Chitosan/siRNA nanoparticle targeting demonstrates a requirement for single-minded during larval and pupal olfactory system development of the vector mosquito Aedes aegypti

Table 3 Levels of sim correlate with performance in a yeast behavioral assay

The data above represent a compiled summary of results obtained from four replicate experiments in which control-fed vs. sim knockdown (KD) animals were tested in a yeast odorant attractant behavioral assay. The total number of animals (n) indicates the number of individuals that were tested in these assays. The number of individuals (# Animals) that were attracted (left; animals that touched the yeast pellet and were awarded a score of 1) or not attracted (right; animals that did not touch the yeast pellet and received a score of 0) under each condition (Control, sim⁴³⁰ KD, or sim⁷¹⁸ KD) are indicated, and the percentages of total animals are indicated following the raw numbers. In situ hybridization was used to assess sim knockdown in the brains and antennae of animals attracted (left) or not attracted (right) to the yeast. The raw number/percentage of animals with Normal (comparable to wildtype sim transcript levels; see Figure 5B1,C1), Null (no observable sim transcript; see Figure 5B2,B3,C2,C3), or Moderate (reduced but not wildtype) levels of sim are indicated. Loss of sim was found to correlate well with a lack of attraction to the yeast in this behavioral assay.