Wang, HuiRuixi, QianWang, YuxiangLi, LanxiWu, WenxuanChen, YunxuanLi, WenqingWijewardana, Chanuka NisalankaZhou, YinghuiPadde, John RobertsWang, YuxiangHou, MinXu, ZhipengJi, MinJunChen, LuChen, Lin2025-07-012025-07-012025-06-26Wang, H., Qian, R., Wang, Y., Li, L., Wu, W., Chen, Y., ... & Chen, L. (2025). Pou2f3 Modulates Mosquito Host-Seeking Behavior by Regulating Skin Microbiota and Their Production of Volatiles: Implications for Eco-Friendly Pest Control Strategies. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c031201520-5118https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/757Skin microbiota-derived volatile metabolites are critical for mosquito host-seeking and disease transmission. Similar volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-mediated mechanisms may apply to agricultural pests (e.g., aphids, whiteflies). We demonstrate that Pou2f3, a skin-enriched transcription factor, regulates β-defensin1 expression, shaping microbiota composition and volatile production. Pou2f3-deficient mice exhibited increased Staphylococcus abundance and elevated 1-methoxy-2-propanol levels, enhancing attraction in Culex and Aedes mosquitoes. This VOC, alongside other microbiota-derived compounds, could inspire targeted attractants for eco-friendly pest control via species-specific lures in integrated pest management (IPM). By bridging medical entomology and agricultural chemistry, this work advances sustainable solutions against vector-borne diseases and agricultural pests through precision chemical ecology strategies.enPou2f3MosquitoHost-seeking behaviorSkin microbiotaVolatilesArticle