Unveiling Wolbachia transcriptomic signature in the arboviral vector Aedes aegypti

Meta-analysis revealed 10 and 21 consistently down- and upregulated host genes, some of which have escaped the focus of previous research, including the consistently downregulated exonuclease <i>AAEL009650</i> which has a pro-dengue virus homolog in <i>Drosophila</i>. At the function level, we found consistent upregulation of electron transport chain (ETC), carbohydrate transport and serine-type peptidase activity and inhibition, and downregulation of DNA replication. ETC upregulation suggests an alternative mechanism for Wolbachia's induction of antiviral oxidative stress, previously attributed to dual- and NADPH-oxidases which here showed downregulation or no regulation. Through analysis of previously published datasets, this work identifies promising molecular and functional targets for future studies aimed at elucidating the most fundamental mechanisms of the <i>A. aegypti-Wolbachia</i> symbiosis.