Functional analysis of genes in Aedes aegypti embryos

Abstract

Blood-feeding mosquitoes, including the dengue and yellow fever vector Aedes aegypti, transmit many of the world's deadliest diseases. Such diseases have resurged in developing countries and pose clear threats for epidemic outbreaks in developed countries. Recent mosquito genome projects have stimulated interest in the potential for arthropod-borne disease control by genetic manipulation of vector insects, and genes that regulate development are of particular interest. In recent years, RNA interference (RNAi) has proven to be an effective strategy for inhibiting gene function in many organisms. This protocol describes a method for knockdown of embryonic genes in Ae. aegypti embryos by microinjection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) designed to target a specific gene of interest. The procedure includes a strategy for siRNA design, microinjection, and measurement of knockdown effectiveness.