Autor(es): Raphemot, Rene; Estevez-Lao, Tania Y.; Rouhier, Matthew F.; Piermarini, Peter M.; Denton, Jerod S.; Hillyer, Julian F.

Resumo: Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels play essential roles in regulating diverse physiological processes. Although Kir channels are encoded in mosquito genomes, their functions remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified the members of the Anopheles gambiae Kir gene family and began to investigate their function. Notably, we Sequenced the A. gambiae Kin1 (AgKir1) gene and showed that it encodes all the canonical features of a Kit channel: an ion pore that is composed of a pore helix and a selectivity filter, two transmembrane domains that flank the ion pore, and the so-called G-loop. Heterologous expression of AgKir1 in Xeno pus oocytes revealed that this gene encodes a functional, barium-sensitive Kir channel. Quantitative RT-PCR experiments then showed that relative AgKir1 mRNA levels are highest in the pupal stage, and that AgKir1 mRNA is enriched in the adult ovaries. Gene silencing of AgKir1 by RNA interference did not affect the survival of female mosquitoes following a blood meal, but decreased their egg output. These data provide evidence for a new role of Kir channels in mosquito fecundity, and further validates them as promising molecular targets for the development of a new class of mosquitocides to be used in vector control. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Palavras-Chave: Inward rectifier potassium channel; Kir; Anopheles gambiae; Mosquito; Ovary; Fecundity; Oviposition

Imprenta: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, v. 51, p. 10-19, 2014

Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.05.002

Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Genome ; Aedes aegypti - RNA ; Aedes aegypti - RT-PCR

Data de publicação: 2014

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