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Biotechnological Potential of Microorganisms for Mosquito Population Control and Reduction in Vector Competence - PubMed

  • ️Sun Jan 01 2023

Review

Biotechnological Potential of Microorganisms for Mosquito Population Control and Reduction in Vector Competence

Ricardo de Melo Katak et al. Insects. 2023.

Abstract

Mosquitoes transmit pathogens that cause human diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika fever, and filariasis. Biotechnological approaches using microorganisms have a significant potential to control mosquito populations and reduce their vector competence, making them alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Ongoing research has identified many microorganisms that can be used effectively to control mosquito populations and disease transmission. However, the successful implementation of these newly proposed approaches requires a thorough understanding of the multipronged microorganism-mosquito-pathogen-environment interactions. Although much has been achieved in discovering new entomopathogenic microorganisms, antipathogen compounds, and their mechanisms of action, only a few have been turned into viable products for mosquito control. There is a discrepancy between the number of microorganisms with the potential for the development of new insecticides and/or antipathogen products and the actual available products, highlighting the need for investments in the intersection of basic research and biotechnology.

Keywords: bacteria; biotechnology; fungi; microorganisms; mosquitoes; vector control.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1

Microorganisms and their applications for controlling vector populations and disease transmission. Microorganisms are sources of molecules with insecticide (biopesticides) antipathogen (biopharmaceuticals) activities. Interactions of environmental and symbiotic fungi and bacteria with mosquitoes and their microbiota may affect mosquito and pathogen survival, having implications for vector control and disease transmission. Research that elucidates these interactions is crucial because it underpins the development of novel biotechnological products aimed at effective vector control and reducing disease transmission. Created with

BioRender.com

(accessed on 5 August 2023).

Figure 2
Figure 2

Biotechnological potential of mosquito symbiotic bacteria against infectious agents. (A), secretion of toxic substances that either kill or arrest the development and replication of viruses and parasites. (B), formation of physical barriers through large population accumulation or rearrangements of molecules secreted into the midgut lumen, preventing the passage of parasites to organs essential for their successful development. (C), activation of the mosquito immune system, which not only reduces the load of symbiotic bacteria but also leads to the elimination of invading parasites through the secretion of toxic molecules, preventing their propagation in the mosquito’s body. (D), competition with infectious agents for space and nutrients can have dire consequences for these pathogens as they must compete with a vastly larger population of symbiotic bacteria in the mosquito’s midgut lumen. This results in limited resources for the pathogens, ultimately leading to their decreased survival and replication within the mosquito. (E), paratransgenesis involves populating vector insects with genetically engineered symbiotic microorganisms that effectively hinder the development of parasites through synthesizing and secreting antipathogen molecules. This topic is further explored in topic 4.3 of this review. Created with

BioRender.com

(accessed on 5 August 2023).

Figure 3
Figure 3

Strategies for dissemination of GM microorganisms in the wild and their continual circulation among mosquitoes. (A) Male and female mosquitoes are fed in the laboratory with a sucrose solution containing the GM microorganisms and then released into the wild to mate with other wild mosquitoes. The spread of GM microorganisms can also occur through the provision of sucrose baits in the field enriched with GM microorganisms. This enables the GM microorganisms to be transmitted forward, allowing them to spread throughout the wild mosquito population and aiding in reducing vector-borne disease transmission. (B) Release of GM microorganisms into natural larval breeding sites. The GM microorganisms are ingested by the larvae and remain associated with them until adulthood. If mosquitoes become infected with a parasite that is a target of the effector molecules produced by the GM microorganisms, these molecules will interfere with the development of the target pathogen, thereby preventing its transmission. (C) Persistence of GM microorganisms in mosquitoes for generations through vertical and horizontal transmission. Vertical transmission occurs from parents to offspring, while horizontal transmission takes place between mosquitoes during mating or sharing of breeding sites. The presence of GM microorganisms can continue to impact mosquito populations for an extended period. Created with

BioRender.com

(accessed on 5 August 2023).

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