Molecular characterization of RNase III protein of Asaia sp. for developing a robust RNAi-based paratransgensis tool to affect the sexual life-cycle of Plasmodium or Anopheles fitness

Molecular identification of Phlebotomus kandelakii apyrase and assessment of the immunogenicity of its recombinant protein in BALB/c mice

Sand fly salivary proteins have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory features; hence, they are proven to perform important roles in the early establishment of Leishmania parasite in the vertebrate host. Among them, salivary apyrase with anti-hemostatic properties has a crucial role during the blood meal process. In the present study, a Genome-Walking method was used to characterize a full-length nucleotide sequence of Phlebotomus (P.) kandelakii apyrase (Pkapy). Bioinformatics analyses revealed that Pkapy is a ~ 36 kDa stable and hydrophilic protein that belongs to the Cimex family of apyrases. Moreover, recombinant proteins of Pkapy and P. papatasi apyrase (Ppapy) were over-expressed in Escherichia coli BL2 (DE3) and their antigenicity in BALB/c mice was evaluated. Dot-blot and ELISA results indicated that both recombinant apyrases could induce antibodies in BALB/c. Moreover, a partial cross-reactivity between Pkapy and Ppapy was found. In vitro stimulation of splenocytes from immunized mice with the recombinant proteins indicated cross-reactive T cell proliferative responses. Cytokine analysis revealed significant production of IFN-γ (p < 0.001) and IL-10 (p < 0.01) in response to Pkapy. In conclusion, the full-length nucleotide sequence and molecular characteristics of Pkapy were identified for the first time. Immunologic analyses indicated that Pkapy and Ppapy are immunogenic in BALB/c mice and show partial cross-reactive responses. The immunity to Pkapy was found to be a Th1-dominant response that highlights its potential as a component for an anti-Leishmania vaccine.

Overview of paratransgenesis as a strategy to control pathogen transmission by insect vectors

This article presents an overview of paratransgenesis as a strategy to control pathogen transmission by insect vectors. It first briefly summarises some of the disease-causing pathogens vectored by insects and emphasises the need for innovative control methods to counter the threat of resistance by both the vector insect to pesticides and the pathogens to therapeutic drugs. Subsequently, the state of art of paratransgenesis is described, which is a particularly ingenious method currently under development in many important vector insects that could provide an additional powerful tool for use in integrated pest control programmes. The requirements and recent advances of the paratransgenesis technique are detailed and an overview is given of the microorganisms selected for genetic modification, the effector molecules to be expressed and the environmental spread of the transgenic bacteria into wild insect populations. The results of experimental models of paratransgenesis developed with triatomines, mosquitoes, sandflies and tsetse flies are analysed. Finally, the regulatory and safety rules to be satisfied for the successful environmental release of the genetically engineered organisms produced in paratransgenesis are considered.

Molecular Characterization of a Vector-Based Candidate Antigen Using the 3'-RACE and Genome Walking Methods and In Silico Analysis of the Correspondent Protein for Vaccine Design and Development

The main objectives of developing vaccines to prevent malaria transmission are malaria control and preventing the reemergence of the disease in endemic regions. Molecular and in silico characterization of a candidate molecule is the first step in the vaccine design process. Determining the sequence and amplification of full-length cDNA copies from the mRNA transcripts is often challenging. The methods in this chapter provide a protocol for the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and genome walking. Carboxypeptidase B2 enzyme from A. stephensi (CPBAs-2) was selected as the target molecule and the steps in its characterization and in silico analysis are explained in this chapter.

Advances in the Development of Microbial Double-Stranded RNA Production Systems for Application of RNA Interference in Agricultural Pest Control

RNA interference (RNAi) is a valuable and revolutionary technology that has been widely applied in medicine and agriculture. The application of RNAi in various industries requires large amounts of low-cost double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Chemical synthesis can only produce short dsRNAs; long dsRNAs need to be synthesized biologically. Several microbial chassis cells, such as Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Bacillus species, have been used for dsRNA synthesis. However, the titer, rate of production, and yield of dsRNA obtained by these microorganism-based strategies is still low. In this review, we summarize advances in microbial dsRNA production, and analyze the merits and faults of different microbial dsRNA production systems. This review provides a guide for dsRNA production system selection. Future development of efficient microbial dsRNA production systems is also discussed.

Paratransgenic manipulation of a tsetse microRNA alters the physiological homeostasis of the fly's midgut environment

Tsetse flies are vectors of parasitic African trypanosomes, the etiological agents of human and animal African trypanosomoses. Current disease control methods include fly-repelling pesticides, fly trapping, and chemotherapeutic treatment of infected people and animals. Inhibiting tsetse's ability to transmit trypanosomes by strengthening the fly's natural barriers can serve as an alternative approach to reduce disease. The peritrophic matrix (PM) is a chitinous and proteinaceous barrier that lines the insect midgut and serves as a protective barrier that inhibits infection with pathogens. African trypanosomes must cross tsetse's PM in order to establish an infection in the fly, and PM structural integrity negatively correlates with trypanosome infection outcomes. Bloodstream form trypanosomes shed variant surface glycoproteins (VSG) into tsetse's gut lumen early during the infection establishment, and free VSG molecules are internalized by the fly's PM-producing cardia. This process results in a reduction in the expression of a tsetse microRNA (miR275) and a sequential molecular cascade that compromises PM integrity. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are critical in regulating many physiological processes. In the present study, we investigated the role(s) of tsetse miR275 by developing a paratransgenic expression system that employs tsetse's facultative bacterial endosymbiont, Sodalis glossinidius, to express tandem antagomir-275 repeats (or miR275 sponges). This system induces a constitutive, 40% reduction in miR275 transcript abundance in the fly's midgut and results in obstructed blood digestion (gut weights increased by 52%), a significant increase (p-value < 0.0001) in fly survival following infection with an entomopathogenic bacteria, and a 78% increase in trypanosome infection prevalence. RNA sequencing of cardia and midgut tissues from paratransgenic tsetse confirmed that miR275 regulates processes related to the expression of PM-associated proteins and digestive enzymes as well as genes that encode abundant secretory proteins. Our study demonstrates that paratransgenesis can be employed to study microRNA regulated pathways in arthropods that house symbiotic bacteria.

Culturable bacteria associated with Anopheles darlingi and their paratransgenesis potential

Background

Malaria remains a major public health problem in South America, mostly in the Amazon region. Among newly proposed ways of controlling malaria transmission to humans, paratransgenesis is a promising alternative. Paratransgenesis aims to inhibit the development of parasites within the vector through the action of genetically modified bacteria. The first step towards successful paratransgenesis in the Amazon is the identification of Anopheles darlingi symbiotic bacteria, which are transmitted vertically among mosquitoes, and are not pathogenic to humans.

Methods

Culturable bacteria associated with An. darlingi and their breeding sites were isolated by conventional microbiological techniques. Isolated strains were transformed with a GFP expressing plasmid, pSPT-1-GFP, and reintroduced in mosquitoes by feeding. Their survival and persistence in the next generation was assessed by the isolation of fluorescent bacteria from eggs, larvae, pupae and adult homogenates.

Results

A total of 179 bacterial strains were isolated from samples from two locations, Coari and Manaus. The predominant genera identified in this study were Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Serratia, Bacillus, Elizabethkingia, Stenotrophomonas and Pantoea. Two isolated strains, Serratia-Adu40 and Pantoea-Ovo3, were successfully transformed with the pSPT-1-GFP plasmid and expressed GFP. The fluorescent bacteria fed to adult females were transferred to their eggs, which persisted in larvae and throughout metamorphosis, and were detected in adult mosquitoes of the next generation.

Conclusion

Serratia-Adu40 and Pantoea-Ovo3 are promising candidates for paratransgenesis in An. darlingi. Further research is needed to determine if these bacteria are vertically transferred in nature.