Researchers at the Cornell University, U.S., have found that a protein, chloride bicarbonate anion exchangers, from the renal system of the contagious Aedes aegypti mosquitoes lets the insect urinate while feeding on blood and assists in the spreading of dengue antigens.
According to the current study, it also seems that the mosquitoes must discharge urine while feeding to thwart excess fluid to kill them.
Lead researcher, Klaus Beyenbach, Cornell University said, “The experiments focused on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmit dengue and yellow fever. The mosquitoes pick up diseases while feeding on infected hosts and then infect new hosts when they feed again.”
“Currently, no vaccine or treatment protects against dengue, so the only way to stop its spread is by controlling mosquitoes,” added Beyenbach.
Details of the study
The research team conducted the experiment on Aedes aegypti breed of mosquito, which is known to carry yellow and dengue fevers.
For the experiment, the scientists studied the protein--chloride bicarbonate anion exchangers-- found in the renal tubules of the mosquito.
This protein is known to regulate the pH level or water level in the cells, in mosquitoes.
Results of the study
On analysis, it was found that impeding the role of this protein may render the insect incapable of flying by adding to its weight, thus causing death.
It is also known that mosquitoes do not feed on blood till the time they are not set to procreate. Therefore, they originally feed on plants only, as stated by Li Wang, an honor student in physiology and a colleague in the study.
Another senior collaborator in the study, Peter Piermarini, research associate in biomedical sciences, thus concluded, “Blocking the function of this protein in natural populations of mosquitoes may limit their ability to survive the physiological stresses of a blood meal and to further transmit viruses.”
Hence, it was established that control over the insect’s renal system could help scientists regulate its urination process, thus plummeting the number of vector-borne insects significantly.
“The protein is localized, we think we know what this protein might do,” said Wang.
However, researchers added that the findings were tacit, and more research might be required in this field.
The study appears in the American Journal of Physiology.
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