title: The Apyrase gene of the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is expressed specifically in the adult female salivary glands.
abstract: The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, expresses a gene, Apyrase (Apy), that encodes an ATP-diphosphohydrolase. The product of this gene is a secreted enzyme that facilitates hematophagy by preventing platelet aggregation in the host. Apy gene expression is limited to the cells of the distal-lateral and medial lobes of the adult female salivary glands. Apyrase protein levels, detectable by antibodies, peak in the salivary glands about 4 days after adult emergence and remain high after a blood meal. Primary sequence analysis of a genomic clone encoding apyrase reveals a unique TAAATA sequence and seven introns, as well as other conserved features of eukaryotic genes. The temporal, sex- and tissue-specific expression of the Apy gene is consistent with its role as encoding a platelet anti-aggregation factor that functions to facilitate hematophagy and decrease probing time.
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001081:Apyrase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D017344:Genes, Insect; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D015347:RNA Probes; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000201:enzymology; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D015347:RNA Probes; D012313:RNA; D001081:Apyrase