Temperature-dependent alternative splicing affects gene expression in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes midgut

Area of Science:

• Vector biology
• Molecular entomology
• Environmental toxicology

Background:

• Temperature is a critical abiotic factor influencing vector competence.
• Mosquitoes' immune and oxidative processes are temperature-sensitive.
• Limited understanding of temperature's role in mosquito-pathogen interactions via alternative splicing.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate temperature's impact on alternative splicing in the Aedes aegypti midgut.
• Identify temperature-sensitive genes with differential alternative splicing.
• Assess the role of Thioredoxin (TRX) and PGRP-LC in temperature-mediated mosquito responses.

Main Methods:

• Exposing adult female Aedes aegypti to varying temperatures (20°C, 28°C, 36°C).
• Analyzing gene expression and alternative splicing patterns in mosquito midguts.
• Experimental validation of differential splicing in key genes like TRX and PGRP-LC.

Main Results:

• Few genes showed differential alternative splicing between temperature conditions.
• Thioredoxin (TRX) exhibited temperature-dependent alternative splicing, particularly under warmer conditions.
• PGRP-LC did not show differential splicing across tested temperatures.

Conclusions:

• Temperature-induced alternative splicing, exemplified by TRX, can modify mosquito physiology.
• This highlights an understudied mechanism in mosquito-pathogen dynamics.
• Findings offer potential targets for controlling Zika transmission by Aedes aegypti.