“A Single Mutation in the Mosquito (Aedes Aegypti) Olfactory Receptor 8 Causes Loss of Function to 1-octen-3-ol”

Figure 1. Activation inhibition of 1-octen-3-ol in E59A model among the mutations in olfactory receptor number 8 of forest mosquitoes (right)

Figure 2. Professor Frunze Olga Research

Professor Kwon Hyung-wook of Incheon National University (Ministry of Life Sciences, Mediated Insect Resource Convergence Research Center) has published a paper in the SCIE International Journal since January and is recognized internationally for its research ability.

As a result of conducting research by Professor Kwon Hyung-wook's research team at Incheon National University, Professor Frunze Olga published a paper in Insight Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IBMB, 4.06), which ranks fourth in the international journal of entomology. First author Frunze Olga, a research professor at Incheon National University, studied the molecular interaction between forest mosquito olfactory receptor No. 8 and 1-octen-3-ol through in silico methods and in vivo experiments with Lee Da-in and Lee Seung-ha, a master's student in the Department of Life Sciences.

The host-seeking mosquito behavior is primarily mediated by odor. In this process, olfactory receptors play an important role. Common volatile compounds that attract arthropods, including mosquitoes, are known as 1-octen-3-ol. Olfactory receptor No. 8 of forest mosquitoes helps detect the substance. However, little has been known in academia about the structure of olfactory receptor 8 and the interaction of 1-octen-3-ol.

In the present study, among the mutations in this olfactory receptor, we confirmed that the activation of 1-octen-3-ol was inhibited in the E59A model. Through this, the research team explained that the genetic manipulation model of olfactory receptors can be used to alleviate mosquito blood absorption behavior. Research will continue to be conducted with the aim of these findings contributing to actual use in industries and daily life.

Professor Kwon Hyung-wook, head of the Center for Comprehensive Research on Insect Resources, said, "This study is expected to contribute to improving the quality of life of residents by establishing a mosquito monitoring network and developing a mediating control system."

Incheon National University's Mediated Insect Resource Convergence Research Center, which includes the research team, is the only university research institute in Korea that conducts research on infectious disease-borne insects such as mosquitoes and flies, and focuses on developing infectious diseases and control and management technologies.