IRON AND IMMUNE DEFENSE IN INSECTS

描述（改编自申请人的摘要）：铁是一种必需的 几乎所有生命形式的营养。它也是一种危险的毒素， 控制在生物系统中。具有高亲和力的结合蛋白 离子铁或能够螯合它，使它不能表现出其 几乎所有的生物都会产生有害的影响。这些蛋白质 有时被用作防御寄生虫和病原体， 铁的营养来源。铁结合蛋白的用途 转铁蛋白和铁蛋白作为对铁中毒或防御的保护 将在苍蝇和蚊子中研究对病原体和寄生虫的作用。 已知转铁蛋白的合成通过细菌感染而增加， 这些昆虫。这是昆虫先天免疫系统的一部分。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from the Applicant's Abstract): Iron is an essential nutrient for nearly all life forms. It is also a dangerous toxin that must be controlled in biological systems. Proeins that have a high affinity for binding ionic iron or are capable of sequestering it so that it cannot exhibit its harmful effects are produced by virtually all organisms. These same proteins sometimes are used as a defense against parasites and pathogens by depriving them of a nutrient source of iron. The use of the iron-binding proteins transferrin and ferritin as a protection against iron poisoning or defense against pathogens and parasites will be investigated in flies and mosquitoes. It is known the transferrin synthesis is increased by bacterial infection of these insects. This is a part of the insect innate immune system.