Making a meal of it: Mosquito spit protein controls blood feeding

• Authors: Islam A, Emran TB, Yamamoto DS, Iyori M, Amelia F, Yusuf Y, Yamaguchi R, Alam MDS, Silveira H, Yoshida S
• Publication Year: 2019
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190510102932.htm

A Japan-based research team led by Kanazawa University used the most up-to-date simulation techniques to determine how to make Researchers led by Kanazawa University developed a transgenic approach to inactivating the mosquito salivary protein AAPP. Transgenic mosquitos showed significantly longer probing and prediuresis times, and worse feeding success and meal sizes compared with their wild-type counterparts. Although malarial parasite development was unaffected by these behavioral changes in a laboratory setting, real-world stresses associated with parasite burdens would be expected to adversely affect the survival of transgenic mosquitos.