Odorant-binding proteins in vertebrates and insects: similarities and possible common function

Abstract

Among the various chemoreception systems, pheromone perception in insects provides perhaps the best biochemical model for comparing with olfaction in vertebrates. The proteins recently identified in the two systems are reviewed and their characteristics are compared with particular reference to the soluble odorant-binding and pheromone-binding proteins that are present in large concentrations in both systems. Hypotheses about the functions of these binding proteins in modulating the olfactory signals are reported and discussed.