Mating activates the heme peroxidase HPX15 in the sperm storage organ to ensure fertility in Anopheles gambiae

Shaw, W. R., Teodori, E., Mitchell, S. N., Baldini, F. , Gabrieli, P., Rogers, D. W. and Catteruccia, F. (2014) Mating activates the heme peroxidase HPX15 in the sperm storage organ to ensure fertility in Anopheles gambiae. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111(16), pp. 5854-5859. (doi: 10.1073/pnas.1401715111) (PMID:24711401) (PMCID:PMC4000814)

Abstract

Successful fertilization requires viable sperm and eggs to meet. Some insects, such as the Anopheles gambiae female mosquito, the principal vector of malaria, mate only once and keep sperm received from a male in a specialized sperm storage organ while eggs are developed after taking a blood meal. Sperm are kept functional for several weeks, but the factors and mechanisms that achieve this preservation are unknown in this mosquito. Here we identify a heme peroxidase HPX15 and other mechanisms activated by sex that are important to preserve the functionality of stored sperm and long-term fertility. Disrupting the reproductive cycle in field Anopheles would reduce numbers of mosquitoes transmitting malaria, aiding in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest diseases.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Baldini, Dr Francesco
• Authors: Shaw, W. R., Teodori, E., Mitchell, S. N., Baldini, F., Gabrieli, P., Rogers, D. W., and Catteruccia, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
• Publisher: National Academy of Sciences
• ISSN: 0027-8424
• ISSN (Online): 1091-6490