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The expression patterns of SNMP1 and SNMP2 underline distinct functions of two CD36-related proteins in the olfactory system of the tobacco budworm Heliothis virescens

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Abstract

In insects, male and female pheromone signals are detected by olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing the “sensory neuron membrane protein type 1”. SNMP1 is supposed to function as a co-receptor involved in the transfer of pheromones to adjacent pheromone receptors. In the moth Heliothis virescens, we previously found OSNs that project their dendrites into pheromone-responsive trichoid sensilla and are associated with cells containing transcripts for the HvirSNMP1-related protein HvirSNMP2. Like HvirSNMP1, HvirSNMP2 belongs to the CD36-family of two-transmembrane domain receptors and transporters for lipophilic compounds, but its role in the olfactory system is unknown. Here, we generated polyclonal anti-peptide antibodies against HvirSNMP2 as well as HvirSNMP1 and conducted an in-depth immunohistochemical analysis of their subcellular localization in the antenna of both sexes. In line with a function in pheromone detection, HvirSNMP1 was immunodetected in the somata and the dendrites of distinct OSNs in subsets of trichoid sensilla. These trichoid sensilla contained only one α-SNMP1-positive OSN in males and clusters of 2–3 labeled cells in females. In contrast, experiments with α-SNMP2-antibodies revealed a broad labeling of non-neuronal support cells (SCs) that are associated with OSNs in likely all trichoid and basiconic sensilla of the antenna with no differences between sexes. Detailed confocal microscope examinations of olfactory sensilla revealed SNMP2-like immunoreactivity close to the apical membrane of SCs and interestingly inside the sensillum. Together, these findings indicate a potential function of SNMP2 in pheromone- as well as general odorant-responsive sensilla and a role fundamentally different from SNMP1.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the insect rearing unit at Bayer CropScience AG Frankfurt for providing Heliothis virescens pupae. Doreen Sander is acknowledged for excellent technical assistance.

Funding

This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, SPP1392 by a grant to J.K. (KR1786/4-2).

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  1. Stefanie Blankenburg

    Present address: NutriAct-Competence Cluster Nutrition Research Berlin-Potsdam, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 14558, Nuthetal, Germany

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  1. Institute of Biology/Zoology, Department of Animal Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany

    Stefanie Blankenburg, Sina Cassau & Jürgen Krieger

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  1. Stefanie Blankenburg
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Blankenburg, S., Cassau, S. & Krieger, J. The expression patterns of SNMP1 and SNMP2 underline distinct functions of two CD36-related proteins in the olfactory system of the tobacco budworm Heliothis virescens. Cell Tissue Res 378, 485–497 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-019-03066-y

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