Aquatic Exposure to Abscisic Acid Transstadially Enhances Resistance to Malaria Parasite Infection.

The ancient stress signaling molecule abscisic acid (ABA) is ubiquitous in animals and plants but is perhaps most well-known from its early discovery as a plant hormone. ABA can be released into water by plants and is found in nectar, but is also present in mammalian blood, three key contexts for mosquito biology. We previously established that addition of ABA to larval rearing water altered immature development and life history traits of females derived from treated larvae, while addition of ABA to an infected bloodmeal increased resistance of adult female to human malaria parasite infection.

Comprehensive and Durable Modulation of Growth, Development, Lifespan and Fecundity in Following Larval Treatment With the Stress Signaling Molecule and Novel Antimalarial Abscisic Acid.

The larval environment of holometabolous insects determines many adult life history traits including, but not limited to, rate and success of development and adult lifespan and fecundity. The ancient stress signaling hormone abscisic acid (ABA), released by plants inundated with water and by leaf and root fragments in water, is likely ubiquitous in the mosquito larval environment and is well known for its wide ranging effects on invertebrate biology. Accordingly, ABA is a relevant stimulus and signal for mosquito development.