Exploring the sialome of the blood-sucking bug Rhodnius prolixus

Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2004 Jan;34(1):61-79. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2003.09.004.

Abstract

Rhodnius prolixus is a Hemiptera that feeds exclusively on vertebrate blood in all life stages. Its salivary glands produce potent pharmacological substances that counteract host hemostasis, including anti-clotting, anti-platelet, and vasodilatory substances. To obtain a further insight into the salivary biochemical and pharmacological complexity of this insect, a cDNA library was randomly sequenced, and salivary gland homogenates were fractionated by HPLC to obtain aminoterminal sequences of abundantly expressed proteins. Results indicate a remarkable expansion of the lipocalin family in Rhodnius salivary glands, among other protein sequences described. A summary of 31 new full length proteins deducted from their mRNA sequence is described, including several new members of the nitrophorin, triabin, and pallidipin families. The electronic version of the complete tables is available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/vectors/rhodnius_prolixus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Databases, Protein
  • Gene Library
  • Hemeproteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Rhodnius / genetics*
  • Rhodnius / metabolism*
  • Salivary Glands / chemistry*
  • Salivary Glands / metabolism
  • Salivary Proteins and Peptides / biosynthesis*
  • Salivary Proteins and Peptides / genetics*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Hemeproteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • RPAI-1 protein, Rhodnius prolixus
  • Salivary Proteins and Peptides
  • nitrophorin
  • pallidipin
  • triabin