title: The molecular sensory machinery of a Chagas disease vector: expression changes through imaginal moult and sexually dimorphic features.
abstract: The triatomine bug Rhodnius prolixus is a main vector of Chagas disease, which affects several million people, mostly in Latin-America. Host searching, pheromone communication, and microclimatic preferences are aspects of its behaviour that depend on multimodal sensory inputs. The molecular bases of these sensory processes are largely unknown. The expression levels of genes transcribed in antennae were compared between 5thinstar larvae, and female and male adults by means of RNA-Seq. The antennae of R. prolixus showed increased expression of several chemosensory-related genes in imaginal bugs, while both sexes had similar expression patterns for most target genes. Few cases suggest involvement of target genes in sexually dimorphic functions. Most odorant and ionotropic receptor genes seemed to be expressed in all libraries. OBPs and CSPs showed very high expression levels. Other sensory-related genes such as TRPs, PPKs and mechanoreceptors had consistent levels of expression in all libraries. Our study characterises most of the sensory gene repertoire of these insects, opening an avenue for functional genetics studies. The increase in expression of chemosensory genes suggests an enhanced role in adult bugs. This knowledge allows developing new behaviour interfering strategies, increasing the options for translational research in the vector control field.
authors.affiliation: Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jose Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Latorre-Estivalis
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Hugh M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly K O
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Walden
authors.affiliation: Grupo Informática de Biossistemas; Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jerônimo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.affiliation: Grupo Informática de Biossistemas; Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leilane Oliveira
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Guarneri
authors.affiliation: Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Gustavo
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lorenzo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057506:Arthropod Antennae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010675:Pheromones / Q000378:metabolism; D018035:Receptors, Odorant / Q000235:genetics*; D012239:Rhodnius / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA
chemical_list: D010675:Pheromones; D018035:Receptors, Odorant