The World Health Organization estimates that vector-borne diseases account for 17% of the global burden of all infectious diseases and has identified the mosquito as the most dangerous of all disease-transmitting insects, being responsible for several million deaths and hundreds of millions of cases each year. The study of mosquito genomics provides a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in every aspect of vector biology, such as sex determination, host-parasite interaction, ecology, feeding behavior, immunity and evolutionary trends and can be used for the development of new strategies for vector control.
We developed the first map of the mitotic chromosomes of the major vector for West Nile fever and lymphatic filariasis, Culex quinquefasciatus. The map was then successfully utilized for mapping of approximately 90% of available genetic markers to their precise positions on the chromosomes. Idiograms were integrated with 140 genetic supercontigs representing 26.5% of the genome. A linear regression analysis demonstrated good overall correlation between the positioning of markers on physical and genetic linkage maps. This will improve gene annotation and help in distinguishing potential haplotype scaffolds and regions of segmental duplications. It will also facilitate identification of epidemiologically important genes that can be used as targets for the vector control and provide a better framework for comparative genomics that will help understanding of the evolution of epidemiologically important traits.
In another study, we confirmed the presence of the newly described species, Anopheles daciae, in regions of Russia using molecular data. Although sympatric with its sibling species, Anopheles messeae, five nucleotide substitutions in the internal transcribed spacer 2 of ribosomal DNA can be used to distinguish the morphologically similar species. Chromosome rearrangements have a significant impact on mosquito adaptation and speciation. Using sequencing data in combination with karyotyping, we demonstrated that significant differences in inversion frequencies distinguish An. messeae from An. daciae, suggesting that these inversions are actively involved in adaptation and speciation. It is essential to have reliable toolbox for correct identification of these species and to know their range for future possible malaria outbreaks prevention. / Ph. D. / The more you study, the more you know The more you know, the more you forget The more you forget, the less you know So why study?
According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes are one of the deadliest animals in the world. They spread disease to humans resulting in hundreds of millions of illnesses and several million deaths every year. Study of the mosquito genome can help us understand vector biology and speciation and can be used to develop new strategies for vector control.
Culex quinquefasciatus, the southern house mosquito, is one of the major vectors for the West Nile virus in the U.S. and for lymphatic filariasis, a disabling and disfiguring disease, worldwide. The traditional methods of control are of limited effectiveness because of high insecticide resistance in many populations of the mosquito. To enhance our resources for the control strategies, we developed physical maps of the chromosomes for this mosquito and effectively integrated it with available genetic linkage map. This work will help to identify epidemiologically important genes that can be used as targets for the vector control.
Malaria vectors, mosquitoes from the genus Anopheles, are known for their ecological plasticity, which can be partially explained by chromosome rearrangements called inversion. A global malaria eradication program significantly reduced the number of deaths related to malaria, especially in Europe and the U.S. However, malaria outbreaks can occur anywhere competent vectors occur. We studied Anopheles messeae, one of the major European malaria vectors and its closely related species, Anopheles danciae. We report for the first time the presence of An. daciae in Russia and demonstrate that its distribution overlaps with that of An. messeae. Using genetic sequence data in combination with chromosome structure, we demonstrated that significant differences in inversion frequencies reliably distinguish An. messeae from An. daciae. These inversions may be involved in adaptation and speciation of these two species. It is essential to have reliable toolbox for correct identification of these species and to know their range for future possible malaria outbreaks prevention.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/78251 |
| Date | 23 June 2017 |
| Creators | Naumenko, Anastasia Nikolayevna |
| Contributors | Entomology, Paulson, Sally L., Cimini, Daniela, Marek, Paul E., Tu, Zhijian Jake, Onufrieva, Ksenia S. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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