A CD36 ectodomain mediates insect pheromone detection via a putative tunnelling mechanism

Abstract

The CD36-related Sensory Neuron Membrane Protein 1 (SNMP1) facilitates pheromone detection by insect odorant receptors. Here Gomez-Diaz et al.show that the SNMP1 ectodomain is essential for function and propose that it forms a tunnel that transports pheromones from the extracellular fluid to their cognate receptors.