Different binding characteristics of dengue-2 virus to midgut of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Radio binding assay and dot-virus protein binding assay were carried out to study the difference in binding of the brush border membrane fraction (BBMF) in Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae). The BBMF of Ae. albopictus displayed higher saturation and relative binding characteristics, while the BBMF of Cx. quinquefasciatus showed low saturation and non-relativity. The virus overlay protein-binding assay was then adopted to detect virus-binding protein in the midgut of the two mosquitoes. We detected one 35-kDa virus binding protein in the midgut of Ae. albopictus, whereas none was found in the midgut of Cx. quinquefasciatus. The relationship between dengue-2 virus binding to the midgut of mosquitoes, and the mosquito mesenteron infection barrier against dengue 2 virus are discussed.