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EMBO Press, EMBO Reports, 9(6), p. 891-897, 2005

DOI: 10.1038/sj.embor.7400478

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Anopheles gambiae SRPN2 facilitates midgut invasion by the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei

Journal article published in 2005 by Kristin Michel, Gibson Tj, Aidan Budd ORCID, Sofia Pinto, Toby J. Gibson ORCID, Kafatos Fc, Fotis C. Kafatos
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

We report on a phylogenetic and functional analysis of genes encoding three mosquito serpins (SRPN1, SRPN2 and SRPN3), which resemble known inhibitors of prophenoloxidase-activating enzymes in other insects. Following RNA interference induction by double-stranded RNA injection, knockdown of SRPN2 in adult Anopheles gambiae produced a notable phenotype: the appearance of melanotic pseudotumours, which increased in size and number with time, indicating spontaneous melanization and association with an observed lifespan reduction. Furthermore, knockdown of SRPN2 strongly interfered with the invasion of A. gambiae midguts by the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. It did not affect ookinete formation, but markedly reduced oocyst numbers, by 97%, as a result of increased ookinete lysis and melanization.