The goal of this project is to identify olfactory receptors that enable the Dengue Fever Mosquito to be attracted to humans. The proposed research promises to (1) provide insight into the genetic basis of mosquito attraction to humans and (2) provide specific information useful for preventing the spread of human disease by mosquitoes. The research plan builds on my recently published discovery that orco mutant mosquitoes retain strong attraction to humans despite lacking a functional odorant receptor pathway. The hypothesis I propose is that the ionotropic receptor (IR) pathway that is retained in orco mutants is essential for mosquito attraction to humans. Using olfactometer assays, I will identify which of the three IR co-receptors are required for mosquito attraction to human odor. I will then map the expression of IRs in mosquito olfactory organs using tissue-specific RNA-seq and whole mount in situ hybridization. By combining loss-of-function behavioral studies with an IR expression map, I will identify IRs that are candidate human odor receptors. Candidate human odor-selective IRs and their cognate IRCOs will be functionally reconstituted in heterologous cells and deorphanized using human odor components. Identifying behaviorally relevant mosquito receptors and the human odors that activate them will provide molecular insights that can be used to make mosquito behavior less harmful.

Public Health Relevance

Olfaction is essential for mosquitoes find their hosts and spread disease. Body odor is an important chemosensory cue that attracts mosquitos to their human hosts. There are two goals of this research plan (1) to identify olfactory receptors that are essential for mosquito attraction to humans and (2) determine which odors activate these receptors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Career Transition Award (K22)
Project #
1K22AI112585-01
Application #
8748140
Study Section
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases B Subcommittee (MID)
Program Officer
Costero-Saint Denis, Adriana
Project Start
2015-03-05
Project End
2017-02-28
Budget Start
2015-03-05
Budget End
2016-02-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$159,600
Indirect Cost
$9,600
Name
Florida International University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
071298814
City
Miami
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
33199
Raji, Joshua I; DeGennaro, Matthew (2017) Genetic Analysis of Mosquito Detection of Humans. Curr Opin Insect Sci 20:34-38
DeGennaro, Matthew (2015) The mysterious multi-modal repellency of DEET. Fly (Austin) 9:45-51