{
  "abstract": "Clustered odorant-binding protein (OBP) genes are observed across insect species, yet the functional principles governing their organization remain elusive. Here, we identify a lineage-specific expansion to 62 OBPs in the generalist egg parasitoid wasp Anastatus japonicus, predominantly organized as tandem arrays on chromosome 4. Focusing on a representative cluster of four tandem duplicates (AjapOBP16–19), integrative analyses reveal this quartet as a partially differentiated chemosensory unit. AjapOBP16/18 show specialized binding toward specific sesquiterpenoids, AjapOBP19 exhibits broad-spectrum binding with preference for aromatics, and AjapOBP17 displays only moderate to low affinity for all tested ligands. This functional divergence is rooted in distinct binding-pocket architectures. Key ligands identified including β-caryophyllene trigger dose-dependent antennal responses and elicit behavioral attraction. RNAi-mediated knockdown confirms that AjapOBP16/18 are collectively required for β-caryophyllene recognition. Our findings reveal that tandem OBP clusters can evolve as cooperative yet partially differentiated modules, providing insights into how gene duplication shapes insect olfaction.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticides, Guizhou University",
    "Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences",
    "Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Hai-Xia Zhan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Rui Tang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Guy Smagghe"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yi Li"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lian-Sheng Zang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cmde5m32848qr.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1038/s42003-026-10649-3",
  "fulltext_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-10649-3",
  "id": "cmde5m32848qr",
  "issns": [
    "2399-3642"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-10649-3",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "QH301-705.5"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2804|Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7168038833",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-026-10649-3_reference.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-07-01",
  "publisher": "Nature Portfolio",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cmde5m32848qr.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-08T14:21:02Z",
      "native_id": "06eed3bf528049c581a9fe6761c4ed52",
      "source": "doaj",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-10649-3"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:2804|Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research",
      "subfield": "neuroscience"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Tandem duplication has enabled functional differentiation in an olfactory gene cluster of Anastatus japonicus",
  "title_text": "Tandem duplication has enabled functional differentiation in an olfactory gene cluster of Anastatus japonicus",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-08T14:21:02Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cmde5m32848qr",
  "venue": "Communications Biology",
  "versions": []
}