Browsing by Author "Chen, Yunxuan"

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    Adaptation and carry over effects of extreme sporadic heat stress in Culex mosquitoes
    (Elsevier, 2024-10-09) Padde, John Roberts; Zhou, Yinghui; Chen, Yunxuan; Zhu, Yuxiao; Yang, Yuxuan; Hou, Min; Chen, Lu; Xu, Zhipeng; Zhang, Donghui; Chen, Lin
    Mosquitoes, as temperature-sensitive ectothermic vectors, exhibit temperature-dependence. This study investigates Culex pipiens pallens (Cx. pallens) responses to abrupt temperature increases and their implications on mosquito physiology. First instar larvae (24hr post hatching) and newly enclosed adults (24hr post emergence) were separately exposed to heat shock regimes of 33 °C, 37 °C, and 42 °C for 3 days alongside a control temperature of 27 °C. Results showed that mortality was triggered at 42 °C within a day. Adult male mosquitoes were less tolerant to all temperatures than larvae and adult females (p < 0.05). Exposing larvae to constant temperatures for 3 days significantly decreased larvae's development time, growth rate and adult emergence (p < 0.05). Reproductive fitness was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in males emerging from larvae exposed to 37 °C. Life table parameters showed significant increased mortality rate, kill power and decreased life expectancy at the embryonic stage (p < 0.05). Furthermore, heatwaves deactivated the Transient receptor protein ankyrin 1 at 37 °C (p < 0.05) in larvae but not adults. Calmodium, Heat shock protein 90, and small heat shock protein expression were significantly decreased in larvae at 37 °C (p < 0.05) as compared to larvae raised at 33 °C and 27 °C. In conclusion, we classified the heat waves into three categories: adaptable (33 °C), critical (37 °C), and fatal (42 °C). Prolonged exposure of Culex pallens larvae to extreme heat affects the male reproductive output. These findings may serve as an important reference for forecasting vector and pest dynamics and used to tailor mosquito prevention and control measures.
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    Pou2f3 modulates mosquito host-seeking behavior by regulating skin microbiota and their production of volatiles: Implications for eco-friendly pest control strategies
    (ACS Publications, 2025-06-26) Wang, Hui; Ruixi, Qian; Wang, Yuxiang; Li, Lanxi; Wu, Wenxuan; Chen, Yunxuan; Li, Wenqing; Wijewardana, Chanuka Nisalanka; Zhou, Yinghui; Padde, John Roberts; Wang, Yuxiang; Hou, Min; Xu, Zhipeng; Ji, MinJun; Chen, Lu; Chen, Lin
    Skin microbiota-derived volatile metabolites are critical for mosquito host-seeking and disease transmission. Similar volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-mediated mechanisms may apply to agricultural pests (e.g., aphids, whiteflies). We demonstrate that Pou2f3, a skin-enriched transcription factor, regulates β-defensin1 expression, shaping microbiota composition and volatile production. Pou2f3-deficient mice exhibited increased Staphylococcus abundance and elevated 1-methoxy-2-propanol levels, enhancing attraction in Culex and Aedes mosquitoes. This VOC, alongside other microbiota-derived compounds, could inspire targeted attractants for eco-friendly pest control via species-specific lures in integrated pest management (IPM). By bridging medical entomology and agricultural chemistry, this work advances sustainable solutions against vector-borne diseases and agricultural pests through precision chemical ecology strategies.