Laccases are copper-containing oxidases with broad substrate specificity. They have been implicated in a variety of physiological processes in plants and fungi, including lignin synthesis and degradation, morphogenesis, pigmentation, detoxification, and virulence. Related multicopper oxidases are involved in protection against metal toxicity in bacteria and fungi. Whether laccases have similar functions in insects is unknown, as laccases have not previously been investigated in insects in detail. The one identified role of insect laccases is in catalyzing cuticle tanning and sclerotization reactions, but preliminary results suggest that some insect laccase genes may have other functions. The long term goals of this research are to determine the function of six putative laccases in the mosquito, Anopheles garnbiae, to increase our understanding of laccase-substrate interactions, and eventually to use this information to develop strategies to reduce disease transmission by mosquitoes. This project has three specific aims designed to test hypotheses regarding potential functions for laccases in mosquito physiology and to investigate laccase inhibitors for use in biochemical analyses of laccase function and for testing whether laccases may be a potentially useful new target for chemical control of mosquitoes. 1) Investigate the role of laccases in cuticle sclerotization, pigmentation, wound healing, and egg shell tanning. 2) Determine whether laccases have a role in protecting insects from toxic substances such as phenolic compounds in the larval environment or iron in the blood meal. 3) Design, synthesize, and test inhibitors of Anopheles laccases for exploring the laccase active site and for tests of the inhibitors' effects on mosquito development and survival. Relevance: Because they are vectors of human diseases, mosquitoes have a tremendous human health impact, and Anopheles gambiae is particularly important as the major vector of malaria in Africa. Studies of mosquito laccases will increase our understanding of fundamental processes in mosquito biology and may provide knowledge regarding how these insects transmit diseases or how they tolerate toxic chemicals. Disrupting laccase function may provide a new mechanism for controlling mosquito populations. ? ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI070864-01A1
Application #
7316724
Study Section
Vector Biology Study Section (VB)
Program Officer
Costero, Adriana
Project Start
2007-07-01
Project End
2011-06-30
Budget Start
2007-07-01
Budget End
2008-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$467,940
Indirect Cost
Name
Kansas State University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
929773554
City
Manhattan
State
KS
Country
United States
Zip Code
66506
Peng, Zeyu; Dittmer, Neal T; Lang, Minglin et al. (2015) Multicopper oxidase-1 orthologs from diverse insect species have ascorbate oxidase activity. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 59:58-71
Peng, Zeyu; Green, Peter G; Arakane, Yasuyuki et al. (2014) A multicopper oxidase-related protein is essential for insect viability, longevity and ovary development. PLoS One 9:e111344
Lang, Minglin; Fan, Qiangwang; Wang, Lei et al. (2013) Inhibition of human high-affinity copper importer Ctr1 orthologous in the nervous system of Drosophila ameliorates A*42-induced Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms. Neurobiol Aging 34:2604-12
Lang, Minglin; Kanost, Michael R; Gorman, Maureen J (2012) Multicopper oxidase-3 is a laccase associated with the peritrophic matrix of Anopheles gambiae. PLoS One 7:e33985
Lang, Minglin; Braun, Caroline L; Kanost, Michael R et al. (2012) Multicopper oxidase-1 is a ferroxidase essential for iron homeostasis in Drosophila melanogaster. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:13337-42
Prasain, Keshar; Nguyen, Thi D T; Gorman, Maureen J et al. (2012) Redox potentials, laccase oxidation, and antilarval activities of substituted phenols. Bioorg Med Chem 20:1679-89
Gorman, Maureen J; Sullivan, Lucinda I; Nguyen, Thi D T et al. (2012) Kinetic properties of alternatively spliced isoforms of laccase-2 from Tribolium castaneum and Anopheles gambiae. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 42:193-202
Gorman, Maureen J; Arakane, Yasuyuki (2010) Tyrosine hydroxylase is required for cuticle sclerotization and pigmentation in Tribolium castaneum. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 40:267-73
Pang, Yuan-Ping; Ekström, Fredrik; Polsinelli, Gregory A et al. (2009) Selective and irreversible inhibitors of mosquito acetylcholinesterases for controlling malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. PLoS One 4:e6851
Dittmer, Neal T; Gorman, Maureen J; Kanost, Michael R (2009) Characterization of endogenous and recombinant forms of laccase-2, a multicopper oxidase from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 39:596-606

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