Allatotropin: A pleiotropic neuropeptide that elicits mosquito immune responses.

摘要: Allatotropins (AT) are neuropeptides with pleotropic functions on a variety of insect tissues. They affect processes such as juvenile hormone biosynthesis, cardiac rhythm, oviduct and hindgut contractions, nutrient absorption circadian cycle. The present work provides experimental evidence that AT elicits immune responses in two important mosquito disease vectors, Anopheles albimanus Aedes aegypti. Hemocytes an immune-competent cell line responded to by showing strong morphological changes increasing bacterial phagocytic activity. Phenoloxidase activity hemolymph was also increased Ae. aegypti mosquitoes treated but not An. albimanus, suggesting differences the AT-dependent activation species. In addition, markers, nitric oxide levels expression antimicrobial peptide genes, were guts after treatment. conjugated quantum dot nanocrystals (QDots) specifically labeled hemocytes vivo both species, implying molecular interactions between hemocytes. results our studies suggest new role for modulation response mosquitoes.