301. Olfactory Coding in Antennal Neurons of the Malaria Mosquito, Anopheles gambiae.
- Author
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Qiu YT, van Loon JJ, Takken W, Meijerink J, and Smid HM
- Subjects
- Action Potentials drug effects, Action Potentials physiology, Animals, Anopheles cytology, Chemotactic Factors pharmacology, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Down-Regulation physiology, Eating physiology, Female, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Olfactory Receptor Neurons drug effects, Sense Organs ultrastructure, Stimulation, Chemical, Up-Regulation physiology, Anopheles physiology, Olfactory Receptor Neurons physiology, Sense Organs physiology
- Abstract
Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the antenna of insects serve to encode odors in action potential activity conducted to the olfactory lobe of the deuterocerebrum. We performed an analysis of the electrophysiological responses of olfactory neurons in the antennae of the female malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae s.s. and investigated the effect of blood feeding on responsiveness. Forty-four chemicals that are known to be present in human volatile emanations were used as odor stimuli. We identified 6 functional types of trichoid sensilla and 5 functional types of grooved-peg sensilla (GP) based on a hierarchical cluster analysis. Generalist ORNs, tuned to a broad range of odors, moderate specialist ORNs and 2 ORNs tuned to only one odor were identified in different sensilla types. Neurons in GP were tuned to more polar compounds including the important behavioral attractant ammonia and its synergist L-lactic acid, responses to which were found only in GP. Combinatorial coding is the most plausible principle operating in the olfactory system of this mosquito species. We document for the first time both up- and downregulation of ORN responsiveness after blood feeding. Modulation of host-seeking and oviposition behavior is associated with both qualitative and quantitative changes in the peripheral sensory system.
- Published
- 2006
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