Aal-circRNA-407 regulates ovarian development of Aedes albopictus, a major arbovirus vector, via the miR-9a-5p/Foxl axis

作者：Gao, Yonghui; Yang, Lu; Chen, Yulan; Liu, Peiwen; Zhou, Ying; Chen, Xiaoguang; Gu, Jinbao^*

来源：PLoS Pathogens, 2023, 19(5): e1011374.

DOI：10.1371/journal.ppat.1011374

• CIRCULAR RNAS
• FAT-BODY
• MICRORNA
• IDENTIFICATION
• EXPRESSION
• TARGETS
• TRANSLATION
• BIOGENESIS
• PREDICTION
• ABUNDANT

Aedes albopictus shows a rapid global expansion and dramatic vectorial capacity for various arboviruses, thus posing a severe threat to global health. Although many noncoding RNAs have been confirmed to play functional roles in various biological processes in Ae. albopictus, the roles of circRNA remain a mystery. In the present study, we first performed high-throughput circRNA sequencing in Ae. albopictus. Then, we identified a cysteine desulfurase (CsdA) superfamily gene-originated circRNA, named aal-circRNA-407, which was the third most abundant circRNA in adult females and displayed a fat body highly expressed manifestation and blood feeding-dependent onset. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of circRNA-407 resulted in a decrease in the number of developing follicles and a reduction in follicle size post blood meal. Furthermore, we demonstrated that circRNA-407 can act as a sponge of aal-miR-9a-5p to promote the expression of its target gene Foxl and eventually regulate ovarian development. Our study is the first to report a functional circRNA in mosquitoes, expanding our current understanding of important biological roles in mosquitoes and providing an alternative genetic strategy for mosquito control. @@@ Author summaryIn the present study, we performed high throughput circRNA sequencing and comprehensive analysis of circRNA profiles in adult males and females of Aedes albopictus. CircRNAs were then confirmed to exist in this species. Based on several established circRNA studying tools applicable in mosquito species, we further identified a functional circRNA which is involved in the process of female ovarian development through miR-9a-5p/Foxl pathway. Overall, uncovering the biological functions of circRNAs in mosquitoes will provide novel and potential strategies for vector control.

• 单位
  南方医科大学