Preventing Mosquitoes Urinating, May Control Disease Spread

A new protein that may help control disease-spreading mosquitoes, says the scientists.

A protein from the renal tubules of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread the dengue fever causing virus. This particular protein appears to be involved in promoting urination as the mosquitoes feed on blood. When mosquitoes consume and process blood meals, they must urinate to prevent fluid and salt overloads that can kill them.

The mosquitoes undergoes rapid urination when feeding. So at that time, they will not be able to fly away. Too much weight will impair the mosquitoes' ability to fly. Then they may become more susceptible to being swatted by their host or eaten by a predator.

Thus, blocking the function of this protein may limit their ability to survive and transmit viruses, says the experts.