Odorant-binding proteins from the mosquito, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae): exploring genome for practical applications

Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) constitute a multigenic family involved in the reception of odorants. We have identified in the genome of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus a large group of genes encoding of “OBP-like” proteins. Tissue-specificity and RT-PCR studies suggest the existence of different functional classes within the mosquito OBP family. Most genes were detected in chemosensory as well as non chemosensory tissues indicating that they might be “encapsulins”, but not necessarily olfactory proteins. On the other hand, thirteen “true” OBP genes were detected exclusively in olfactory tissues and are likely to be involved in the detection of “key” stimuli for chemical communication in Cx. p. quinquefasciatus. Functional characterization of olfactory-specific OBPs may open the door for a reverse chemical ecology approach aimed at developing new Culex mosquitoes attractants.