Identification and characterization of two arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferases in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

ABSTRACT: In this study we provide a molecular and biochemical identification of two arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferases (aaNAT) from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. N-acetyldopamine, the enzyme product of aaNAT, was detected in Ae. aegypti, indicating the presence of an aaNAT in this mosquito. A BLAST search of the Ae. aegypti genome, using sequence information from an activity-verified Drosophila aaNAT, identified thirteen putative aaNAT sequences sharing 13-48% sequence identity with the Drosophila enzyme. Eight of the thirteen putative aaNAT proteins were expressed using a bacterial expression system. Screening of purified recombinant proteins against 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, methoxytryptamine, norepinephrine, octopamine, tryptamine, and tyramine substrates, established that two of the putative

SUBMITTER: Mehere P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3576024 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature