摘要：SummaryAll living things speak chemistry. The challenge is to reveal the vocabulary, the odorants that enable communication across phylogenies and to translate them to physiological, behavioral, and ecological function. Olfactory receptors (ORs) interface animals with airborne odorants. Expression in heterologous cells makes it possible to interrogate single ORs and to identify cognate ligands. The cosmopolitan, anthropophilic strain of the vinegar flyDrosophila melanogasterdepends on human resources and housing for survival. Curiously, humans sense the pheromone (Z)-4-undecenal (Z4-11Al) released by single fly females. A screening of all human ORs shows that the most highly expressed OR10A6 is tuned to Z4-11Al. Females of an ancestral African fly strain release a blend of Z4-11Al and Z4-9Al that produces a different aroma, which is how we distinguish these fly strains by nose. That flies and humans sense Z4-11Al via dedicated ORs shows how convergent evolution shapes communication channels between vertebrate and invertebrate animals.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Humans sense the sex pheromone Z411-Al released by singleDrosophila melanogasterfemales•The most highly expressed human olfactory receptor OR10A6 is tuned to Z411-Al•An African fly strain emits two aldehydes, which we distinguish from Z411-Al by nose•Convergent evolution shapes chemical communication between phylogeniesBiological sciences; Biochemistry; Sensory neuroscience
