Transcript profiling reveals mechanisms for lipid conservation during diapause in the mosquito, Aedes albopictus.

ABSTRACT: The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a medically important invasive species whose geographic distribution has expanded dramatically during the past 20 years, and one of the key elements of its success is its capacity to survive long distance transport as a diapausing pharate first instar larva, encased within the chorion of the egg. We report that pharate larvae entering diapause are larger and contain 30% more lipid than their nondiapausing counterparts. To improve our understanding of the molecular regulation of lipid metabolism during diapause, we assessed the relative mRNA abundance of 21 genes using qRT-PCR. Elevated expression of lipid storage droplet protein 2 during embryonic development likely contributes to the higher amounts of lipid we noted in diapausing individuals.

SUBMITTER: Reynolds JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3389261 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature