Open AccessInduced polypeptides associated with filarial worm refractoriness in Aedes aegypti.
Author(s) -
Alice R. Wattam,
Bruce M. Christensen
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.89.14.6502
Subject(s) - brugia malayi , aedes aegypti , biology , wuchereria bancrofti , blood meal , lymphatic filariasis , brugia pahangi , helminths , filariasis , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , larva , zoology , botany
Brugia malayi and Wuchereria bancrofti are mosquito-borne parasitic nematodes responsible for lymphatic filariasis in approximately 90 million people. The genetic control of the susceptibility of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to B. malayi was well defined 30 years ago, but no data have since been provided regarding the gene products responsible for susceptibility or refractoriness or both. We addressed this problem by assessing polypeptide synthesis in thoracic tissue, the developmental site of this parasite, in susceptible and refractory strains of A. aegypti. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of radiolabeled polypeptides synthesized in vivo were compared between (i) established susceptible and refractory strains and (ii) a refractory strain newly isolated from the established susceptible strain. Six polypeptide differences recognized by SDS/PAGE and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis were seen only in the refractory strains after they took a blood meal. A seventh polypeptide was present in those refractory mosquitoes that had ingested sucrose but increased in intensity after blood-feeding. The presence of parasites in the blood meal was not necessary to stimulate the synthesis of these polypeptides. These refractory strain-associated molecules may mediate genetically determined variation in susceptibility.