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Isolation and transcriptomic analysis of Anopheles gambiae oenocytes enables the delineation of hydrocarbon biosynthesis
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Isolation and transcriptomic analysis of Anopheles gambiae oenocytes enables the delineation of hydrocarbon biosynthesis
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Journal Article
Isolation and transcriptomic analysis of Anopheles gambiae oenocytes enables the delineation of hydrocarbon biosynthesis
2020
Overview
The surface of insects is coated in cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs); variations in the composition of this layer affect a range of traits including adaptation to arid environments and defence against pathogens and toxins. In the African malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae quantitative and qualitative variance in CHC composition have been associated with speciation, ecological habitat and insecticide resistance. Understanding how these modifications arise will inform us of how mosquitoes are responding to climate change and vector control interventions. CHCs are synthesised in sub-epidermal cells called oenocytes that are very difficult to isolate from surrounding tissues. Here we utilise a transgenic line with fluorescent oenocytes to purify these cells for the first time. Comparative transcriptomics revealed the enrichment of biological processes related to long chain fatty acyl-CoA biosynthesis and elongation of mono-, poly-unsaturated and saturated fatty acids and enabled us to delineate, and partially validate, the hydrocarbon biosynthetic pathway in An. gambiae. The bodies of insects are encased in an exoskeleton or cuticle that is key for their survival. The cuticle helps protect insects against damage, prevents water loss and can defend against pesticides. A better understanding of the role of the cuticle for survival in mosquitoes and other insects could lead to new ways to prevent the spread of diseases such as malaria. The cuticle is coated with various molecules from a group of chemicals called hydrocarbons. This coating is made by specialized cells called oenocytes and helps to protect insects. Hydrocarbons can also influence communications between certain insects by acting as recognition signals. In mosquitoes, oenocytes make several hydrocarbons using a set of processes that are not well understood, and the types of hydrocarbons they make can vary between individuals of the same species. It is unclear how this mixture of hydrocarbons is generated and how differences in the mixture can determine how mosquitoes adapt to their surroundings. Grigoraki et al. studied the genes that were active in isolated oenocytes from the mosquito Anopheles gambiae, which carries the parasite that causes malaria. The study revealed a set of genes which are highly active in oenocytes and control the production of fatty acids, a group of molecules used to make hydrocarbons. Other genes involved in creating hydrocarbons were also found. Grigoraki et al. further investigated a specific gene called FAS1899 and showed that loss of this gene reduces overall hydrocarbon production by 25%. Additionally, genes for transporting and recycling molecules and for producing fats were also shown to be active, which may indicate that oenocytes have a variety of unexplored roles besides making hydrocarbons. Grigoraki et al. identify the genes involved in producing the hydrocarbon coating of mosquitoes and demonstrate their significance. Further work is needed to understand the precise roles of each of these genes and how they are regulated to adapt the hydrocarbon coating to different situations. This can help explain how the hydrocarbon coating changes in mosquitoes, for example in response to the use of insecticides or climate change. This information is important to adapt and develop new tools to improve mosquito control.
Publisher
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd,eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
