The Asian migratory locust (Oedaleus decorus asiaticus) is a major grassland pest in northern China, with outbreak dynamics closely linked to phase transition mediated by chemical communication. This study focused on a chemosensory protein, OasiCSP12, to explore its potential role in this process. We analyzed its expression patterns via qRT-PCR, purified the recombinant protein, and identified potential ligands through fluorescence competitive binding assays. Structural insights were gained through homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations, with binding energetics assessed using MM/PBSA. Results showed that OasiCSP12 expression is phase- and sex-specific, being significantly upregulated in gregarious adult antennae. The protein bound selectively to 15 locust body-surface volatiles, including aldehydes and esters. Its structure features a hydrophobic binding cavity where van der Waals interactions, primarily predicted to be mediated by residues Val86, Leu71, and Trp101, likely stabilize ligand complexes. These findings indicate that OasiCSP12 is potentially associated with both chemical perception and phase regulation in O. d. asiaticus, providing a candidate target for developing behavior-based green control strategies against this pest.
Xu et al. (Sat,) studied this question.