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Adedeji EO, Beder T, Damiani C, Cappelli A, Accoti A, Tapanelli S, Ogunlana OO, Fatumo S, Favia G, Koenig R, Adebiyi E. Combination of computational techniques and RNAi reveal targets in Anopheles gambiae for malaria vector control. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305207. [PMID: 38968330 PMCID: PMC11226046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing reports of insecticide resistance continue to hamper the gains of vector control strategies in curbing malaria transmission. This makes identifying new insecticide targets or alternative vector control strategies necessary. CLassifier of Essentiality AcRoss EukaRyote (CLEARER), a leave-one-organism-out cross-validation machine learning classifier for essential genes, was used to predict essential genes in Anopheles gambiae and selected predicted genes experimentally validated. The CLEARER algorithm was trained on six model organisms: Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and employed to identify essential genes in An. gambiae. Of the 10,426 genes in An. gambiae, 1,946 genes (18.7%) were predicted to be Cellular Essential Genes (CEGs), 1716 (16.5%) to be Organism Essential Genes (OEGs), and 852 genes (8.2%) to be essential as both OEGs and CEGs. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to validate the top three highly expressed non-ribosomal predictions as probable vector control targets, by determining the effect of these genes on the survival of An. gambiae G3 mosquitoes. In addition, the effect of knockdown of arginase (AGAP008783) on Plasmodium berghei infection in mosquitoes was evaluated, an enzyme we computationally inferred earlier to be essential based on chokepoint analysis. Arginase and the top three genes, AGAP007406 (Elongation factor 1-alpha, Elf1), AGAP002076 (Heat shock 70kDa protein 1/8, HSP), AGAP009441 (Elongation factor 2, Elf2), had knockdown efficiencies of 91%, 75%, 63%, and 61%, respectively. While knockdown of HSP or Elf2 significantly reduced longevity of the mosquitoes (p<0.0001) compared to control groups, Elf1 or arginase knockdown had no effect on survival. However, arginase knockdown significantly reduced P. berghei oocytes counts in the midgut of mosquitoes when compared to LacZ-injected controls. The study reveals HSP and Elf2 as important contributors to mosquito survival and arginase as important for parasite development, hence placing them as possible targets for vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice O. Adedeji
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Beder
- Medical Department II, Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
- University Cancer Center Schleswig-Holstein, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel and Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control (IIMK, RG Systemsbiology), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Claudia Damiani
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Alessia Cappelli
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Anastasia Accoti
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Sofia Tapanelli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Olubanke O. Ogunlana
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
- African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Data Intensive Science, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Segun Fatumo
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Guido Favia
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Rainer Koenig
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control (IIMK, RG Systemsbiology), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Ezekiel Adebiyi
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
- African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Data Intensive Science, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Applied Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Omokungbe B, Centurión A, Stiehler S, Morr A, Vilcinskas A, Steinbrink A, Hardes K. Gene silencing in the aedine cell lines C6/36 and U4.4 using long double-stranded RNA. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:255. [PMID: 38863029 PMCID: PMC11167938 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06340-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi) is a target-specific gene silencing method that can be used to determine gene functions and investigate host-pathogen interactions, as well as facilitating the development of ecofriendly pesticides. Commercially available transfection reagents (TRs) can improve the efficacy of RNAi. However, we currently lack a product and protocol for the transfection of insect cell lines with long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). METHODS We used agarose gel electrophoresis to determine the capacity of eight TRs to form complexes with long dsRNA. A CellTiter-Glo assay was then used to assess the cytotoxicity of the resulting lipoplexes. We also measured the cellular uptake of dsRNA by fluorescence microscopy using the fluorophore Cy3 as a label. Finally, we analyzed the TRs based on their transfection efficacy and compared the RNAi responses of Aedes albopictus C6/36 and U4.4 cells by knocking down an mCherry reporter Semliki Forest virus in both cell lines. RESULTS The TRs from Biontex (K4, Metafectene Pro, and Metafectene SI+) showed the best complexing capacity and the lowest dsRNA:TR ratio needed for complete complex formation. Only HiPerFect was unable to complex the dsRNA completely, even at a ratio of 1:9. Most of the complexes containing mCherry-dsRNA were nontoxic at 2 ng/µL, but Lipofectamine 2000 was toxic at 1 ng/µL in U4.4 cells and at 2 ng/µL in C6/36 cells. The transfection of U4.4 cells with mCherry-dsRNA/TR complexes achieved significant knockdown of the virus reporter. Comparison of the RNAi response in C6/36 and U4.4 cells suggested that C6/36 cells lack the antiviral RNAi response because there was no significant knockdown of the virus reporter in any of the treatments. CONCLUSIONS C6/36 cells have an impaired RNAi response as previously reported. This investigation provides valuable information for future RNAi experiments by showing how to mitigate the adverse effects attributed to TRs. This will facilitate the judicious selection of TRs and transfection conditions conducive to RNAi research in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodunrin Omokungbe
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Alejandra Centurión
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Stiehler
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Antonia Morr
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Antje Steinbrink
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
- BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research "ASCRIBE", Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
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Romoli O, Henrion-Lacritick A, Blanc H, Frangeul L, Saleh MC. Limitations in harnessing oral RNA interference as an antiviral strategy in Aedes aegypti. iScience 2024; 27:109261. [PMID: 38433898 PMCID: PMC10907830 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, are critical vectors for globally significant pathogenic viruses. This study examines the limitations of oral RNA interference (RNAi) as a strategy to disrupt viral transmission by Ae. aegypti. We hypothesized that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting the Zika virus (ZIKV) or chikungunya virus (CHIKV) genomes produced by engineered bacterial symbionts could trigger an antiviral response. Mosquitoes mono-colonized with Escherichia coli producing dsZIK or dsCHIK did not display reduced viral titers following exposure to virus-contaminated bloodmeals and failed to generate dsZIK- or dsCHIK-derived small interfering RNAs. To address potential limitations of bacterial dsRNA release, we explored dsRNA inoculation via feeding and injection. Although viral replication was impeded in mosquitoes injected with dsZIK or dsCHIK, no antiviral effect was observed in dsRNA-fed mosquitoes. These findings highlight complexities of implementing oral RNAi as an antiviral strategy in Ae. aegypti and warrant further exploration of local and systemic RNAi mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ottavia Romoli
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3569, Viruses and RNAi Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | | | - Hervé Blanc
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3569, Viruses and RNAi Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Lionel Frangeul
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3569, Viruses and RNAi Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Maria-Carla Saleh
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3569, Viruses and RNAi Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
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Stewart ATM, Mysore K, Njoroge TM, Winter N, Feng RS, Singh S, James LD, Singkhaimuk P, Sun L, Mohammed A, Oxley JD, Duckham C, Ponlawat A, Severson DW, Duman-Scheel M. Demonstration of RNAi Yeast Insecticide Activity in Semi-Field Larvicide and Attractive Targeted Sugar Bait Trials Conducted on Aedes and Culex Mosquitoes. INSECTS 2023; 14:950. [PMID: 38132622 PMCID: PMC10743515 DOI: 10.3390/insects14120950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Eco-friendly new mosquito control innovations are critical for the ongoing success of global mosquito control programs. In this study, Sh.463_56.10R, a robust RNA interference (RNAi) yeast insecticide strain that is suitable for scaled fermentation, was evaluated under semi-field conditions. Inactivated and dried Sh.463_56.10R yeast induced significant mortality of field strain Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae in semi-field larvicide trials conducted outdoors in St. Augustine, Trinidad, where 100% of the larvae were dead within 24 h. The yeast was also stably suspended in commercial bait and deployed as an active ingredient in miniature attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) station sachets. The yeast ATSB induced high levels of Aedes and Culex mosquito morbidity in semi-field trials conducted in Trinidad, West Indies, as well as in Bangkok, Thailand, in which the consumption of the yeast resulted in adult female mosquito death within 48 h, faster than what was observed in laboratory trials. These findings support the pursuit of large-scale field trials to further evaluate the Sh.463_56.10R insecticide, a member of a promising new class of species-specific RNAi insecticides that could help combat insecticide resistance and support effective mosquito control programs worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akilah T. M. Stewart
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Teresia M. Njoroge
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Nikhella Winter
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Rachel Shui Feng
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Satish Singh
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Lester D. James
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Preeraya Singkhaimuk
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Directorate–Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Azad Mohammed
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
| | - James D. Oxley
- Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA;
| | | | - Alongkot Ponlawat
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Directorate–Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - David W. Severson
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Mysore K, Njoroge TM, Stewart ATM, Winter N, Hamid-Adiamoh M, Sun L, Feng RS, James LD, Mohammed A, Severson DW, Duman-Scheel M. Characterization of a novel RNAi yeast insecticide that silences mosquito 5-HT1 receptor genes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22511. [PMID: 38110471 PMCID: PMC10728091 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49799-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which regulate numerous intracellular signaling cascades that mediate many essential physiological processes, are attractive yet underexploited insecticide targets. RNA interference (RNAi) technology could facilitate the custom design of environmentally safe pesticides that target GPCRs in select target pests yet are not toxic to non-target species. This study investigates the hypothesis that an RNAi yeast insecticide designed to silence mosquito serotonin receptor 1 (5-HTR1) genes can kill mosquitoes without harming non-target arthropods. 5-HTR.426, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain that expresses an shRNA targeting a site specifically conserved in mosquito 5-HTR1 genes, was generated. The yeast can be heat-inactivated and delivered to mosquito larvae as ready-to-use tablets or to adult mosquitoes using attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs). The results of laboratory and outdoor semi-field trials demonstrated that consumption of 5-HTR.426 yeast results in highly significant mortality rates in Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex mosquito larvae and adults. Yeast consumption resulted in significant 5-HTR1 silencing and severe neural defects in the mosquito brain but was not found to be toxic to non-target arthropods. These results indicate that RNAi insecticide technology can facilitate selective targeting of GPCRs in intended pests without impacting GPCR activity in non-targeted organisms. In future studies, scaled production of yeast expressing the 5-HTR.426 RNAi insecticide could facilitate field trials to further evaluate this promising new mosquito control intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Teresia M Njoroge
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Akilah T M Stewart
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Nikhella Winter
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain
| | - Majidah Hamid-Adiamoh
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Rachel Shui Feng
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain
| | - Lester D James
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain
| | - Azad Mohammed
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain
| | - David W Severson
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA.
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
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Lukenge M, Ignell R, Hill SR. Adenosine triphosphate overrides the aversive effect of antifeedants and toxicants: a model alternative phagostimulant for sugar-based vector control tools. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:416. [PMID: 37964326 PMCID: PMC10647091 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06039-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sugar, when used as the phagostimulant in attractive toxic bait control tools, limits the efficacy and selectivity of this technology. Thus, more potent and selective phagostimulants than sugar are required to improve this technology. The potency of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as an alternative model phagostimulant was assessed to determine its capacity to override the aversive effects of select antifeedants and toxicants. How ATP and sucrose modulate the rate of toxicity in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti was also examined. METHODS A no-choice feeding assay was used to investigate the phagostimulatory ability of ATP to override the aversive effects of structurally divergent antifeedant and toxicant compounds, and to modulate the rate of toxicity over 24 h. Binary combinations of antifeedant and toxicant compounds, at various concentrations, were similarly assessed for enhanced lethal potency. In comparison, no-choice open access and cotton wick feeding assays were used to determine the phagostimulatory role of sucrose in the ingestion of boric acid-laced diets. Dissections of the guts were performed to determine the diet destination as dependant on the phagostimulant. RESULTS ATP is a potent phagostimulant that dose dependently overrides aversion to antifeedant and toxicant tastants. Feeding on antifeedant- or toxicant-laced diets that was induced by ATP selectively resulted in rapid knockdown (nicotine, lobeline and caffeine) or death (boric acid and propylene glycol), with a combination of the two lethal compounds inducing a synergistic effect at lower concentrations. ATP- and sucrose-induced feeding predominantly directed the antifeedant- or toxicant-laced meals to the midgut and the crop, respectively. CONCLUSIONS ATP is an efficacious alternative model phagostimulant to sucrose that overrides the aversive effects of antifeedants and toxicants, resulting in rapid toxic effects. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that variation in the rate of toxicity between ATP- and sugar-induced feeding is at least partly regulated by the differential feeding response, volume imbibed and the destination of the meals. Additional research is needed to identify structurally related, stable analogues of ATP due to the ephemeral nature of this molecule. For future applications, the workflow presented in this study may be used to evaluate such analogues for their suitability for use in attractive bait stations designed to target a broad range of haematophagous arthropods and prevent off-target species' feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lukenge
- Disease Vector Group, Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Rickard Ignell
- Disease Vector Group, Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Sharon Rose Hill
- Disease Vector Group, Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden.
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Brizzee C, Mysore K, Njoroge TM, McConnell S, Hamid-Adiamoh M, Stewart ATM, Kinder JT, Crawford J, Duman-Scheel M. Targeting Mosquitoes through Generation of an Insecticidal RNAi Yeast Strain Using Cas-CLOVER and Super PiggyBac Engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1056. [PMID: 37998862 PMCID: PMC10672312 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The global deployment of RNAi yeast insecticides involves transitioning from the use of laboratory yeast strains to more robust strains that are suitable for scaled fermentation. In this investigation, the RNA-guided Cas-CLOVER system was used in combination with Piggybac transposase to produce robust Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with multiple integrated copies of the Sh.463 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) insecticide expression cassette. This enabled the constitutive high-level expression of an insecticidal shRNA corresponding to a target sequence that is conserved in mosquito Shaker genes, but which is not found in non-target organisms. Top-expressing Cas-CLOVER strains performed well in insecticide trials conducted on Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles larvae and adult mosquitoes, which died following consumption of the yeast. Scaled fermentation facilitated the kilogram-scale production of the yeast, which was subsequently heat-killed and dried. These studies indicate that RNAi yeast insecticide production can be scaled, an advancement that may one day facilitate the global distribution of this new mosquito control intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey Brizzee
- Demeetra Ag Bio, 2277 Thunderstick Dr. Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40505, USA; (C.B.); (S.M.); (J.T.K.)
| | - Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (M.H.-A.); (A.T.M.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Teresia M. Njoroge
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (M.H.-A.); (A.T.M.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Seth McConnell
- Demeetra Ag Bio, 2277 Thunderstick Dr. Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40505, USA; (C.B.); (S.M.); (J.T.K.)
| | - Majidah Hamid-Adiamoh
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (M.H.-A.); (A.T.M.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Akilah T. M. Stewart
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (M.H.-A.); (A.T.M.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - J. Tyler Kinder
- Demeetra Ag Bio, 2277 Thunderstick Dr. Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40505, USA; (C.B.); (S.M.); (J.T.K.)
| | - Jack Crawford
- Demeetra Ag Bio, 2277 Thunderstick Dr. Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40505, USA; (C.B.); (S.M.); (J.T.K.)
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (M.H.-A.); (A.T.M.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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8
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Guerrero A, Reddy GVP. Chemical Communication in Insects: New Advances in Integrated Pest Management Strategies. INSECTS 2023; 14:799. [PMID: 37887811 PMCID: PMC10607249 DOI: 10.3390/insects14100799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Chemical communication plays a pivotal role in many insect behaviors, including food-seeking, recruitment, the recognition of congeners, reproduction, alarm, territorial marking, and survival [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Guerrero
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia—CSIC, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gadi V. P. Reddy
- Southern Insect Management Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)—Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Stoneville, MS 38776, USA;
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9
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Njoroge TM, Hamid-Adiamoh M, Duman-Scheel M. Maximizing the Potential of Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSBs) for Integrated Vector Management. INSECTS 2023; 14:585. [PMID: 37504591 PMCID: PMC10380652 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Due to the limitations of the human therapeutics and vaccines available to treat and prevent mosquito-borne diseases, the primary strategy for disease mitigation is through vector control. However, the current tools and approaches used for mosquito control have proven insufficient to prevent malaria and arboviral infections, such as dengue, Zika, and lymphatic filariasis, and hence, these diseases remain a global public health threat. The proven ability of mosquito vectors to adapt to various control strategies through insecticide resistance, invasive potential, and behavioral changes from indoor to outdoor biting, combined with human failures to comply with vector control requirements, challenge sustained malaria and arboviral disease control worldwide. To address these concerns, increased efforts to explore more varied and integrated control strategies have emerged. These include approaches that involve the behavioral management of vectors. Attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs) are a vector control approach that manipulates and exploits mosquito sugar-feeding behavior to deploy insecticides. Although traditional approaches have been effective in controlling malaria vectors indoors, preventing mosquito bites outdoors and around human dwellings is challenging. ATSBs, which can be used to curb outdoor biting mosquitoes, have the potential to reduce mosquito densities and clinical malaria incidence when used in conjunction with existing vector control strategies. This review examines the available literature regarding the utility of ATSBs for mosquito control, providing an overview of ATSB active ingredients (toxicants), attractants, modes of deployment, target organisms, and the potential for integrating ATSBs with existing vector control interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresia Muthoni Njoroge
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46556, USA
| | - Majidah Hamid-Adiamoh
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46556, USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46556, USA
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10
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Airs PM, Kudrna KE, Lubinski B, Phanse Y, Bartholomay LC. A Comparative Analysis of RNAi Trigger Uptake and Distribution in Mosquito Vectors of Disease. INSECTS 2023; 14:556. [PMID: 37367372 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
In mosquitoes, the utilization of RNAi for functional genetics is widespread, usually mediated through introduced double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) with sequence identity to a gene of interest. However, RNAi in mosquitoes is often hampered by inconsistencies in target gene knockdown between experimental setups. While the core RNAi pathway is known to function in most mosquito strains, the uptake and biodistribution of dsRNAs across different mosquito species and life stages have yet to be extensively explored as a source of variation in RNAi experiments. To better understand mosquito-RNAi dynamics, the biodistribution of a dsRNA to a heterologous gene, LacZ (iLacZ), was tracked following various routes of exposure in the larval and adult stages of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex pipiens. iLacZ was largely limited to the gut lumen when exposed per os, or to the cuticle when topically applied, but spread through the hemocoel when injected. Uptake of dsRNA was noted in a subset of cells including: hemocytes, pericardial cells of the dorsal vessel, ovarian follicles, and ganglia of the ventral nerve cord. These cell types are all known to undergo phagocytosis, pinocytosis, or both, and as such may actively take up RNAi triggers. In Ae. aegypti, iLacZ was detected for up to one week post exposure by Northern blotting, but uptake and degradation drastically differed across tissues. The results presented here reveal that the uptake of RNAi triggers is distinct and specific to the cell type in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Airs
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Katherine E Kudrna
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Bailey Lubinski
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Yashdeep Phanse
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Lyric C Bartholomay
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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11
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Engdahl CS, Caragata EP, Tavadia M, Dimopoulos G. Chromobacterium Biopesticide Exposure Does Not Select for Resistance in Aedes Mosquitoes. mBio 2023; 14:e0048023. [PMID: 37017525 PMCID: PMC10127667 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00480-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing effective tools to control mosquito populations is essential for reducing the incidence of diseases like malaria and dengue. Biopesticides of microbial origin are a rich, underexplored source of mosquitocidal compounds. We previously developed a biopesticide from the bacterium Chromobacterium sp. Panama that rapidly kills vector mosquito larvae, including Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae. Here, we demonstrate that two independent Ae. aegypti colonies exposed to a sublethal dose of that biopesticide over consecutive generations persistently exhibited high mortality and developmental delays, indicating that resistance did not develop during the study period. Critically, the descendants of biopesticide-exposed mosquitoes experienced decreased longevity and did not display increased susceptibility to dengue virus or decreased susceptibility to common chemical insecticides. Through RNA sequencing, we observed no link between biopesticide exposure and the increased activity of xenobiotic metabolism and detoxification genes typically associated with insecticide resistance. These findings indicate that the Chromobacterium biopesticide is an exciting, emerging mosquito control tool. IMPORTANCE Vector control is an essential part of mitigating diseases caused by pathogens that mosquitoes spread. Modern vector control is highly reliant on using synthetic insecticides to eliminate mosquito populations before they can cause disease. However, many of these populations have become resistant to commonly used insecticides. There is a strong need to explore alternative vector control strategies that aim to mitigate disease burden. Biopesticides, insecticides of biological origin, can have unique mosquitocidal activities, meaning they can effectively kill mosquitoes that are already resistant to other insecticides. We previously developed a highly effective mosquito biopesticide from the bacterium Chromobacterium sp. Csp_P. Here, we investigate whether exposure to a sublethal dose of this Csp_P biopesticide over 9 to 10 generations causes resistance to arise in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We find no evidence of resistance at the physiological or molecular levels, confirming that the Csp_P biopesticide is a highly promising new tool for controlling mosquito populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Springer Engdahl
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Eric P. Caragata
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology & Nematology, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida, USA
| | - Mihra Tavadia
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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12
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Peng H, Wang H, Guo X, Lv W, Liu L, Wang H, Cheng P, Liu H, Gong M. In Vitro and In Vivo Validation of CYP6A14 and CYP6N6 Participation in Deltamethrin Metabolic Resistance in Aedes albopictus. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 108:609-618. [PMID: 36746656 PMCID: PMC9978559 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The extensive use of chemical insecticides for public health and agricultural purposes has increased the occurrence and development of insecticide resistance. This study used transcriptome sequencing to screen 10 upregulated metabolic detoxification enzyme genes from Aedes albopictus resistant strains. Of these, CYP6A14 and CYP6N6 were found to be substantially overexpressed in the deltamethrin-induced expression test, indicating their role in deltamethrin resistance in Ae. albopictus. Furthermore, the corresponding 60-kDa recombinant proteins, CYP6A14 and CYP6N6, were successfully expressed using the Escherichia coli expression system. Enzyme activity studies revealed that CYP6A14 (5.84 U/L) and CYP6N6 (6.3 U/L) have cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme activity. In vitro, the metabolic analysis revealed that the recombinant proteins degraded deltamethrin into 1-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine and 2',2'-dibromo-2'-deoxyguanosine. Subsequently, the CYP450 genes in larvae of Ae. albopictus were silenced by RNA interference technology to study deltamethrin resistance in vivo. The silencing of CYP6A14 and CYP6N6 increased the mortality rate of mosquitoes without affecting their survival time, spawning quantity, hatching rate, and other normal life activities. Altogether, CYP6A14 and CYP6N6 belong to the CYP6 family and mutually increase deltamethrin resistance in Ae. albopictus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Peng
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, China
| | - Haiyang Wang
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuxia Guo
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, China
| | - Wenxiang Lv
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, China
| | - Haifang Wang
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, China
| | - Peng Cheng
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, China
- Address correspondence to Peng Cheng or Hongmei Liu or Maoqing Gong, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong 272033, China. E-mails: or or
| | - Hongmei Liu
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, China
- Address correspondence to Peng Cheng or Hongmei Liu or Maoqing Gong, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong 272033, China. E-mails: or or
| | - Maoqing Gong
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, China
- Address correspondence to Peng Cheng or Hongmei Liu or Maoqing Gong, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong 272033, China. E-mails: or or
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13
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Fei X, Huang X, Li Z, Li X, He C, Xiao S, Li Y, Zhang X, Deng X. Effect of marker-free transgenic Chlamydomonas on the control of Aedes mosquito population and on plankton. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:18. [PMID: 36653886 PMCID: PMC9847121 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05647-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half of the world's population suffers from epidemic diseases that are spread by mosquitoes. The primary strategy used to stop the spread of mosquito-borne diseases is vector control. Interference RNA (RNAi) is a powerful tool for controlling insect populations and may be less susceptible to insect resistance than other strategies. However, public concerns have been raised because of the transfer of antibiotic resistance marker genes to environmental microorganisms after integration into the recipient genome, thus allowing the pathogen to acquire resistance. Therefore, in the present study, we modified the 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase (3hkt) and hormone receptor 3 (hr3) RNAi vectors to remove antibiotic resistance marker genes and retain the expression cassette of the inverse repeat sequence of the 3hkt/hr3 target gene. This recombinant microalgal marker-free RNAi insecticide was subsequently added to the suburban water in a simulated-field trial to test its ability to control mosquito population. METHODS The expression cassette of the 3hkt/hr3 inverted repeat sequence and a DNA fragment of the argininosuccinate lyase gene without the ampicillin resistance gene were obtained using restriction enzyme digestion and recovery. After the cotransformation of Chlamydomonas, the recombinant algae was then employed to feed Aedes albopictus larvae. Ten and 300 larvae were used in small- and large-scale laboratory Ae.albopictus feeding trials, respectively. Simulated field trials were conducted using Meishe River water that was complemented with recombinant Chlamydomonas. Moreover, the impact of recombinant microalgae on phytoplankton and zooplankton in the released water was explored via high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS The marker-free RNAi-recombinant Chlamydomonas effectively silenced the 3hkt/hr3 target gene, resulting in the inhibition of Ae. albopictus development and also in the high rate of Ae. albopictus larvae mortality in the laboratory and simulated field trials. In addition, the results confirmed that the effect of recombinant Chlamydomonas on plankton in the released water was similar to that of the nontransgenic Chlamydomonas, which could reduce the abundance and species of plankton. CONCLUSIONS The marker-free RNAi-recombinant Chlamydomonas are highly lethal to the Ae. albopictus mosquito, and their effect on plankton in released water is similar to that of the nontransgenic algal strains, which reduces the abundance and species of plankton. Thus, marker-free recombinant Chlamydomonas can be used for mosquito biorational control and mosquito-borne disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Fei
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaodan Huang
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhijie Li
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xinghan Li
- grid.509158.0Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science and Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Hainan Province, Hainan Institute for Tropical Agricultural Resources, Haikou, China
| | - Changhao He
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Sha Xiao
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yajun Li
- grid.509158.0Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science and Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Hainan Province, Hainan Institute for Tropical Agricultural Resources, Haikou, China ,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-Resources, Haikou, China
| | - Xiuxia Zhang
- grid.509158.0Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science and Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Hainan Province, Hainan Institute for Tropical Agricultural Resources, Haikou, China ,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-Resources, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaodong Deng
- grid.509158.0Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science and Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Hainan Province, Hainan Institute for Tropical Agricultural Resources, Haikou, China ,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-Resources, Haikou, China ,grid.453499.60000 0000 9835 1415Zhanjiang Experimental Station, CATAS, Zhanjiang, China
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14
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Mysore K, Hapairai LK, Realey JS, Sun L, Roethele JB, Duman-Scheel M. Oral RNAi for Gene Silencing in Mosquitoes: From the Bench to the Field. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2022; 2022:Pdb.top107690. [PMID: 35135890 PMCID: PMC11041366 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top107690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has played a key role in the field of insect functional genomics, a discipline that has enhanced the study of developmental, evolutionary, physiological, and molecular biological phenomena in a wide variety of insects, including disease vector mosquitoes. Here we introduce a recently optimized RNAi procedure in which adult mosquitoes are fed with a colored sugar bait containing small interfering RNA (siRNA). This procedure effectively and economically leads to gene silencing, is technically straightforward, and has been successfully used to characterize a number of genes in adult mosquitoes. We also discuss how, in addition to laboratory applications, this oral RNAi procedure might one day be used in the field for controlling insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Limb K Hapairai
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Jacob S Realey
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Joseph B Roethele
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA;
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
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15
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Sigle LT, Jones M, Novelo M, Ford SA, Urakova N, Lymperopoulos K, Sayre RT, Xi Z, Rasgon JL, McGraw EA. Assessing Aedes aegypti candidate genes during viral infection and Wolbachia-mediated pathogen blocking. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 31:356-368. [PMID: 35112745 PMCID: PMC9081237 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
One approach to control dengue virus transmission is the symbiont Wolbachia, which limits viral infection in mosquitoes. Despite plans for its widespread use in Aedes aegypti, Wolbachia's mode of action remains poorly understood. Many studies suggest that the mechanism is likely multifaceted, involving aspects of immunity, cellular stress and nutritional competition. A previous study from our group used artificial selection to identify a new mosquito candidate gene related to viral blocking; alpha-mannosidase-2a (alpha-Mann-2a) with a predicted role in protein glycosylation. Protein glycosylation pathways tend to be involved in complex host-viral interactions; however, the function of alpha-mannosidases has not been described in mosquito-virus interactions. We examined alpha-Mann-2a expression in response to virus and Wolbachia infections and whether reduced gene expression, caused by RNA interference, affected viral loads. We show that dengue virus (DENV) infection affects the expression of alpha-Mann-2a in a tissue- and time-dependent manner, whereas Wolbachia infection had no effect. In the midgut, DENV prevalence increased following knockdown of alpha-Mann-2a expression in Wolbachia-free mosquitoes, suggesting that alpha-Mann-2a interferes with infection. Expression knockdown had the same effect on the togavirus chikungunya virus, indicating that alpha-Mann-2a may have broad antivirus effects in the midgut. Interestingly, we were unable to knockdown the expression in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. We also provide evidence that alpha-Mann-2a may affect the transcriptional level of another gene predicted to be involved in viral blocking and cell adhesion; cadherin87a. These data support the hypothesis that glycosylation and adhesion pathways may broadly be involved in viral infection in Ae. aegypti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah T. Sigle
- Department of Entomology and Center for Infectious Disease DynamicsThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Matthew Jones
- Department of Entomology and Center for Infectious Disease DynamicsThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Mario Novelo
- Department of Entomology and Center for Infectious Disease DynamicsThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Suzanne A. Ford
- Department of Entomology and Center for Infectious Disease DynamicsThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Nadya Urakova
- Department of Entomology and Center for Infectious Disease DynamicsThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | | | - Zhiyong Xi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Jason L. Rasgon
- Department of Entomology and Center for Infectious Disease DynamicsThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Elizabeth A. McGraw
- Department of Biology and Center for Infectious Disease DynamicsThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
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16
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Taracena M, Hunt C, Pennington P, Andrew D, Jacobs-Lorena M, Dotson E, Wells M. Effective Oral RNA Interference (RNAi) Administration to Adult Anopheles gambiae Mosquitoes. J Vis Exp 2022:10.3791/63266. [PMID: 35311819 PMCID: PMC9810275 DOI: 10.3791/63266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference has been a heavily utilized tool for reverse genetic analysis for two decades. In adult mosquitoes, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) administration has been accomplished primarily via injection, which requires significant time and is not suitable for field applications. To overcome these limitations, here we present a more efficient method for robust activation of RNAi by oral delivery of dsRNA to adult Anopheles gambiae. Long dsRNAs were produced in Escherichia coli strain HT115 (DE3), and a concentrated suspension of heat-killed dsRNA-containing bacteria in 10% sucrose was offered on cotton balls ad-libitum to adult mosquitoes. Cotton balls were replaced every 2 days for the duration of the treatment. Use of this method to target doublesex (a gene involved in sex differentiation) or fork head (which encodes a salivary gland transcription factor) resulted in reduced target gene expression and/or protein immunofluorescence signal, as measured by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) or fluorescence confocal microscopy, respectively. Defects in salivary gland morphology were also observed. This highly flexible, user-friendly, low-cost, time-efficient method of dsRNA delivery could be broadly applicable to target genes important for insect vector physiology and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabel Taracena
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Entomology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Department of Entomology, Cornell University;
| | - Catherine Hunt
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Entomology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Pamela Pennington
- Centro de Estudios en Biotecnologia, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
| | - Deborah Andrew
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Malaria Research Institute
| | - Ellen Dotson
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Entomology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Michael Wells
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Biomedical Sciences Department, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine;
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17
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Mysore K, Sun L, Li P, Roethele JB, Misenti JK, Kosmach J, Igiede J, Duman-Scheel M. A Conserved Female-Specific Requirement for the GGT Gene in Mosquito Larvae Facilitates RNAi-Mediated Sex Separation in Multiple Species of Disease Vector Mosquitoes. Pathogens 2022; 11:169. [PMID: 35215113 PMCID: PMC8879970 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although several emerging mosquito control technologies are dependent on mass releases of adult males, methods of sex-sorting that can be implemented globally have not yet been established. RNAi screens led to the discovery of siRNA, which targets gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), a gene which is well conserved in multiple species of mosquitoes and located at the sex-determining M locus region in Aedes aegypti. Silencing the A. aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, Culex pipiens, and Culex quinquefasciatus GGT genes resulted in female larval death, with no significant impact on male survival. Generation of yeast strains that permitted affordable expression and oral delivery of shRNA corresponding to mosquito GGT genes facilitated larval target gene silencing and generated significantly increased 5 males:1 female adult ratios in each species. Yeast targeting a conserved sequence in Culex GGT genes was incorporated into a larval mass-rearing diet, permitting the generation of fit adult male C. pipiens and C. quinquefasciatus, two species for which labor-intensive manual sex separation had previously been utilized. The results of this study indicate that female-specific yeast-based RNAi larvicides may facilitate global implementation of population-based control strategies that require releases of sterile or genetically modified adult males, and that yeast RNAi strategies can be utilized in various species of mosquitoes that have progressed to different stages of sex chromosome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Joseph B. Roethele
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Joi K. Misenti
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - John Kosmach
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Jessica Igiede
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Khalil SMS, Munawar K, Alahmed AM, Mohammed AMA. RNAi-Mediated Screening of Selected Target Genes Against Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:2177-2185. [PMID: 34197598 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Culex quinquefasciatus, a member of the Culex pipiens complex, is widespread in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world. It is a vector for lymphatic filariasis, Rift Valley fever, and West Nile virus. Studies have shown the deleterious effect of RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of various lethal genes in model and agricultural pest insects. RNAi was proposed as a tool for mosquito control with a focus on Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae. In this study, we examined the effect of RNAi of selected target genes on both larval mortality and adult emergence of Cx. quinquefasciatus through two delivery methods: soaking and nanoparticles. Ten candidate genes were selected for RNAi based on their known lethal effect in other insects. Disruption of three genes, chitin synthase-1, inhibitor of apoptosis 1, and vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase, resulted in the highest mortality among the selected genes using the two treatment methods. Silencing the other seven genes resulted in a medium to low mortality in both assays. These three genes are also active against a wide range of insects and could be used for RNAi-based mosquito control in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayed M S Khalil
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 9 Gamaa Street, Giza, Egypt
| | - Kashif Munawar
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Azzam M Alahmed
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M A Mohammed
- Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 9 Gamaa Street, Giza, Egypt
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Mysore K, Sun L, Hapairai LK, Wang CW, Igiede J, Roethele JB, Scheel ND, Scheel MP, Li P, Wei N, Severson DW, Duman-Scheel M. A Yeast RNA-Interference Pesticide Targeting the Irx Gene Functions as a Broad-Based Mosquito Larvicide and Adulticide. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12110986. [PMID: 34821787 PMCID: PMC8622680 DOI: 10.3390/insects12110986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary It is critical that we identify new methods of preventing mosquito-borne infectious diseases, which threaten millions of people worldwide. In this investigation, we describe characterization of a new insecticide that turns off the mosquito Iroquois (Irx) gene, which is required for mosquito survival. The pesticide is synthesized in yeast, which can be fed to adult mosquitoes in a sugar bait solution or to juvenile mosquitoes that eat the yeast when it is placed in water where mosquitoes breed. Although the yeast kills several different types of mosquitoes, it was not found to affect the survival of other types of arthropods that consumed the yeast. These results indicate that yeast insecticides could one day be used for environmentally friendly mosquito control and disease prevention. Abstract Concerns for widespread insecticide resistance and the unintended impacts of insecticides on nontarget organisms have generated a pressing need for mosquito control innovations. A yeast RNAi-based insecticide that targets a conserved site in mosquito Irx family genes, but which has not yet been identified in the genomes of nontarget organisms, was developed and characterized. Saccharomyces cerevisiae constructed to express short hairpin RNA (shRNA) matching the target site induced significant Aedes aegypti larval death in both lab trials and outdoor semi-field evaluations. The yeast also induced high levels of mortality in adult females, which readily consumed yeast incorporated into an attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) during simulated field trials. A conserved requirement for Irx function as a regulator of proneural gene expression was observed in the mosquito brain, suggesting a possible mode of action. The larvicidal and adulticidal properties of the yeast were also verified in Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, and Culexquinquefasciatus mosquitoes, but the yeast larvicide was not toxic to other nontarget arthropods. These results indicate that further development and evaluation of this technology as an ecofriendly control intervention is warranted, and that ATSBs, an emerging mosquito control paradigm, could potentially be enriched through the use of yeast-based RNAi technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Limb K. Hapairai
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Chien-Wei Wang
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Jessica Igiede
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Joseph B. Roethele
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Nicholas D. Scheel
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Max P. Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Na Wei
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - David W. Severson
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Correspondence:
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20
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Buxton M, Buxton MP, Machekano H, Nyamukondiwa C, Wasserman RJ. A Survey of Potentially Pathogenic-Incriminated Arthropod Vectors of Health Concern in Botswana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:10556. [PMID: 34639855 PMCID: PMC8508065 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Arthropod vectors play a crucial role in the transmission of many debilitating infections, causing significant morbidity and mortality globally. Despite the economic significance of arthropods to public health, public knowledge on vector biology, ecology and taxonomic status remains anecdotal and largely unexplored. The present study surveyed knowledge gaps regarding the biology and ecology of arthropod vectors in communities of Botswana, across all districts. Results showed that communities are largely aware of individual arthropod vectors; however, their 'potential contribution' in disease transmission in humans, livestock and wildlife could not be fully attested. As such, their knowledge was largely limited with regards to some aspects of vector biology, ecology and control. Communities were strongly concerned about the burden of mosquitoes, cockroaches, flies and ticks, with the least concerns about fleas, bedbugs and lice, although the same communities did not know of specific diseases potentially vectored by these arthropods. Knowledge on arthropod vector control was mainly limited to synthetic chemical pesticides for most respondents, regardless of their location. The limited knowledge on potentially pathogen-incriminated arthropod vectors reported here has large implications for bridging knowledge gaps on the bio-ecology of these vectors countrywide. This is potentially useful in reducing the local burden of associated diseases and preventing the risk of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases under global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mmabaledi Buxton
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, P/Bag 016, Palapye 10071, Botswana; (H.M.); (C.N.); (R.J.W.)
| | - Malebogo Portia Buxton
- Department of Sociology, University of Botswana, P/Bag UB 0022, Gaborone 00704, Botswana;
| | - Honest Machekano
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, P/Bag 016, Palapye 10071, Botswana; (H.M.); (C.N.); (R.J.W.)
| | - Casper Nyamukondiwa
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, P/Bag 016, Palapye 10071, Botswana; (H.M.); (C.N.); (R.J.W.)
| | - Ryan John Wasserman
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, P/Bag 016, Palapye 10071, Botswana; (H.M.); (C.N.); (R.J.W.)
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
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A Broad-Based Mosquito Yeast Interfering RNA Pesticide Targeting Rbfox1 Represses Notch Signaling and Kills Both Larvae and Adult Mosquitoes. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101251. [PMID: 34684200 PMCID: PMC8541554 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevention of mosquito-borne infectious diseases will require new classes of environmentally safe insecticides and novel mosquito control technologies. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was engineered to express short hairpin RNA (shRNA) corresponding to mosquito Rbfox1 genes. The yeast induced target gene silencing, resulting in larval death that was observed in both laboratory and outdoor semi-field trials conducted on Aedes aegypti. High levels of mortality were also observed during simulated field trials in which adult females consumed yeast delivered through a sugar bait. Mortality correlated with defects in the mosquito brain, in which a role for Rbfox1 as a positive regulator of Notch signaling was identified. The larvicidal and adulticidal activities of the yeast were subsequently confirmed in trials conducted on Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus, yet the yeast had no impact on survival of select non-target arthropods. These studies indicate that yeast RNAi pesticides targeting Rbfox1 could be further developed as broad-based mosquito larvicides and adulticides for deployment in integrated biorational mosquito control programs. These findings also suggest that the species-specificity of attractive targeted sugar baits, a new paradigm for vector control, could potentially be enhanced through RNAi technology, and specifically through the use of yeast-based interfering RNA pesticides.
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Winter N, Stewart ATM, Igiede J, Wiltshire RM, Hapairai LK, James LD, Mohammed A, Severson DW, Duman-Scheel M. Assessment of Trinidad community stakeholder perspectives on the use of yeast interfering RNA-baited ovitraps for biorational control of Aedes mosquitoes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252997. [PMID: 34185784 PMCID: PMC8241094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses continue to be a major public health burden. Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vectors responsible for transmitting these viral pathogens, continue to flourish due to local challenges in vector control management. Yeast interfering RNA-baited larval lethal ovitraps are being developed as a novel biorational control tool for Aedes mosquitoes. This intervention circumvents increasing issues with insecticide resistance and poses no known threat to non-target organisms. In an effort to create public awareness of this alternative vector control strategy, gain stakeholder feedback regarding product design and acceptance of the new intervention, and build capacity for its potential integration into existing mosquito control programs, this investigation pursued community stakeholder engagement activities, which were undertaken in Trinidad and Tobago. Three forms of assessment, including paper surveys, community forums, and household interviews, were used with the goal of evaluating local community stakeholders' knowledge of mosquitoes, vector control practices, and perceptions of the new technology. These activities facilitated evaluation of the hypothesis that the ovitraps would be broadly accepted by community stakeholders as a means of biorational control for Aedes mosquitoes. A comparison of the types of stakeholder input communicated through use of the three assessment tools highlighted the utility and merit of using each tool for assessing new global health interventions. Most study participants reported a general willingness to purchase an ovitrap on condition that it would be affordable and safe for human health and the environment. Stakeholders provided valuable input on product design, distribution, and operation. A need for educational campaigns that provide a mechanism for educating stakeholders about vector ecology and management was highlighted. The results of the investigation, which are likely applicable to many other Caribbean nations and other countries with heavy arboviral disease burdens, were supportive of supplementation of existing vector control strategies through the use of the yeast RNAi-based ovitraps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhella Winter
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Akilah T. M. Stewart
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Jessica Igiede
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Rachel M. Wiltshire
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Limb K. Hapairai
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Lester D. James
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Azad Mohammed
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - David W. Severson
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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