A mammalian-like lipase gene is expressed in the female reproductive accessory glands of the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera, Psychodidae)

A lipase-like protein (PhpaLIP) was identified as the major protein component in the secretion of the female reproductive accessory glands of the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi. The full-length cDNA encoding this protein was isolated and its nucleotide sequence determined. The deduced translational product of the gene contains a GFSFG motif, consistent with a GXSXG consensus, which is shared by most bacterial and eukaryotic hydrolases. Transcriptional analysis of the PhpaLIP gene showed that its expression is female-specific, and is also detectable in districts other than accessory glands, suggesting that it might play different functions. Taken together with the observation of sequence similarity shared by PhpaLIP and mammalian lipases, the demonstration of the presence of lipase activity in the accessory gland secretion suggests a possible biological role of PhpaLIP gene product.