Researchers have discovered that mosquitoes protect themselves from getting sick from viruses like dengue and Zika by producing small RNAs that target and degrade viral RNA, which is facilitated by a protein called Argonaute 2 (Ago2). By genetically modifying mosquitoes to remove the Ago2 gene, they become vulnerable to these viruses and die before being able to transmit them to humans. This discovery could lead to new strategies to combat mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Zika, and others, potentially preventing millions of infections and deaths caused by these viruses annually.
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Dengue Fever Detectives Figure Out Why Mosquitoes Don’t Get Sick
