In Mosquitoes, Warmer Temperature Reverses The Aging-Dependent Decrease In Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity, Modifying The Expression Of Oxidative Stress And Immune Genes
Our planet’s rising temperatures are having a profound impact on even the smallest creatures, like mosquitoes. New research reveals how warmer conditions affect the aging process and immune system of these insects. Scientists found that as mosquitoes get older, the activity of a crucial enzyme called nitric oxide synthase, which is involved in their immune responses and how they handle stress, naturally decreases. However, in a surprising twist, warmer temperatures actually counteract this age-related decline, boosting the enzyme’s activity in older mosquitoes. This interaction between temperature and aging also influences the activity of various genes. For instance, genes related to immunity and stress responses become more active, while those responsible for fighting off microbes and detoxifying certain harmful substances become less active. These findings suggest that the increased stress on their bodies due to warmer temperatures might actually speed up the aging process (senescence) in mosquitoes, potentially impacting their ability to transmit diseases in a changing climate.
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