Plylogeny study of genes encoding sex peptide (SP) and sex peptide receptor (SPR) in different anophelines

• Grant number: 12/12342-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2012
• End date: February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Entomology and Malacology of Parasites and Vectors
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Eduardo Martins Ribolla
• Grantee: Leticia Tiemi Egami Oda
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The evolution of mosquitoes hematophagy is undoubtedly the most important adaptation of this group of insect in terms of pathogens transmission, which cause various important diseases in the world nowadays. For this reason, several laboratories focuses on the study on control of the species that act as vectors of infectious agents. Thus, a common misconception that mosquitoes as a group are known taxonomically was generated, but there are many species to be discovered and classified. The mosquitoes of Culicidae Family which has Anophelinae as subfamily are a diverse group of monophyletic origin, with global distribution. It is noteworth that only a minority of the 3,200 species known today, are important vectors of pathogens to humans. Besides the pathogens transmission, mosquitoes have much to offer to basic science, for example, as biodiversity indicators, indicating also the degradation degree of the natural environment, the various ways soil is explored and for studies of evolution and speciation. There is a peptide called Sex Peptide which is expressed in accessory glands of males and is inseminated in females during copulation. The binding of this peptide to its receptor triggers a major behavioral response in the insects, which includes changes in eating habits, giving preference to protein, the refusal of mating with other males, induction of oviposition, among others. This project aims the study of this peptide and its corresponding receptor in different Anopheles in order to generate data about phylogeny and characterization of a possible genetic marker. It is also important to associate differences in behavior with genetics during mating and post-mating period.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ODA, Leticia Tiemi Egami. Estudo da filogenia dos anofelinos brasileiros do subgênero Nyssorhynchus e padronização da amplificação dos genes do receptor do peptídeo sexual (SPR) e do peptídeo sexual (SP). 2014. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Botucatu Botucatu.