Developmental and tissue transcriptional profiles of peptidoglycan recognition proteins in the mosquito Aedes aegypti

Abstract

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are immunity-related proteins that recognize peptidoglycan associated with pathogens like bacteria and can result in intercellular signaling leading to melanization, phagocytosis, or a cascade of antimicrobial peptides that can cause pathogen destruction in a mosquito. PGRP transcript levels in the mosquito Aedes aegypti were measured for five AePGRPs in various developmental stages of the mosquito as well as in different tissues. Developmental profiling revealed AePGRPs were expressed either throughout all stages or primarily during the later stages of development. AePGRPs were expressed in varying levels in the different tissues. By characterizing transcription expression patterns of different PGRPs in Ae. aegypti, we can establish their presence throughout the life cycle of the mosquito and develop a more complete picture of PGRPs and their role in the innate immune system of the mosquito.