Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-11-29
pubmed:abstractText
Melanization is an effective defence reaction of mosquito hosts against invading parasites. In mosquitoes, the biosynthesis of melanin is initiated by the hydroxylation of tyrosine to DOPA by phenoloxidase (PO). DOPA is a branch point of the melanization reaction; it may be oxidized to dopaquinone by PO or be decarboxylated to dopamine by dopa decarboxylase. Further oxidation of dopaquinone by PO produces dopachrome. Dopachrome is then converted to 5, 6-dihydroxyindole by dopachrome conversion enzyme (DCE) to produce melanin. The conversion of dopachrome is a rate-limiting step of the melanization reaction, and the presence of PO and DCE significantly accelerates melanization reactions. In this study, a cDNA encoding DCE was cloned from the mosquito Armigeres subalbatus. Real-time PCR analysis revealed increased transcripts from haemocytes in microfilariae (mf)-inoculated mosquitoes. Gene silencing using double-stranded RNA was used to elucidate the role of DCE in the melanization reaction of parasites in Ar. subalbatus. The levels of both DCE transcripts and protein in gene knockdown mosquitoes were dramatically reduced. Compared with controls, the degree of melanization of mf in DCE-knockdown mosquitoes was significantly decreased. These results suggest that DCE is a critical enzyme that is required for effective melanization immune responses.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
0962-1075
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
14
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
675-82
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2005
pubmed:articleTitle
Role of dopachrome conversion enzyme in the melanization of filarial worms in mosquitoes.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Tropical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural