模式识别受体（PRR）可识别入侵的病原体，是激活先天性免疫反应的警报器。我们之前的研究发现埃及伊蚊体内存在含硫酯键蛋白基因（AeTEP）具有抵抗登革热病毒及西尼罗病毒感染的功能（Cheng et al.,2011,Plos One 6,e22786）。AeTEP基因是哺乳动物补体因子C3的同源基因，是昆虫补体系统的核心分子。在本课题中，我们的前期研究结果显示埃及伊蚊中有一类含Sushi结构域蛋白（AeSCP）可以作为模式识别受体识别登革热病毒，并结合AeTEP补体分子清除登革热病毒感染。我们将进一步揭示埃及伊蚊补体系统与登革热病毒感染的相互作用关系，研究AeSCP与AeTEP补体分子清除病毒感染的分子机制；同时将利用比较基因组学及蛋白质组学方法，寻找埃及伊蚊补体系统中的新功能因子，阐明埃及伊蚊补体系统在昆虫先天性抗病毒免疫反应中的角色与功能。

Pattern recognition receptor (PRR) is the sentinel to alarm pathogens invasion and activate innate immune responses. Several mammalian proteins in extracellular or intracellular milieu sensor the viral infections, including Toll-like receptor (TLR), RIG-I and C-type lectins. However, in arthropod, no PRR has been identified to mediate the antiviral immune response. Our previous study found a Thioester-containing protein (TEP) in Aedes aegypti, which is a homolog of human complement C3 and designated as AeTEP-1, strongly resists Dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile virus (WNV) infections. Here, we further our previous observations and identify a family of Sushi-containing protein (AeSCP) family as the PRR molecules to recognize Dengue virus and associate with AeTEP-1 in A. aegypti. We will elucidate the molecular mechanism of AeSCP/AeTEP antiviral responses, identify novel complement factors by the comparative genomics and proteomics approaches. Our study will raise a complement system against viral infection in A. aegypti and delight a novel humoral innate immune response against microbes in invertebrate.