Novel Inhibitors of the Renal Inward Rectifier Potassium Channel of the Mosquito Vector Aedes Aegypti

Abstract

The mosquito continues to be the most lethal animal to humans due to the devastating diseases that it carries and transmits. Controlling mosquito-borne diseases relies heavily on vector management using neurotoxic insecticides with limited modes of action. This has led to the emergence of resistance to pyrethroids and other neurotoxic insecticides in mosquitoes, which has reduced the efficacy of chemical control agents. Moreover, many neurotoxic insecticides are not selective for mosquitoes and negatively impact beneficial insects such as honeybees. Developing new mosquitocides with novel mechanisms of action is a clear unmet medical need; this review covers the efforts made toward this end by targeting the renal inward rectifier potassium channel (Kir) of the mosquito.

Developmental and Nutritional Dynamics of Malpighian Tubule Autofluorescence in the Asian Tiger Mosquito Aedes albopictus

“…The distal MTs are mainly involved in the excretion of water, electrolytes, wastes and xenobiotics, while the proximal segments reabsorb water and useful electrolytes [ 20 , 21 ]. The paracellular and transcellular mechanisms operating within the MTs to control electrolyte and fluid secretion have been identified as potential targets for the development of innovative vector control strategies [ 22 , 23 ]. Targeting the osmoregulatory mechanisms of the MTs has also been proposed as a strategy to influence metabolism, metabolic waste excretion and antioxidant activity disrupting the life cycle of disease vectors and hindering oviposition [ 21 , 24 , 25 ].…”