Trypsin modulating oostatic factor and its application as a larvicide for mosquito control: A review

Abstract

Mosquitoes transmit diseases such as Dengue, Zika, Malaria, and Filariasis. Because of the development of resistance, traditional mosquito control measures are ineffective, and synthetic pesticides offer several environmental and health risks. As a result, alternative environmentally acceptable mosquito control technologies must be developed. TMOF (Trypsin Modulating Oostatic Factor) is an oostatic decapeptide, discovered in the ovaries of blood-fed female Aedes aegypti L. and prevents trypsin biosynthesis in their gut. TMOF isolated from A. aegypti (Aea-TMOF) has been shown to cause mortality in adults and larvae of several mosquito species in studies. It can be utilised as a natural bio-control agent. A comparable TMOF from the fleshfly Neobellieria bullata (Neb-TMOF) and another peptide, Neb-colloostatin, were discovered during the search for related folliculostatins in insects. Though chemically distinct to Aea-TMOF, the hexapeptide Neb-TMOF possesses prothoracicostatic action and is physiologically similar to Aea-TMOF. Neb-colloostatin influence egg development but do not affect trypsin biosynthesis. The gut receptor for Aea-TMOF has recently been cloned, produced, and described. In this review, we compare and contrast Aea-discovery, TMOF's structure, biosynthesis, expression in different organisms, and mosquito larvicidal action with Neb-TMOF. Finally, we talk about how TMOF and its counterparts could be used to control mosquitoes.