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Updated: May 12, 2026
Fat Body Organ Culture System in Aedes Aegypti, a Vector of Zika Virus
Published on: August 19, 2017
Proteomic biomarkers for ageing the mosquito Aedes aegypti to determine risk of pathogen transmission
Leon E Hugo1, James Monkman, Keyur A Dave
1Mosquito Control Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Leon.Hugo@qimr.edu.au
Abstract:
Biomarkers of the age of mosquitoes are required to determine the risk of transmission of various pathogens as each pathogen undergoes a period of extrinsic incubation in the mosquito host. Using the 2-D Difference Gel Electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) procedure, we investigated the abundance of up to 898 proteins from the Yellow Fever and dengue virus vector, Aedes aegypti, during ageing. By applying a mixed-effects model of protein expression, we identified five common patterns of abundance change during ageing and demonstrated an age-related decrease in variance for four of these. This supported a search for specific proteins with abundance changes that remain tightly associated with ageing for use as ageing biomarkers. Using MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry we identified ten candidate proteins that satisfied strict biomarker discovery criteria (identified in two out of three multivariate analysis procedures and in two cohorts of mosquitoes). We validated the abundances of the four most suitable candidates (Actin depolymerising factor; ADF, Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A; eIF5A, insect cuticle protein Q17LN8, and Anterior fat body protein; AFP) using semi-quantitative Western analysis of individual mosquitoes of six ages. The redox-response protein Manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) and electron shuttling protein Electron transfer oxidoreductase (ETO) were subject to post-translational modifications affecting their charge states with potential effects on function. For the four candidates we show remarkably consistent decreases in abundance during ageing, validating initial selections. In particular, the abundance of AFP is an ideal biomarker candidate for whether a female mosquito has lived long enough to be capable of dengue virus transmission. We have demonstrated proteins to be a suitable class of ageing biomarkers in mosquitoes and have identified candidates for epidemiological studies of dengue and the evaluation of new disease reduction projects targeting mosquito longevity.
Insights
Researchers identified specific mosquito proteins that change in abundance with age, serving as reliable biomarkers. Anterior fat body protein (AFP) is particularly promising for predicting dengue virus transmission risk in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Area of Science:
- Mosquito biology
- Proteomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Accurate mosquito age determination is crucial for assessing pathogen transmission risk.
- Mosquitoes, like Aedes aegypti, are vectors for significant diseases such as dengue and Yellow Fever.
- Understanding mosquito aging is key to controlling disease spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and validate protein biomarkers for mosquito aging.
- To assess the potential of these biomarkers for predicting pathogen transmission capability.
- To evaluate mosquito longevity in relation to disease control strategies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2-D Difference Gel Electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) to analyze protein abundance in Aedes aegypti.
- Applied mixed-effects modeling to identify age-related protein expression patterns.
- Employed MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and semi-quantitative Western analysis for protein identification and validation.
Main Results:
- Identified five common protein abundance patterns during mosquito aging, with four showing decreased variance.
- Discovered ten candidate proteins meeting strict biomarker criteria, including Actin depolymerising factor (ADF), Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A), and Anterior fat body protein (AFP).
- Validated consistent age-related abundance decreases for four candidate proteins, with AFP showing strong potential for predicting dengue transmission capability.
Conclusions:
- Proteins are suitable biomarkers for mosquito aging.
- Identified candidate proteins, especially AFP, can aid epidemiological studies of dengue.
- These biomarkers can support the evaluation of mosquito longevity-focused disease reduction projects.
