Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saumya Gupta, Adam J. Blake, Jeffrey A. Riffell
Summary: A new study reveals a distinct pattern of preference for human-associated olfactory cues that informs the selective behavior of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca, Musa Jawara, Mahamed Y. Abdi, John Bradley, Otis Sloan Brittain, Sainey Ceesay, Umberto D'Alessandro, David Jeffries, Margaret Pinder, Hannah Wood, Jakob B. Knudsen, Steve W. Lindsay
Summary: The study found that raising buildings off the ground can effectively reduce malaria transmission in rural Gambia, as most malaria mosquitoes fly close to the ground and showed significantly reduced entry when buildings were elevated.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Trizah K. Milugo, David P. Tchouassi, Reginald A. Kavishe, Rhoel R. Dinglasan, Baldwyn Torto
Summary: Through experiments on Anopheles gambiae and Parthenium hysterophorus, it was found that root phytochemicals of the host plant can influence oviposition site selection by female mosquitoes, leading to a lower hatch rate and a potentially longer lifespan for larvae that hatch earlier.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Brenda Oseno, Faith Marura, Rodney Ogwang, Martha Muturi, James Njunge, Irene Nkumama, Robert Mwakesi, Kennedy Mwai, Martin K. Rono, Ramadhan Mwakubambanya, Faith Osier, James Tuju
Summary: This study evaluates the utility of IgG responses to members of the Anopheles gambiae D7 protein family as serological markers of human-vector contact. The results show that the D7L2 salivary antigen has great potential as a biomarker of exposure to mosquito bites and as a tool for assessing the efficacy of vector control strategies.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Georgia Kythreoti, Nadia Sdralia, Panagiota Tsitoura, Dimitrios P. Papachristos, Antonios Michaelakis, Vasileios Karras, David M. Ruel, Esther Yakir, Jonathan D. Bohbot, Stefan Schulz, Kostas Iatrou
Summary: Insects' odor-dependent behaviors are triggered by the binding of odorant ligands to olfactory receptors, and specific odor binding to the common subunit of odorant receptor heteromers can affect olfactory receptor function and behavioral responses. Antagonists of the odorant receptor coreceptor were identified in natural volatile organic compounds, which inhibited the function of certain mosquito species' olfactory receptors and repelled them. Mixtures of these antagonists showed enhanced repellency, indicating additive effects on olfactory receptor function rather than synergy.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cristina Yunta, Jocelyn M. F. Ooi, Folasade Oladepo, Sofia Grafanaki, Spiros. A. Pergantis, Dimitra Tsakireli, Hanafy M. Ismail, Mark J. I. Paine
Summary: Chlorfenapyr is an increasingly used pro-insecticide in combination with pyrethroids to control pyrethroid-resistant mosquito populations. Different P450s in mosquitoes were investigated for their ability to metabolize chlorfenapyr, providing valuable insights into its metabolism and highlighting the need for further investigation into effective vector control strategies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Biology
Alice Namias, Ndey Bassin Jobe, Krijn Petrus Paaijmans, Silvie Huijben
Summary: Monitoring mosquito populations for insecticide resistance is crucial for disease control; however, standard testing conditions do not accurately reflect field conditions, making efficacy evaluation challenging. Additional testing guidelines are needed to determine practical resistance for programmatic impact.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Priscille Barreaux, Hilary Ranson, Geraldine M. M. Foster, Philip J. J. McCall
Summary: The blood feeding behavior of female mosquitoes, which affects their ability to transmit malaria, is not well understood in the presence of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). This study examines how both insecticide resistant and susceptible mosquitoes interact with different types of nets while attempting to blood feed on a human arm. The results showed that ITNs did not effectively prevent host searching but significantly reduced blood feeding success and volume for all mosquitoes, although the resistant mosquitoes were able to compensate for the decrease by accelerating their rate of blood ingestion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Ana Beatriz F. Barletta, Banhisikha Saha, Nathanie Trisnadi, Octavio A. C. Talyuli, Gianmarco Raddi, Carolina Barillas-Mury
Summary: Activation of Toll signaling by silencing Cactus enhances mosquito immunity against Plasmodium through modulation of hemocyte differentiation and recruitment of megacytes.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Roger Sanou, Hamidou Maiga, Etienne M. Bilgo, Simon P. Sawadogo, Bazoumana B. D. Sow, Adama Ouema, Koama Bayili, Adrien Marie Gaston Belem, Lea Pare Toe, Roch K. Dabire, Abdoulaye Diabate
Summary: The study assessed the performance of three new, smaller-sized LFET prototypes in high mosquito density settings, showing promising results in trapping mosquitoes. Further large-scale studies are needed to evaluate community acceptance of the traps and their ability to control malaria vectors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yaman Musdal, Aram Ismail, Birgitta Sjodin, Bengt Mannervik
Summary: Nobo is a crucial glutathione transferase (GST) in insects that contributes to their growth and the spread of diseases. It has been found to have efficient hydroxylase activity in insects containing the ketosteroid. Specific amino acid residues are essential for the catalytic activity of Nobo.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lateef. O. Busari, Haleemah O. Raheem, Zarat O. Iwalewa, Kamilu A. Fasasi, Monsuru A. Adeleke
Summary: The study evaluates the resistance and susceptibility of adult female Anopheles gambiae s. l., Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to four groups of insecticides and the distribution of their larval habitat within Osogbo metropolis. The results indicate that Anopheles gambiae s. l. shows the highest resistance to Permethrin, while Aedes aegypti exhibits highest resistance against OC-Control. The susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae s. l. and Culex quinquefasciatus to Pirimiphos-methyl and Aedes aegypti to Permethrin suggests the potential success of using these insecticides for vector control.
Review
Parasitology
Marieke M. de Swart, Carlijn Balvers, Niels O. Verhulst, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt
Summary: Female mosquitoes depend on host blood for egg development, but the relationship between host blood composition and mosquito reproduction, as well as its connection to host selection, are still not well understood. This review provides an overview of the known effects of blood constituents on mosquito reproduction, identifies knowledge gaps, and proposes new research directions. Examining physiological differences between generalist and specialist mosquito species is recommended to investigate the correlation between host preference and reproductive output.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bernard Abong'o, John E. Gimnig, Diana Omoke, Eric Ochomo, Edward D. Walker
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of eave screening on mosquito densities in rural villages in western Kenya. The results showed that installing eave screening can significantly reduce the indoor occurrence of Anopheles and Culex mosquito species. The majority of house owners expressed their willingness to permanently install eave screening, but training is needed. The community acceptance was high, but education and mobilization may be necessary.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
John B. Connolly, Joerg Romeis, Yann Devos, Debora C. M. Glandorf, Geoff Turner, Mamadou B. Coulibaly
Summary: Engineered gene drives are being developed to control mosquito malaria vectors by biasing their own inheritance in target populations. Vertical gene drive transfer to sibling species is biologically plausible due to the complex hybridization between vector and nonvector species. Assessing the environmental risks of gene drive use in species complexes requires nuanced considerations of target and nontarget organisms. Incorporating the concept of target species complexes offers more flexibility in assessing potential impacts from vertical gene drive transfer.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Nicole L. Achee, John P. Grieco, Hassan Vatandoost, Goncalo Seixas, Joao Pinto, Lee Ching-Ng, Ademir J. Martins, Waraporn Juntarajumnong, Vincent Corbel, Clement Gouagna, Jean-Philippe David, James G. Logan, James Orsborne, Eric Marois, Gregor J. Devine, John Vontas
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2019)
Correction
Infectious Diseases
Nicole L. Achee, John P. Grieco, Hassan Vatandoost, Goncalo Seixas, Joao Pinto, Lee Ching-Ng, Ademir J. Martins, Waraporn Juntarajumnong, Vincent Corbel, Clement Gouagna, Jean-Philippe David, James G. Logan, James Orsborne, Eric Marois, Gregor J. Devine, John Vontas
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2019)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Reimar Krieg, Esther Jortzik, Alice-Anne Goetz, Stephanie Blandin, Sergio Wittlin, Mourad Elhabiri, Mahsa Rahbari, Selbi Nuryyeva, Kerstin Voigt, Hans-Martin Dahse, Axel Brakhage, Svenja Beckmann, Thomas Quack, Christoph G. Grevelding, Anthony B. Pinkerton, Bruno Schoenecker, Jeremy Burrows, Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet, Stefan Rahlfs, Katja Becker
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pierre Mounkoro, Thomas Michel, Stephanie Blandin, Marie-Pierre Golinelli-Cohen, Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet, Brigitte Meunier
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2019)
Review
Parasitology
Celia Lutrat, David Giesbrecht, Eric Marois, Steve Whyard, Thierry Baldet, Jeremy Bouyer
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emilie Pondeville, Nicolas Puchot, Jean-Philippe Parvy, Guillaume Carissimo, Mickael Poidevin, Robert M. Waterhouse, Eric Marois, Catherine Bourgouin
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biology
Claudia Isabelle Keller Valsecchi, Eric Marois, M. Felicia Basilicata, Plamen Georgiev, Asifa Akhtar
Summary: Sex chromosomes induce gene expression imbalances that are corrected by dosage compensation in various organisms. The malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae achieves dosage compensation through a novel mechanism distinct from fruit flies. This mechanism regulates developmental genes and highlights the diversity of gene-dosage buffering mechanisms even under similar genomic and functional constraints.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Celia Lutrat, Roenick P. Olmo, Thierry Baldet, Jeremy Bouyer, Eric Marois
Summary: In this study, transgenic lines of Aedes albopictus expressing the Nix gene were established, and it was found that Nix is sufficient for full masculinization in these mosquitoes. Additionally, the transgenic strains with a fluorescence marker provide a valuable tool for automated sex sorting.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Dennis Klug, Katharina Arnold, Raquel Mela-Lopez, Eric Marois, Stephanie A. Blandin
Summary: Researchers have developed fluorescent reporter lines in the salivary glands of malaria mosquitoes using specific promoters, which allows for better understanding of host-pathogen interactions and live imaging studies.
Review
Microbiology
Dennis Klug, Stephanie A. Blandin
Summary: During development in mosquitoes, malaria parasites face losses caused by the mosquito's antiparasitic response. The most effective response is the complement-like system that eliminates parasites crossing the mosquito midgut epithelium. While our understanding of the molecular and cellular events leading to parasite elimination is still limited, recent advancements in identifying contributing genes and characterizing mosquito blood cell types have enhanced our understanding of complement activation. A simple model based on invasion time is proposed to explain how parasites avoid complement-like responses during midgut infection.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Dennis Klug, Amandine W. Gautier, Eric Calvo, Eric W. Marois, Stephanie A. Blandin
Summary: Research shows that salivary proteins in mosquitoes have an impact on blood feeding, affecting the amount of blood a female mosquito takes up in a given time frame. This study found that the absence of a specific salivary protein impairs the development of malaria parasites in the blood meal, reducing transmission efficiency. Furthermore, the presence of this protein in the blood meal suggests a previously overlooked interaction between the parasite and the mosquito.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bogdan Adam Cichocki, Vrushali Khobragade, Maxime Donzel, Leandro Cotos, Stephanie Blandin, Christine Schaeffer-Reiss, Sarah Cianferani, Jean-Marc Strub, Mourad Elhabiri, Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet
Summary: Plasmodione (PD) is a potent antimalarial drug that acts on different malaria parasite stages at low concentrations. Through the development of a novel class of (pro-)activity-based protein profiling probes, this study identified the precise protein interactome of PD in parasites. The synthesized photoreactive and clickable probes proved to be valuable for exploring the mode of action of antimalarial drugs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pierre Mounkoro, Thomas Michel, Marie-Pierre Golinelli-Cohen, Stephanie Blandin, Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet, Brigitte Meunier
Summary: Malaria, caused by protozoan parasites, is a major public health issue in subtropical countries. Despite the availability of antimalarial treatments, resistance is spreading, urging the development of new antimalarial compounds. Plasmodione is a redox-active compound that impairs the redox balance of parasites leading to cell death, with its mode of action involving the generation of active metabolites that act as subversive substrates of flavoproteins initiating a redox cycling process.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)