Dual-mode regulation of blood sucking behavior in Aedes aegypti

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14866
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39050:Insect science-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (2022); Jikei University School of Medicine (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Sakuma Chisako 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 生命機能科学研究センター, 研究員 (10747017)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 蚊 / ネッタイシマカ / 吸血 / 味覚 / 遺伝子編集 / 味覚受容体 / ATP

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Exploring the molecular mechanism of blood sucking behavior of female
mosquitoes is one of the critical steps to fight against vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, since pathogens are transmitted when mosquitoes are gorging on blood. It was widely known that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) derived from host blood promotes mosquito blood feeding, but its receptors and responsible neurons were unknown. In this study, by generating mutants of a group of gustatory receptors involved in sugar perception in Aedes mosquito, we showed that some receptors contribute to the perception of ATP.
We also identified a substance in the host blood that negatively regulates blood feeding. We further confirmed that the substance has an inhibitory effect on blood feeding.

Free Research Field

神経行動学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

吸血行動を制御する分子機構が解明されることは、人為的な蚊の行動操作のための基盤となる。本研究において、吸血の促進および抑制(停止)に関わる分子を明らかにしたことは、今後これらが関与する神経回路の解明や、促進と抑制の切替について理解するための重要な手がかりとなる。また、これら分子の働きを制御する化合物のスクリーニングなども実現可能となる。
また、蚊において吸血促進物質であるATPが、ショウジョウバエやオスの蚊でも味覚受容されることが明らかになったため、蚊のATP受容機構に関して得た知見は、様々な昆虫の摂食の理解に新たな洞察をもたらすことが予想される。