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Zmarlak NM, Lavazec C, Brito-Fravallo E, Genève C, Aliprandini E, Aguirre-Botero MC, Vernick KD, Mitri C. The Anopheles leucine-rich repeat protein APL1C is a pathogen binding factor recognizing Plasmodium ookinetes and sporozoites. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012008. [PMID: 38354186 PMCID: PMC10898737 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins are commonly involved in innate immunity of animals and plants, including for pattern recognition of pathogen-derived elicitors. The Anopheles secreted LRR proteins APL1C and LRIM1 are required for malaria ookinete killing in conjunction with the complement-like TEP1 protein. However, the mechanism of parasite immune recognition by the mosquito remains unclear, although it is known that TEP1 lacks inherent binding specificity. Here, we find that APL1C and LRIM1 bind specifically to Plasmodium berghei ookinetes, even after depletion of TEP1 transcript and protein, consistent with a role for the LRR proteins in pathogen recognition. Moreover, APL1C does not bind to ookinetes of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, and is not required for killing of this parasite, which correlates LRR binding specificity and immune protection. Most of the live P. berghei ookinetes that migrated into the extracellular space exposed to mosquito hemolymph, and almost all dead ookinetes, are bound by APL1C, thus associating LRR protein binding with parasite killing. We also find that APL1C binds to the surface of P. berghei sporozoites released from oocysts into the mosquito hemocoel and forms a potent barrier limiting salivary gland invasion and mosquito infectivity. Pathogen binding by APL1C provides the first functional explanation for the long-known requirement of APL1C for P. berghei ookinete killing in the mosquito midgut. We propose that secreted mosquito LRR proteins are required for pathogen discrimination and orientation of immune effector activity, potentially as functional counterparts of the immunoglobulin-based receptors used by vertebrates for antigen recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Marta Zmarlak
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR2000, Unit of Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Paris, France
- Graduate School of Life Sciences ED515, Sorbonne Universities, UPMC Paris VI, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Lavazec
- Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Emma Brito-Fravallo
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR2000, Unit of Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Paris, France
| | - Corinne Genève
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR2000, Unit of Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Paris, France
| | - Eduardo Aliprandini
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Unit of Malaria Infection & Immunity, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Paris, France
| | - Manuela Camille Aguirre-Botero
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Unit of Malaria Infection & Immunity, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Paris, France
| | - Kenneth D. Vernick
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR2000, Unit of Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Paris, France
- Graduate School of Life Sciences ED515, Sorbonne Universities, UPMC Paris VI, Paris, France
| | - Christian Mitri
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR2000, Unit of Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Paris, France
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Hearn J, Riveron JM, Irving H, Weedall GD, Wondji CS. Gene Conversion Explains Elevated Diversity in the Immunity Modulating APL1 Gene of the Malaria Vector Anopheles funestus. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1102. [PMID: 35741864 PMCID: PMC9222773 DOI: 10.3390/genes13061102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat proteins and antimicrobial peptides are the key components of the innate immune response to Plasmodium and other microbial pathogens in Anopheles mosquitoes. The APL1 gene of the malaria vector Anopheles funestus has exceptional levels of non-synonymous polymorphism across the range of An. funestus, with an average πn of 0.027 versus a genome-wide average of 0.002, and πn is consistently high in populations across Africa. Elevated APL1 diversity was consistent between the independent pooled-template and target-enrichment datasets, however no link between APL1 diversity and insecticide resistance was observed. Although lacking the diversity of APL1, two further mosquito innate-immunity genes of the gambicin anti-microbial peptide family had πn/πs ratios greater than one, possibly driven by either positive or balancing selection. The cecropin antimicrobial peptides were expressed much more highly than other anti-microbial peptide genes, a result discordant with current models of anti-microbial peptide activity. The observed APL1 diversity likely results from gene conversion between paralogues, as evidenced by shared polymorphisms, overlapping read mappings, and recombination events among paralogues. In conclusion, we hypothesize that higher gene expression of APL1 than its paralogues is correlated with a more open chromatin formation, which enhances gene conversion and elevated diversity at this locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Hearn
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (J.M.R.); (H.I.); (C.S.W.)
| | - Jacob M. Riveron
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (J.M.R.); (H.I.); (C.S.W.)
- LSTM Research Unit, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), Yaoundé P.O. Box 13591, Cameroon
| | - Helen Irving
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (J.M.R.); (H.I.); (C.S.W.)
| | - Gareth D. Weedall
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK;
| | - Charles S. Wondji
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (J.M.R.); (H.I.); (C.S.W.)
- LSTM Research Unit, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), Yaoundé P.O. Box 13591, Cameroon
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3
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Maharaj S, Ekoka E, Erlank E, Nardini L, Reader J, Birkholtz LM, Koekemoer LL. The ecdysone receptor regulates several key physiological factors in Anopheles funestus. Malar J 2022; 21:97. [PMID: 35305668 PMCID: PMC8934008 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04123-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Malaria is a devastating disease, transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium parasites. Current insecticide-based strategies exist to control the spread of malaria by targeting vectors. However, the increase in insecticide resistance in vector populations hinder the efficacy of these methods. It is, therefore, essential to develop novel vector control methods that efficiently target transmission reducing factors such as vector density and competence. A possible vector control candidate gene, the ecdysone receptor, regulates longevity, reproduction, immunity and other physiological processes in several insects, including malaria vectors. Anopheles funestus is a prominent vector in sub-Saharan Africa, however, the function of the ecdysone receptor in this mosquito has not previously been studied. This study aimed to determine if the ecdysone receptor depletion impacts An. funestus longevity, reproduction and susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum infection.
Methods
RNA interference was used to reduce ecdysone receptor expression levels in An. funestus females and investigate how the above-mentioned phenotypes are influenced. Additionally, the expression levels of the ecdysone receptor, and reproduction genes lipophorin and vitellogenin receptor as well as the immune gene, leucine rich immune molecule 9 were determined in ecdysone receptor-depleted mosquitoes using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Results
Ecdysone receptor-depleted mosquitoes had a shorter lifespan, impaired oogenesis, were less fertile, and had reduced P. falciparum infection intensity.
Conclusions
Overall, this study provides the first experimental evidence that supports ecdysone receptor as a potential target in the development of vector control measures targeting An. funestus.
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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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Rani J, Chauhan C, Das De T, Kumari S, Sharma P, Tevatiya S, Patel K, Mishra AK, Pandey KC, Singh N, Dixit R. Hemocyte RNA-Seq analysis of Indian malarial vectors Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles culicifacies: From similarities to differences. Gene 2021; 798:145810. [PMID: 34224830 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles culicifacies are dominant malarial vectors in urban and rural India, respectively. Both species carry significant biological differences in their behavioral adaptation and immunity, but the genetic basis of these variations are still poorly understood. Here, we uncovered the genetic differences of immune blood cells, that influence several immune-physiological responses. We generated, analyzed and compared the hemocyte RNA-Seq database of both mosquitoes. A total of 5,837,223,769 assembled bases collapsed into 7,595 and 3,791 transcripts, originating from hemocytes of laboratory-reared 3-4 days old naïve (sugar-fed) mosquitoes, Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles culicifacies respectively. Comparative GO annotation analysis revealed that both mosquito hemocytes encode similar proteins. Furthermore, while An. stephensi hemocytes showed a higher percentage of immune transcripts encoding APHAG (Autophagy), IMD (Immune deficiency pathway), PRDX (Peroxiredoxin), SCR (Scavenger receptor), IAP (Inhibitor of apoptosis), GALE (galactoside binding lectins), BGBPs (1,3 beta D glucan binding proteins), CASPs (caspases) and SRRP (Small RNA regulatory pathway), An. culicifacies hemocytes yielded a relatively higher percentage of transcripts encoding CLIP (Clip domain serine protease), FREP (Fibrinogen related proteins), PPO (Prophenol oxidase), SRPN (Serpines), ML (Myeloid differentiation 2-related lipid recognition protein), Toll path and TEP (Thioester protein), family proteins. However, a detailed comparative Interproscan analysis showed An. stephensi mosquito hemocytes encode proteins with increased repeat numbers as compared to An. culicifacies. Notably, we observed an abundance of transcripts showing significant variability of encoded proteins with repeats such as LRR (Leucine rich repeat), WD40 (W-D dipeptide), Ankyrin, Annexin, Tetratricopeptide and Mitochondrial substrate carrier repeat-containing family proteins, which may have a direct influence on species-specific immune-physiological responses. Summarily, our deep sequencing analysis unraveled that An. stephensi evolved with an expansion of repeat sequences in hemocyte proteins as compared to An. culicifacies, possibly providing an advantage for better adaptation to diverse environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rani
- Laboratory of Host-Parasite Interaction Studies, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria, Research, Dwarka, New Delhi 110077, India; Department of Bio and Nanotechnology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Charu Chauhan
- Laboratory of Host-Parasite Interaction Studies, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria, Research, Dwarka, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - Tanwee Das De
- Laboratory of Host-Parasite Interaction Studies, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria, Research, Dwarka, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - Seena Kumari
- Laboratory of Host-Parasite Interaction Studies, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria, Research, Dwarka, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - Punita Sharma
- Laboratory of Host-Parasite Interaction Studies, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria, Research, Dwarka, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - Sanjay Tevatiya
- Laboratory of Host-Parasite Interaction Studies, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria, Research, Dwarka, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - Karan Patel
- DNA Xperts Private Limited, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 20130, India
| | - Ashwani K Mishra
- DNA Xperts Private Limited, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 20130, India
| | - Kailash C Pandey
- Laboratory of Host-Parasite Interaction Studies, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria, Research, Dwarka, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - Namita Singh
- Department of Bio and Nanotechnology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Rajnikant Dixit
- Laboratory of Host-Parasite Interaction Studies, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria, Research, Dwarka, New Delhi 110077, India.
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6
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Uengwetwanit T, Pootakham W, Nookaew I, Sonthirod C, Angthong P, Sittikankaew K, Rungrassamee W, Arayamethakorn S, Wongsurawat T, Jenjaroenpun P, Sangsrakru D, Leelatanawit R, Khudet J, Koehorst JJ, Schaap PJ, Martins dos Santos V, Tangy F, Karoonuthaisiri N. A chromosome-level assembly of the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) genome facilitates the identification of growth-associated genes. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 21:1620-1640. [PMID: 33586292 PMCID: PMC8197738 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To salvage marine ecosystems from fishery overexploitation, sustainable and efficient aquaculture must be emphasized. The knowledge obtained from available genome sequence of marine organisms has accelerated marine aquaculture in many cases. The black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) is one of the most prominent cultured penaeid shrimps (Crustacean) with an average annual global production of half a million tons in the last decade. However, its currently available genome assemblies lack the contiguity and completeness required for accurate genome annotation due to the highly repetitive nature of the genome and technical difficulty in extracting high-quality, high-molecular weight DNA. Here, we report the first chromosome-level whole-genome assembly of P. monodon. The combination of long-read Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) and long-range Chicago and Hi-C technologies enabled a successful assembly of this first high-quality genome sequence. The final assembly covered 2.39 Gb (92.3% of the estimated genome size) and contained 44 pseudomolecules, corresponding to the haploid chromosome number. Repetitive elements occupied a substantial portion of the assembly (62.5%), the highest of the figures reported among crustacean species. The availability of this high-quality genome assembly enabled the identification of genes associated with rapid growth in the black tiger shrimp through the comparison of hepatopancreas transcriptome of slow-growing and fast-growing shrimps. The results highlighted several growth-associated genes. Our high-quality genome assembly provides an invaluable resource for genetic improvement and breeding penaeid shrimp in aquaculture. The availability of P. monodon genome enables analyses of ecological impact, environment adaptation and evolution, as well as the role of the genome to protect the ecological resources by promoting sustainable shrimp farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanaporn Uengwetwanit
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)Pathum Thani12120Thailand
| | - Wirulda Pootakham
- National Omics CenterNational Science and Technology Development AgencyPathum ThaniThailand
| | - Intawat Nookaew
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of MedicineUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Chutima Sonthirod
- National Omics CenterNational Science and Technology Development AgencyPathum ThaniThailand
| | - Pacharaporn Angthong
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)Pathum Thani12120Thailand
| | - Kanchana Sittikankaew
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)Pathum Thani12120Thailand
| | - Wanilada Rungrassamee
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)Pathum Thani12120Thailand
| | - Sopacha Arayamethakorn
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)Pathum Thani12120Thailand
| | - Thidathip Wongsurawat
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of MedicineUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
- Division of Bioinformatics and Data Management for ResearchDepartment of Research and DevelopmentFaculty of MedicineSiriraj HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Piroon Jenjaroenpun
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of MedicineUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
- Division of Bioinformatics and Data Management for ResearchDepartment of Research and DevelopmentFaculty of MedicineSiriraj HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Duangjai Sangsrakru
- National Omics CenterNational Science and Technology Development AgencyPathum ThaniThailand
| | - Rungnapa Leelatanawit
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)Pathum Thani12120Thailand
| | - Jutatip Khudet
- Shrimp Genetic Improvement CenterIntegrative Aquaculture Biotechnology Research GroupSurat ThaniThailand
| | - Jasper J. Koehorst
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic BiologyDepartment of Agrotechnology and Food SciencesWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Peter J. Schaap
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic BiologyDepartment of Agrotechnology and Food SciencesWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Vitor Martins dos Santos
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic BiologyDepartment of Agrotechnology and Food SciencesWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Frédéric Tangy
- Viral Genomics and Vaccination UnitUMR3569 CNRSVirology DepartmentInstitut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Nitsara Karoonuthaisiri
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)Pathum Thani12120Thailand
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7
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Couret J, Moreira DC, Bernier D, Loberti AM, Dotson EM, Alvarez M. Delimiting cryptic morphological variation among human malaria vector species using convolutional neural networks. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008904. [PMID: 33332415 PMCID: PMC7745989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep learning is a powerful approach for distinguishing classes of images, and there is a growing interest in applying these methods to delimit species, particularly in the identification of mosquito vectors. Visual identification of mosquito species is the foundation of mosquito-borne disease surveillance and management, but can be hindered by cryptic morphological variation in mosquito vector species complexes such as the malaria-transmitting Anopheles gambiae complex. We sought to apply Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to images of mosquitoes as a proof-of-concept to determine the feasibility of automatic classification of mosquito sex, genus, species, and strains using whole-body, 2D images of mosquitoes. We introduce a library of 1, 709 images of adult mosquitoes collected from 16 colonies of mosquito vector species and strains originating from five geographic regions, with 4 cryptic species not readily distinguishable morphologically even by trained medical entomologists. We present a methodology for image processing, data augmentation, and training and validation of a CNN. Our best CNN configuration achieved high prediction accuracies of 96.96% for species identification and 98.48% for sex. Our results demonstrate that CNNs can delimit species with cryptic morphological variation, 2 strains of a single species, and specimens from a single colony stored using two different methods. We present visualizations of the CNN feature space and predictions for interpretation of our results, and we further discuss applications of our findings for future applications in malaria mosquito surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannelle Couret
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, US
| | - Danilo C. Moreira
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, US
- Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, Brazil
| | - Davin Bernier
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, US
| | - Aria Mia Loberti
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, US
| | - Ellen M. Dotson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Global Health, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Atlanta, Georgia, US
| | - Marco Alvarez
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, US
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Tennessen JA, Bollmann SR, Peremyslova E, Kronmiller BA, Sergi C, Hamali B, Blouin MS. Clusters of polymorphic transmembrane genes control resistance to schistosomes in snail vectors. eLife 2020; 9:59395. [PMID: 32845238 PMCID: PMC7494358 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a debilitating parasitic disease infecting hundreds of millions of people. Schistosomes use aquatic snails as intermediate hosts. A promising avenue for disease control involves leveraging innate host mechanisms to reduce snail vectorial capacity. In a genome-wide association study of Biomphalaria glabrata snails, we identify genomic region PTC2 which exhibits the largest known correlation with susceptibility to parasite infection (>15 fold effect). Using new genome assemblies with substantially higher contiguity than the Biomphalaria reference genome, we show that PTC2 haplotypes are exceptionally divergent in structure and sequence. This variation includes multi-kilobase indels containing entire genes, and orthologs for which most amino acid residues are polymorphic. RNA-Seq annotation reveals that most of these genes encode single-pass transmembrane proteins, as seen in another resistance region in the same species. Such groups of hyperdiverse snail proteins may mediate host-parasite interaction at the cell surface, offering promising targets for blocking the transmission of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Tennessen
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States.,Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Stephanie R Bollmann
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Ekaterina Peremyslova
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Brent A Kronmiller
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States.,Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Clint Sergi
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Bulut Hamali
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Michael Scott Blouin
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
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