A gut-specific serine protease from the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae is downregulated after blood ingestion
Autor(es): Shen, Z; Edwards, MJ; Jacobs-Lorena, M
Resumo: A chymotrypsin-like serine protease gene (AgChyL) was cloned from the mosquito Anopheles gambiae by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based subtractive cDNA cloning strategy. AgChyL messenger RNA (mRNA) is abundant in the adult female gut prior to, and for 8 h following, a blood meal. During the peak of digestion, from 12 to 24 h following a blood meal, AgChyL mRNA abundance decreased to barely detectable levels. AgChyL mRNA was abundant again by 48 h following a blood meal. Recombinant pro-AgChyL was expressed in Escherichia coli. The pro-enzyme can be activated by trypsin. Activated AgChyL cleaves the synthetic chymotrypsin substrate succinyl-L-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-nitroanilide, but not two other synthetic chymotrypsin substrates or synthetic trypsin and elastase substrates. The potential role of AgChyL in the coordination of An. gambiae digestion is discussed.
Palavras-Chave: Protease; Digestion; Anopheles; Chymotrypsin
Imprenta: Insect Molecular Biology, v. 9, n. 3, p. 223-229, 2000
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1046/j.1365-2583.2000.00188.x
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - RNA
Data de publicação: 2000
