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Updated: Dec 18, 2025
An Experimental and Bioinformatics Protocol for RNA-seq Analyses of Photoperiodic Diapause in the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus
Published on: November 30, 2014
DNA synthesis increases during the first hours post-emergence in Anopheles albimanus mosquito midgut
Krystal Maya-Maldonado1, Victor Cardoso-Jaime1, Salvador Hernández-Martínez2
1Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular. Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, CP 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico; Centro de Investigaciones sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas. Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública. Av. Universidad 655, CP 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
Abstract:
In hematophagous insects, the midgut is a fundamental barrier against infections and limits the development and transmission of pathogens. However, in mosquitoes, cell differentiation, proliferation, and cell cycle process in the midgut have not been characterized. Here we provide evidence of how cell cycle progression occurs in the newly emerged Anopheles albimanus mosquito midgut and describing cyclins expression as mediators of the cell cycle. The cell cycle at different post-emergence times was evaluated in disaggregated cells from midgut tissue using flow cytometry. Also, cyclins A, B, and E were identified by bioinformatics tools. These cyclins were used to analyze cell cycle progression. Flow cytometry data and the expression-pattern of the cyclins by qRT-PCR supported a polyploidy process, besides mitosis marker was marginally detected and only in newly emerged mosquitoes. Our results suggest that DNA increment in midguts occurs by polyploidy during the first hours post-emergence.
Insights
Mosquito midgut cell cycle progression involves polyploidy, not mitosis, in newly emerged Anopheles albimanus. Cyclin expression patterns support this DNA replication process during early adult life stages.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The mosquito midgut acts as a crucial barrier against pathogen development and transmission.
- Cellular processes like differentiation, proliferation, and cell cycle regulation in the mosquito midgut remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize cell cycle progression in the newly emerged Anopheles albimanus mosquito midgut.
- To investigate the role of cyclins as mediators of the cell cycle in this context.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell cycle progression at various post-emergence times.
- Bioinformatics tools identified cyclins A, B, and E.
- Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analyzed cyclin expression patterns.
Main Results:
- Flow cytometry data and cyclin expression patterns indicated a polyploidy process.
- Mitosis markers were detected only marginally in newly emerged mosquitoes.
- DNA increment in midguts appears to occur via polyploidy in the initial hours post-emergence.
Conclusions:
- Anopheles albimanus midgut cell proliferation primarily relies on polyploidy rather than mitosis shortly after emergence.
- Cyclins A, B, and E are key regulators involved in this polyploidization process.
- Understanding these mechanisms is vital for controlling mosquito-borne diseases.
