Gene Expression Studies in Mosquitoes

Abstract

Research on gene expression in mosquitoes is motivated by both basic and applied interests. Studies of genes involved in hematophagy, reproduction, olfaction, and immune responses reveal an exquisite confluence of biological adaptations that result in these highly-successful life forms. The requirement of female mosquitoes for a bloodmeal for propagation has been exploited by a wide diversity of viral, protozoan and metazoan pathogens as part of their life cycles. Identifying genes involved in hostseeking, blood feeding and digestion, reproduction, insecticide resistance and susceptibility/ refractoriness to pathogen development is expected to provide the bases for the development of novel methods to control mosquito-borne diseases. Advances in mosquito transgenesis technologies, the availability of whole genome sequence information, mass sequencing and analyses of transcriptomes and RNAi techniques will assist development of these tools as well as deepen the understanding of the underlying genetic components for biological phenomena characteristic of these insect species.

Aedes aegypti: An Emerging Model for Vector Mosquito Development: Figure 1.

“…aegypti development manageable. Given the many known advantages of this system (Severson et al , 2004a), these protocols, in combination with recent advances in the study of genetics and genomics in this species (Chen et al , 2008), are helping to establish Ae. aegypti as an emerging model organism for vector mosquito development.…”

“…The Culex quinquefasciatus (dominant lymphatic filariasis vector) genome is also now available at Vectorbase (http://cquinquefasciatus.vectorbase.org). Completion of these three mosquito genomes is allowing for global characterization of sequence conservation and structure through comparative and functional analyses (reviewed by Chen et al , 2008). While many commonalities exist, significant differences in the biological characteristics and genomic structures of these mosquitoes have been observed (Knudson et al , 2002; Rai and Black, 1999; Severson et al , 2004b).…”

“…aegypti in culture (Protocol 1), this species has been the subject of a wide range of laboratory investigations ranging from analysis of its morphology, physiology, genetics, vector competence, and molecular evolution (Clements, 1992; Severson et al , 2004a, Chen et al , 2008). In particular, analysis of Ae.…”

“…Ae. aegypti can therefore also be used as a model for the genetic basis of vector competence to filarial worms (reviewed by Severson et al , 2004a and Chen et al , 2008). …”

“…aegypti . The expression profiles of these genes are generally well conserved, however some differences in their temporal and spatial distributions have been noted (reviewed by Chen et al , 2008). These studies were completed, at least in part, through efforts to develop a drive system that will quickly spread and fix antipathogen effector genes in natural populations (Juhn and James, 2006).…”