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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Detecting Wolbachia Strain wAlbB in Aedes albopictus Cell Lines
Published on: June 1, 2022
Identification of AaCASPS7, an effector caspase in Aedes albopictus
Lingyan Feng1, Hao Liu1, Xiaomei Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Virology and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Aedes albopictus mosquito is a vector of various arboviruses and is becoming a significant threat to public health due to its rapid global expansion. Several reports suggest that apoptosis could be a factor limiting arbovirus infection in mosquitoes. Thus, it is significant to identify apoptosis pathway and study the correlation between apoptosis and virus infection in mosquitoes. Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death that plays a vital role in immunity, development, and tissue homeostasis. Caspases are a family of conserved proteases playing important roles in apoptosis. In this study, we identified Aedes albopictus AaCASPS7, a caspase shared high identity with dipteran insect drICE orthologs. Phylogenetic analysis showed the closest relative of AaCASPS7 was Aedes aegypti AeCASPS7. AaCASPS7 displayed several features that were typical of an effector caspase and showed significant activity to effector caspase substrates. Aacasps7 transcripts were expressed ubiquitously in developmental and adult stages in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Transient expression of AaCASPS7 induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in C6/36 cells. Taken together the above data, this study identified a novel caspase, AaCASPS7, which might function as an apoptotic caspase. Further study the function of AaCASPS7 would facilitate better understanding the apoptotic mechanism in Aedes albopictus mosquito.
Insights
This study identifies a novel caspase, AaCASPS7, in the Aedes albopictus mosquito. This finding advances understanding of programmed cell death pathways and their role in mosquito immunity against arboviruses.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Entomology
- Immunology
Background:
- Aedes albopictus mosquitoes transmit arboviruses, posing a public health risk.
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, may limit arbovirus infections in mosquitoes.
- Understanding apoptosis pathways is crucial for mosquito-borne disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a novel caspase in Aedes albopictus.
- To investigate the role of this caspase in apoptosis.
- To explore the potential link between apoptosis and arbovirus infection in mosquitoes.
Main Methods:
- Identification and phylogenetic analysis of the AaCASPS7 gene.
- Assessing AaCASPS7 activity using effector caspase substrates.
- Analyzing AaCASPS7 transcript expression across mosquito developmental stages.
- Inducing apoptosis via transient AaCASPS7 expression in mosquito cells.
Main Results:
- A novel caspase, AaCASPS7, was identified in Aedes albopictus, showing high identity to dipteran insect caspases.
- AaCASPS7 exhibits effector caspase characteristics and activity.
- AaCASPS7 transcripts are ubiquitously expressed in Aedes albopictus.
- Transient AaCASPS7 expression triggers caspase-dependent apoptosis in mosquito cells.
Conclusions:
- AaCASPS7 is a newly identified apoptotic caspase in Aedes albopictus.
- This caspase likely plays a role in programmed cell death in mosquitoes.
- Further research on AaCASPS7 function will enhance understanding of mosquito apoptosis mechanisms.
