Developmental- and tissue-specific expression of an inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 homologue from Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes.

We have identified a homologue of the Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 in Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes (designated AtIAP1). The AtIAP1 gene maps to a single locus on chromosome 2. The translation product is a 403 amino acid protein that contains two baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) domains and a RING finger motif. AtIAP1 mRNA was detectable by RT-PCR amplification in all the mosquito developmental stages (embryos, first-fourth instar larvae, early and late pupae, adults) and adult tissues (midguts, ovaries) examined. In contrast, immunoblots with AtIAP1-specific antibodies revealed that the protein was detectable only in certain developmental stages (first instar larvae, early pupae, adults) and tissues (ovaries). AtIAP1-specific serum also recognized proteins in Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Immunoblot analysis revealed that similar amounts of IAP1 were expressed in LaCrosse virus infected and uninfected Ae. albopictus cell cultures.