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Baik LS, Talross GJS, Gray S, Pattisam HS, Peterson TN, Nidetz JE, Hol FJH, Carlson JR. Mosquito taste responses to human and floral cues guide biting and feeding. Nature 2024; 635:639-646. [PMID: 39415007 PMCID: PMC11578787 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08047-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 10/18/2024]
Abstract
The taste system controls many insect behaviours, yet little is known about how tastants are encoded in mosquitoes or how they regulate critical behaviours. Here we examine how taste stimuli are encoded by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes-a highly invasive disease vector-and how these cues influence biting, feeding and egg laying. We find that neurons of the labellum, the major taste organ of the head, differentially encode a wide variety of human and other cues. We identify three functional classes of taste sensilla with an expansive coding capacity. In addition to excitatory responses, we identify prevalent inhibitory responses, which are predictive of biting behaviour. Certain bitter compounds suppress physiological and behavioural responses to sugar, suggesting their use as potent stop signals against appetitive cues. Complex cues, including human sweat, nectar and egg-laying site water, elicit distinct response profiles from the neuronal repertoire. We identify key tastants on human skin and in sweat that synergistically promote biting behaviours. Transcriptomic profiling identifies taste receptors that could be targeted to disrupt behaviours. Our study sheds light on key features of the taste system that suggest new ways of manipulating chemosensory function and controlling mosquito vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Baik
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gaëlle J S Talross
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sydney Gray
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Himani S Pattisam
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Taylor N Peterson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - James E Nidetz
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Felix J H Hol
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - John R Carlson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Popkin-Hall ZR, Slotman MA. The role of the major chemosensory organs in the host-seeking activity of Anopheles coluzzii (Diptera: Culicidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 61:861-868. [PMID: 38733173 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjae062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Anopheles coluzzii (Coetzee & Wilkerson) and its sibling species Anopheles gambiae s.s. (Giles) are highly anthropophilic and among the major malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa. Mosquitoes use various senses to find hosts, but rely primarily on olfaction. Therefore, the mosquito olfactory system has been studied extensively, including a variety of studies comparing chemosensory gene expression between An. coluzzii and its zoophilic sibling species Anopheles quadriannulatus (Theobald). These studies revealed species-specific chemosensory gene expression in the antennae and maxillary palps, which raised the question of a potential role for the palps in determining species-specific host preferences. To answer this question, we mechanically ablated the antennae, maxillary palps, and labella, and ran both control and ablated mosquitoes through a dual-port olfactometer. While we aimed to identify the organs responsible for vertebrate host choice, the ablated mosquitoes exclusively responded to human odor, so we were unable to do so. However, we were able to refine our understanding of the roles of these organs in host-seeking activation (leaving the release cage) as well as odor response (entering an odor port). As expected, the antennae are the most important organs to both behaviors: activation was roughly halved and vertebrate odor response was abolished in antennae-ablated mosquitoes. Maxillary palp ablation had little impact on activation, but reduced odor response to a similar degree as the exclusion of CO2. Finally, while labellar ablation dramatically reduced activation (probably associated with the inability to feed), it had little impact on odor response, suggesting that any labellar role in host choice is likely not olfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michel A Slotman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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3
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Frunze O, Lee D, Lee S, Kwon HW. A single mutation in the mosquito (Aedes aegypti) olfactory receptor 8 causes loss of function to 1-octen-3-ol. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 167:104069. [PMID: 38220070 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The host-seeking behavior of mosquitoes have long been established to be primarily odor-mediated. In this process, olfactory receptors (Ors) play a critical role. 1-Octen-3-ol is a common volatile compound that is attractive to hematophagous arthropods such as mosquitos. The olfactory receptor 8 (AaOr8) on the tip of the stylet and maxillary palp of Aedes aegypti is tuned to 1-octen-3-ol, which is required for mosquitoes to quickly find blood vessels from a vertebrate host. However, little is known about the interaction of AaOr8 with 1-octen-3-ol which was studied in vivo and in silico in this study. The molecular binding poses and energies between ligands and the receptor were investigated. Three mutants of AaOr8 were cloned and compared with in vivo calcium imaging utilizing heterologous expression systems. As a result, our findings imply that a genetic disruption including targeted modification of Ors genes may be used to reduce mosquito bites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Frunze
- Department of Life Sciences & Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Dain Lee
- Department of Life Sciences & Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungha Lee
- Department of Life Sciences & Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Wook Kwon
- Department of Life Sciences & Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea.
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Yang D, Li D, Jiang L, Lin J, Yue G, Xiao K, Hao X, Ji Q, Hong Y, Cai P, Yang J. Antennal transcriptome analysis of Psyttalia incisi (silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): identification and tissue expression profiling of candidate odorant-binding protein genes. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:333. [PMID: 38393425 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09281-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Olfaction plays an important role in host-seeking by parasitoids, as they can sense chemical signals using sensitive chemosensory systems. Psyttalia incisi (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is the dominant parasitoid of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) in fruit-producing regions of southern China. The olfactory behavior of P. incisi has been extensively studied; however, the chemosensory mechanisms of this species are not fully understood. RESULTS Bioinformatics analysis of 64,515 unigenes from the antennal transcriptome of both male and female adults P. incisi identified 87 candidate chemosensory genes. These included 13 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), seven gustatory receptors (GRs), 55 odorant receptors (ORs), 10 ionotropic receptors (IRs), and two sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). Phylogenetic trees were constructed to predict evolutionary relationships between these chemosensory genes in hymenopterans. Moreover, the tissue expression profiles of 13 OBPs were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR, revealing high expression of seven OBPs (1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, and 13) in the antennae. CONCLUSION This study represents the first identification of chemosensory genes and the determination of their expression patterns in different tissues of P. incisi. These results contribute to a better understanding of the function of the chemosensory system of this parasitoid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deqing Yang
- Institute of Biological Control, Plant Protection College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Horticulture, College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan, China
| | - Dongliang Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Horticulture, College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan, China
| | - Lili Jiang
- Institute of Biological Control, Plant Protection College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jia Lin
- Institute of Biological Control, Plant Protection College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guoqing Yue
- Institute of Biological Control, Plant Protection College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Kang Xiao
- Institute of Biological Control, Plant Protection College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xuxing Hao
- Institute of Biological Control, Plant Protection College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qinge Ji
- Institute of Biological Control, Plant Protection College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yongcong Hong
- Department of Horticulture, College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan, China
| | - Pumo Cai
- Institute of Biological Control, Plant Protection College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
- Department of Horticulture, College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan, China.
| | - Jianquan Yang
- Institute of Biological Control, Plant Protection College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
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Qian Q, Cui J, Miao Y, Xu X, Gao H, Xu H, Lu Z, Zhu P. The Plant Volatile-Sensing Mechanism of Insects and Its Utilization. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:185. [PMID: 38256738 PMCID: PMC10819770 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Plants and insects are engaged in a tight relationship, with phytophagous insects often utilizing volatile organic substances released by host plants to find food and egg-laying sites. Using plant volatiles as attractants for integrated pest management is vital due to its high efficacy and low environmental toxicity. Using naturally occurring plant volatiles combined with insect olfactory mechanisms to select volatile molecules for screening has proved an effective method for developing plant volatile-based attractant technologies. However, the widespread adoption of this technique is still limited by the lack of a complete understanding of molecular insect olfactory pathways. This paper first describes the nature of plant volatiles and the mechanisms of plant volatile perception by insects. Then, the attraction mechanism of plant volatiles to insects is introduced with the example of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis. Next, the progress of the development and utilization of plant volatiles to manage pests is presented. Finally, the functions played by the olfactory system of insects in recognizing plant volatiles and the application prospects of utilizing volatiles for green pest control are discussed. Understanding the sensing mechanism of insects to plant volatiles and its utilization will be critical for pest management in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Qian
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China; (Q.Q.); (J.C.); (Y.M.); (H.G.); (Z.L.)
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Jiarong Cui
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China; (Q.Q.); (J.C.); (Y.M.); (H.G.); (Z.L.)
| | - Yuanyuan Miao
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China; (Q.Q.); (J.C.); (Y.M.); (H.G.); (Z.L.)
| | - Xiaofang Xu
- Jinhua Agricultural Technology Extension and Seed Administration Center, Jinhua 321017, China;
| | - Huiying Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China; (Q.Q.); (J.C.); (Y.M.); (H.G.); (Z.L.)
| | - Hongxing Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Zhongxian Lu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China; (Q.Q.); (J.C.); (Y.M.); (H.G.); (Z.L.)
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Pingyang Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China; (Q.Q.); (J.C.); (Y.M.); (H.G.); (Z.L.)
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Zhang C, Tang B, Tan H, Wang X, Dai W. The Orco gene involved in recognition of host plant volatiles and sex pheromone in the chive maggot Bradysia odoriphaga. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 197:105709. [PMID: 38072517 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The insect olfactory recognition system plays a crucial role in the feeding and reproductive behaviors of insects. The odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco), as an obligatory chaperone, is critical for odorant recognition by way of forming heteromeric complexes with conventional odorant receptors (ORs). To investigate the biological functions of Orco in perceiving host plant volatiles and sex pheromone, the Orco gene was identified from the chive maggot Bradysia odoriphaga transcriptome data. Multiple sequence alignment reveals that BodoOrco exhibits an extremely high sequence identity with Orcos from other dipteran insects. The expression of BodoOrco is significantly higher in adults than in larvae and pupae, and the BodoOrco gene is primarily expressed in the antennae of both sexes. Furthermore, the Y-tube assay indicated that knockdown of BodoOrco leads to significant reductions in B. odoriphaga adults' response to all tested host plant volatiles. The dsOrco-treated unmated male adults show less attraction to unmated females and responded slowly compared with dsGFP control group. These results indicated that BodoOrco is involved in recognition of sex pheromone and host plant volatiles in B. odoriphaga and has the potential to be used as a target for the design of novel active compounds for developing ecofriendly pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunni Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Bowen Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haoyu Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xinxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
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Zhou Y, Deng D, Chen R, Lai C, Chen Q. Effects of antennal segments defects on blood-sucking behavior in Aedes albopictus. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0276036. [PMID: 37561778 PMCID: PMC10414602 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
After mating, female mosquitoes need a blood meal to promote the reproductive process. When mosquitoes bite infected people and animals, they become infected with germs such as viruses and parasites. Mosquitoes rely on many cues for host selection and localization, among which the trace chemical cues emitted by the host into the environment are considered to be the most important, and the sense of smell is the main way to perceive these trace chemical cues. However, the current understanding of the olfactory mechanism is not enough to meet the needs of mosquito control. Unlike previous studies that focused on the olfactory receptor recognition spectrum to reveal the olfactory mechanism of mosquito host localization. In this paper, based on the observation that mosquitoes with incomplete antennae still can locate the host and complete blood feeding in the laboratory, we proposed that there may be some protection or compensation mechanism in the 13 segments of antennae flagella, and only when the antennae are missing to a certain threshold will it affect the mosquito's ability to locate the host. Through rational-designed behavioral experiments, we found that the 6th and 7th flagellomeres on the Aedes albopictus antenna are important in the olfactory detection of host searching. This study preliminarily screened antennal segments important for host localization of Ae. albopictus, and provided a reference for subsequent cell biology and molecular biology studies on these segments. Meanwhile, the morphology and distribution of sensilla on each antenna flagellomere were also analyzed and discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyuan Zhou
- Research Center of Eugenics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics, The first affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Dongyang Deng
- Research Center of Eugenics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics, The first affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Research Center of Eugenics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics, The first affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Chencen Lai
- Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmaceutical Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Nosocomial Infection, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Research Center of Eugenics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics, The first affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
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Konopka JK, Task D, Poinapen D, Potter CJ. Neurogenetic identification of mosquito sensory neurons. iScience 2023; 26:106690. [PMID: 37182106 PMCID: PMC10172775 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Anopheles mosquitoes, as vectors for the malaria parasite, are a global threat to human health. To find and bite a human, they utilize neurons within their sensory appendages. However, the identity and quantification of sensory appendage neurons are lacking. Here we use a neurogenetic approach to label all neurons in Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes. We utilize the homology assisted CRISPR knock-in (HACK) approach to generate a T2A-QF2w knock-in of the synaptic gene bruchpilot. We use a membrane-targeted GFP reporter to visualize the neurons in the brain and to quantify neurons in all major chemosensory appendages (antenna, maxillary palp, labella, tarsi, and ovipositor). By comparing labeling of brp>GFP and Orco>GFP mosquitoes, we predict the extent of neurons expressing ionotropic receptors (IRs) or other chemosensory receptors. This work introduces a valuable genetic tool for the functional analysis of Anopheles mosquito neurobiology and initiates characterization of the sensory neurons that guide mosquito behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna K. Konopka
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Darya Task
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Danny Poinapen
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher J. Potter
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Corresponding author
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9
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King BH, Gunathunga PB. Gustation in insects: taste qualities and types of evidence used to show taste function of specific body parts. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2023; 23:11. [PMID: 37014302 PMCID: PMC10072106 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iead018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The insect equivalent of taste buds are gustatory sensilla, which have been found on mouthparts, pharynxes, antennae, legs, wings, and ovipositors. Most gustatory sensilla are uniporous, but not all apparently uniporous sensilla are gustatory. Among sensilla containing more than one neuron, a tubular body on one dendrite is also indicative of a taste sensillum, with the tubular body adding tactile function. But not all taste sensilla are also tactile. Additional morphological criteria are often used to recognize if a sensillum is gustatory. Further confirmation of such criteria by electrophysiological or behavioral evidence is needed. The five canonical taste qualities to which insects respond are sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and umami. But not all tastants that insects respond to easily fit in these taste qualities. Categories of insect tastants can be based not only on human taste perception, but also on whether the response is deterrent or appetitive and on chemical structure. Other compounds that at least some insects taste include, but are not limited to: water, fatty acids, metals, carbonation, RNA, ATP, pungent tastes as in horseradish, bacterial lipopolysaccharides, and contact pheromones. We propose that, for insects, taste be defined not only as a response to nonvolatiles but also be restricted to responses that are, or are thought to be, mediated by a sensillum. This restriction is useful because some of the receptor proteins in gustatory sensilla are also found elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- B H King
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
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10
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Raji JI, Konopka JK, Potter CJ. A spatial map of antennal-expressed ionotropic receptors in the malaria mosquito. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112101. [PMID: 36773296 PMCID: PMC10412736 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The mosquito's antenna represents its main olfactory appendage for detecting volatile chemical cues from the environment. Whole-mount fluorescence in situ hybridization of ionotropic receptors (IRs) expressed in the antennae reveals that the antenna might be divisible into proximal and distal functional domains. The number of IR-positive cells appear stereotyped within each antennal segment (flagellomere). Highly expressed odor-tuning IRs exhibit distinct co-localization patterns with the IR coreceptors Ir8a, Ir25a, and Ir76b that might predict their functional properties. Genetic knockin and in vivo functional imaging of IR41c-expressing neurons indicate both odor-induced activation and inhibition in response to select amine compounds. Targeted mutagenesis of IR41c does not abolish behavioral responses to the amine compounds. Our study provides a comprehensive map of IR-expressing neurons in the main olfactory appendage of mosquitoes. These findings show organizing principles of Anopheles IR-expressing neurons, which might underlie their functional contribution to the detection of behaviorally relevant odors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua I Raji
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Joanna K Konopka
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Christopher J Potter
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Kong D, Shi D, Wang C, Zhai R, Lyu L, He Y, Wang D. Identification and Validation of Reference Genes for Expression Analysis Using qRT-PCR in Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). INSECTS 2022; 13:784. [PMID: 36135485 PMCID: PMC9502763 DOI: 10.3390/insects13090784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus (F.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) is an important public-health pest that feeds on the blood of humans and some other animals. To explore the function of the target genes of C. hemipterus, it is essential to select suitable reference genes for the accurate quantification of gene expression. Here, we selected 10 frequently used reference genes in insects and evaluated their stability in C. hemipterus under various biotic (developmental stage, sex, and tissue) and abiotic (gas stimulation and temperature) conditions through RefFinder (which integrates four computational programs: geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and ∆Ct). Results indicate that the optimal combination of reference genes for each experimental condition was as follows: RPL8 and EF1α for the developmental stage (eggs, early instar nymphs, late instar nymphs, and adults), RPL8 and RPS16 for adult sex, RPL8 and RPL11 for adult tissue (head, thorax, abdomen, and legs), RPL8 and β-tubulin for gas stimulation (air and carbon dioxide), and RPL8 and NADH for temperature (0, 5, 17, 30, and 37 °C). Finally, the expression pattern of the HSP70 and GR21 genes were analyzed, and the results highlight the importance of appropriate reference-gene selection. Our results provide a comprehensive list of optimal reference genes from C. hemipterus for the first time, which will contribute to accurately analyzing the expression of target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delong Kong
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Engineering Research Center of Biological Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Daxia Shi
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Engineering Research Center of Biological Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Changlu Wang
- Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Ruyue Zhai
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Engineering Research Center of Biological Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lingling Lyu
- Ningbo Dayang Technology Co., Ltd., Ningbo 315000, China
| | - Yurong He
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Engineering Research Center of Biological Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Desen Wang
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Engineering Research Center of Biological Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510642, China
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12
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Herre M, Goldman OV, Lu TC, Caballero-Vidal G, Qi Y, Gilbert ZN, Gong Z, Morita T, Rahiel S, Ghaninia M, Ignell R, Matthews BJ, Li H, Vosshall LB, Younger MA. Non-canonical odor coding in the mosquito. Cell 2022; 185:3104-3123.e28. [PMID: 35985288 PMCID: PMC9480278 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are a persistent human foe, transmitting arboviruses including dengue when they feed on human blood. Mosquitoes are intensely attracted to body odor and carbon dioxide, which they detect using ionotropic chemosensory receptors encoded by three large multi-gene families. Genetic mutations that disrupt the olfactory system have modest effects on human attraction, suggesting redundancy in odor coding. The canonical view is that olfactory sensory neurons each express a single chemosensory receptor that defines its ligand selectivity. We discovered that Ae. aegypti uses a different organizational principle, with many neurons co-expressing multiple chemosensory receptor genes. In vivo electrophysiology demonstrates that the broad ligand-sensitivity of mosquito olfactory neurons depends on this non-canonical co-expression. The redundancy afforded by an olfactory system in which neurons co-express multiple chemosensory receptors may increase the robustness of the mosquito olfactory system and explain our long-standing inability to disrupt the detection of humans by mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Herre
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Kavli Neural Systems Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Olivia V Goldman
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Kavli Neural Systems Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Tzu-Chiao Lu
- Huffington Center on Aging and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gabriela Caballero-Vidal
- Disease Vector Group, Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp 234 22, Sweden
| | - Yanyan Qi
- Huffington Center on Aging and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zachary N Gilbert
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Zhongyan Gong
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Takeshi Morita
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Saher Rahiel
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Majid Ghaninia
- Disease Vector Group, Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp 234 22, Sweden
| | - Rickard Ignell
- Disease Vector Group, Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp 234 22, Sweden
| | - Benjamin J Matthews
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hongjie Li
- Huffington Center on Aging and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Leslie B Vosshall
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Kavli Neural Systems Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Meg A Younger
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Kavli Neural Systems Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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13
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Abstract
Mosquitoes use multiple cues to locate food sources (animal and plants), mates, and oviposition sites. The sense of smell plays an important role in these behaviors, and olfactory cues are detected primarily by the appendages on the head-in particular, the antennae. Thus, mosquito olfaction can be studied by conducting electroantennogram (EAG) recordings. EAGs have emerged as a reliable technique to screen for bioactive compounds and are useful in the development of attractants and repellents for mosquito population control. Here, we focus on comparing the two main experimental approaches used in the literature (whole-body and whole-head mounting) and highlight key considerations for conducting EAGs in multiple species and for obtaining reliable and reproducible data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Lahondère
- Department of Biochemistry, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- The Fralin Life Science Institute, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- The Global Change Center, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- Department of Entomology, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- Center of Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
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14
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Ye Z, Liu F, Sun H, Ferguson ST, Baker A, Ochieng SA, Zwiebel LJ. Discrete roles of Ir76b ionotropic coreceptor impact olfaction, blood feeding, and mating in the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles coluzzii. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2112385119. [PMID: 35648836 PMCID: PMC9191353 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112385119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Anopheline mosquitoes rely on their highly sensitive chemosensory apparatus to detect diverse chemical stimuli that drive the host-seeking and blood-feeding behaviors required to vector pathogens for malaria and other diseases. This process incorporates a variety of chemosensory receptors and transduction pathways. We used advanced in vivo gene-editing and -labeling approaches to localize and functionally characterize the ionotropic coreceptor AcIr76b in the malaria mosquito Anopheles coluzzii, where it impacts both olfactory and gustatory systems. AcIr76b has a broad expression pattern in female adult antennal grooved pegs, coeloconic sensilla, and T1 and T2 sensilla on the labellum, stylets, and tarsi, as well as the larval sensory peg. AcIr76b is colocalized with the Orco odorant receptor (OR) coreceptor in a subset of cells across the female antennae and labella. In contrast to Orco and Ir8a, chemosensory coreceptors that appear essential for the activity of their respective sets of chemosensory neurons in mosquitoes, AcIr76b−/− mutants maintain wild-type peripheral responses to volatile amines on the adult palps, labellum, and larval sensory cone. Interestingly, AcIr76b−/− mutants display significantly increased responses to amines in antennal grooved peg sensilla, while coeloconic sensilla reveal significant deficits in responses to several acids and amines. Behaviorally, AcIr76b mutants manifest significantly female-specific insemination deficits, and although AcIr76b−/− mutant females can locate, alight on, and probe artificial blood hosts, they are incapable of blood feeding successfully. Taken together, our findings reveal a multidimensional functionality of Ir76b in anopheline olfactory and gustatory pathways that directly impacts the vectorial capacity of these mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Ye
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235
| | - Huahua Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235
| | - Stephen T. Ferguson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235
| | - Adam Baker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235
| | - Samuel A. Ochieng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235
| | - Laurence J. Zwiebel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235
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15
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Identification and Tissue Expression Profiles of Odorant Receptor Genes in the Green Peach Aphid Myzus persicae. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13050398. [PMID: 35621734 PMCID: PMC9147661 DOI: 10.3390/insects13050398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) relies heavily on its olfactory system to locate plant hosts, find mates, and avoid parasitoids or predators. The insect odorant receptors (ORs) have been proven to play a critical role in the perception of odorants from the environment. In the present study, 33 odorant receptor candidate genes including the Orco gene were identified from the antennal, head, legs and body transcriptomes of M. persicae. Phylogenetic analysis of ORs from seven different orders of insect species suggests that ORs from different insect species are highly divergent and most ORs from the same species formed monophyletic groups. In addition, the aphid ORs were clustered into six different sub-clades in the same clade. Furthermore, the genomic structure of the OR genes also tends to be consistent, suggesting that ORs from the family Aphididae have a relatively close evolutionary relationship. Reads per kilobase per million (RPKM) and tissue expression profiles analyses revealed that 27 out of the 33 MperORs were uniquely or primarily expressed in the antennae, indicating their putative roles in chemoreception. This work provides a foundation to further investigate the molecular and ecological functions of MperORs in the aphid–aphid, aphid–plant and aphid–natural enemy interactions.
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16
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Sun L, Pan X, Li H, Zhang X, Zhao X, Zhang L, Zhang L. Odor-Induced Vomiting Is Combinatorially Triggered by Palp Olfactory Receptor Neurons That Project to the Lobus Glomerulatus in Locust Brain. Front Physiol 2022; 13:855522. [PMID: 35514359 PMCID: PMC9065551 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.855522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Although vomiting is commonly recognized as a protective reaction in response to toxic stimuli, the elaborate sensory processes and necessary molecular components are not fully clear, which is due to a lack of appropriate experimental animal models. Vomiting reflex to volatile chemicals renders locust one candidate for vomiting model. Here, we identified a panel of chemical cues that evoked evident vomiting in locust nymphs and demonstrated the selected combinatorial coding strategy that palps but not antennae olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) employed. Specifically, knocking down individual palp odorant receptors (ORs) such as OR17, OR21, and OR22 attenuated the vomiting intensity evoked by E-2-hexenal and hexanal, while suppression of OR12 and OR22 augmented vomiting to E-2-hexenal and 2-hexanone, respectively. Furthermore, dual-RNAi treatment against OR17 or OR21 together with OR22 resulted in a much lower response intensity than that of individual OR suppression. Furthermore, OR12 was revealed in palp sensilla basiconica (pb) subtype 3 to tune the neuronal decaying activity to E-2-hexenal. Finally, anterograde labeling indicated that palp ORNs primarily projected into the lobus glomerulatus (LG), and the projection neurons (PNs) in the LG further projected into the accessary calyx (ACA). Together, the establishment of an olfaction-inducible vomiting model in locusts deepens the understanding of olfactory coding logics and provides an opportunity to clarify the neural basis underlying animal vomiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Sun
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueqin Pan
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Institute of Plant Inspection and Quarantine, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyang Zhang
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Xincheng Zhao
- Department of Entomology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liwei Zhang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, China
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17
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Guo M, Ren X, Liu Y, Wang G. An Odorant Receptor from the Proboscis of the Cotton Bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Narrowly Tuned to Indole. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040385. [PMID: 35447827 PMCID: PMC9033110 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Odorant receptors (ORs) are at the core of the high-efficiency and sensitive olfactory system in insects. The expression and specific function of ORs largely contribute to the habits and speciation of one species. Although being predominantly expressed in the antennae, ORs in non-olfactory organs are suggested to have particular roles in promoting the reproduction or host fitness of insects. Our previous work has identified four ORs in the mouthpart organs of Helicoverpa armigera. Here, we amplified the full-length sequences of HarmORs from the proboscis. Further functional characterization suggested that HarmOR30 narrowly tuned to indole, the vital nitrogen-containing compounds that mediate tritrophic interactions. Our study deepens the insight into the olfactory perception of H. armigera, and explored a candidate functional receptor target for studying the interaction between insects and their plant hosts. Abstract Helicoverpa armigera is a serious agricultural pest with polyphagous diets, widespread distribution, and causing severe damage. Among sixty-five candidate ORs in H. armigera, the co-receptor HarmOrco and three specific ORs with partial sequences were identified to be expressed in the proboscis by our previous work, whereas their exact function is not known yet. In this study, we first confirmed the expression of these ORs in the proboscis by full-length cloning, which obtained the complete coding region of HarmOrco, OR24, and OR30. We then performed functional identification of HarmOR24 and OR30 by co-expressing them respectively with HarmOrco in Xenopus oocytes eukaryotic expression system combined with two-electrode voltage-clamp physiology. By testing the response of HarmOR24/OR30-expressing oocytes against eighty structural-divergent compounds, respectively, HarmOR30 was characterized to narrowly tune to indole and showed a specific tuning spectrum compared to its ortholog in Spodoptera littoralis. As indole is a distinctive herbivore-induced plant volatile and floral scent component, HarmOR30 might play roles in foraging and mediating the interactions between H. armigera with its surrounding environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengbo Guo
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China;
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.R.); (Y.L.)
| | - Xueting Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.R.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.R.); (Y.L.)
| | - Guirong Wang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China;
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.R.); (Y.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-010-628-16947
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18
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Reinhold JM, Chandrasegaran K, Oker H, Crespo JE, Vinauger C, Lahondère C. Species-Specificity in Thermopreference and CO 2-Gated Heat-Seeking in Culex Mosquitoes. INSECTS 2022; 13:92. [PMID: 35055936 PMCID: PMC8779787 DOI: 10.3390/insects13010092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Combining thermopreference (Tp) and CO2-gated heat-seeking assays, we studied the thermal preferendum and response to thermal cues in three Culex mosquito species exhibiting differences in native habitat and host preference (e.g., biting cold and/or warm-blooded animals). Results show that these species differ in both Tp and heat-seeking behavior. In particular, we found that Culex territans, which feed primarily on cold-blood hosts, did not respond to heat during heat-seeking assays, regardless of the CO2 concentration, but exhibited an intermediate Tp during resting. In contrast, Cx. quinquefasciatus, which feeds on warm blooded hosts, sought the coolest locations on a thermal gradient and responded only moderately to thermal stimuli when paired with CO2 at higher concentrations. The third species, Cx. tarsalis, which has been shown to feed on a wide range of hosts, responded to heat when paired with high CO2 levels and exhibited a high Tp. This study provides the first insights into the role of heat and CO2 in the host seeking behavior of three disease vectors in the Culex genus and highlights differences in preferred resting temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M. Reinhold
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (J.M.R.); (K.C.); (H.O.); (C.V.)
| | - Karthikeyan Chandrasegaran
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (J.M.R.); (K.C.); (H.O.); (C.V.)
| | - Helen Oker
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (J.M.R.); (K.C.); (H.O.); (C.V.)
| | - José E. Crespo
- Laboratorio de Entomología Experimental—Grupo de Ecología Térmica en Insectos (GETI), Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, CONICET—Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina;
| | - Clément Vinauger
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (J.M.R.); (K.C.); (H.O.); (C.V.)
- The Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center of Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Chloé Lahondère
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (J.M.R.); (K.C.); (H.O.); (C.V.)
- The Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center of Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- The Global Change Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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19
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Rix RR, Cutler GC. Neonicotinoid Exposures that Stimulate Predatory Stink Bug, Podisus maculiventris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Reproduction Do Not Inhibit Its Behavior. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 114:1575-1581. [PMID: 33974694 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toab085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to sublethal amounts of pesticide can compromise life-history traits and behavior of natural enemies thereby reducing their effectiveness as predators. However, sublethal exposures to pesticides and other stressors may also stimulate insects, a dose-response phenomenon known as hormesis. We previously reported stimulatory effects on reproduction in the beneficial insect predator Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) following exposure to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid. Here we examined whether these same treatments stimulated behavior and/or predation of P. maculiventris. Stimulation of some behaviors occurred at a reproductively hormetic concentration and two additional sublethal concentrations, depending upon bioassay design and sex. We observed no substantial inhibition of behavior or predation at a reproductively hormetic concentration, demonstrating that reproductive fitness in P. maculiventris may be stimulated without compromising behaviors important in its effectiveness as a natural enemy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R R Rix
- Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, PO Box 550, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada
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20
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Ye Z, Liu F, Ferguson ST, Baker A, Pitts RJ, Zwiebel LJ. Ammonium transporter AcAmt mutagenesis uncovers reproductive and physiological defects without impacting olfactory responses to ammonia in the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles coluzzii. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 134:103578. [PMID: 33933561 PMCID: PMC8187335 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Anopheline mosquitoes are the sole vectors of malaria and rely on olfactory cues for host seeking in which ammonia derived from human sweat plays an essential role. To investigate the function of the Anopheles coluzzii ammonium transporter (AcAmt) in the mosquito olfactory system, we generated an AcAmt null mutant line using CRISPR/Cas9. AcAmt-/- mutants displayed a series of novel phenotypes compared with wild-type mosquitoes including significantly lower insemination rates during mating and increased mortality during eclosion. Furthermore, AcAmt-/- males showed significantly lower sugar consumption while AcAmt-/- females and pupae displayed significantly higher ammonia levels than their wild-type counterparts. Surprisingly, in contrast to previous studies in Drosophila that revealed that the mutation of the ammonium transporter (DmAmt) induces a dramatic reduction of ammonia responses in antennal coeloconic sensilla, no significant differences were observed across a range of peripheral sensory neuron responses to ammonia and other odorants between wild-type and AcAmt-/- females. These data support the existence in mosquitoes of novel compensatory ammonia-sensing mechanisms that are likely to have evolved as a result of the importance of ammonia in host-seeking and other behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Ye
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Stephen T Ferguson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Adam Baker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - R Jason Pitts
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76706, USA
| | - Laurence J Zwiebel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
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21
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Athrey G, Popkin-Hall ZR, Takken W, Slotman MA. The Expression of Chemosensory Genes in Male Maxillary Palps of Anopheles coluzzii (Diptera: Culicidae) and An. quadriannulatus. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1012-1020. [PMID: 33576414 PMCID: PMC8122237 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Because of its importance as a malaria vector, Anopheles coluzzii's Coetzee & Wilkerson olfactory system has been studied extensively. Among this work is a series of studies comparing the expression of chemosensory genes in olfactory organs in females and/or males of these species. These have identified species- and female-biased chemosensory gene expression patterns. However, many questions remain about the role of chemosensation in male anopheline biology. To pave the way for future work we used RNAseq to compare chemosensory gene expression in the male maxillary palps of An. coluzzii and its sibling species An. quadriannulatus Theobald. As expected, the chemosensory gene repertoire is small in the male maxillary palps. Both species express the tuning receptors Or8 and Or28 at relatively high levels. The CO2 receptor genes Gr22-Gr24 are present in both species as well, although at much lower level than in females. Additionally, several chemoreceptors are species-specific. Gr37 and Gr52 are exclusive to An. coluzzii, whereas Or9 and Gr60 were detected only in An. quadriannulatus. Furthermore, several chemosensory genes show differential expression between the two species. Finally, several Irs, Grs, and Obps that show strong differential expression in the female palps, are absent or lowly expressed in the male palps. While many questions remain about the role of chemosensation in anopheline male biology, these results suggest that the male maxillary palps could have both a sex- and species-specific role in the perception of chemical stimuli. This work may guide future studies on the role of the male maxillary palp in these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giridhar Athrey
- Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | | | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michel A Slotman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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22
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Konopka JK, Task D, Afify A, Raji J, Deibel K, Maguire S, Lawrence R, Potter CJ. Olfaction in Anopheles mosquitoes. Chem Senses 2021; 46:6246230. [PMID: 33885760 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As vectors of disease, mosquitoes are a global threat to human health. The Anopheles mosquito is the deadliest mosquito species as the insect vector of the malaria-causing parasite, which kills hundreds of thousands every year. These mosquitoes are reliant on their sense of smell (olfaction) to guide most of their behaviors, and a better understanding of Anopheles olfaction identifies opportunities for reducing the spread of malaria. This review takes a detailed look at Anopheles olfaction. We explore a range of topics from chemosensory receptors, olfactory neurons, and sensory appendages to behaviors guided by olfaction (including host-seeking, foraging, oviposition, and mating), to vector management strategies that target mosquito olfaction. We identify many research areas that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna K Konopka
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, 21205 MD, USA
| | - Darya Task
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, 21205 MD, USA
| | - Ali Afify
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, 21205 MD, USA
| | - Joshua Raji
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, 21205 MD, USA
| | - Katelynn Deibel
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, 21205 MD, USA
| | - Sarah Maguire
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, 21205 MD, USA
| | - Randy Lawrence
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, 21205 MD, USA
| | - Christopher J Potter
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, 21205 MD, USA
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23
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Yan J, Gangoso L, Ruiz S, Soriguer R, Figuerola J, Martínez-de la Puente J. Understanding host utilization by mosquitoes: determinants, challenges and future directions. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:1367-1385. [PMID: 33686781 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Mosquito host utilization is a key factor in the transmission of vector-borne pathogens given that it greatly influences host-vector contact rates. Blood-feeding patterns of mosquitoes are not random, as some mosquitoes feed on particular species and/or individuals more than expected by chance. Mosquitoes use a number of cues including visual, olfactory, acoustic, and thermal stimuli emitted by vertebrate hosts to locate and identify their blood meal sources. Thus, differences in the quality/intensity of the released cues may drive host selection by mosquitoes at both inter- and intra-specific levels. Such patterns of host selection by mosquitoes in space and time can be structured by factors related to mosquitoes (e.g. innate host preference, behavioural plasticity), to hosts (e.g. emission of host-seeking cues, host availability) or to both (e.g. pathogen infection). In this study, we review current evidence, from phenomena to mechanisms, of how these factors influence host utilization by mosquitoes. We also review the methodologies commonly used in this research field and identify the major challenges for future studies. To bridge the knowledge gaps, we propose improvements to strengthen traditional approaches and the use of a functional trait-based approach to infer mosquito host utilization in natural communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayue Yan
- Doñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research Council (EBD-CSIC), C/Americo Vespucio 26, Seville, 41092, Spain.,Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, 1816 S Oak St., Champaign, IL, 61821, U.S.A
| | - Laura Gangoso
- Doñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research Council (EBD-CSIC), C/Americo Vespucio 26, Seville, 41092, Spain.,Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais 2, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Santiago Ruiz
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Madrid, 28029, Spain.,Service of Mosquito Control, Diputación Provincial de Huelva, Ctra. Hospital Infanta Elena s/n, Huelva, 21007, Spain
| | - Ramón Soriguer
- Doñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research Council (EBD-CSIC), C/Americo Vespucio 26, Seville, 41092, Spain.,CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Madrid, 28029, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Doñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research Council (EBD-CSIC), C/Americo Vespucio 26, Seville, 41092, Spain.,CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Madrid, 28029, Spain
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Doñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research Council (EBD-CSIC), C/Americo Vespucio 26, Seville, 41092, Spain.,CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Madrid, 28029, Spain.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada (UGR), Campus Universitario de Cartuja, Granada, 18.071, Spain
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24
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Ye Z, Liu F, Liu N. Three-dimensional structure of the antennal lobe in the Southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:93-102. [PMID: 32091165 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus relies on its olfactory system to locate the human hosts for blood meals, by which several deadly diseases are transmitted. Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) housed in the sensilla on the olfactory appendages send their axons into the antennal lobes (ALs), the primary olfactory center in the brain, where the OSNs expressing the same olfactory receptors converge upon the same spherical structures known as glomeruli in the AL. The structure of the antennal lobe, that is, the spatial organization of the glomeruli, governs the insect's odor identification and discrimination. Drosophila studies have demonstrated the specific connections between receptors and glomeruli based on the 3D structure of the antennal lobe, deepening our understanding of the relationships between glomerular activities and behaviors, but as yet the structure of the Cx. quinquefasciatus antennal lobe remains unknown. We therefore constructed a 3D model of the Cx. quinquefasciatus antennal lobe using nc82 antibody staining, identifying 62 and 44 glomeruli in the female and male mosquito antennal lobe, respectively, with a significant sexual dimorphism in terms of the antennal lobe volume and glomerulus number. These results demonstrate the structural basis of mosquito odor coding and provide a platform for future studies of the mosquito olfactory signal processing mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Ye
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Nannan Liu
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
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25
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Peng C, Qian Z, Xinyu Z, Qianqian L, Maoqing G, Zhong Z, Ruiling Z. A Draft Genome Assembly of Culex pipiens pallens (Diptera: Culicidae) Using PacBio Sequencing. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6121099. [PMID: 33501937 PMCID: PMC7936019 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens pallens, serves as important temperate vectors of several diseases, particularly the epidemic encephalitis and lymphatic filariasis. Reference genome of the Cx. pipiens pallens is helpful to understand its genomic basis underlying the complexity of mosquito biology. Using 142 Gb (∼250×) of the PacBio long reads, we assembled a draft genome of 567.56 Mb. The assembly includes 1,714 contigs with a N50 length of 0.84 Mb and a Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) completeness of 95.6% (n = 1,367). We masked 60.63% (344.11 Mb) of the genome as repetitive elements and identified 2,032 noncoding RNAs. A total of 18,122 protein-coding genes captured a 94.1% of BUSCO gene set. Gene family evolution and function enrichment analyses revealed that significantly expanded gene families mainly involved in immunity, gustatory and olfactory chemosensation, and DNA replication/repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Peng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.,Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jining, China
| | - Zhang Qian
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China
| | - Zhang Xinyu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China
| | - Le Qianqian
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China
| | - Gong Maoqing
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.,Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jining, China
| | - Zhang Zhong
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China
| | - Zhang Ruiling
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China
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26
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Yang L, Agramonte N, Linthicum KJ, Bloomquist JR. A Survey of Chemoreceptive Responses on Different Mosquito Appendages. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:475-479. [PMID: 32740665 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Research on the functions of insect chemoreceptors have primarily focused on antennae (olfactory receptors) and mouthparts (gustatory receptors). However, chemoreceptive sensilla are also present on other appendages, such as the leg tarsi and the anterior wing margin, and their specific roles in chemoreception and mosquito behavior remain largely unknown. In this study, electrophysiological analyses in an electroantennogram recording format were performed on Aedes aegypti (L., Diptera: Culicidae) antennae, mouthparts, tarsi, and wings during exposure to a variety of insect repellent and attractant compounds. The results provide evidence that the tarsi and wings can sense chemicals in a gaseous form, and that the odors produce differing responses on different appendages. The most consistent and strongest response occurred when exposed to triethylamine (TEA). Antennae and mouthparts showed nearly identical responses pattern to all tested compounds, and their rank orders of effectiveness were similar to those of fore- and mid-leg tarsi. Hindleg tarsi only responded to TEA, indicating that the hind legs are not as chemoreceptive. Wings responded to a range of odorants, but with a different rank order and voltage amplitude. Insights gleaned into the function of these appendages in insect chemoreception are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Neurotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Natasha Agramonte
- Neurotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Kenneth J Linthicum
- USDA, ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL
| | - Jeffrey R Bloomquist
- Neurotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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27
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Wheelwright M, Whittle CR, Riabinina O. Olfactory systems across mosquito species. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:75-90. [PMID: 33475852 PMCID: PMC7873006 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03407-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
There are 3559 species of mosquitoes in the world (Harbach 2018) but, so far, only a handful of them have been a focus of olfactory neuroscience and neurobiology research. Here we discuss mosquito olfactory anatomy and function and connect these to mosquito ecology. We highlight the least well-known and thus most interesting aspects of mosquito olfactory systems and discuss promising future directions. We hope this review will encourage the insect neuroscience community to work more broadly across mosquito species instead of focusing narrowly on the main disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wheelwright
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Catherine R Whittle
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Olena Riabinina
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
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28
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Abstract
Mosquitoes are emerging as model systems with which to study innate behaviours through neuroethology and functional genomics. Decades of work on these disease vectors have provided a solid behavioural framework describing the distinct repertoire of predominantly odour-mediated behaviours of female mosquitoes, and their dependence on life stage (intrinsic factors) and environmental cues (extrinsic factors). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of how intrinsic factors, including adult maturation, age, nutritional status, and infection, affect the attraction to plants and feeding on plant fluids, host seeking, blood feeding, supplemental feeding behaviours, pre-oviposition behaviour, and oviposition in female mosquitoes. With the technological advancements in the recent two decades, we have gained a better understanding of which volatile organic compounds are used by mosquitoes to recognise and discriminate among various fitness-enhancing resources, and characterised their neural and molecular correlates. In this review, we present the state of the art of the peripheral olfactory system as described by the neural physiology, functional genomics, and genetics underlying the demonstrated changes in the behavioural repertoire in female mosquitoes. The review is meant as a summary introduction to the current conceptual thinking in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon R Hill
- Disease Vector Group, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Växtskyddsvägen 3, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Rickard Ignell
- Disease Vector Group, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Växtskyddsvägen 3, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden.
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29
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Jové V, Gong Z, Hol FJH, Zhao Z, Sorrells TR, Carroll TS, Prakash M, McBride CS, Vosshall LB. Sensory Discrimination of Blood and Floral Nectar by Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes. Neuron 2020; 108:1163-1180.e12. [PMID: 33049200 PMCID: PMC9831381 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Blood-feeding mosquitoes survive by feeding on nectar for metabolic energy but require a blood meal to develop eggs. Aedes aegypti females must accurately discriminate blood and nectar because each meal promotes mutually exclusive feeding programs with distinct sensory appendages, meal sizes, digestive tract targets, and metabolic fates. We investigated the syringe-like blood-feeding appendage, the stylet, and discovered that sexually dimorphic stylet neurons taste blood. Using pan-neuronal calcium imaging, we found that blood is detected by four functionally distinct stylet neuron classes, each tuned to specific blood components associated with diverse taste qualities. Stylet neurons are insensitive to nectar-specific sugars and respond to glucose only in the presence of additional blood components. The distinction between blood and nectar is therefore encoded in specialized neurons at the very first level of sensory detection in mosquitoes. This innate ability to recognize blood is the basis of vector-borne disease transmission to millions of people worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Jové
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Zhongyan Gong
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Felix J H Hol
- Insect-Virus Interactions Unit, Department of Virology, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris, France; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Zhilei Zhao
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Trevor R Sorrells
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Kavli Neural Systems Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Thomas S Carroll
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Manu Prakash
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Carolyn S McBride
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Leslie B Vosshall
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Kavli Neural Systems Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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30
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Sun H, Liu F, Ye Z, Baker A, Zwiebel LJ. Mutagenesis of the orco odorant receptor co-receptor impairs olfactory function in the malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 127:103497. [PMID: 33188923 PMCID: PMC7718783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes rely heavily on their olfactory systems for host seeking, selection of oviposition sites, and avoiding predators and other environmental dangers. Of these behaviors, the preferential selection of a human blood-meal host drives the vectorial capacity of anthropophilic female Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes. Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) are dispersed across several appendages on the head and express an obligate odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) coupled with a "tuning" odorant receptor (OR) to form heteromeric, odor-gated ion channels in the membrane of these neurons. To examine the mechanistic and functional contributions of Orco/OR complexes to the chemosensory processes of An. coluzzii, we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to create a line of homozygous, Orco-knockout, mutant mosquitoes. As expected, orco-/- ORNs across both adult and larval stages of An. coluzzii display significantly lower background activity and lack nearly all odor-evoked responses. In addition, blood-meal-seeking, adult female, orco-/- mutant mosquitoes exhibit severely reduced attraction to human- and non-human-derived odors while gravid females are significantly less responsive to established oviposition attractants. These results reinforce observations in other insects that Orco is crucial in maintaining the activity of ORNs. In that light, it significantly influences a range of olfactory-driven behaviors central to the anthropophilic host preference that is critical to the vectorial capacity of An. coluzzii as a primary vector for human malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huahua Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Zi Ye
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Adam Baker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Laurence J Zwiebel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
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31
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Han H, Liu Z, Meng F, Jiang Y, Cai J. Identification of olfactory genes of a forensically important blow fly, Aldrichina grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae). PeerJ 2020; 8:e9581. [PMID: 32844056 PMCID: PMC7414772 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The time-length between the first colonization of necrophagous insect on the corpse and the beginning of investigation represents the most important forensic concept of minimum post-mortem inference (PMImin). Before colonization, the time spent by an insect to detect and locate a corpse could significantly influence the PMImin estimation. The olfactory system plays an important role in insect food foraging behavior. Proteins like odorant binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), odorant receptors (ORs), ionotropic receptors (IRs) and sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) represent the most important parts of this system. Exploration of the above genes and their necrophagous products should facilitate not only the understanding of their roles in forging but also their influence on the period before PMImin. Transcriptome sequencing has been wildly utilized to reveal the expression of particular genes under different temporal and spatial condition in a high throughput way. In this study, transcriptomic study was implemented on antennae of adult Aldrichina grahami (Aldrich) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a necrophagous insect with forensic significance, to reveal the composition and expression feature of OBPs, CSPs, ORs, IRs and SNMPs genes at transcriptome level. Method Antennae transcriptome sequencing of A. grahami was performed using next-generation deep sequencing on the platform of BGISEQ-500. The raw data were deposited into NCBI (PRJNA513084). All the transcripts were functionally annotated using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed between female and male antennae. The transcripts of OBPs, CSPs, ORs, IRs and SNMPs were identified based on sequence feature. Phylogenetic development of olfactory genes of A. grahami with other species was analyzed using MEGA 5.0. RT-qPCR was utilized to verify gene expression generated from the transcriptome sequencing. Results In total, 14,193 genes were annotated in the antennae transcriptome based on the GO and the KEGG databases. We found that 740 DEGs were differently expressed between female and male antennae. Among those, 195 transcripts were annotated as candidate olfactory genes then checked by sequence feature. Of these, 27 OBPs, one CSPs, 49 ORs, six IRs and two SNMPs were finally identified in antennae of A. grahami. Phylogenetic development suggested that some olfactory genes may play a role in food forging, perception of pheromone and decomposing odors. Conclusion Overall, our results suggest the existence of gender and spatial expression differences in olfactory genes from antennae of A. grahami. Such differences are likely to greatly influence insect behavior around a corpse. In addition, candidate olfactory genes with predicted function provide valuable information for further studies of the molecular mechanisms of olfactory detection of forensically important fly species and thus deepen our understanding of the period before PMImin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Han
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhuoying Liu
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fanming Meng
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yangshuai Jiang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jifeng Cai
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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32
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Ye Z, Liu F, Sun H, Barker M, Pitts RJ, Zwiebel LJ. Heterogeneous expression of the ammonium transporter AgAmt in chemosensory appendages of the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 120:103360. [PMID: 32126276 PMCID: PMC7161093 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia is one of the principal kairomones originating from human and other animal emanations and in that context, plays an essential role in the host-seeking behaviors of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Nevertheless, despite its importance in directing host-seeking, the mechanisms underlying ammonia detection in the mosquito olfactory system remains largely unknown. In addition to ongoing efforts to identify and characterize the molecular receptors that underlie ammonia sensitivity, previous studies have revealed a prominent role for ammonium transporters (Amt) in modulating antennal and behavioral responses in Drosophila melanogaster and An. gambiae. In the former, localization of DmAmt in antennal sensilla to auxiliary cells surrounding the ammonia sensory neurons led to the hypothesis that its role was to clear excess ammonium ions in the sensillar lymph. In the latter, RT-PCR and heterologous expression have been used to examine the expression and functional characteristics of the An. gambiae ammonium transporter, AgAmt. We now employ advanced transgenic tools to comprehensively examine AgAmt spatial localization across the peripheral chemosensory appendages in larvae and adult female An. gambiae. In the larval antennae, AgAmt appears localized in both neuronal and auxiliary cells. In contrast to D. melanogaster, in the adult antennae, AgAmt-derived signals are observed in both non-neuronal auxiliary cells and in sensory neurons in ammonia-responsive basiconic and coeloconic sensilla. In the maxillary palps, labella, and tarsi, AgAmt appears restricted to sensory neurons. We have also characterized the responses to ammonia of adult antennal coeloconic sensilla and maxillary palp capitate pegs revealing a correlation between sensillar AgAmt expression and ammonia sensitivity. Taken together, these data suggest that AgAmt may play heterogeneous roles in the adult and larval chemosensory apparatus and potentially broad utility as a supra-receptor target in mosquito control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Ye
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Huahua Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | | | - R Jason Pitts
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76706, USA
| | - Laurence J Zwiebel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
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Shan S, Wang SN, Song X, Khashaveh A, Lu ZY, Dhiloo KH, Li RJ, Gao XW, Zhang YJ. Antennal ionotropic receptors IR64a1 and IR64a2 of the parasitoid wasp Microplitis mediator (Hymenoptera: Braconidate) collaboratively perceive habitat and host cues. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 114:103204. [PMID: 31422151 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Ionotropic receptors (IRs), as a member of the conserved chemoreceptor families in the peripheral nervous system, play a critical role in the chemoreception of Drosophila. However, little is known about IRs in Hymenoptera insects. Here, we comprehensively characterized the gene structure, topological map and chemosensory roles of antennal IRs (MmedIRs) in the hymenopteran parasitoid wasp Microplitis mediator. We found that the IRs were conserved across various insect species. In the in situ hybridization assays, most IRs showed female antennae biased features, and there was no co-expression of the IRs and the olfactory receptor co-receptor (ORco). Moreover, three IR co-expressed complexes, IR75u-IR8a, IR64a1-IR8a and IR64a2-IR8a, were detected. Two genes with high similarity, IR64a1 and IR64a2, were located in distinct neurons but projected to the same sensillum. In two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings, IR64a1 was widely tuned to the chemicals from habitat cues released from host plants over long distances, whereas IR64a2 responded to a narrow range host cues and plant odors with low-volatility. Notably, IR64a2 was able to perceive Z9-14: Ald, a vital sex pheromone component that is released from Helicoverpa armigera, which is the preferred host of M. mediator. Furthermore, most ligands of IR64a1 and IR64a2 can trigger electrophysiological responses in female wasps. We propose that IR64a1 and IR64a2 collaboratively perceive habitat and host cues to assist parasitoids in efficiently seeking hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China; College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shan-Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China; Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Xuan Song
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China; College of Plant Protection, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, 071000, China
| | - Adel Khashaveh
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zi-Yun Lu
- IPM Center of Hebei Province, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northern Region of North China, Ministry of Agriculture, Plant Protection Institute, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Baoding, 071000, China
| | - Khalid Hussain Dhiloo
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Crop Protection, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, 70060, Pakistan
| | - Rui-Jun Li
- College of Plant Protection, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, 071000, China
| | - Xi-Wu Gao
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yong-Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Qiu L, Tao S, He H, Ding W, Li Y. Transcriptomics reveal the molecular underpinnings of chemosensory proteins in Chlorops oryzae. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:890. [PMID: 30526496 PMCID: PMC6286535 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5315-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemosensory proteins are a family of insect-specific chemical sensors that sense specific chemical cues and regulate insect behavior. Chemosensory proteins have been identified and analyzed in many insect species, such as Drosophila melanogaster, Bactrocera dorsalis and Calliphora stygia. This research has revealed that these proteins play a crucial role in insect orientation, predation and oviposition. However, little is known about the chemosensory proteins of Chlorops oryzae, a major pest of rice crops throughout Asia. RESULTS Comparative transcription analysis of the genes of Chlorops oryzae larvae, pupae and adults identified a total of 104 chemosensory genes, including 25 odorant receptors (ORs), 26 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 19 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 23 gustatory receptors (GRs) and 11 sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). The sequences of these candidate chemosensory genes were confirmed and used to construct phylogenetic trees. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) confirmed that the expression of candidate OR genes in different developmental stages was consistent with the fragments per kilobase per million fragments (FPKM) values of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). CONCLUSIONS The identification of chemosensory genes in C. oryzae provides a foundation for the investigation of the function of chemosensory proteins in this species, which, in turn, could allow the development of new, improved methods of controlling this pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Qiu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Shunjie Tao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Hualiang He
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Wenbing Ding
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.,Hunan Provincial Engineering & Technology Research Center for Biopesticide and Formulation Processing, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Youzhi Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China. .,Hunan Provincial Engineering & Technology Research Center for Biopesticide and Formulation Processing, Changsha, 410128, China.
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Sparks JT, Botsko G, Swale DR, Boland LM, Patel SS, Dickens JC. Membrane Proteins Mediating Reception and Transduction in Chemosensory Neurons in Mosquitoes. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1309. [PMID: 30294282 PMCID: PMC6158332 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes use chemical cues to modulate important behaviors such as feeding, mating, and egg laying. The primary chemosensory organs comprising the paired antennae, maxillary palps and labial palps are adorned with porous sensilla that house primary sensory neurons. Dendrites of these neurons provide an interface between the chemical environment and higher order neuronal processing. Diverse proteins located on outer membranes interact with chemicals, ions, and soluble proteins outside the cell and within the lumen of sensilla. Here, we review the repertoire of chemosensory receptors and other membrane proteins involved in transduction and discuss the outlook for their functional characterization. We also provide a brief overview of select ion channels, their role in mammalian taste, and potential involvement in mosquito taste. These chemosensory proteins represent targets for the disruption of harmful biting behavior and disease transmission by mosquito vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson T Sparks
- Biology Department, High Point University, High Point, NC, United States
| | - Gina Botsko
- Biology Department, High Point University, High Point, NC, United States
| | - Daniel R Swale
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Linda M Boland
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Shriraj S Patel
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Joseph C Dickens
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
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Khuhro SA, Yan Q, Liao H, Zhu GH, Sun JB, Dong SL. Expression Profile and Functional Characterization Suggesting the Involvement of Three Chemosensory Proteins in Perception of Host Plant Volatiles in Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2018; 18:5107845. [PMID: 30260453 PMCID: PMC6159316 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iey088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The high sensitivity of the olfactory system is essential for feeding and oviposition in moth insects, and some chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are thought to play roles in this system by binding and carrying hydrophobic odorants across the aqueous sensillar lymph. In this study, to identify the olfactory CSPs from a repertoire of 21 CSP members in the notorious rice pest Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), tissue expression patterns were firstly examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). It showed that CSP2 was antennae specific and seven more CSPs (CSP1, 3, 4, 6, 15, 16, and 17) were antennae biased in expression, suggesting their olfactory roles; while other CSPs were multiple-tissue expressed and non-antennae biased, suggesting other functions for these genes. To further determine the ligand binding specificity, three putative olfactory genes (CSP1-3) were expressed in Escherichia coli cells, and binding affinity of these three recombinant CSP proteins were measured for 35 plant volatiles by the ligand binding assays. CSP1 and CSP2 exhibited high binding affinities (Ki ≤ 10.00 µM) for four (2-tridecanone, benzaldehyde, laurinaldehyde and 2-pentadecanone) and two (2-heptanol and (+)-cedrol) host plant volatiles, respectively; the three CSPs also showed moderate binding affinity (Ki = 10.01-20.00 µM) for 16 plant volatiles. Our study suggests that the three CSPs play essential roles in the perception of host plant volatiles, providing bases for the elucidation of olfactory mechanisms in this important pyralid pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Ali Khuhro
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University/ Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Nanjing Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Yan
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University/ Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Nanjing Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Liao
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University/ Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Nanjing Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Guan-Heng Zhu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University/ Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Nanjing Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia-Bin Sun
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University/ Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Nanjing Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuang-Lin Dong
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University/ Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Nanjing Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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Characterization of Chemosensory Responses on the Labellum of the Malaria Vector Mosquito, Anopheles coluzzii. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5656. [PMID: 29618749 PMCID: PMC5884837 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23987-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Anopheles gambiae coluzzii (An. coluzzii) uses olfaction to modulate a range of critical behaviors that are essential for survival and reproduction; most notably, host preference and selection underlie its vectorial capacity for human malaria. As is the case for all mosquitoes, An. coluzzii has three specialized peripheral olfactory appendages—the antennae, maxillary palps and labella—which are used to detect and orient in response to a large variety of olfactory cues. Of these, neither the molecular nor the physiological significance of the labellum have been thoroughly characterized despite suggestions that labial-derived odorant reception is critical for close-range host attraction. Here we report global chemoreceptor transcriptome profiles together with a systematic electrophysiological analysis of labial T2 sensilla, and associated behavioral responses of female An. coluzzii. Single sensillum recordings of the T2 sensilla revealed robust responses to odorants previously associated with human sweat and oviposition sites and identified a 10-component blend that elicited attraction in a dual-choice landing bioassay designed to mimic host seeking in which non-blood fed females were significantly more attracted to the labial-responsive odorant blend as compared to gravid females. Taken together, these data suggest that, in An. coluzzii, olfactory responses derived from the labellum contribute to host-seeking.
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Signaling Mode of the Broad-Spectrum Conserved CO 2 Receptor Is One of the Important Determinants of Odor Valence in Drosophila. Neuron 2018; 97:1153-1167.e4. [PMID: 29429938 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Odor detection involves hundreds of olfactory receptors from diverse families, making modeling of hedonic valence of an odorant difficult, even in Drosophila melanogaster where most receptors have been deorphanised. We demonstrate that a broadly tuned heteromeric receptor that detects CO2 (Gr21a, Gr63a) and other odorants is a key determinant of valence along with a few members of the Odorant receptor family in a T-maze, but not in a trap assay. Gr21a and Gr63a have atypically high amino acid conservation in Dipteran insects, and they use both inhibition and activation to convey positive or negative valence for numerous odorants. Inhibitors elicit a robust Gr63a-dependent attraction, while activators, strong aversion. The attractiveness of inhibitory odorants increases with increasing background CO2 levels, providing a mechanism for behavior modulation in odor blends. In mosquitoes, valence is switched and activation of the orthologous receptor conveys attraction. Reverse chemical ecology enables the identification of inhibitory odorants to reduce attraction of mosquitoes to skin.
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Athrey G, Cosme LV, Popkin-Hall Z, Pathikonda S, Takken W, Slotman MA. Chemosensory gene expression in olfactory organs of the anthropophilic Anopheles coluzzii and zoophilic Anopheles quadriannulatus. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:751. [PMID: 28938869 PMCID: PMC5610455 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4122-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anopheles (An.) coluzzii, one of Africa's primary malaria vectors, is highly anthropophilic. This human host preference contributes greatly to its ability to transmit malaria. In contrast, the closely related An. quadriannulatus prefers to feed on bovids and is not thought to contribute to malaria transmission. The diverged preference for host odor profiles between these sibling species is likely reflected in chemosensory gene expression levels in the olfactory organs. Therefore, we compared the transcriptomes of the antennae and maxillary palps between An. coluzzii and An. quadriannulatus, focusing on the major chemosensory gene families. RESULTS While chemosensory gene expression is strongly correlated between the two species, various chemosensory genes show significantly enhanced expression in one of the species. In the antennae of An. coluzzii the expression of six olfactory receptors (Ors) and seven ionotropic receptors (Irs) is considerably enhanced, whereas 11 Ors and 3 Irs are upregulated in An. quadriannulatus. In the maxillary palps, leaving aside Irs with very low level of expression, one Ir is strongly enhanced in each species. In addition, we find divergence in odorant binding protein (Obp) gene expression, with several highly expressed Obps being enhanced in the antennae and palps of An. coluzzii. Finally, the expression of several gustatory receptors (Grs) in the palps appears to be species-specific, including a homolog of a sugar-sensing Drosophila Gr. CONCLUSIONS A considerable number of Ors and Irs are differentially expressed between these two closely related species with diverging host preference. These chemosensory genes could play a role in the human host preference of the malaria vector An. coluzzii. Additionally, divergence in Obp expression between the two species suggests a possible role of these odor carrier proteins in determining host preference. Finally, divergence in chemosensory expression in the palps may point towards a possible role for the maxillary palps in host differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Athrey
- Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA
| | - L. V. Cosme
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Z. Popkin-Hall
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845 USA
| | - S. Pathikonda
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845 USA
| | - W. Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - M. A. Slotman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845 USA
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Iovinella I, Caputo B, Calzetta M, Zwiebel LJ, Dani FR, Della Torre A. Profiles of soluble proteins in chemosensory organs of three members of the afro-tropical Anopheles gambiae complex. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2017; 24:41-50. [PMID: 28822866 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In female mosquitoes, host-seeking and preference as well as several other important behaviors are largely driven by olfaction. Species of the Afrotropical Anopheles gambiae complex display divergent host-preference that are associated with significant differences in their vectorial capacity for human malaria. Olfactory sensitivity begins with signal transduction and activation of peripheral sensory neurons that populate the antennae, maxillary palps and other appendages. We have used shotgun proteomics to characterize the profile of soluble proteins of antennae and maxillary palps of three different species: An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis and An. quadriannulatus that display remarkable differences in anthropophilic behavior. This analysis revealed interspecific differences in the abundance of several proteins that comprise cuticular components, glutathione S-transferase and odorant binding proteins, the latter of which known to be directly involved in odor recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Immacolata Iovinella
- Biology Department, Università di Firenze, Italy; Department of Public Health & Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Beniamino Caputo
- Department of Public Health & Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Calzetta
- Department of Public Health & Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Laurence J Zwiebel
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA
| | - Francesca Romana Dani
- Biology Department, Università di Firenze, Italy; CISM, Mass Spectrometry Centre, Università di Firenze, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Della Torre
- Department of Public Health & Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
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Verocai GG, McGAHA TW, Iburg JP, Katholi CR, Cupp EW, Noblet R, Unnasch TR. Identification of semiochemicals attractive to Simulium vittatum (IS-7). MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 31:140-149. [PMID: 27910106 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Many blackfly species (Diptera: Simuliidae) are economically important insect pests, both as nuisance biters and as vectors of pathogens of medical and veterinary relevance. Among the important blackfly pest species in North America is Simulium vittatum Zetterstedt sensu lato. The objective of this study was to identify compounds excreted by mammalian hosts that are attractive to host-seeking S. vittatum females. The attractiveness of putative compounds to colonized S. vittatum was tested through electrophysiological (electroantennography; n = 58 compounds) and behavioural (Y-tube assays; n = 7 compounds in three concentrations) bioassays. Five compounds were significantly attractive to host-seeking S. vittatum females: 1-octen-3-ol; 2-heptanone; acetophenone; 1-octanol, and naphthalene. These candidate compounds might be useful as attractants in traps that could be developed for use in alternative or complementary management tactics in programmes to suppress nuisance blackfly populations, or for the collection of samples in which to study the transmission ecology of pathogens transmitted by blackflies of the S. vittatum complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- G G Verocai
- Department of Global Health, Global Health Infectious Diseases Research Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
| | - T W McGAHA
- Department of Global Health, Global Health Infectious Diseases Research Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
| | - J P Iburg
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, U.S.A
| | - C R Katholi
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, U.S.A
| | - E W Cupp
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, U.S.A
| | - R Noblet
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, U.S.A
| | - T R Unnasch
- Department of Global Health, Global Health Infectious Diseases Research Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
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Zhang L, Li H, Zhang L. Two Olfactory Pathways to Detect Aldehydes on Locust Mouthpart. Int J Biol Sci 2017; 13:759-771. [PMID: 28656001 PMCID: PMC5485631 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.19820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensing chemical cues is crucial for insects through their olfactory systems to adapt the environments. The receptors employed in insect olfactory system belong to the Odorant Receptor (ORs) and Ionotropic Receptor (IRs) families. In general, ORs and IRs are present in distinct olfactory sensory neurons and function independently. Here, we present evidence that in locust, the abundant host plant odor Hexanal is detected by both IR- and OR-expressing neurons. Use of the palp opening response (POR) as a simple behavioral paradigm in conjunction with RNA interference (RNAi) revealed that these two pathways are both needed for the detection of Hexanal. Two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that OR2 and odorant-binding protein 1 (obp1) were co-localized in palps sensilla basiconica. Obp2a and IR8a were co-localized as well, but associated with sensilla chaetica on the palps. Furthermore, both OR2- and obp1-knockdowns showed reduced POR responses to Hexanal and E-2-Hexenal, and the same was true for Hexanal with IR8a- and obp2a-knockdowns. Detection to E-2-Hexenal was independent of IR8a-mediated gene silencing. Besides, Hexanal and E-2-Hexenal evoked dose-dependent responses in palp basiconica via extracellular recordings. Our results indicate that both OR and IR pathways are involved in the detection of one aldehyde.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Zhang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Long Zhang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
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Benton R. The neurobiology of gustation in insect disease vectors: progress and potential. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2017; 20:19-27. [PMID: 28602232 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
For insect vectors of human diseases, mealtimes are a key moment of infection. Understanding how and when such species decide on what to feed is both an interesting problem in sensory neurobiology and a source of information for intervention of these behaviors to control spread of infectious agents. Here I review the current knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of gustation in insect disease vectors, covering blood-feeders as well as scavengers that spread pathogens indirectly. I also consider how these behaviors are modulated over short and long timescales, and describe efforts to artificially modulate them. Though a relatively nascent field, gustatory neurobiology in insect vectors has much promise for future fundamental discoveries and practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Benton
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Génopode Building, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Pitts RJ, Derryberry SL, Zhang Z, Zwiebel LJ. Variant Ionotropic Receptors in the Malaria Vector Mosquito Anopheles gambiae Tuned to Amines and Carboxylic Acids. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40297. [PMID: 28067294 PMCID: PMC5220300 DOI: 10.1038/srep40297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The principal Afrotropical human malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, remains a significant threat to global health. A critical component in the transmission of malaria is the ability of An. gambiae females to detect and respond to human-derived chemical kairomones in their search for blood meal hosts. The basis for host odor responses resides in olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) that express chemoreceptors encoded by large gene families, including the odorant receptors (ORs) and the variant ionotropic receptors (IRs). While ORs have been the focus of extensive investigation, functional IR complexes and the chemical compounds that activate them have not been identified in An. gambiae. Here we report the transcriptional profiles and functional characterization of three An. gambiae IR (AgIr) complexes that specifically respond to amines or carboxylic acids - two classes of semiochemicals that have been implicated in mediating host-seeking by adult females but are not known to activate An. gambiae ORs (AgOrs). Our results suggest that AgIrs play critical roles in the detection and behavioral responses to important classes of host odors that are underrepresented in the AgOr chemical space.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Jason Pitts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Stephen L Derryberry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi, P. R. China
| | - Laurence J Zwiebel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Program in Developmental Biology and Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Riabinina O, Task D, Marr E, Lin CC, Alford R, O'Brochta DA, Potter CJ. Organization of olfactory centres in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13010. [PMID: 27694947 PMCID: PMC5063964 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes are vectors for multiple infectious human diseases and use a variety of sensory cues (olfactory, temperature, humidity and visual) to locate a human host. A comprehensive understanding of the circuitry underlying sensory signalling in the mosquito brain is lacking. Here we used the Q-system of binary gene expression to develop transgenic lines of Anopheles gambiae in which olfactory receptor neurons expressing the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) gene are labelled with GFP. These neurons project from the antennae and maxillary palps to the antennal lobe (AL) and from the labella on the proboscis to the suboesophageal zone (SEZ), suggesting integration of olfactory and gustatory signals occurs in this brain region. We present detailed anatomical maps of olfactory innervations in the AL and the SEZ, identifying glomeruli that may respond to human body odours or carbon dioxide. Our results pave the way for anatomical and functional neurogenetic studies of sensory processing in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Riabinina
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Darya Task
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Elizabeth Marr
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Chun-Chieh Lin
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Robert Alford
- University of Maryland College Park, 9600 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
| | - David A O'Brochta
- University of Maryland College Park, 9600 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
| | - Christopher J Potter
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, 434 Rangos Building, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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Rybak J, Talarico G, Ruiz S, Arnold C, Cantera R, Hansson BS. Synaptic circuitry of identified neurons in the antennal lobe of Drosophila melanogaster. J Comp Neurol 2016; 524:1920-56. [PMID: 26780543 PMCID: PMC6680330 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In Drosophila melanogaster olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) establish synapses with projection neurons (PNs) and local interneurons within antennal lobe (AL) glomeruli. Substantial knowledge regarding this circuitry has been obtained by functional studies, whereas ultrastructural evidence of synaptic contacts is scarce. To fill this gap, we studied serial sections of three glomeruli using electron microscopy. Ectopic expression of a membrane-bound peroxidase allowed us to map synaptic sites along PN dendrites. Our data prove for the first time that each of the three major types of AL neurons is both pre- and postsynaptic to the other two types, as previously indicated by functional studies. PN dendrites carry a large proportion of output synapses, with approximately one output per every three input synapses. Detailed reconstructions of PN dendrites showed that these synapses are distributed unevenly, with input and output sites partially segregated along a proximal-distal gradient and the thinnest branches carrying solely input synapses. Moreover, our data indicate synapse clustering, as we found evidence of dendritic tiling of PN dendrites. PN output synapses exhibited T-shaped presynaptic densities, mostly arranged as tetrads. In contrast, output synapses from putative OSNs showed elongated presynaptic densities in which the T-bar platform was supported by several pedestals and contacted as many as 20 postsynaptic profiles. We also discovered synaptic contacts between the putative OSNs. The average synaptic density in the glomerular neuropil was about two synapses/µm(3) . These results are discussed with regard to current models of olfactory glomerular microcircuits across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Rybak
- Department of Evolutionary NeuroethologyMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology07745JenaGermany
| | - Giovanni Talarico
- Department of Evolutionary NeuroethologyMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology07745JenaGermany
| | - Santiago Ruiz
- Clemente Estable Institute of Biological Research11600 MontevideoUruguay
| | - Christopher Arnold
- Department of Evolutionary NeuroethologyMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology07745JenaGermany
| | - Rafael Cantera
- Clemente Estable Institute of Biological Research11600 MontevideoUruguay
- Zoology DepartmentStockholm University10691StockholmSweden
| | - Bill S. Hansson
- Department of Evolutionary NeuroethologyMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology07745JenaGermany
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Suh E, Choe DH, Saveer AM, Zwiebel LJ. Suboptimal Larval Habitats Modulate Oviposition of the Malaria Vector Mosquito Anopheles coluzzii. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149800. [PMID: 26900947 PMCID: PMC4768836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Selection of oviposition sites by gravid females is a critical behavioral step in the reproductive cycle of Anopheles coluzzii, which is one of the principal Afrotropical malaria vector mosquitoes. Several studies suggest this decision is mediated by semiochemicals associated with potential oviposition sites. To better understand the chemosensory basis of this behavior and identify compounds that can modulate oviposition, we examined the generally held hypothesis that suboptimal larval habitats give rise to semiochemicals that negatively influence the oviposition preference of gravid females. Dual-choice bioassays indicated that oviposition sites conditioned in this manner do indeed foster significant and concentration dependent aversive effects on the oviposition site selection of gravid females. Headspace analyses derived from aversive habitats consistently noted the presence of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (sulcatone) each of which unitarily affected An. coluzzii oviposition preference. Electrophysiological assays across the antennae, maxillary palp, and labellum of gravid An. coluzzii revealed differential responses to these semiochemicals. Taken together, these findings validate the hypothesis in question and suggest that suboptimal environments for An. coluzzii larval development results in the release of DMDS, DMTS and sulcatone that impact the response valence of gravid females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunho Suh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Dong-Hwan Choe
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Ahmed M. Saveer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Laurence J. Zwiebel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Program in Developmental Biology, and Institutes of Chemical Biology and Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Matthews BJ, McBride CS, DeGennaro M, Despo O, Vosshall LB. The neurotranscriptome of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:32. [PMID: 26738925 PMCID: PMC4704297 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2239-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A complete genome sequence and the advent of genome editing open up non-traditional model organisms to mechanistic genetic studies. The mosquito Aedes aegypti is an important vector of infectious diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever and has a large and complex genome, which has slowed annotation efforts. We used comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of adult gene expression to improve the genome annotation and to provide a detailed tissue-specific catalogue of neural gene expression at different adult behavioral states. RESULTS We carried out deep RNA sequencing across all major peripheral male and female sensory tissues, the brain and (female) ovary. Furthermore, we examined gene expression across three important phases of the female reproductive cycle, a remarkable example of behavioral switching in which a female mosquito alternates between obtaining blood-meals from humans and laying eggs. Using genome-guided alignments and de novo transcriptome assembly, our re-annotation includes 572 new putative protein-coding genes and updates to 13.5 and 50.3 % of existing transcripts within coding sequences and untranslated regions, respectively. Using this updated annotation, we detail gene expression in each tissue, identifying large numbers of transcripts regulated by blood-feeding and sexually dimorphic transcripts that may provide clues to the biology of male- and female-specific behaviors, such as mating and blood-feeding, which are areas of intensive study for those interested in vector control. CONCLUSIONS This neurotranscriptome forms a strong foundation for the study of genes in the mosquito nervous system and investigation of sensory-driven behaviors and their regulation. Furthermore, understanding the molecular genetic basis of mosquito chemosensory behavior has important implications for vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Matthews
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Carolyn S McBride
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Present Address: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| | - Matthew DeGennaro
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Present Address: Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
| | - Orion Despo
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Present address: Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Leslie B Vosshall
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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Choo YM, Buss GK, Tan K, Leal WS. Multitasking roles of mosquito labrum in oviposition and blood feeding. Front Physiol 2015; 6:306. [PMID: 26578978 PMCID: PMC4625056 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Reception of odorants by two main head appendages, antennae and maxillary palps, is essential for insects' survival and reproduction. There is growing evidence in the literature suggesting that the proboscis is also an olfactory appendage and its function as an additional "antenna" has been previously proposed. We surmised that movements of the labrum toward a blood vessel might be chemically oriented and, if so, there should be odorant receptors expressed in the labrum. To test this hypothesis, we first compared by quantitative PCR expression of odorant receptors (OR) from the Southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus in antennae and proboscis and, subsequently compared OR expression in various proboscis parts. Our data suggested that a receptor for the oviposition attractant, skatole, CquiOR21, was not expressed in proboscis, whereas a receptor for another oviposition attractant, 4EP (4-ethylphenol), CquiOR99, and a receptorf for the insect repellent DEET, CquiOR136, were expressed in the stylet of the proboscis, particularly in the tip of the labrum. In a dual-choice olfactometer, mosquitoes having the stylet coated with nail polish were attracted to 4EP in the same manner as the untreated mosquitoes. By contrast, in an oviposition assay, the stylet-treated mosquitoes did not discriminate 4EP from control oviposition cups, whereas the untreated mosquitoes (as well as mosquitoes having the labella coated) laid significantly more egg rafts in cups treated with 4EP. Ablation experiments confirmed that 4EP was sensed by the labrum where CquiOR99 is highly expressed. Stylet-coated, labella-coated, and untreated mosquitoes laid significantly more egg rafts in skatole-treated cups than in control cups. Likewise, coating of proboscis structures with nail polish had no effect on DEET-mediated oviposition deterrence. In a behavioral arena designed to mimic a human arm, mosquitoes showed significantly reduced probing time when blood was impregnated with 4EP, i.e., they engaged more rapidly in continuous blood feeding as compared to untreated blood. The time of engagement for feeding in skatole-containing blood vs. untreated blood did not differ significantly. Taken together, these data suggest that 4EP reception by the labrum is important not only for oviposition decisions, but also for reducing probing and initiation of blood feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Walter S. Leal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California-DavisDavis, CA, USA
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A novel olfactory pathway is essential for fast and efficient blood-feeding in mosquitoes. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13444. [PMID: 26306800 PMCID: PMC4549640 DOI: 10.1038/srep13444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In mosquitoes, precise and efficient finding of a host animal is crucial for survival. One of the poorly understood aspects of mosquito blood-feeding behavior is how these insects target an optimal site in order to penetrate the skin and blood vessels without alerting the host animal. Here we provide new findings that a piercing structure of the mouthpart of the mosquitoes, the stylet, is an essential apparatus for the stage in blood feeding. Indeed, the stylet possesses a number of sensory hairs located at the tip of the stylet. These hairs house olfactory receptor neurons that express two conventional olfactory receptors of Aedes aegypti (AaOrs), AaOr8 and AaOr49, together with the odorant co-receptor (AaOrco). In vivo calcium imaging using transfected cell lines demonstrated that AaOr8 and AaOr49 were activated by volatile compounds present in blood. Inhibition of gene expression of these AaOrs delayed blood feeding behaviors of the mosquito. Taken together, we identified olfactory receptor neurons in the stylet involved in mosquito blood feeding behaviors, which in turn indicates that olfactory perception in the stylet is necessary and sufficient for mosquitoes to find host blood in order to rapidly acquire blood meals from a host animal.
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