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Anopheles gambiae SRPN2 facilitates midgut invasion by the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei
Author(s) -
Michel Kristin,
Budd Aidan,
Pinto Sofia,
Gibson Toby J,
Kafatos Fotis C
Publication year - 2005
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/sj.embor.7400478
Subject(s) - plasmodium berghei , anopheles gambiae , midgut , biology , gene knockdown , parasite hosting , rna interference , malaria , anopheles , plasmodium (life cycle) , prophenoloxidase , rna silencing , gene , rna , virology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , immune system , immunology , larva , innate immune system , botany , world wide web , computer science
We report on a phylogenetic and functional analysis of genes encoding three mosquito serpins (SRPN1, SRPN2 and SRPN3), which resemble known inhibitors of prophenoloxidase‐activating enzymes in other insects. Following RNA interference induction by double‐stranded RNA injection, knockdown of SRPN2 in adult Anopheles gambiae produced a notable phenotype: the appearance of melanotic pseudotumours, which increased in size and number with time, indicating spontaneous melanization and association with an observed lifespan reduction. Furthermore, knockdown of SRPN2 strongly interfered with the invasion of A. gambiae midguts by the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei . It did not affect ookinete formation, but markedly reduced oocyst numbers, by 97%, as a result of increased ookinete lysis and melanization.