iORbase 2.0 - Comprehensive Analysis Platform for Insect odorant Receptors
iORbase 2.0:
Comprehensive Analysis Platform for Insect odorant Receptors
Focused on multi-dimensional analysis of insect odorant receptors (iORs), providing a complete solution from gene annotation to molecular docking, facilitating research in insect chemical ecology and applications in pest control.
Insect odorant receptor
odorant receptors play a crucial role in insects' ability to detect and respond to chemical signals in their environment. These receptors are essential for various behaviors including foraging, mating, and avoiding predators.
News
Comprehensive update and upgrade of iORbase 2.0
This release expands the database content, introduces a new experimental data module, optimises the visualisation of online molecular docking results, and provides supplementary notes on the reliability and applicability of the docking methods.
Jul 2026A transfer learning‑based method for iOR function prediction has been released online
By combining large‑scale molecular docking data with small‑scale experimental data via a transfer learning strategy, we improved the reliability and generalisability of deep learning models for iOR function prediction. The paper is available on bioRxiv: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.03.736362
Jun 2026Evolutionary dynamics of insect odorant receptors reveal ecological tuning shaping olfactory perception
This large‑scale comparative study analysed OR repertoires across 115 insect species, integrating sequence, structural and functional similarity networks. It uncovered that the EL2 β‑sheet of Orco reduces ligand‑binding affinity and demonstrated strong correlations between olfactory breadth and ecological traits such as diet and habitat, offering a comprehensive framework for OR evolution. The paper is available on Elife: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.110877.1
Mar 2026Optimal architecture and molecular mechanism of insect OR heteromeric channels
Using molecular dynamics simulations, this study systematically evaluated the stoichiometric ratios of the locust LmOR35–Orco heterotetramer and identified 1OR:3Orco as the most thermostable architecture. It further elucidated the ligand‑induced channel‑opening mechanism and pinpointed critical residues involved in ligand recognition and ion‑channel gating, providing structural insights for insect olfactory function. The paper is available on Commun Biol: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08572-0
Jul 2025Comprehensive analysis process for iOR
Sequence, Structures, and Functions
Sequence
iOR genes possess multiple exons, and a large number of pseudogenes are produced in insect genomes because of the rapid evolution of the iOR protein family (Robertson, 2019; Legan et al., 2021). In iORbase v1.0 (Lee et al., 2023), we proposed a method for screening gene annotation results using structural integrity.
Structure
Functional iORs can be distinguished from pseudogenes based on the 7 transmembrane segments and anchor domains. Moreover, the release of protein structure predictive methods like alphafold (Abramson et al., 2024) has enabled the prediction of 3D structures for iORs, which aids in understanding their functional roles.
Function
The interaction relationship between iOR and different odor molecules is called the function of iOR, and the decoding process of iOR function is called deorphanization. The deorphanization of a growing number of iORs is still challenging given the difficulties associated with conducting insect physiological and biochemical experiments.
Website History
iORbase 2.0 Docking Performance Update
Enhanced screening performance analysis; iDock now provides positive‑result estimation and methodological guidance on threshold selection.
iORbase 2.0 Beta Release
Major upgrade with new iGene and iMDanalysis modules, upgraded iDock (supports user‑uploaded iORs), batch docking tools, and removal of OdorSeek.
iDock Bug Fix
Fixed the issue where ligands were occasionally docked outside the receptor pocket.
iDock Module Added
Added online molecular docking module iDock within iInteraction, supporting docking with database iORs and user‑uploaded ligands.
