Autor(es): Gordadze, A. V.; Korochkina, S. E.; Zakharkin, S. O.; Norton, A. L.; Benes, H.

Resumo: Fourth-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti synthesize two types of hexamerins, Hexamerin-1 (AaHex-1) and Hexamerin-2 (AaHex-2), whose subunits are distinguished by different methionine and aromatic amino acid contents. In early female pupae only the methionine-rich AaHex-1 gamma subunit accumulates to two-fold higher levels than in males. To investigate the relationship between hexamerin structure and the roles of Hex-1 and Hex-2 during mosquito development and reproduction, we have cloned and sequenced cDNAs encoding the AaHex-2 alpha , -2 beta and AaHex-1 gamma subunits. Comparison with other insect hexamerins revealed that the Aedes Hex-1 and Hex-2 proteins belong, respectively, to the two hexamerin subfamilies previously defined for brachyceran Diptera. Probes specific for the Hex-2 alpha and Hex-1 gamma transcripts showed that expression of both genes follows the same developmental timetable. However, greater Hex-1 gamma mRNA accumulation may contribute to the higher levels of Hex-1 gamma protein in early female pupae.

Palavras-Chave: Gene expression; Instars; Insect larvae; Males; DNA; Females; Larval development; Sex determination

Imprenta: Insect Molecular Biology, v. 8, n. 1, p. 55-66, 1999.

Descritores: Aedes aegypti - DNA ; Aedes aegypti - Molecular Structure ; Aedes aegypti - Proteins

Data de publicação: 1999

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