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-L,Beck E T,Vizioli J,Lowenberger C,Christensen B M
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.
Imprenta: Insect Molecular Biology, v. 13, n. 2, p. 125-132, 2004
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1111/j.0962-1075.2004.00467.x
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - DNA ; Aedes aegypti - Immune response ; Aedes aegypti - Pathogenesis ; Aedes aegypti - Proteins ; Aedes aegypti - RNA ; Aedes aegypti - Immune response
Data de publicação: 2004
