Investigation on the functionality of genes of pathogen-vectors mosquitoes
| Grant number: | 12/17717-2 |
| Support type: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate |
| Effective date (Start): | March 01, 2013 |
| Effective date (End): | February 29, 2016 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Parasitology |
| Principal Investigator: | Lincoln Suesdek Rocha |
| Grantee: | Fábio de Almeida |
| Home Institution: | Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
Abstract Follicular atresia (FA) is a common process, well documented in mammals, similar to apoptosis which degenerates follicles with flaw development. In mosquitoes this process occurs on both pre-vitellogenic and vitellogenic phases, which has direct influence on the amount of eggs laid. Culex quinquefasciatus is a mosquito responsible for transmission of filariasis and West Nile Virus in many countries in the world. Despite reproduction is a central issue, there is little knowledge about the process of ovarian FA in this insect. Studies have shown that in addition to intrinsic factors, infection by some pathogens may increase the amount of apoptotic cells and FA in mosquitoes. Wolbachia is an alpha-proteobacterium gram-negative, obligate intracellular symbiont, maternally inherited and found mostly in reproductive tissues of many arthropods and nematodes. This infection can cause differences in reproductive fitness (fecundity and fertility), induce parthenogenesis, male-killing, feminization of genetic males and cytoplasmic incompatibility. Our previous studies have shown that Culex quinquefasciatus uninfected with Wolbachia laid a greater quantity of eggs with highest viability, however require more time after blood meal to lay their eggs. In view of the fact that infected mosquitoes laid fewer eggs and require a shorter developmental time, we hypothesized that FA occurs differently in infected and uninfected mosquitoes. In addition to that, follicular atresia has not been well studied in Culex quinquefasciatus and the relationship of this with the presence of Wolbachia was never connected. The aim of this project is to compare the differences on ovarian development between adults of Cx quinquefasciatus infected and uninfected with Wolbachia, emphasizing the follicular atresia in pre-vitellogenic and vitellogenic phases. (AU) | |