논문 상세보기
Yellow-g and Yellow-g2 are required for egg desiccation resistance of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus
The eggs of Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, possess high desiccation resistance, which could lead rapidly spreading this mosquito across the world. Melanization and/or hardening of mosquito eggshell are critical for desiccation resistance to protect embryo from adverse environment. Dopachrome-conversion enzymes (Yellows) catalyze melanin synthesis in insects. Here we report functional importance of two ovary-specific yellow genes, AalY-g and AalY-g2, in desiccation resistance of Ae. albopictus egg. Loss of function of these genes by RNAi causes the fragile exochorion and delay initial melanization of the endochorion. Furthermore, eggs from control females exhibit high desiccation resistance under the air-dry condition, whereas those from AalY-g- or AalY-g2-deficient females are collapsed. TEM analysis reveals ultrastructural defects in the endochorion and serosal cuticle in these eggs. The results indicate that AalY-g and AalY-g2 are critical for integrity and desiccation resistance of the Ae. albopictus egg.
