Quantitative Trait Loci That Control Dengue-2 Virus Dissemination in the Mosquito Aedes aegypti

• Published in: Genetics (Austin) Vol. 170; no. 1; pp. 185 - 194
• Main Authors: Bennett, Kristine E, Flick, Don, Fleming, Karen H, Jochim, Ryan, Beaty, Barry J, Black, William C., IV
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Genetics Soc America 01-05-2005; Genetics Society of America
• Subjects: Aedes - genetics; Aedes - virology; Aedes aegypti; Alleles; Animals; Chromosome Mapping; Dengue Virus - physiology; Dengue virus type 2; Flavivirus; Genetics; Genomics; Genotype; Investigations; Lod Score; Mosquitoes; Multigene Family; Phenotype; Processes; Quantitative Trait Loci
• ISSN: 0016-6731; 1943-2631; 1943-2631
• DOI: 10.1534/genetics.104.035634

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the most important vector of yellow fever and dengue fever flaviviruses. Ae. aegypti eradication campaigns have not been sustainable and there are no effective vaccines for dengue viruses. Alternative control strategies may depend upon identification of mosquito genes that condition flavivirus susceptibility and may ultimately provide clues for interrupting transmission. Quantitative trait loci affecting the ability of Ae. aegypti to develop a dengue-2 infection in the midgut have been mapped previously. Herein we report on QTL that determine whether mosquitoes with a dengue-2-infected gut can then disseminate the virus to other tissues. A strain selected for high rates of dengue-2 dissemination was crossed to a strain selected for low dissemination rates. QTL were mapped in the F(2) and again in an F(5) advanced intercross line. QTL were detected at 31 cM on chromosome I, at 32 cM on chromosome II, and between 44 and 52 cM on chromosome III. Alleles at these QTL were additive or dominant in determining rates of dengue-2 dissemination and accounted for approximately 45% of the phenotypic variance. The locations of dengue-2 midgut infection and dissemination QTL correspond to those found in earlier studies.