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Current and potential biotechnological applications of odorant-binding proteins

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Abstract

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are small soluble proteins whose biological function is believed to be facilitating olfaction by assisting the transport of volatile chemicals in both vertebrate and insect sensory organs, where they are secreted. Their capability to interact with a broad range of hydrophobic compounds combined with interesting features such as being small, stable, and easy to produce and modify, makes them suitable targets for applied research in various industrial segments, including textile, cosmetic, pesticide, and pharmaceutical, as well as for military, environmental, health, and security field applications. In addition to reviewing already established biotechnological applications of OBPs, this paper also discusses their potential use in prospecting of new technologies. The development of new products for insect population management is currently the most prevailing use for OBPs, followed by biosensor technology, an area that has recently seen a significant increase in studies evaluating their incorporation into sensing devices. Finally, less typical approaches include applications in anchorage systems and analytical tools.

Key points

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) present desired characteristics for applied research.

OBPs are mainly used for developing new products for insect population control.

Incorporation of OBPs into chemosensory devices is a growing area of study.

Less conventional uses for OBPs include anchorage systems and analytical purposes.

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Funding

This study was supported by grants from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM/CNPq), Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. No additional external funding was received for this study.

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Contributions

A.C.A.M. and N.F.B. conceived the presented concept for a review article. N.F.B. was responsible for bibliographic search, critical discussion, article design, illustrations and writing of the manuscript. D.S.O. and T.C.S. contributed to article design, writing and bibliographic enrichment. A.C.A.M. and M.F.M. contributed with critical discussion and provided writing support. All authors provided input, read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Claudia A. Melo.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Brito, N.F., Oliveira, D.S., Santos, T.C. et al. Current and potential biotechnological applications of odorant-binding proteins. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 104, 8631–8648 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-020-10860-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-020-10860-0

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