1
|
Trzebny A, Taylor AD, Herren JK, Björkroth JK, Jedut S, Dabert M. Microsporidian infection of mosquito larvae changes the host-associated microbiome towards the synthesis of antimicrobial factors. Parasit Vectors 2025; 18:178. [PMID: 40382661 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-025-06813-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2025] [Accepted: 04/23/2025] [Indexed: 05/20/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsporidians (Microsporidia) are a group of obligate intracellular parasites that commonly infect mosquitoes. Recently, it has been shown that infection by these parasites can alter the composition and functionality of the mosquito-associated microbiome. The host-associated microbiome of the mosquito can play a pivotal role in various physiological processes of this host, including its vector competence for pathogens. Thus, understanding how microsporidians shape the mosquito microbiome may be crucial for elucidating interactions between these parasites and their mosquito hosts, which are also vectors for other parasites and pathogens. METHODS The effects of microsporidian infection on the microbiome structure and functionality of Culex pipiens and Culex torrentium larvae under semi-natural conditions were examined. The host-associated microbiome of Cx. pipiens (n = 498) and Cx. torrentium (n = 465) larvae, including that of the 97 infected individuals of these samples, was analysed using 16S DNA profiling and functional prediction analysis. RESULTS Microbiome network analysis revealed that, in the microsporidian-positive larvae, host microbial communities consistently grouped within a common bacterial module that included Aerococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Microbacteriaceae, Myxococcaceae, and Polyangiaceae. Indicator species analysis revealed two strong positive correlations between microsporidian infection and the presence of Weissella cf. viridescens and Wolbachia pipientis. Functional predictions of microbiome content showed enrichment in biosynthetic pathways for ansamycin and vancomycin antibiotic groups in infected larvae. Furthermore, the MexJK-OprM multidrug-resistance module was exclusively present in the infected larvae, while carbapenem- and vancomycin-resistance modules were specific to the microsporidian-free larvae. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that microsporidian infection alters the microbial community composition in mosquito larvae. Moreover, they show that microsporidian infection can increase the antimicrobial capabilities of the host-associated microbiome. These results provide novel insights into host microbiome-parasite interactions and have potential implications for the vector competencies of mosquitoes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Artur Trzebny
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Abigail D Taylor
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Jeremy K Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Johanna K Björkroth
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sylwia Jedut
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Miroslawa Dabert
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pu Q, Han Y, Su Z, Ren H, Ou Q, Kashyap S, Liu S. Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase Modulates Midgut Physiology in Aedes aegypti Through miRNA Regulation: Insights from Small RNA Sequencing and Gene Expression Analysis. Biomolecules 2025; 15:644. [PMID: 40427537 PMCID: PMC12108651 DOI: 10.3390/biom15050644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2025] [Revised: 04/25/2025] [Accepted: 04/27/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are critical vectors of arboviruses, responsible for transmitting pathogens that pose significant public health challenges. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), a key enzyme in one-carbon metabolism, plays a vital role in various biological processes, including DNA synthesis, energy metabolism, and cell proliferation. Although SHMT is expressed at low levels in the midgut of Aedes aegypti, its silencing has been shown to inhibit blood meal digestion. The precise mechanisms by which SHMT regulates midgut physiology in mosquitoes remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed small RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) following SHMT downregulation. We focused on a subset of DEMs-miR-2940-5p, miR-2940-3p, miR-2941, and miR-306-5p-to explore their potential biological functions. To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the miRNA response to SHMT downregulation, we analyzed the expression levels of key genes involved in the miRNA biogenesis pathway. Our results demonstrated that several critical enzymes, including Drosha, Dicer1, and AGO1, exhibited significant changes in expression upon SHMT silencing. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms through which SHMT influences the biological functions and nutritional metabolism of the mosquito midgut. By linking SHMT activity to miRNA regulation, our findings highlight a potential pathway by which SHMT modulates midgut physiology, offering a foundation for future research into mosquito biology and vector control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shiping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Q.P.); (Y.H.); (Z.S.); (H.R.); (Q.O.); (S.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ren H, Pu Q, Yang X, Kashyap S, Liu S. Regulatory mechanisms of nitrogen homeostasis in insect growth and development. INSECT SCIENCE 2025. [PMID: 40287858 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.70059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2025] [Accepted: 03/25/2025] [Indexed: 04/29/2025]
Abstract
Nitrogen is an essential element for the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and various other critical biological molecules in insects. The maintenance of nitrogen homeostasis in insects is achieved through a balance of dietary intake, metabolic conversion, and excretion. Insects primarily acquire nitrogen from their diet, which is subsequently metabolized into amino acids, proteins, and other vital biomolecules following digestion and absorption. Excess nitrogen is excreted in forms such as uric acid, allantoin, allantoic acid, urea, and ammonia. Disruptions in nitrogen regulation can result in ammonia toxicity and abnormal production or excretion of nitrogenous metabolites, including uric acid, ultimately impairing insect development and survival. This review examines the mechanisms underlying nitrogen homeostasis in insects, with a focus on the intricate regulatory roles of carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, uric acid metabolism, urea and polyamine metabolism, ammonia transport pathways, and symbiotic interactions. By elucidating these processes, this review aims to enhance our understanding of insect nutritional metabolism and developmental biology, while offering novel perspectives for the development of more effective pest management strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Houming Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaolin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Symphony Kashyap
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shiping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bhattacharyya J, Roelke DL. Wolbachia-based mosquito control: Environmental perspectives on population suppression and replacement strategies. Acta Trop 2025; 262:107517. [PMID: 39740726 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107517] [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: 08/15/2024] [Revised: 12/27/2024] [Accepted: 12/28/2024] [Indexed: 01/02/2025]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant threat to global health, and traditional mosquito control methods often fall short of effectiveness. A promising alternative is the biological control strategy of transinfecting mosquitoes with Wolbachia, a bacterium capable of outcompeting harmful pathogens and reducing the ability of mosquitoes to transmit diseases. However, Wolbachia infections are sensitive to abiotic environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, which can affect their densities in mosquitoes and, consequently, their ability to block pathogens. This review evaluates the effectiveness of different Wolbachia strains transinfected into mosquitoes in reducing mosquito-borne diseases. It explores how Wolbachia contributes to mosquito population control and pathogen interference, highlighting the importance of mathematical models in understanding Wolbachia transmission dynamics. Additionally, the review addresses the potential impact on arboviral transmission and the challenges posed by environmental fluctuations in mosquito control programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joydeb Bhattacharyya
- Department of Mathematics, Karimpur Pannadevi College, Nadia, West Bengal 741152, India.
| | - Daniel L Roelke
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu Y, Huang Y, Li R, Miao C, He Y, Xu C, Zhu X, Li B, Wu R, Zhao Q, Wen Y, Huang X, Yan QG, Lang YF, Zhao S, Wang Y, Hu Y, Cao SJ, Du S. The Japanese encephalitis virus NS1' protein facilitates virus infection in mosquitoes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2025; 19:e0012823. [PMID: 39869646 PMCID: PMC11781682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2025] [Accepted: 01/05/2025] [Indexed: 01/29/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is known for its capacity to cause severe neurological disease in Asia. Neurotropic flaviviruses within the Japanese encephalitis (JE) serogroup possess the distinctive feature of expressing a unique nonstructural protein, NS1'. The NS1' protein consists of the full NS1 protein with an additional 52 amino acid extension at the C-terminus and has been demonstrated to exhibit virulence in mammalian hosts upon infection. However, the precise role of the NS1' protein in the mosquito vectors has yet to be elucidated. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In this study, an NS1'-defective virus (rG66A) was engineered, and its effect on the infection of mosquito cells was investigated. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the infectivity of the rG66A virus in mosquito cells by RT-qPCR, indicating that the absence of the NS1' protein impedes JEV replication in Culex mosquitoes. Additionally, this research elucidated the underlying mechanism by which the NS1' protein enhances viral infection in mosquitoes by RNA-Seq analysis. Specifically, the NS1' protein was found to facilitate infection through the suppression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) regulated by the Toll pathway. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our research demonstrated that the JEV NS1' protein contributes to immune escape, thereby enhancing viral infection in mosquitoes. This finding offers new insights into the transmission mechanisms of JEV, elucidating novel aspects of viral propagation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Liu
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yutian Huang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruidong Li
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chang Miao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi He
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Changhao Xu
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xi Zhu
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bowen Li
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Wu
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station for Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station for Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiping Wen
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station for Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaobo Huang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station for Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi-gui Yan
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station for Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi-fei Lang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station for Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shan Zhao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station for Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiping Wang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station for Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yajie Hu
- Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, China
| | - San-jie Cao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station for Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Senyan Du
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station for Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|