A salivary factor binds a cuticular protein and modulates biting by inducing morphological changes in the mosquito labrum.
Curr Biol
; 32(16): 3493-3504.e11, 2022 08 22.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35835123
ABSTRACT
The mosquito proboscis is an efficient microelectromechanical system, which allows the insect to feed on vertebrate blood quickly and painlessly. Its efficiency is further enhanced by the insect saliva, although through unclear mechanisms. Here, we describe the initial trigger of an unprecedented feedback signaling pathway in Aedes mosquitoes affecting feeding behavior. We identified LIPS proteins in the saliva of Aedes mosquitoes that promote feeding in the vertebrate skin. LIPS show a new all-helical protein fold constituted by two domains. The N-terminal domain interacts with a cuticular protein (Cp19) located at the tip of the mosquito labrum. Upon interaction, the morphology of the labral cuticle changes, and this modification is most likely sensed by proprioceptive neurons. Our study identifies an additional role of mosquito saliva and underlines that the external cuticle is a possible site of key molecular interactions affecting the insect biology and its vector competence.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Aedes
/
Mosquitos Vectores
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Curr Biol
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article