Expression analysis of reactive oxygen species detoxifying enzyme genes in Anopheles stephensi during Plasmodium berghei midgut invasion

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the involvement of reactive oxygen species detoxification system in Anopheles stephensi during Plasmodium berghei midgut invasion. Methods: Eight key reactive oxygen species metabolizing enzymes were cloned and characterized, and their expression was monitored in parasite-infected mosquitoes. Results: Superoxide anion detoxifying superoxide dismutases (Fe/Mn SOD, Cu/Zn SOD 2, Cu/Zn SOD 3A, and Cu/Zn SOD 3B) depicted varied expression patterns. Fe/Mn SOD expression declined, whereas Cu/Zn SOD expression was elevated in the infected mosquitoes. Peroxidases, catalase and glutathione peroxidase showed lack of induction in expression during the Plasmodium berghei infection. Further, expression of thioredoxin reductase increased in the infected mosquitoes, whereas gluthathione S-transferase levels decreased markedly. Conclusions: Detoxification enzymes may play a role in modulating host immunity and parasite transmission. © 2014 Hainan Medical College.