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Flanley CM, Ramalho-Ortigao M, Coutinho-Abreu IV, Mukbel R, Hanafi HA, El-Hossary SS, Fawaz EY, Hoel DF, Bray AW, Stayback G, Shoue DA, Kamhawi S, Emrich S, McDowell MA. Phlebotomus papatasi sand fly predicted salivary protein diversity and immune response potential based on in silico prediction in Egypt and Jordan populations. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007489. [PMID: 32658913 PMCID: PMC7377520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies inject their hosts with a myriad of pharmacologically active salivary proteins to assist with blood feeding and to modulate host defenses. In addition, salivary proteins can influence cutaneous leishmaniasis disease outcome, highlighting the potential of the salivary components to be used as a vaccine. Variability of vaccine targets in natural populations influences antigen choice for vaccine development. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the variability in the predicted protein sequences of nine of the most abundantly expressed salivary proteins from field populations, testing the hypothesis that salivary proteins appropriate to target for vaccination strategies will be possible. PpSP12, PpSP14, PpSP28, PpSP29, PpSP30, PpSP32, PpSP36, PpSP42, and PpSP44 mature cDNAs from field collected P. papatasi from three distinct ecotopes in the Middle East and North Africa were amplified, sequenced, and in silico translated to assess the predicted amino acid variability. Two of the predicted sequences, PpSP12 and PpSP14, demonstrated low genetic variability across the three geographic isolated sand fly populations, with conserved multiple predicted MHCII epitope binding sites suggestive of their potential application in vaccination approaches. The other seven predicted salivary proteins revealed greater allelic variation across the same sand fly populations, possibly precluding their use as vaccine targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M. Flanley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Marcelo Ramalho-Ortigao
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Iliano V. Coutinho-Abreu
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID-NIH, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rami Mukbel
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Hanafi A. Hanafi
- Vector Biology Research Program, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Shabaan S. El-Hossary
- Vector Biology Research Program, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Emadeldin Y. Fawaz
- Vector Biology Research Program, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt
| | - David F. Hoel
- Lee County Mosquito Control District, Lehigh Acres, Florida, United States of America
| | - Alexander W. Bray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Gwen Stayback
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Douglas A. Shoue
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID-NIH, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Scott Emrich
- Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Kurkewich JL, Bikorimana E, Nguyen T, Klopfenstein N, Zhang H, Hallas WM, Stayback G, McDowell MA, Dahl R. The mirn23a microRNA cluster antagonizes B cell development. J Leukoc Biol 2016; 100:665-677. [PMID: 27084569 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.1hi0915-398rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ablation of microRNA synthesis by deletion of the microRNA-processing enzyme Dicer has demonstrated that microRNAs are necessary for normal hematopoietic differentiation and function. However, it is still unclear which specific microRNAs are required for hematopoiesis and at what developmental stages they are necessary. This is especially true for immune cell development. We previously observed that overexpression of the products of the mirn23a gene (microRNA-23a, -24-2, and 27a) in hematopoietic progenitors increased myelopoiesis with a reciprocal decrease in B lymphopoiesis, both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we generated a microRNA-23a, -24-2, and 27a germline knockout mouse to determine whether microRNA-23a, -24-2, and 27a expression was essential for immune cell development. Characterization of hematopoiesis in microRNA-23a, -24-2, and 27a-/- mice revealed a significant increase in B lymphocytes in both the bone marrow and the spleen, with a concomitant decrease in myeloid cells (monocytes/granulocytes). Analysis of the bone marrow progenitor populations revealed a significant increase in common lymphoid progenitors and a significant decrease in both bone marrow common myeloid progenitors and granulocyte monocyte progenitors. Gene-expression analysis of primary hematopoietic progenitors and multipotent erythroid myeloid lymphoid cells showed that microRNA-23a, -24-2, and 27a regulates essential B cell gene-expression networks. Overexpression of microRNA-24-2 target Tribbles homolog 3 can recapitulate the microRNA-23a, -24-2, and 27a-/- phenotype in vitro, suggesting that increased B cell development in microRNA-23a, -24-2, and 27a null mice can be partially explained by a Tribbles homolog 3-dependent mechanism. Data from microRNA-23a, -24-2, and 27a-/- mice support a critical role for this microRNA cluster in regulating immune cell populations through repression of B lymphopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Kurkewich
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Emmanuel Bikorimana
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, USA
| | - Tan Nguyen
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, USA
| | - Nathan Klopfenstein
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, USA
| | - Helen Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - William M Hallas
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, USA
| | - Gwen Stayback
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; and
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; and
| | - Richard Dahl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, USA
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Ramalho-Ortigão M, Coutinho-Abreu IV, Balbino VQ, Figueiredo CAS, Mukbel R, Dayem H, Hanafi HA, El-Hossary SS, Fawaz EEDY, Abo-Shehada M, Hoel DF, Stayback G, Wadsworth M, Shoue DA, Abrudan J, Lobo NF, Mahon AR, Emrich SJ, Kamhawi S, Collins FH, McDowell MA. Phlebotomus papatasi SP15: mRNA expression variability and amino acid sequence polymorphisms of field populations. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:298. [PMID: 26022221 PMCID: PMC4472253 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0914-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Phlebotomus papatasi salivary protein PpSP15 was shown to protect mice against Leishmania major, suggesting that incorporation of salivary molecules in multi-component vaccines may be a viable strategy for anti-Leishmania vaccines. Methods Here, we investigated PpSP15 predicted amino acid sequence variability and mRNA profile of P. papatasi field populations from the Middle East. In addition, predicted MHC class II T-cell epitopes were obtained and compared to areas of amino acid sequence variability within the secreted protein. Results The analysis of PpSP15 expression from field populations revealed significant intra- and interpopulation variation.. In spite of the variability detected for P. papatasi populations, common epitopes for MHC class II binding are still present and may potentially be used to boost the response against Le. major infections. Conclusions Conserved epitopes of PpSP15 could potentially be used in the development of a salivary gland antigen-based vaccine. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0914-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iliano V Coutinho-Abreu
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID-NIH, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
| | - Valdir Q Balbino
- Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | | | - Rami Mukbel
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
| | - Hussan Dayem
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
| | - Hanafi A Hanafi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
| | - Shabaan S El-Hossary
- Vector Biology Research Program, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Emad El-Din Y Fawaz
- Vector Biology Research Program, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Mahmoud Abo-Shehada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
| | - David F Hoel
- Department of Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
| | - Gwen Stayback
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Mariha Wadsworth
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Douglas A Shoue
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Jenica Abrudan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA.
| | - Neil F Lobo
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Andrew R Mahon
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Detroit, MI, 48859, USA.
| | - Scott J Emrich
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA. .,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID-NIH, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
| | - Frank H Collins
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA. .,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
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Nowling RJ, Abrudan JL, Shoue DA, Abdul-Wahid B, Wadsworth M, Stayback G, Collins FH, McDowell MA, Izaguirre JA. Identification of novel arthropod vector G protein-coupled receptors. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:150. [PMID: 23705687 PMCID: PMC3680159 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The control of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and typhus fever is often achieved with the use of insecticides. Unfortunately, insecticide resistance is becoming common among different vector species. There are currently no chemical alternatives to these insecticides because new human-safe classes of molecules have yet to be brought to the vector-control market. The identification of novel targets offer opportunities for rational design of new chemistries to control vector populations. One target family, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), has remained relatively under explored in terms of insecticide development. METHODS A novel classifier, Ensemble*, for vector GPCRs was developed. Ensemble* was validated and compared to existing classifiers using a set of all known GPCRs from Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, Apis Mellifera, Drosophila melanogaster, Homo sapiens, and Pediculus humanus. Predictions for unidentified sequences from Ae. aegypti, An. gambiae, and Pe. humanus were validated. Quantitative RT-PCR expression analysis was performed on previously-known and newly discovered Ae. aegypti GPCR genes. RESULTS We present a new analysis of GPCRs in the genomes of Ae, aegypti, a vector of dengue fever, An. gambiae, a primary vector of Plasmodium falciparum that causes malaria, and Pe. humanus, a vector of epidemic typhus fever, using a novel GPCR classifier, Ensemble*, designed for insect vector species. We identified 30 additional putative GPCRs, 19 of which we validated. Expression of the newly discovered Ae. aegypti GPCR genes was confirmed via quantitative RT-PCR. CONCLUSION A novel GPCR classifier for insect vectors, Ensemble*, was developed and GPCR predictions were validated. Ensemble* and the validation pipeline were applied to the genomes of three insect vectors (Ae. aegypti, An. gambiae, and Pe. humanus), resulting in the identification of 52 GPCRs not previously identified, of which 11 are predicted GPCRs, and 19 are predicted and confirmed GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald J Nowling
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
| | - Jenica L Abrudan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
- Eck Institute of Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
| | - Douglas A Shoue
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
- Eck Institute of Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
| | - Badi’ Abdul-Wahid
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
| | - Mariha Wadsworth
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
- Eck Institute of Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
| | - Gwen Stayback
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
- Eck Institute of Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
| | - Frank H Collins
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
- Eck Institute of Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
- Eck Institute of Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
| | - Jesús A Izaguirre
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
- Eck Institute of Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
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Abrudan J, Ramalho-Ortigão M, O'Neil S, Stayback G, Wadsworth M, Bernard M, Shoue D, Emrich S, Lawyer P, Kamhawi S, Rowton ED, Lehane MJ, Bates PA, Valenzeula JG, Tomlinson C, Appelbaum E, Moeller D, Thiesing B, Dillon R, Clifton S, Lobo NF, Wilson RK, Collins FH, McDowell MA. The characterization of the Phlebotomus papatasi transcriptome. Insect Mol Biol 2013; 22:211-232. [PMID: 23398403 PMCID: PMC3594503 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
As important vectors of human disease, phlebotomine sand flies are of global significance to human health, transmitting several emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The most devastating of the sand fly transmitted infections are the leishmaniases, causing significant mortality and morbidity in both the Old and New World. Here we present the first global transcriptome analysis of the Old World vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) and compare this transcriptome to that of the New World vector of visceral leishmaniasis, Lutzomyia longipalpis. A normalized cDNA library was constructed using pooled mRNA from Phlebotomus papatasi larvae, pupae, adult males and females fed sugar, blood, or blood infected with Leishmania major. A total of 47 615 generated sequences was cleaned and assembled into 17 120 unique transcripts. Of the assembled sequences, 50% (8837 sequences) were classified using Gene Ontology (GO) terms. This collection of transcripts is comprehensive, as demonstrated by the high number of different GO categories. An in-depth analysis revealed 245 sequences with putative homology to proteins involved in blood and sugar digestion, immune response and peritrophic matrix formation. Twelve of the novel genes, including one trypsin, two peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRP) and nine chymotrypsins, have a higher expression level during larval stages. Two novel chymotrypsins and one novel PGRP are abundantly expressed upon blood feeding. This study will greatly improve the available genomic resources for P. papatasi and will provide essential information for annotation of the full genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenica Abrudan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Marcelo Ramalho-Ortigão
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Phillip Lawyer
- Intracellular Parasite Biology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - Edgar D. Rowton
- Entomology Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 530 Robert Grant Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | | | - Paul A. Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Jesus G. Valenzeula
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - Chad Tomlinson
- The Genome Institute at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63108, USA
| | - Elizabeth Appelbaum
- The Genome Institute at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63108, USA
| | - Deborah Moeller
- The Genome Institute at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63108, USA
| | - Brenda Thiesing
- The Genome Institute at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63108, USA
| | - Rod Dillon
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Sandra Clifton
- The Genome Institute at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63108, USA
| | - Neil F. Lobo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Richard K. Wilson
- The Genome Institute at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63108, USA
| | - Frank H. Collins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Coutinho-Abreu IV, Mukbel R, Hanafi HA, Fawaz EY, El-Hossary SS, Wadsworth M, Stayback G, Pitts DA, Abo-Shehada M, Hoel DF, Kamhawi S, Ramalho-Ortigão M, McDowell MA. Expression plasticity of Phlebotomus papatasi salivary gland genes in distinct ecotopes through the sand fly season. BMC Ecol 2011; 11:24. [PMID: 21985688 PMCID: PMC3209445 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6785-11-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 10/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sand fly saliva can drive the outcome of Leishmania infection in animal models, and salivary components have been postulated as vaccine candidates against leishmaniasis. In the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi, natural sugar-sources modulate the activity of proteins involved in meal digestion, and possibly influence vectorial capacity. However, only a handful of studies have assessed the variability of salivary components in sand flies, focusing on the effects of environmental factors in natural habitats. In order to better understand such interactions, we compared the expression profiles of nine P. papatasi salivary gland genes of specimens inhabiting different ecological habitats in Egypt and Jordan and throughout the sand fly season in each habitat. RESULTS The majority of investigated genes were up-regulated in specimens from Swaymeh late in the season, when the availability of sugar sources is reduced due to water deprivation. On the other hand, these genes were not up-regulated in specimens collected from Aswan, an irrigated area less susceptible to drought effects. CONCLUSION Expression plasticity of genes involved with vectorial capacity in disease vectors may play an important epidemiological role in the establishment of diseases in natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliano V Coutinho-Abreu
- The Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Coutinho-Abreu IV, Wadsworth M, Stayback G, Ramalho-Ortigao M, McDowell MA. Differential expression of salivary gland genes in the female sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae). J Med Entomol 2010; 47:1146-1155. [PMID: 21175066 DOI: 10.1603/me10072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Saliva from blood-sucking arthropods modulates host homostasis and immunity, making salivary components potential candidates to be used against pathogens transmitted by these biting insects. Functional characterization of salivary molecules is fundamental to gain a better understanding into their roles during blood feeding and to determine under which conditions such molecules are expressed in the insect saliva. In the current study, we investigated the expression profile of 10 salivary genes from the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) (Diptera: Psychodidae), a principal vector of Leishmania major. Our analyses using quantitative polymerase chain reaction were aimed at defining whether diet or senescence influences the expression of P. papatasi salivary gland-expressed genes in laboratory-reared female sand flies. Our results demonstrate that at least one of the most abundant salivary transcripts, SP44, is consistently modulated by either senescence or diet. In contrast, another abundant transcript, SP32, was expressed without any influence from the diet received or the age of the sand fly. Differential expression of the other eight transcripts was not consistently regulated by either diet or age, suggesting that other factors may have a greater influence on differential expression of these salivary gland proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliano V Coutinho-Abreu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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