Transcriptional Profiling of Malaria-exposed Mosquitoes: a Comparative Analysis between High and Low Oocyst Density

Abstract

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, is a significant public health issue, particularly in South and Southeast Asia where Plasmodium vivax is prevalent. Understanding the genetic factors influencing mosquito susceptibility to P. vivax is crucial for developing targeted malaria control and eradication strategies. Building on previous findings that equally treated mosquitoes produce distinct oocyst density formations, this study aimed to investigate the transcriptomic profiles of Anopheles dirus mosquitoes with varying oocyst densities. Utilizing RNA sequencing, the gene expression profiles of mosquitoes with high and low oocyst densities were compared. The analysis identified 1,567 differentially expressed genes involved in various biological processes, including metabolic activities and RNA binding. Notably, mosquitoes with high oocyst densities exhibited upregulation of genes related to these functions. The findings highlight significant transcriptional differences that may influence mosquito susceptibility to P. vivax, pointing to potential molecular targets for intervention. These results emphasize the importance of genetic factors in malaria transmission dynamics and suggest avenues for further research to explore genetic manipulation or other strategies to reduce mosquito susceptibility to malaria, thereby contributing to more effective malaria control measures.