The Notch signaling pathway is a highly evolutionarily-conserved cell-cell signaling pathway that regulates many events during development. It plays a pivotal role in the regulation of fundamental cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, stem cell maintenance, and differentiation during embryonic and adult development. However, functions of Notch signaling in Aedes aegypti, the major mosquito vector for dengue, are largely unknown. In this study, we identified a unique feature of A. aegypti Notch (AaNotch) in the control of the sterile-like phenotype in female mosquitoes. Silencing AaNotch with a reverse genetic approach significantly reduced the fecundity and fertility of the mosquito. Silencing AaNotch also resulted in the prevention of micropyle formation, which led to impaired fertilization. In addition, JNK phosphorylation (a signaling molecule in the non-canonical Notch signaling pathway) was inhibited in the absence of AaNotch. Furthermore, treatment with a JNK inhibitor in the mosquito resulted in impaired fecundity and fertility. Taken together, our results demonstrate that non-canonical Notch signaling is essential for controlling fertility in the A. aegypti mosquito.

Notch信号通路是高度进化保守的细胞信号通路，可调节发育过程中的许多事件。它在基本细胞过程的调节中起关键作用，例如细胞增殖，干细胞维持以及胚胎和成年发育过程中的分化。然而，埃及伊蚊是登革热的主要蚊媒，Notch信号传导的功能在很大程度上是未知的。在这项研究中，我们确定了A的独特功能。埃及Notch（AaNotch）在控制雌性蚊子的无菌样表型中。用反向遗传方法沉默AaNotch会大大降低蚊子的繁殖力和繁殖力。沉默AaNotch还可以防止形成微粒，从而导致受精受损。此外，在不存在AaNotch的情况下，JNK磷酸化（非规范Notch信号通路中的信号分子）被抑制。此外，在蚊子中使用JNK抑制剂治疗会导致生育力和生育力受损。两者合计，我们的结果表明，非规范的Notch信号对于控制A的生育能力至关重要。埃及蚊子。