Molecular features and expression profiles of octopamine receptors in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens.

BACKGROUND: Octopamine, the invertebrate counterpart of adrenaline and noradrenaline, regulates and modulates many physiological and behavioral processes in insects. It mediates its effects by binding to specific octopamine receptors, which belonging to the superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). The expression profiles of octopamine receptor genes have been well documented in different developmental stages and multiple tissue types in several different insect orders. However, little work has addressed this issue in Hemiptera.

RESULTS: In this study, we cloned four octopamine receptor genes from brown planthopper. The deduced amino acid sequences share highly identity with other insect homologue and have the characteristic GPCRs domain architecture: seven transmembrane domains. These genes were expressed in all developmental stages and examined tissues. The expression of NlOA2B3 and NlOA3 was relatively higher in egg and 1st instar nymph stage than in other stages and other receptor genes. All of these receptor genes was highly expressed in brain than other tissues.

CONCLUSION: The identification of octopamine receptor genes in this study will provide a foundation for investigating the diverse roles played by NlOARs and for exploring specific target sites for chemicals that control agricultural pests. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.