Redundancy of proteins in the salivary glands of Panstrongylus megistus secures prolonged procurement for blood meals.
J Proteomics
; 74(9): 1693-700, 2011 Aug 24.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21601023
ABSTRACT
Panstrongylus megistus, a vector for the Chagas disease parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a hematophagous bug widely distributed in South America. This ubiquitous triatomine is known to colonize different wild life habitats. Additionally, P. megistus synanthropy, preying upon mammals, birds, reptiles, and eventually being predators upon insect's hemolymph probably increases its ability to survive after prolonged fasting. It was suspected that the P. megistus mechanisms of adaptation to survival might include a salivary gland complex tool-box with a diversity of pharmacologically active proteins for obtaining blood meals. Herein we describe comprehensive proteome and transcriptome of the P. megistus salivary gland. The proteomic analysis led to the identification of 159 proteins, and the transcriptome revealed 47 complete cDNAs. A diversity of protein functions associated to blood feeding was identified. The most prevalent proteins were related to blood clotting, anti-platelet aggregation and anti-vasoconstriction activities, which correlate with the insect's ability to obtain meals from different sources. Moreover, a gene of resistance to insecticides was identified. These features augments the comprehension towards P. megistus enormous capacity to survive in adverse wild life-changing habitats.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Panstrongylus
/
Salivary Proteins and Peptides
/
Insect Proteins
/
Feeding Behavior
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
J Proteomics
Journal subject:
BIOQUIMICA
Year:
2011
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil