Different mosquito species host Wickerhamomyces anomalus (Pichia anomala): perspectives on vector-borne diseases symbiotic control.
The genetic manipulation of the microbial community associated with hematophagus insects is particularly relevant for public health applications. Within mosquito populations, this relationship has been overlooked until recently. New advances in molecular biotechnology propose the genetic manipulation of mosquito symbionts to prevent the transmission of pathogens to humans by interfering with the obligatory life cycle stages within the insect through the use of effector molecules. This approach, defined as 'paratransgenesis', has opened the way for the investigation and characterization of microbes residing in the mosquito body, particularly those localised within the gut. Some interesting bacteria have been identified as candidates for genetic modification, however, endosymbiotic yeasts remain largely unexplored with little information on the symbiotic relationships to date. Here we review the recent report of symbiotic relationship between Wickerhamomyces anomalus (Pichia anomala) and several mosquito vector species as promising methods to implement control of mosquito-borne diseases.
Scuola di Bioscienze e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
Irene
I
Ricci
Michela
M
Mosca
Matteo
M
Valzano
Claudia
C
Damiani
Patrizia
P
Scuppa
Paolo
P
Rossi
Elena
E
Crotti
Alessia
A
Cappelli
Ulisse
U
Ulissi
Aida
A
Capone
Fulvio
F
Esposito
Alberto
A
Alma
Mauro
M
Mandrioli
Luciano
L
Sacchi
Claudio
C
Bandi
Daniele
D
Daffonchio
Guido
G
Favia
D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D004718:Saccharomycetales / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D013559:Symbiosis