Conserved molecular signatures of hygrosensory neurons in two dipteran species

Abstract

Small poikilothermic animals like insects rely on environmental sensing for survival. The ability to detect humidity and temperature through specialized sensory neurons is particularly critical, allowing them to maintain water balance across diverse environments. While recent studies have identified key receptors associated with humidity sensing, our understanding of the broader molecular architecture underlying these sensory systems remains incomplete. Here, we conducted a comparative analysis of humidity receptor neurons (HRN) between the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster and the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. We identified 21 genes that define the molecular identity of HRNs. These genes encode proteins involved in transcriptional regulation, cellular signaling, enzymatic pathways and cellular organization. Through behavioral analysis, we demonstrate essential roles for three of these genes, the serotonin receptor 5-HT7, the transcription factor nubbin and the kinesin motor protein Kif19A are all required for humidity-guided behavior. The conservation of this molecular toolkit between species separated by over 200 million years of evolution suggests shared functional requirements for environmental sensing in insects. Our findings provide insights into fundamental principles of sensory neuron organization and oeer a framework for understanding how specialized sensory systems evolve and maintain their function.