Pou2f3 Modulates Mosquito Host-Seeking Behavior by Regulating Skin Microbiota and Their Production of Volatiles:...

Skin microbiota-derived volatile metabolites are critical for mosquito host-seeking and disease transmission. Similar volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-mediated mechanisms may apply to agricultural pests (e.g., aphids, whiteflies). We demonstrate that Pou2f3, a skin-enriched transcription factor, regulates β-defensin1 expression, shaping microbiota composition and volatile production. Pou2f3-deficient mice exhibited increased Staphylococcus abundance and elevated 1-methoxy-2-propanol levels, enhancing attraction in Culex and Aedes mosquitoes. This VOC, alongside other microbiota-derived compounds, could inspire targeted attractants for eco-friendly pest control via species-specific lures in integrated pest management (IPM). By bridging medical entomology and agricultural chemistry, this work advances sustainable solutions against vector-borne diseases and agricultural pests through precision chemical ecology strategies.