Cloning and characterization of Dorsal homologues in the hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus

Insect Mol Biol. 2009 Oct;18(5):681-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2009.00909.x.

Abstract

Rhodnius prolixus is an ancient haematophagous hemipteran insect capable of mounting a powerful immune response. This response is transcriptionally regulated in part by transcription factors of the Rel/Nuclear Factor kappa B (Rel/NF-kappaB) family. We have cloned and characterized three members of this transcription factor family in this insect. Dorsal 1A is primarily expressed in early developmental stages. In contrast, dorsal 1B and 1C, both differentially spliced products of dorsal 1A, are expressed primarily in the adult fat body in response to septic injury, suggesting their exclusive role in immunity. Additionally, we identified putative kappaB binding sites in the 5' upstream regions of target genes known to be involved in the innate immune response of insects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Insect
  • Insect Proteins / chemistry
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry*
  • Phosphoproteins / chemistry*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Rhodnius / genetics*
  • Sequence Analysis, Protein
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid*
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • dl protein, Drosophila

Associated data

  • GENBANK/EF634460
  • GENBANK/EF634461
  • GENBANK/EF634462