iORbase

iORbase provides structural and functional analysis of insect olfactory receptors (iORs) and predicted interactions with insect pheromones to support molecular and evolutionary studies.

Key Features:

• Structural and Functional Analysis: Implements a combined algorithm for gene annotation and protein structure prediction for iORs; unlike Chordata olfactory receptors, iORs possess atypical 7-transmembrane domains and are not classified within the GPCR protein family.
• Virtual Screening and Docking: Performs virtual screening and docking simulations to calculate binding affinities and identify binding residues between iORs and pheromone molecules.
• User-Submitted Predictions: Accepts user-submitted iOR or pheromone sequences and generates automatic structural and functional predictions.
• Extensive Database: Contains analyzed results for approximately 6,000 iORs from 59 insect species, 2,077 insect pheromones sourced from literature, and about 12 million simulated iOR–pheromone interaction pairs.
• Online Modules for Visualization: Provides the modules iORPDB, iInteraction, iModelTM, and iOdorTool for retrieval and visualization of 3D structures and receptor–ligand interactions.

Scientific Applications:

• Experimental Efficiency: Supplies structural insights and interaction predictions that inform experimental design and interpretation in olfactory research.
• Insecticide Target Identification: Aids identification of insecticide targets by elucidating molecular interactions between iORs and pheromones.
• Electronic Nose Technology Development: Provides receptor–ligand interaction data relevant to the development of electronic nose and biomimetic sensing technologies.
• Olfactory Recognition Mechanism Studies: Enables investigation of olfactory recognition mechanisms and evolutionary characteristics using omics and macroevolutionary perspectives.

Methodology:

Uses a combined algorithm for gene annotation and protein structure prediction; performs virtual screening and docking simulations to compute binding affinities and identify binding residues; generates simulated iOR–pheromone interaction pairs and produces automatic structural and functional predictions from submitted sequences.