Characterization of essential eggshell proteins from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

摘要: Up to 40% of the world population now live in areas where dengue mosquito vectors coexist with humans. Aedes aegypti are for zoonotic diseases that affect hundreds millions individuals per year globally. We recently identified eggshell organizing factor 1 (EOF1) protein using systematic RNA interference (RNAi) screening lineage-specific genes. It was shown eggs deposited by RNAi-EOF1 A. and albopictus mosquitoes were non-melanized, fragile, contained nonviable embryos. Motivated this discovery, we performed RNAi proteins determine putative downstream target intracellular EOF1. several as essential formation characterized their phenotypes detail molecular biochemical approaches. found Nasrat, Closca, Polehole structural proteins, together Nudel serine protease, indispensable melanization egg viability. While all four predominantly expressed ovaries adult females, mRNA expression is highly upregulated response blood feeding. Furthermore, secreted enzymes important factors controlling processes melanization. These included three dopachrome converting one cysteine protease. All eight required intact formation. However, surface topologies did not phenocopy effect RNAi-EOF1. Still, it remains unclear how EOF1 influences The use proteomic analysis from assisted identification additional could be regulated deficient eggshells.