# REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF AEDES MOSQUITOES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME · 1989 · $133,030

## Abstract

The importance of the eggshell or chorion to an insect cannot be
overstated.  Among other things it facilitates sperm entry,
protects the embryo and allows for gas exchange.  Elucidation of
chorionic molecular structure and its regulation has been the
subject of detailed analyses for many years now in silkmoths and
Drosophila.  Unfortunately, studies on the molecular aspects of
mosquito chorions have been neglected.  One of the major
objectives and specific aims of this proposal is to correct this
oversight.  We have succeeded in isolating Aedes chorions at all
stages of ovarian development and have begun to characterize the
individual proteins that constitute the chorion.  Furthermore, we
want to learn how these proteins are held together and investigate
the possible role of hormones which may regulate their syntheses.

A second objective is to continue our studies of a high affinity
juvenile hormone binding protein (JHBP) which we have identified
in A. aegypti and appears shortly after blood-feeding.
Preliminary evidence indicates that the synthesis of this JHBP is
regulated by a head factor.  We plan to investigate this further.
In addition, time permitting, further purification and
characterization of this JHBP will be carried out in order to
correlate its appearance with known endocrinological events in
mosquitoes.

Lastly, we wish to gain some insight into the physical and
chemical mechanisms which regulate egg diapause in A.
atropalpus.  Experiments are suggested which will hopefully lead
to the identification of an egg diapause factor in mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are important disease carrying vectors of worldwide
significance.  It is clear that the more we learn about their
biology, the better our chances become of controlling them.  Our
long-range objectives are to determine what molecular factors
regulate the reproductive physiology of Aedes mosquitoes,
particularly A. aegypti.  This knowledge can serve as a basis for
the intelligent design of agents which can interrupt the
reproductive cycle of these important disease vectors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3124780
- **Project number:** 5R01AI010707-16
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FPU6XGFXMBE9
- **Principal Investigator:** MORTON S. FUCHS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $133,030
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-03-01 → 1991-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3124780

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3124780, REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF AEDES MOSQUITOES (5R01AI010707-16). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3124780. Licensed CC0.

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