Identification and characterization of two novel lysozymes from Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease
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| Authors: | Ursic-Bedoya, RJ; Nazzari, H; Cooper, D; Triana, O; Wolff, M; Lowenberger, C |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Journal: | Journal of Insect Physiology 54: 593-603 Article Link (DOI) |
| Title: | Identification and characterization of two novel lysozymes from Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease |
| Abstract: | Lysozymes have been described in invertebrates as digestive or immune molecules. We report here the characterization of two novel c-type lysozymes, RpLys-A (EU250274) and RpLys-B (EU250275), isolated from the fat body and digestive tract of immune stimulated Rhodnius prolixus, a major vector of Chagas disease. Transcriptional profiles indicate that the temporal and spatial expression patterns of these two peptides are very different. RpLys-A is expressed predominantly in the midgut after ingestion of Trypanosoma cruzi in a bloodmeal, or after injection of bacteria into the hemocoel. RpLys-B is expressed primarily in the fat body after bacterial injection. Phylogenetic alignments indicate that RpLys-A aligns best with molecules from other hemipterans whose major expression is found in the intestinal tract whereas RpLys-B aligns best with mosquito and tick molecules whose expression is found principally in hemocytes and fat body and whose role has been described as immune-related. These data suggest a differential compartmentalized role of two closely related molecules; one for immunity in the hemocoel and the other for digestion in the midgut. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
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