Int J Biol Sci 2010; 6(7):614-626. doi:10.7150/ijbs.6.614 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Antennal expression pattern of two olfactory receptors and an odorant binding protein implicated in host odor detection by the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae

Danuta Schymura1, Maike Forstner1,4, Anna Schultze1, Thomas Kröber3, Luc Swevers2, Kostas Iatrou2, Jürgen Krieger1

1. University of Hohenheim, Institute of Physiology, Stuttgart, Germany
2. Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Group, Institute of Biology, National Centre for Scientific Research ”Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
3. Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science, University Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
4. Present address: Bayer CropScience, Monheim, Germany

Citation:
Schymura D, Forstner M, Schultze A, Kröber T, Swevers L, Iatrou K, Krieger J. Antennal expression pattern of two olfactory receptors and an odorant binding protein implicated in host odor detection by the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Int J Biol Sci 2010; 6(7):614-626. doi:10.7150/ijbs.6.614. https://www.ijbs.com/v06p0614.htm
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Abstract

Odor-detection in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae involves large families of diverse proteins, including multiple odorant binding proteins (AgOBPs) and olfactory receptors (AgORs). The receptors AgOR1 and AgOR2, as well as the binding protein AgOBP1, have been implicated in the recognition of human host odors. In this study, we have explored the expression of these olfactory proteins, as well as the ubiquitous odorant receptor heteromerization partner AgOR7, in the thirteen flagellomeres (segments) of female and male antenna. Expressing cells were visualized by adapting a whole mount fluorescence in situ hybridization method. In female mosquitoes, AgOR1-expressing olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) were almost exclusively segregated in segments 3 to 9, whereas AgOR2-expressing ORNs were distributed over flagellomeres 2 to 13. Different individuals comprised a similar number of cells expressing a distinct AgOR type, although their antennal topography and number per flagellomere varied. AgOBP1-expressing support cells were present in segments 3 to 13 of the female antenna, with increasing numbers towards the distal end. In male mosquitoes, total numbers of AgOR- and AgOBP1-expressing cells were much lower. While AgOR2-expressing cells were found on both terminal flagellomeres, AgOR1 cells were restricted to the most distal segment. High densities of AgOBP1-expressing cells were identified in segment 13, whereas segment 12 comprised very few. Altogether, the results demonstrate that both sexes express the two olfactory receptor types as well as the binding protein AgOBP1 but there is a significant sexual dimorphism concerning the number and distribution of these cells. This may suggest gender-specific differences in the ability to detect distinct odorants, specifically human host-derived volatiles.

Keywords: olfaction, odorant receptor proteins, odorant binding proteins, mRNA expression, sexual dimorphism


Citation styles

APA
Schymura, D., Forstner, M., Schultze, A., Kröber, T., Swevers, L., Iatrou, K., Krieger, J. (2010). Antennal expression pattern of two olfactory receptors and an odorant binding protein implicated in host odor detection by the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 6(7), 614-626. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.6.614.

ACS
Schymura, D.; Forstner, M.; Schultze, A.; Kröber, T.; Swevers, L.; Iatrou, K.; Krieger, J. Antennal expression pattern of two olfactory receptors and an odorant binding protein implicated in host odor detection by the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2010, 6 (7), 614-626. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.6.614.

NLM
Schymura D, Forstner M, Schultze A, Kröber T, Swevers L, Iatrou K, Krieger J. Antennal expression pattern of two olfactory receptors and an odorant binding protein implicated in host odor detection by the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Int J Biol Sci 2010; 6(7):614-626. doi:10.7150/ijbs.6.614. https://www.ijbs.com/v06p0614.htm

CSE
Schymura D, Forstner M, Schultze A, Kröber T, Swevers L, Iatrou K, Krieger J. 2010. Antennal expression pattern of two olfactory receptors and an odorant binding protein implicated in host odor detection by the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Int J Biol Sci. 6(7):614-626.

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