Cloning and characterization of Dorsal homologues in the hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus.

Insect Mol Biol

Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC, Canada.

Published: October 2009

AI Article Synopsis

  • Rhodnius prolixus is an ancient blood-feeding insect with a strong immune response regulated by the Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factor family.
  • Three members of this family, Dorsal 1A, Dorsal 1B, and Dorsal 1C, have been cloned and characterized, with Dorsal 1A mainly expressed in early development, while Dorsal 1B and 1C are active in adult fat bodies during immune responses.
  • The study also discovered potential binding sites for kappaB in the regulatory regions of genes linked to the insect's innate immune response.

Article Abstract

Rhodnius prolixus is an ancient haematophagous hemipteran insect capable of mounting a powerful immune response. This response is transcriptionally regulated in part by transcription factors of the Rel/Nuclear Factor kappa B (Rel/NF-kappaB) family. We have cloned and characterized three members of this transcription factor family in this insect. Dorsal 1A is primarily expressed in early developmental stages. In contrast, dorsal 1B and 1C, both differentially spliced products of dorsal 1A, are expressed primarily in the adult fat body in response to septic injury, suggesting their exclusive role in immunity. Additionally, we identified putative kappaB binding sites in the 5' upstream regions of target genes known to be involved in the innate immune response of insects.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2583.2009.00909.xDOI Listing

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