title: Characterization and expression analysis of gene encoding heme peroxidase HPX15 in major Indian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae).
abstract: The interaction of mosquito immune system with Plasmodium is critical in determining the vector competence. Thus, blocking the crucial mosquito molecules that regulate parasite development might be effective in controlling the disease transmission. In this study, we characterized a full-length AsHPX15 gene from the major Indian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. This gene is true ortholog of Anopheles gambiae heme peroxidase AgHPX15 (AGAP013327), which modulates midgut immunity and regulates Plasmodium falciparum development. We found that AsHPX15 is highly induced in mosquito developmental stages and blood fed midguts. In addition, this is a lineage-specific gene that has identical features and 65-99% amino acids identity with other HPX15 genes present in eighteen worldwide-distributed anophelines. We discuss that the conserved HPX15 gene might serve as a common target to manipulate mosquito immunity and arresting Plasmodium development inside the vector host.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031 Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Mithilesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kajla
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031 Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Parik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kakani
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031 Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Tania Pal
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Choudhury
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031 Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Kuldeep
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031 Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Lalita
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031 Rajasthan, India. Electronic address: sanjeev@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in.
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000235:genetics*; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005815:Genetic Code; D006418:Heme / Q000235:genetics*; D007194:India; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology*; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000235:genetics*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000472:pathogenicity*
chemical_list: D006418:Heme; D010544:Peroxidases
keywords: Anopheles; Blood feeding; HPX15; Heme peroxidase; Midgut; Plasmodium