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Mode of action of methoprene in affecting female reproduction in the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae
Author(s) -
Bai Hua,
Gelman Dale B,
Palli Subba R
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.1962
Subject(s) - methoprene , juvenile hormone , ecdysteroid , vitellogenin , vitellogenesis , biology , anopheles gambiae , 20 hydroxyecdysone , ecdysone , medicine , endocrinology , ecdysone receptor , metamorphosis , hormone , nuclear receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics , botany , oocyte , immunology , malaria , larva , embryo , transcription factor
BACKGROUND: One of the most studied actions of juvenile hormone (JH) is its ability to modulate ecdysteroid signaling during insect development and metamorphosis. Previous studies in mosquitoes showed that 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulates vitellogenin synthesis. However, the action of JH and its mimics, e.g. methoprene, on female reproduction of mosquitoes remains unknown. RESULTS: Here, a major malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae Giles, was used as a model insect to study the action of methoprene on female reproduction. Ecdysteroid titers and expression profiles of ecdysone‐regulated genes were determined before and after a blood meal. An ecdysteroid peak was detected at 12 h post blood meal (PBM). The maximum expression of ecdysone‐regulated genes, such as ecdysone receptor (EcR), hormone receptor 3 (HR3) and vitellogenin (Vg) gene, coincided with the ecdysteroid peak. Interestingly, topical application of methoprene at 6 h PBM delayed ovarian development and egg maturation by suppressing the expression of ecdysone‐regulated genes in female mosquitoes. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that ecdysteroid titers are correlated with Vg synthesis, and methoprene affects vitellogenesis by modulating ecdysteroid action in A. gambiae . Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry