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Related Concept Videos

The Physiology of Taste01:24

The Physiology of Taste

The perception of a salty flavor is facilitated by sodium ions within the oral salivary fluid. Upon consumption of a salty substance, salt crystals disassemble, leading to the liberation of its constituents—Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions subsequently dissolve into the salivary fluid present in the oral cavity. The external environment of the gustatory cells experiences an elevation in Na+ concentration, thereby establishing a potent concentration gradient. This gradient propels the diffusion of...
Taste Buds and Receptors01:20

Taste Buds and Receptors

Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...
Gustation01:43

Gustation

Gustation is a chemical sense that, along with olfaction (smell), contributes to our perception of taste. It starts with the activation of receptors by chemical compounds (tastants) dissolved in the saliva. The saliva and filiform papillae on the tongue distribute the tastants and increase their exposure to the taste receptors.
Osmoregulation in Insects01:47

Osmoregulation in Insects

Malpighian tubules are specialized structures found in the digestive systems of many arthropods, including most insects, that handle excretion and osmoregulation. The tubules are typically arranged in pairs and have a convoluted structure that increases their surface area.
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision.  The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory organs,...

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Physiological Recordings and RNA Sequencing of the Gustatory Appendages of the Yellow-fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti
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Avoiding DEET through insect gustatory receptors.

Youngseok Lee1, Sang Hoon Kim, Craig Montell

  • 1Department of Biological Chemistry, Center for Sensory Biology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.

Neuron
|August 28, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

DEET directly activates gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) in fruit flies, suppressing feeding behavior. This insect repellent

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Entomology
  • Chemical Ecology

Background:

  • DEET is a widely used insect repellent.
  • Its mechanism of action, particularly in fruit flies (Drosophila), is debated, with potential roles in olfactory and gustatory systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct effects of DEET on insect sensory neurons.
  • To elucidate the neural pathways mediating DEET's feeding suppression in Drosophila.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophysiological recordings from gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) in Drosophila.
  • Behavioral assays to measure feeding suppression by DEET.
  • Genetic analysis using GRN mutants (Gr32a, Gr33a, Gr66a).

Main Results:

  • DEET suppresses feeding behavior in Drosophila at concentrations below 0.1%.
  • This effect is mediated by GRNs, specifically those responding to aversive compounds.
  • DEET directly stimulates action potentials in GRNs, indicating direct activation.

Conclusions:

  • DEET directly activates gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs), leading to feeding suppression.
  • The effectiveness of DEET may stem from its dual action on both GRNs and olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs).
  • Understanding DEET's neural targets provides insights into insect repellent mechanisms and pest control strategies.