This proposal from a new investigator is directed towards the characterization of 4 molecules from immune-activated Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. Using MALDI-TOF MS in collaboration with P. Bulet (CNRS, Strasbourg, France), the PI has obtained evidence for at least 15 immune-inducible peptides in Ae. aegypti. Preliminary data support the analysis of a cecropin (CEC), a protein active against Gram negative bacteria (GR), a proline-rich peptide (PRO) and a 690 Da molecule (M690). Genes encoding these four molecules will be cloned, using PCR and related technologies, and the antimicrobial spectrum of the peptides will be determined. Finally, the proteins will be expressed in mosquitoes using a Sindbis vector, and the mosquitoes will subsequently be exposed to an infectious bloodmeal (Plasmodium gallinaceum and Brugia malayi) to determine the effects of the peptides, alone and in combination, on parasite development.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI044966-04
Application #
6510949
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-TMP (01))
Program Officer
Aultman, Kathryn S
Project Start
1999-04-01
Project End
2005-03-31
Budget Start
2002-04-01
Budget End
2005-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$209,721
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Boulanger, Nathalie; Bulet, Philippe; Lowenberger, Carl (2006) Antimicrobial peptides in the interactions between insects and flagellate parasites. Trends Parasitol 22:262-8
Bartholomay, L C; Fuchs, J F; Cheng, L-L et al. (2004) Reassessing the role of defensin in the innate immune response of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Insect Mol Biol 13:125-32
Vizioli, J; Bulet, P; Hoffmann, J A et al. (2001) Gambicin: a novel immune responsive antimicrobial peptide from the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 98:12630-5
Lowenberger, C (2001) Innate immune response of Aedes aegypti. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 31:219-29
Lowenberger, C A (2001) Form, function and phylogenetic relationships of mosquito immune peptides. Adv Exp Med Biol 484:113-29
Lowenberger, C; Charlet, M; Vizioli, J et al. (1999) Antimicrobial activity spectrum, cDNA cloning, and mRNA expression of a newly isolated member of the cecropin family from the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. J Biol Chem 274:20092-7