Abstract
A phospholipase C activity specific for platelet-activating factor (PAF), named PAF phosphorylcholine hydrolase, was found in the salivary glands and saliva of the human-feeding mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. The enzymatic activity was demonstrated by inhibition of PAF-induced platelet aggregation, and by identification of substrate consumption and production of diacyl glyceride by electrospray-ionisation mass spectrometry. The activity has a neutral optimal pH and an apparent molecular mass of 40-50 kDa. Two anthropophilic mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae, do not have this salivary activity. The results are interpreted within the evolutionary context of the genera Culex, Aedes and Anopheles.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3887-3894 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Experimental Biology |
| Volume | 204 |
| Issue number | 22 |
| State | Published - 2001 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Culex quinquefasciatus
- Hematophagy
- Mosquito
- Phospholipase C
- Platelet activating factor
- Saliva
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Physiology
- Aquatic Science
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Molecular Biology
- Insect Science