| Summary: | The Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup> ATPase (NKA) is present in the cellular membrane of most eukaryotic cells. It utilizes energy released by ATP hydrolysis to pump sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, which establishes and controls ion gradients. Functional NKA pumps consist of three subunits, alpha, beta, and FXYD. The alpha subunit serves as the catalytic subunit while the beta and FXYD subunits regulate the proper folding and localization, and ion affinity of the alpha subunit, respectively. Here we demonstrate that knockdown of NKA beta subunit 2 mRNA (<i>nkaβ2)</i> reduces fecundity in female <i>Ae. aegypti</i>. We determined the expression pattern of <i>nkaβ2</i> in several adult mosquito organs using qRT-PCR. We performed RNAi-mediated knockdown of <i>nkaβ2</i> and assayed for lethality, and effects on female fecundity. Tissue expression levels of <i>nkaβ2</i> mRNA were highest in the ovaries with the fat body, midgut and thorax having similar expression levels, while Malpighian tubules had significantly lower expression. Survival curves recorded post dsRNA injection showed a non-significant decrease in survival of <i>nkaβ2</i> dsRNA-injected mosquitoes compared to GFP dsRNA-injected mosquitoes. We observed a significant reduction in the number of eggs laid by <i>nkaβ2</i> dsRNA-injected mosquitoes compared to control mosquitoes. These results, coupled with the tissue expression profile of <i>nkaβ2,</i> indicate that this subunit plays a role in normal female <i>Ae. aegypti</i> fecundity. Additional research needs to be conducted to determine the exact role played by NKAβ2 in mosquito post-blood meal nutrient sensing, transport, yolk precursor protein (YPP) synthesis and yolk deposition.
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