Microbiome-Gut-Brain-Axis communication regulates metabolic switch in the mosquito Anopheles culicifacies

Periodic ingestion of a protein-rich blood meal by adult female mosquitoes causes a drastic metabolic change in their innate physiological status, which is referred to as metabolic switch. Although the down-regulation of olfactory factors is key to restrain host-attraction, how the gut metabolic switch modulates brain functions, and resilience physiological homeostasis remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that the protein-rich diet induces mitochondrial function and energy metabolism, possibly shifting the brains engagement to manage organismal homeostasis. A dynamic expression pattern of neuro-signaling and neuro-modulatory genes in both the brain and gut indicates an optimal brain-distant organ communication. Even after decapitation, significant modulation of the neuro-modulator receptor genes as well as quantitative estimation of neurotransmitters (NTs), together confer the guts ability to serve as a second brain. Finally, data on comparative metagenomic analysis and altered NTs dynamics of naive and aseptic mosquitoes provide the initial evidence that gut-endosymbionts are key modulators for the synthesis of major neuroactive molecules. Conclusively, our data establish a new conceptual understanding of microbiome-gut-brain-axis communication in mosquitoes. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=183 SRC="FIGDIR/small/774430v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (43K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@4fed8corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@17494f3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@df1cd7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1de7923_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Graphical abstract C_FIG HighlightsO_LIHighly proteinaceous blood meal uptake causes gut metabolic switch activity in mosquitoes. C_LIO_LIGuts calling shifts the brains administrative function from external communication to inter-organ management. C_LIO_LI Gut, as a Second brain plays a crucial role in the maintenance of physiological homeostasis. C_LIO_LIMetabolic switch and proliferation of symbiotic bacteria establish microbiome-gut-brain axis communication in mosquitoes. C_LI