Beyond detoxification: xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes rewire mosquito sensory perception.

Mosquito olfaction regulates host-seeking, ecological adaptation, and vectorial capacity. Beyond the classical receptor-centric paradigm, we argue that xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes form a dynamic perireceptor layer that actively sculpts odor identity, signal intensity, and duration. This metabolism gain control mechanism may integrate olfactory sensitivity and behavioral plasticity within a unified sensory framework.