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Densoviruses for control and genetic manipulation of mosquitoes
Jonathan Carlson1, Erica Suchman, Leonid Buchatsky
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Abstract:
Mosquito densoviruses (MDV) are parvoviruses that replicate in the nuclei of mosquito cells and cause the characteristic nuclear hypertrophy (densonucleosis) that gives them their name. Several MDV that differ in pathogenicity both in vitro and in vivo have been isolated. MDV have a number of features that make them potentially attractive as biological control agents for mosquito-borne disease. They are nonenveloped and relatively stable in the environment. They are highly specific for mosquitoes and they infect and kill larvae in a dose dependent manner in the aqueous larval habitat. Infected larvae that survive to become adult mosquitoes exhibit a dose-dependent shortening of lifespan and many do not survive longer than the extrinsic incubation period for arboviruses. Thus they may have a significant impact on transmission of pathogens. Infected females can transmit the virus vertically by laying infected eggs in new oviposition sites. Studies on how MDV affect populations are relatively limited. Population cage studies suggest that they will persist and spread in populations and limited field studies have shown similar preimaginal mortality in wild populations to that seen in laboratory studies. The availability of infectious clones of MDV genomes allows the development of densovirus vectors for expressing genes of interest in mosquito cells and mosquitoes. Recently short hairpin RNA expression cassettes that induce RNA interference have been inserted into densovirus genomes. These expression cassettes should be useful for both research and disease-control applications.
Insights
Mosquito densoviruses (MDV) show promise for biological control of mosquito-borne diseases. These viruses infect mosquito larvae, reduce adult lifespan, and can be engineered for enhanced disease control applications.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Entomology
- Vector Biology
Background:
- Mosquito densoviruses (MDV) are parvoviruses replicating in mosquito cell nuclei, causing nuclear hypertrophy.
- Various MDV strains exhibit differing pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo.
- MDV possess characteristics suitable for biological control of mosquito-borne diseases, including environmental stability and high mosquito specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of Mosquito densoviruses (MDV) as biological control agents against mosquito-borne diseases.
- To investigate the impact of MDV on mosquito populations and pathogen transmission.
- To assess the utility of MDV as vectors for gene expression and RNA interference in mosquitoes.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of different MDV strains.
- In vitro and in vivo pathogenicity studies.
- Population cage studies and limited field trials to assess MDV persistence and spread.
- Development of infectious MDV clones for genetic engineering, including insertion of short hairpin RNA expression cassettes.
Main Results:
- MDV infect and kill mosquito larvae in a dose-dependent manner.
- Infected adult mosquitoes show reduced lifespan, potentially impacting pathogen transmission.
- MDV can be transmitted vertically from infected females to offspring.
- Population studies indicate MDV persistence and spread in mosquito populations.
- Engineered MDV expressing RNA interference cassettes show potential for research and disease control.
Conclusions:
- Mosquito densoviruses are effective agents for mosquito population control.
- MDV can significantly impact the transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens.
- Genetically modified MDV offer novel strategies for vector control and research applications.
