Circadian modulation of learning abilities in a disease vector insect, Rhodnius prolixus

Circadian modulation of learning ability in a disease vector insect, Rhodnius prolixus.

Despite the drastic consequences it may have on the transmission of parasites, the ability of disease vectors to learn and retain information has just begun to be characterised. The kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease, is an excellent model, particularly because conditioning the proboscis extension response (PER) constitutes a valuable paradigm to study their cognitive abi...

Isolation and characterization of a novel insect defensin from Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease.

An antimicrobial peptide belonging to the defensin family of small cationic peptides associated with innate immunity in insects was isolated from the hemolymph of Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease. This peptide, designated R. prolixus defensin A, was purified and sequenced. The active peptide contains 43 residues and aligns well with other insect defensins. However the pre-pro regio...

Immunity in Rhodnius prolixus: trypanosomatid-vector interactions.

Many insects respond to a bacterial infection with the stimulation of distinct cellular and humoral defense system, that cooperate in a more or less integrated way to decrease the chance of microorganisms becoming pathogens. Cellular reactions include phagocytosis, nodule formation, and in some cases encapsulation and other factors related to immune system as prophenoloxidase (proPO) system, le...

The Cuticular Pattern in an Insect, Rhodnius Prolixus Stal

Genome of Rhodnius prolixus, an insect vector of Chagas disease, reveals unique adaptations to hematophagy and parasite infection.

Rhodnius prolixus not only has served as a model organism for the study of insect physiology, but also is a major vector of Chagas disease, an illness that affects approximately seven million people worldwide. We sequenced the genome of R. prolixus, generated assembled sequences covering 95% of the genome (∼ 702 Mb), including 15,456 putative protein-coding genes, and completed comprehensive ge...