Neurogenetic identification of mosquito sensory neurons

Joanna K Konopka; Darya Task; Danny Poinapen; Christopher J Potter

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.106690

Neurogenetic identification of mosquito sensory neurons

iScience. 2023 Apr 18;26(5):106690. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106690. eCollection 2023 May 19.

Authors

Joanna K Konopka¹, Darya Task¹, Danny Poinapen², Christopher J Potter¹

Affiliations

¹ The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
² Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.

Abstract

Anopheles mosquitoes, as vectors for the malaria parasite, are a global threat to human health. To find and bite a human, they utilize neurons within their sensory appendages. However, the identity and quantification of sensory appendage neurons are lacking. Here we use a neurogenetic approach to label all neurons in Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes. We utilize the homology assisted CRISPR knock-in (HACK) approach to generate a T2A-QF2^w knock-in of the synaptic gene bruchpilot. We use a membrane-targeted GFP reporter to visualize the neurons in the brain and to quantify neurons in all major chemosensory appendages (antenna, maxillary palp, labella, tarsi, and ovipositor). By comparing labeling of brp>GFP and Orco>GFP mosquitoes, we predict the extent of neurons expressing ionotropic receptors (IRs) or other chemosensory receptors. This work introduces a valuable genetic tool for the functional analysis of Anopheles mosquito neurobiology and initiates characterization of the sensory neurons that guide mosquito behavior.

Keywords: Cellular neuroscience; Molecular neuroscience; Neuroscience; Sensory neuroscience.

Grants and funding

R01 AI137078/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States