Abstract
Annonaceous acetogenins are botanical compounds with good potential for use as insecticides. In the vector, Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae), squamocin (acetogenin) has been reported to be a larvicide and cytotoxic, but the modes of action of this molecule are still poorly understood. This study evaluated the changes in the cell morphology, and in the expression of genes, for autophagy (Atg1 and Atg8), for membrane ion transporter V-ATPase, and for water channel aquaporin-4 (Aqp4) in the midgut of A. aegypti larvae exposed to squamocin from Annona mucosa Jacq. (Annonaceae). Squamocin showed cytotoxic action with changes in the midgut epithelium and digestive cells of A. aegypti larvae, increase in the expression for autophagy gene Atg1 and Atg8, decrease in the expression of V-ATPase, decrease in the expression of Aqp4 gene in LC20 and inhibition of Apq4 genes in the midgut of this vector in LC50. These multiple modes of action for squamocin are described for the first time in insects, and they are important because different sites of action of squamocin from A. mucosa may reduce the possibility of resistance of A. aegypti to this molecule.
MeSH terms
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Aedes / cytology
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Aedes / drug effects*
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Aedes / genetics
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Animals
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Aquaporin 4 / genetics
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Autophagy / drug effects
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Autophagy / genetics
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Autophagy-Related Protein 8 Family / genetics
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Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog / genetics
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Digestive System / cytology
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Digestive System / drug effects
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Digestive System / metabolism
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Furans / pharmacology*
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Gene Expression / drug effects
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Genes, Insect / drug effects
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Insect Proteins / genetics
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Insecticides / pharmacology*
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Lactones / pharmacology*
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Larva / cytology
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Larva / drug effects
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Larva / genetics
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Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
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Mosquito Control
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Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases / genetics
Substances
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Aquaporin 4
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Autophagy-Related Protein 8 Family
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Furans
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Insect Proteins
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Insecticides
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Lactones
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squamocin
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Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog
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Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases
Grants and funding
The funding from Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa grants reagents for JES. The funding from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do estado de Minas Gerais grants fellowship and reagents for MSC. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.