Kim S R, Yao R, Han Q, Christensen B M, Li J
Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champain, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
Insect Mol Biol. 2005 Apr;14(2):185-94. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2004.00547.x.
Chorion melanization is a vital biochemical event for the survival of mosquito eggs in the environment. This study describes the identification and molecular characterization of a prophenoloxidase (proPO) involved in chorion melanization in Aedes aegypti by various biochemical and molecular techniques. Results revealed that transcription of the chorion proPO occurs only in adults, blood feeding greatly stimulated its transcription and haemocytes are responsible for its transcription. Our study provides a solid basis for suggesting an essential role of the isolated proPO in chorion melanization during chorion hardening and also raises fundamental questions regarding its transportation and distribution in the chorion. This study should serve as a useful reference towards functional elucidation of other proPOs in mosquitoes.
卵壳黑化是蚊卵在环境中存活的关键生化事件。本研究通过各种生化和分子技术描述了埃及伊蚊中参与卵壳黑化的一种前酚氧化酶(proPO)的鉴定及其分子特征。结果显示,卵壳proPO的转录仅在成虫中发生,血液喂养极大地刺激了其转录,并且血细胞负责其转录。我们的研究为所分离的proPO在卵壳硬化过程中的卵壳黑化中发挥重要作用提供了坚实基础,同时也提出了关于其在卵壳中的运输和分布的基本问题。本研究应为阐明蚊子中其他proPO的功能提供有用参考。