Synthesis of ovary-specific proteins in mosquitoes

Abstract

Synthesis of soluble proteins by the ovary was studied in blood-fed Aedes aegypti and Culex nigripalpus, and in unfed, autogenous Aedes atropalpus. Synthesis of the ovary-specific proteins was compared, in vitro and in vivo, with synthesis of vitellogenin by the fat body. Both types were found to be phosphoproteins.

Synthesis of ovary-specific proteins reached a peak, dependent on species, 12–24 h after maximal synthesis of vitellogenin. A. atropalpus synthesized both types of proteins without a blood meal.

Keywords:

• ovarian protein synthesis
• vitellogenin synthesis
• phosphoproteins
• mosquitoes
• Culex nigripalpus
• Aedes aegypti
• Aedes atropalpus