Tyrosine transfer RNA levels and modifications during blood‐feeding and vitellogenesis in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti

Mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti must consume a blood meal for the nutrients necessary for egg production. Several transcriptome and proteome changes occur post‐blood meal that likely corresponds with codon usage alterations. Transfer RNA (tRNA) is the adapter molecule that reads messenger RNA codons to add the appropriate amino acid during protein synthesis. Chemical modifications to tRNA enhance codon decoding, improving the accuracy and efficiency of protein synthesis. Here, we examined tRNA modifications and transcripts associated with the blood meal and subsequent periods of vitellogenesis in A. aegypti. More specifically, we assessed tRNA transcript abundance and modification levels in the fat body at critical times post blood‐feeding. Based on a combination of alternative codon usage and identification of particular modifications, we discovered that increased transcription of tyrosine tRNAs is likely critical during the synthesis of egg yolk proteins in the fat body following a blood meal. Altogether, changes in both the abundance and modification of tRNA are essential factors in the process of vitellogenin production after blood‐feeding in mosquitoes. Blood‐feeding causes shifts in tRNA modification levels and tRNA‐modifying enzyme expression in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Identification of mannosyl‐queuosine (manQ) as wobble position modification in tyrosine tRNA in mosquitoes. In the fat body, tyrosine tRNA levels are elevated post blood‐feeding and correlate with the enrichment of tyrosine codons in key reproductive proteins.