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Purinergic reception by culicine mosquitoes
R Galun1, W G Friend, S Nudelman
1Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Mosquitoes possess purinergic receptors that trigger feeding when stimulated by extracellular ADP and related compounds. Bicarbonate in the solvent enhances this phagostimulatory effect in adult female mosquitoes.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Adult female mosquitoes, including Culex pipiens and Culiseta inornata, possess chemoreceptors involved in host-seeking and feeding.
- Purinergic signaling, mediated by extracellular nucleotides like ADP, plays a role in various physiological processes across species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of purinergic receptors in stimulating feeding behavior in adult female mosquitoes.
- To determine the relative potencies of various extracellular nucleotides and related compounds in eliciting phagostimulation.
Main Methods:
- Adult female Culex pipiens and Culiseta inornata were presented with artificial diets containing varying concentrations of extracellular nucleotides.
- Phagostimulatory responses were quantified by measuring insect ingestion of the artificial diets.
- Dose-response relationships were established to determine the potency of different compounds.
Main Results:
- Extracellular ADP and related compounds effectively stimulated feeding in both mosquito species via purinergic receptors.
- The addition of bicarbonate to the saline solvent significantly enhanced the phagostimulatory effect in Culex pipiens.
- A specific ranking of compound potencies was established for each species, with ADP being the most potent stimulator.
Conclusions:
- Purinergic receptors are crucial for initiating feeding behavior in adult female mosquitoes.
- The phagostimulatory effect of extracellular nucleotides can be modulated by solvent composition, particularly with the addition of bicarbonate.
- These findings contribute to understanding mosquito feeding mechanisms and could inform future vector control strategies.