Neuropeptides and Peptide Hormones in Anopheles gambiae

Abstract

The African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae , is specialized for rapid completion of development and reproduction. A vertebrate blood meal is required for egg production, and multiple feedings subsequently allow transmission of malaria parasites, Plasmodium spp . Regulatory peptides from 35 genes annotated from the A. gambiae genome likely coordinate these and other physiological processes. Plasmodium parasites may affect actions of newly identified insulin-like peptides, which coordinate growth and reproduction of its vector, A. gambiae , as in Drosophila melanogaster , Caenorhabditis elegans , and mammals. This genomic information provides a basis to expand understanding of hematophagy and pathogen transmission in this mosquito.