There are differences in genes in mosquitoes that prefer mosquitoes and cows that prefer human beings

ByTanakawho

Mosquitoes suck not only humans but also the blood of other creatures such as cattle. As a result of examining "individuals who like human beings" and "individuals who prefer bovines", we found that this preference difference lies in genetic differences.

PLOS Genetics: The Genetic Basis of Host Preference and Resting Behavior in the Major African Malaria Vector, Anopheles arabiensis
http://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1006303


The genetics behind what mosquitos choose to bite | Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/09/the-genetics-behind-what-mosquitos-choose-to-bite/


Even among mosquitoes "Hamadalaka"Is widely known as a vector of malaria. Hamadaraka sucks not only humans but also cattle such as cattle, so if you choose humans as "bloodshed", there is a greater likelihood that more people will be infected with malaria, but if people are less prone to be stabbed , It can reduce the number of people infected with malaria.

So, at the University of CaliforniaBradley · J · MainThey picked up different mosquitoes of your choice and decided to examine that gene.

The main compares the genes of 25 animals "mosquitoes preferring cattle" and 23 animals "mosquitoes that prefer humans". Then, we found a total of 4.8 million base pair differences. What was different was thought to be genes related to the transmission and acceptance of smell, which may have caused a difference in preference. Just the other day,Chicken odor is effective for malaria preventionStudies that have been announced.

From this result, something can not be done right now, but in the future it can be used for mosquito control devices or to reduce the threat of malaria by reducing "mosquitoes that prefer humans" It is expected to be able to do.

By the way, in Africa, use of 'long-term residual mosquito nets' has been increasing as a measure against malaria, and it has been successful. Sumitomo Chemical's long-term residual mosquito net "Olset Net" is a mosquito net made of Polyethylene, which is a moth-repellent pyrethroid, which is gradually dissolving out of medicine. The insecticidal effect is achieved by the technology called "Control Release" A thing that it lasts more than five years.

Sumitomo Chemical's Approach to Malaria | Support through Olyset® Net | Sumitomo Chemical
https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/csr/olysetnet/initiative.html


As mosquitoes are resting outdoors and something resting indoors, resting indoors means that contact with people increases so much that it is considered to be a source of infection of malaria, so Mr. Maine said "mosquitoes resting in the open air" and " We also examined the difference in the genes of "mosquitoes resting indoors", but here it is that no difference was seen.