Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) play central roles in insect chemoreception and represent attractive molecular targets for the discovery of novel behavior-modifying compounds. We report two crystal structures of Anopheles gambiae OBP4: one complexed with the fluorescent probe N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine and a second containing two indole molecules simultaneously bound within the ligand-binding cavity. Structural comparison revealed two binding subsites accommodating the aromatic moieties of 1-NPN or two indole molecules, while identifying Thr58 and Thr70 as key residues in ligand recognition. A structure-based virtual screening campaign was performed against a volatility-filtered library from DrugBank, FooDB, BioNet, and natural-volatiles datasets. Twenty-three ligands were selected for fluorescence competitive binding assays, identifying four AgamOBP4 binders with micromolar affinities (Ki = 2.4-21.8 M). Among them were benzoyl peroxide, an active anti-acne ingredient, Avex-73 (blarcamesine), a clinical-stage drug candidate, and 2-phenylethyl benzoate, a food- and fragrance-associated ester. Additional candidates include O,p'-DDE, a metabolite of the insecticide DDT, and fluorene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon detected in foods as environmental or processing-derived contaminants. Seven selected compounds were subsequently evaluated against Aedes albopictus in in-vivo behavioral assays, with benzoyl peroxide displaying the highest repellency (RI = 81.8% at 0.2 mg cm-2). AI-based protein-ligand modeling provided insights into ligand recognition and suggested relationships among binding mode, binding affinity, and bioactivity. Collectively, these findings establish the structural basis of ligand recognition by AgamOBP4, highlight the potential of drug-repurposing and food-derived chemical space as sources of next-generation mosquito repellents, and open new opportunities for the development of OBP4-based biosensors for food-quality and environmental monitoring applications.

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) play central roles in insect chemoreception and represent attractive molecular targets for the discovery of novel behavior-modifying compounds. We report two crystal structures of Anopheles gambiae OBP4: one complexed with the fluorescent probe N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine and a second containing two indole molecules simultaneously bound within the ligand-binding cavity. Structural comparison revealed two binding subsites accommodating the aromatic moieties of 1-NPN or two indole molecules, while identifying Thr58 and Thr70 as key residues in ligand recognition. A structure-based virtual screening campaign was performed against a volatility-filtered library from DrugBank, FooDB, BioNet, and natural-volatiles datasets. Twenty-three ligands were selected for fluorescence competitive binding assays, identifying four AgamOBP4 binders with micromolar affinities (Ki = 2.4-21.8 M). Among them were benzoyl peroxide, an active anti-acne ingredient, Avex-73 (blarcamesine), a clinical-stage drug candidate, and 2-phenylethyl benzoate, a food- and fragrance-associated ester. Additional candidates include O,p'-DDE, a metabolite of the insecticide DDT, and fluorene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon detected in foods as environmental or processing-derived contaminants. Seven selected compounds were subsequently evaluated against Aedes albopictus in in-vivo behavioral assays, with benzoyl peroxide displaying the highest repellency (RI = 81.8% at 0.2 mg cm-2). AI-based protein-ligand modeling provided insights into ligand recognition and suggested relationships among binding mode, binding affinity, and bioactivity. Collectively, these findings establish the structural basis of ligand recognition by AgamOBP4, highlight the potential of drug-repurposing and food-derived chemical space as sources of next-generation mosquito repellents, and open new opportunities for the development of OBP4-based biosensors for food-quality and environmental monitoring applications.

Join us for a look at one of Canada's newer compliance markets the British Columbia Output Based Pricing System (British Columbia OBPS). This webinar will provide a deep dive into the program's design...

  “WOW! I SEE AN OVERLOOKED SUPER SLUGGER!”   What would you call a Mets prospect who, in June, July, and August (thru Sunday 8/23) did this? 59 games, producing a Soto-like 48 walks, 10 HRs, 40 RBIs, 53 runs, .282/.435/.490. Just 53 Ks in those 59 games, which these days is commendable. And no AA promotion adjustment needed.  Hitting a strong .274/.436/.524 in his first 28 games in AA. Look at those superb OBPs! I’d call Collins “darned good”. Perhaps “Top 10 Mets Good”. Remember, too, that he started the season in deadly-to-lefty-hitters Cyclones Park.  With that entire Brooklyn team hitting around ,185 through May 31. Corey hit better, but it must have felt like hitting in a mortuary. So his 2026 stats likely understate his offensive prowess. Corey Collins, Mets’ 2024 draft 6th rounder, listed at a bruising 6’3”, 236. Lefty bat, he hits lefties and righties equally adeptly in 2026, and has just 5 errors in 59 games at 1B, and 1 in left field. To my great surprise, the Mets’ site still has the completely unraveled Ryan Clifford at #14, and Joe DeMayo has him at #15.  But the far-superior performing Corey Collins? Not in either Top 30 list.  Shocking to my logic brain. I do not have an updated Top 30 of my own at this point, but I have no issue giving Corey Collins the Ryan Clifford mid-teens slot.  Ryan has slipped to around #50 right now. Corey Collins, 2028 Mets starting first baseman? Uhh, yeah. It seems he could be as good or better than Lucas Duda (remember the Dude?) was, although time will tell.  Duda was the #5 Mets prospect in a much weaker 2011 Top 30 Mets Prospect list. Collins won’t get to #5 in this Top 30 list anytime soon…so much more prospect talent than in 2011, which had lots of lousy ones, but also a few very good ones in Harvey, Wilmer, and Jeurys.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is native to Southeast Asia and an invasive species with rapid geographical expansion. Aedes albopictus has contributed to the spread of numerous infectious diseases affecting both humans and animals. This study evaluated the insecticidal potential of Myristica fragrans essential oil (MFEO) from Maluku Island against multiple life stages of Ae. albopictus. MFEO completely inhibited egg hatching from 0.001% (w/v), with treated eggs remaining unhatched...

Learn how Canada’s 2025 election reshapes carbon pricing, ending the consumer tax but reinforcing industrial decarbonization through OBPS revenues.

Saskatchewan’s decision to pause collecting the industrial carbon tax has met with approval but also questions about where the province will find the $431.5 million the Output Based Performance Standards (OBPS) fund was to contribute to this year’s budget.