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Patel NF, Oliver SV. Generation of specific immune memory by bacterial exposure in the major malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae). CURRENT RESEARCH IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 5:100085. [PMID: 38779142 PMCID: PMC11109336 DOI: 10.1016/j.cris.2024.100085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
There is a growing body of evidence that invertebrates can generate improved secondary responses after a primary challenge. This immunological memory can be primed by a range of pathogens, including bacteria. The generation of immunological memory has been demonstrated in mosquitoes, with the memory primed by a range of initial stimuli. This study aimed to examine whether insecticide resistance affects the capacity to generate immunological memory. The primary hypothesis was tested by examining the capacity of genetically related laboratory-reared Anopheles arabiensis strains that differ by insecticide resistant phenotype to generate immunological memory. The competing hypothesis tested was that the bacterial virulence was the key determinant in generating immunological memory. Immune memory was generated in F1 females but not males. Immunological memory was demonstrated in both laboratory strains, but the efficacy differed by the insecticide resistant phenotype of the strain. An initial oral challenge provided by a blood meal resulted generated better memory than an oral challenge by sugar. The efficacy of memory generation between the two bacterial strains differed between the two mosquito strains. Regardless of the challenge, the two strains differed in their capacity to generate memory. This study therefore demonstrated that insecticide resistant phenotype affected the capacity of the two strains to generate immunological memory. Although this study needs to be replicated with wild mosquitoes, it does suggest that a potential role for insecticide resistance in the functioning of the immune system and memory generation of An. arabiensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nashrin F Patel
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2192, South Africa
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Shüné V Oliver
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2192, South Africa
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
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2
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Taracena-Agarwal ML, Hixson B, Nandakumar S, Girard-Mejia AP, Chen RY, Huot L, Padilla N, Buchon N. The midgut epithelium of mosquitoes adjusts cell proliferation and endoreplication to respond to physiological challenges. BMC Biol 2024; 22:22. [PMID: 38281940 PMCID: PMC10823748 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01769-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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hematophagous mosquitoes transmit many pathogens that cause human diseases. Pathogen acquisition and transmission occur when female mosquitoes blood feed to acquire nutrients for reproduction. The midgut epithelium of mosquitoes serves as the point of entry for transmissible viruses and parasites. RESULTS We studied midgut epithelial dynamics in five major mosquito vector species by quantifying PH3-positive cells (indicative of mitotic proliferation), the incorporation of nucleotide analogs (indicative of DNA synthesis accompanying proliferation and/or endoreplication), and the ploidy (by flow cytometry) of cell populations in the posterior midgut epithelium of adult females. Our results show that the epithelial dynamics of post-emergence maturation and of mature sugar-fed guts were similar in members of the Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles genera. In the first three days post-emergence, ~ 20% of cells in the posterior midgut region of interest incorporated nucleotide analogs, concurrent with both proliferative activity and a broad shift toward higher ploidy. In mature mosquitoes maintained on sugar, an average of 3.5% of cells in the posterior midgut region of interest incorporated nucleotide analogs from five to eight days post-emergence, with a consistent presence of mitotic cells indicating constant cell turnover. Oral bacterial infection triggered a sharp increase in mitosis and nucleotide analog incorporation, suggesting that the mosquito midgut undergoes accelerated cellular turnover in response to damage. Finally, blood feeding resulted in an increase in cell proliferation, but the nature and intensity of the response varied by mosquito species and by blood source (human, bovine, avian or artificial). In An. gambiae, enterocytes appeared to reenter the cell cycle to increase ploidy after consuming blood from all sources except avian. CONCLUSIONS We saw that epithelial proliferation, differentiation, and endoreplication reshape the blood-fed gut to increase ploidy, possibly to facilitate increased metabolic activity. Our results highlight the plasticity of the midgut epithelium in mosquitoes' physiological responses to distinct challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Taracena-Agarwal
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA
| | - B Hixson
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA
| | - S Nandakumar
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA
| | - A P Girard-Mejia
- Grupo de Biología y Control de Vectores, Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, 01015, Guatemala
| | - R Y Chen
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA
| | - L Huot
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA
| | - N Padilla
- Grupo de Biología y Control de Vectores, Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, 01015, Guatemala
| | - N Buchon
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA.
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3
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Alharbi HM, Elnakady YA, Aldahmash BA, Alajmi R, ALOthman ZA, Badjah-Hadj-Ahmed AY, Aqel A, Ahmed AM. Forensic analysis of mosquito blood meal digestion process and the impact of heroin opiate: determination of the post-feeding interval as a PMI estimation. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 61:74-86. [PMID: 38041868 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Females of some mosquito species are anthropophilic, as they feed on human blood to support egg production and, hence, are forensically valuable if found at a crime scene. The present study investigated the blood meal digestion process in Culex pipiens L. both with and without heroin and proposed a method for estimating the post-feeding interval (PFI). Mosquitoes were fed on a control mouse, a heroin-injected mouse, or in vitro heroin-treated mouse blood. The blood meal digestion was then investigated at different hours post-feeding. Data showed that the blood meal size ingested by control mosquitoes was 0.681 ± 0.04 mg/mosquito and was completely digested within 45 h post-feeding. An estimation of the PFI was proposed in terms of the rate of hemoglobin (Hb) digestion. The blood meal size of the mosquitoes fed on the in vitro heroin-treated blood and the heroin-injected mouse was 0.96 ± 0.06 and 0.79 ± 0.01 mg/mosquito and was completely digested within 50 and 55 h post-feeding, respectively. The digestion of Hb started similarly in all experimental mosquitoes until 10 h post-feeding, after which it significantly decreased in heroin-treated blood meals compared with the control ones. This may suggest that heroin impacted the digestion process, as it took an extra 5-10 h to complete. These findings could be valuable in the forensic context since an estimation of PFI is proposed as a potential estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI). However, care should be taken as heroin in the host blood has significantly impacted the overall digestion process and, hence, may bias the PFI/PMI estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hend M Alharbi
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasser A Elnakady
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Badr A Aldahmash
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem Alajmi
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zeid A ALOthman
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ahmad Aqel
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashraf M Ahmed
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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4
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LaReau JC, Hyde J, Brackney DE, Steven B. Introducing an environmental microbiome to axenic Aedes aegypti mosquitoes documents bacterial responses to a blood meal. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0095923. [PMID: 38014951 PMCID: PMC10734439 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00959-23] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The blood meal of the female mosquito serves as a nutrition source to support egg development, so is an important aspect of its biology. Yet, the roles the microbiome may play in blood digestion are poorly characterized. We employed axenic mosquitoes to investigate how the microbiome differs between mosquitoes reared in the insectary versus mosquitoes that acquire their microbiome from the environment. Environmental microbiomes were more diverse and showed larger temporal shifts over the course of blood digestion. Importantly, only bacteria from the environmental microbiome performed hemolysis in culture, pointing to functional differences between bacterial populations. These data highlight that taxonomic differences between the microbiomes of insectary-reared and wild mosquitoes are potentially also related to their functional ecology. Thus, axenic mosquitoes colonized with environmental bacteria offer a way to investigate the role of bacteria from the wild in mosquito processes such as blood digestion, under controlled laboratory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn C. LaReau
- Department of Environmental Science and Forestry, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Josephine Hyde
- Department of Environmental Science and Forestry, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Doug E. Brackney
- Department of Entomology, Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Blaire Steven
- Department of Environmental Science and Forestry, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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5
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Suh PF, Elanga-Ndille E, Tchouakui M, Sandeu MM, Tagne D, Wondji C, Ndo C. Impact of insecticide resistance on malaria vector competence: a literature review. Malar J 2023; 22:19. [PMID: 36650503 PMCID: PMC9847052 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its first report in Anopheles mosquitoes in 1950s, insecticide resistance has spread very fast to most sub-Saharan African malaria-endemic countries, where it is predicted to seriously jeopardize the success of vector control efforts, leading to rebound of disease cases. Supported mainly by four mechanisms (metabolic resistance, target site resistance, cuticular resistance, and behavioural resistance), this phenomenon is associated with intrinsic changes in the resistant insect vectors that could influence development of invading Plasmodium parasites. A literature review was undertaken using Pubmed database to collect articles evaluating directly or indiretly the impact of insecticide resistance and the associated mechanisms on key determinants of malaria vector competence including sialome composition, anti-Plasmodium immunity, intestinal commensal microbiota, and mosquito longevity. Globally, the evidence gathered is contradictory even though the insecticide resistant vectors seem to be more permissive to Plasmodium infections. The actual body of knowledge on key factors to vectorial competence, such as the immunity and microbiota communities of the insecticide resistant vector is still very insufficient to definitively infer on the epidemiological importance of these vectors against the susceptible counterparts. More studies are needed to fill important knowledge gaps that could help predicting malaria epidemiology in a context where the selection and spread of insecticide resistant vectors is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Fongho Suh
- Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 837, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Emmanuel Elanga-Ndille
- Department of Medical Entomology, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Magellan Tchouakui
- Department of Medical Entomology, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Maurice Marcel Sandeu
- Department of Medical Entomology, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
| | - Darus Tagne
- Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Charles Wondji
- Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Cyrille Ndo
- Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon.
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6
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Peng D, Kakani EG, Mameli E, Vidoudez C, Mitchell SN, Merrihew GE, MacCoss MJ, Adams K, Rinvee TA, Shaw WR, Catteruccia F. A male steroid controls female sexual behaviour in the malaria mosquito. Nature 2022; 608:93-97. [PMID: 35794471 PMCID: PMC9352575 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04908-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Insects, unlike vertebrates, are widely believed to lack male-biased sex steroid hormones1. In the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae, the ecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) appears to have evolved to both control egg development when synthesized by females2 and to induce mating refractoriness when sexually transferred by males3. Because egg development and mating are essential reproductive traits, understanding how Anopheles females integrate these hormonal signals can spur the design of new malaria control programs. Here we reveal that these reproductive functions are regulated by distinct sex steroids through a sophisticated network of ecdysteroid-activating/inactivating enzymes. We identify a male-specific oxidized ecdysteroid, 3-dehydro-20E (3D20E), which safeguards paternity by turning off female sexual receptivity following its sexual transfer and activation by dephosphorylation. Notably, 3D20E transfer also induces expression of a reproductive gene that preserves egg development during Plasmodium infection, ensuring fitness of infected females. Female-derived 20E does not trigger sexual refractoriness but instead licenses oviposition in mated individuals once a 20E-inhibiting kinase is repressed. Identifying this male-specific insect steroid hormone and its roles in regulating female sexual receptivity, fertility and interactions with Plasmodium parasites suggests the possibility for reducing the reproductive success of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Peng
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Evdoxia G Kakani
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Enzo Mameli
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Sara N Mitchell
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael J MacCoss
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kelsey Adams
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tasneem A Rinvee
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - W Robert Shaw
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Flaminia Catteruccia
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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7
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Liang H, Zhang M, Shen C, He J, Lu J, Guo Z. Cloning and functional analysis of a trypsin-like serine protease from Pinctada fucata martensii. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 126:327-335. [PMID: 35661766 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Trypsin-like serine proteases (TLSs) play various roles in dietary protein digestion, hemolymph coagulation, antimicrobial peptide synthesis, and, in particular, the rapid immune pathways activated in response to pathogen detection. The cultured pearl industry, of which Pinctada fucata martensii is one of the most important species, is plagued by disease, thus leading to large economic losses. Herein, the molecular mechanisms underlying the innate immune response of P.f. martensii were explored. First, immune effector molecules from the P.f. martensii genome were screened and a TLS-like gene encoding a protein with a trypsin domain, herein designated as PmTLS, was identified. A multi-sequence alignment indicated a low sequence homology between PmTLS and other mollusk TLS-like proteins. Furthermore, a neighbor-joining phylogenetic analysis indicated that PmTLS has the closest genetic relationship to a Crassostrea gigas TLS. Additionally, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that PmTLS mRNA is constitutively expressed in all of the 6 examined P.f. martensii tissues, with significantly higher expression noted in hemocytes relative to the other tissues examined (p < 0.05). P.f. martensii samples were then challenged with various pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), including lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, and polyinosinic acid. In the challenge groups, PmTLS was significantly upregulated in hemocytes at 48 h post-challenge when compared to the unchallenged controls. Furthermore, treatment with recombinant PmTLS (rPmTLS) also significantly inhibited the growth of most of the examined gram-negative bacteria tested in vitro (p < 0.05), but it had little effect on the growth of the examined gram-positive bacteria. When examining morphological changes via transmission electron microscopy, rPmTLS treated bacteria exhibited morphological changes such as plasma wall separation. Thus, rPmTLS appears to play a bactericidal role by destroying bacterial cell membranes or cell walls, which subsequently leads to a release of the cellular contents and cell death. The findings presented herein have enabled further characterization of the immune defense mechanisms in P.f. martensii and may lead to improved disease control methods for the pearl cultivation industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Liang
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China.
| | - Meizhen Zhang
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Chenghao Shen
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Junjun He
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Jinzhao Lu
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Zhijie Guo
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
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8
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Ruzzante L, Feron R, Reijnders MJMF, Thiébaut A, Waterhouse RM. Functional constraints on insect immune system components govern their evolutionary trajectories. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 39:6459179. [PMID: 34893861 PMCID: PMC8788225 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab352] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Roles of constraints in shaping evolutionary outcomes are often considered in the contexts of developmental biology and population genetics, in terms of capacities to generate new variants and how selection limits or promotes consequent phenotypic changes. Comparative genomics also recognizes the role of constraints, in terms of shaping evolution of gene and genome architectures, sequence evolutionary rates, and gene gains or losses, as well as on molecular phenotypes. Characterizing patterns of genomic change where putative functions and interactions of system components are relatively well described offers opportunities to explore whether genes with similar roles exhibit similar evolutionary trajectories. Using insect immunity as our test case system, we hypothesize that characterizing gene evolutionary histories can define distinct dynamics associated with different functional roles. We develop metrics that quantify gene evolutionary histories, employ these to characterize evolutionary features of immune gene repertoires, and explore relationships between gene family evolutionary profiles and their roles in immunity to understand how different constraints may relate to distinct dynamics. We identified three main axes of evolutionary trajectories characterized by gene duplication and synteny, maintenance/stability and sequence conservation, and loss and sequence divergence, highlighting similar and contrasting patterns across these axes amongst subsets of immune genes. Our results suggest that where and how genes participate in immune responses limit the range of possible evolutionary scenarios they exhibit. The test case study system of insect immunity highlights the potential of applying comparative genomics approaches to characterize how functional constraints on different components of biological systems govern their evolutionary trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Ruzzante
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Romain Feron
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Maarten J M F Reijnders
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Antonin Thiébaut
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Robert M Waterhouse
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
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9
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Terradas G, Hermann A, James AA, McGinnis W, Bier E. High-resolution in situ analysis of Cas9 germline transcript distributions in gene-drive Anopheles mosquitoes. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 12:6428532. [PMID: 34791161 PMCID: PMC8728002 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Gene drives are programmable genetic elements that can spread beneficial traits into wild populations to aid in vector-borne pathogen control. Two different drives have been developed for population modification of mosquito vectors. The Reckh drive (vasa-Cas9) in Anopheles stephensi displays efficient allelic conversion through males but generates frequent drive-resistant mutant alleles when passed through females. In contrast, the AgNos-Cd1 drive (nos-Cas9) in An. gambiae achieves almost complete allelic conversion through both genders. Here, we examined the subcellular localization of RNA transcripts in the mosquito germline. In both transgenic lines, Cas9 is strictly co-expressed with endogenous genes in stem and pre-meiotic cells of the testes, where both drives display highly efficient conversion. However, we observed distinct co-localization patterns for the two drives in female reproductive tissues. These studies suggest potential determinants underlying efficient drive through the female germline. We also evaluated expression patterns of alternative germline genes for future gene-drive designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Terradas
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Anita Hermann
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - William McGinnis
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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10
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Azlan A, Halim MA, Mohamad F, Azzam G. Identification and characterization of long noncoding RNAs and their association with acquisition of blood meal in Culex quinquefasciatus. INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:917-928. [PMID: 32621332 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) is an important vector that transmit multiple diseases including West Nile encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis and lymphatic filariasis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) involve in many biological processes such as development, infection, and virus-host interaction. However, there is no systematic identification and characterization of lncRNAs in Cx. quinquefasciatus. Here, we report the first lncRNA identification in Cx. quinquefasciatus. By using 31 public RNA-seq datasets, a total of 4763 novel lncRNA transcripts were identified, of which 3591, 569, and 603 were intergenic, intronic, and antisense respectively. Examination of genomic features revealed that Cx. quinquefasciatus shared similar characteristics with other species such as short in length, low GC content, low sequence conservation, and low coding potential. Furthermore, compared to protein-coding genes, Cx. quinquefasciatus lncRNAs had lower expression values, and tended to be expressed in temporally specific fashion. In addition, weighted correlation network and functional annotation analyses showed that lncRNAs may have roles in blood meal acquisition of adult female Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. This study presents the first systematic identification and analysis of Cx. quinquefasciatus lncRNAs and their association with blood feeding. Results generated from this study will facilitate future investigation on the function of Cx. quinquefasciatus lncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azali Azlan
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | - Faisal Mohamad
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Ghows Azzam
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
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11
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Perdomo HD, Hussain M, Parry R, Etebari K, Hedges LM, Zhang G, Schulz BL, Asgari S. Human blood microRNA hsa-miR-21-5p induces vitellogenin in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Commun Biol 2021; 4:856. [PMID: 34244602 PMCID: PMC8270986 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02385-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito vectors transmit various diseases through blood feeding, required for their egg development. Hence, blood feeding is a major physiological event in their life cycle, during which hundreds of genes are tightly regulated. Blood is a rich source of proteins for mosquitoes, but also contains many other molecules including microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we found that human blood miRNAs are transported abundantly into the fat body tissue of Aedes aegypti, a key metabolic center in post-blood feeding reproductive events, where they target and regulate mosquito genes. Using an artificial diet spiked with the mimic of an abundant and stable human blood miRNA, hsa-miR-21-5p, and proteomics analysis, we found over 40 proteins showing differential expression in female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes after feeding. Of interest, we found that the miRNA positively regulates the vitellogenin gene, coding for a yolk protein produced in the mosquito fat body and then transported to the ovaries as a protein source for egg production. Inhibition of hsa-miR-21-5p followed by human blood feeding led to a statistically insignificant reduction in progeny production. The results provide another example of the involvement of small regulatory molecules in the interaction of taxonomically vastly different taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo D. Perdomo
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Mazhar Hussain
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Rhys Parry
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Kayvan Etebari
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Lauren M. Hedges
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Guangmei Zhang
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Benjamin L. Schulz
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
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12
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Nag DK, Dieme C, Lapierre P, Lasek-Nesselquist E, Kramer LD. RNA-Seq analysis of blood meal induced gene-expression changes in Aedes aegypti ovaries. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:396. [PMID: 34044772 PMCID: PMC8161926 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07551-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transmission of pathogens by vector mosquitoes is intrinsically linked with mosquito’s reproductive strategy because anautogenous mosquitoes require vertebrate blood to develop a batch of eggs. Each cycle of egg maturation is tightly linked with the intake of a fresh blood meal for most species. Mosquitoes that acquire pathogens during the first blood feeding can transmit the pathogens to susceptible hosts during subsequent blood feeding and also vertically to the next generation via infected eggs. Large-scale gene-expression changes occur following each blood meal in various tissues, including ovaries. Here we analyzed mosquito ovary transcriptome following a blood meal at three different time points to investigate blood-meal induced changes in gene expression in mosquito ovaries. Results We collected ovaries from Aedes aegypti that received a sugar meal or a blood meal on days 3, 10 and 20 post blood meal for transcriptome analysis. Over 4000 genes responded differentially following ingestion of a blood meal on day 3, and 660 and 780 genes on days 10 and 20, respectively. Proteins encoded by differentially expressed genes (DEGs) on day 3 include odorant binding proteins (OBPs), defense-specific proteins, and cytochrome P450 detoxification enzymes. In addition, we identified 580 long non-coding RNAs that are differentially expressed at three time points. Gene ontology analysis indicated that genes involved in peptidase activity, oxidoreductase activity, extracellular space, and hydrolase activity, among others were enriched on day 3. Although most of the DEGs returned to the nonsignificant level compared to the sugar-fed mosquito ovaries following oviposition on days 10 and 20, there remained differences in the gene expression pattern in sugar-fed and blood-fed mosquitoes. Conclusions Enrichment of OBPs following blood meal ingestion suggests that these genes may have other functions besides being part of the olfactory system. The enrichment of immune-specific genes and cytochrome P450 genes indicates that ovaries become well prepared to protect their germ line from any pathogens that may accompany the blood meal or from environmental contamination during oviposition, and to deal with the detrimental effects of toxic metabolites. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07551-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilip K Nag
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA.
| | - Constentin Dieme
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA
| | - Pascal Lapierre
- Bioinformatics Core, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Center for Medical Science, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Erica Lasek-Nesselquist
- Bioinformatics Core, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Center for Medical Science, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, School of Public Health, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Laura D Kramer
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, School of Public Health, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
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13
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Ferdous Z, Fuchs S, Behrends V, Trasanidis N, Waterhouse RM, Vlachou D, Christophides GK. Anopheles coluzzii stearoyl-CoA desaturase is essential for adult female survival and reproduction upon blood feeding. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009486. [PMID: 34015060 PMCID: PMC8171932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitellogenesis and oocyte maturation require anautogenous female Anopheles mosquitoes to obtain a bloodmeal from a vertebrate host. The bloodmeal is rich in proteins that are readily broken down into amino acids in the midgut lumen and absorbed by the midgut epithelial cells where they are converted into lipids and then transported to other tissues including ovaries. The stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) plays a pivotal role in this process by converting saturated (SFAs) to unsaturated (UFAs) fatty acids; the latter being essential for maintaining cell membrane fluidity amongst other housekeeping functions. Here, we report the functional and phenotypic characterization of SCD1 in the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles coluzzii. We show that RNA interference (RNAi) silencing of SCD1 and administration of sterculic acid (SA), a small molecule inhibitor of SCD1, significantly impact on the survival and reproduction of female mosquitoes following blood feeding. Microscopic observations reveal that the mosquito thorax is quickly filled with blood, a phenomenon likely caused by the collapse of midgut epithelial cell membranes, and that epithelial cells are depleted of lipid droplets and oocytes fail to mature. Transcriptional profiling shows that genes involved in protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and immunity-related genes are the most affected by SCD1 knock down (KD) in blood-fed mosquitoes. Metabolic profiling reveals that these mosquitoes exhibit increased amounts of saturated fatty acids and TCA cycle intermediates, highlighting the biochemical framework by which the SCD1 KD phenotype manifests as a result of a detrimental metabolic syndrome. Accumulation of SFAs is also the likely cause of the potent immune response observed in the absence of infection, which resembles an auto-inflammatory condition. These data provide insights into mosquito bloodmeal metabolism and lipid homeostasis and could inform efforts to develop novel interventions against mosquito-borne diseases. Female mosquitoes can become infected with malaria parasites upon ingestion of blood from an infected person and can transmit the disease when they bite another person some days later. The bloodmeal is rich in proteins which female mosquitoes use to develop their eggs after converting them first to saturated and then to unsaturated fatty acids inside their gut cells. Here, we present the characterization of the enzyme that mosquitoes use to convert saturated to unsaturated fatty acids and show that when this enzyme is eliminated or inhibited mosquitoes cannot produce eggs and die soon after they feed on blood. The mosquito death appears to be primarily associated with the collapse of their gut epithelial barrier due to the loss of cell membrane integrity, leading to their inner body cavity being filled with the ingested blood. These mosquitoes also suffer from an acute and detrimental auto-inflammatory condition due to mounting of a potent immune response in the absence of any infection. We conclude that this enzyme and the mechanism of converting blood-derived proteins to unsaturated fatty acids as a whole can be a good target of interventions aiming at limiting the mosquito abundance and blocking malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zannatul Ferdous
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silke Fuchs
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Volker Behrends
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Health Science Research Centre, University of Roehampton, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaos Trasanidis
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert M. Waterhouse
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dina Vlachou
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Ouali R, Vieira LR, Salmon D, Bousbata S. Early Post-Prandial Regulation of Protein Expression in the Midgut of Chagas Disease Vector Rhodnius prolixus Highlights New Potential Targets for Vector Control Strategy. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9040804. [PMID: 33920371 PMCID: PMC8069306 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted to humans by a large group of bloodsucking triatomine bugs. Triatomine insects, such as Rhodnius prolixus, ingest a huge amount of blood in a single meal. Their midgut represents an important interface for triatomine–trypanosome interactions. Furthermore, the development of parasites and their vectorial transmission are closely linked to the blood feeding and digestion; thus, an understanding of their physiology is essential for the development of new strategies to control triatomines. In this study, we used label-free quantitative proteomics to identify and analyze the early effect of blood feeding on protein expression in the midgut of Rhodnius prolixus. We both identified and quantified 124 proteins in the anterior midgut (AM) and 40 in the posterior midgut (PM), which vary significantly 6 h after feeding. The detailed analysis of these proteins revealed their predominant involvement in the primary function of hematophagy, including proteases, proteases inhibitors, amino acids metabolism, primary metabolites processing, and protein folding. Interestingly, our proteomics data show a potential role of the AM in protein digestion. Moreover, proteins related to detoxification processes and innate immunity, which are largely accepted to be triggered by blood ingestion, were mildly modulated. Surprisingly, one third of blood-regulated proteins in the AM have unknown function. This work contributes to the improvement of knowledge on the digestive physiology of triatomines in the early hours post-feeding. It provides key information for selecting new putative targets for the development of triatomine control tools and their potential role in the vector competence, which could be applied to other vector species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radouane Ouali
- Proteomic Plateform, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium
- Correspondence: (R.O.); (S.B.)
| | - Larissa Rezende Vieira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Trypanosomatids, Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-902, Brazil; (L.R.V.); (D.S.)
| | - Didier Salmon
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Trypanosomatids, Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-902, Brazil; (L.R.V.); (D.S.)
| | - Sabrina Bousbata
- Proteomic Plateform, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium
- Correspondence: (R.O.); (S.B.)
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15
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Additional Feeding Reveals Differences in Immune Recognition and Growth of Plasmodium Parasites in the Mosquito Host. mSphere 2021; 6:6/2/e00136-21. [PMID: 33789941 PMCID: PMC8546690 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00136-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes may feed multiple times during their life span in addition to those times needed to acquire and transmit malaria. To determine the impact of subsequent blood feeding on parasite development in Anopheles gambiae, we examined Plasmodium parasite infection with or without an additional noninfected blood meal. We found that an additional blood meal significantly reduced Plasmodium berghei immature oocyst numbers, yet had no effect on the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum. These observations were reproduced when mosquitoes were fed an artificial protein meal, suggesting that parasite losses are independent of blood ingestion. We found that feeding with either a blood or protein meal compromises midgut basal lamina integrity as a result of the physical distention of the midgut, enabling the recognition and lysis of immature P. berghei oocysts by mosquito complement. Moreover, we demonstrate that additional feeding promotes P. falciparum oocyst growth, suggesting that human malaria parasites exploit host resources provided with blood feeding to accelerate their growth. This is in contrast to experiments with P. berghei, where the size of surviving oocysts is independent of an additional blood meal. Together, these data demonstrate distinct differences in Plasmodium species in evading immune detection and utilizing host resources at the oocyst stage, representing an additional, yet unexplored component of vectorial capacity that has important implications for the transmission of malaria. IMPORTANCE Mosquitoes must blood feed multiple times to acquire and transmit malaria. However, the impact of an additional mosquito blood meal following malaria parasite infection has not been closely examined. Here, we demonstrate that additional feeding affects mosquito vector competence; namely, additional feeding significantly limits Plasmodium berghei infection, yet has no effect on infection of the human parasite P. falciparum. Our experiments support that these killing responses are mediated by the physical distension of the midgut and by temporary damage to the midgut basal lamina that exposes immature P. berghei oocysts to mosquito complement, while human malaria parasites are able to evade these killing mechanisms. In addition, we provide evidence that additional feeding promotes P. falciparum oocyst growth. This is in contrast to P. berghei, where oocyst size is independent of an additional blood meal. This suggests that human malaria parasites are able to exploit host resources provided by an additional feeding to accelerate their growth. In summary, our data highlight distinct differences in malaria parasite species in evading immune recognition and adapting to mosquito blood feeding. These observations have important, yet previously unexplored, implications for the impact of multiple blood meals on the transmission of malaria.
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16
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Henriques BS, Gomes B, Oliveira PL, Garcia EDS, Azambuja P, Genta FA. Characterization of the Temporal Pattern of Blood Protein Digestion in Rhodnius prolixus: First Description of Early and Late Gut Cathepsins. Front Physiol 2021; 11:509310. [PMID: 33519496 PMCID: PMC7838648 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.509310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodnius prolixus is one important vector for the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi in Latin America, where Chagas disease is a significant health issue. Although R. prolixus is a model for investigations of vector–parasite interaction and transmission, not much has been done recently to further comprehend its protein digestion. In this work, gut proteolysis was characterized using new fluorogenic substrates, including optimum pH, inhibition profiles, and tissue and temporal expression patterns. Each protease possessed a particular tissue prevalence and activity cycle after feeding. Cathepsin L had a higher activity in the posterior midgut lumen, being characterized by a plateau of high activities during several days in the intermediate phase of digestion. Cathepsin D showed high activity levels in the tissue homogenates and in the luminal content of the posterior midgut, with a single peak 5 days after blood feeding. Aminopeptidases are highly associated with the midgut wall, where the highest activity is located. Assays with proteinaceous substrates as casein, hemoglobin, and serum albumin revealed different activity profiles, with some evidence of biphasic temporal proteolytic patterns. Cathepsin D genes are preferentially expressed in the anterior midgut, while cathepsin L genes are mainly located in the posterior portion of the midgut, with specific sets of genes being differently expressed in the initial, intermediate, or late phases of blood digestion. Significance Statement This is the first description in a non-dipteran hematophagous species of a sequential protease secretion system based on midgut cathepsins instead of the most common insect digestive serine proteases (trypsins and chymotrypsins). The midgut of R. prolixus (Hemiptera) shows a different temporal expression of proteases in the initial, intermediate, and late stages of blood digestion. In this respect, a different timing in protease secretion may be an example of adaptative convergence in blood-sucking vectors from different orders. Expanding the knowledge about gut physiology in triatomine vectors may contribute to the development of new control strategies, aiming the blocking of parasite transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Santos Henriques
- Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Oswaldo Cruz Institute - Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC-FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Gomes
- Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Oswaldo Cruz Institute - Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC-FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro Lagerblad Oliveira
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology (INCT-EM), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elói de Souza Garcia
- Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Oswaldo Cruz Institute - Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC-FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology (INCT-EM), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Azambuja
- Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Oswaldo Cruz Institute - Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC-FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology (INCT-EM), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ariel Genta
- Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Oswaldo Cruz Institute - Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC-FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology (INCT-EM), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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17
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Li C, Zhang K, Pan G, Zhang L, Hu X, Zhao G, Deng C, Tan M, Li C, Xu M, Su J, Shen L, Kausar S, Yang L, Abbas MN, Cui H. Bmintegrin β1: A broadly expressed molecule modulates the innate immune response of Bombyx mori. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 114:103869. [PMID: 32950537 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Integrins are transmembrane glycoproteins that are broadly distributed in living organisms. As a heterodimer, they contain an α and a β subunit, which are reported to be associated with various physiological and pathological processes. In the present study, a 2502 bp full-length cDNA sequence of Bmintegrin β1 was obtained from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Bmintegrin β1 belongs to the β subunit of the integrin family and contains several typical structures of integrins. Gene expression profile analysis demonstrated that Bmintegrin β1 was ubiquitously expressed in all tested tissues and organs, with the maximum expression levels in fat body and hemocytes. The immunofluorescence results showed that Bmintegrin β1 was located in the cell membrane and widely distributed in fat bodies and different types of hemocytes. Bmintegrin β1 expression was remarkably increased after challenging with different kinds of bacteria and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Further investigation revealed that Bmintegrin β1 could participate in the agglutination of pathogenic bacteria possibly through direct binding with the relative bacteria and PAMPs. Altogether, this study provides a novel insight into the immune functional features of Bmintegrin β1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Kui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Guangzhao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Xin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Gaichao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Chaowei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Mengqin Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Changhong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Man Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Jingjing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Li Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Saima Kausar
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Liqun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China; Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.
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Leyria J, Orchard I, Lange AB. What happens after a blood meal? A transcriptome analysis of the main tissues involved in egg production in Rhodnius prolixus, an insect vector of Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008516. [PMID: 33057354 PMCID: PMC7591069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-sucking hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus is a vector of Chagas disease, one of the most neglected tropical diseases affecting several million people, mostly in Latin America. The blood meal is an event with a high epidemiological impact since adult mated females feed several times, with each meal resulting in a bout of egg laying, and thereby the production of hundreds of offspring. By means of RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) we have examined how a blood meal influences mRNA expression in the central nervous system (CNS), fat body and ovaries in order to promote egg production, focusing on tissue-specific responses under controlled nutritional conditions. We illustrate the cross talk between reproduction and a) lipids, proteins and trehalose metabolism, b) neuropeptide and neurohormonal signaling, and c) the immune system. Overall, our molecular evaluation confirms and supports previous studies and provides an invaluable molecular resource for future investigations on different tissues involved in successful reproductive events. These analyses serve as a starting point for new investigations, increasing the chances of developing novel strategies for vector population control by translational research, with less impact on the environment and more specificity for a particular organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Angela B. Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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Adedeji EO, Ogunlana OO, Fatumo S, Beder T, Ajamma Y, Koenig R, Adebiyi E. Anopheles metabolic proteins in malaria transmission, prevention and control: a review. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:465. [PMID: 32912275 PMCID: PMC7488410 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04342-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance to currently available insecticides in the malaria vector, Anopheles mosquitoes, hampers their use as an effective vector control strategy for the prevention of malaria transmission. Therefore, there is need for new insecticides and/or alternative vector control strategies, the development of which relies on the identification of possible targets in Anopheles. Some known and promising targets for the prevention or control of malaria transmission exist among Anopheles metabolic proteins. This review aims to elucidate the current and potential contribution of Anopheles metabolic proteins to malaria transmission and control. Highlighted are the roles of metabolic proteins as insecticide targets, in blood digestion and immune response as well as their contribution to insecticide resistance and Plasmodium parasite development. Furthermore, strategies by which these metabolic proteins can be utilized for vector control are described. Inhibitors of Anopheles metabolic proteins that are designed based on target specificity can yield insecticides with no significant toxicity to non-target species. These metabolic modulators combined with each other or with synergists, sterilants, and transmission-blocking agents in a single product, can yield potent malaria intervention strategies. These combinations can provide multiple means of controlling the vector. Also, they can help to slow down the development of insecticide resistance. Moreover, some metabolic proteins can be modulated for mosquito population replacement or suppression strategies, which will significantly help to curb malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Oluwatobiloba Adedeji
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
| | - Olubanke Olujoke Ogunlana
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
| | - Segun Fatumo
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, Bloomsbury, London, UK
| | - Thomas Beder
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Yvonne Ajamma
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
| | - Rainer Koenig
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Ezekiel Adebiyi
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
- Computer and Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
- Division of Applied Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), G200, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Camargo C, Ahmed-Braimah YH, Amaro IA, Harrington LC, Wolfner MF, Avila FW. Mating and blood-feeding induce transcriptome changes in the spermathecae of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14899. [PMID: 32913240 PMCID: PMC7484758 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71904-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the primary vectors of numerous viruses that impact human health. As manipulation of reproduction has been proposed to suppress mosquito populations, elucidation of biological processes that enable males and females to successfully reproduce is necessary. One essential process is female sperm storage in specialized structures called spermathecae. Aedes aegypti females typically mate once, requiring them to maintain sperm viably to fertilize eggs they lay over their lifetime. Spermathecal gene products are required for Drosophila sperm storage and sperm viability, and a spermathecal-derived heme peroxidase is required for long-term Anopheles gambiae fertility. Products of the Ae. aegypti spermathecae, and their response to mating, are largely unknown. Further, although female blood-feeding is essential for anautogenous mosquito reproduction, the transcriptional response to blood-ingestion remains undefined in any reproductive tissue. We conducted an RNAseq analysis of spermathecae from unfed virgins, mated only, and mated and blood-fed females at 6, 24, and 72 h post-mating and identified significant differentially expressed genes in each group at each timepoint. A blood-meal following mating induced a greater transcriptional response in the spermathecae than mating alone. This study provides the first view of elicited mRNA changes in the spermathecae by a blood-meal in mated females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Camargo
- Max Planck Tandem Group in Mosquito Reproductive Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Complejo RutaN, Calle 67 #52-20, Laboratory 4-166, 050010, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - I Alexandra Amaro
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | | | - Mariana F Wolfner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Frank W Avila
- Max Planck Tandem Group in Mosquito Reproductive Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Complejo RutaN, Calle 67 #52-20, Laboratory 4-166, 050010, Medellín, Colombia.
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Catalogue of stage-specific transcripts in Ixodes ricinus and their potential functions during the tick life-cycle. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:311. [PMID: 32546252 PMCID: PMC7296661 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04173-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus is an important vector of several clinically important diseases, whose prevalence increases with accelerating global climate changes. Characterization of a tick life-cycle is thus of great importance. However, researchers mainly focus on specific organs of fed life stages, while early development of this tick species is largely neglected. Methods In an attempt to better understand the life-cycle of this widespread arthropod parasite, we sequenced the transcriptomes of four life stages (egg, larva, nymph and adult female), including unfed and partially blood-fed individuals. To enable a more reliable identification of transcripts and their comparison in all five transcriptome libraries, we validated an improved-fit set of five I. ricinus-specific reference genes for internal standard normalization of our transcriptomes. Then, we mapped biological functions to transcripts identified in different life stages (clusters) to elucidate life stage-specific processes. Finally, we drew conclusions from the functional enrichment of these clusters specifically assigned to each transcriptome, also in the context of recently published transcriptomic studies in ticks. Results We found that reproduction-related transcripts are present in both fed nymphs and fed females, underlining the poorly documented importance of ovaries as moulting regulators in ticks. Additionally, we identified transposase transcripts in tick eggs suggesting elevated transposition during embryogenesis, co-activated with factors driving developmental regulation of gene expression. Our findings also highlight the importance of the regulation of energetic metabolism in tick eggs during embryonic development and glutamate metabolism in nymphs. Conclusions Our study presents novel insights into stage-specific transcriptomes of I. ricinus and extends the current knowledge of this medically important pathogen, especially in the early phases of its development.![]()
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Deguenon JM, Azondekon R, Agossa FR, Padonou GG, Anagonou R, Ahoga J, N’dombidje B, Akinro B, Stewart DA, Wang B, Gittins D, Tihomirov L, Apperson CS, McCord MG, Akogbeto MC, Roe RM. Imergard TMWP: A Non-Chemical Alternative for an Indoor Residual Spray, Effective against Pyrethroid-Resistant Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) in Africa. INSECTS 2020; 11:E322. [PMID: 32456154 PMCID: PMC7290382 DOI: 10.3390/insects11050322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is the deadliest mosquito-borne disease and kills predominantly people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The now widespread mosquito resistance to pyrethroids, with rapidly growing resistance to other insecticide classes recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), may overturn the successes gained in mosquito control in recent years. It is of utmost importance to search for new, inexpensive, and safe alternatives, with new modes of action, that might improve the efficacy of current insecticides. The efficacy of a novel mechanical insecticidal mineral derived from volcanic rock, ImergardTMWP, was investigated to determine its efficacy as a stand-alone residual wall spray and as a mixture with deltamethrin (K-Othrine® Polyzone) in experimental huts in Cove, Benin. The evaluation was conducted with susceptible (Kisumu) and wild-type Anopheles gambiae (s.l.). Deltamethrin applied alone demonstrated 40-45% mortality (at 72 h post-exposure) during the first four months, which declined to 25% at six months for wild An. gambiae from Cove. ImergardTMWP alone and mixed with deltamethrin, under the same assay conditions, produced 79-82% and 73-81% mortality, respectively, during the same six-month period. ImergardTMWP met the 80% WHO bio-efficacy threshold for residual activity for the first five months with 78% residual activity at six months. ImergardTMWP can be used as a mixture with chemical insecticides or as a stand-alone pesticide for mosquito control in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean M. Deguenon
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Campus Box 7647, 3230 Ligon Street, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (J.M.D.); (C.S.A.)
| | - Roseric Azondekon
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou 06BP2604, Benin; (R.A.); (F.R.A.); (G.G.P.); (R.A.); (J.A.); (B.N.); (B.A.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Fiacre R. Agossa
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou 06BP2604, Benin; (R.A.); (F.R.A.); (G.G.P.); (R.A.); (J.A.); (B.N.); (B.A.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Gil G. Padonou
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou 06BP2604, Benin; (R.A.); (F.R.A.); (G.G.P.); (R.A.); (J.A.); (B.N.); (B.A.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Rodrigue Anagonou
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou 06BP2604, Benin; (R.A.); (F.R.A.); (G.G.P.); (R.A.); (J.A.); (B.N.); (B.A.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Juniace Ahoga
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou 06BP2604, Benin; (R.A.); (F.R.A.); (G.G.P.); (R.A.); (J.A.); (B.N.); (B.A.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Boris N’dombidje
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou 06BP2604, Benin; (R.A.); (F.R.A.); (G.G.P.); (R.A.); (J.A.); (B.N.); (B.A.); (M.C.A.)
| | - Bruno Akinro
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou 06BP2604, Benin; (R.A.); (F.R.A.); (G.G.P.); (R.A.); (J.A.); (B.N.); (B.A.); (M.C.A.)
| | - David A. Stewart
- Imerys Filtration Minerals, Inc., Roswell, GA 30076, USA; (D.A.S.); (B.W.); (D.G.); (L.T.)
| | - Bo Wang
- Imerys Filtration Minerals, Inc., Roswell, GA 30076, USA; (D.A.S.); (B.W.); (D.G.); (L.T.)
| | - David Gittins
- Imerys Filtration Minerals, Inc., Roswell, GA 30076, USA; (D.A.S.); (B.W.); (D.G.); (L.T.)
| | - Larissa Tihomirov
- Imerys Filtration Minerals, Inc., Roswell, GA 30076, USA; (D.A.S.); (B.W.); (D.G.); (L.T.)
| | - Charles S. Apperson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Campus Box 7647, 3230 Ligon Street, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (J.M.D.); (C.S.A.)
| | - Marian G. McCord
- College of Natural Resources, Campus Box 8001, 2820 Faucette Drive, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA;
| | - Martin C. Akogbeto
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou 06BP2604, Benin; (R.A.); (F.R.A.); (G.G.P.); (R.A.); (J.A.); (B.N.); (B.A.); (M.C.A.)
| | - R. Michael Roe
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Campus Box 7647, 3230 Ligon Street, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (J.M.D.); (C.S.A.)
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20-Hydroxyecdysone Primes Innate Immune Responses That Limit Bacterial and Malarial Parasite Survival in Anopheles gambiae. mSphere 2020; 5:5/2/e00983-19. [PMID: 32295874 PMCID: PMC7160685 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00983-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood feeding is an integral behavior of mosquitoes to acquire nutritional resources needed for reproduction. This requirement also enables mosquitoes to serve as efficient vectors to acquire and potentially transmit a multitude of mosquito-borne diseases, most notably malaria. Recent studies suggest that mosquito immunity is stimulated following a blood meal, independent of infection status. Since blood feeding promotes production of the hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), we hypothesized that 20E plays an important role in priming the immune response for pathogen challenge. Here, we examine the immunological effects of priming Anopheles gambiae with 20E prior to pathogen infection, demonstrating a significant reduction in bacteria and Plasmodium berghei survival in the mosquito host. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis following 20E treatment identifies several known 20E-regulated genes, as well as several immune genes with previously reported function in antipathogen defense. Together, these data demonstrate that 20E influences cellular immune function and antipathogen immunity following mosquito blood feeding, arguing the importance of hormones in the regulation of mosquito innate immune function.IMPORTANCE Blood feeding is required to provide nutrients for mosquito egg production and serves as a mechanism to acquire and transmit pathogens. Shortly after a blood meal is taken, there is a peak in the production of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), a mosquito hormone that initiates physiological changes, including yolk protein production and mating refractoriness. Here, we examine additional roles of 20E in the regulation of mosquito immunity, demonstrating that priming the immune system with 20E increases mosquito resistance to pathogens. We identify differentially expressed genes in response to 20E treatment, including several involved in innate immune function as well as lipid metabolism and transport. Together, these data argue that 20E stimulates mosquito cellular immune function and innate immunity shortly after blood feeding.
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The Developmental Transcriptome of Aedes albopictus, a Major Worldwide Human Disease Vector. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:1051-1062. [PMID: 31964684 PMCID: PMC7056973 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.401006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are important vectors for a number of human pathogens including the Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. Capable of displacing Aedes aegypti populations, this mosquito adapts to cooler environments which increases its geographical range and transmission potential. There are limited control strategies for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes which is likely attributed to the lack of comprehensive biological studies on this emerging vector. To fill this void, here using RNAseq we characterized Aedes albopictus mRNA expression profiles at 34 distinct time points throughout development providing the first high-resolution comprehensive view of the developmental transcriptome of this worldwide human disease vector. This enabled us to identify several patterns of shared gene expression among tissues as well as sex-specific expression patterns. To illuminate the similarities and differences with Aedes aegypti, a related human disease vector, we also performed a comparative analysis between the two developmental transcriptomes, identifying life stages where the two species exhibit similar and distinct gene expression patterns. These findings provide insights into the similarities and differences between Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquito biology. In summary, the results generated from this study should form the basis for future investigations on the biology of Aedes albopictus and provide a gold mine resource for the development of transgene-based vector control strategies.
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Baia-da-Silva DC, Orfanó AS, Nacif-Pimenta R, de Melo FF, Guerra MGVB, Lacerda MVG, Monteiro WM, Pimenta PFP. Microanatomy of the American Malaria Vector Anopheles aquasalis (Diptera: Culicidae: Anophelinae) Midgut: Ultrastructural and Histochemical Observations. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:1636-1649. [PMID: 31321415 PMCID: PMC6821279 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The mosquito gut is divided into foregut, midgut, and hindgut. The midgut functions in storage and digestion of the bloodmeal. This study used light, scanning (SEM), and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy to analyze in detail the microanatomy and morphology of the midgut of nonblood-fed Anopheles aquasalis females. The midgut epithelium is a monolayer of columnar epithelial cells that is composed of two populations: microvillar epithelial cells and basal cells. The microvillar epithelial cells can be further subdivided into light and dark cells, based on their affinities to toluidine blue and their electron density. FITC-labeling of the anterior midgut and posterior midgut with lectins resulted in different fluorescence intensities, indicating differences in carbohydrate residues. SEM revealed a complex muscle network composed of circular and longitudinal fibers that surround the entire midgut. In summary, the use of a diverse set of morphological methods revealed the general microanatomy of the midgut and associated tissues of An. aquasalis, which is a major vector of Plasmodium spp. (Haemosporida: Plasmodiidae) in America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djane C Baia-da-Silva
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Alessandra S Orfanó
- Instituto Leônidas and Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Manaus, Rua Terezina, Adrianópolis, CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Rafael Nacif-Pimenta
- Instituto Leônidas and Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Manaus, Rua Terezina, Adrianópolis, CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Fabricio F de Melo
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Hormindo Barros, Candeias, CEP, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Maria G V B Guerra
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Marcus V G Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Minas Gerais, Av. Augusto de Lima, Barro Preto, CEP, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Wuelton M Monteiro
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Paulo F P Pimenta
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Instituto Leônidas and Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Manaus, Rua Terezina, Adrianópolis, CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
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Li X, Yang J, Pu Q, Peng X, Xu L, Liu S. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase controls blood-meal digestion in the midgut of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:460. [PMID: 31551071 PMCID: PMC6757384 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3714-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are vectors of arboviruses that cause diverse diseases of public health significance. Blood protein digestion by midgut proteases provides anautogenous mosquitoes with the nutrients essential for oocyte maturation and egg production. Midgut-specific miR-1174 affects the functions of the midgut through its target gene serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT). However, less is known about SHMT-regulated processes in blood digestion by mosquitoes. Methods RNAi of SHMT was realized by injection of the double-stranded RNA at 16 h post-eclosion. The expression of SHMT at mRNA level and protein level was assayed by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed with GraphPad7 using Student’s t-test. Results Here, we confirmed that digestion of blood was inhibited in SHMT RNAi-silenced female A. aegypti mosquitoes. Evidence is also presented that all SHMT-depleted female mosquitoes lost their flight ability and died within 48 h of a blood meal. Furthermore, most examined digestive enzymes responded differently in their transcriptional expression to RNAi depletion of SHMT, with some downregulated, some upregulated and some remaining stable. Phylogenetic analysis showed that transcriptional expression responses to SHMT silence were largely unrelated to the sequence similarity between these enzymes. Conclusions Overall, this research shows that SHMT was expressed at a low level in the midgut of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, but blood-meal digestion was inhibited when SHMT was silenced. Transcriptional expressions of different digestive enzymes were affected in response to SHMT depletion, suggesting that SHMT is required for the blood-meal digestion in the midgut and targeting SHMT could provide an effective strategy for vector mosquito population control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China.,College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyue Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China. .,College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China. .,College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637002, People's Republic of China.
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27
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Hill SR, Ghaninia M, Ignell R. Blood Meal Induced Regulation of Gene Expression in the Maxillary Palps, a Chemosensory Organ of the Mosquito Aedes aegypti. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Benoit JB, Lazzari CR, Denlinger DL, Lahondère C. Thermoprotective adaptations are critical for arthropods feeding on warm-blooded hosts. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 34:7-11. [PMID: 31247421 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Blood feeding in arthropods has evolved in multiple lineages. This feeding preference provides a source of ample proteins and lipids for egg production and survival, but ingestion of a large warm blood-meal can boost the arthropod's body temperature 15°-20°C within seconds to minutes. This represents one of, if not the most, rapid thermal change documented under a natural setting. Here, we describe mechanisms of thermoregulation and thermotolerance in arthropods during blood feeding. The ability to prevent blood-induced thermal damage is a fundamental physiological adaptation linked to the use of warm-blooded vertebrates as food sources. Specific functional and comparative studies have identified unique and divergent mechanisms that suppress or repair thermal stress during blood feeding. These mechanisms include countercurrent heat exchange, evaporative cooling, and upregulation of stress associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Claudio R Lazzari
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, Université de Tours, France
| | - David L Denlinger
- Department of Entomology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Chloé Lahondère
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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Machani MG, Ochomo E, Sang D, Bonizzoni M, Zhou G, Githeko AK, Yan G, Afrane YA. Influence of blood meal and age of mosquitoes on susceptibility to pyrethroids in Anopheles gambiae from Western Kenya. Malar J 2019; 18:112. [PMID: 30940139 PMCID: PMC6444593 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2746-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physiological characteristics (age and blood feeding status) of malaria vectors can influence their susceptibility to the current vector control tools that target their feeding and resting behaviour. To ensure the sustainability of the current and future vector control tools an understanding of how physiological characteristics may contribute to insecticide tolerance in the field is fundamental for shaping resistance management strategies and vector control tools. The aim of this study was to determine whether blood meal and mosquito age affect pyrethroid tolerance in field-collected Anopheles gambiae from western Kenya. METHODS Wild mosquito larvae were reared to adulthood alongside the pyrethroid-susceptible Kisumu strain. Adult females from the two populations were monitored for deltamethrin resistance when they were young at 2-5 days old and older 14-16 days old and whether fed or unfed for each age group. Metabolic assays were also performed to determine the level of detoxification enzymes. Mosquito specimens were further identified to species level using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. RESULTS Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto was the predominant species comprising 96% of specimens and 2.75% Anopheles arabiensis. Bioassay results showed reduced pyrethroid induced mortality with younger mosquitoes compared to older ones (mortality rates 83% vs. 98%), independently of their feeding status. Reduced mortality was recorded with younger females of which were fed compared to their unfed counterparts of the same age with a mortality rate of 35.5% vs. 83%. Older blood-fed females showed reduced susceptibility after exposure when compared to unfed females of the same age (mortality rates 86% vs. 98%). For the Kisumu susceptible population, mortality was straight 100% regardless of age and blood feeding status. Blood feeding status and mosquito age had an effect on enzyme levels in both populations, with blood fed individuals showing higher enzyme elevations compared to their unfed counterparts (P < 0.0001). The interaction between mosquito age and blood fed status had significant effect on mosquito mortality. CONCLUSION The results showed that mosquito age and blood feeding status confers increased tolerance to insecticides as blood feeding may be playing an important role in the toxicity of deltamethrin, allowing mosquitoes to rest on insecticide-treated materials despite treatment. These may have implications for the sustained efficacy of indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated nets based control programmes that target indoor resting female mosquitoes of various gonotrophic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell G Machani
- Climate and Human Health Research Unit, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
- School of Public Health and Community Development, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
| | - Eric Ochomo
- Entomology Section, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - David Sang
- School of Public Health and Community Development, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
| | - Mariangela Bonizzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Guofa Zhou
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Andrew K Githeko
- Climate and Human Health Research Unit, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Yaw A Afrane
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
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Mongkol W, Nguitragool W, Sattabongkot J, Kubera A. Blood-induced differential gene expression in Anopheles dirus evaluated using RNA sequencing. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 32:399-406. [PMID: 29885058 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Malaria parasites are transmitted through blood feeding by female Anopheline mosquitoes. Unveiling the blood-feeding process will improve understanding of vector biology. Anopheles dirus (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the primary malaria vectors in the Greater Mekong Subregion, the epicentre of malaria drug resistance. In this study, differential gene expression between sugar- and blood-fed An. dirus was investigated by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). A total of 589 transcripts were found to be upregulated and 703 transcripts downregulated as a result of blood feeding. Transcriptional differences were found in genes involved in blood digestion, peritrophic matrix formation, oogenesis and vitellogenesis. The expression levels of several genes were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The present results provide better understanding of An. dirus biology in relation to its blood feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Mongkol
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - W Nguitragool
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - J Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - A Kubera
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Kumar A, Srivastava P, Sirisena P, Dubey SK, Kumar R, Shrinet J, Sunil S. Mosquito Innate Immunity. INSECTS 2018; 9:insects9030095. [PMID: 30096752 PMCID: PMC6165528 DOI: 10.3390/insects9030095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes live under the endless threat of infections from different kinds of pathogens such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses. The mosquito defends itself by employing both physical and physiological barriers that resist the entry of the pathogen and the subsequent establishment of the pathogen within the mosquito. However, if the pathogen does gain entry into the insect, the insect mounts a vigorous innate cellular and humoral immune response against the pathogen, thereby limiting the pathogen's propagation to nonpathogenic levels. This happens through three major mechanisms: phagocytosis, melanization, and lysis. During these processes, various signaling pathways that engage intense mosquito⁻pathogen interactions are activated. A critical overview of the mosquito immune system and latest information about the interaction between mosquitoes and pathogens are provided in this review. The conserved, innate immune pathways and specific anti-pathogenic strategies in mosquito midgut, hemolymph, salivary gland, and neural tissues for the control of pathogen propagation are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Kumar
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Priyanshu Srivastava
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Pdnn Sirisena
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Sunil Kumar Dubey
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Jatin Shrinet
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Sujatha Sunil
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
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Krajacich BJ, Meyers JI, Alout H, Dabiré RK, Dowell FE, Foy BD. Analysis of near infrared spectra for age-grading of wild populations of Anopheles gambiae. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:552. [PMID: 29116006 PMCID: PMC5678599 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2501-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the age-structure of mosquito populations, especially malaria vectors such as Anopheles gambiae, is important for assessing the risk of infectious mosquitoes, and how vector control interventions may impact this risk. The use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for age-grading has been demonstrated previously on laboratory and semi-field mosquitoes, but to date has not been utilized on wild-caught mosquitoes whose age is externally validated via parity status or parasite infection stage. In this study, we developed regression and classification models using NIRS on datasets of wild An. gambiae (s.l.) reared from larvae collected from the field in Burkina Faso, and two laboratory strains. We compared the accuracy of these models for predicting the ages of wild-caught mosquitoes that had been scored for their parity status as well as for positivity for Plasmodium sporozoites. RESULTS Regression models utilizing variable selection increased predictive accuracy over the more common full-spectrum partial least squares (PLS) approach for cross-validation of the datasets, validation, and independent test sets. Models produced from datasets that included the greatest range of mosquito samples (i.e. different sampling locations and times) had the highest predictive accuracy on independent testing sets, though overall accuracy on these samples was low. For classification, we found that intramodel accuracy ranged between 73.5-97.0% for grouping of mosquitoes into "early" and "late" age classes, with the highest prediction accuracy found in laboratory colonized mosquitoes. However, this accuracy was decreased on test sets, with the highest classification of an independent set of wild-caught larvae reared to set ages being 69.6%. CONCLUSIONS Variation in NIRS data, likely from dietary, genetic, and other factors limits the accuracy of this technique with wild-caught mosquitoes. Alternative algorithms may help improve prediction accuracy, but care should be taken to either maximize variety in models or minimize confounders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Krajacich
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO USA
| | - Jacob I. Meyers
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO USA
| | - Haoues Alout
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO USA
| | - Roch K. Dabiré
- Direction Régionale de l’Ouest (DRO), Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Floyd E. Dowell
- Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Services, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Manhattan, KS USA
| | - Brian D. Foy
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO USA
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Sterkel M, Oliveira JHM, Bottino-Rojas V, Paiva-Silva GO, Oliveira PL. The Dose Makes the Poison: Nutritional Overload Determines the Life Traits of Blood-Feeding Arthropods. Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:633-644. [PMID: 28549573 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate blood composition is heavily biased towards proteins, and hemoglobin, which is a hemeprotein, is by far the most abundant protein. Typically, hematophagous insects ingest blood volumes several times their weight before the blood meal. This barbarian feast offers an abundance of nutrients, but the degradation of blood proteins generates toxic concentrations of amino acids and heme, along with unparalleled microbiota growth. Despite this challenge, hematophagous arthropods have successfully developed mechanisms that bypass the toxicity of these molecules. While these adaptations allow hematophagous arthropods to tolerate their diet, they also constitute a unique mode of operation for cell signaling, immunity, and metabolism, the study of which may offer insights into the biology of disease vectors and may lead to novel vector-specific control methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Sterkel
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - José Henrique M Oliveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Gabriela O Paiva-Silva
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brazil
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brazil.
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Caragata EP, Rezende FO, Simões TC, Moreira LA. Diet-Induced Nutritional Stress and Pathogen Interference in Wolbachia-Infected Aedes aegypti. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005158. [PMID: 27893736 PMCID: PMC5125575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogen interference phenotype greatly restricts infection with dengue virus (DENV) and other pathogens in Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti, and is a vital component of Wolbachia-based mosquito control. Critically, the phenotype's causal mechanism is complex and poorly understood, with recent evidence suggesting that the cause may be species specific. To better understand this important phenotype, we investigated the role of diet-induced nutritional stress on interference against DENV and the avian malarial parasite Plasmodium gallinaceum in Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti, and on physiological processes linked to the phenotype. Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes were fed one of four different concentrations of sucrose, and then challenged with either P. gallinaceum or DENV. Interference against P. gallinaceum was significantly weakened by the change in diet however there was no effect on DENV interference. Immune gene expression and H2O2 levels have previously been linked to pathogen interference. These traits were assayed for mosquitoes on each diet using RT-qPCR and the Amplex Red Hydrogen Peroxide/Peroxidase Assay Kit, and it was observed that the change in diet did not significantly affect immune expression, but low carbohydrate levels led to a loss of ROS induction in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. Our data suggest that host nutrition may not influence DENV interference for Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, but Plasmodium interference may be linked to both nutrition and oxidative stress. This pathogen-specific response to nutritional change highlights the complex nature of interactions between Wolbachia and pathogens in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Pearce Caragata
- Grupo Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno Vetor, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Oliveira Rezende
- Grupo Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno Vetor, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Taynãna César Simões
- Serviço de Apoio a Métodos Quantitativos, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luciano Andrade Moreira
- Grupo Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno Vetor, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Saraiva RG, Kang S, Simões ML, Angleró-Rodríguez YI, Dimopoulos G. Mosquito gut antiparasitic and antiviral immunity. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 64:53-64. [PMID: 26827888 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 01/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of diseases with a serious impact on global human health, such as malaria and dengue. All mosquito-transmitted pathogens complete part of their life cycle in the insect gut, where they are exposed to mosquito-encoded barriers and active factors that can limit their development. Here we present the current understanding of mosquito gut immunity against malaria parasites, filarial worms, and viruses such as dengue, Chikungunya, and West Nile. The most recently proposed immune mediators involved in intestinal defenses are discussed, as well as the synergies identified between the recognition of gut microbiota and the mounting of the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl G Saraiva
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Seokyoung Kang
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maria L Simões
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yesseinia I Angleró-Rodríguez
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis of Gene Transcripts of Mosquito Follicles. Methods Mol Biol 2016. [PMID: 27557577 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3795-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Real-time (quantitative) PCR, or QPCR, has become an indispensible tool for characterizing gene expression. Depending on the experimental design, researchers can use either the relative or absolute (standard curve) method to quantify transcript abundance. Characterizing the expression of genes in mosquito ovaries will require use of the standard curve method of quantification. Here, I describe reagents and equipment necessary to run standard curve QPCR. I also provide details on the construction of the standard linear curve and calculations required to determine transcript abundance.
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37
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Puglise JM, Estep AS, Becnel JJ. Expression Profiles and RNAi Silencing of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Transcripts in Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 53:304-14. [PMID: 26659858 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Effective mosquito control is vital to curtail the devastating health effects of many vectored diseases. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated control of mosquitoes is an attractive alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. Previous studies have suggested that transcripts for inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) may be good RNAi targets. To revisit and extend previous reports, we examined the expression of Aedes aegypti (L.) IAPs (AaeIAPs) 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, and a viral IAP-associated factor (vIAF) as well as Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say and Culex quinquefasciatus Say IAP1 homologs (AquIAP1 and CquIAP1) in adult females. Expression profiles of IAPs suggested that some older female mosquitoes had significantly higher IAP mRNA levels when compared to the youngest ones. Minor differences in expression of AaeIAPs were observed in mosquitoes that imbibed a bloodmeal, but the majority of the time points (up to 48 h) were not significantly different. Although in vitro experiments with the Ae. aegypti Aag-2 cell line demonstrated that the various AaeIAPs could be effectively knocked down within one day after dsRNA treatment, only Aag-2 cells treated with dsIAP1 displayed apoptotic morphology. Gene silencing and mortality were also evaluated after topical application and microinjection of the same dsRNAs into female Ae. aegypti. In contrast to previous reports, topical administration of dsRNA against AaeIAP1 did not yield a significant reduction in gene expression or increased mortality. Knockdown of IAP1 and other IAPs by microinjection did not result in significant mortality. In toto, our findings suggest that IAPs may not be suitable RNAi targets for controlling adult mosquito populations.
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Seaman JA, Alout H, Meyers JI, Stenglein MD, Dabiré RK, Lozano-Fuentes S, Burton TA, Kuklinski WS, Black WC, Foy BD. Age and prior blood feeding of Anopheles gambiae influences their susceptibility and gene expression patterns to ivermectin-containing blood meals. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:797. [PMID: 26471037 PMCID: PMC4608139 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2029-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ivermectin has been proposed as a novel malaria transmission control tool based on its insecticidal properties and unique route of acquisition through human blood. To maximize ivermectin’s effect and identify potential resistance/tolerance mechanisms, it is important to understand its effect on mosquito physiology and potential to shift mosquito population age-structure. We therefore investigated ivermectin susceptibility and gene expression changes in several age groups of female Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Methods The effect of aging on ivermectin susceptibility was analyzed in three age groups (2, 6, and 14-days) of colonized female Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes using standard survivorship assays. Gene expression patterns were then analyzed by transcriptome sequencing on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. RT-qPCR was used to validate transcriptional changes and also to examine expression in a different, colonized strain and in wild mosquitoes, both of which blood fed naturally on an ivermectin-treated person. Results Mosquitoes of different ages and blood meal history died at different frequencies after ingesting ivermectin. Mortality was lowest in 2-day old mosquitoes exposed on their first blood meal and highest in 6-day old mosquitoes exposed on their second blood meal. Twenty-four hours following ivermectin ingestion, 101 and 187 genes were differentially-expressed relative to control blood-fed, in 2 and 6-day groups, respectively. Transcription patterns of select genes were similar in membrane-fed, colonized, and naturally-fed wild vectors. Transcripts from several unexpected functional classes were highly up-regulated, including Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) genes, peritrophic matrix-associated genes, and immune-response genes, and these exhibited different transcription patterns between age groups, which may explain the observed susceptibility differences. Niemann-Pick Type 2 genes were the most highly up-regulated transcripts after ivermectin ingestion (up to 160 fold) and comparing phylogeny to transcriptional patterns revealed that NPCs have rapidly evolved and separate members respond to either blood meals or to ivermectin. Conclusion We present evidence of increased ivermectin susceptibility in older An. gambiae mosquitoes that had previously bloodfed. Differential expression analysis suggests complex midgut interactions resulting from ivermectin ingestion that likely involve blood meal digestion physiological responses, midgut microflora, and innate immune responses. Thus, the transcription of certain gene families is consistently affected by ivermectin ingestion, and may provide important clues to ivermectin’s broad effects on malaria vectors. These findings contribute to the growing understanding of ivermectin’s potential as a transmission control tool. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2029-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Seaman
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Colorado State University 1692 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
| | - Haoues Alout
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Colorado State University 1692 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
| | - Jacob I Meyers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Colorado State University 1692 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
| | - Mark D Stenglein
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Colorado State University 1692 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
| | - Roch K Dabiré
- Institute de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS)/Centre Muraz, Direction Régionale de l'Ouest, 399 Ave de la Liberté, Bobo Dioulasso, Houet, 10400-000, Burkina Faso.
| | - Saul Lozano-Fuentes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Colorado State University 1692 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
| | - Timothy A Burton
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Colorado State University 1692 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
| | - Wojtek S Kuklinski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Colorado State University 1692 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
| | - William C Black
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Colorado State University 1692 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
| | - Brian D Foy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Colorado State University 1692 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
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Roy S, Saha TT, Johnson L, Zhao B, Ha J, White KP, Girke T, Zou Z, Raikhel AS. Regulation of Gene Expression Patterns in Mosquito Reproduction. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005450. [PMID: 26274815 PMCID: PMC4537244 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, development, growth and reproduction require coordinated expression of numerous functional and regulatory genes. Insects, in addition to being the most speciose animal group with enormous biological and economical significance, represent outstanding model organisms for studying regulation of synchronized gene expression due to their rapid development and reproduction. Disease-transmitting female mosquitoes have adapted uniquely for ingestion and utilization of the huge blood meal required for swift reproductive events to complete egg development within a 72-h period. We investigated the network of regulatory factors mediating sequential gene expression in the fat body, a multifunctional organ analogous to the vertebrate liver and adipose tissue, of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Transcriptomic and bioinformatics analyses revealed that ~7500 transcripts are differentially expressed in four sequential waves during the 72-h reproductive period. A combination of RNA-interference gene-silencing and in-vitro organ culture identified the major regulators for each of these waves. Amino acids (AAs) regulate the first wave of gene activation between 3 h and 12 h post-blood meal (PBM). During the second wave, between 12 h and 36 h, most genes are highly upregulated by a synergistic action of AAs, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the Ecdysone-Receptor (EcR). Between 36 h and 48 h, the third wave of gene activation—regulated mainly by HR3—occurs. Juvenile Hormone (JH) and its receptor Methoprene-Tolerant (Met) are major regulators for the final wave between 48 h and 72 h. Each of these key regulators also has repressive effects on one or more gene sets. Our study provides a better understanding of the complexity of the regulatory mechanisms related to temporal coordination of gene expression during reproduction. We have detected the novel function of 20E/EcR responsible for transcriptional repression. This study also reveals the previously unidentified large-scale effects of HR3 and JH/Met on transcriptional regulation during the termination of vitellogenesis and remodeling of the fat body. In addition to being vectors of devastating human diseases, mosquitoes represent outstanding model organisms for studying regulatory mechanisms of differential gene expression due to their rapid reproductive cycles. About 7500 transcripts are differentially expressed in four sequential waves during the 72-h reproductive period in the fat body, a critical reproductive organ. The major regulators for these waves of gene expression are the two very important insect hormones, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and Juvenile hormone (JH), their respective receptors Ecdysone Receptor (EcR) and Methoprene-Tolerant (Met), amino acids and the orphan nuclear receptor HR3. These key regulators are responsible for activation and repression of co-regulated gene sets, at different time points, within the 72-h reproductive period. Importantly, this study, apart from providing an insight into the regulatory complexity involved in the temporal coordination of gene expression, also reveals the previously unidentified roles of 20E/EcR, JH/Met and HR3 during the 72-h period post blood meal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Roy
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Tusar T. Saha
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Lisa Johnson
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Graduate Program in Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Bo Zhao
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Jisu Ha
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Graduate Program in Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Kevin P. White
- Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Thomas Girke
- Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (ZZ); (ASR)
| | - Alexander S. Raikhel
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ZZ); (ASR)
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Borges-Veloso A, Saboia-Vahia L, Dias-Lopes G, Domont GB, Britto C, Cuervo P, De Jesus JB. In-depth characterization of trypsin-like serine peptidases in the midgut of the sugar fed Culex quinquefasciatus. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:373. [PMID: 26174750 PMCID: PMC4502911 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0985-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Culex quinquefasciatus is a hematophagous insect from the Culicidae family that feeds on the blood of humans, dogs, birds and livestock. This species transmits a wide variety of pathogens between humans and animals. The midgut environment is the first location of pathogen-vector interactions for blood-feeding mosquitoes and the expression of specific peptidases in the early stages of feeding could influence the outcome of the infection. Trypsin-like serine peptidases belong to a multi-gene family that can be expressed in different isoforms under distinct physiological conditions. However, the confident assignment of the trypsin genes that are expressed under each condition is still a challenge due to the large number of trypsin-coding genes in the Culicidae family and most likely because they are low abundance proteins. METHODS We used zymography for the biochemical characterization of the peptidase profile of the midgut from C. quinquefasciatus females fed on sugar. Protein samples were also submitted to SDS-PAGE followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis for peptidase identification. The peptidases sequences were analyzed with bioinformatics tools to assess their distinct features. RESULTS Zymography revealed that trypsin-like serine peptidases were responsible for the proteolytic activity in the midgut of females fed on sugar diet. After denaturation in SDS-PAGE, eight trypsin-like serine peptidases were identified by LC-MS/MS. These peptidases have structural features typical of invertebrate digestive trypsin peptidases but exhibited singularities at the protein sequence level such as: the presence of different amino acids at the autocatalytic motif and substrate binding regions as well as different number of disulfide bounds. Data mining revealed a group of trypsin-like serine peptidases that are specific to C. quinquefasciatus when compared to the culicids genomes sequenced so far. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that proteomics approaches combined with bioinformatics tools and zymographic analysis can lead to the functional annotation of trypsin-like serine peptidases coding genes and aid in the understanding of the complexity of peptidase expression in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Borges-Veloso
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo Saboia-Vahia
- Laboratorio de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Pav. Leônidas Deane, Sala 509, CEP: 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Geovane Dias-Lopes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Gilberto B Domont
- Unidade de Proteômica, Laboratório de Química de Proteínas, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Laboratorio de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Pav. Leônidas Deane, Sala 509, CEP: 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Jose B De Jesus
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, São João del Rei, MG, Brasil.
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Felix RC, Trindade M, Pires IRP, Fonseca VG, Martins RS, Silveira H, Power DM, Cardoso JCR. Unravelling the Evolution of the Allatostatin-Type A, KISS and Galanin Peptide-Receptor Gene Families in Bilaterians: Insights from Anopheles Mosquitoes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130347. [PMID: 26135459 PMCID: PMC4489612 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Allatostatin type A receptors (AST-ARs) are a group of G-protein coupled receptors activated by members of the FGL-amide (AST-A) peptide family that inhibit food intake and development in arthropods. Despite their physiological importance the evolution of the AST-A system is poorly described and relatively few receptors have been isolated and functionally characterised in insects. The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of the origin and comparative evolution of the AST-A system. To determine how evolution and feeding modified the function of AST-AR the duplicate receptors in Anopheles mosquitoes, were characterised. Phylogeny and gene synteny suggested that invertebrate AST-A receptors and peptide genes shared a common evolutionary origin with KISS/GAL receptors and ligands. AST-ARs and KISSR emerged from a common gene ancestor after the divergence of GALRs in the bilaterian genome. In arthropods, the AST-A system evolved through lineage-specific events and the maintenance of two receptors in the flies and mosquitoes (Diptera) was the result of a gene duplication event. Speciation of Anopheles mosquitoes affected receptor gene organisation and characterisation of AST-AR duplicates (GPRALS1 and 2) revealed that in common with other insects, the mosquito receptors were activated by insect AST-A peptides and the iCa2+-signalling pathway was stimulated. GPRALS1 and 2 were expressed mainly in mosquito midgut and ovaries and transcript abundance of both receptors was modified by feeding. A blood meal strongly up-regulated expression of both GPRALS in the midgut (p < 0.05) compared to glucose fed females. Based on the results we hypothesise that the AST-A system in insects shared a common origin with the vertebrate KISS system and may also share a common function as an integrator of metabolism and reproduction. Highlights: AST-A and KISS/GAL receptors and ligands shared common ancestry prior to the protostome-deuterostome divergence. Phylogeny and gene synteny revealed that AST-AR and KISSR emerged after GALR gene divergence. AST-AR genes were present in the hemichordates but were lost from the chordates. In protostomes, AST-ARs persisted and evolved through lineage-specific events and duplicated in the arthropod radiation. Diptera acquired and maintained functionally divergent duplicate AST-AR genes.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Anopheles/classification
- Anopheles/genetics
- Anopheles/metabolism
- Calcium Signaling
- Evolution, Molecular
- Fat Body/chemistry
- Fat Body/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Genome, Insect
- Glucose/metabolism
- Insect Proteins/chemistry
- Insect Proteins/genetics
- Insect Proteins/metabolism
- Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism
- Intestines/chemistry
- Mice
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Multigene Family
- Ovary/chemistry
- Ovary/metabolism
- Phylogeny
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/chemistry
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Receptors, Galanin/chemistry
- Receptors, Galanin/genetics
- Receptors, Galanin/metabolism
- Receptors, Neuropeptide/chemistry
- Receptors, Neuropeptide/genetics
- Receptors, Neuropeptide/metabolism
- Reproduction/genetics
- Sequence Alignment
- Synteny
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute C. Felix
- Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005–139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Marlene Trindade
- Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005–139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Isa R. P. Pires
- Centro de Malária e outras Doenças Tropicais, UEI Parasitologia Médica, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349–008, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vera G. Fonseca
- Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005–139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Rute S. Martins
- Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005–139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Henrique Silveira
- Centro de Malária e outras Doenças Tropicais, UEI Parasitologia Médica, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349–008, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Deborah M. Power
- Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005–139, Faro, Portugal
| | - João C. R. Cardoso
- Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005–139, Faro, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Xu J, Morisseau C, Yang J, Mamatha DM, Hammock BD. Epoxide hydrolase activities and epoxy fatty acids in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 59:41-9. [PMID: 25686802 PMCID: PMC4387068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Culex mosquitoes have emerged as important model organisms for mosquito biology, and are disease vectors for multiple mosquito-borne pathogens, including West Nile virus. We characterized epoxide hydrolase activities in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus, which suggested multiple forms of epoxide hydrolases were present. We found EH activities on epoxy eicosatrienoic acids (EETs). EETs and other eicosanoids are well-established lipid signaling molecules in vertebrates. We showed EETs can be synthesized in vitro from arachidonic acids by mosquito lysate, and EETs were also detected in vivo both in larvae and adult mosquitoes by LC-MS/MS. The EH activities on EETs can be induced by blood feeding, and the highest activity was observed in the midgut of female mosquitoes. The enzyme activities on EETs can be inhibited by urea-based inhibitors designed for mammalian soluble epoxide hydrolases (sEH). The sEH inhibitors have been shown to play diverse biological roles in mammalian systems, and they can be useful tools to study the function of EETs in mosquitoes. Besides juvenile hormone metabolism and detoxification, insect epoxide hydrolases may also play a role in regulating lipid signaling molecules, such as EETs and other epoxy fatty acids, synthesized in vivo or obtained from blood feeding by female mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Xu
- Department of Entomology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Christophe Morisseau
- Department of Entomology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Entomology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Dadala M Mamatha
- Department of Entomology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Bruce D Hammock
- Department of Entomology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Pimenta PFP, Orfano AS, Bahia AC, Duarte APM, Ríos-Velásquez CM, Melo FF, Pessoa FAC, Oliveira GA, Campos KMM, Villegas LM, Rodrigues NB, Nacif-Pimenta R, Simões RC, Monteiro WM, Amino R, Traub-Cseko YM, Lima JBP, Barbosa MGV, Lacerda MVG, Tadei WP, Secundino NFC. An overview of malaria transmission from the perspective of Amazon Anopheles vectors. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 110:23-47. [PMID: 25742262 PMCID: PMC4371216 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760140266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Americas, areas with a high risk of malaria transmission are mainly located in the Amazon Forest, which extends across nine countries. One keystone step to understanding the Plasmodium life cycle in Anopheles species from the Amazon Region is to obtain experimentally infected mosquito vectors. Several attempts to colonise Anopheles species have been conducted, but with only short-lived success or no success at all. In this review, we review the literature on malaria transmission from the perspective of its Amazon vectors. Currently, it is possible to develop experimental Plasmodium vivax infection of the colonised and field-captured vectors in laboratories located close to Amazonian endemic areas. We are also reviewing studies related to the immune response to P. vivax infection of Anopheles aquasalis, a coastal mosquito species. Finally, we discuss the importance of the modulation of Plasmodium infection by the vector microbiota and also consider the anopheline genomes. The establishment of experimental mosquito infections with Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium berghei parasites that could provide interesting models for studying malaria in the Amazonian scenario is important. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the parasites in New World vectors is crucial in order to better determine the interaction process and vectorial competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo FP Pimenta
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG,
Brasil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM,
Brasil
| | | | - Ana C Bahia
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Ana PM Duarte
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG,
Brasil
| | | | - Fabrício F Melo
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG,
Brasil
| | | | | | - Keillen MM Campos
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM,
Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Rejane C Simões
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - Wuelton M Monteiro
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM,
Brasil
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Unité de Biologie et Génétique du Paludisme, Institut Pasteur, Paris,
France
| | | | - José BP Lima
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM,
Brasil
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Maria GV Barbosa
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM,
Brasil
| | - Marcus VG Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM,
Brasil
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane-Fiocruz, Manaus, AM, Brasil
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Maternal germline-specific genes in the Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi: characterization and application for disease control. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2014; 5:157-66. [PMID: 25480960 PMCID: PMC4321024 DOI: 10.1534/g3.114.015578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Anopheles stephensi is a principal vector of urban malaria on the Indian subcontinent and an emerging model for molecular and genetic studies of mosquito biology. To enhance our understanding of female mosquito reproduction, and to develop new tools for basic research and for genetic strategies to control mosquito-borne infectious diseases, we identified 79 genes that displayed previtellogenic germline-specific expression based on RNA-Seq data generated from 11 life stage-specific and sex-specific samples. Analysis of this gene set provided insights into the biology and evolution of female reproduction. Promoters from two of these candidates, vitellogenin receptor and nanos, were used in independent transgenic cassettes for the expression of artificial microRNAs against suspected mosquito maternal-effect genes, discontinuous actin hexagon and myd88. We show these promoters have early germline-specific expression and demonstrate 73% and 42% knockdown of myd88 and discontinuous actin hexagon mRNA in ovaries 48 hr after blood meal, respectively. Additionally, we demonstrate maternal-specific delivery of mRNA and protein to progeny embryos. We discuss the application of this system of maternal delivery of mRNA/miRNA/protein in research on mosquito reproduction and embryonic development, and for the development of a gene drive system based on maternal-effect dominant embryonic arrest.
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Kassis T, Skelton HM, Lu IM, Moorhead AR, Dixon JB. An integrated in vitro imaging platform for characterizing filarial parasite behavior within a multicellular microenvironment. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3305. [PMID: 25412444 PMCID: PMC4238983 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic Filariasis, a Neglected Tropical Disease, is caused by thread-like parasitic worms, including B. malayi, which migrate to the human lymphatic system following transmission. The parasites reside in collecting lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes for years, often resulting in lymphedema, elephantiasis or hydrocele. The mechanisms driving worm migration and retention within the lymphatics are currently unknown. We have developed an integrated in vitro imaging platform capable of quantifying B. malayi migration and behavior in a multicellular microenvironment relevant to the initial site of worm injection by incorporating the worm in a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel in the presence of human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The platform utilizes a motorized controllable microscope with CO2 and temperature regulation to allow for worm tracking experiments with high resolution over large length and time scales. Using post-acquisition algorithms, we quantified four parameters: 1) speed, 2) thrashing intensity, 3) percentage of time spent in a given cell region and 4) persistence ratio. We demonstrated the utility of our system by quantifying these parameters for L3 B. malayi in the presence of LECs and HDFs. Speed and thrashing increased in the presence of both cell types and were altered within minutes upon exposure to the anthelmintic drug, tetramisole. The worms displayed no targeted migration towards either cell type for the time course of this study (3 hours). When cells were not present in the chamber, worm thrashing correlated directly with worm speed. However, this correlation was lost in the presence of cells. The described platform provides the ability to further study B. malayi migration and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Kassis
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Henry M. Skelton
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Iris M. Lu
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Andrew R. Moorhead
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - J. Brandon Dixon
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Wang H, Liang J, Zhao Y, Liu Q, Li Y, Yi Z, Chen K, Xiao T. Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of trypsin-like serine protease from triangle-shell pearl mussel (Hyriopsis cumingii). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 40:603-608. [PMID: 25149589 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2014.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Trypsin-like serine protease (TLS) is ubiquitous in animals and plays a number of diverse roles, including dietary protein digestion, hemolymph coagulation, antimicrobial activity and immune responses, among others. This study reports the isolation of a 1048 bp full-length cDNA sequence of TLS from triangle-shell pearl mussel (Hyriopsis cumingii), including a 12 bp 5' UTR (untranslated region), a 172 bp 3' UTR, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 864 bp by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Bioinformatic analysis shows that the gene belongs to the trypsin-like serine protease superfamily, and contains a 15 residues N-terminal signal peptide and a conserved C-terminal domain. In comparison to other serine proteases, the catalytic triad were identified as His-98, Asp-149, and Ser-240. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) showed a broad expression of the TLS gene in ten tested tissues. Time-course expression analysis demonstrated that the expression level of the TLS mRNA was significantly up-regulated in eight tested tissues (liver, intestine, gill, heart, axe foot, adductor muscle, kidney and gonad), but down-regulated in mantle and stomach after Aeromonas hydrophila injection. This is one of the results indicate that TLS may be involved in innate defense reactions against A. hydrophila in triangle-shell pearl mussel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongquan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Jian Liang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Yurong Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Qiaolin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Yaoguo Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Zili Yi
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Kaijian Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Tiaoyi Xiao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.
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Striped murrel S1 family serine protease: immune characterization, antibacterial property and enzyme activities. Biologia (Bratisl) 2014. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-014-0410-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Gómez-Díaz E, Rivero A, Chandre F, Corces VG. Insights into the epigenomic landscape of the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Front Genet 2014; 5:277. [PMID: 25177345 PMCID: PMC4133732 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The epigenome of the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae was characterized in midgut cells by mapping the distribution and levels of two post-translational histone modifications, H3K27ac and H3K27me3. These histone profiles were then correlated with levels of gene expression obtained by RNA-seq. Analysis of the transcriptome of A. gambiae midguts and salivary glands led to the discovery of 13,898 new transcripts not present in the most recent genome assembly. A subset of these transcripts is differentially expressed between midgut and salivary glands. The enrichment profiles of H3K27ac and H3K27me3 are mutually exclusive and associate with high and low levels of transcription, respectively. This distribution agrees with previous findings in Drosophila showing association of these two histone modifications with either active or inactive transcriptional states, including Polycomb-associated domains in silenced genes. This study provides a mosquito epigenomics platform for future comparative studies in other mosquito species, opening future investigations into the role of epigenetic processes in vector-borne systems of medical and economic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Rivero
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle (UM1-UM2-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), Centre IRD Montpellier, France
| | - Fabrice Chandre
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle (UM1-UM2-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), Centre IRD Montpellier, France
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Cázares-Raga FE, Chávez-Munguía B, González-Calixto C, Ochoa-Franco AP, Gawinowicz MA, Rodríguez MH, Hernández-Hernández FC. Morphological and proteomic characterization of midgut of the malaria vector Anopheles albimanus at early time after a blood feeding. J Proteomics 2014; 111:100-12. [PMID: 25132141 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The midgut of anopheline mosquito is the entry of Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria.When the mosquito feeds on parasite infected host, Plasmodium parasites reach the midgut and must confront digestive enzymes, the innate immune response and go across the peritrophic matrix (PM), a thick extracellular sheath secreted by the mosquito midgut epithelial cells. Then, to continue its development, the parasite must reach the salivary glands to achieve transmission to a vertebrate host. We report here the morphological and biochemical descriptions of the midgut changes after a blood meal in Anopheles albimanus. Before blood feeding, midgut epithelial cells contained numerous electrondense vesicles distributed in the central to apical side. These vesicles were secreted to the luminal side of the midgut after a blood meal. At early times after blood ingest, the PM is formed near microvilli as a granulous amorphous material and after it consolidates forming a highly organized fibrillar structure, constituted by layers of electrondense and electronlucent regions. Proteomic comparative analysis of sugar and blood fed midguts showed several molecules that modify their abundance after blood intake; these include innate immunity, cytoskeletal, stress response, signaling, and digestive, detoxifying and metabolism enzymes. Biological significance In the midgut of mosquitoes during bloodfeeding, many simultaneous processes occur, including digestion, innate immune activities, cytoskeleton modifications, construction of a peritrophic matrix and hormone production, between others. Mechanical forces are very intense during bloodfeeding and epithelial and muscular cells must resist the stress, modifying the actin cytoskeleton and coordinating intracellular responses by signaling. Microorganisms present in midgut contents reproduce and interact with epithelial cells triggering innate immune response. When infectious agents are present in the blood meal they must traverse the peritrophic matrix, an envelope formed from secretion products of epithelial cells, and evade the immune system in order to reach the epithelium and continue their journey towards salivary glands, in preparation for the transmission to the new hosts. During all these processes, proteins of mosquitoes are modified in order to deal with mechanical and biological challenges, and the aim of this work is to study these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- F E Cázares-Raga
- Depto. de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
| | - B Chávez-Munguía
- Depto. de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
| | - C González-Calixto
- Depto. de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
| | - A P Ochoa-Franco
- Depto. de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
| | - M A Gawinowicz
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, NY, USA
| | - M H Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - F C Hernández-Hernández
- Depto. de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico, D.F., Mexico.
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Esquivel CJ, Cassone BJ, Piermarini PM. Transcriptomic evidence for a dramatic functional transition of the malpighian tubules after a blood meal in the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2929. [PMID: 24901705 PMCID: PMC4046972 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The consumption of a vertebrate blood meal by adult female mosquitoes is necessary for their reproduction, but it also presents significant physiological challenges to mosquito osmoregulation and metabolism. The renal (Malpighian) tubules of mosquitoes play critical roles in the initial processing of the blood meal by excreting excess water and salts that are ingested. However, it is unclear how the tubules contribute to the metabolism and excretion of wastes (e.g., heme, ammonia) produced during the digestion of blood. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we used RNA-Seq to examine global changes in transcript expression in the Malpighian tubules of the highly-invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus during the first 24 h after consuming a blood meal. We found progressive, global changes in the transcriptome of the Malpighian tubules isolated from mosquitoes at 3 h, 12 h, and 24 h after a blood meal. Notably, a DAVID functional cluster analysis of the differentially-expressed transcripts revealed 1) a down-regulation of transcripts associated with oxidative metabolism, active transport, and mRNA translation, and 2) an up-regulation of transcripts associated with antioxidants and detoxification, proteolytic activity, amino-acid metabolism, and cytoskeletal dynamics. Conclusions/Significance The results suggest that blood feeding elicits a functional transition of the epithelium from one specializing in active transepithelial fluid secretion (e.g., diuresis) to one specializing in detoxification and metabolic waste excretion. Our findings provide the first insights into the putative roles of mosquito Malpighian tubules in the chronic processing of blood meals. The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is a vector of several medically-important arboviruses and one of the most invasive mosquito species in the world. Existing control measures for mosquitoes are presently being challenged by the emergence of resistance to insecticides that target the nervous system. Thus, it is necessary to identify novel physiological targets to guide the development of new insecticides. We recently demonstrated that the ‘kidneys’ (Malpighian tubules) of mosquitoes offer a valuable, new physiological target for insecticides. However, our understanding of how this tissue contributes to the chronic metabolic processing of blood meals by mosquitoes is limited. Here we characterize the changes in transcript expression that occur in the Malpighian tubules of adult female A. albopictus with the goal of identifying key molecular pathways that may reveal valuable targets for insecticide development. We find dramatic changes in transcript accumulation in Malpighian tubules, which 1) provide new insights into the potential functional roles of Malpighian tubules after a blood meal, and 2) reveal new potential molecular pathways and targets to guide the development of new insecticides that would disrupt the renal functions of mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J. Esquivel
- Department of Entomology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Bryan J. Cassone
- Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Peter M. Piermarini
- Department of Entomology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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