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Dietary L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) augments cuticular melanization in Anopheles mosquitos reducing their lifespan and malaria burden

Author

Listed:
  • Emma Camacho

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Yuemei Dong

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Christine Chrissian

    (City College of New York)

  • Radames J. B. Cordero

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Raúl G. Saraiva

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Yesseinia Anglero-Rodriguez

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Daniel F. Q. Smith

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Ella Jacobs

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Isabella Hartshorn

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • J. Alberto Patiño-Medina

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Michael DePasquale

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Amanda Dziedzic

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Anne Jedlicka

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Barbara Smith

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Godfree Mlambo

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Abhai Tripathi

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Nichole A. Broderick

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Ruth E. Stark

    (City College of New York)

  • George Dimopoulos

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Arturo Casadevall

    (Johns Hopkins University)

Abstract

L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), a naturally occurring tyrosine derivative, is prevalent in environments that include mosquito habitats, potentially serving as part of their diet. Given its role as a precursor for melanin synthesis we investigate the effect of dietary L-DOPA on mosquito physiology and immunity to Plasmodium falciparum and Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Dietary L-DOPA is incorporated into mosquito melanin via a non-canonical pathway and has a profound transcriptional effect associated with enhanced immunity, increased pigmentation, and reduced lifespan. Increased melanization results in an enhanced capacity to absorb electromagnetic radiation that affects mosquito temperatures. Bacteria in the mosquito microbiome act as sources of dopamine, a substrate for melanization. Our results illustrate how an environmentally abundant amino acid analogue can affect mosquito physiology and suggest its potential usefulness as an environmentally friendly vector control agent to reduce malaria transmission, warranting further research and field studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Camacho & Yuemei Dong & Christine Chrissian & Radames J. B. Cordero & Raúl G. Saraiva & Yesseinia Anglero-Rodriguez & Daniel F. Q. Smith & Ella Jacobs & Isabella Hartshorn & J. Alberto Patiño-Med, 2025. "Dietary L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) augments cuticular melanization in Anopheles mosquitos reducing their lifespan and malaria burden," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63077-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63077-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jodi M. Fiorenzano & Philip G. Koehler & Rui-De Xue, 2017. "Attractive Toxic Sugar Bait (ATSB) For Control of Mosquitoes and Its Impact on Non-Target Organisms: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Sebastiaan P. Kessel & Alexandra K. Frye & Ahmed O. El-Gendy & Maria Castejon & Ali Keshavarzian & Gertjan Dijk & Sahar El Aidy, 2019. "Gut bacterial tyrosine decarboxylases restrict levels of levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Thomas P. Agyekum & Paul K. Botwe & John Arko-Mensah & Ibrahim Issah & Augustine A. Acquah & Jonathan N. Hogarh & Duah Dwomoh & Thomas G. Robins & Julius N. Fobil, 2021. "A Systematic Review of the Effects of Temperature on Anopheles Mosquito Development and Survival: Implications for Malaria Control in a Future Warmer Climate," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-22, July.
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