Aedes dronc: a novel ecdysone-inducible caspase in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti
Autor(es): Cooper, D. M.; Thi, E. P.; Chamberlain, C. M.; Pio, F.; Lowenberger, C.
Resumo: Caspases are cysteinyl-aspartate-specific proteases known for their role in apoptosis. Here, we describe the characterization of Aedes Dronc, a novel caspase in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Aedes Dronc is predicted to contain an N-terminal caspase recruitment domain and is a homologue of Drosophila Dronc and human caspase-9. An increase in transcripts and caspase activity coincides with developmental changes in the mosquito, suggesting that Aedes Dronc plays a role in developmental apoptosis. Exposure of third instar larvae to ecdysone resulted in a significant increase in both transcript levels and caspase activity. We present here a functional characterization of the first caspase recruitment domain-containing caspase in mosquitoes, and will initiate studies on the role of apoptosis in the innate immune response of vectors.
Palavras-Chave: Apoptosis; Caspase; Aedes aegypti; Ecdysone; Development
Imprenta: Insect Molecular Biology, v. 16, n. 5, p. 563-572, 2007
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2007.00758.x
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Immune response ; Aedes aegypti - Molecular structure
Data de publicação: 2007
