Olfactory gene expression asymmetry in insects

We investigated the relative contributions of the left (L) and right (R) antenna to insect odor navigation.We demonstrated that in moths, the right-antenna is especially important for the male to successfully locate a conspecific female. Then, after examining the levels of expression of specific protein gene families, such as odorant binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs), in the left and right antennae of adult moths, we discovered a frequent phenomenon of asymmetry in olfactory genes at the individual level. This finding raises the possibility that the precise asymmetry of OBP-OR expression in the L and R antennae may be essential for olfaction and behavioral performance in odor-guided tasks.