Localizing Protein Expression of Transporters in Epithelial Cell Membranes of Mosquitoes

Identifying and localizing ion transport proteins in epithelia is important for understanding how these tissues can regulate salt and water balance in animals. Mosquitoes face distinct challenges regarding salt and water balance as larvae live in water of varying ionic composition while adult female mosquitoes must deal with periodic large blood meals. This protocol will explain how to localize ion transporters in epithelia of mosquitoes. Antibodies raised against specific proteins can be used to carry out immunohistochemistry to tag and visualize native proteins in tissues and cells. This technique may be used for whole tissues and organs or can also be used on histological thin sections of fixed tissue. This protocol will detail the use of immunohistochemistry to localize membrane proteins in mosquito organs.