Molecular Characterization and Functional Analysis of Armigeres subalbatus prophenoloxidase VI

• Main Authors: Yi-Fan Yang, 楊翼帆
• Other Authors: Cheng-chen Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/37356391367601546456

碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 熱帶醫學研究所 === 96 === The purpose of this study is to elucidate the physiological function of a phenol oxidizing enzyme designated Armigeres subalbatus phenoloxidase VI(As-pro-POVI). Expression profile analysis revealed that As-pro-PO VI was constitutively expressed in larval and adult stage, and was not significantly affected by blood feeding, wound healing and Sephadex G-25 beads melanization in adult mosquitoes. However, it was found that expression level of As-pro-PO VI in pupae was gradually decreased as the time after pupation increased and the lowest level was observed at three days after pupation. Knockdown of As-pro-PO VI expression by using dsRNA resulted in high pupal mortality rate (cumulative mortality rate was 56 % at 96 hr after dsRNA inoculation) and deformed adults that subsequently died following emergence. Further ultrstructural observations revealed that the endocuticle of tarsus segment of deformed legs completely disappeared. The results of the present study suggest that As-pro-PO VI may plays a crucial role in mosquito cuticle formation.