Lysinibacillus sphaericus exposure impedes Anopheles dirus’s oviposition via downregulating vitellogenin

Abstract Background Vector control using Lysinibacillus sphaericus is an effective strategy for preventing the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. Our previous study demonstrated that exposure to L. sphaericus during the larval stage of Anopheles dirus significantly reduced the fecundity of sur...

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Main Authors: Shasha Yu, Zhilong Liu, Jing Wang, Hong Zheng, Shiqian Han, Feifei Zheng, Dan Zheng, Caizhi Zhao, Xin Li, Tingting Liu, Xuesen Yang, Ying Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Parasites & Vectors
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06745-8
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author Shasha Yu
Zhilong Liu
Jing Wang
Hong Zheng
Shiqian Han
Feifei Zheng
Dan Zheng
Caizhi Zhao
Xin Li
Tingting Liu
Xuesen Yang
Ying Wang
author_facet Shasha Yu
Zhilong Liu
Jing Wang
Hong Zheng
Shiqian Han
Feifei Zheng
Dan Zheng
Caizhi Zhao
Xin Li
Tingting Liu
Xuesen Yang
Ying Wang
author_sort Shasha Yu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Vector control using Lysinibacillus sphaericus is an effective strategy for preventing the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. Our previous study demonstrated that exposure to L. sphaericus during the larval stage of Anopheles dirus significantly reduced the fecundity of surviving adult mosquitoes. However, the underlying mechanisms driving this reduction remain unclear. Sublethal doses of L. sphaericus, often resulting from insufficient or delayed application, can still impact mosquito populations. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how sublethal doses of L. sphaericus inhibit the reproductive capacity of An. dirus mosquitoes. Methods First, the staining method was used to detect L. sphaericus in surviving adult mosquitoes that had been exposed to sublethal doses during the larval stage. Second, adult mosquitoes were fed a sucrose solution containing L. sphaericus, and the effects on the reproductive capacity were observed. Third, transcriptome sequencing and qPCR were employed to identify and validate genes associated with oviposition suppression in An. dirus following treatment with sublethal doses of L. sphaericus. Finally, we assessed the effects of sublethal doses and direct feeding of L. sphaericus on vitellogenin (Vg) expression and activation of the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway using qPCR and Western blotting. Results Our findings demonstrated that L. sphaericus persists in adult An. dirus mosquitoes that survived larval exposure to sublethal doses. Additionally, feeding adult female mosquitoes with L. sphaericus significantly suppressed their oviposition ability. Transcriptome analysis revealed substantial alterations in gene expression profiles among surviving mosquitoes exposed to sublethal doses of L. sphaericus. Notably, L. sphaericus inhibit lysosomal function and lipid metabolism, which are critical for mosquito physiology. Furthermore, L. sphaericus significantly downregulated the Akt-TOR signaling pathway and Vg expression in adult mosquitoes. Conclusions Exposure An. dirus larvae to L. sphaericus resulted in the persistence of L. sphaericus in surviving adult mosquitoes and significantly suppressed female oviposition by downregulating Vg expression via inhibition of lysosomal function and the TOR signaling pathway. This study offers novel insights into the interaction between L. sphaericus and its mosquito host and identifies potential molecular targets for controlling mosquito population density by modulating oviposition behavior. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-34c92fd9fb194c6d89b97c20b434a4452025-08-20T02:51:24ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052025-03-0118111210.1186/s13071-025-06745-8Lysinibacillus sphaericus exposure impedes Anopheles dirus’s oviposition via downregulating vitellogeninShasha Yu0Zhilong Liu1Jing Wang2Hong Zheng3Shiqian Han4Feifei Zheng5Dan Zheng6Caizhi Zhao7Xin Li8Tingting Liu9Xuesen Yang10Ying Wang11Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Frontier Medical Training Brigade, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Abstract Background Vector control using Lysinibacillus sphaericus is an effective strategy for preventing the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. Our previous study demonstrated that exposure to L. sphaericus during the larval stage of Anopheles dirus significantly reduced the fecundity of surviving adult mosquitoes. However, the underlying mechanisms driving this reduction remain unclear. Sublethal doses of L. sphaericus, often resulting from insufficient or delayed application, can still impact mosquito populations. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how sublethal doses of L. sphaericus inhibit the reproductive capacity of An. dirus mosquitoes. Methods First, the staining method was used to detect L. sphaericus in surviving adult mosquitoes that had been exposed to sublethal doses during the larval stage. Second, adult mosquitoes were fed a sucrose solution containing L. sphaericus, and the effects on the reproductive capacity were observed. Third, transcriptome sequencing and qPCR were employed to identify and validate genes associated with oviposition suppression in An. dirus following treatment with sublethal doses of L. sphaericus. Finally, we assessed the effects of sublethal doses and direct feeding of L. sphaericus on vitellogenin (Vg) expression and activation of the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway using qPCR and Western blotting. Results Our findings demonstrated that L. sphaericus persists in adult An. dirus mosquitoes that survived larval exposure to sublethal doses. Additionally, feeding adult female mosquitoes with L. sphaericus significantly suppressed their oviposition ability. Transcriptome analysis revealed substantial alterations in gene expression profiles among surviving mosquitoes exposed to sublethal doses of L. sphaericus. Notably, L. sphaericus inhibit lysosomal function and lipid metabolism, which are critical for mosquito physiology. Furthermore, L. sphaericus significantly downregulated the Akt-TOR signaling pathway and Vg expression in adult mosquitoes. Conclusions Exposure An. dirus larvae to L. sphaericus resulted in the persistence of L. sphaericus in surviving adult mosquitoes and significantly suppressed female oviposition by downregulating Vg expression via inhibition of lysosomal function and the TOR signaling pathway. This study offers novel insights into the interaction between L. sphaericus and its mosquito host and identifies potential molecular targets for controlling mosquito population density by modulating oviposition behavior. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06745-8Lysinibacillus sphaericusAnopheles dirusFecundityVitellogeninTarget of rapamycin pathway
spellingShingle Shasha Yu
Zhilong Liu
Jing Wang
Hong Zheng
Shiqian Han
Feifei Zheng
Dan Zheng
Caizhi Zhao
Xin Li
Tingting Liu
Xuesen Yang
Ying Wang
Lysinibacillus sphaericus exposure impedes Anopheles dirus’s oviposition via downregulating vitellogenin
Parasites & Vectors
Lysinibacillus sphaericus
Anopheles dirus
Fecundity
Vitellogenin
Target of rapamycin pathway
title Lysinibacillus sphaericus exposure impedes Anopheles dirus’s oviposition via downregulating vitellogenin
title_full Lysinibacillus sphaericus exposure impedes Anopheles dirus’s oviposition via downregulating vitellogenin
title_fullStr Lysinibacillus sphaericus exposure impedes Anopheles dirus’s oviposition via downregulating vitellogenin
title_full_unstemmed Lysinibacillus sphaericus exposure impedes Anopheles dirus’s oviposition via downregulating vitellogenin
title_short Lysinibacillus sphaericus exposure impedes Anopheles dirus’s oviposition via downregulating vitellogenin
title_sort lysinibacillus sphaericus exposure impedes anopheles dirus s oviposition via downregulating vitellogenin
topic Lysinibacillus sphaericus
Anopheles dirus
Fecundity
Vitellogenin
Target of rapamycin pathway
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06745-8
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