Laccase2 is required for sclerotization and pigmentation of Aedes albopictus eggshell

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) Vol. 112; no. 5; pp. 1929 - 1934
• Main Authors: Wu, Xiansheng, Zhan, Ximei, Gan, Ming, Zhang, Dongjing, Zhang, Meichun, Zheng, Xiaoying, Wu, Yu, Li, Zhuoya, He, Ai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.05.2013; Springer
• Subjects: Aedes - enzymology; Aedes - genetics; Aedes - metabolism; Aedes albopictus; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; China; Cloning, Molecular; Dengue virus; Diptera; Egg Shell - metabolism; Female; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Immunology; Insect Proteins - genetics; Insect Proteins - metabolism; Laccase - genetics; Laccase - metabolism; Medical Microbiology; Microbiology; Molecular Sequence Data; Mosquito Control; Original Paper; Ovary - physiology; Oxidases; Physiological aspects; Pigmentation - physiology; RNA Interference; RNA, Double-Stranded - administration & dosage; RNA, Double-Stranded - metabolism; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Up-Regulation; China; China, People's Rep; Blood Meal; Malaria; Female Mosquito; Dengue Virus; Adult Mosquito
• ISSN: 0932-0113; 1432-1955
• DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3349-8

Laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) is a member of multicopper oxidases that have been found in higher plants, fungus, bacterium, and insects. Two types of laccase genes have been detected in many species of insects: laccase1 and laccase2. It has been identified that laccase2 enzyme may play a key role in sclerotization and pigmentation of insect cuticle. But few attentions were given to the biological role of laccase2 in the synthesizing of similar structures, such as oothecae, eggshell, or silk cocoons. We cloned laccase2 gene from Aedes albopictus , one main mosquito vector of dengue virus in China. An upregulation of laccase2 gene was observed after a blood meal in female adult mosquitoes, suggesting that laccase2 gene may have an involvement in the development of ovary. RNA interference experiment was performed by using adult female mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes were injected with 20 ng of double-strain RNA into the thorax. Pigmentation of mosquito eggshell was blocked that these eggs never became dark. And the incomplete sclerotization of eggshell weakened the stability and flexibility of the eggs. These eggs without enough protection were deformed and died in water. These results demonstrate that laccase2 plays a critical role in the development of eggs of A. albopictus . Laccase2 may provide a novel target for mosquito control and management.