"Decoding the Mosquito Attraction Puzzle: Unraveling the Genetic Factors Behind Human-Mosquito Interactions"

The Genetics of Mosquito Attraction: Exploring the Science Behind Why Some People Are More Prone to Bites

Subtitle: Unveiling the Role of Genetic Factors in Mosquito Attraction and Its Implications for Human Health

Introduction

Are you the person in the group who's always getting bitten by mosquitoes? Because I certainly am, and science has shown that this is a thing - that mosquitoes are more attracted to some people than others. And the reason for that is at least partially genetic, which is why this video is supported by 23andMe, a company that reads sections of your genetic code and then helps you understand what's in there.

Now, they've actually been involved in some research that has identified particular spots on your DNA that make you more or less likely to be attractive to mosquitoes. In this video, the host meets with Professor Immo Hansen at New Mexico State University to delve into this fascinating topic and put the genetic findings to the test.

The Experiment: Are You a Desirable Target?

To determine if certain individuals are more attractive to mosquitoes, the host participates in an experiment using a Y-tube apparatus. One chamber is baited with the individual's hand, while the other remains empty. The mosquitoes are released, and their preferences are observed.

Surprisingly, the experiment reveals that the host is indeed a strong attractant to mosquitoes. All the mosquitoes veer towards the chamber with the host's hand, highlighting the individual's attractiveness to these pests.

Twin Studies and Mosquito Attraction

To further investigate the genetic influence on mosquito attraction, the video references a study that involved 23andMe participants. This study aimed to evaluate the mosquito attractiveness of twins, both identical and fraternal, using the Y-tube Test.

The findings suggest a correlation between mosquito attractiveness and genetics. Identical twins, who share more genes, exhibited a stronger correlation in mosquito attraction compared to fraternal twins. These results strongly indicate that genetic factors play a significant role in determining an individual's attractiveness to mosquitoes.

Comparing Attractiveness: The Personal Experience

To test the anecdotal finding that the host is more attractive to mosquitoes than his wife, the couple participates in a similar experiment. The results confirm their personal experience, with the host receiving more mosquito bites than his wife.

Genetic Analysis: Unraveling the DNA Differences

The couple sends their DNA samples to 23andMe for analysis. The genetic analysis focuses on seven locations on their DNA, identified through previous research involving 23andMe participants. The results show that while they have identical DNA at four locations, they differ at three others.

At one location, the wife possesses a protective variant that makes her less attractive to mosquitoes. At another location, the husband has a variant that also decreases his attractiveness. However, the wife's protective variant is more significant than the husband's. The final variant analyzed reveals that the husband has two copies associated with increased attractiveness, while the wife has none.

Implications and Further Considerations

While the exact mechanisms by which genetic changes influence mosquito attraction remain unclear, it is likely related to the odor or volatile chemicals emitted by individuals, including carbon dioxide, lactic acid, acetone, and ammonia. Mosquitoes are attracted to these compounds. However, some chemicals naturally emitted by humans, such as octanal, nonanal, decanal, and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, appear to repel or hinder mosquitoes' ability to find hosts.

Understanding the genetic basis of mosquito attraction is vital due to the significant impact mosquitoes have on human health. Mosquito-borne illnesses, such as malaria, have caused the death of millions of people throughout history. By recognizing the hereditary nature of mosquito attraction, researchers can develop targeted interventions and preventive measures to reduce it.