Endogenous viral elements (EVEs) are viral sequences integrated in host genomes. A large number of non-retroviral EVEs was recently detected in Aedes mosquito genomes, leading to the hypothesis that mosquito EVEs may control exogenous infections by …
We developed an innovative genetic mapping strategy to survey G×G interactions using outbred mosquito families that were experimentally exposed to genetically distinct isolates of two dengue virus serotypes derived from human patients. Genetic loci associated with vector competence indices were detected in multiple regions of the mosquito genome. Importantly, correlation between genotype and phenotype was virus isolate-specific at several of these loci, indicating G×G interactions.
We participated to this study by illustrating the value of the new assembly (AaegL5) for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs). We used restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) markers to locate QTLs underlying dengue virus (DENV) vector competence.
We combined newly generated empirical measurements in vivo and outbreak simulations in silico to assess the epidemiological significance of genetic variation in dengue virus (DENV) transmission kinetics by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We used a logistic model with three-parameters to estimate intra-mosquito virus dynamics based on the cumulative proportion of mosquitoes experimentally exposed to DENV with a systemic (disseminated) infection over time.
We provide evidence that sex chromosomes in *Ae. aegypti* are genetically differentiated between males and females over a region much larger than the sex-determining region (SDR). Our linkage mapping intercrosses failed to detect recombination between X and Y chromosomes over a 123-Mbp region (40% of their physical length) containing the SDR. Sex-differentiated genomic region was associated with a significant excess of male-to-female heterozygosity and contained a small cluster of loci consistent with Y-specific null alleles.
Diseases caused by arthropod-borne viruses are a significant threat to the health of human and animal populations throughout the world. Better knowledge of the molecules synthesized in the salivary gland and saliva of hematophagous arthropods could …
Aedes aegypti is responsible for the transmission of arboviruses. The Yellow Fever, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses are transmitted to the vertebrate host by injection of infected saliva during the blood meal of its vectors. Saliva contains different …