Met-depleted mosquitoes exhibit metabolic defects.

<p>(A) A decrease in the glycogen levels was observed in Met-depleted adult female mosquitoes, as measured by colorimetry (<i>left</i>) and PAS staining (<i>right</i>). Mosquitoes injected with iLuc were used as controls. (B) Changes in the levels of circulating sugars as a result of Met depletion. A reduction in trehalose, glucose and fructose concentrations were observed in iMet mosquitoes in comparison with the iLuc controls. (C) A decrease in the TAG level was observed in Met-depleted adult female mosquitoes, as measured by colorimetry. (D) ATP levels in iMet mosquitoes as determined by HPLC. A significant increase in the ATP levels was observed in iMet mosquitoes when compared with controls. Experimental procedure, normalizations and statistical analysis are similar to those in <a href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1005309#pgen.1005309.g002" target="_blank">Fig 2</a>, parts A-C, respectively. (E) Box plots showing the relative levels of intermediary metabolites of CM in iMet mosquitoes. While lactate and the glycolytic end product pyruvate were significantly induced, a reduction in the levels of glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate was observed. Intermediates of the citrate cycle, citrate, succinate and malate showed a mild increase in concentration. Three independent batches of experiments were performed, each showing similar results. Tissue collections and samplings were performed 4 days post-injection. All metabolite levels were normalized to the amount of total endogenous proteins. The control iLuc is represented as relative abundance 100, with corresponding adjustments in iMet levels. Error bars represent ± SD. * <i>p</i> < 0.05; ** <i>p</i> < 0.01.