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A new factor in the Aedes aegypti immune response: CLSP2 modulates melanization
Author(s) -
Shin Sang Woon,
Zou Zhen,
Raikhel Alexander S
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/embor.2011.130
Subject(s) - aedes aegypti , immune system , biology , virology , immunology , ecology , larva
Microbial infections in the mosquito Aedes aegypti activate the newly identified CLSP1 and CLSP2 genes, which encode modular proteins composed of elastase‐like serine protease and C‐type lectin domains. These genes are predominantly regulated by the immune deficiency pathway, but also by the Toll pathway. Silencing of CLSP2 , but not CLSP1 , results in the activation of prophenoloxidase (PPO), the terminal enzyme in the melanization cascade, suggesting that CLSP2 is a negative modulator of this reaction. Haemolymph PPO activation is normally inhibited in the presence of Plasmodium parasites, but in CLSP2‐depleted mosquitoes, the Plasmodium ‐induced block of melanization is reverted, and these mosquitoes are refractory to the parasite. Thus, CLSP2 is a new component of the mosquito immune response.