Biology subjects

Adelman, Z. N.

Publications and source records attributed to Adelman, Z. N..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Blood-derived dietary protein promotes sleep in the mosquito Aedes aegypti

Sleep is a ubiquitous, yet highly variable, behavior across species. The duration and timing of sleep are influenced by ecological demands and dietary context. In the mosquito Aedes aegypti, a blood-feeding insect with specialized nutritional requirements, the relationship between feeding and sleep remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated how blood-derived dietary protein influences sleep regulation. Using postural analysis, videography, and arousal-threshold assays, we established that immobility bouts of [≥]10 minutes reliably define sleep in Ae. aegypti. Mosquitoes lacking the circadian clock gene cycle still maintained daily sleep rhythms but exhibited reduced sleep duration and heightened overall activity. Infrared activity monitoring revealed that blood-fed females showed a marked increase in sleep beginning immediately after feeding and persisting for several days, accompanied by reduced locomotor activity. Notably, this sleep elevation lasted well beyond the cessation of previously reported host-seeking phases, raising the possibility of distinct phases of opportunistic versus targeted host pursuit. To determine the dietary basis of this effect, we tested mosquitoes fed a bovine serum albumin (BSA)-based diet. BSA feeding alone was sufficient to mimic the sleep-promoting and activity-reducing effects of blood, suggesting dietary protein is a major nutritional regulator. Moreover, RNAi-mediated knockdown of the leucokinin receptor (Lkr), which has previously been associated with fluid homeostasis and feeding behavior, resulted in enhanced sleep and reduced activity, implicating mosquito LK signaling in the modulation of postprandial sleep. Together, these findings demonstrate that blood-derived proteins drive sustained increases in sleep and reductions in locomotor activity in Ae. aegypti. This work positions Ae. aegypti as a model for dissecting nutrient-specific regulation of sleep and highlights potential adaptive functions of protein-induced quiescence, such as energy conservation and predator avoidance. More broadly, it provides insight into how specialized diets shape the neural and behavioral architecture of sleep.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Exposure to cooler temperatures during pupal development increases Aedes aegypti vector competence and the R0 for Zika virus

Temperature profoundly affects various aspects of ectotherm biology. Notably, in mosquito species that spread viral diseases, temperature influences not only vector biology, but also the dynamics of pathogen-vector interactions. However, research attempting to address the role of the thermal environment in disease transmission often employs constant temperatures, which do not reflect the natural diurnal fluctuations these organisms experience. Additionally, most studies focus on adult mosquitoes in the period following virus infection. Much less attention has been paid to evidence indicating that temperatures experienced during earlier developmental stages may also affect the ability of disease vectors to be infected with and transmit viruses. Here, we show that Aedes aegypti exposed to temperatures below 25{degrees}C, specifically during the pupal stage of development, exhibit heightened susceptibility to Zika virus (ZIKV), which increases transmission efficiency. Modeling suggests that exposing mosquitoes to cooler fluctuating diurnal temperature ranges only during the relatively short pupal stage increases the R0 or reproductive number of ZIKV. Data loggers placed near Harris County Mosquito Control trap sites consistently recorded temperatures below 25{degrees}C, indicating natural exposure to such conditions. These results highlight the significance of thermal heterogeneity in the microhabitats where container-breeding mosquitoes undergo development. Such heterogeneity may play a more important role in the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases than previously recognized. Author SummaryA paucity of information regarding how natural heterogeneity in thermal environments influences the spread of viral pathogens by mosquito species hinders our ability to decipher current and future patterns of disease transmission under changing climatic conditions. Here, we show that Ae. aegypti pupae exposed to cooler fluctuating diurnal temperature ranges, mimicking realistic field conditions, increases vector competence for ZIKV. Modeling cooler temperatures during immature life stages predicts slower development and increased mortality, counterbalancing increases in disease transmission. However, exposing mosquitoes to lower temperatures only during the relatively short pupal stage was predicted to increase the R0 value of ZIKV. These results suggest that environmental temperatures specifically experienced during the pupal stage may have an important role in disease transmission.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

An 11-point time course midgut transcriptome across 72 h after blood feeding provides detailed temporal resolution of transcript expression in the arbovirus vector, Aedes aegypti

As the major vector for dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya viruses, the mosquito Aedes aegypti is one of the most important insects in public health. These viruses are transmitted by bloodfeeding, which is also necessary for the reproduction of the mosquito. Thus, the midgut plays an essential role in mosquito physiology as the center for bloodmeal digestion and as an organ that serves as the first line of defense against viruses. Despite its importance, transcriptomic dynamics with fine temporal resolution across the entire digestion cycle have not yet been reported. To fill this gap, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of Ae. aegypti female midgut across a 72-h bloodmeal digestion cycle for 11 time points with a particular focus on the first 24 h. PCA analysis confirmed that 72 h is indeed a complete digestion cycle. Cluster and GO enrichment analysis showed the orchestrated modulation of thousands of genes to accomplish the midguts role as the center for digestion as well as nutrient transport with a clear progression with sequential emphasis on transcription, translation, energy production, nutrient metabolism, transport, and finally autophagy by 24-36hr. We further determined that many serine proteases are robustly expressed as if to prepare for unexpected physiological challenges. This study provides a powerful resource for the analysis of genomic features that coordinate the rapid and complex transcriptional program induced by mosquito bloodfeeding.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2019

Nix confers heritable sex-conversion in Aedes aegypti and myo-sex is needed for male flight

A dominant and hemizygous male-determining locus (M locus) establishes the male sex (M/m) in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Nix is a male-determining factor (M factor) in the M locus and its transient expression in females (m/m) results in partial masculinization. Here, we show that the Nix transgene alone was sufficient to convert females into fertile males, which continued to produce sex-converted progeny in subsequent generations. However, assisted mating with wild-type females was necessary, as the converted m/m males could not fly. Knockout of myo-sex, a myosin heavy chain gene and the only other protein-coding gene reported in the M locus, rendered wild-type males flightless. Thus, Nix alone converts female Ae. aegypti to fertile males and myo-sex is required for male flight. Only female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes bite and transmit disease-causing viruses. Nix-mediated female-to-male conversion is 100% penetrant and stable over many generations, indicating great potential for mosquito control.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Predicting Aquatic Development and Mortality Rates of Aedes Aegypti

Mosquito-borne pathogens continue to be a significant burden within human populations, with Aedes aegypti continuing to spread dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus throughout the world. Using data from a previously conducted study, a linear regression model was constructed to predict the aquatic development rates based on the average temperature, temperature fluctuation range, and larval density. Additional experiments were conducted with different parameters of average temperature and larval density to validate the model. Using a paired t-test, the model predictions were compared to experimental data and showed that the prediction models were not significantly different for average pupation rate, adult emergence rate, and juvenile mortality rate. The models developed will be useful for modeling and estimating the number of Aedes aegypti in the environment under different temperature, diurnal temperature variations, and larval densities.\n\nAuthor SummaryUsing experimental data from experiments conducted on Aedes aegypti, we formulated regression models to predict pupation, adult emergence, and juvenile mortality rates based on average temperature, temperature fluctuation range, and larval density. The prediction models produced were shown to account for high levels of variation within the data. Validation was performed by comparing omitted data sets to the predictions generated by our models. Our results show that the models produce results that are not significantly different from the experimental results and are capable of predicting aquatic development rates of Ae. aegypti.

ecology↗