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<p>Clustered odorant-binding protein (OBP) genes are observed across insect species, yet the functional principles governing their organization remain elusive. Here, we identify a lineage-specific expansion to 62 <i>OBP</i>s in the generalist egg parasitoid wasp <i>Anastatus japonicus</i>, predominantly organized as tandem arrays on chromosome 4. Focusing on a representative cluster of four tandem duplicates (<i>AjapOBP16–19</i>), integrative analyses reveal this quartet as a partially differentiated chemosensory unit. AjapOBP16/18 show specialized binding toward specific sesquiterpenoids, AjapOBP19 exhibits broad-spectrum binding with preference for aromatics, and AjapOBP17 displays only moderate to low affinity for all tested ligands. This functional divergence is rooted in distinct binding-pocket architectures. Key ligands identified including <i>β</i>-caryophyllene trigger dose-dependent antennal responses and elicit behavioral attraction. RNAi-mediated knockdown confirms that AjapOBP16/18 are collectively required for <i>β</i>-caryophyllene recognition. Our findings reveal that tandem OBP clusters can evolve as cooperative yet partially differentiated modules, providing insights into how gene duplication shapes insect olfaction.</p>

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Tandem duplication has enabled functional differentiation in an olfactory gene cluster of Anastatus japonicus

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月11日

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  • Hai-Xia Zhan,
  • Rui Tang,
  • Guy Smagghe,
  • Yi Li,
  • Lian-Sheng Zang

摘要

Clustered odorant-binding protein (OBP) genes are observed across insect species, yet the functional principles governing their organization remain elusive. Here, we identify a lineage-specific expansion to 62 OBPs in the generalist egg parasitoid wasp Anastatus japonicus, predominantly organized as tandem arrays on chromosome 4. Focusing on a representative cluster of four tandem duplicates (AjapOBP16–19), integrative analyses reveal this quartet as a partially differentiated chemosensory unit. AjapOBP16/18 show specialized binding toward specific sesquiterpenoids, AjapOBP19 exhibits broad-spectrum binding with preference for aromatics, and AjapOBP17 displays only moderate to low affinity for all tested ligands. This functional divergence is rooted in distinct binding-pocket architectures. Key ligands identified including β-caryophyllene trigger dose-dependent antennal responses and elicit behavioral attraction. RNAi-mediated knockdown confirms that AjapOBP16/18 are collectively required for β-caryophyllene recognition. Our findings reveal that tandem OBP clusters can evolve as cooperative yet partially differentiated modules, providing insights into how gene duplication shapes insect olfaction.