Hemolytic C-Type Lectin CEL-III from Sea Cucumber Expressed in Transgenic Mosquitoes Impairs Malaria Parasite Development

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030192
• Publication Date: 2007-12-17T21:46:49Z
• Authors: Shigeto Yoshida; Yohei Shimada; Daisuke Kondoh; Yoshiaki Kouzuma; Anil K Ghosh; Marcelo Jacobs-Lo...; Robert E Sinden
• Keywords: Anopheles stephensi; Plasmodium berghei; Plasmodium (life cycle)

The midgut environment of anopheline mosquitoes plays an important role in the development malaria parasite. Using genetic manipulation to change mosquito may inhibit parasite, thus blocking transmission. Here we generate transgenic Anopheles stephensi that express C-type lectin CEL-III from sea cucumber, Cucumaria echinata, a midgut-specific manner. has strong and rapid hemolytic activity toward human rat erythrocytes presence serum. Importantly, binds ookinetes, leading inhibition ookinete formation vitro with IC50 15 nM. Thus, exhibits not only but also cytotoxicity ookinetes. In these mosquitoes, sporogonic Plasmodium berghei is severely impaired. Moderate, significant was found against falciparum. To our knowledge, this first demonstration stably engineered anophelines affect transmission dynamics malaria. Although laboratory-based research does have immediate applications block natural transmission, findings implications for generation refractory all species elucidation mosquito–parasite interactions.