Differential Expression of Apoptosis Related Genes in Selected Strains of Aedes aegypti with Different Susceptibilities to Dengue Virus
Figure 1
Schematic of cell death and immune signaling pathways in Aedes aegypti.
Panel A. In insects, the primary apoptotic caspase is AeDronc, a caspase-9 homologue with an N-terminal CARD domain for interactions with the caspase adaptor molecule AeARK. AeDronc activation is primarily regulated by the IAP antagonist proteins, Michelob_X and IMP. Together, the IAP antagonists promote cell death by binding to the Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein, AeIAP1. Once activated, AeDronc will cleave and activate the effector caspase caspase-16. Panel B. AeDredd is a death domain containing caspase that contains two death-inducing domains that interact with the caspase adaptor protein, AeFADD (Aedes Fas Associated Death Domain containing protein). Both Drosophila Dredd and AeDredd were isolated initially as potential inducers of apoptosis. Although apoptotic roles for Dredd have not been ruled out, data suggests that the primary role of Dredd is immune-related.