title: Functional characterization of the promoter of the vitellogenin gene, AsVg1, of the malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi.
abstract: Some genetic strategies for controlling transmission of mosquito-borne diseases call for the introgression of antipathogen effector genes into vector populations. Endogenous mosquito promoter and other cis-acting DNA sequences are needed to direct the expression of the effector molecules to maximize their efficacy. Vitellogenin (Vg)-encoding gene control sequences are candidates for driving tissue-, stage- and sex-specific expression of exogenous genes. One of the Anopheles stephensi Vg genes, AsVg1, was cloned and a full-length cDNA, as well as 850 base pairs adjacent to the 5'-end, were sequenced and characterized. Expression of AsVg1 is restricted to the fat body tissues of blood-fed females, and the amino acid sequence of the conceptual translation product is >85% identical to those of other anopheline Vgs. These characteristics support the conclusion that AsVg1 is a Vg-encoding gene. Functional analyses of the AsVg1 putative cis-regulatory sequences were performed using transgenic mosquitoes. The results showed that DNA fragments encompassing the 850 base pairs immediately adjacent to the 5'-end of the gene and the 3'-end untranslated region are sufficient to direct sex-, stage- and tissue-specific expression of a reporter gene. These data indicate that the AsVg1 promoter is a good candidate for controlling the expression of anti-pathogen effector molecules in this malaria vector mosquito.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 3205 McGaugh Hall, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 3900, USA.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Nirmala
authors.forename: Osvaldo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Marinotti
authors.forename: Juan Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sandoval
authors.forename: Sophea
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phin
authors.forename: Surendra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gakhar
authors.forename: Nijole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jasinskiene
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D014819:Vitellogenins