In situ HYBRIDIZATION OF CLOCK GENES IN BRAINS OF Aedes aegypti (DIPTERA: Culicidae)

*Corresponding author e-mail; schahad@ioc.fiocruz.br Introduction: The components of the circadian clock responsible for generating and sustaining molecular rhythmicity in insects are well characterized in the model system Drosophila as well as the neuronal circadian circuitry involved. However, little is known about the intrinsic timekeeping mechanism and the neuronal clusters in other Diptera such as the mosquito Aedes aegypti , vector of dengue and yellow fever viruses. Methods: In this study, we are using in situ hybridization to localize in the mosquito brain the transcripts of the clock genes period, cycle and cryptochrome-2 . Results and conclusion: Analysis of in situ hybridization images using digoxigening-labeled antisense riboprobes in different zeitgeber times, shows expression of these three genes in distinct regions of the brain such as the antennal lobes of deutocerebrum, in the three neuropilar regions of the optic lobes (lobula, lamina and medulla) and several sites of the protocerebrum. In addition, we found preliminary evidence for differential labeling by the three probes. Publication History Article published online: 16 June 2026 © 2009. Brazilian Sleep Academy. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda. Rua Rego Freitas, 175, loja 1, República, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01220-010, Brazil