Mosquitoes are the specific concern because they transmit different viruses, which cause serious diseases. Agrochemical research over the last two decades has resulted in the discovery of chemically novel insecticides that mimic the action of the insect growth hormone. Those insecticides are relatively environmentally friendly, but there is a concern that they may be used in a too high of concentrations. There is a great interest in identifying developmentally regulated genes from Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti). These genes can serve as a molecular marker. Only a few genes regulating mosquito growth and development have been isolated.
The goal of this project was to find stage-specific genes from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes extracted from a cDNA subtract library and determine whether those genes are regulated by insecticide methoprene. The subtracted cDNA library was from early 4th instar and pupal stage of mosquitoes, where metamorphosis occurs. These stages are really important because by studying the cDNA we can discover metamorphic specific genes. More than 30 genes were identified, and several of them were selected to work with. Five genes were studied: cuticle protein, adolase and 3 unknown genes. These genes were analyzed with the techniques of Dot and Northern Blots. Four genes (cuticle protein gene and 3 unknown genes) showed stage specific expression and were affected by methoprene, an insect growth regulator.
Species 1: Diptera Culicidae Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito)
Keywords: stage-specific genes, methoprene
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA