The XXXX adult midgut peritrophic matrix proteome.

@entity311 @entity313 @entity281
@entity311 is a devastating disease. For transmission to occur, Plasmodium, the causative agent of @entity311 , must complete a complex developmental cycle in its mosquito vector. Thus, the mosquito is a potential target for disease control. Plasmodium ookinetes, which develop within the mosquito midgut, must first cross the midgut's peritrophic matrix (PM), a thick extracellular sheath that completely surrounds the blood meal. The PM poses a partial, natural barrier against parasite invasion of the midgut and it is speculated that modifications to the PM may lead to a complete barrier to @entity281 . However, such strategies require thorough characterization of the structure of the PM. Here, we describe for the first time, the complete PM proteome of the main @entity311 vector, @entity313 . Altogether, 209 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. Among them were nine new chitin-binding peritrophic matrix proteins, expanding the list from three to twelve peritrophins. Lastly, we provide a model for the putative interactions among the proteins identified in this study.
