A peroxidase/dual oxidase system modulates midgut epithelial immunity in Anopheles gambiae.

ABSTRACT: Extracellular matrices in diverse biological systems are cross-linked by dityrosine covalent bonds catalyzed by the peroxidase/oxidase system. We show that a peroxidase, secreted by the Anopheles gambiae midgut, and dual oxidase form a dityrosine network that decreases gut permeability to immune elicitors. This network protects the microbiota by preventing activation of epithelial immunity. It also provides a suitable environment for malaria parasites to develop within the midgut lumen without inducing nitric oxide synthase expression. Disruption of this barrier results in strong and effective pathogen-specific immune responses.

SUBMITTER: Kumar S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3510679 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature