Genome-wide analysis of various paralogs of aminopeptidase N (APN) gene in Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT

Malaria continues to be a life threatening infectious disease throughout the tropical region of the world.aminopeptidase N1 (APN1) is one of the best choices for developing new Malaria Transmission-blockingvaccines. In this study an attempt has been made to overview genome-wide identification of APN genes inAnopheles gambiae. A total of eighteen A. gambiae APN sequences were found that contain conserved HEXXHand GAMEN signature sequences, indicate that large numbers of APN isomers present in mosquitoes. MultipleAPN paralogs exist as a gene cluster may propose that huge synthesis of APNs is required for rapid digestion ofpeptides over a brief period. Gene structure study shows high sequence variations among them. Protein–proteininteractions show that APN1 is highly connected protein, supporting their role as hub with other five types ofAPNs involved in glutathione metabolism, act as hub protein and disruption of one of these proteins may affectthe whole pathway