Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Malaria is a tropical disease that takes a huge toll on lives as well as causes massive economic loss is one of the four deadliest vector-borne diseases caused by the obnoxious mosquitoes. Insecticide resistance and lack of effective vaccines have led to alternative strategies to control this disease. Blocking the Plasmodium in the Anopheles itself i.e., transmission-blocking can prove to be an effective approach. Studies reveal that insect peroxidases are involved in detoxification, stabilization of extracellular matrices, development and the immunity. Our study focuses on the immunobiology of Anopheles stephensi, the Indian urban malaria vector. Heme peroxidases, a large group of immune proteins are involved in regulation of major immune pathways. We have characterized DBLOX-double peroxidase, a mysterious Anopheles stephensi heme peroxidase which contains two peroxidase domains which apparently are a result of domain duplication. Sequencing of the two domains followed by expression analysis of immune challenged mosquitoes with pathogens reveals that this gene is probably getting modulated by the pathogens. Also, it shows a heightened expression in the pupa stage of the mosquito development indicating its probable role in pupa-adult metamorphosis. The in silico prediction analysis N- terminal signal peptide, conserved motifs (active site, heme binding site), protein modeling etc., have also been carried out implicating it to be a secreted protein. We hypothesize that this gene might have some crucial role to play in the mosquito innate immunity and further gene silencing analysis can clear its probable role in immunity. Hence, it can prove as an effective candidate for transmission-blocking strategies.

Biography

Email: tania.pal.choudhury@gmail.com