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 host-seeking, 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.

Figure 2.1

Expression of marker and reporter transgenes in the malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles stephensi. (A) Fourth-instar larva under ambient light, (B) Same larva as in (A) seen under fluorescence microscopy. Larval eyes (e), nervous tissue (nt), and anal papillae (ap) fluoresce with DsRed. (C) Adult females expressing the cyan fluorescent protein gene controlled by the AsVg1 promoter (see Nirmala et al., 2006). Specific fluorescence is detected in fat body tissues in the thorax and abdomen. Images courtesy of J. M. Sandoval.