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Transcriptome identification of putative genes involved in protein catabolism and innate immune response in human body louse (Pediculicidae: Pediculus humanus).
- Source :
-
Insect biochemistry and molecular biology [Insect Biochem Mol Biol] 2003 Nov; Vol. 33 (11), pp. 1135-43. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Genomics information relating to human body lice is surprisingly scarce, and this has constrained studies of their physiology, immunology and vector biology. To identify novel body louse genes, we used engorged adult lice to generate a cDNA library. Initially, 1152 clones were screened for inserts, edited for removal of vector sequences and base pairs of poor quality, and viewed for splicing variations, gene families and polymorphism. Computational methods identified 506 inferred open reading frames including the first predicted louse defensin. The inferred defensin aligns well with other insect defensins and has highly conserved cysteine residues, as are known for other defensin sequences. Two cysteine and five serine proteinases were categorized according to their inferred catalytic sites. We also discovered seven putative ubiquitin-pathway genes and four iron metabolizing deduced enzymes. Finally, glutathione-S-transferases and cytochrome P450 genes were among the detoxification enzymes found. Results from this first systematic effort to discover human body louse genes should promote further studies in Phthiraptera and lice.
- Subjects :
- Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Cysteine Endopeptidases genetics
Cysteine Endopeptidases metabolism
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System genetics
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System metabolism
Databases, Genetic
Defensins genetics
Expressed Sequence Tags
Glutathione Transferase genetics
Glutathione Transferase metabolism
Humans
Insect Proteins immunology
Iron metabolism
Molecular Sequence Data
Open Reading Frames genetics
Pediculus immunology
Pediculus metabolism
Sequence Alignment
Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
Serine Endopeptidases genetics
Serine Endopeptidases metabolism
Transcription, Genetic genetics
Ubiquitins genetics
Ubiquitins metabolism
Immunity, Innate genetics
Insect Proteins genetics
Insect Proteins metabolism
Pediculus genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0965-1748
- Volume :
- 33
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Insect biochemistry and molecular biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 14563364
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/s0965-1748(03)00133-4