title: Expression of a functional antibody fragment in the gut of Rhodnius prolixus via transgenic bacterial symbiont Rhodococcus rhodnii.
abstract: Expression within insects of foreign antiparasitic gene products via microbial symbionts could be used to prevent transmission of vector-borne pathogens to vertebrate hosts. Genetically transformed symbiotic bacteria Rhodococcus rhodnii expressed functional antibody fragments (rDB3 encoding murine V(H)/K which binds progesterone) that were exported into the gut lumen of the triatomine bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), a vector of Chagas disease. Transgenic symbionts were maintained in successive nymphal instars and adults of Rhodnius prolixus despite competition with native untransformed Rhodococcus rhodnii. This is the first description of a functional mammalian antibody fragment expressed in an insect. Our system is a model for constructing paratransgenic insects (insects carrying transformed symbionts) with compromised ability to transmit pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Durvasula
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gumbs
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panackal
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kruglov
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taneja
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cordon-Rosales
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Whitham
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Beard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015870:Gene Expression; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D007128:Immunoglobulin Fragments / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D011374:Progesterone / Q000276:immunology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012239:Rhodnius; D012240:Rhodococcus / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D007128:Immunoglobulin Fragments; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D011374:Progesterone