The complex role of micro RNA in mosquito borne diseases

Mosquito control through insecticides is undesirable due to environmental concerns, therefore it is important to investigate alternate control mechanisms for mosquitoes, particularly through understanding and manipulation of their genomes. Micro RNAs (miRNA) are short, single-stranded non-coding RNAs, typically 20-24 bases long that regulate expressions of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). With their inherent ability to silence target mRNAs, they have attracted attention recently in understanding many diseases including cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. miRNAs have been known to play important roles in the blood feeding, development, maturation and survival of mosquitoes. Differential expressions of miRNAs have been observed during infections caused by protozoans, helminths, bacteria and viruses, participating in diverse roles in these organisms. The miR database (miRDB) is a repository of information on the different miRNAs discovered in different organisms. Understanding the complex roles played by miRNAs in mosquitoes could lead to designing effective strategies for vector control and eventual control of infectious disease.