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Molecular characterization of arrestin family members in the malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae
Author(s) -
Merrill C. E.,
Pitts R. J.,
Zwiebel L. J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
insect molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.955
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2583
pISSN - 0962-1075
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2583.2003.00450.x
Subject(s) - anopheles gambiae , biology , olfaction , arrestin , adaptation (eye) , insect , vector (molecular biology) , sensory system , malaria , olfactory system , anopheles , evolutionary biology , genetics , zoology , ecology , neuroscience , g protein coupled receptor , receptor , gene , immunology , recombinant dna
Olfaction influences many insect behaviours including mate seeking and host selection. The molecular machinery underlying insect olfactory systems is a G protein‐coupled receptor pathway that, in addition to activation, requires adaptation for olfactory sensitivity and discrimination. We have previously identified ARR1 (henceforth Ag ARR1), a sensory arrestin from the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae that has been postulated to modulate olfactory adaptation. This report describes three additional arrestin family members including ARR2 (henceforth Ag ARR2), which is similar to previously characterized insect sensory arrestins and is expressed at significantly higher levels in the antennae of male vs. female A. gambiae mosquitoes. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that Ag ARR2 may be important for the regulation of olfactory‐driven behaviours particular to male mosquitoes.