Involvement of cecropin B in the formation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito cuticle.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we found a mosquito antimicrobial peptide (AMP), Aedes aegypti cecropin B (Aacec B), was expressed constitutively in pupae. Knockdown in the pupae of Aacec B using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) resulted in high mortality, the emergence of deformed adults and an impairment of pharate adult cuticle formation with fewer lamellae being deposited and the helicoidal pattern of the chitin microfibrils being disorganized. Simultaneous injection of Aacec B dsRNA and Aacec B peptide into pupae significantly reduced this mortality and no deformed adults then emerged. The expression levels of Ae. aegypti prophenoloxidase (AaPPO) 3 and AaPPO 4 were significantly reduced in the Aacec B knockdown pupae. Exogenous Aacec B peptide significantly enhanced the transcription of AaPPO 3 in pupae. K

SUBMITTER: Liu WT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5703890 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature