Revealed — mosquitoes can enhance their ability to spread malaria

Washington, Nov 28: According to a study published in the journal Science, out of 450 of mosquitoes in the Anopheles genus, only 60 are capable of transmitting the Plasmodium parasite in humans t

By: Agencies | | Published: November 29, 2014 3:08 pm

Washington, Nov 28: According to a study published in the journal Science, out of 450 of mosquitoes in the Anopheles genus, only 60 are capable of transmitting the Plasmodium parasite in humans to cause malaria. A key finding of the study suggests that the mosquito Anopheles gambiae, the most dangerous mosquitoes of the genus, has the ability to increase its transmission capabilities by swapping some genes at the chromosome level.

‘We found that complete intermixing can be prevented if there are multiple rearrangements on the sex chromosome. Also, the traits that enhance the mosquitoes’ malaria transmission capabilities can cross species boundaries if other chromosomes encode them,’ said Igor Sharakhov, an associate professor of entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The process of transmission of traits across the species is called introgression. The study identifies this process as a key player in evolution of mosquitoes for enhancing their capacity of transmitting.

For the study, researchers from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University chose 16 mosquito species that are currently found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, but have evolved from the same ancestor approximately 100 million years ago. Today, the 16 species have varying capabilities for transmitting malaria and adapting to new environments. (Read: New technology can diagnose malaria faster)

The team sequenced their genomes to better understand the evolutionary science behind the differences. The results may advance understanding about the biological differences between mosquitoes that transmit malaria, and ultimately, how species might be more precisely controlled to stop transmission. Read more about 6 common malaria symptoms

‘With the availability of genome sequences from Anopheles mosquitoes of divergent lineages, variable adaptations, and differing disease-transmission abilities, we now have the exciting opportunity to significantly improve our understanding of these important malaria vectors and develop new strategies to combat malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases,’ said Zhijian Tu, a professor of biochemistry in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. (Read: How malaria parasites kill humans)

Source: PTI

Photo source: Getty images

Published: November 29, 2014 3:08 pm

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