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Use of a Recombinant Mosquito Densovirus As a Gene Delivery Vector for the Functional Analysis of Genes in Mosquito Larvae
Published on: October 6, 2017
Revised Annotation and Characterization of Novel Aedes albopictus miRNAs and Their Potential Functions in Dengue
Azali Azlan1, Muhammad Amir Yunus2, Mardani Abdul Halim3
1School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Abstract:
The Asian tiger mosquito, Ae. albopictus, is a highly invasive species that transmits several arboviruses including dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and chikungunya (CHIKV). Although several studies have identified microRNAs (miRNAs) in Ae. albopictus, it is crucial to extend and improve current annotations with both the newly improved genome assembly and the increased number of small RNA-sequencing data. We combined our high-depth sequence data and 26 public datasets to re-annotate Ae. albopictus miRNAs and found a total of 72 novel mature miRNAs. We discovered that the expression of novel miRNAs was lower than known miRNAs. Furthermore, compared to known miRNAs, novel miRNAs are prone to expression in a stage-specific manner. Upon DENV infection, a total of 44 novel miRNAs were differentially expressed, and target prediction analysis revealed that miRNA-target genes were involved in lipid metabolism and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. Taken together, the miRNA annotation profile provided here is the most comprehensive to date. We believed that this would facilitate future research in understanding virus-host interactions, particularly in the role of miRNAs.
Insights
This study identifies 72 new microRNAs (miRNAs) in the invasive Asian tiger mosquito, Ae. albopictus. These novel miRNAs show stage-specific expression and are involved in virus-host interactions.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Vector Biology
Background:
- The Asian tiger mosquito (Ae. albopictus) is a significant vector for arboviruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.
- Accurate microRNA (miRNA) annotation is essential for understanding virus transmission and host interactions.
- Existing miRNA annotations in Ae. albopictus require improvement using updated genomic data and extensive sequencing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-annotate microRNAs in Ae. albopictus using a new genome assembly and large-scale small RNA sequencing data.
- To identify novel mature miRNAs and characterize their expression patterns.
- To investigate the role of these miRNAs during dengue virus (DENV) infection.
Main Methods:
- Combined high-depth sequencing data with 26 public datasets for comprehensive miRNA re-annotation.
- Utilized bioinformatics tools for miRNA identification and differential expression analysis.
- Performed target prediction analysis to identify genes regulated by novel miRNAs.
Main Results:
- Identified a total of 72 novel mature miRNAs in Ae. albopictus.
- Observed lower expression levels for novel miRNAs compared to known miRNAs.
- Found that novel miRNAs exhibit stage-specific expression patterns.
- Detected differential expression of 44 novel miRNAs upon DENV infection.
- Predicted miRNA targets involved in lipid metabolism and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Conclusions:
- The study provides the most comprehensive miRNA annotation profile for Ae. albopictus to date.
- Novel miRNAs play a role in stage-specific processes and respond to DENV infection.
- This enhanced miRNA annotation will advance research into arbovirus transmission and vector-host interactions.
