The female of the mosquito Aedes aegypti is the vector of yellow fever and dengue fever. No vaccine to prevent dengue fever or its associated syndromes has been developed.

Hormone signaling regulates the production of primary urine in the Malpighian tubules in insects. In response to feeding, hormones released from the brain and other tissues activate “G Protein” -Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in the excretory system organs, transducing the signal across the cell membrane and activating effector proteins, such as transporters and channels, maintaining ion and water homeostasis. Thus excretion is a tightly controlled physiological event.

Excretion demands in mosquitoes vary according to age and physiological condition. Mosquito pupa eclose directly at the surface of their aquatic habitat, and in addition to the excess water evacuated after eclosion, hematophagous females must consume a water- and ion-rich blood meal to obtain the amino acids necessary for the production of eggs.

The most significant hormones and peptide factors believed responsible for primary urine formation have been identified, but in order to better understand the molecular mechanisms regulating Malpighian tubule function in physiologically relevant circumstances, we have continued the molecular characterization of the GPCRs controlling Malpighian tubule function.