Cloning and characterization of Dorsal homologues in the hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus

• Published in: Insect molecular biology 2009-10, Vol.18 (5), p.681-689
• Main Authors: Ursic-Bedoya, R, Buchhop, J, Lowenberger, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; antimicrobial peptides; Base Sequence; Binding Sites; Cloning, Molecular; Drosophila Proteins - chemistry; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; gene regulation; Genes, Insect; insect immunity; Insect Proteins - chemistry; Insect Proteins - genetics; Molecular Sequence Data; Nuclear Proteins - chemistry; Phosphoproteins - chemistry; Recombinant Proteins - metabolism; Rhodnius - genetics; Rhodnius prolixus; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Sequence Analysis, Protein; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; transcription factor; Transcription Factors - chemistry; Transcription Factors - metabolism
• ISSN: 0962-1075; 1365-2583
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2009.00909.x

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-κB) 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 κB binding sites in the 5' upstream regions of target genes known to be involved in the innate immune response of insects.