Anopheles coluzzii stearoyl-CoA desaturase is essential for adult female survival and reproduction upon blood feeding

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009486
• Publication Date: 2021-05-20T18:07:19Z
• Authors: Zannatul Ferdous; Silke Fuchs; Volker Behrends; Nikolaos Trasanidis; Robert M. Waterhouse; Dina Vlachou; George K. Christo...
• Keywords: Lipid droplet

Vitellogenesis and oocyte maturation require anautogenous female Anopheles mosquitoes to obtain a bloodmeal from vertebrate host. The is rich in proteins that are readily broken down into amino acids the midgut lumen absorbed by epithelial cells where they converted lipids then transported other tissues including ovaries. stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) plays pivotal role this process converting saturated (SFAs) unsaturated (UFAs) fatty acids; latter being essential for maintaining cell membrane fluidity amongst housekeeping functions. Here, we report functional phenotypic characterization of SCD1 malaria vector mosquito coluzzii . We show RNA interference (RNAi) silencing administration sterculic acid (SA), small molecule inhibitor SCD1, significantly impact on survival reproduction following blood feeding. Microscopic observations reveal thorax quickly filled with blood, phenomenon likely caused collapse membranes, depleted lipid droplets oocytes fail mature. Transcriptional profiling shows genes involved protein, carbohydrate metabolism immunity-related most affected knock (KD) blood-fed mosquitoes. Metabolic reveals these exhibit increased amounts TCA cycle intermediates, highlighting biochemical framework which KD phenotype manifests as result detrimental metabolic syndrome. Accumulation SFAs also cause potent immune response observed absence infection, resembles an auto-inflammatory condition. These data provide insights homeostasis could inform efforts develop novel interventions against mosquito-borne diseases.