Article
Parasitology
Aires Januario Fernandes da Moura, Vera Valadas, Silvania Da Veiga Leal, Eddyson Montalvo Sabino, Carla A. Sousa, Joao Pinto
Summary: This study assessed Wolbachia prevalence and genetic diversity in different mosquito species from Cape Verde. The results showed high Wolbachia prevalence and diversity in species from the Cx.pipiens complex. Wolbachia was also detected in Cx.tigripes, which may provide an additional opportunity for biocontrol initiatives.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Review
Entomology
William C. Black, Trey K. Snell, Karla Saavedra-Rodriguez, Rebekah C. Kading, Corey L. Campbell
Summary: The use of insecticides is important for controlling biting insects and reducing the spread of insect-borne diseases. Mosquitoes have developed resistance to insecticides, particularly through mechanisms such as metabolism. Pyrethroids, synthetic versions of plant-derived compounds, are commonly used insecticides but mosquito populations with pyrethroid-resistant genetic markers have increased rapidly.
Article
Immunology
Yuan Fang, Ernest Tambo, Jing-Bo Xue, Yi Zhang, Xiao-Nong Zhou, Emad I. M. Khater
Summary: This study reports the first detection of four arboviruses (DENV, CFAV, PAFV, and CxFV) in mosquitoes in Saudi Arabia, showing their co-circulation in Jeddah. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between the detected DENV-2 strain and strains found in China and Japan, indicating frequent movement of DENV-2 strains among these countries, with at least five introductions into Saudi Arabia from India from 2014 to 2018.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Joanna M. Reinhold, Karthikeyan Chandrasegaran, Helen Oker, Jose E. Crespo, Clement Vinauger, Chloe Lahondere
Summary: This study explores the role of heat and CO2 in host seeking behavior of three disease vectors in the Culex genus. Different species exhibit specific preferences for ambient temperatures and blood hosts, which may be related to their native habitat.
Article
Virology
Nazli Ayhan, Aissam Hachid, Laurence Thirion, Kamel Eddine Benallal, Laura Pezzi, Fayez Ahmed Khardine, Chahrazed Benbetka, Sihem Benbetka, Zoubir Harrat, Remi Charrel
Summary: Sindbis virus (SINV), a zoonotic alphavirus, has been identified as a cause of human diseases in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In this study, SINV was detected and isolated from mosquitoes in Algeria, and genetic analysis revealed its similarity to a strain found in Kenya.
Article
Entomology
Cinthya Amaral, Daniel Camara, Tiago Salles, Marcelo Damiao Meneses, Carlla De Araujo-Silva, Vanessa Dias, Fabio da Costa, Lucio Caldas, Renata Azevedo
Summary: The Flavivirus genus consists of a wide range of species that infect both vertebrates and invertebrates. Culex Flavivirus (CxFV) is an insect-specific virus that has garnered interest due to its ability to exclude other medically important viruses in nature. However, little is known about the ecology of CxFV and its co-circulation with other arboviruses. This study aimed to observe CxFV infection in mosquitoes captured in an urban area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, characterize the virus circulation, and provide isolates. The results showed that the CxFV isolates from this study belonged to genotype 2, which is consistent with sequences from Latin America and Africa.
Review
Oncology
Anthony J. Murphy, Alex H. Li, Peichao Li, Hong Sun
Summary: Alternative splicing plays a crucial role in diversifying the proteome and has significant implications in cancer development. Recent studies have highlighted the important roles of SR proteins in cancer progression. Understanding the spliceosome and its relationship to cancer has opened up new opportunities for therapeutic interventions based on alternative splicing.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Anna Noreuil, Megan L. Fritz
Summary: Host preference has significant impacts on the transmission dynamics of mosquito-borne diseases, and this study investigated the preference of Culex pipiens, a vector for West Nile virus. Different behaviors in above-ground and below-ground populations were observed, with differential gene expression and splice site variation identified as potential factors influencing blood feeding behaviors and host preference in Cx. pipiens females. Further research is needed to fully understand the molecular basis of these preferences.
Article
Microbiology
Tong Cai, Ran Liu, Yuting Jiang, Nan Jia, Xianyi Jian, Xiaolan Cheng, Fenglin Song, Xiaoxia Guo, Tongyan Zhao
Summary: In this study, a new strain of TAHV (Tahyna virus) was isolated from mosquitoes in Panjin city, Liaoning province, China. It was found that Aedes albopictus is an efficient vector to transmit TAHV, while Culex pipiens pallens is not. Additionally, Ae. albopictus can vertically transmit the virus to its offspring, increasing the risk of outbreaks.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Beatrice Eymin
Summary: Pre-mRNA splicing plays a critical role in regulating gene expression in eukaryotic cells, with over 90% of protein-encoding transcripts being alternatively spliced, increasing protein diversity. Abnormal splice variants identified in cancers have led to a new anti-cancer strategy targeting the spliceosome machinery, though the potential and efficacy of these therapies are still under debate.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Alden Siperstein, Laura W. Pomeroy, Sydney Robare, Lucas Sarko, Hannah Dehus, Taylor Lowmiller, Lydia Fyie, Megan E. Meuti
Summary: Through observation of mosquito samples in Franklin County, Ohio, it was found that most dangerous Culex mosquitoes were in diapause during the fall and winter, and began blood feeding in the spring, coinciding with the period when West Nile virus transmission occurs.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Review
Entomology
Ly Na Huynh, Long Bien Tran, Hong Sang Nguyen, Van Hoang Ho, Philippe Parola, Xuan Quang Nguyen
Summary: This review provides a checklist of Vietnamese mosquitoes, an overview of mosquito-borne diseases in Vietnam, and preventive measures for mosquitoes. Malaria and dengue are the most common mosquito-borne diseases in Vietnam, posing a significant threat to public health. Effective control and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases can be achieved through mechanical, chemical, biological, and genetic methods.
Article
Microbiology
Kerri L. Coon, Shivanand Hegde, Grant L. Hughes
Summary: This study provides the first evidence for successful microbiome transplantation in mosquitoes. The results highlight the value of such methods for studying mosquito-microbe interactions and lay the foundation for future studies to elucidate the factors underlying microbiota acquisition, assembly, and function in mosquitoes under controlled conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giovanni Benelli, Andre B. B. Wilke, Jeffrey R. Bloomquist, Nicolas Desneux, John C. Beier
Summary: Studying the combined effect of global warming and insecticide exposure on the spread of mosquito-borne diseases is crucial and more resources should be allocated to this research. It is particularly important to understand how different vector species cope with these stressors, and how they may impact the activity of mosquito biocontrol agents.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Virology
Stephanie Jansen, Renke Luehken, Michelle Helms, Bjoern Pluskota, Wolf Peter Pfitzner, Sandra Oerther, Norbert Becker, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, Anna Heitmann
Summary: Transmission of arboviruses, such as the Sindbis virus, by mosquitoes is a global health threat. This study found that all investigated Culex and Aedes mosquito species have the ability to transmit Sindbis virus, independent of temperature.