A novel association between clustered NF‐κB and C/EBP binding sites is required for immune regulation of mosquito Defensin genes

Abstract

A comparative analysis identified key cis-acting regulatory elements responsible for the temporal control of mosquito Defensin gene expression. The promoters of Anopheles gambiae Defensin 1 and two isoforms of Aedes aegypti Defensin A are up-regulated by immune challenge. This stimulated activity depends upon a cluster of three NF-kappaB binding sites and closely associated C/EBP-like motifs, which function as a unit for optimal promoter activity. Binding of NF-kappaB and C/EBP like transcription factors is confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, including supershifts with antibodies to C/EBP. KappaB-like motifs are abundant within antimicrobial peptide gene promoters and most are very closely associated with putative C/EBP binding sites. This novel association between NF-kappaB and C/EBP binding sites may, therefore, be of widespread significance.

Profiling infection responses in the haemocytes of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti

“…, 1999b). This sequence also corresponds to a recently characterized genomic clone, G en B ank accession AY625500 (Meredith et al. , 2006).…”

The effects of ingested mammalian blood factors on vector arthropod immunity and physiology

“…The regulation of mosquito immunity during Plasmodium infection occurs in part through the activation of the mosquito NF-κB transcription [27, 28]. NF-κB proteins comprise a family of highly conserved transcription factors whose primary role is immune regulation [29].…”

Ingested Human Insulin Inhibits the Mosquito NF-κB-Dependent Immune Response to Plasmodium falciparum

“…Increased NF-B-dependent transcription can reduce both bacterial load and Plasmodium development in anopheline mosquitoes (2,18,20,23,41). In mammals, a number of well-characterized cell signaling pathways, including IIS, can network with NF-B activation to fine tune the response to infection.…”

“…The regulation of mosquito immunity during Plasmodium infection occurs in part through the activation of the highly conserved NF-B transcription factors Rel1 and Rel2 that control mosquito responses to bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens (7,20,(39)(40)(41).…”