Gα encoding gene family of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae: Expression analysis and immunolocalization of AGαq and AGαo in female antennae

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Abstract
To initiate a comprehensive investigation of chemosensory signal transduction downstream of odorant receptors, we identified and characterized the complete set of genes that encode G‐protein α subunits in the genome of the malaria vector mosquito An. gambiae. Data are provided on the tissue‐specific expression patterns of 10 corresponding aga‐transcripts in adult mosquitoes and pre‐imago developmental stages. Specific immunoreactivity in chemosensory hairs of female antennae provides evidence in support of the participation of a subset of AGαq isoforms in olfactory signal transduction in this mosquito. In contrast, AGαo is localized along the flagellar axon bundle but is absent from chemosensory sensilla, which suggests that this G‐protein α subunit does not participate in olfactory signal transduction. J. Comp. Neurol. 499:533–545, 2006.