Olfaction plays a critical role in mediating environmental chemical signals to affect behavior. Locusts are voracious feeders that can cause substantial agricultural and environmental damage. Here, we have identified 3473 proteins in the antennal proteome of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria. Comparative analysis of sex variation in the antennal proteomes of male and female locusts using iTRAQ proteomics identified 260 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs). In relation to olfaction, 29 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 9 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), 31 odorant receptors (ORs), and 8 ionotropic receptors (IRs) were identified, in the male and female antennal proteomes. Two new previously undescribed CSP proteins were identified in antennae and the expression of their respective gene coding sequences verified. In addition, sex-biased proteins were found significantly enriched in melanogenesis and riboflavin metabolism in males and in ribosome and metabolic pathways in females. The sex- and tissue-specific gene expression profiles of 29 CSPs, 31 ORs and 8 IRs were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), revealing distinct pattern of expression or these genes in different locust tissues including the antennae, legs, wing, and palps. Our data identify sex-biased antennal proteome profiles and indicate expression of putative olfaction genes in tissues beyond the antennae. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Little is known concerning sexual dimorphism in olfaction related processes at the level of the antennal proteome of insects. Using iTRAQ-based proteomic analyses the protein repertoire of the antennae of male and female locusts were determined. These data show sex-specific differences, identifying a subset of proteins, including two novel CSPs, that likely help define male versus female olfactory responses that contributes to our understanding of chemoreception and downstream behavioral consequences. The characterization of antennal and related olfactory proteins identifies potential biomarkers that can contribute to the development of control strategies against locusts and orthologous insect pests.

中文翻译：

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蝗虫触角蛋白质组的性别特异性变异。

嗅觉在介导环境化学信号影响行为方面起着至关重要的作用。蝗虫是贪食者，会造成严重的农业和环境破坏。在这里，我们已经在游蝗蝗的触角蛋白质组中鉴定出3473种蛋白质。使用iTRAQ蛋白质组学对雄性和雌性蝗虫触角蛋白质组的性别变异进行比较分析，鉴定出260种差异丰富的蛋白质（DAP）。关于嗅觉，在雄性和雌性触角蛋白质组中鉴定出29种化学感觉蛋白（CSP），9种气味结合蛋白（OBP），31种气味受体（OR）和8种离子受体（IR）。在触角中鉴定出两个新的先前未描述的CSP蛋白，并验证了它们各自基因编码序列的表达。此外，发现性别偏爱的蛋白质显着丰富了男性的黑色素生成和核黄素代谢，以及女性的核糖体和代谢途径。通过定量实时PCR（qRT-PCR）研究了29个CSP，31个OR和8个IR的性别和组织特异性基因表达谱，揭示了不同蝗虫组织（包括触角，腿）中这些基因的表达模式，机翼和手掌。我们的数据确定了性别偏向的触角蛋白质组概况，并表明触角以外组织中假定的嗅觉基因的表达。生物学意义：关于昆虫触角蛋白质组水平上嗅觉相关过程中的性二态性知之甚少。使用基于iTRAQ的蛋白质组学分析方法确定了雄性和雌性蝗虫触角的蛋白质组成。这些数据显示出特定于性别的差异，识别出包括两个新型CSP在内的蛋白质子集，这可能有助于定义男性和女性的嗅觉反应，有助于我们对化学感受和下游行为后果的理解。触角和相关嗅觉蛋白的特征鉴定了潜在的生物标记物，这些标记物可有助于开发针对蝗虫和直系同源害虫的控制策略。