Foundations of chemosensation in the common housefly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

Many dipterans are biological or mechanical vectors of pathogens that cause human disease. For example, the common housefly, Musca domestica, has been implicated in the transmission of bacteria that cause enteric infections such as cholera and dysentery. Chemosensation provides a key link in the disease transmission cycle, as flies that reside near human populations use chemical cues to locate foodstuffs and waste products such as manure and trash to complete their life cycles. Despite its importance as a disease vector, little is known about the molecular underpinnings of odor detection and behavioral responses in M. domestica. In this study, we present gene expression profiling in peripheral and central nervous system tissues that provides a foundation for genetic, molecular, and evolutionary investigations into fly behavior. In addition, we demonstrate robust activation of odorant receptors by compounds that are associated with oviposition site selection in female flies. Our results provide new insights into fundamental sensing mechanisms in a species of major Public Health relevance.