Organ-specific splice variants of aquaporin water channel AgAQP1 in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Aquaporin (AQP) water channels are important for water homeostasis in all organisms. Malaria transmission is dependent on Anopheles mosquitoes. Water balance is a major factor influencing mosquito survival, which may indirectly affect pathogen transmission.

Methodology/principal findings

We obtained full-length mRNA sequences for Anopheles gambiae aquaporin 1 (AgAQP1) and identified two splice variants for the gene. In vitro expression analysis showed that both variants transported water and were inhibited by Hg(2+). One splice variant (AgAQP1A) was exclusively expressed in adult female ovaries indicating a function in mosquito reproduction. The other splice variant (AgAQP1B) was expressed in the midgut, malpighian tubules and the head in adult mosquitoes. Immunol

SUBMITTER: Tsujimoto H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3774814 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature