GSE160498
Ae. aegypti dyspepsia (AAEL000471) is involved in mosquito iron homeostasis and is critical for reproductive fitness
As a key vector for the major arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya, control of Aedes aegypti represents a major challenge in public health. Bloodmeal acquisition is necessary for the reproduction of vector mosquitoes and pathogen transmission. Blood contains potentially toxic amounts of iron while it provides nutrients for mosquito offspring; disruption of iron homeostasis in the mosquito may therefore lead to a novel control strategies. We previously described a potential iron exporter in Ae. aegypti after a targeted functional screen of ZIP and ZnT family genes. In this study, we performed an RNAseq-based screen in an Ae. aegypti cell line cultured under iron-deficient and iron-excess conditions. A subset of differentially expressed genes were analyzed via a cytosolic iron-sensitive dual-luciferase reporter assay with several gene candidates potentially involved in iron transport. In vivo gene silencing resulted in significant reduction of fecundity (egg number) and fertility (hatch rate) for one gene, AAEL000471. Consistent with a role in iron homeostasis, ferritin expression in the midgut was reduced upon silencing of AAEL000471. Silencing of AAEL000471 also resulted in delayed/impaired excretion and digestion. Together these studies increase our understanding of gene regulatory networks controlling iron homeostasis in bloodfeeding mosquitoes, and suggest new targets for vector control based on the disruption of this critical process. Overall design: 9 samples, 3 replicates of each type of sample.  The cL15 without FBS sample is the reference sample