Immune gene expression in the mosquito vector Culex quinquefasciatus during an avian malaria infection.

ABSTRACT: Plasmodium relictum is the most widespread avian malaria parasite in the world. It is listed as one of the 100 most dangerous invasive species, having been responsible for the extinction of several endemic bird species, and the near-demise of several others. Here we present the first transcriptomic study focused on the effect of P. relictum on the immune system of its vector (the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus) at different times post-infection. We show that over 50% of immune genes identified as being part of the Toll pathway and 30%-40% of the immune genes identified within the Imd pathway are overexpressed during the critical period spanning the parasite's oocyst and sporozoite formation (8-12 days), revealing the crucial role played by both these pathways in this natural mosquito-Plas

SUBMITTER: Garcia-Longoria L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10108303 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature