Abstract: 【Aim】 The aim of this study is to explore the gene expression profiles and ligand binding characteristics of the chemosensory protein AipsCSP8 of Agrotis ipsilon. 【Methods】 The expression levels of AipsCSP8 in the head, thorax, abdomen, leg, wing, pheromone gland (accessory gland), antenna, proboscis and labial palp of adults of A. ipsilon and the antennae of adults before and after emergence were determined by qRT-PCR. The recombinant protein AipsCSP8 was harvested by in vitro prokaryotic expression system, and its binding characteristics to 24 sex pheromones, 22 plant volatiles and 10 chemical pesticides were determined by fluorescence binding assay. 【Results】 The qRT-PCR results indicated that the expression level of AipsCSP8 was the highest in the leg and labial palp of male adults, followed by in the accessory gland and the antenna of male adults. While in female adults, the expression level of AipsCSP8 was the highest in the antenna, followed by in the leg, pheromone gland and labial palp. In addition, the expression levels of AipsCSP8 in the antennae of males and females reached the peak on the 1st day before emergence and on the day of emergence, respectively. The results of fluorescence competitive binding assay showed that AipsCSP8 had strong binding capabilities with dibutyl phthalate, phenylacetaldehyde and avermectin, with the dissociation constant Ki values of 14.6, 17.2 and 12.9 μmol/L, respectively. 【Conclusion】 AipsCSP8 may be involved in the olfactory behavior and taste recognition of A. ipsilon and play a role in the perception of chemical pesticides.

Key words:  Agrotis ipsilon; chemosensory protein, spatio-temporal expression profile, prokaryotic expression, odor binding characteristics, chemoreception