Abstract: 【Aim】 Carboxylesterases (CCEs) are an important hydrolase superfamily and have a role in the metabolism of various exogenous substances in insects. This study aims to lay a foundation for further research on the potential functions of CCEs in different physiological processes by analyzing the expression patterns of CCE genes from transcriptome datasets of Anopheles sinensis at different developmental stages, in different tissues, and before and after blood meal. 【Methods】 Based on 50 CCE genes collected from the obtained transcriptome data of the An. sinensis laboratory strain, the expression patterns of CCE genes in An. sinensis at different developmental stages (egg, 1st-4th instar larvae, male pupa, female pupa, male adult and female adult), in different adult tissues (antennae, salivary gland, midgut, Malpighian tubules, testis, ovary, cuticle and fat body), and female adults before and after blood meal (at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h) were analyzed by bioinformatics. 【Results】 CCE genes were mainly highly or specifically expressed in the larval or adult stages. AsAe12, AsAe4 and AsBe4 were highly expressed during all developmental stages. The expression patterns of CCE genes were also tissue specific and mainly expressed in antennae, cuticle and testis of adults. Moreover, five CCE genes (AsAe13, AsAe12, AsAe6, AsAe4 and AsBe4) were highly expressed in the midgut, Malpighian tubules and fat body of adults, suggesting their potential involvement in xenobiotic metabolism within these detoxification organs. After feeding female adults with blood meal, the expression levels of most CCE genes changed, and their expression patterns were different, suggesting that the blood digestion is a complex process. 【Conclusion】 The results of this study have enriched the knowledge of CCE genes in An. sinensis, providing a valuable reference for further research on the potential function of CCE family genes in the growth and development of An. sinensis.

Key words: Anopheles sinensis, carboxylesterase, expression patterns, developmental stage, tissue, blood meal