Takeshi Morita

A single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of the adult Aedes aegypti mosquito

The paper presents a single-nucleus RNA sequencing atlas of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, identifying novel cell types and sexual dimorphism in gene expression across tissues.

Heat-off responses of epidermal cells sensitize Drosophila larvae to noxious inputs

This study shows that Drosophila larval epidermal cells, not nociceptors, mediate heat-induced sensitization to noxious stimuli through thermosensitive calcium responses involving Orai and Stim.

Drosophila epidermal cells are intrinsically mechanosensitive and modulate nociceptive behavioral outputs

The paper shows that Drosophila epidermal cells are mechanosensitive and modulate nociceptive behaviors by activating sensory neurons and altering responses to mechanical stimuli.

Cross-modal sensory compensation increases mosquito attraction to humans

The paper identifies a sensory compensation mechanism in female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes where loss of odorant receptor co-receptor Orco leads to enhanced heat detection via upregulated Ir140 in forelegs.

A cell atlas of the larval Aedes aegypti ventral nerve cord

This study creates a cell atlas of the larval Aedes aegypti ventral nerve cord using scRNA-seq, identifying over 35 cell types and linking larval and adult VNC composition.

Differential mosquito attraction to humans is associated with skin-derived carboxylic acid levels

The paper identifies carboxylic acid levels in human skin odor as a factor influencing differential mosquito attraction and shows that genetic mutations affecting carboxylic acid receptors impair attraction to human scent.

fruitless mutant male mosquitoes gain attraction to human odor

This study shows that fruitless mutant male mosquitoes become attracted to human odor, revealing a latent host-seeking behavior normally restricted to females.

Non-canonical odor coding in the mosquito

Aedes aegypti olfactory neurons often co-express OR, IR and sometimes GR receptors; in the maxillary palp, one neuron type responds to odorants via both OR and IR pathways.

S1PR3 mediates itch and pain via distinct TRP channel-dependent pathways

This study identifies distinct TRP channel-dependent pathways through which S1PR3 mediates itch and pain in mice.

The signaling lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate regulates mechanical pain

This study identifies sphingosine 1-phosphate and its receptor S1PR3 as critical regulators of mechanical pain by modulating mechanonociceptor excitability.