Beta 1, 3-glucan recognition protein from the mosquito, Armigeres subalbatus, is involved in the recognition of distinct types of bacteria in innate immune responses

Cell Microbiol. 2006 Oct;8(10):1581-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2006.00732.x.

Abstract

The activation of an immune response to invading microorganisms generally requires recognition by pattern recognition receptors. Beta 1, 3-glucan recognition proteins (GRPs) have specific affinity for beta 1, 3-glucan, a component on the surface of fungi and bacteria. In this study, we show that GRP from Armigeres subalbatus mosquitoes (AsGRP) is able to bind different bacterial species, and that this binding varies from species to species and is independent of Gram type. AsGRP knockdown with double-stranded RNA increases the mortality of mosquitoes to those bacteria that strongly bind AsGRP, but not to bacteria that do not detectably bind AsGRP. This increase in susceptibility is partially evidenced by decreased melanization in Salmonella typhimurium. Furthermore, AsGRP expression is differentially affected by the presence of different species of bacteria. These results demonstrate that AsGRP is selective in its affinity to different bacteria and; therefore, plays a role in the antibacterial immune response of mosquitoes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria / immunology*
  • Bacteria / pathogenicity
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / immunology*
  • Culicidae / genetics
  • Culicidae / immunology*
  • Culicidae / microbiology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / immunology*
  • Melanins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Salmonella typhimurium / immunology
  • Up-Regulation
  • beta-Glucans / metabolism

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Melanins
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • beta-1,3-glucan recognition protein, insect
  • beta-Glucans
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • curdlan