Long-chain fatty acid elongases (ELOs) play important roles in the metabolism of fatty acids in insects. In this study, the genes for two elongases from Aedes aegypti were identified, AeELO2 and AeELO9. Quantitative real time PCR showed that AeELO2 and AeELO9 are expressed at all developmental stages and some body parts, but with different expression patterns. RNAi-mediated knockdown of AeELO2 and AeELO9 was performed to investigate their roles in the development, growth, osmotic balance, and cold tolerance of Ae. aegypti. Knockdown of AeELO2 slowed larval growth and development by causing molting abnormalities. Additionally, 33% ± 3.3% of adults died during oviposition, accompanied by an abnormal extension of cuticles in AeELO2-dsRNA knockdown mosquitos. Knockdown of AeEL09 resulted in abnormal balance of cuticular osmotic pressure and a reduction in egg production. The maximal mRNAs of AeELO2 and AeELO9 were detected in eggs at 72 h after oviposition. Moreover, AeELO2 knockdown reduced the egg hatching rates and AeELO9 knockdown larvae did not develop well. In summary, AeELO2 is involved in larval molting and growth, and its knockdown affects the flexibility and elasticity of adult mosquito cuticles. AeELO9 regulates cold tolerance, osmotic balance, and egg development in Ae. aegypti.
Keywords: Aedes aegypti; cold tolerance; cuticle; development; elongase; fecundity.