An insight into the salivary transcriptome and proteome of the adult female mosquito Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus

To obtain an insight into the salivary transcriptome and proteome (sialome) of the adult female mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus, a cDNA library was randomly sequenced, and aminoterminal information for selected proteins and peptides was obtained. cDNA sequence clusters coding for secreted proteins were further analyzed. The transcriptome revealed messages coding for several proteins of known families previously reported in the salivary glands of other blood-feeding insects as well as immune-related products such as C-type lectin, gambicin, and members of the prophenol oxidase cascade. Additionally, several transcripts coding for low-complexity proteins were found, some clearly coding for mucins. Many novel transcripts were found, including a novel endonuclease previously described in crabs and shrimps but not in insects; a hyaluronidase, not described before in mosquito salivary glands but found in venom glands and in salivary glands of sand flies and black flies; several cysteine-rich peptides with possible anticlotting function, including one similar to a previously described nematode family of anti-proteases; and a completely novel family of cysteine- and tryptophane-rich proteins (CWRC family) for which 12 full-length sequences are described. Also described are 14 additional novel proteins and peptides whose function and/or family affiliation are unknown. In total, 54 transcripts coding for full-length proteins are described. That several of these are translated into proteins was confirmed by finding the corresponding aminoterminal sequences in the SDS-PAGE/Edman degradation experiments. Electronic versions of all tables and sequences can be found at http://www.nebi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/Mosquito/C_quinquefasciatus_sialome. Published by Elsevier Ltd.