RNAseq of Aedes aegypti in relation to mating

Aedes aegypti is a major vector of several arboviruses that cause human mortality and morbidity in the world. Ae. aegypti-borne viruses can be controlled by manipulating the reproduction of vectors. Mating is a crucial step for the efficient reproduction of Aedes species. During mating, seminal fluid molecules and sperm are transferred from males to females and these stimuli influence female post-mating physiology and behavior. Yet, little is known about the effect of mating on gene expression in different tissues in Ae. aegypti. In addition, the influence of diet quality on gene expression is unexplored in major vectors of arboviruses. To fill in those gaps, short-read RNA sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed genes in the head/thorax (HT), abdomen (Ab) and the lower reproductive tract (LRT), and of mosquitoes reared with 3% and 12% sugar water.