The First Molecular Characterization of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) aquasalis (Diptera: Culicidae) Vitellogenin
André Luis Costa-Da-Silva1, Laisa Sentieri Lorenti2, Soraia De Lima Oliveira3
1Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, São Paulo, SP 05508-000. Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular - INCT-EM, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902. These authors contributed equally to this work. alcosta@icb.usp.br.
Abstract:
Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) aquasalis Curry, 1932, is an anopheline that plays an important role in Plasmodium transmission in the New World. Few studies have explored the molecular reproductive biology of this vector species. In the current study, we isolated and sequenced a partial, 886 bp, cDNA fragment of a vitellogenin (Vtg) gene from An. aquasalis. The transcription profile of this Vtg gene in adult females was characterized, and it is similar to other members of the Culicidae. We also detected a smaller subunit of An. aquasalis Vtg proteins in ovary tissue and characterized its translational profile in previtellogenic and vitellogenic females. Our results represent the first molecular characterization of An. aquasalis vitellogenin expression products.
