppression or replacement of vector populations without hampering environments or causing any public health risk. These methods require the mass rearing of the target species in large facilities sized to produce millions of sterile males, as already well established for a number of insects of agricultural importance. Assessing the performance of released males in Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) control programs is of the utmost importance for the success of the operation. Besides the negative effects of mass rearing and sterilization, the handling of sterilized insects and shipment to distant areas may also negatively impact the quality of sterilized males. The aim of the current study was to design and executive quality control (QC) tests for sterilized Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) males delivered by air shipment from the mass production facility located in Italy to Greece and Montenegro field release sites. Mass reared mosquito strains were based on biological materials received from Italy, Greece and Montenegro. Tests conducted at the mass rearing facility before transportation revealed a rather high residual female contamination following mechanical sex separation (approximately 1.5% females, regardless of the mosquito strain). Irradiated males of all three mosquito strains induced high levels of sterility to females. Shipment lasting approximately 24 h resulted in approximately 15% mortality, while when shipment lasted nearly two days this increased to almost 40%. The flight ability of sterilized males following one day transportation time was satisfactory (over 60%). The response of sterile males to food and water starvation was comparable and slightly lower than that of wild non-transported males. Longevity of sterile males was shorter than that of wild counterparts and it seems it was not affected by mating to wild females. Both mating propensity and mating competitiveness for wild virgin females was higher for the wild, control males compared to the sterile, transported ones. Overall, the performance of sterile male Ae. albopictus delivered from the mass rearing facility of Italy to Greece in approximately 24 h was satisfactory. Transportation lasting two days or longer incurred detrimental effects on males, which called into question the outcome of the SIT release programs. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the need of quality control procedures, especially when sterile male production facilities are not near to the releasing point. Transportation could be a serious drawback for the implementation of Sterile Insect Releases and, consequently, it is important to establish an efficient and fast transportation of sterilized males in advance.
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