The First Molecular Characterization of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) aquasalis (Diptera: Culicidae) Vitellogenin Expression Products and a Partial cDNA Sequence Isolation

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) aquasalis Curry, 1932, is an anopheline that plays an important role in Plasmodium transmission in the New World. Few studies have explored the molecular reproductive biology of this vector species. In the current study, we isolated and sequenced a partial, 886 bp, cDNA fragment of a vitellogenin (Vtg) gene from An. aquasalis. The transcription profile of this Vtg gene in adult females was characterized, and it is similar to other members of the Culicidae. We also detected a smaller subunit of An. aquasalis Vtg proteins in ovary tissue and characterized its translational profile in previtellogenic and vitellogenic females. Our results represent the first molecular characterization of An. aquasalis vitellogenin expression products.