Deletion of the Serotonin Receptor 7 Gene Changed the Development and Behavior of the Mosquito, <em>Aedes aegypti</em>

Abstract

Serotonin (5-HT) plays a vital role in many physiological processes in insects, regulating physiological activities such as growth and movement through multiple 5-HT receptors (5-HTRs), which were potential targets for some new insecticides. However, the specific function of individual 5-HTRs in Ae. aegypti is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of the 5-HT7A receptor during Ae. aegypti development. 5-HTR7A transcripts were detected at all stages of development by real-time PCR. The results indicated that the gene expression was highest in the limbs (p 7A mutant mosquitoes using CRISPR-mediated gene editing. The mutants had an abnormal phenotype at the larval stage, including an aberrant head-to-chest ratio and decreased motor activity. The mutant pupae developed abnormally, and most died (56.67%) (p p p 7A in the mutants decreased by about 65% compared with the control group using real-time PCR (p 7A receptor plays an important role in the metamorphosis, development and motor function of Aedes aegypti.

Keywords

• 5-HT
• 5-HT receptors
• <i>Aedes aegypti</i>
• CRISPR-Cas9
• behavior