Article
Biology
Jun Isoe, Carter J. Simington, Max E. Oscherwitz, Alyssa J. Peterson, Alberto A. Rascon, Brooke B. Massani, Roger L. Miesfeld, Michael A. Riehle
Summary: This study identified several essential proteins for eggshell formation in Aedes aegypti and characterized their roles through molecular and biochemical approaches. These proteins, along with additional secreted eggshell enzymes, provide potential targets for future mosquito control strategies. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which these proteins regulate eggshell formation and melanization.
Article
Entomology
Fiza Arshad, Arvind Sharma, Charleen Lu, Monika Gulia-Nuss
Summary: RNA-interference (RNAi) is a standard technique for functional genomics in adult mosquitoes, but its application in immature stages has been challenging. This study successfully developed a simple method for RNAi in mosquito pupae by soaking them in water containing dsRNA, without the need for carrier molecules or microinjections. The technique can be used to study gene expression in pupae and potentially identify new targets for mosquito control at early life stages.
Article
Parasitology
Xiaowen Fei, Yang Zhang, Lili Ding, Sha Xiao, Xiaoqing Xie, Yajun Li, Xiaodong Deng
Summary: The study constructed and transformed 3HKT RNAi expression plasmids into Chlamydomonas and Chlorella algae, which were then used to feed Ae. aegypti mosquito larvae. The transgenic Chlamydomonas caused severe damage to the larvae, resulting in mortality rates ranging from 60% to 100%. In large-scale experiments, the survival rate of adult mosquitoes fed with transgenic Chlamydomonas was 0.0%.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sharath Chandra Gaddelapati, Najla M. Albishi, Ramesh Kumar Dhandapani, Subba Reddy Palli
Summary: This study identified 10 genes coding for HDACs in the yellow fever mosquito and determined their role in larval development using RNA interference. The findings suggest that HDAC3 plays a crucial role in larval development and knockdown of HDAC3 leads to larval death and affects midgut size.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Chen Zhang, Yanjuan Ding, Min Zhou, Ya Tang, Rufei Chen, Yanrong Chen, Yating Wen, Shigui Wang
Summary: The CHS-2 gene in Aedes albopictus is highly conserved and closely related to Aedes aegypti. It is expressed at high levels in early development and adult stages of the mosquito. Silencing CHS-2 does not affect larval survival and emergence, but leads to upregulation of genes related to chitin metabolism and disruption of chitin synthesis and breakdown in the midgut, as well as damage to the structure of the midgut peritrophic membrane.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Mayra A. Gomez-Govea, Maria de Lourdes Ramirez-Ahuja, Yamili Contreras-Perera, Armando J. Jimenez-Camacho, Gabriel Ruiz-Ayma, Olga Karina Villanueva-Segura, Gerardo de Jesus Trujillo-Rodriguez, Ivan Delgado-Enciso, Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro, Pablo Manrique-Saide, Henry Puerta-Guardo, Adriana E. Flores-Suarez, Gustavo Ponce-Garcia, Iram P. Rodriguez-Sanchez
Summary: This study characterizes the resident microbiota in a field population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and evaluates its role in susceptibility to the insecticides permethrin and deltamethrin. The results show that the change in microbiota modifies the response of mosquitoes to permethrin.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. McFarlane, M. Laureti, T. Levee, S. Terry, A. Kohl, E. Pondeville
Summary: Gene silencing using RNA interference (RNAi) is a widely used genetic technique to study gene function in various organisms. Efficiency of gene silencing in adult female Aedes aegypti varies greatly depending on the targeted genes, and different efficiencies may be due to gene-specific tissue expression and/or feedback mechanisms. High doses of dsRNA and the use of a transfection reagent can improve knockdown efficiency and reduce variability between replicates.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Jameel M. Abduljalil, Fahd M. Abd Al Galil
Summary: Deciphering the molecular interactions between DENV and its vector is a promising field to develop efficient control strategies for DENV.
JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adeline E. Williams, Gaurav Shrivastava, Apostolos G. Gittis, Sundar Ganesan, Ines Martin-Martin, Paola Carolina Valenzuela Leon, Ken E. Olson, Eric Calvo
Summary: The study investigates the RNA-binding dynamics and subcellular localization of AePiwi4, a Piwi protein in Aedes aegypti involved in antiviral immunity and embryonic development. It was found that the PAZ domain of AePiwi4 can bind to both mature and unmethylated RNAs in a sequence-independent manner. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis studies revealed the significant impact of subtle amino acid changes on RNA binding behaviors across PAZ proteins.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jiecheng Wu, Lanying Wang, Yunfei Zhang, Shujing Zhang, Shakil Ahmad, Yanping Luo
Summary: In this study, a new synthesis scheme for 2-arylfuranocoumarin derivatives was designed, with 2-thiophenylfuranocoumarin (Iy) showing excellent photosensitive activity. The exposure of Aedes aegypti larvae to Iy under ultraviolet light resulted in midgut damage and apoptosis, providing insights into the mode of action of Iy in A. aegypti.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Christopher J. Holmes, Elliott S. Brown, Dhriti Sharma, Matthew Warden, Atit Pathak, Blaine Payton, Quynh Nguyen, Austin Spangler, Jaishna Sivakumar, Jacob M. Hendershot, Joshua B. Benoit
Summary: Female mosquitoes have adapted to bloodfeeding on humans, especially in drier areas. These mosquitoes can quickly rehydrate through bloodfeeding, potentially resulting in altered disease transmission rates. Further research is needed to understand how these mosquitoes process bloodmeals in low humidity conditions.
Article
Microbiology
Hannah J. MacLeod, George Dimopoulos, Sarah M. Short
Summary: This study found that larval diet abundance has persistent impacts on the size and composition of microbiota in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. Nutrient-rich diet led to increased bacterial loads and shifts in microbiota composition, particularly in larval breeding water and larvae. The availability of diet during development can cause lasting shifts in the microbiota composition and quantity in the disease vector Aedes aegypti.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Luis E. Martinez Villegas, James Radl, George Dimopoulos, Sarah Short
Summary: Bacteria in the digestive tract of mosquitoes have an impact on their life history traits and susceptibility to human pathogens. Engineering these bacterial communities can effectively control mosquitoes and reduce the spread of diseases. This study analyzed the bacteria in the midgut and crop tissues of Aedes aegypti, and found differences in composition, function, and abundance. Understanding these bacterial communities is important for manipulating mosquito microbiomes and preventing disease transmission.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Chelsea A. Cereghino, Ferdinand Roesch, Lucia Carrau, Alexandra Hardy, Helder Ribeiro-Filho, Annabelle Henrion-Lacritick, Cassandra J. Koh, Jeffrey M. Marano, Tyler Bates, Pallavi Rai, Christina D. Chuong, Shamima Akter, Thomas Vallet, Herve Blanc, Truitt Elliott, Anne T. Brown, Pawel E. Michalak, Tanya T. LeRoith, Jesse E. Bloom, Rafael Elias T. Marques, Maria-Carla E. Saleh, Marco T. Vignuzzi, James E. Weger-Lucarelli
Summary: Adaptation to urban mosquito vectors is crucial for the emergence of arboviruses. In this study, Mayaro virus (MAYV) adaptation to Ae. aegypti was investigated, revealing a key mutation that increased viral replication and transmission in mosquitoes but reduced replication and binding in human cells. The same mutation in chikungunya virus also enhanced replication in human and insect cells. These findings highlight the significance of viral adaptation to specific hosts and provide insights into potential future emergence events.
Article
Entomology
Tse-Yu Chen, Chelsea T. Smartt, Dongyoung Shin
Summary: Pyrethroids, commonly used insecticides against mosquitoes, face worldwide resistance that threatens mosquito control. Resistance is linked to mutations in the voltage gated sodium channel gene. A study on a permethrin-resistant Aedes aegypti population revealed higher permethrin resistance levels and increased threat of disease transmission. The population showed longer survival and higher dissemination rates for dengue virus, impacting vectorial capacity and warranting global concern.