Organ-specific splice variants of aquaporin water channel AgAQP1 in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae.
PLoS One
; 8(9): e75888, 2013.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24066188
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Aquaporin (AQP) water channels are important for water homeostasis in all organisms. Malaria transmission is dependent on Anopheles mosquitoes. Water balance is a major factor influencing mosquito survival, which may indirectly affect pathogen transmission. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPALFINDINGS:
We obtained full-length mRNA sequences for Anopheles gambiae aquaporin 1 (AgAQP1) and identified two splice variants for the gene. In vitro expression analysis showed that both variants transported water and were inhibited by Hg(2+). One splice variant (AgAQP1A) was exclusively expressed in adult female ovaries indicating a function in mosquito reproduction. The other splice variant (AgAQP1B) was expressed in the midgut, malpighian tubules and the head in adult mosquitoes. Immunolabeling showed that in malpighian tubules, AgAQP1 is expressed in principal cells in the proximal portion and in stellate cells in the distal portion. Moreover, AgAQP1 is expressed in Johnston's organ (the "ear"), which is important for courtship behavior. CONCLUSIONS ANDSIGNIFICANCE:
These results suggest that AgAQP1 may play roles associated with mating (courtship) and reproduction in addition to water homeostasis in this important African malaria vector.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Insect Proteins
/
Aquaporins
/
Anopheles
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
PLoS One
Journal subject:
CIENCIA
/
MEDICINA
Year:
2013
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estados Unidos
Publication country:
EEUU
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
/
EUA
/
UNITED STATES
/
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
/
US
/
USA