Aedes aegypti peroxidase gene characterization and developmental expression
Autor(es): Zhao, XL; Smartt, CT; Li, JY; Christensen, BM
Resumo: The functions of insect peroxidases include detoxification, stabilization of extracellular matrices, and possible involvement in insect immunity. The current study describes the isolation of a peroxidase gene, AePox, and its cDNA from the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. AePox codes for a protein that is homologous to various heme-peroxidases from vertebrates and invertebrates, with highest identity to Drosophila melanogaster peroxidase (62%). Sequence comparison identified several functionally and structurally conserved domains in the mosquito peroxidase, including a heme environment, a calcium binding site, and five possible disulfide bridges. These results imply that AePOX may likely have a similar structure and catalytic mechanism as those described for the mammalian myeloperoxidase superfamily. Expression studies demonstrate that AePox is transcribed in mosquito larvae and pupae, but not in adults, in ovaries, or in early embryos. However, AePOX protein is present in all mosquito stages and possibly has a maturation process that is similar to that of human myeloperoxidase. Unlike most human peroxidases, the AePox gene contains a TATA box and an ecdysone response element (EcRE). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Palavras-Chave: Aedes aegypti; Mosquito; Peroxidase
Imprenta: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, v. 31, n. 4-5, p. 481-490, 2001
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1016/S0965-1748(00)00155-7
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Immune response ; Aedes aegypti - Molecular structure ; Aedes aegypti - RNA ; Aedes aegypti - Immunology
Data de publicação: 2001
