Phosphoproteomics analyses of Aedes aegypti fat body reveals blood meal-induced signaling and metabolic pathways

The mosquito fat body is the principal source of yolk protein precursors (YPP) during mosquito egg development in female <i>Aedes aegypti</i>. To better understand the metabolic and signaling pathways involved in mosquito reproduction, we investigated changes in the mosquito fat body phosphoproteome at multiple time points after a blood meal. Using LC/MS, we identified 3570 phosphorylated proteins containing 14,551 individual phosphorylation sites. We observed protein phosphorylation changes in cellular pathways required for vitellogenesis, as well as proteins involved in primary cellular functions. Specifically, after a blood meal, proteins involved in ribosome synthesis, transcription, translation, and autophagy showed dynamic changes in their phosphorylation patterns. Our results provide new insight into blood meal-induced fat body dynamics and reveal potential proteins that can be targeted for interference with mosquito reproduction. Considering the devastating impact of mosquitoes on human health, worldwide, new approaches to control mosquitoes are urgently needed.