Hypoxia-induced transcription factor signaling is essential for larval growth of the mosquito Aedes aegypti

Significance Gut microbes positively affect the physiology of many animals, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these benefits remain poorly understood. Recent studies indicate that gut bacteria reduce oxygen levels in the mosquito gut, which serves as a growth signal. Here, we report that transduction of a bacteria-induced low-oxygen signal requires mosquito-encoded hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs). Our results further indicate that HIFs activate several processes with essential growth and metabolic functions. These findings can potentially be used to disrupt mosquito development into adults that transmit human diseases.