Conserved activation of an odorant receptor across major mosquito species: Implications for chemosensory evolution

Mosquitoes rely on odorant receptors (ORs) to detect and respond to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their environment, enabling them to navigate key ecological behaviors such as nectar feeding, host seeking, oviposition, and predator avoidance. Given their roles in mediating species-specific interactions, ORs are promising molecular targets for vector surveillance and control. The functional characterization of these receptors—known as deorphanization—is essential for understanding how specific ligands influence mosquito behavior and fitness. In this study, we used a heterologous expression system employing Xenopus laevis oocytes and two-electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) electrophysiology to functionally characterize a conserved odorant receptor (OR6) across four major disease vector species: Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus. We identified a single plant-derived VOC that robustly activates OR6 orthologs in all four species. Our findings demonstrate that OR6 is likely to mediate a conserved chemical sensitivity across mosquito taxa and advance our understanding of the Natural Selective pressures shaping mosquito olfactory systems. We propose that conserved receptors like OR6 have potential utility in the development of broad-spectrum attractants for surveillance or control in integrated vector management (IVM) programs.