A dual-target molecular mechanism of pyrethrum repellency against mosquitoes

Feng Liu, Qiang Wang, Peng Xu, Felipe Andreazza, Wilson R. Valbon, Elizabeth Bandason, Mengli Chen, Ru Yan, Bo Feng, Leticia B. Smith, Jeffrey G. Scott, Genki Takamatsu, Makoto Ihara, Kazuhiko Matsuda, James Klimavicz, Joel Coats, Eugenio E. Oliveira, Yuzhe Du and Ke Dong ()
Additional contact information
Feng Liu: Michigan State University
Qiang Wang: Michigan State University
Peng Xu: Michigan State University
Felipe Andreazza: Michigan State University
Wilson R. Valbon: Michigan State University
Elizabeth Bandason: Michigan State University
Mengli Chen: Zhejiang University
Ru Yan: Zhejiang University
Bo Feng: Michigan State University
Leticia B. Smith: Cornell University
Jeffrey G. Scott: Cornell University
Genki Takamatsu: Kindai University
Makoto Ihara: Kindai University
Kazuhiko Matsuda: Kindai University
James Klimavicz: Iowa State University
Joel Coats: Iowa State University
Eugenio E. Oliveira: Michigan State University
Yuzhe Du: Michigan State University
Ke Dong: Michigan State University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Pyrethrum extracts from flower heads of Chrysanthemum spp. have been used worldwide in insecticides and repellents. While the molecular mechanisms of its insecticidal action are known, the molecular basis of pyrethrum repellency remains a mystery. In this study, we find that the principal components of pyrethrum, pyrethrins, and a minor component, (E)-β-farnesene (EBF), each activate a specific type of olfactory receptor neurons in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We identify Ae. aegypti odorant receptor 31 (AaOr31) as a cognate Or for EBF and find that Or31-mediated repellency is significantly synergized by pyrethrin-induced activation of voltage-gated sodium channels. Thus, pyrethrum exerts spatial repellency through a novel, dual-target mechanism. Elucidation of this two-target mechanism may have potential implications in the design and development of a new generation of synthetic repellents against major mosquito vectors of infectious diseases.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22847-0

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