Peritrophic membranes, cell surface molecules and parasite tropisms within arthropod vectors.

Parasite penetration of the arthropod midgut epithelium is, in many species, hindered or blocked by the peritrophic membrane. Having negotiated this, the parasite then must develop tropisms that ensure its survival. Here, Nick Miller and Mike Lehane summarize existing data on the molecular mechanisms of parasite-vector interactions.