An immune-responsive serpin, SRPN6, mediates mosquito defense against malaria parasites.

ABSTRACT: We have functionally analyzed the orthologous SRPN6 genes from Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles gambiae using phylogenetic, molecular, reverse genetic, and cell biological tools. The results strongly implicate SRPN6 in the innate immune response against Plasmodium. This gene belongs to a mosquito-specific gene cluster including three additional Anopheles serpins. SRPN6 expression is induced by Escherichia coli and both rodent and human malaria parasites. The gene is specifically expressed in midgut cells invaded by Plasmodium ookinetes and in circulating and attached hemocytes. Knockdown of SRPN6 expression by RNA interference in susceptible An. stephensi leads to substantially increased parasite numbers, whereas depletion in susceptible An. gambiae delays progression of parasite lysis wi

SUBMITTER: Abraham EG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1283470 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature