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Mastrantonio V, Libro P, Di Martino J, Matera M, Bellini R, Castrignanò T, Urbanelli S, Porretta D. Integrated de novo transcriptome of Culex pipiens mosquito larvae as a resource for genetic control strategies. Sci Data 2024; 11:471. [PMID: 38724521 PMCID: PMC11082219 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03285-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
We present a de novo transcriptome of the mosquito vector Culex pipiens, assembled by sequences of susceptible and insecticide resistant larvae. The high quality of the assembly was confirmed by TransRate and BUSCO. A mapping percentage until 94.8% was obtained by aligning contigs to Nr, SwissProt, and TrEMBL, with 27,281 sequences that simultaneously mapped on the three databases. A total of 14,966 ORFs were also functionally annotated by using the eggNOG database. Among them, we identified ORF sequences of the main gene families involved in insecticide resistance. Therefore, this resource stands as a valuable reference for further studies of differential gene expression as well as to identify genes of interest for genetic-based control tools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pietro Libro
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Tuscia University, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Jessica Di Martino
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Tuscia University, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Michele Matera
- Envu, 2022 ES Deutschland GmbH, Germany, Monheim, Germany
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, United Kingdom
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente "G. Nicoli", Via Sant'Agata 835, 40014, Crevalcore, Italy
| | - Tiziana Castrignanò
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Tuscia University, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Sandra Urbanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Porretta
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
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Yüksel E, Yıldırım A, İmren M, Canhilal R, Dababat AA. Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus Bacteria as Potential Candidates for the Control of Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae), the Principal Vector of West Nile Virus and Lymphatic Filariasis. Pathogens 2023; 12:1095. [PMID: 37764903 PMCID: PMC10537861 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases pose a severe threat to human and animal health. Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is a widespread mosquito species and serves as a vector for the transmission of infectious diseases such as West Nile disease and Lymphatic Filariasis. Synthetic insecticides have been the prime control method for many years to suppress Cx. pipiens populations. However, recently, the use of insecticides has begun to be questioned due to the detrimental impact on human health and the natural environment. Therefore, many authorities urge the development of eco-friendly control methods that are nontoxic to humans. The bacterial associates [Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp. (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae)] of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Sterinernema spp. and Heterorhabditis spp.) (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) are one of the green approaches to combat a variety of insect pests. In the present study, the mosquitocidal activity of the cell-free supernatants and cell suspension (4 × 107 cells mL-1) of four different symbiotic bacteria (Xenorhabdus nematophila, X. bovienii, X. budapestensis, and P. luminescens subsp. kayaii) was assessed against different development stages of Cx. pipiens (The 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th instar larvae and pupa) under laboratory conditions. The bacterial symbionts were able to kill all the development stages with varying levels of mortality. The 1st/2nd instar larvae exhibited the highest susceptibility to the cell-free supernatants and cell suspensions of symbiotic bacteria and the efficacy of the cell-free supernatants and cell suspensions gradually declined with increasing phases of growth. The highest effectiveness was achieved by the X. bovienii KCS-4S strain inducing 95% mortality to the 1st/2nd instar larvae. The results indicate that tested bacterial symbionts have great potential as an eco-friendly alternative to insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebubekir Yüksel
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Kayseri Erciyes University, Kayseri 38030, Türkiye;
| | - Alparslan Yıldırım
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38280, Türkiye;
| | - Mustafa İmren
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu 14030, Türkiye;
| | - Ramazan Canhilal
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Kayseri Erciyes University, Kayseri 38030, Türkiye;
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Lucchesi V, Grimaldi L, Mastrantonio V, Porretta D, Di Bella L, Ruspandini T, Di Salvo ML, Vontas J, Bellini R, Negri A, Epis S, Caccia S, Bandi C, Urbanelli S. Cuticle Modifications and Over-Expression of the Chitin-Synthase Gene in Diflubenzuron-Resistant Phenotype. INSECTS 2022; 13:1109. [PMID: 36555019 PMCID: PMC9782986 DOI: 10.3390/insects13121109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Insecticide resistance is a major threat challenging the control of harmful insect species. The study of resistant phenotypes is, therefore, pivotal to understand molecular mechanisms underpinning insecticide resistance and plan effective control and resistance management strategies. Here, we further analysed the diflubenzuron (DFB)-resistant phenotype due to the point-mutation I1043M in the chitin-synthase 1 gene (chs1) in the mosquito Culex pipiens. By comparing susceptible and resistant strains of Cx. pipiens through DFB bioassays, molecular analyses and scanning electron microscopy, we showed that the I1043M-resistant mosquitoes have: (i) a striking level of DFB resistance (i.e., resistance ratio: 9006); (ii) a constitutive 11-fold over-expression of the chs1 gene; (iii) enhanced cuticle thickness and cuticular chitin content. Culex pipiens is one of the most important vector species in Europe and the rapid spread of DFB resistance can threaten its control. Our results, by adding new data about the DFB-resistant phenotype, provide important information for the control and management of insecticide resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lucchesi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Grimaldi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Daniele Porretta
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Di Bella
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Tania Ruspandini
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Martino Luigi Di Salvo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - John Vontas
- Department of Crop Science, Pesticide Science Lab, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, P.O. Box 1385, GR-711 10 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “G. Nicoli”, 40014 Bologna, Italy
| | - Agata Negri
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Caccia
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Sandra Urbanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Makri A, Papachristos DP, Michaelakis A, Vidali VP. Colupulone, colupone and novel deoxycohumulone geranyl analogues as larvicidal agents against Culex pipiens. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:4217-4222. [PMID: 35705833 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7039] [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: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As climate change proceeds, the management of the population of mosquitoes becomes more and more challenging. Insect adulticides and larvicides constitute significant control techniques, with the latter being considered the leading mosquito control method. However, the development of mosquito resistance development and the adverse side effects caused by the extensive use of synthetic insecticides have turned research towards the discovery of environmentally-friendly solutions. Plants and bacteria have historically proven to be a good source of insecticidally active compounds, which may possess novel modes of action to overcome current resistance mechanisms and could also possess favorable human and environmental safety profiles. A previous study demonstrated that the naturally occurring prenylated acyl phloroglucinol deoxycohumulone is a potent larvicidal agent against Culex pipiens. Herein the structural characteristics that improve it are explored by evaluating colupulone and novel geranylated analogues. RESULTS Colupulone, a prenylated acyl phloroglucinol isolated from Humulus lupulus, colupone, and novel geranylated acyl phloroglucinol congeners, were synthesized and evaluated against Cx. pipiens larva. Results indicated that selected derivatives exhibited superior potency than deoxycohumulone (LC50 43.7 mg L-1 ). Thus, strong activity was observed for colupulone (LC50 19.7 mg L-1 ), and some novel geranyl analogues of deoxycohumulone reaching at LC50 17.1 mg L-1 , while colupone and similar compounds were almost inactive. CONCLUSION The results determined the relationship between the target activity and the chemical structure of the tested compounds, and they revealed significantly improved larvicidal candidates. These results highlight the potential of the acyl phloroglucinol chemistry for further development of mosquito larvicides. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apostolia Makri
- Natural Products and Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios P Papachristos
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Kifissia, Greece
| | - Antonios Michaelakis
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Kifissia, Greece
| | - Veroniki P Vidali
- Natural Products and Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
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Porretta D, Mastrantonio V, Lucchesi V, Bellini R, Vontas J, Urbanelli S. Historical samples reveal a combined role of agriculture and public-health applications in vector resistance to insecticides. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:1567-1572. [PMID: 34984788 PMCID: PMC9303699 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insecticide resistance is the major threat to vector control and for the prevention of vector-borne diseases. Because almost all insecticides used against insect vectors are or have been used in agriculture, a connection between agricultural insecticide use and resistance in insect vectors has been hypothesized. However, it is challenging to find a causal link between past agricultural use of insecticides and current resistance in vector populations without historical data series. Here we investigated the relative contribution across time of agricultural and public-health insecticide applications in selecting for diflubenzuron (DFB) resistance in Culex pipiens populations. Using DNA sequencing, we looked for DFB resistant mutations in current and historical mosquito samples, dating back to the 1980s-1990s, when DFB was used in agriculture but not yet in mosquito control. RESULTS In the samples collected before the introduction of DFB in vector control, we found the resistant mutation I1043M in rural regions but not any of the neighboring urban and natural areas, indicating that the selection pressure was derived by agriculture. However, after the introduction of DFB for vector control, the resistant mutations were found across all study areas showing that the initial selection from agriculture was further boosted by the selection pressure imposed by the mosquito control applications in the 2000s. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support a combined role of agricultural and public-health use of insecticides in vector resistance across time and call for specific actions in integrated resistance management, including increased communication between agriculture and health practitioners. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Porretta
- Department of Environmental BiologySapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | | | | | - Romeo Bellini
- Medical and Veterinary Entomology DepartmentCentro Agricoltura Ambiente ‘G. Nicoli’BolognaItaly
| | - John Vontas
- Department of Crop Science, Pesticide Science LabAgricultural University of AthensAthensGreece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyFoundation for Research and Technology HellasHeraklion, CreteGreece
| | - Sandra Urbanelli
- Department of Environmental BiologySapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
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