John Carlson, PhD
Eugene Higgins Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
How does an odor or a pheromone activate a receptor, a cell, and a circuit so as to elicit an attractive response? Drosophila has a highly sophisticated olfactory system, which we study with molecular, genetic, physiological and behavioral approaches. Olfaction mediates the attraction of insects to humans and thus underlies the transmission of disease to hundreds of millions of people each year. We used a computational algorithm to discover a family of 60 Odor receptor (Or) genes. We have systematically identified the ligand specificities of the odor receptors by expressing each in an in vivo expression system. This approach also identified odor receptors of the malaria mosquito Anopheles that respond to components of human sweat. A major problem is how the responses of the odor receptor repertoire are translated into a behavioral response. We have also identified a family of 60 Gr genes that encode taste receptors. We have recently found that another, largely unexplored gene family encodes a different class of taste receptors. Understanding of the mechanisms of insect chemoperception may lead to new strategies for controlling insect-borne disease.
Research Interests
Drosophila; Smell; Taste; Mosquito Vectors
Selected Publications
- A volatile sex attractant of tsetse fliesEbrahim S, Dweck H, Weiss B, Carlson J. A volatile sex attractant of tsetse flies. Science 2023, 379: eade1877. PMID: 36795837, PMCID: PMC10204727, DOI: 10.1126/science.ade1877.
- Meeting a threat of the Anthropocene: Taste avoidance of metal ions by DrosophilaXiao S, Baik LS, Shang X, Carlson JR. Meeting a threat of the Anthropocene: Taste avoidance of metal ions by Drosophila. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2022, 119: e2204238119. PMID: 35700364, PMCID: PMC9231609, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204238119.
- Ir56b is an atypical ionotropic receptor that underlies appetitive salt response in DrosophilaDweck HKM, Talross GJS, Luo Y, Ebrahim SAM, Carlson JR. Ir56b is an atypical ionotropic receptor that underlies appetitive salt response in Drosophila. Current Biology 2022, 32: 1776-1787.e4. PMID: 35294865, PMCID: PMC9050924, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.063.
- Sight of parasitoid wasps accelerates sexual behavior and upregulates a micropeptide gene in DrosophilaEbrahim SAM, Talross GJS, Carlson JR. Sight of parasitoid wasps accelerates sexual behavior and upregulates a micropeptide gene in Drosophila. Nature Communications 2021, 12: 2453. PMID: 33907186, PMCID: PMC8079388, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22712-0.
- Evolutionary shifts in taste coding in the fruit pest Drosophila suzukiiDweck HK, Talross GJ, Wang W, Carlson JR. Evolutionary shifts in taste coding in the fruit pest Drosophila suzukii. ELife 2021, 10: e64317. PMID: 33616529, PMCID: PMC7899650, DOI: 10.7554/elife.64317.
- The mosquito taste system and disease controlBaik LS, Carlson JR. The mosquito taste system and disease control. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2020, 117: 32848-32856. PMID: 33372129, PMCID: PMC7776869, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2013076117.
- Molecular Logic and Evolution of Bitter Taste in DrosophilaDweck HKM, Carlson JR. Molecular Logic and Evolution of Bitter Taste in Drosophila. Current Biology 2019, 30: 17-30.e3. PMID: 31839451, PMCID: PMC6946858, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.11.005.
- Odor coding in the antenna of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitansSoni N, Chahda JS, Carlson JR. Odor coding in the antenna of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2019, 116: 14300-14308. PMID: 31221757, PMCID: PMC6628836, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1907075116.
- Chemosensory sensilla of the Drosophila wing express a candidate ionotropic pheromone receptorHe Z, Luo Y, Shang X, Sun JS, Carlson JR. Chemosensory sensilla of the Drosophila wing express a candidate ionotropic pheromone receptor. PLOS Biology 2019, 17: e2006619. PMID: 31112532, PMCID: PMC6528970, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006619.
- The molecular and cellular basis of olfactory response to tsetse fly attractantsChahda JS, Soni N, Sun JS, Ebrahim SAM, Weiss BL, Carlson JR. The molecular and cellular basis of olfactory response to tsetse fly attractants. PLOS Genetics 2019, 15: e1008005. PMID: 30875383, PMCID: PMC6420007, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008005.
- A receptor and neuron that activate a circuit limiting sucrose consumptionJoseph RM, Sun JS, Tam E, Carlson JR. A receptor and neuron that activate a circuit limiting sucrose consumption. ELife 2017, 6: e24992. PMID: 28332980, PMCID: PMC5388533, DOI: 10.7554/elife.24992.
- Bitter taste receptors confer diverse functions to neuronsDelventhal R, Carlson JR. Bitter taste receptors confer diverse functions to neurons. ELife 2016, 5: e11181. PMID: 26880560, PMCID: PMC4764594, DOI: 10.7554/elife.11181.
- Malaria Parasites Produce Volatile Mosquito AttractantsKelly M, Su CY, Schaber C, Crowley JR, Hsu FF, Carlson JR, Odom AR. Malaria Parasites Produce Volatile Mosquito Attractants. MBio 2015, 6: e00235-15. PMID: 25805727, PMCID: PMC4453533, DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00235-15.
- The Drosophila IR20a Clade of Ionotropic Receptors Are Candidate Taste and Pheromone ReceptorsKoh TW, He Z, Gorur-Shandilya S, Menuz K, Larter NK, Stewart S, Carlson JR. The Drosophila IR20a Clade of Ionotropic Receptors Are Candidate Taste and Pheromone Receptors. Neuron 2014, 83: 850-865. PMID: 25123314, PMCID: PMC4141888, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.07.012.
- Non-synaptic inhibition between grouped neurons in an olfactory circuitSu CY, Menuz K, Reisert J, Carlson JR. Non-synaptic inhibition between grouped neurons in an olfactory circuit. Nature 2012, 492: 66-71. PMID: 23172146, PMCID: PMC3518700, DOI: 10.1038/nature11712.
- Scent of a HumanCarlson JR, Carey AF. Scent of a Human. Scientific American 2011, 305: 76-79. PMID: 21717963, DOI: 10.1038/scientificamerican0711-76.
- The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Bitter Taste in DrosophilaWeiss LA, Dahanukar A, Kwon JY, Banerjee D, Carlson JR. The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Bitter Taste in Drosophila. Neuron 2011, 69: 258-272. PMID: 21262465, PMCID: PMC3033050, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.01.001.
- Odorant reception in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiaeCarey AF, Wang G, Su CY, Zwiebel LJ, Carlson JR. Odorant reception in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Nature 2010, 464: 66-71. PMID: 20130575, PMCID: PMC2833235, DOI: 10.1038/nature08834.
- Olfactory Perception: Receptors, Cells, and CircuitsSu CY, Menuz K, Carlson JR. Olfactory Perception: Receptors, Cells, and Circuits. Cell 2009, 139: 45-59. PMID: 19804753, PMCID: PMC2765334, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.09.015.
- A New Drosophila POU Gene, pdm3, Acts in Odor Receptor Expression and Axon Targeting of Olfactory NeuronsTichy AL, Ray A, Carlson JR. A New Drosophila POU Gene, pdm3, Acts in Odor Receptor Expression and Axon Targeting of Olfactory Neurons. Journal Of Neuroscience 2008, 28: 7121-7129. PMID: 18614681, PMCID: PMC2572001, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2063-08.2008.
- Translation of Sensory Input into Behavioral Output via an Olfactory SystemKreher SA, Mathew D, Kim J, Carlson JR. Translation of Sensory Input into Behavioral Output via an Olfactory System. Neuron 2008, 59: 110-124. PMID: 18614033, PMCID: PMC2496968, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.06.010.
- A Regulatory Code for Neuron-Specific Odor Receptor ExpressionRay A, van Naters W, Carlson JR. A Regulatory Code for Neuron-Specific Odor Receptor Expression. PLOS Biology 2008, 6: e125. PMID: 18846726, PMCID: PMC2430909, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0060125.
- Two Gr Genes Underlie Sugar Reception in DrosophilaDahanukar A, Lei YT, Kwon JY, Carlson JR. Two Gr Genes Underlie Sugar Reception in Drosophila. Neuron 2007, 56: 503-516. PMID: 17988633, PMCID: PMC2096712, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.10.024.
- Receptors and Neurons for Fly Odors in Drosophilavan Naters W, Carlson JR. Receptors and Neurons for Fly Odors in Drosophila. Current Biology 2007, 17: 606-612. PMID: 17363256, PMCID: PMC1876700, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2007.02.043.
- The molecular basis of CO2 reception in DrosophilaKwon JY, Dahanukar A, Weiss LA, Carlson JR. The molecular basis of CO2 reception in Drosophila. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2007, 104: 3574-3578. PMID: 17360684, PMCID: PMC1805529, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0700079104.
- Mechanisms of Odor Receptor Gene Choice in DrosophilaRay A, van Naters Wv, Shiraiwa T, Carlson JR. Mechanisms of Odor Receptor Gene Choice in Drosophila. Neuron 2007, 53: 353-369. PMID: 17270733, PMCID: PMC1986798, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2006.12.010.
- Insects as chemosensors of humans and cropsvan der Goes van Naters W, Carlson JR. Insects as chemosensors of humans and crops. Nature 2006, 444: 302-307. PMID: 17108954, DOI: 10.1038/nature05403.
- Coding of Odors by a Receptor RepertoireHallem EA, Carlson JR. Coding of Odors by a Receptor Repertoire. Cell 2006, 125: 143-160. PMID: 16615896, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.01.050.
- The Molecular Basis of Odor Coding in the Drosophila LarvaKreher SA, Kwon JY, Carlson JR. The Molecular Basis of Odor Coding in the Drosophila Larva. Neuron 2005, 46: 445-456. PMID: 15882644, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2005.04.007.
- Coexpression of Two Functional Odor Receptors in One NeuronGoldman AL, van Naters W, Lessing D, Warr CG, Carlson JR. Coexpression of Two Functional Odor Receptors in One Neuron. Neuron 2005, 45: 661-666. PMID: 15748842, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2005.01.025.
- The Molecular Basis of Odor Coding in the Drosophila AntennaHallem EA, Ho MG, Carlson JR. The Molecular Basis of Odor Coding in the Drosophila Antenna. Cell 2004, 117: 965-979. PMID: 15210116, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2004.05.012.
- Mosquito receptor for human-sweat odorantHallem EA, Nicole Fox A, Zwiebel LJ, Carlson JR. Mosquito receptor for human-sweat odorant. Nature 2004, 427: 212-213. PMID: 14724626, DOI: 10.1038/427212a.
- Molecular evolution of the insect chemoreceptor gene superfamily in Drosophila melanogasterRobertson HM, Warr CG, Carlson JR. Molecular evolution of the insect chemoreceptor gene superfamily in Drosophila melanogaster. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2003, 100: 14537-14542. PMID: 14608037, PMCID: PMC304115, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2335847100.
- Drosophila Gr5a encodes a taste receptor tuned to trehaloseChyb S, Dahanukar A, Wickens A, Carlson JR. Drosophila Gr5a encodes a taste receptor tuned to trehalose. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2003, 100: 14526-14530. PMID: 14523229, PMCID: PMC304113, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2135339100.
- Integrating the Molecular and Cellular Basis of Odor Coding in the Drosophila AntennaDobritsa AA, van Naters W, Warr CG, Steinbrecht RA, Carlson JR. Integrating the Molecular and Cellular Basis of Odor Coding in the Drosophila Antenna. Neuron 2003, 37: 827-841. PMID: 12628173, DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(03)00094-1.
- A Gr receptor is required for response to the sugar trehalose in taste neurons of DrosophilaDahanukar A, Foster K, van der Goes van Naters W, Carlson J. A Gr receptor is required for response to the sugar trehalose in taste neurons of Drosophila. Nature Neuroscience 2001, 4: 1182-1186. PMID: 11704765, DOI: 10.1038/nn765.
- Odor Coding in the Drosophila Antennade Bruyne M, Foster K, Carlson J. Odor Coding in the Drosophila Antenna. Neuron 2001, 30: 537-552. PMID: 11395013, DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00289-6.
- Candidate Taste Receptors in DrosophilaClyne P, Warr C, Carlson J. Candidate Taste Receptors in Drosophila. Science 2000, 287: 1830-1834. PMID: 10710312, DOI: 10.1126/science.287.5459.1830.
- Olfactory Adaptation Depends on the Trp Ca2+Channel in DrosophilaStörtkuhl K, Hovemann B, Carlson J. Olfactory Adaptation Depends on the Trp Ca2+Channel in Drosophila. Journal Of Neuroscience 1999, 19: 4839-4846. PMID: 10366618, PMCID: PMC6782652, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.19-12-04839.1999.
- Odor Coding in a Model Olfactory Organ: TheDrosophila Maxillary Palpde Bruyne M, Clyne P, Carlson J. Odor Coding in a Model Olfactory Organ: TheDrosophila Maxillary Palp. Journal Of Neuroscience 1999, 19: 4520-4532. PMID: 10341252, PMCID: PMC6782632, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.19-11-04520.1999.
- A Novel Family of Divergent Seven-Transmembrane Proteins Candidate Odorant Receptors in DrosophilaClyne P, Warr C, Freeman M, Lessing D, Kim J, Carlson J. A Novel Family of Divergent Seven-Transmembrane Proteins Candidate Odorant Receptors in Drosophila. Neuron 1999, 22: 327-338. PMID: 10069338, DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)81093-4.
- The Odor Specificities of a Subset of Olfactory Receptor Neurons Are Governed by Acj6, a POU-Domain Transcription FactorClyne P, Certel S, de Bruyne M, Zaslavsky L, Johnson W, Carlson J. The Odor Specificities of a Subset of Olfactory Receptor Neurons Are Governed by Acj6, a POU-Domain Transcription Factor. Neuron 1999, 22: 339-347. PMID: 10069339, DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)81094-6.