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Michel A. Slotman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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chemosensory gene expression in Olfactory Organs of the anthropophilic anopheles coluzzii and zoophilic anopheles quadriannulatus
BMC Genomics, 2017Co-Authors: Giridhar Athrey, Luciano V. Cosme, Sharmila Pathikonda, Willem Takken, Zachary R Popkinhall, Michel A. SlotmanAbstract: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. 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. 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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Retraction Note: Species-specific chemosensory gene expression in the Olfactory Organs of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae
BMC genomics, 2015Co-Authors: Theresa K. Hodges, Luciano V. Cosme, Giridhar Athrey, Sharmila Pathikonda, Willem Takken, Michel A. SlotmanAbstract:The malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae has a high preference for human hosts, a characteristic that contributes greatly to its capacity for transmitting human malaria. A sibling species, An. quadriannulatus, has a quite different host preference and feeds mostly on bovids. For this reason it does not contribute to human malaria transmission. Host seeking in mosquitoes is modulated by the Olfactory system, which is primarily housed in the antennae and maxillary palps. Therefore, the detection of differing host odors by sibling species may be reflected in the expression level of the Olfactory genes involved. Accordingly, we compared the transcriptomes of the antennae and maxillary palps of An. gambiae and An. quadriannulatus. We identified seven relatively abundant Olfactory receptors, nine ionotropic receptors and three odorant binding proteins that are substantially up-regulated in An. gambiae antennae. Interestingly, we find that the maxillary palps of An. gambiae contain a species-specific Olfactory receptor, Or52, and five An. gambiae-specific gustatory receptors (AgGr48-52) that are relatively abundant. These five gustatory receptors are also expressed in An. gambiae antennae, although at lower level, indicating a likely role in olfaction, rather than gustation. We also document an approximately three-fold higher overall expression of olfaction genes in the maxillary palps of An. quadriannulatus, indicating an important role of this organ in the olfaction system of this species. Finally, the expression of the CO2 receptor genes is five to six-fold higher in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus, implying a much higher sensitivity for detecting CO2. These results identify potential human host preference genes in the malaria vector An. gambiae. Interestingly, species-specific expression of several gustatory receptors in the Olfactory Organs indicate a role in olfaction rather than gustation. Additionally, a more expansive role for maxillary palps in olfaction is implicated than previously thought, albeit more so in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus.
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Species-specific chemosensory gene expression in the Olfactory Organs of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae.
BMC genomics, 2014Co-Authors: Theresa K. Hodges, Luciano V. Cosme, Giridhar Athrey, Sharmila Pathikonda, Willem Takken, Michel A. SlotmanAbstract:Background: The malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae has a high preference for human hosts, a characteristic that contributes greatly to its capacity for transmitting human malaria. A sibling species, An. quadriannulatus, has a quite different host preference and feeds mostly on bovids. For this reason it does not contribute to human malaria transmission. Host seeking in mosquitoes is modulated by the Olfactory system, which is primarily housed in the antennae and maxillary palps. Therefore, the detection of differing host odors by sibling species may be reflected in the expression level of the Olfactory genes involved. Accordingly, we compared the transcriptomes of the antennae and maxillary palps of An. gambiae and An. quadriannulatus. Results: We identified seven relatively abundant Olfactory receptors, nine ionotropic receptors and three odorant binding proteins that are substantially up-regulated in An. gambiae antennae. Interestingly, we find that the maxillary palps of An. gambiae contain a species-specific Olfactory receptor, Or52, and five An. gambiae-specific gustatory receptors (AgGr48-52) that are relatively abundant. These five gustatory receptors are also expressed in An. gambiae antennae, although at lower level, indicating a likely role in olfaction, rather than gustation. We also document an approximately three-fold higher overall expression of olfaction genes in the maxillary palps of An. quadriannulatus, indicating an important role of this organ in the olfaction system of this species. Finally, the expression of the CO2 receptor genes is five to six-fold higher in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus, implying a much higher sensitivity for detecting CO2. Conclusions: These results identify potential human host preference genes in the malaria vector An. gambiae. Interestingly, species-specific expression of several gustatory receptors in the Olfactory Organs indicate a role in olfaction rather than gustation. Additionally, a more expansive role for maxillary palps in olfaction is implicated than previously thought, albeit more so in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus.
Laurence J Zwiebel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a cluster of candidate odorant receptors from the malaria vector mosquito anopheles gambiae
Chemical Senses, 2002Co-Authors: A N Fox, R J Pitts, Laurence J ZwiebelAbstract:Olfaction is critical to the host preference selection behavior of many disease-transmitting insects, including the mosquito Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (hereafter A. gambiae), one of the major vectors for human malaria. In order to more fully understand the molecular biology of olfaction in this insect, we have previously identified several members member of a family of candidate odorant receptor proteins from A. gambiae (AgORs). Here we report the cloning and characterization of an additional AgOR gene, denoted as AgOr5, which shows significant similarity to putative odorant receptors in A. gambiae and Drosophila melanogaster and which is selectively expressed in Olfactory Organs. AgOr5 is tightly clustered within the A. gambiae genome to two other highly homologous candidate odorant receptors, suggesting that these genes are derived from a common ancestor. Analysis of the developmental expression within members of this AgOR gene cluster reveals considerable variation between these AgORs as compared to candidate odorant receptors from D. melanogaster.
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candidate odorant receptors from the malaria vector mosquito anopheles gambiae and evidence of down regulation in response to blood feeding
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2001Co-Authors: A N Fox, John R. Carlson, R J Pitts, Hugh M Robertson, Laurence J ZwiebelAbstract:Olfaction plays a major role in host preference and blood feeding, integral behaviors for disease transmission by the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (henceforth A. gambiae). We have identified four genes encoding candidate odorant receptors from A. gambiae that are selectively expressed in Olfactory Organs, contain approximately seven transmembrane domains, and show significant similarity to several putative odorant receptors in Drosophila melanogaster. Furthermore, one of the putative A. gambiae odorant receptors exhibits female-specific antennal expression and is down-regulated 12 h after blood feeding, a period during which substantial reduction in Olfactory responses to human odorants has been observed. Taken together, these data suggest these genes encode a family of odorant receptors in A. gambiae, whose further study may aid in the design of novel antimalarial programs.
Nobuaki Nakamuta - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Immunohistochemical analysis of the development of Olfactory Organs in two species of turtles Pelodiscus sinensis and Mauremys reevesii.
Acta histochemica, 2018Co-Authors: Shoko Nakamuta, Makoto Yokosuka, Kazumi Taniguchi, Yoshio Yamamoto, Satoshi Kusuda, Nobuaki NakamutaAbstract:The nasal cavity of turtles is composed of the upper and lower chambers, lined by the upper and lower chamber epithelia, respectively. In many turtles including the Reeve's turtle Mauremys reevesii, the upper chamber epithelium contains ciliated Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and the lower chamber epithelium contains microvillous ORNs. However, in the Olfactory organ of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis, both the upper and lower chamber epithelia contain ciliated ORNs. In the present study, we immunohistochemically examined the developmental process of Olfactory Organs in soft-shelled turtle and the Reeve's turtle to clarify the developmental origins of the lower chamber epithelium in these turtles. Obtained data indicate that Olfactory Organs of these turtles have identical origin and follow similar process of development, suggesting that, in the lower chamber epithelium of the nasal cavity, ciliated ORNs differentiate in soft-shelled turtle whereas microvillous ORNs differentiate in the Reeve's turtle.
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immunohistochemical analysis for g protein in the Olfactory Organs of soft shelled turtle pelodiscus sinensis
Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 2016Co-Authors: Shoko Nakamuta, Makoto Yokosuka, Kazumi Taniguchi, Yoshio Yamamoto, Nobuaki NakamutaAbstract:In turtles, the epithelia lining the upper and lower chambers of the nasal cavity project axons to the ventral and dorsal parts of the Olfactory bulbs, respectively. In a semi-aquatic soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, more than 1,000 odorant receptor genes have been found, but it is not known where they are expressed. In this study, we aimed to clarify the distribution of cells expressing these genes in the Olfactory Organs of soft-shelled turtles. Immunoreactions for the Gαolf, the α subunit of G protein coupled to the odorant receptors, were detected on the surface of epithelia lining both the upper and lower chambers of the nasal cavity. The receptor cells in the epithelium of both chambers possessed cilia on the tip of their dendrites, whereas microvillous, non-ciliated, receptor cells were not found. These data suggest that the odorant receptor genes are expressed by the ciliated receptor cells in the upper and lower chamber epithelia. Precise location of the vomeronasal epithelium is not known at present.
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histochemical and ultrastructural analyses of the lubrication systems in the Olfactory Organs of soft shelled turtle
Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 2016Co-Authors: Shoko Nakamuta, Makoto Yokosuka, Kazumi Taniguchi, Yoshio Yamamoto, Nobuaki NakamutaAbstract:In general, the nasal cavity of turtles is divided into two chambers: the upper chamber, lined with the Olfactory epithelium containing ciliated Olfactory receptor cells, and the lower chamber, lined with the vomeronasal epithelium containing microvillous receptor cells. In the nasal cavity of soft-shelled turtles, however, differences between the upper and lower chamber epithelia are unclear due to the presence of ciliated receptor cells in both epithelia. In the Olfactory organ of vertebrates, the surface of sensory epithelium is covered with secretory products of associated glands and supporting cells, playing important roles in the olfaction by dissolving odorants and transporting them to the Olfactory receptors. Here, the associated glands and supporting cells in the Olfactory organ of soft-shelled turtles were analyzed histochemically and ultrastructurally. The upper chamber epithelium possessed associated glands, constituted by cells containing serous secretory granules; whereas, the lower chamber epithelium did not. In the upper chamber epithelium, secretory granules filled the supranuclear region of supporting cells, while most of the granules were distributed near the free border of supporting cells in the lower chamber epithelium. The secretory granules in the supporting cells of both epithelia were seromucous, but alcian blue stained them differently from each other. In addition, distinct expression of carbohydrates was suggested by the differences in lectin binding. These data indicate the quantitative and qualitative differences in the secretory properties between the upper and lower chamber epithelia, suggesting their distinct roles in the olfaction.
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immunohistochemical and lectin histochemical studies on the developing Olfactory Organs of fetal camel
Microscopy Research and Technique, 2015Co-Authors: Kazuyuki Taniguchi, Kazumi Taniguchi, Yoshio Yamamoto, Nobuaki Nakamuta, Dalia IbrahimAbstract:Little is known about the development of the Olfactory Organs of camel. In this study, prenatal development and neuronal differentiation of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and the Olfactory epithelium (OE) of the one-humped camel were studied by immunohistochemistry and lectin histochemistry. A neuronal marker, protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, but not a marker of fully differentiated Olfactory receptor cells, Olfactory marker protein, intensely labeled the Olfactory receptor cells of the VNO and OE at 395 mm, 510 mm, and 530 mm fetal ages, indicating that the Olfactory receptor cells are differentiated, but not fully matured both in the VNO and the OE. In 187 mm and 190 mm fetuses, PGP 9.5 yielded faint immunoreactive signals in the VNO, but not in the OE, although the presence of Olfactory receptor cells were demonstrated in both tissues by intense WGA and LEL stainings. We conclude that the camel VNO and OE bear differentiated, but still immature receptor cells; in addition, the onset of neuronal differentiation seems to be somewhat earlier in the VNO than in the OE till half of the prenatal life. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:613–619, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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histological and ultrastructural characteristics of the primordial vomeronasal organ in lungfish
Anatomical Record-advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Kazuyuki Taniguchi, Shoko Nakamuta, Kazumi Taniguchi, Nobuaki NakamutaAbstract:Many vertebrates have two anatomically distinct Olfactory Organs—the Olfactory epithelium and the vomeronasal organ—to detect chemicals such as general odorants and pheromones in their environment. The vomeronasal organ is not present in fish but is present in vertebrates of a higher order than amphibians. Among all extant fishes, the lungfish is considered to be genetically and phylogenetically closest to tetrapods. In this study, we examined the Olfactory Organs of African lungfish, Protopterus annectens, by lectin histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. Two types of sensory epithelia were identified in the Olfactory organ—the Olfactory epithelium covering the surface of lamellae and the sensory epithelium lining the recesses both at the base of lamellae and in the wall of the nasal sac—and designated here as the lamellar Olfactory epithelium and the recess epithelium, respectively. Based on analysis of G-protein expression and ultrastructure, the lamellar Olfactory epithelium resembled the Olfactory epithelium of ordinary teleosts and the recess epithelium resembled the vomeronasal organ of tetrapods. Furthermore, lectin histochemistry demonstrated that the axons from the recess epithelium converge and project to the ventrolateral part of the Olfactory bulb, suggesting that lungfish possess a region homologous to the accessory Olfactory bulb of tetrapods. Based on these results, it seems appropriate to refer to the recess epithelium as “a primordium of the vomeronasal organ.” This study may provide important clues to elucidate how the vomeronasal organ emerged during the evolution of vertebrates. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Giridhar Athrey - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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chemosensory gene expression in Olfactory Organs of the anthropophilic anopheles coluzzii and zoophilic anopheles quadriannulatus
BMC Genomics, 2017Co-Authors: Giridhar Athrey, Luciano V. Cosme, Sharmila Pathikonda, Willem Takken, Zachary R Popkinhall, Michel A. SlotmanAbstract: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. 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. 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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Retraction Note: Species-specific chemosensory gene expression in the Olfactory Organs of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae
BMC genomics, 2015Co-Authors: Theresa K. Hodges, Luciano V. Cosme, Giridhar Athrey, Sharmila Pathikonda, Willem Takken, Michel A. SlotmanAbstract:The malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae has a high preference for human hosts, a characteristic that contributes greatly to its capacity for transmitting human malaria. A sibling species, An. quadriannulatus, has a quite different host preference and feeds mostly on bovids. For this reason it does not contribute to human malaria transmission. Host seeking in mosquitoes is modulated by the Olfactory system, which is primarily housed in the antennae and maxillary palps. Therefore, the detection of differing host odors by sibling species may be reflected in the expression level of the Olfactory genes involved. Accordingly, we compared the transcriptomes of the antennae and maxillary palps of An. gambiae and An. quadriannulatus. We identified seven relatively abundant Olfactory receptors, nine ionotropic receptors and three odorant binding proteins that are substantially up-regulated in An. gambiae antennae. Interestingly, we find that the maxillary palps of An. gambiae contain a species-specific Olfactory receptor, Or52, and five An. gambiae-specific gustatory receptors (AgGr48-52) that are relatively abundant. These five gustatory receptors are also expressed in An. gambiae antennae, although at lower level, indicating a likely role in olfaction, rather than gustation. We also document an approximately three-fold higher overall expression of olfaction genes in the maxillary palps of An. quadriannulatus, indicating an important role of this organ in the olfaction system of this species. Finally, the expression of the CO2 receptor genes is five to six-fold higher in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus, implying a much higher sensitivity for detecting CO2. These results identify potential human host preference genes in the malaria vector An. gambiae. Interestingly, species-specific expression of several gustatory receptors in the Olfactory Organs indicate a role in olfaction rather than gustation. Additionally, a more expansive role for maxillary palps in olfaction is implicated than previously thought, albeit more so in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus.
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Species-specific chemosensory gene expression in the Olfactory Organs of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae.
BMC genomics, 2014Co-Authors: Theresa K. Hodges, Luciano V. Cosme, Giridhar Athrey, Sharmila Pathikonda, Willem Takken, Michel A. SlotmanAbstract:Background: The malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae has a high preference for human hosts, a characteristic that contributes greatly to its capacity for transmitting human malaria. A sibling species, An. quadriannulatus, has a quite different host preference and feeds mostly on bovids. For this reason it does not contribute to human malaria transmission. Host seeking in mosquitoes is modulated by the Olfactory system, which is primarily housed in the antennae and maxillary palps. Therefore, the detection of differing host odors by sibling species may be reflected in the expression level of the Olfactory genes involved. Accordingly, we compared the transcriptomes of the antennae and maxillary palps of An. gambiae and An. quadriannulatus. Results: We identified seven relatively abundant Olfactory receptors, nine ionotropic receptors and three odorant binding proteins that are substantially up-regulated in An. gambiae antennae. Interestingly, we find that the maxillary palps of An. gambiae contain a species-specific Olfactory receptor, Or52, and five An. gambiae-specific gustatory receptors (AgGr48-52) that are relatively abundant. These five gustatory receptors are also expressed in An. gambiae antennae, although at lower level, indicating a likely role in olfaction, rather than gustation. We also document an approximately three-fold higher overall expression of olfaction genes in the maxillary palps of An. quadriannulatus, indicating an important role of this organ in the olfaction system of this species. Finally, the expression of the CO2 receptor genes is five to six-fold higher in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus, implying a much higher sensitivity for detecting CO2. Conclusions: These results identify potential human host preference genes in the malaria vector An. gambiae. Interestingly, species-specific expression of several gustatory receptors in the Olfactory Organs indicate a role in olfaction rather than gustation. Additionally, a more expansive role for maxillary palps in olfaction is implicated than previously thought, albeit more so in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus.
Luciano V. Cosme - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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chemosensory gene expression in Olfactory Organs of the anthropophilic anopheles coluzzii and zoophilic anopheles quadriannulatus
BMC Genomics, 2017Co-Authors: Giridhar Athrey, Luciano V. Cosme, Sharmila Pathikonda, Willem Takken, Zachary R Popkinhall, Michel A. SlotmanAbstract: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. 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. 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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Retraction Note: Species-specific chemosensory gene expression in the Olfactory Organs of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae
BMC genomics, 2015Co-Authors: Theresa K. Hodges, Luciano V. Cosme, Giridhar Athrey, Sharmila Pathikonda, Willem Takken, Michel A. SlotmanAbstract:The malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae has a high preference for human hosts, a characteristic that contributes greatly to its capacity for transmitting human malaria. A sibling species, An. quadriannulatus, has a quite different host preference and feeds mostly on bovids. For this reason it does not contribute to human malaria transmission. Host seeking in mosquitoes is modulated by the Olfactory system, which is primarily housed in the antennae and maxillary palps. Therefore, the detection of differing host odors by sibling species may be reflected in the expression level of the Olfactory genes involved. Accordingly, we compared the transcriptomes of the antennae and maxillary palps of An. gambiae and An. quadriannulatus. We identified seven relatively abundant Olfactory receptors, nine ionotropic receptors and three odorant binding proteins that are substantially up-regulated in An. gambiae antennae. Interestingly, we find that the maxillary palps of An. gambiae contain a species-specific Olfactory receptor, Or52, and five An. gambiae-specific gustatory receptors (AgGr48-52) that are relatively abundant. These five gustatory receptors are also expressed in An. gambiae antennae, although at lower level, indicating a likely role in olfaction, rather than gustation. We also document an approximately three-fold higher overall expression of olfaction genes in the maxillary palps of An. quadriannulatus, indicating an important role of this organ in the olfaction system of this species. Finally, the expression of the CO2 receptor genes is five to six-fold higher in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus, implying a much higher sensitivity for detecting CO2. These results identify potential human host preference genes in the malaria vector An. gambiae. Interestingly, species-specific expression of several gustatory receptors in the Olfactory Organs indicate a role in olfaction rather than gustation. Additionally, a more expansive role for maxillary palps in olfaction is implicated than previously thought, albeit more so in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus.
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Species-specific chemosensory gene expression in the Olfactory Organs of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae.
BMC genomics, 2014Co-Authors: Theresa K. Hodges, Luciano V. Cosme, Giridhar Athrey, Sharmila Pathikonda, Willem Takken, Michel A. SlotmanAbstract:Background: The malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae has a high preference for human hosts, a characteristic that contributes greatly to its capacity for transmitting human malaria. A sibling species, An. quadriannulatus, has a quite different host preference and feeds mostly on bovids. For this reason it does not contribute to human malaria transmission. Host seeking in mosquitoes is modulated by the Olfactory system, which is primarily housed in the antennae and maxillary palps. Therefore, the detection of differing host odors by sibling species may be reflected in the expression level of the Olfactory genes involved. Accordingly, we compared the transcriptomes of the antennae and maxillary palps of An. gambiae and An. quadriannulatus. Results: We identified seven relatively abundant Olfactory receptors, nine ionotropic receptors and three odorant binding proteins that are substantially up-regulated in An. gambiae antennae. Interestingly, we find that the maxillary palps of An. gambiae contain a species-specific Olfactory receptor, Or52, and five An. gambiae-specific gustatory receptors (AgGr48-52) that are relatively abundant. These five gustatory receptors are also expressed in An. gambiae antennae, although at lower level, indicating a likely role in olfaction, rather than gustation. We also document an approximately three-fold higher overall expression of olfaction genes in the maxillary palps of An. quadriannulatus, indicating an important role of this organ in the olfaction system of this species. Finally, the expression of the CO2 receptor genes is five to six-fold higher in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus, implying a much higher sensitivity for detecting CO2. Conclusions: These results identify potential human host preference genes in the malaria vector An. gambiae. Interestingly, species-specific expression of several gustatory receptors in the Olfactory Organs indicate a role in olfaction rather than gustation. Additionally, a more expansive role for maxillary palps in olfaction is implicated than previously thought, albeit more so in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus.
