Expression analysis of reactive oxygen species detoxifying enzyme genes in Anopheles stephensi during Plasmodium berghei midgut invasion

ObjectiveTo investigate the involvement of reactive oxygen species detoxification system in Anopheles stephensi during Plasmodium berghei midgut invasion.MethodsEight key reactive oxygen species metabolizing enzymes were cloned and characterized, and their expression was monitored in parasite-infected mosquitoes.ResultsSuperoxide anion detoxifying superoxide dismutases (Fe/Mn SOD, Cu/Zn SOD 2, Cu/Zn SOD 3A, and Cu/Zn SOD 3B) depicted varied expression patterns. Fe/Mn SOD expression declined, whereas Cu/Zn SOD expression was elevated in the infected mosquitoes. Peroxidases, catalase and glutathione peroxidase showed lack of induction in expression during the Plasmodium berghei infection. Further, expression of thioredoxin reductase increased in the infected mosquitoes, whereas gluthathione S-transferase levels decreased markedly.ConclusionsDetoxification enzymes may play a role in modulating host immunity and parasite transmission.