C-Type Lectins Link Immunological and Reproductive Processes in Aedes aegypti.

ABSTRACT: Physiological trade-offs between mosquito immune response and reproductive capability can arise due to insufficient resource availability. C-type lectin family members may be involved in these processes. We established a GCTL-3^-/- mutant Aedes aegypti using CRISPR/Cas9 to investigate the role of GCTL-3 in balancing the costs associated with immune responses to arboviral infection and reproduction. GCTL-3^-/- mutants showed significantly reduced DENV-2 infection rate and gut commensal microbiota populations, as well as upregulated JAK/STAT, IMD, Toll, and AMPs immunological pathways. Mutants also had significantly shorter lifespans than controls and laid fewer eggs due to defective germ line development. dsRNA knock-down of Attacin and Gambicin, two targets of the AMPs

SUBMITTER: Li HH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7481239 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature