Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026
07:49
Novel Whole-tissue Quantitative Assay of Nitric Oxide Levels in Drosophila Neuroinflammatory Response
Published on: December 4, 2013
8.3K
In mosquitoes, warmer temperature reverses the aging-dependent decrease in nitric oxide synthase activity, modifying
Lindsay E Martin1, Norbu Y Shastri1, Tania Y Estévez-Lao1
1Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America.
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|January 22, 2026
Summary
Warmer temperatures accelerate mosquito aging and immune decline by increasing oxidative stress. This study reveals how temperature and age interact to affect nitric oxide production and immune gene expression in mosquitoes.
Area of Science:
- Mosquito immunology
- Oxidative stress research
- Aging biology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) are crucial in mosquito immunity, metabolism, and homeostasis.
- Imbalances in ROS/RNS lead to oxidative stress, impacting mosquito health.
- Warmer temperatures are known to accelerate age-dependent immune weakening in mosquitoes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactive effects of temperature and aging on ROS/RNS production, nitric oxide (NO) levels, and their consequences in Anopheles gambiae.
- To understand how these factors influence immune gene expression and overall mosquito senescence.
Main Methods:
- Mosquitoes (Anopheles gambiae) were reared at different temperatures (27°C, 30°C, 32°C) and assessed at various adult ages (1, 5, 10, 15 days).
- NADPH diaphorase staining was used to measure nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity.
- RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data mining was employed to analyze gene expression.
- Nitric oxide production was experimentally manipulated.
Main Results:
- Warmer temperatures increased NOS activity in infected mosquitoes, while aging decreased it.
- At later aging stages, warmer temperatures reversed the age-related decline in NOS activity.
- Gene expression analysis showed interactive effects of temperature and aging on NOS and JNK expression.
- Expression of antimicrobial effector genes and superoxide detoxification genes decreased, while hydrogen peroxide detoxification genes increased under combined stress.
- Nitric oxide manipulation altered immune gene expression in a temperature- and age-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Temperature and aging interact to modulate oxidative stress pathways in mosquitoes.
- Heightened oxidative stress, exacerbated by warmer temperatures, appears to accelerate mosquito senescence.
- These findings provide insights into the complex interplay between environmental factors, aging, and immunity in insect vectors.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
6.2K
Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure...
6.2K
03:14Oxidation Numbers
42.3K
In redox reactions, the transfer of electrons occurs between reacting species. Electron transfer is described by a hypothetical number called the oxidation number (or oxidation state). It represents the effective charge of an atom or element, which is assigned using a set of rules.
42.3K
01:15Pyruvate Oxidation
168.5K
After glycolysis, the charged pyruvate molecules enter the mitochondria via active transport and undergo three enzymatic reactions. These reactions ensure that pyruvate can enter the next metabolic pathway so that energy stored in the pyruvate molecules can be harnessed by the cells.
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
168.5K
03:11Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
75.2K
Oxidation–Reduction Reactions
75.2K
01:29Decreased Body Temperature
1.0K
A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by...
1.0K
02:55Temperature Dependence on Reaction Rate
88.6K
The Collision Theory
Atoms, molecules, or ions must collide before they can react with each other. Atoms must be close together to form chemical bonds. This premise is the basis for a theory that explains many observations regarding chemical kinetics, including factors affecting reaction rates.
The collision theory is based on the postulates that (i) the reaction rate is proportional to the rate of reactant collisions, (ii) the reacting species collide in an orientation allowing contact between...
Atoms, molecules, or ions must collide before they can react with each other. Atoms must be close together to form chemical bonds. This premise is the basis for a theory that explains many observations regarding chemical kinetics, including factors affecting reaction rates.
The collision theory is based on the postulates that (i) the reaction rate is proportional to the rate of reactant collisions, (ii) the reacting species collide in an orientation allowing contact between...
88.6K