Trapping cDNAs encoding secreted proteins from the salivary glands of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae

The signal sequence trap method was used to isolate cDNAs corresponding to proteins containing secretory leader peptides and whose genes are expressed specifically in the salivary glands of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Fifteen unique cDNA fragments, ranging in size from 150 to 550 bp, sere isolated and sequenced in a first round of immunoscreening in COS-7 cells. All but one of the cDNAs contained putative signal sequences at their 5' ends, suggesting that they were likely to encode secreted or transmembrane proteins. Expression analysis by reverse transcription-PCR showed that at least six cDNA fragments were expressed specifically in the salivary glands. Fragments showing a high degree of similarity to D7 and apyrase, two salivary gland-specific genes previously found in Aedes aegypti, were identified. Of interest, three different D7-related cDNAs that are likely to represent a new gene family were found in Bn. gambiae. Moreover, three salivary gland-specific cDNA fragments that do not show similarity to known proteins in the databases were identified, and the corresponding full length cDNAs were cloned and sequenced. RNA in situ hybridization to whole female salivary glands showed patterns of expression that overlap only in part those observed in the culicine mosquito A. aegypti.