Protocol for detecting peptide hormones in mosquito tissues

Peptide hormones in insects are primarily expressed in specialized brain, ventral nerve chord, and midgut cells. When released, peptide hormones play crucial roles in regulating physiology, reproduction, and behavior. Here, we present a protocol for detecting peptide hormones in mosquito tissues such as the brain, midgut, and hemolymph. We describe steps for tissue preparation, immunocytochemistry, fluorescent quantification, and enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA). This protocol offers a versatile and effective approach for studying peptide hormone expression and abundance in insects. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Dou et al.¹.