Role of lysozymes of anopheles mosquitoes in plasmodium development (Book Chapter)

Lysozymes are important regulators of the immune system in most organisms. These enzymes can show a direct bactericidal activity or upregulate the signaling cascades that result in the production of antimicrobial peptides. In mosquitoes and particularly in the malaria–vector species of the genus Anopheles, lysozymes are present in different tissues and developmental stage expression profiles and are involved in the innate immunity and digestion of bacteria. In An. gambiae, lysozyme C1 protects the oocysts from melanization, thus contributing to an increased prevalence and intensity of Plasmodium berghei infection. The role and importance of lysozymes in the mosquito and in the regulation of oocysts development and the mechanism of action are still unclear. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015.