Aedes aegypti transmits several arboviral diseases, including dengue and Zika fever, which threaten virtually half of the world?s population. Two subspecies, Ae. aegypti aegypti (Aaa) and Ae. aegypti formosus (Aaf), have been described based on their body coloration. These two subspecies differ remarkably from each other in their worldwide distribution, association with humans, and ability to transmit pathogens. In Anopheles populations, polymorphic inversions are often responsible for epidemiologically important phenotypes but our knowledge about chromosomal rearrangements in Aedes populations is scarce. So far, only two chromosomal inversions have been directly observed in chromosomes of Ae. aegypti from Senegal. Based on our preliminary data, we hypothesize that chromosomal inversions are abundant in Ae. aegypti and are involved in the establishment and maintenance of genomic and phenotypic divergence in natural populations of this mosquito. In this study, we will take advantage of a dramatically improved, fully re-annotated genome assembly for Ae. aegypti and employ the Hi-C approach along with Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) sequencing to characterize chromosomal rearrangements. [The primary goal of this R21 proposal is to identify chromosomal rearrangements in aedine mosquitoes]. Toward this end, we propose three specific aims: 1) characterize chromosomal rearrangements in 16 strains of Aaa and Aaf from various worldwide populations using the Hi-C approach; 2) develop a high-quality de novo genome assembly for the Aaf Uganda strain using advanced genome technologies; and 3) develop PCR and FISH-based approaches for identification of the 3p2 chromosomal inversion, which is potentially of medical importance. The innovative strategies of using Hi-C analysis and ONT sequencing will make possible the discovery of chromosomal inversions in Ae. aegypti and will stimulate future genetic studies aimed at preventing mosquito-borne disease transmission.

Public Health Relevance

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the major vector of dengue and Zika fever, which threaten nearly half of the world?s human population. To facilitate the development of new strategies for control of vector-borne infectious diseases, this project will identify chromosomal rearrangements in 16 strains of Ae. aegypti using the Hi-C approach and Oxford Nanopore Technology sequencing. In addition, simple, but robust, tools will be developed to detect chromosomal inversions in natural populations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AI146528-02
Application #
10102193
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Costero-Saint Denis, Adriana
Project Start
2020-02-07
Project End
2022-01-31
Budget Start
2021-02-01
Budget End
2022-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Department
Zoology
Type
Earth Sciences/Resources
DUNS #
003137015
City
Blacksburg
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
24061