[Effects of low temperature on trehalose and trehalase contents in Culex pipiens pallens].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of low temperature on trehalose and trehalase levels in Culex pipiens pallens. METHODS: The fourth instar larvae and female adult mosquitoes of Cx. pipiens pallens were exposed at 4 ℃ for 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 h and 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72 h, respectively. Then, the trehalose and trehalase contents were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in mosquitoes. RESULTS: The contents of trehalose and trehalase significantly increased in the larval and female adult mosquitoes post-exposure to low temperature. The changing trend of trehalose levels was consistent in the larval and female adult mosquitoes, and the highest levels were (2.458 8 ± 0.379 2) mg/g and (2.825 7 ± 0.211 1) mg/g 3 h post-exposure to low temperature, respectively. The trehalose and trehalase levels fluctuated greatly within the first 6 h post-exposure to low temperature. Following adaptation for a period of time, the trehalose and trehalase levels remained at a relatively high level. CONCLUSIONS: Low temperature may induce the production of trehalose and trehalase in Cx. pipiens pallens, and the trehalose and trehalase may play an important role in the improvement of the cold resistance.