Olfactory physiology of blood-feeding vector mosquitoes

Yu Tong Qiu; Joop J.A. van Loon

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Olfactory physiology of blood-feeding vector mosquitoes

In: Olfaction in vector-host interactions

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Yu Tong Qiu

Yu Tong Qiu
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Joop J.A. van Loon

Joop J.A. van Loon
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 39–61

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.3920/9789086866984_005

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Dar Hadith al Hassania

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The olfactory organs of blood-feeding mosquitoes are the antennae, maxillary palps and proboscis. On each of these organs, several morphologically distinct types of multiporous sensilla are present that typically house two to four olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). Electrophysiological studies of ORN responsiveness have allowed the identification of several functional ORN-classes within each sensillum type. Functional ORN-types are distinguished based on their unique spectrum of responses to a set of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Each neuron expresses one or a few membrane-bound olfactory receptor (OR) proteins that function as the molecular determinant of the response specificity of the ORN. Genomic analysis has identified 79 and 131 candidate OR-genes in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae and the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti, respectively. In the sensillum lymph surrounding the dendrites, water-soluble odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) fulfil roles in transport and inactivation of VOCs. In Anopheles gambiae 57 OBP-genes have been found and in Ae. aegypti this number is 66. The ORNs have been shown to encode odour quality, i.e. molecular structure, odour concentration as well as temporal changes in concentration and spatial distribution. Responses of ORNs belong to two major types: some odour stimuli elicit excitation whereas other odours cause inhibition relative to the pre-stimulus activity. Both response modes are controlled by the same OR. Both generalist ORNs and specialist ORNs are found. The responses of ORNs to odorants are concentration-dependent above a threshold concentration, and both absolute concentration and the change in concentration can be encoded. The ensemble of mosquito ORNs responds to odours emitted by hosts, plants and oviposition sites, which together harbour a substantial diversity of molecular structures. Yet, the number of VOCs tested on the full array of ORN functional types of any mosquito species is still far from exhaustive and rarely exceeds 100 VOCs. A substantial concerted effort of molecular biologists, electrophysiologists and ethologists lies ahead to further unravel the mosquito olfactory system. The information thus obtained is essential for the development of behavioural disruption methods that will contribute to the control of mosquito vector populations.

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Olfaction in vector-host interactions

Series: Ecology and Control of Vector-borne Diseases, Volume: 2

E-Book ISBN:: 9789086866984

Publisher:: Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 24 Oct 2010

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- Life Sciences

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Olfactory physiology of blood-feeding vector mosquitoes

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Olfaction in vector-host interactions

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