Reassessing the role of defensin in the innate immune response of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti
Autor(es): Bartholomay, L C; Fuchs, J F; Cheng, L; Beck, E T; Vizioli, J;Lowenberger, C; Christensen, B M 1
Resumo: Defensin is the predominant inducible immune peptide in Aedes aegypti. In spite of its activity against Gram-positive bacteria in vitro, defensin expression is detected in mosquitoes inoculated with Gram-positive or negative bacteria, or with filarial worms. Defensin transcription and expression are dependent upon bacterial dose; however, translation is inconsistent with transcription because peptide is detectable only in mosquitoes inoculated with large doses. In vitro translation assays provide further evidence for post-transcriptional regulation of defensin. Clearance assays show that a majority of bacteria are cleared before defensin is detected. In gene silencing experiments, no significant difference in mortality was observed between defensin-deficient and control mosquitoes after bacteria inoculation. These studies suggest that defensin may have an alternative function in mosquito immunity.
Palavras-Chave: Defensin; Gene regulation; Mosquitoes; Translation; Yellow fever mosquito
Imprenta: Insect Molecular Biology, v. 13, n. 2, p. 125-132, 2004.
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Immune response
Data de publicação: 2004
