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Cibichakravarthy B, Shaked N, Kapri E, Gottlieb Y. Endosymbiont-derived metabolites are essential for tick host reproductive fitness. mSphere 2024; 9:e0069323. [PMID: 38953331 PMCID: PMC11288044 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00693-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks, like other obligatory blood-feeding arthropods, rely on endosymbiotic bacteria to supplement their diet with B vitamins lacking in blood. It has been suggested that additional metabolites such as L-proline may be involved in this nutritional symbiosis, but this has yet to be tested. Here, we studied the metabolite-based interaction between the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) and its Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE). We measured amino acid titers and tested the effect of B vitamins and L-proline supplementation on the fitness of CLE-suppressed female ticks, displaying low titers of CLE. We found higher titers of L-proline in the symbiont-hosting organs of unfed ticks and in engorged blood-fed whole ticks. Supplementation of B vitamins increased the hatching rate of CLE-suppressed ticks; this effect appears to be stronger when L-proline is added. Our results indicate that L-proline is produced by CLE, and we suggest that CLE is essential in states of high metabolic demand that affects tick reproductive fitness, such as oogenesis and embryonic development. These findings demonstrate the broader effect of nutritional symbionts on their hosts and may potentially contribute to the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. IMPORTANCE Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) are essential to the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus for feeding and reproduction. This symbiosis is based on the supplementation of B vitamins lacking in the blood diet. The involvement of additional metabolites has been suggested, but no experimental evidence is available as yet to confirm a metabolic interaction. Here, we show that B vitamins and L-proline, both of which contribute to tick reproductive fitness, are produced by CLE. These findings demonstrate the importance of symbiont-derived metabolites for the host's persistence and shed light on the complex bacteria-host metabolic interaction, which can be channeled to manipulate and control tick populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balasubramanian Cibichakravarthy
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Neta Shaked
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Einat Kapri
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yuval Gottlieb
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Henriques-Santos BM, Baker D, Zhou N, Snavely T, Sacchettini JC, Pietrantonio PV. Target-based discovery of antagonists of the tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) kinin receptor identifies small molecules that inhibit midgut contractions. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38899490 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A GPCR (G protein-coupled receptor) target-based approach was applied to identify antagonists of the arthropod-specific tick kinin receptor. These small molecules were expected to reproduce the detrimental phenotypic effects that had been observed in Rhipicephalus microplus females when the kinin receptor was silenced by RNA interference. Rhipicephalus microplus, the southern cattle tick, cattle fever tick, or Asian blue tick, is the vector of pathogenic microorganisms causing the deadly bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. The widespread resistance to acaricides in tick populations worldwide emphasizes that exploring novel targets for effective tick control is imperative. RESULTS Fifty-three structural analogs of previously identified tick kinin antagonists were screened in a 'dual-addition' calcium fluorescence assay using a CHO-K1 cell line expressing the tick kinin receptor. Seven molecules were validated as non-cytotoxic antagonists, four of which were partial (SACC-0428764, SACC-0428780, SACC-0428800, and SACC-0428803), and three were full antagonists (SACC-0428799, SACC-0428801, and SACC-0428815). Four of these antagonists (SACC-0428764, SACC-0428780, SACC-0428799, and SACC-0428815) also inhibited the tick midgut contractions induced by the myotropic kinin agonist analog 1728, verifying their antagonistic bioactivity. The small molecules were tested on recombinant human neurokinin (NK) receptors, the one most similar to the invertebrate kinin receptors. Most molecules were inhibitors of the NK1 receptor, except SACC-0412066, a previously identified tick kinin receptor antagonist, which inhibited the NK1 receptor only at the highest concentration tested (25 μm). None of the molecules inhibited the NK3 human receptor. CONCLUSION Molecules identified through this approach could be useful probes for studying the tick kinin signaling system and midgut physiology. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dwight Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Nian Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Thomas Snavely
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - James C Sacchettini
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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3
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Hernandez JR, Xiong C, Pietrantonio PV. A fluorescently-tagged tick kinin neuropeptide triggers peristalsis and labels tick midgut muscles. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10863. [PMID: 38740831 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61570-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks are blood-feeding arthropods that require heme for their successful reproduction. During feeding they also acquire pathogens that are subsequently transmitted to humans, wildlife and/or livestock. Understanding the regulation of tick midgut is important for blood meal digestion, heme and nutrient absorption processes and for aspects of pathogen biology in the host. We previously demonstrated the activity of tick kinins on the cognate G protein-coupled receptor. Herein we uncovered the physiological role of the kinin receptor in the tick midgut. A fluorescently-labeled kinin peptide with the endogenous kinin 8 sequence (TMR-RK8), identical in the ticks Rhipicephalus microplus and R. sanguineus, activated and labeled the recombinant R. microplus receptor expressed in CHO-K1 cells. When applied to the live midgut the TMR-RK8 labeled the kinin receptor in muscles while the labeled peptide with the scrambled-sequence of kinin 8 (TMR-Scrambled) did not. The unlabeled kinin 8 peptide competed TMR-RK8, decreasing confocal microscopy signal intensity, indicating TMR-RK8 specificity to muscles. TMR-RK8 was active, inducing significant midgut peristalsis that was video-recorded and evaluated with video tracking software. The TMR-Scrambled peptide used as a negative control did not elicit peristalsis. The myotropic function of kinins in eliciting tick midgut peristalsis was established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Hernandez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2475, USA
| | - Caixing Xiong
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2475, USA
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4
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Hendawy SHM, Alzan HF, Abdel-Ghany HSM, Suarez CE, Kamel G. Biochemical analysis of Hyalomma dromedarii salivary glands and gut tissues using SR-FTIR micro-spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8515. [PMID: 38609442 PMCID: PMC11014997 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59165-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligatory voracious blood feeders infesting diverse vertebrate hosts, that have a crucial role in the transmission of diverse pathogens that threaten human and animal health. The continuous emergence of tick-borne diseases due to combined worldwide climatic changes, human activities, and acaricide-resistant tick strains, necessitates the development of novel ameliorative tick control strategies such as vaccines. The synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy (SR-FTIR) is a bioanalytical microprobe capable of exploring the molecular chemistry within microstructures at a cellular or subcellular level and is considered as a nondestructive analytical approach for biological specimens. In this study, SR-FTIR analysis was able to explore a qualitative and semi-quantitative biochemical composition of gut and salivary glands of Hyalomma dromedarii (H. dromedarii) tick detecting differences in the biochemical composition of both tissues. A notable observation regarding Amide I secondary structure protein profile was the higher ratio of aggregated strands in salivary gland and beta turns in gut tissues. Regarding the lipid profile, there was a higher intensity of lipid regions in gut tissue when compared to salivary glands. This detailed information on the biochemical compositions of tick tissues could assist in selecting vaccine and/or control candidates. Altogether, these findings confirmed SR-FTIR spectroscopy as a tool for detecting differences in the biochemical composition of H. dromedarii salivary glands and gut tissues. This approach could potentially be extended to the analysis of other ticks that are vectors of important diseases such as babesiosis and theileriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seham H M Hendawy
- Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt.
- Tick and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Unit, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt.
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-7040, USA.
| | - Heba F Alzan
- Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
- Tick and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Unit, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-7040, USA
| | - Hoda S M Abdel-Ghany
- Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
- Tick and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Unit, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Carlos E Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-7040, USA
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural-Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Gihan Kamel
- SESAME Synchrotron (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East), Allan, 19252, Jordan.
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Fadahunsi AI, Kumm C, Graham K, de León AAP, Guerrero F, Sparagano OAE, Finn RD. Biochemical characterisation of Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase from the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, highlights potential new acaricide target. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102148. [PMID: 36905815 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Management of the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, presents a challenge because some populations of this cosmopolitan and economically important ectoparasite are resistant to multiple classes of acaricides. Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR) is part of the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) monooxygenases that are involved in metabolic resistance by their ability to detoxify acaricides. Inhibiting CPR, the sole redox partner that transfers electrons to CYP450s, could overcome this type of metabolic resistance. This report represents the biochemical characterisation of a CPR from ticks. Recombinant CPR of R. microplus (RmCPR), minus its N-terminal transmembrane domain, was produced in a bacterial expression system and subjected to biochemical analyses. RmCPR displayed a characteristic dual flavin oxidoreductase spectrum. Incubation with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) lead to an increase in absorbance between 500 and 600 nm with a corresponding appearance of a peak absorbance at 340-350 nm indicating functional transfer of electrons between NADPH and the bound flavin cofactors. Using the pseudoredox partner, kinetic parameters for both cytochrome c and NADPH binding were calculated as 26.6 ± 11.4 µM and 7.03 ± 1.8 µM, respectively. The turnover, Kcat, for RmCPR for cytochrome c was calculated as 0.08 s-1 which is significantly lower than the CPR homologues of other species. IC50 (Half maximal Inhibitory Concentration) values obtained for the adenosine analogues 2', 5' ADP, 2'- AMP, NADP+and the reductase inhibitor diphenyliodonium were: 140, 82.2, 24.5, and 75.3 µM, respectively. Biochemically, RmCPR resembles CPRs of hematophagous arthropods more so than mammalian CPRs. These findings highlight the potential of RmCPR as a target for the rational design of safer and potent acaricides against R. microplus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeyinka I Fadahunsi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biotechnology Programme, Elizade University, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Christopher Kumm
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Kirsty Graham
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Adalberto A Pérez de León
- Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Kerrville, TX, USA
| | - Felix Guerrero
- Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Kerrville, TX, USA
| | - Oliver A E Sparagano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Robert D Finn
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; Department of Biochemistry & Genetics, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, St George's International School of Medicine, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK.
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Oliva Chávez AS, Guzman Valencia S, Lynn GE, Rosario CA, Thomas DB, Johnson TL. Evaluation of the in vitro acaricidal effect of five organic compounds on the cattle fever tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae). EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2023; 89:447-460. [PMID: 37052726 PMCID: PMC10167096 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00780-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, is the most economically important tick worldwide. Infestations with this tick can lead to direct damage and cattle mortality due to the transmission of potentially deadly pathogens. Management of this tick species has been focused on the use of synthetical acaricides; however, the emergence of acaricide resistance to single or multiple active ingredients has resulted in a need for novel acaricide compounds. Among potential avenues for the discovery of novel acaricides are plant-derived compounds. The efficacy of five organic compounds (nootkatone, Stop the Bites®, BioUD®, lavender oil, and cedarwood oil) was evaluated using larval immersion tests (LITs), repellency assays, and adult immersion tests (AITs). The results from the LITs indicate that three of the organic compounds (NootkaShield™, Stop the Bites, BioUD) led to significant mortalities at low concentrations (0.2, 0.02, and 0.08%, respectively). By comparison, lavender and cedar oil led to around 90% mortality at 10 and 1% concentrations, respectively. Similarly, NootkaShield, Stop the Bites, and BioUD had strong repellent properties with over 90% repellency at the two highest concentrations tested. Using the FAO 2004 guidelines, we evaluated the effectiveness of these organic compounds at reducing the fecundity of R. (B.) microplus and show that Nootkatone, Stop the Bites, and BioUD may significantly decrease tick populations (Drummond's index > 90% at concentrations of 5%), highlighting their potential as alternatives to synthetic acaricides for the control of cattle fever ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela S Oliva Chávez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 77845, College Station, TX, USA.
| | | | | | - Charluz Arocho Rosario
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 77845, College Station, TX, USA
- Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 78541, Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Donald B Thomas
- Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 78541, Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Tammi L Johnson
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, 78801, Uvalde, TX, USA.
- Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, 78801, Uvalde, TX, USA.
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Castro RA, Neto OP, Mendes ALS, Moreira LH. Acaricidal action of ozone on larvae and engorged females of Rhipicephalus microplus: a dose-dependent relationship. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2023; 89:433-445. [PMID: 37029855 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00791-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The tick Rhipicephalus microplus is a vector of infectious agents that causes great economic loss in the productivity of cattle herds. Several studies have sought natural compounds with acaricidal activity to control ticks, without allowing the development of resistance, without causing environmental damage, and without presenting toxicity to the hosts. The activity of ozone on the natural biomolecules of living beings has been studied as an alternative to control arthropods and acaricidal effects were shown on ticks. The aim of the present study was to assess the acaricidal effect on larvae and engorged females of R. microplus according to ozone dose. Larvae (n = 377) were distributed in 10 groups and engorged females (n = 284) were distributed in 14 groups. One group was used as control (not exposed to ozone) and the other groups were exposed to ozone gas for 5-105 min. Ozone had a dose-dependent acaricidal effect on both larvae and engorged females. Dosages between 355 and 2130 mg/L min had a delayed acaricidal effect (12-180 h), leading to the death of all engorged females before laying eggs, whereas doses between 3195 and 7455 mg/L min showed immediate acaricidal effect (5 min to 4 h). Doses between 1775 and 6390 mg/L min had an immediate (up to 5 min) acaricidal effect on the larvae of this species. Further studies should consider longer follow-up times during the assessment of the acaricidal activity against ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Castro
- Biomedical Engineering Center, Anhembi Morumbi University (UAM), Rua Casa do Ator, 294, Campus Vila Olímpia, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04546-001, Brazil
- Centro Universitário de Barra Mansa (UBM), Rua José Maria da Cruz, 267, Centro, Barra Mansa, RJ, CEP 27330-550, Brazil
| | - O P Neto
- Biomedical Engineering Center, Anhembi Morumbi University (UAM), Rua Casa do Ator, 294, Campus Vila Olímpia, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04546-001, Brazil
- Center of Innovation, Technology and Education (CITÉ), Estrada Dr. Altino Bondesan, 500, Distrito de Eugênio de Melo, São José dos Campos, SP, CEP 12247-016, Brazil
- Arena235 Research Lab BR, Rua Carlos Maria Auricchio, 55-Jardim Aquarius, São José dos Campos, SP, CEP 12246-876, Brazil
| | - A L S Mendes
- Animal and Human Anatomy Department, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000, Brazil
| | - L H Moreira
- Biomedical Engineering Center, Anhembi Morumbi University (UAM), Rua Casa do Ator, 294, Campus Vila Olímpia, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04546-001, Brazil.
- Center of Innovation, Technology and Education (CITÉ), Estrada Dr. Altino Bondesan, 500, Distrito de Eugênio de Melo, São José dos Campos, SP, CEP 12247-016, Brazil.
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Yuan C, Yang Q, Wu J, Peng Y, Li Y, Xiong S, Zhou J, Wang M, Hu Z, Zou Z, Xia Q. Proteomics reveals the hemolymph components of partially fed Hyalomma asiaticum ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102032. [PMID: 36088665 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Hemolymph infection facilitates pathogen invasion of internal tick tissues. However, the overall protein composition of the hemolymph has not been analyzed for any tick species. Here, a gel based liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was used to characterize the hemolymph proteome of Hyalomma asiaticum females during blood feeding. A total of 311 proteins were identified. Hemelipoglyco-carrier proteins, apolipophorin-like proteins, and intracellular proteins were the most abundant proteins. Thirteen immunity-related proteins were identified, including peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP), Thioester-containing proteins (TEPs), clip‑serine proteinases, serpins and Dome. The presence of hemocytin, proclotting enzyme homologs, serpins, TEPs, factor D-like protein and the lack of coagulin, hemocyanin, and prophenoloxidase suggest ticks may possess a unique coagulation system, which is largely different from that of insects. Taken together, the study revealed the constitution, level, and possible functions of global hemolymph proteins in H. asiaticum and could facilitate the discovery of new targets for control of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanfei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571199, China; State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qingtai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jia Wu
- Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory, Mega-Science Center for Bio-Safety Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yun Peng
- Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory, Mega-Science Center for Bio-Safety Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yufeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Shirui Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571199, China
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Manli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhihong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Qianfeng Xia
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571199, China.
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9
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Xiong C, Wulff JP, Nachman RJ, Pietrantonio PV. Myotropic Activities of Tick Pyrokinin Neuropeptides and Analog in Feeding Tissues of Hard Ticks (Ixodidae). Front Physiol 2022; 12:826399. [PMID: 35242048 PMCID: PMC8887807 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.826399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides regulate many important physiological processes in animals. The G protein-coupled receptors of corresponding small neuropeptide ligands are considered promising targets for controlling arthropod pests. Pyrokinins (PKs) are pleiotropic neuropeptides that, in some insect species, stimulate muscle contraction and modulate pheromone biosynthesis, embryonic diapause, and feeding behavior. However, their function remains unknown in ticks. In this study, we reported the myotropic activity of tick endogenous PKs and a PK agonist analog, PK-PEG8 (MS[PEG8]-YFTPRLa), on feeding tissues of two tick species representing the family Ixodidae lineages, namely, Prostriata (Ixodes scapularis) and Metastriata (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). First, we predicted the sequences of two periviscerokinins (PVK), one with a derived ending RNa and five PKs encoded by the CAPA peptide precursor from R. sanguineus and found the encoded PKs were identical to those of R. microplus identified previously. The pharynx-esophagus of both tick species responded with increased contractions to 10 μM of the endogenous PK as well as to PK-PEG8 but not to the scrambled PK peptide, as expected. A dose-dependent myotropic activity of the PK-PEG8 was found for both tick species, validating the analog activity previously found in the pyrokinin recombinant receptor assay. In agreement with the tissue activity elicited, we quantified the relative transcript abundance of R. sanguineus PK receptor in unfed female ticks and found it was the highest in the feeding tissues extracted from the capitulum and lowest in the reproductive tissue. This is the first report of the activity of pyrokinins in ticks. These findings strongly indicate the potential role of PKs in regulating tick blood feeding and therefore, making the tick PK receptor a potential target for interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixing Xiong
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Juan P Wulff
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Ronald J Nachman
- Insect Neuropeptide Lab, Insect Control and Cotton Disease Research Unit, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, USDA-ARS, College Station, TX, United States
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