Culex quinquefasciatus: aspects of its physiology

• Grant number: 10/51241-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2011
• End date: January 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Entomology and Malacology of Parasites and Vectors
• Principal Investigator: Alcira Tania Bijovsky de Katzin
• Grantee: Alcira Tania Bijovsky de Katzin
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

A recent study of the vitellogenic process of Culex quinquefasciatus (Cardoso et al., 2010) opened a series of questions that we intend to answer in this project. 1. It is known in several insects that the yolk granules alsp carry the precursors of enzymes that will hydrolyze the vitellin during embryogenesis. We intend to characterize these enzymes and determine their place of synthesis and routes of secretion and entry into the oocyte. 2. Preliminary data suggest that transcription of the vitellogenin receptor gene of Cx. quinquefasciatus continues throughout the oogenic process. We intend to confirm these data and determine the site of receptor synthesis. 3. Electrophoresis of ovaries extracts reveals the existence of a pair of polypeptides of low molecular mass, which appearance coincides with that of electrondense vesicles on the follicle cells surface, possible exochorion precursors. We intend to examine these polypeptides and determine their relationship with the chorionic structure. 4. Behavioral studies of our colony individuals showed that, compared to other mosquitoes, they have a delayed first blood meal. Electrophoresis of fat body extracts of adult females in their first days after emergence shows a pattern very similar to that of the pupae, with the presence of possible storage proteins. We pretend to characterize these proteins and determine its possible relationship to the behavior of adult mosquitoes. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MOURA, ALEXANDRE S.; CARDOSO, ANDRE F.; COSTA-DA-SILVA, ANDRE L.; WINTER, CARLOS E.; TANIA BIJOVSKY, A.. Two Cathepsins B Are Responsible for the Yolk Protein Hydrolysis in Culex quinquefasciatus. PLoS One, v. 10, n. 2, FEB 24 2015. (10/51241-0, 13/09211-4)

MARTINS, LARISSA A.; FOGACA, ANDREA C.; TANIA BIJOVSKY, A.; CARBALLAR-LEJARAZU, REBECA; MARINOTTI, OSVALDO; CARDOSO, ANDRE F.. Culex quinquefasciatus Storage Proteins. PLoS One, v. 8, n. 10, OCT 29 2013. (10/51241-0, 13/09211-4)