Gene expression in reproductive organs of tsetse females – initial data in an approach to reduce fecundity
Abstract Background Tsetse flies are vectors of African trypanosomes, and their vectorial capacity results in a major public health emergency and vast economic losses in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the limited ability of trypanosome prevention and eradication, tsetse vectors remain major targets of co...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-018-1294-5 |
| _version_ | 1818213328811458560 |
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| author | Emanuel Procházka Veronika Michalková Ivana Daubnerová Ladislav Roller Peter Klepsatel Dušan Žitňan George Tsiamis Peter Takáč |
| author_facet | Emanuel Procházka Veronika Michalková Ivana Daubnerová Ladislav Roller Peter Klepsatel Dušan Žitňan George Tsiamis Peter Takáč |
| author_sort | Emanuel Procházka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Tsetse flies are vectors of African trypanosomes, and their vectorial capacity results in a major public health emergency and vast economic losses in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the limited ability of trypanosome prevention and eradication, tsetse vectors remain major targets of control efforts. Larvae of all three instars are developed in mothers’ uteri, nourished through milk, and ‘larviposited’ shortly before pupation. The past few years have witnessed the emergence of approaches based on knockdown of genes involved in milk production, resulting in a significant reduction of fecundity. Results In order to identify further genes applicable in the control of tsetse flies, we determined the expression of protein-coding genes in ovaries and uteri from both virgin and heavily pregnant Glossina morsitans morsitans females. Comparison of expression profiles allowed us to identify candidate genes with increased expression in pregnant individuals. Lists with the highest increases include genes involved in oocyte and embryonic development, or nourishment. Maximum ovarian fold change does not exceed 700, while the highest uterine fold change reaches to more than 4000. Relatively high fold changes of two neuropeptide receptors (for corazonin and myosuppressin) propose the corresponding genes alternative targets. Conclusions Given the higher fold changes in the uterus, targeting gene expression in this tissue may result in a more evident reduction of fecundity. However, ovaries should not be neglected, as manifested by several genes with top fold changes involved in early developmental stages. Apart from focusing on the highest fold changes, neuropeptide receptors with moderate increases in expression should be also verified as targets, given their roles in mediating the tissue control. However, this data needs to be considered initial, and the potential of these genes in affecting female fecundity needs to be verified experimentally. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T06:02:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ea474e821b924f42b02bc5b44fbc17b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2180 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T06:02:33Z |
| publishDate | 2018-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-ea474e821b924f42b02bc5b44fbc17b82022-12-22T00:35:23ZengBMCBMC Microbiology1471-21802018-11-0118S118319110.1186/s12866-018-1294-5Gene expression in reproductive organs of tsetse females – initial data in an approach to reduce fecundityEmanuel Procházka0Veronika Michalková1Ivana Daubnerová2Ladislav Roller3Peter Klepsatel4Dušan Žitňan5George Tsiamis6Peter Takáč7Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of SciencesInstitute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of SciencesInstitute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of SciencesInstitute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of SciencesInstitute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of SciencesInstitute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of SciencesDepartment of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of PatrasInstitute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of SciencesAbstract Background Tsetse flies are vectors of African trypanosomes, and their vectorial capacity results in a major public health emergency and vast economic losses in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the limited ability of trypanosome prevention and eradication, tsetse vectors remain major targets of control efforts. Larvae of all three instars are developed in mothers’ uteri, nourished through milk, and ‘larviposited’ shortly before pupation. The past few years have witnessed the emergence of approaches based on knockdown of genes involved in milk production, resulting in a significant reduction of fecundity. Results In order to identify further genes applicable in the control of tsetse flies, we determined the expression of protein-coding genes in ovaries and uteri from both virgin and heavily pregnant Glossina morsitans morsitans females. Comparison of expression profiles allowed us to identify candidate genes with increased expression in pregnant individuals. Lists with the highest increases include genes involved in oocyte and embryonic development, or nourishment. Maximum ovarian fold change does not exceed 700, while the highest uterine fold change reaches to more than 4000. Relatively high fold changes of two neuropeptide receptors (for corazonin and myosuppressin) propose the corresponding genes alternative targets. Conclusions Given the higher fold changes in the uterus, targeting gene expression in this tissue may result in a more evident reduction of fecundity. However, ovaries should not be neglected, as manifested by several genes with top fold changes involved in early developmental stages. Apart from focusing on the highest fold changes, neuropeptide receptors with moderate increases in expression should be also verified as targets, given their roles in mediating the tissue control. However, this data needs to be considered initial, and the potential of these genes in affecting female fecundity needs to be verified experimentally.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-018-1294-5TsetseTranscriptomeFold changeOvariesUteri |
| spellingShingle | Emanuel Procházka Veronika Michalková Ivana Daubnerová Ladislav Roller Peter Klepsatel Dušan Žitňan George Tsiamis Peter Takáč Gene expression in reproductive organs of tsetse females – initial data in an approach to reduce fecundity BMC Microbiology Tsetse Transcriptome Fold change Ovaries Uteri |
| title | Gene expression in reproductive organs of tsetse females – initial data in an approach to reduce fecundity |
| title_full | Gene expression in reproductive organs of tsetse females – initial data in an approach to reduce fecundity |
| title_fullStr | Gene expression in reproductive organs of tsetse females – initial data in an approach to reduce fecundity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gene expression in reproductive organs of tsetse females – initial data in an approach to reduce fecundity |
| title_short | Gene expression in reproductive organs of tsetse females – initial data in an approach to reduce fecundity |
| title_sort | gene expression in reproductive organs of tsetse females initial data in an approach to reduce fecundity |
| topic | Tsetse Transcriptome Fold change Ovaries Uteri |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-018-1294-5 |
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