Genetic Analysis of Aedes aegypti Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Markers from Dengue Outbreaks in Pakistan

Background: Keeping in view the havoc situation of dengue fever in Pakistan, the current study was designed to demonstrate the genetic variations, gene flow and rate of migration from Lahore and Faisalabad.

Methods: The larvae were collected from both natural and artificial breeding places from each collection site. The adult mosquitoes were collected by means of sweep net and battery-operated aspirator. DNA extraction was performed using TNE buffer method. Ten GeneLink-A series RAPD primers were used for PCR amplification and the data was analyzed through POPGENE.

Results: The number of amplification products produced per primer varied from 8-12, ranging from 200 to 2000 bp with an average of 10.0 bands per primer. The percentage of polymorphic loci amplified by each primer varied from 22.5 to 51%. The UPGMA dendrogram demonstrates two distinct groups from Faisalabad and Lahore populations. The genetic diversity ranged from 0.260 in Faisalabad to 0.294 in Lahore with a total heterozygosity of 0.379. The G_ST value for nine populations within Lahore was 0.131 (Nm= 3.317), whereas for nine populations in Faisalabad G_ST value was 0.117 (Nm= 3.773). The overall genetic variation among eighteen populations showed G_ST= 0.341 and Nm= 1.966.

Conclusion: The genetic relatedness and Nm value show that Ae. aegypti populations exhibit intra-population gene flow both in Faisalabad and Lahore. Although, both cities show a distinct pattern of genetic structure; however, few areas from both the cities show genetic similarity. The gene flow and the genetic relatedness in few populations of Lahore and Faisalabad cities need further investigation.