Citronellal perception and transmission by Anopheles gambiae s.s. (Diptera: Culicidae) females

Authors:
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Anopheles gambiaes.s. is a key vector ofPlasmodiumparasites. Repellents, which may be a promising alternative to pesticides used to control malaria mosquitoes. Although citronellal is a known mosquito repellent, its repellency characteristics are largely unknown. Determining the specific odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs) that detect and transfer the citronellal molecule inA. gambiaes.s. will help to define the mode of action of this compound. In this research, we assessed the repellent activity of citronellal inA. gambiaes.s. using a Y-tube olfactory meter, screened candidate citronellal-binding OBPs and ORs using reverse molecular docking, clarified the binding properties of predicted proteins for citronellal using fluorescence competition binding assay. Results showed that citronellal had a dosage effect on repellingA. gambiaes.s..The 50% repellent rate was determined to be 4.02 nmol. Results of simulated molecular docking showed that the only proteins that bound tightly with citronellal were AgamOBP4 and AgamORC7. Fluorescence competitive binding assays confirmed the simulations. This research determined that citronellal was captured by AgamOBP4 and transmitted to AgamORC7 inA. gambiaes.s.. Our study will be beneficial in the further understanding the repellent mechanism of citronellal againstA. gambiaes.s..
Funding Information
  • Special Fund for Scientific Research Institutions of Fujian Science and Technology Department (2018R1024-1)
  • Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences ‘Three Agricultural Integration’ Special Fund (A2017-31)
  • Natural Science Foundation of Zhangzhou Science and Technology Bureau (ZZ2019J41)
  • Scientific and Technological Innovation Team of Biological Control Resources Funding in FAAS (STIT2017-2-11)
  • Funding of Zhangzhou Food Industry Technology Research Institute (2018N2002)

This publication has 93 references indexed in Scilit: