2023-09-15 16:09:00
A new study from UC Riverside might help control the infectious mosquito by shutting down proteins in its sperm. This would prevent sperm from swimming or fertilizing eggs.
The research might ultimately help control the Culex mosquito that transmits esophageal encephalitis and West Nile virus. As climate change intensifies, many more mosquitoes, such as those carrying malaria, are moving to the Northern Hemisphere.
“During mating, mosquitoes mate tail to tail and the males transfer the sperm into the female reproductive tract. It can be stored there for a while, but it still has to move from point A to point B to complete fertilization,” said Cathy Thaler, first author of the study.
Specialized proteins activate sperm flagella, or “tails,” which power their movement. “Without these proteins, sperm cannot penetrate eggs. They will remain immobile and will eventually degrade,” explained Richard Cardullo, co-author of the study.
The researchers isolated 200 male mosquitoes from a larger population and extracted sperm to detect, identify and profile all proteins. Previously, the team determined that sperm needed calcium to move forward.
“We can now look at the complete protein profile we created, find calcium channel proteins, and design experiments to target these channels,” Cardullo said.
Protein profiling offers a path to more environmentally friendly mosquito control than spraying pesticides, which also kills good bugs and harms other animals. Although this can be an effective method of population control, it is neither possible nor desirable to kill all mosquitoes.
“Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on Earth. But even though people hate them, most environmentalists would oppose a plan to eradicate them completely. They play an important role in the food chain of fish and other animals,” Cardullo said.
Surprisingly, learning more regarding sperm motility Culex might help improve fertility in men. Human fertility rates have been declining for years, in part due to environmental factors. A better understanding of sperm might help overcome some of these factors.
“Many cells have flagella, or tails, including human respiratory cells as well as cells in our intestines,” Cardullo said. “What we learn in one system, like mosquitoes, can be applied to others. »
The study is published in the journal PLoS A.
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Par Katherine Bucko, Threatened-species.fr Editor
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