Cloning and characterization of a cDNA clone encoding troponin T from tick Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Tick Haller's Organ, a New Paradigm for Arthropod Olfaction: How Ticks Differ from Insects

Ticks are the vector of many human and animal diseases; and host detection is critical to this process. Ticks have a unique sensory structure located exclusively on the 1st pairs of legs; the fore-tarsal Haller’s organ, not found in any other animals, presumed to function like the insect antennae in chemosensation but morphologically very different. The mechanism of tick chemoreception is unknown. Utilizing next-generation sequencing and comparative transcriptomics between the 1st and 4th legs (the latter without the Haller’s organ), we characterized 1st leg specific and putative Haller’s organ specific transcripts from adult American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis. The analysis suggested that the Haller’s organ is involved in olfaction, not gustation. No known odorant binding proteins like those found in insects, chemosensory lipocalins or typical insect olfactory mechanisms were identified; with the transcriptomic data only supporting a possible olfactory G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signal cascade unique to the Haller’s organ. Each component of the olfactory GPCR signal cascade was identified and characterized. The expression of GPCR, G_αo and β-arrestin transcripts identified exclusively in the 1st leg transcriptome, and putatively Haller’s organ specific, were examined in unfed and blood-fed adult female and male D. variabilis. Blood feeding to repletion in adult females down-regulated the expression of all three chemosensory transcripts in females but not in males; consistent with differences in post-feeding tick behavior between sexes and an expected reduced chemosensory function in females as they leave the host. Data are presented for the first time of the potential hormonal regulation of tick chemosensation; behavioral assays confirmed the role of the Haller’s organ in N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) repellency but showed no role for the Haller’s organ in host attachment. Further research is needed to understand the potential role of the GPCR cascade in olfaction.

Primary characterization of a putative novel TBC1 domain family member 13 from Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis

A putative novel TBC1 domain family member 13 (HqTBC1D13) from Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis was cloned using rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (RACE), the HqTBC1D13 cDNA is 1702bp in length and encodes 396 amino acid residues with predicted molecular weight of 46.09kDa. The TBC-domain containing protein has a catalytic 'arginine finger' analogous to those of Ras and Rho family GAPs, which is critical determinants of GAP activity. The amino acid sequences of TBC domain were evolutionarily highly conserved across species. The partial coding sequence of HqTBC1D13 with the predicted molecular weight of 37.2kDa was expressed and purified in the PGEX-4T-1 vector. Real-time RT PCR analysis showed that the HqTBC1D13 was extensively expressed in the tested organs (salivary glands, midguts, ovaries and cuticles), and its transcriptional levels in salivary glands were significantly up-regulate induced by blood-feeding. The recombinant HqTBC1D13 protein vaccination in the rabbit model resulted in the extension of the duration of feeding and the reduction of 37% female engorgement and 14.8% oviposition compared to the control group. These results indicated that the HqTBC1D13 in ticks could be invovled in the regulation of feeding and oviposition.

Identification of the tropomyosin (HL-Tm) in Haemaphysalis longicornis

Haemaphysalis longicornis tropomyosin (HL-Tm) was amplified by RT-PCR. The cDNA contained a 825 bp open reading frame coding for 274 amino acids with a predicted theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 4.55 and molecular weight of 31.7 kDa. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of the HL-Tm in the unfed-females were significantly higher than in other tested developmental stages (eggs, unfed-larvae and unfed-nymphs). Western blot analysis showed that rabbit anti-serum against H. longicornis unfed-adult ticks recognized the recombinant HL-Tm protein (rHL-Tm). Immunization of rabbits with the rHL-Tm resulted in a statistically significant reduction of female engorgement and oviposition. Silencing of HL-Tm by RNAi showed a decrease in tick engorgement and oviposition, which is consistent with the effect of recombinant protein vaccine on the adults. These results showed that tick HL-Tm might be involved in the regulation of ticks blood-feeding, growth and oviposition.