Dataset Information

Identification and characterization of an odorant receptor from the West Nile virus mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus.

ABSTRACT: Members of the Culex pipens mosquito group including C. quinquefasciatus are responsible for the transmission of Bancroftian filarisis as well as West Nile Virus (WNV) in the United States. As is the case for other mosquitoes, the host preference of this disease vector relies on olfaction and accordingly mediated via G-protein coupled signal transduction pathways. Here, we identify and characterize CqOR7, the first candidate member of the odorant receptor gene family from C. quinquefasciatus. CqOR7 displays extremely high primary amino acid conservation with other apparent orthologs including AaOR7, from the Dengue virus vector mosquito Aedes aegypti, AgOR7 from the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae and DOr83b from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster that form an essential non-conventional odorant receptor sub-family. CqOR7 transcripts can be detected in adult chemosensory tissues and during several pre-adult stages of C. quinquefasciatus, and the CqOR7 protein is localized to characteristic olfactory tissues such as the antennae and maxillary palps as well as the proboscis, a typically gustatory appendage. These results suggest that CqOR7 and its orthologs are likely to play a role in the chemosensory processes of Culicine and other mosquitoes that underlie their vectorial capacity.

SUBMITTER: Xia Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3100213 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Identification and characterization of an odorant receptor from the West Nile virus mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus.

Xia Yuanfeng Y Zwiebel Laurence J LJ

Insect biochemistry and molecular biology 20060120 3

Members of the Culex pipens mosquito group including C. quinquefasciatus are responsible for the transmission of Bancroftian filarisis as well as West Nile Virus (WNV) in the United States. As is the case for other mosquitoes, the host preference of this disease vector relies on olfaction and accordingly mediated via G-protein coupled signal transduction pathways. Here, we identify and characterize CqOR7, the first candidate member of the odorant receptor gene family from C. quinquefasciatus. Cq ...[more]

PMID: 16503478

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Project description:BackgroundThe natural history and potential impact of mosquito-specific flaviviruses on the transmission efficiency of West Nile virus (WNV) is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not prior infection with Culex flavivirus (CxFV) Izabal altered the vector competence of Cx. quinquefasciatus Say for transmission of a co-circulating strain of West Nile virus (WNV) from Guatemala.Methods and findingsCxFV-negative Culex quinquefasciatus and those infected with CxFV Izabal by intrathoracic inoculation were administered WNV-infectious blood meals. Infection, dissemination, and transmission of WNV were measured by plaque titration on Vero cells of individual mosquito bodies, legs, or saliva, respectively, two weeks following WNV exposure. Additional groups of Cx. quinquefasciatus were intrathoracically inoculated with WNV alone or WNV+CxFV Izabal simultaneously, and saliva collected nine days post inoculation. Growth of WNV in Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells or Cx. quinquefasciatus was not inhibited by prior infection with CxFV Izabal. There was no significant difference in the vector competence of Cx. quinquefasciatus for WNV between mosquitoes uninfected or infected with CxFV Izabal across multiple WNV blood meal titers and two colonies of Cx. quinquefasciatus (p>0.05). However, significantly more Cx. quinquefasciatus from Honduras that were co-inoculated simultaneously with both viruses transmitted WNV than those inoculated with WNV alone (p = 0.0014). Co-inoculated mosquitoes that transmitted WNV also contained CxFV in their saliva, whereas mosquitoes inoculated with CxFV alone did not contain virus in their saliva.ConclusionsIn the sequential infection experiments, prior infection with CxFV Izabal had no significant impact on WNV replication, infection, dissemination, or transmission by Cx. quinquefasciatus, however WNV transmission was enhanced in the Honduras colony when mosquitoes were inoculated simultaneously with both viruses.

Project description:BACKGROUND: Culex spp. mosquitoes are considered to be the most important vectors of West Nile virus (WNV) detected in at least 34 species of mosquitoes in the United States. In North America, Culex pipiens pipiens, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, and Culex tarsalis are all competent vectors of WNV, which is considered to be enzootic in the United States and has also been detected in equines and birds in many states of Mexico and in humans in Nuevo Leon. There is potential for WNV to be introduced into Mexico City by various means including infected mosquitoes on airplanes, migrating birds, ground transportation and infected humans. Little is known of the geographic distribution of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes and hybrids in Mexico City. Culex pipiens pipiens preferentially feed on avian hosts; Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus have historically been considered to prefer mammalian hosts; and hybrids of these two species could theoretically serve as bridge vectors to transmit WNV from avian hosts to humans and other mammalian hosts. In order to address the potential of WNV being introduced into Mexico City, we have determined the identity and spatial distribution of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes and their hybrids. RESULTS: Mosquito larvae collected from 103 sites throughout Mexico City during 2004-2005 were identified as Culex, Culiseta or Ochlerotatus by morphological analysis. Within the genus Culex, specimens were further identified as Culex tarsalis or as belonging to the Culex pipiens complex. Members of the Culex pipiens complex were separated by measuring the ratio of the dorsal and ventral arms (DV/D ratio) of the male genitalia and also by using diagnostic primers designed for the Ace.2 gene. Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus was the most abundant form collected. CONCLUSIONS: Important WNV vectors species, Cx. p. pipiens, Cx. p. quinquefasciatus and Cx. tarsalis, are all present in Mexico City. Hybrids of Cx. p. pipiens and Cx. p. quinquefasciatus were also collected and identified. The presence and abundance of these WNV competent vectors is a cause for concern. Understanding the distribution of these vectors can help improve viral surveillance activities and mosquito control efforts in Mexico City.

Dataset Information

Identification and characterization of an odorant receptor from the West Nile virus mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus.

Publications

Identification and characterization of an odorant receptor from the West Nile virus mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus.

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