TEMPORAL PATTERN OF RNA AND PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS IN THE OVARY OF AEDES-AEGYPTI

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the changes in ovary-specific gene expression that follow a blood meal was carried out in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. The total RNA of ovaries increased dramatically to a peak between 36 and 48 h after the blood meal, followed by a second lower peak at 72 h. Hybridization of an rDNA probe to total RNA on dot blots produced a corresponding biphasic pattern and indicated that most changes in total-RNA content were attributable to rRNA. Analysis of in vitro mRNA translation products by electrophoresis indicated that mRNA synthesis could also be biphasic and that, with the exception of a 17 kDa band at 24-30 h after the blood meal, most temporal changes in the intensity of protein bands were synchronous and proportionate to one another. Electrophoresis of proteins synthesized in vivo showed a biphasic pattern for the majority of proteins synthesized after the blood meal. Certain ovarian protein bands which first appeared or increased in quantity after blood feeding could be designated as likely vitellogenin, vitellin or chorion proteins.