Transcriptomics supports local sensory regulation in the antenna of the kissing-bug Rhodnius prolixus.

Background: Rhodnius prolixushas become a model for revealing the molecular bases of insect sensory biologydue to the publication of its genome and its well-characterized behavioural repertoire. Gene expression modulationunderlies behaviour-triggering processes at peripheral and central levels. Still, the regulation of sensory-related genetranscription in sensory organs is poorly understood. Here we study the genetic bases of plasticity in antennal sensoryfunction, usingR. prolixusas an insect model.Results:Antennal expression of neuromodulatory genes such asthose coding for neuropeptides, neurohormones andtheir receptors was characterized in fifth instar larvae and female and male adults by means of RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq). New nuclear receptor andtakeoutgene sequences were identified for this species, as well as those of enzymesinvolved in the biosynthesis and processing of neuropeptides and biogenic amines.Conclusions:We report a broad repertoire of neuromodulatory and neuroendocrine-related genes expressed in theantennae ofR. prolixusand suggest that they may serve as the local basis for modulation of sensory neuron physiology.Diverse neuropeptide precursor genes showed consistent expression in the antennae of all stages studied. Future studiesshould characterize the role of these modulatory components acting over antennal sensory processes to assess therelative contribution of peripheral and central regulatory systems on the plastic expression of insect behaviour.