Abstract:

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are small soluble acidic proteins formed during long evolution and abundantly distributed in antennae, tarsi and other sensory appendages. Chemosensory proteins among insects are well conserved and the identity is generally 30%－90%. They are believed to be involved in chemical communication, including perception, identification, transport and transduction of semiochemicals from environment (including olfaction, taste and others) and may be associated with regulation of circadian rhythms and maturation of tissue or appendage. Recent advances in chemosensory proteins of insects are reviewed in this paper, including evolution significance, localization of distribution and expression, biochemical characteristics, molecular structure, physiological function and research methods. Clearly, further researches on chemosensory proteins are required, which are significant to elucidate the essence of insect behavior and semiochemicals, explore the new approach for pest management and utilization of beneficial insects, and develop new insect behavior regulators.

Key words: Insects, chemosensory, chemosensory proteins, semiochemicals, insect behavior