Identification of a distinct family of genes encoding atypical odorant-binding proteins in the malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae

Insect Mol Biol. 2003 Dec;12(6):549-60. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2583.2003.00440.x.

Abstract

We performed a genome-wide analysis for candidate odorant-binding protein (OBP) genes in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae (Ag). We identified fifty-seven putative genes including sixteen genes predicted to encode distinct, higher molecular weight proteins that lack orthologues in Drosophila. Expression analysis indicates that several of these atypical AgOBPs are transcribed in chemosensory organs in adult and immature stages. Phylogenetic analysis of the Anopheles and Drosophila OBP families reveals these proteins fall into several clusters based on sequence similarity and suggests the atypical AgOBP genes arose in the mosquito lineage after the divergence of mosquitoes and flies. The identification of these AgOBP genes is the first step towards determining their biological roles in this economically and medically important insect.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anopheles / genetics*
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA Primers
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Gene Expression*
  • Genomic Library*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny*
  • Receptors, Odorant / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Receptors, Odorant
  • odorant-binding protein