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Win SY, Murata S, Fujisawa S, Seo H, Sato J, Motai Y, Sato T, Oishi E, Taneno A, Htun LL, Bawm S, Okagawa T, Maekawa N, Konnai S, Ohashi K. Potential of ferritin 2 as an antigen for the development of a universal vaccine for avian mites, poultry red mites, tropical fowl mites, and northern fowl mites. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1182930. [PMID: 37138911 PMCID: PMC10149675 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1182930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Poultry red mites (PRMs, Dermanyssus gallinae), blood-sucking ectoparasites, are a threat to the poultry industry because of reduced production caused by infestation. In addition, tropical fowl mites (TFMs, Ornithonyssus bursa) and northern fowl mites (NFMs, Ornithonyssus sylviarum) are hematophagous, distributed in various regions, genetically and morphologically close to PRMs, and cause similar problems to the poultry industry. Vaccine approaches have been studied for PRM control, and several molecules have been identified in PRMs as candidates for effective vaccine antigens. The development of an anti-PRM vaccine as a universal vaccine with broad efficacy against avian mites could improve the productivity of poultry farms worldwide. Molecules that are highly conserved among avian mites and have critical functions in the physiology and growth of mites could be ideal antigen candidates for the development of universal vaccines. Ferritin 2 (FER2), an iron-binding protein, is critical for the reproduction and survival of PRMs and has been reported as a useful vaccine antigen for the control of PRMs and a candidate for the universal vaccine antigen in some tick species. Method and results Herein, we identified and characterized FER2 in TFMs and NFM. Compared with the sequence of PRM, the ferroxidase centers of the heavy chain subunits were conserved in FER2 of TFMs and NFMs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that FER2 belongs to clusters of secretory ferritins of mites and other arthropods. Recombinant FER2 (rFER2) proteins from PRMs, TFMs, and NFMs exhibited iron-binding abilities. Immunization with each rFER2 induced strong antibody responses in chickens, and each immune plasma cross-reacted with rFER2 from different mites. Moreover, mortality rates of PRMs fed with immune plasma against rFER2 from TFMs or NFMs, in addition to PRMs, were higher than those of control plasma. Discussion rFER2 from each avian mite exhibited anti-PRM effects. This data suggests that it has the potential to be used as an antigen candidate for a universal vaccine against avian mites. Further studies are needed to access the usefulness of FER2 as a universal vaccine for the control of avian mites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shwe Yee Win
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shiro Murata
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sotaro Fujisawa
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hikari Seo
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Jumpei Sato
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshinosuke Motai
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Lat Lat Htun
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Saw Bawm
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
- Department of Livestock and Aquaculture Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Tomohiro Okagawa
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naoya Maekawa
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Satoru Konnai
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ohashi
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- International Affairs Office, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Zeb I, Almutairi MM, Alouffi A, Islam N, Parizi LF, Safi SZ, Tanaka T, da Silva Vaz I, Ali A. Low Genetic Polymorphism in the Immunogenic Sequences of Rhipicephalus microplus Clade C. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1909. [PMID: 36423005 PMCID: PMC9697226 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus tick highly affects the veterinary sector throughout the world. Different tick control methods have been adopted, and the identification of tick-derived highly immunogenic sequences for the development of an anti-tick vaccine has emerged as a successful alternate. This study aimed to characterize immunogenic sequences from R. microplus ticks prevalent in Pakistan. Ticks collected in the field were morphologically identified and subjected to DNA and RNA extraction. Ticks were molecularly identified based on the partial mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit (cox) sequence and screened for piroplasms (Theileria/Babesia spp.), Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma spp. PCR-based pathogens-free R. microplus-derived cDNA was used for the amplification of full-length cysteine protease inhibitor (cystatin 2b), cathepsin L-like cysteine proteinase (cathepsin-L), glutathione S-transferase (GST), ferritin 1, 60S acidic ribosomal protein (P0), aquaporin 2, ATAQ, and R. microplus 05 antigen (Rm05Uy) coding sequences. The cox sequence revealed 100% identity with the nucleotide sequences of Pakistan's formerly reported R. microplus, and full-length immunogenic sequences revealed maximum identities to the most similar sequences reported from India, China, Cuba, USA, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, Israel, and Uruguay. Low nonsynonymous polymorphisms were observed in ATAQ (1.5%), cathepsin-L (0.6%), and aquaporin 2 (0.4%) sequences compared to the homologous sequences from Mexico, India, and the USA, respectively. Based on the cox sequence, R. microplus was phylogenetically assembled in clade C, which includes R. microplus from Pakistan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and India. In the phylogenetic trees, the cystatin 2b, cathepsin-L, ferritin 1, and aquaporin 2 sequences were clustered with the most similar available sequences of R. microplus, P0 with R. microplus, R. sanguineus and R. haemaphysaloides, and GST, ATAQ, and Rm05Uy with R. microplus and R. annulatus. This is the first report on the molecular characterization of clade C R. microplus-derived immunogenic sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Zeb
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Mashal M Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabila Islam
- Department of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Luís Fernando Parizi
- Centro de Biotecnologia and Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Campus do Vale, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Sher Zaman Safi
- Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jenjarom 42610, Malaysia
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia and Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Campus do Vale, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
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Perner J, Hajdusek O, Kopacek P. Independent somatic distribution of heme and iron in ticks. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 51:100916. [PMID: 35346896 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasites with distinct genomic reductions, inevitably linking them to a parasitic lifestyle. Ticks have lost the genomic coding and, thus, biochemical capacity to synthesize heme, an essential metabolic cofactor, de novo. Instead, they are equipped with acquisition and distribution pathways for reuse of host heme. Unlike insects or mammals, ticks and mites cannot cleave the porphyrin ring of heme to release iron. Bioavailable iron is thus acquired by ticks from the host serum transferrin. Somatic trafficking of iron, however, is independent of heme and is mediated by a secretory type of ferritin. Heme and iron systemic homeostasis in ticks represents, therefore, key adaptive traits enabling successful feeding and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Hajdusek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopacek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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Oleaga A, Gonzalez-Pérez S, Pérez-Sanchez R. First molecular and functional characterisation of ferritin 2 proteins from Ornithodoros argasid ticks. Vet Parasitol 2022; 304:109684. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Xu X, Wang C, Liu Q, Huang Y, Sun W, Pan B. Two ferritins from Dermanyssus gallinae: characterization and in vivo assessment as protective antigens. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:561-571. [PMID: 34595835 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae is recognized worldwide as the most important bloodsucking ectoparasite in layer and breeder flocks. In bloodsucking ectoparasites, ferritins (FERs), the iron-storage proteins, play a pivotal role in dealing with the challenge of large amounts of released iron during the digestion of blood meal. However, no information is available concerning FERs of D. gallinae. The aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristics, functions and the vaccine efficacy of FERs in D. gallinae. RESULTS Two heavy-chain FERs of D. gallinae were identified and characterized. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Dg-FER1 may be a secretory FER and Dg-FER2 an intracellular one. RNAi results demonstrated that Dg-fers play key roles in mite survival, successful reproduction and blood digestion. Immunization with rDg-FER1 or rDg-FER2 successfully induced chickens to produce high levels of antigen-specific IgY, resulting in a significant increase in mite mortality (by 58.67% on Day 5) and decreases in oviposition (by 42.15%) and fecundity (by 68.97%) in the rDg-FER1 group, and a 13.73% increase in mite mortality and a 20.89% decrease in fecundity in the rDg-FER1 group. The overall immunization efficacy of rDg-FER1 was 93.51%. CONCLUSION Two Dg-FERs are crucial to the survival, reproduction and blood digestion of D. gallinae. This study has provided preliminary evidence demonstrating the potential of rDg-FER1 as a vaccine antigen for D. gallinae. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Xu
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanwen Wang
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Sun
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Baoliang Pan
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Zhao Y, Liu L, Liu JB, Wu CY, Duan DY, Cheng TY. Cloning, expression, and function of ferritins in the tick Haemaphysalis flava. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 13:101892. [PMID: 34942560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101892] [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: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The full-length cDNA of two ferritins of Haemaphysalis flava were cloned after which recombinant Hf-FER1 and Hf-FER2 were expressed and their function was analyzed. In addition, RNA interference (RNAi) based on the injection of Hf-fer1 or Hf-fer2 dsRNA into fully engorged female ticks was performed. The cDNA encoding Hf-FER1 is 834 bp in length. It contains an iron-responsive element in the 5' untranslated region and encodes 174 amino acid residues. The full-length cDNA of Hf-FER2 contains 696 bp and encodes 199 amino acids, including a putative signal peptide sequence. Hf-FER1 and Hf-FER2 both have the ferroxidase iron center and the ferrihydrite nucleation center. The evolutionary relationship of Hf-FER1 and Hf-FER2 was established, and the predicted quaternary structures were assembled as typical spherical shells composed of 24 subunits which was demonstrated by nature PAGE. Real-time PCR showed that Hf-fer1 and Hf-fer2 were expressed in all developmental stages, with the highest expression in fully engorged females. The expression of Hf-fer1 and Hf-fer2 were relatively high in unfed larvae. Hf-fer1 was expressed in all tissues and was especially abundant in the salivary glands of fully engorged females. In contrast, the highest levels of Hf-fer2 were found in the midgut of fully engorged females, and no expression was found in the salivary glands of this life stage. Both recombinant Hf-FER1 and Hf-FER2 had iron-binding capabilities. Silencing of both Hf-fer1 and Hf-fer2 affected fecundity. Compared to the control, the percentage of ticks that laid eggs in the Hf-fer1 and Hf-fer2 RNAi groups was 73.3% and 66.7%, respectively. The silenced ticks that laid eggs had lower egg weight to body weight ratios, and the eggs had abnormal morphologies. The hatchability of eggs with normal morphology in the Hf-fer1 and Hf-fer2 silenced groups was 47.8% and 22.8%, respectively, which was significantly different from the control group (P < 0.005). These findings indicate that Hf-FER1 and Hf-FER2 play important roles in the iron storage of H. flava.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhao
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Xinyang Agriculture and Forestry University, Xinyang 464000, Henan, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Jin-Bao Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Cong-Ying Wu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
| | - De-Yong Duan
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Tian-Yin Cheng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China.
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Kotál J, Polderdijk SGI, Langhansová H, Ederová M, Martins LA, Beránková Z, Chlastáková A, Hajdušek O, Kotsyfakis M, Huntington JA, Chmelař J. Ixodes ricinus Salivary Serpin Iripin-8 Inhibits the Intrinsic Pathway of Coagulation and Complement. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179480. [PMID: 34502392 PMCID: PMC8431025 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick saliva is a rich source of antihemostatic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory molecules that actively help the tick to finish its blood meal. Moreover, these molecules facilitate the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. Here we present the functional and structural characterization of Iripin-8, a salivary serpin from the tick Ixodes ricinus, a European vector of tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease. Iripin-8 displayed blood-meal-induced mRNA expression that peaked in nymphs and the salivary glands of adult females. Iripin-8 inhibited multiple proteases involved in blood coagulation and blocked the intrinsic and common pathways of the coagulation cascade in vitro. Moreover, Iripin-8 inhibited erythrocyte lysis by complement, and Iripin-8 knockdown by RNA interference in tick nymphs delayed the feeding time. Finally, we resolved the crystal structure of Iripin-8 at 1.89 Å resolution to reveal an unusually long and rigid reactive center loop that is conserved in several tick species. The P1 Arg residue is held in place distant from the serpin body by a conserved poly-Pro element on the P′ side. Several PEG molecules bind to Iripin-8, including one in a deep cavity, perhaps indicating the presence of a small-molecule binding site. This is the first crystal structure of a tick serpin in the native state, and Iripin-8 is a tick serpin with a conserved reactive center loop that possesses antihemostatic activity that may mediate interference with host innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kotál
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center CAS, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Stéphanie G. I. Polderdijk
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, The Keith Peters Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; (S.G.I.P.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Helena Langhansová
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Monika Ederová
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Larissa A. Martins
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center CAS, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Zuzana Beránková
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Adéla Chlastáková
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Laboratory of Vector Immunology, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center CAS, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center CAS, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - James A. Huntington
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, The Keith Peters Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; (S.G.I.P.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Jindřich Chmelař
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence:
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Kotál J, Buša M, Urbanová V, Řezáčová P, Chmelař J, Langhansová H, Sojka D, Mareš M, Kotsyfakis M. Mialostatin, a Novel Midgut Cystatin from Ixodes ricinus Ticks: Crystal Structure and Regulation of Host Blood Digestion. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5371. [PMID: 34065290 PMCID: PMC8161381 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hard tick Ixodes ricinus is a vector of Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. Host blood protein digestion, essential for tick development and reproduction, occurs in tick midgut digestive cells driven by cathepsin proteases. Little is known about the regulation of the digestive proteolytic machinery of I. ricinus. Here we characterize a novel cystatin-type protease inhibitor, mialostatin, from the I. ricinus midgut. Blood feeding rapidly induced mialostatin expression in the gut, which continued after tick detachment. Recombinant mialostatin inhibited a number of I. ricinus digestive cysteine cathepsins, with the greatest potency observed against cathepsin L isoforms, with which it co-localized in midgut digestive cells. The crystal structure of mialostatin was determined at 1.55 Å to explain its unique inhibitory specificity. Finally, mialostatin effectively blocked in vitro proteolysis of blood proteins by midgut cysteine cathepsins. Mialostatin is likely to be involved in the regulation of gut-associated proteolytic pathways, making midgut cystatins promising targets for tick control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kotál
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (V.U.); (D.S.)
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.C.); (H.L.)
| | - Michal Buša
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (M.B.); (P.Ř.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 2030/8, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (V.U.); (D.S.)
| | - Pavlína Řezáčová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (M.B.); (P.Ř.)
| | - Jindřich Chmelař
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.C.); (H.L.)
| | - Helena Langhansová
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.C.); (H.L.)
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (V.U.); (D.S.)
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (M.B.); (P.Ř.)
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (V.U.); (D.S.)
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9
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Githaka NW, Konnai S, Isezaki M, Goto S, Xavier MA, Fujisawa S, Yamada S, Okagawa T, Maekawa N, Logullo C, da Silva Vaz I, Murata S, Ohashi K. Identification and functional analysis of ferritin 2 from the Taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus Schulze. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101547. [PMID: 32993953 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ferritin 2 (FER2) is an iron storage protein, which has been shown to be critical for iron homeostasis during blood feeding and reproduction in ticks and is therefore suitable as a component for anti-tick vaccines. In this study, we identified the FER2 of Ixodes persulcatus, a major vector for zoonotic diseases such as Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne relapsing fever in Japan, and investigated its functions. Ixodes persulcatus-derived ferritin 2 (Ip-FER2) showed concentration-dependent iron-binding ability and high amino acid conservation, consistent with FER2s of other tick species. Vaccines containing the recombinant Ip-FER2 elicited a significant reduction of the engorgement weight of adult I. persulcatus. Interestingly, the reduction of engorgement weight was also observed in Ixodes ovatus, a sympatric species of I. persulcatus. In silico analyses of FER2 sequences of I. persulcatus and other ticks showed a greater similarity with I. scapularis and I. ricinus and lesser similarity with Hyalomma anatolicum, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus microplus, and R. appendiculatus. Moreover, it was observed that the tick FER2 sequences possess conserved regions within the primary structures, and in silico epitope mapping analysis revealed that antigenic regions were also conserved, particularly among Ixodes spp ticks. In conclusion, the data support further protective tick vaccination applications using the Ip-FER2 antigens identified herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naftaly Wang'ombe Githaka
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Satoru Konnai
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan; Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan.
| | - Masayoshi Isezaki
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Shinya Goto
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Marina Amaral Xavier
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Sotaro Fujisawa
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Shinji Yamada
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Okagawa
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Naoya Maekawa
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Carlos Logullo
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda and Laboratório Integrado de Morfologia, NUPEM-UFRJ, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Shiro Murata
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan; Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ohashi
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan; Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
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Bhowmick B, Han Q. Understanding Tick Biology and Its Implications in Anti-tick and Transmission Blocking Vaccines Against Tick-Borne Pathogens. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:319. [PMID: 32582785 PMCID: PMC7297041 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligate blood-feeding ectoparasites that transmit a wide variety of pathogens to animals and humans in many parts of the world. Currently, tick control methods primarily rely on the application of chemical acaricides, which results in the development of resistance among tick populations and environmental contamination. Therefore, an alternative tick control method, such as vaccines have been shown to be a feasible strategy that offers a sustainable, safe, effective, and environment-friendly solution. Nevertheless, novel control methods are hindered by a lack of understanding of tick biology, tick-pathogen-host interface, and identification of effective antigens in the development of vaccines. This review highlights the current knowledge and data on some of the tick-protective antigens that have been identified for the formulation of anti-tick vaccines along with the effects of these vaccines on the control of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswajit Bhowmick
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Qian Han
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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11
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Kotál J, Stergiou N, Buša M, Chlastáková A, Beránková Z, Řezáčová P, Langhansová H, Schwarz A, Calvo E, Kopecký J, Mareš M, Schmitt E, Chmelař J, Kotsyfakis M. The structure and function of Iristatin, a novel immunosuppressive tick salivary cystatin. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:2003-2013. [PMID: 30747251 PMCID: PMC11105445 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03034-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
To successfully feed, ticks inject pharmacoactive molecules into the vertebrate host including cystatin cysteine protease inhibitors. However, the molecular and cellular events modulated by tick saliva remain largely unknown. Here, we describe and characterize a novel immunomodulatory cystatin, Iristatin, which is upregulated in the salivary glands of feeding Ixodes ricinus ticks. We present the crystal structure of Iristatin at 1.76 Å resolution. Purified recombinant Iristatin inhibited the proteolytic activity of cathepsins L and C and diminished IL-2, IL-4, IL-9, and IFN-γ production by different T-cell populations, IL-6 and IL-9 production by mast cells, and nitric oxide production by macrophages. Furthermore, Iristatin inhibited OVA antigen-induced CD4+ T-cell proliferation and leukocyte recruitment in vivo and in vitro. Our results indicate that Iristatin affects wide range of anti-tick immune responses in the vertebrate host and may be exploitable as an immunotherapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kotál
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Natascha Stergiou
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany
| | - Michal Buša
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adéla Chlastáková
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Beránková
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Řezáčová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Langhansová
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandra Schwarz
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Eric Calvo
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Jan Kopecký
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Edgar Schmitt
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany
| | - Jindřich Chmelař
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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12
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Haem Biology in Metazoan Parasites - 'The Bright Side of Haem'. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:213-225. [PMID: 30686614 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Traditionally, host haem has been recognized as a cytotoxic molecule that parasites need to eliminate or detoxify in order to survive. However, recent evidence indicates that some lineages of parasites have lost genes that encode enzymes involved specifically in endogenous haem biosynthesis. Such lineages thus need to acquire and utilize haem originating from their host animal, making it an indispensable molecule for their survival and reproduction. In multicellular parasites, host haem needs to be systemically distributed throughout their bodies to meet the haem demands in all cell and tissue types. Host haem also gets deposited in parasite eggs, enabling embryogenesis and reproduction. Clearly, a better understanding of haem biology in multicellular parasites should elucidate organismal adaptations to obligatory blood-feeding.
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13
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Mans BJ, Featherston J, Kvas M, Pillay KA, de Klerk DG, Pienaar R, de Castro MH, Schwan TG, Lopez JE, Teel P, Pérez de León AA, Sonenshine DE, Egekwu NI, Bakkes DK, Heyne H, Kanduma EG, Nyangiwe N, Bouattour A, Latif AA. Argasid and ixodid systematics: Implications for soft tick evolution and systematics, with a new argasid species list. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 10:219-240. [PMID: 30309738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The systematics of the genera and subgenera within the soft tick family Argasidae is not adequately resolved. Different classification schemes, reflecting diverse schools of scientific thought that elevated or downgraded groups to genera or subgenera, have been proposed. In the most recent classification scheme, Argas and Ornithodoros are paraphyletic and the placement of various subgenera remains uncertain because molecular data are lacking. Thus, reclassification of the Argasidae is required. This will enable an understanding of soft tick systematics within an evolutionary context. This study addressed that knowledge gap using mitochondrial genome and nuclear (18S and 28S ribosomal RNA) sequence data for representatives of the subgenera Alectorobius, Argas, Chiropterargas, Ogadenus, Ornamentum, Ornithodoros, Navis (subgen. nov.), Pavlovskyella, Persicargas, Proknekalia, Reticulinasus and Secretargas, from the Afrotropical, Nearctic and Palearctic regions. Hard tick species (Ixodidae) and a new representative of Nuttalliella namaqua (Nuttalliellidae), were also sequenced with a total of 83 whole mitochondrial genomes, 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA genes generated. The study confirmed the utility of next-generation sequencing to retrieve systematic markers. Paraphyly of Argas and Ornithodoros was resolved by systematic analysis and a new species list is proposed. This corresponds broadly with the morphological cladistic analysis of Klompen and Oliver (1993). Estimation of divergence times using molecular dating allowed dissection of phylogeographic patterns for argasid evolution. The discovery of cryptic species in the subgenera Chiropterargas, Ogadenus and Ornithodoros, suggests that cryptic speciation is common within the Argasidae. Cryptic speciation has implications for past biological studies of soft ticks. These are discussed in particular for the Ornithodoros (Ornithodoros) moubata and Ornithodoros (Ornithodoros) savignyi groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J Mans
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa.
| | - Jonathan Featherston
- The Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council-Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Marija Kvas
- The Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council-Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Kerry-Anne Pillay
- The Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council-Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Daniel G de Klerk
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Ronel Pienaar
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Minique H de Castro
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Tom G Schwan
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Job E Lopez
- Department of Paediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Paediatric Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Pete Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Adalberto A Pérez de León
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville, TX, United States
| | - Daniel E Sonenshine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States; Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH), Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Noble I Egekwu
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., United States
| | - Deon K Bakkes
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Heloise Heyne
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Esther G Kanduma
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O BOX 30197, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nkululeko Nyangiwe
- Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim, 4930, South Africa
| | - Ali Bouattour
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Abdalla A Latif
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Westville, South Africa
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14
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Perner J, Kotál J, Hatalová T, Urbanová V, Bartošová-Sojková P, Brophy PM, Kopáček P. Inducible glutathione S-transferase (IrGST1) from the tick Ixodes ricinus is a haem-binding protein. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018. [PMID: 29526768 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Blood-feeding parasites are inadvertently exposed to high doses of potentially cytotoxic haem liberated upon host blood digestion. Detoxification of free haem is a special challenge for ticks, which digest haemoglobin intracellularly. Ticks lack a haem catabolic mechanism, mediated by haem oxygenase, and need to dispose of vast majority of acquired haem via its accumulation in haemosomes. The knowledge of individual molecules involved in the maintenance of haem homeostasis in ticks is still rather limited. RNA-seq analyses of the Ixodes ricinus midguts from blood- and serum-fed females identified an abundant transcript of glutathione S-transferase (gst) to be substantially up-regulated in the presence of red blood cells in the diet. Here, we have determined the full sequence of this encoding gene, ir-gst1, and found that it is homologous to the delta-/epsilon-class of GSTs. Phylogenetic analyses across related chelicerates revealed that only one clear IrGST1 orthologue could be found in each available transcriptome from hard and soft ticks. These orthologues create a well-supported clade clearly separated from other ticks' or mites' delta-/epsilon-class GSTs and most likely evolved as an adaptation to tick blood-feeding life style. We have confirmed that IrGST1 expression is induced by dietary haem(oglobin), and not by iron or other components of host blood. Kinetic properties of recombinant IrGST1 were evaluated by model and natural GST substrates. The enzyme was also shown to bind haemin in vitro as evidenced by inhibition assay, VIS spectrophotometry, gel filtration, and affinity chromatography. In the native state, IrGST1 forms a dimer which further polymerises upon binding of excessive amount of haemin molecules. Due to susceptibility of ticks to haem as a signalling molecule, we speculate that the expression of IrGST1 in tick midgut functions as intracellular buffer of labile haem pool to ameliorate its cytotoxic effects upon haemoglobin intracellular hydrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Kotál
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Hatalová
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Bartošová-Sojková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Peter M Brophy
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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15
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Landulfo GA, Patané JSL, Silva DGND, Junqueira-de-Azevedo ILM, Mendonca RZ, Simons SM, Carvalho ED, Barros-Battesti DM. Gut transcriptome analysis on females of Ornithodoros mimon (Acari: Argasidae) and phylogenetic inference of ticks. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2017; 26:185-204. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612017027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Ornithodoros mimon is an argasid tick that parasitizes bats, birds and opossums and is also harmful to humans. Knowledge of the transcripts present in the tick gut helps in understanding the role of vital molecules in the digestion process and parasite-host relationship, while also providing information about the evolution of arthropod hematophagy. Thus, the present study aimed to know and ascertain the main molecules expressed in the gut of argasid after their blood meal, through analysis on the gut transcriptome of engorged females of O. mimon using 454-based RNA sequencing. The gut transcriptome analysis reveals several transcripts associated with hemoglobin digestion, such as serine, cysteine, aspartic proteases and metalloenzymes. The phylogenetic analysis on the peptidases confirmed that most of them are clustered with other tick genes. We recorded the presence a cathepsin O peptidase-coding transcript in ticks. The topology of the phylogenetic inferences, based on transcripts of inferred families of homologues, was similar to that of previous reports based on mitochondrial genome and nuclear rRNA sequences. We deposited 2,213 sequence of O. mimon to the public databases. Our findings may help towards better understanding of important argasid metabolic processes, such as digestion, nutrition and immunity.
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16
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Ferritin 1 silencing effect in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae) during experimental infection with Ehrlichia canis. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:174-184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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17
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Perner J, Provazník J, Schrenková J, Urbanová V, Ribeiro JMC, Kopáček P. RNA-seq analyses of the midgut from blood- and serum-fed Ixodes ricinus ticks. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36695. [PMID: 27824139 PMCID: PMC5099782 DOI: 10.1038/srep36695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult females of the genus Ixodes imbibe blood meals exceeding about 100 times their own weight within 7‒9 days. During this period, ticks internalise components of host blood by endocytic digest cells that line the tick midgut epithelium. Using RNA-seq, we aimed to characterise the midgut transcriptome composition in adult Ixodes ricinus females during early and late phase of engorgement. To address specific adaptations to the haemoglobin-rich diet, we compared the midgut transcriptomes of genetically homogenous female siblings fed either bovine blood or haemoglobin-depleted serum. We noted that tick gut transcriptomes are subject to substantial temporal-dependent expression changes between day 3 and day 8 of feeding. In contrast, the number of transcripts significantly affected by the presence or absence of host red blood cells was low. Transcripts relevant to the processes associated with blood-meal digestion were analysed and involvement of selected encoded proteins in the tick midgut physiology discussed. A total of 7215 novel sequences from I. ricinus were deposited in public databases as an additional outcome of this study. Our results broaden the current knowledge of tick digestive system and may lead to the discovery of potential molecular targets for efficient tick control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Provazník
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Schrenková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - José M. C. Ribeiro
- Section of Vector Biology, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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18
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de la Fuente J, Kopáček P, Lew-Tabor A, Maritz-Olivier C. Strategies for new and improved vaccines against ticks and tick-borne diseases. Parasite Immunol 2016; 38:754-769. [PMID: 27203187 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Ticks infest a variety of animal species and transmit pathogens causing disease in both humans and animals worldwide. Tick-host-pathogen interactions have evolved through dynamic processes that accommodated the genetic traits of the hosts, pathogens transmitted and the vector tick species that mediate their development and survival. New approaches for tick control are dependent on defining molecular interactions between hosts, ticks and pathogens to allow for discovery of key molecules that could be tested in vaccines or new generation therapeutics for intervention of tick-pathogen cycles. Currently, tick vaccines constitute an effective and environmentally sound approach for the control of ticks and the transmission of the associated tick-borne diseases. New candidate protective antigens will most likely be identified by focusing on proteins with relevant biological function in the feeding, reproduction, development, immune response, subversion of host immunity of the tick vector and/or molecules vital for pathogen infection and transmission. This review addresses different approaches and strategies used for the discovery of protective antigens, including focusing on relevant tick biological functions and proteins, reverse genetics, vaccinomics and tick protein evolution and interactomics. New and improved tick vaccines will most likely contain multiple antigens to control tick infestations and pathogen infection and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- J de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - P Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - A Lew-Tabor
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia.,Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - C Maritz-Olivier
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Perner J, Sobotka R, Sima R, Konvickova J, Sojka D, Oliveira PLD, Hajdusek O, Kopacek P. Acquisition of exogenous haem is essential for tick reproduction. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 26949258 PMCID: PMC4821805 DOI: 10.7554/elife.12318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Haem and iron homeostasis in most eukaryotic cells is based on a balanced flux between haem biosynthesis and haem oxygenase-mediated degradation. Unlike most eukaryotes, ticks possess an incomplete haem biosynthetic pathway and, together with other (non-haematophagous) mites, lack a gene encoding haem oxygenase. We demonstrated, by membrane feeding, that ticks do not acquire bioavailable iron from haemoglobin-derived haem. However, ticks require dietary haemoglobin as an exogenous source of haem since, feeding with haemoglobin-depleted serum led to aborted embryogenesis. Supplementation of serum with haemoglobin fully restored egg fertility. Surprisingly, haemoglobin could be completely substituted by serum proteins for the provision of amino-acids in vitellogenesis. Acquired haem is distributed by haemolymph carrier protein(s) and sequestered by vitellins in the developing oocytes. This work extends, substantially, current knowledge of haem auxotrophy in ticks and underscores the importance of haem and iron metabolism as rational targets for anti-tick interventions. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.12318.001 Ticks are small blood-feeding parasites that transmit a range of diseases through their bites, including Lyme disease and encephalitis in humans. Like other blood-feeders, ticks acquire essential nutrients from their host in order to develop and reproduce. Iron and haem (the iron-containing part of haemoglobin) are essential for the metabolism of every breathing animal on Earth. Most organisms obtain iron by degrading haem and, reciprocally, most of the iron in cells is used to make haem. However, an initial search of existing genome databases revealed that ticks lack the genes required to make the proteins that make and degrade haem. Perner et al. wanted to find out if ticks can steal haem from the host and use it for their own development. To achieve this, Perner et al. exploited a method of tick membrane feeding that simulates natural feeding on a host by using a silicone imitation of a skin and cow smell extracts (“l´odeur de vache”). Ticks were fed either a haemoglobin-rich (whole blood) or a haemoglobin-poor (serum) diet. This experiment revealed that ticks can develop normally without haemoglobin, but female ticks fed a haemoglobin-poor diet lay sterile eggs out of which no offspring can hatch. Further investigation showed that haemoglobin is vitally important as a source of haem but not as a source of the amino acids needed to produce the vitellin proteins that nourish embryos. As ticks are not armed with the ability to degrade haem, they do not acquire iron from the host haem but rather from a serum transferrin, a major iron transporter protein found in mammalian blood. Further experiments revealed that ticks have evolved proteins that can transport and store haem and so make the obtained haem available across the whole tick body. Overall, Perner et al.’s findings suggest that targeting the mechanisms by which ticks metabolise haem and iron could lead to the design of new “anti-tick” strategies. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.12318.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Sobotka
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Trebon, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Sima
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Konvickova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pedro Lagerblad de Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil, Brazil
| | - Ondrej Hajdusek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopacek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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Hajdusek O, Sima R, Perner J, Loosova G, Harcubova A, Kopacek P. Tick iron and heme metabolism - New target for an anti-tick intervention. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:565-72. [PMID: 26810909 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are blood-feeding parasites and vectors of serious human and animal diseases. Ixodes ricinus is a common tick in Europe, transmitting tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme borreliosis, anaplasmosis, or babesiosis. Immunization of hosts with recombinant tick proteins has, in theory, the potential to interfere with tick feeding and block transmission of pathogens from the tick to the host. However, the efficacy of tick antigens has, to date, not been fully sufficient to achieve this. We have focused on 11 in silico identified genes encoding proteins potentially involved in tick iron and heme metabolism. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) expression profiling was carried out to preferentially target proteins that are up-regulated during the blood meal. RNA interference (RNAi) was then used to score the relative importance of these genes in tick physiology. Finally, we performed vaccination screens to test the suitability of these proteins as vaccine candidates. These newly identified tick antigens have the potential to improve the available anti-tick vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Hajdusek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Radek Sima
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Gabriela Loosova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Adela Harcubova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Kopacek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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Lewis LA, Radulović ŽM, Kim TK, Porter LM, Mulenga A. Identification of 24h Ixodes scapularis immunogenic tick saliva proteins. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:424-34. [PMID: 25825233 PMCID: PMC4415496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ixodes scapularis is arguably the most medically important tick species in the United States. This tick transmits 5 of the 14 human tick-borne disease (TBD) agents in the USA: Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, B. miyamotoi, Babesia microti, and Powassan virus disease. Except for the Powassan virus disease, I. scapularis-vectored TBD agents require more than 24h post attachment to be transmitted. This study describes identification of 24h immunogenic I. scapularis tick saliva proteins, which could provide opportunities to develop strategies to stop tick feeding before transmission of the majority of pathogens. A 24h fed female I. scapularis phage display cDNA expression library was biopanned using rabbit antibodies to 24h fed I. scapularis female tick saliva proteins, subjected to next generation sequencing, de novo assembly, and bioinformatic analyses. A total of 182 contigs were assembled, of which ∼19% (35/182) are novel and did not show identity to any known proteins in GenBank. The remaining ∼81% (147/182) of contigs were provisionally identified based on matches in GenBank including ∼18% (27/147) that matched protein sequences previously annotated as hypothetical and putative tick saliva proteins. Others include proteases and protease inhibitors (∼3%, 5/147), transporters and/or ligand binding proteins (∼6%, 9/147), immunogenic tick saliva housekeeping enzyme-like (17%, 25/147), ribosomal protein-like (∼31%, 46/147), and those classified as miscellaneous (∼24%, 35/147). Notable among the miscellaneous class include antimicrobial peptides (microplusin and ricinusin), myosin-like proteins that have been previously found in tick saliva, and heat shock tick saliva protein. Data in this study provides the foundation for in-depth analysis of I. scapularis feeding during the first 24h, before the majority of TBD agents can be transmitted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Lewis
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Željko M Radulović
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Tae K Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Lindsay M Porter
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States.
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Abstract
In this highly personal account of my career in science, I try to show how many others influenced its course. I was able to abandon work in pure chemistry and microbiology and to take up research in entomology only with the help of others. My faith in the value of collaborative, interdisciplinary work has been the key to success. Our focus on proteins of insect hemolymph has provided valuable insights into insect biochemistry and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Law
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602;
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Galay RL, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, Mochizuki M, Fujisaki K, Tanaka T. Iron metabolism in hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae): the antidote to their toxic diet. Parasitol Int 2014; 64:182-9. [PMID: 25527065 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2014.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are notorious parasitic arthropods, known for their completely host-blood-dependent lifestyle. Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) feed on their hosts for several days and can ingest blood more than a hundred times their unfed weight. Their blood-feeding habit facilitates the transmission of various pathogens. It is remarkable how hard ticks cope with the toxic nature of their blood meal, which contains several molecules that can promote oxidative stress including iron. While it is required in several physiological processes, high amounts of iron can be dangerous because iron can also participate in the formation of free radicals that may cause cellular damage and death. Here we review the current knowledge on heme and inorganic iron metabolism in hard ticks and compare it with that in vertebrates and other arthropods. We briefly discuss the studies on heme transport, storage and detoxification, and the transport and storage of inorganic iron, with emphasis on the functions of tick ferritins. This review points out other aspects of tick iron metabolism that warrant further investigation, as compared to mammals and other arthropods. Further understanding of this physiological process may help in formulating new control strategies for tick infestation and the spread of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remil Linggatong Galay
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Masami Mochizuki
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Kozo Fujisaki
- National Agricultural and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
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24
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Radulović ŽM, Kim TK, Porter LM, Sze SH, Lewis L, Mulenga A. A 24-48 h fed Amblyomma americanum tick saliva immuno-proteome. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:518. [PMID: 24962723 PMCID: PMC4099483 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple tick saliva proteins, the majority of which are unknown, confer tick resistance in repeatedly infested animals. The objective of this study was to identify the 24-48 h fed Amblyomma americanum tick saliva immuno-proteome. The 24-48 h tick-feeding phase is critical to tick parasitism as it precedes important events in tick biology, blood meal feeding and disease agent transmission. Fed male, 24 and 96 h fed female phage display cDNA expression libraries were biopanned using rabbit antibodies to 24 and 48 h fed A. americanum female tick saliva proteins. Biopanned immuno-cDNA libraries were subjected to next generation sequencing, de novo assembly, and bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS More than 800 transcripts that code for 24-48 h fed A. americanum immuno-proteins are described. Of the 895 immuno-proteins, 52% (464/895) were provisionally identified based on matches in GenBank. Of these, ~19% (86/464) show high level of identity to other tick hypothetical proteins, and the rest include putative proteases (serine, cysteine, leukotriene A-4 hydrolase, carboxypeptidases, and metalloproteases), protease inhibitors (serine and cysteine protease inhibitors, tick carboxypeptidase inhibitor), and transporters and/or ligand binding proteins (histamine binding/lipocalin, fatty acid binding, calreticulin, hemelipoprotein, IgG binding protein, ferritin, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, and evasin). Others include enzymes (glutathione transferase, cytochrome oxidase, protein disulfide isomerase), ribosomal proteins, and those of miscellaneous functions (histamine release factor, selenoproteins, tetraspanin, defensin, heat shock proteins). CONCLUSIONS Data here demonstrate that A. americanum secretes a complex cocktail of immunogenic tick saliva proteins during the first 24-48 h of feeding. Of significance, previously validated immunogenic tick saliva proteins including AV422 protein, calreticulin, histamine release factor, histamine binding/lipocalins, selenoproteins, and paramyosin were identified in this screen, supporting the specificity of the approach in this study. While descriptive, this study opens opportunities for in-depth tick feeding physiology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Željko M Radulović
- />Department of Entomology, AgriLife Research, Texas A & M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX77843 USA
| | - Tae K Kim
- />Department of Entomology, AgriLife Research, Texas A & M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX77843 USA
| | - Lindsay M Porter
- />Department of Entomology, AgriLife Research, Texas A & M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX77843 USA
| | - Sing-Hoi Sze
- />Department of Computer Sciences and Engineering, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX77843 USA
- />Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX77843 USA
| | - Lauren Lewis
- />Department of Entomology, AgriLife Research, Texas A & M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX77843 USA
| | - Albert Mulenga
- />Department of Entomology, AgriLife Research, Texas A & M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX77843 USA
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Mori H, Galay RL, Maeda H, Matsuo T, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, Mochizuki M, Fujisaki K, Tanaka T. Host-derived transferrin is maintained and transferred from midgut to ovary in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2013; 5:121-6. [PMID: 24268885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2013.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Revised: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Transferrin is known to be an iron transporter in vertebrates and several arthropods. Iron from host blood is essential for ovarian development in blood-sucking arthropods. However, tick transferrin has been identified in only a few species, and its function has yet to be elucidated, resulting in incomplete understanding of iron metabolism in ticks. Here, we investigated the transfer of host-derived transferrin in the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis using immunological methods. Western blot showed that host-derived transferrin was maintained in all developmental stages of ticks up to 28 days after engorgement and was detected in the midgut and the ovary of adult females following blood feeding. However, no host-derived transferrin was detected in eggs after laying or in larvae after hatching, indicating that host-derived transferrin is not transferred to offspring transovarially. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing showed the localization of host-derived transferrin in digestive cells of the midgut and oocytes of the ovary from engorged adult females. These results suggest that host-derived transferrin is transferred to the ovary through the midgut and the hemolymph, and raise the possibility of the function of host-derived transferrin as an iron source in the ovary, providing additional insight on iron metabolism in ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Mori
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Remil Linggatong Galay
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Hiroki Maeda
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Tomohide Matsuo
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Masami Mochizuki
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Kozo Fujisaki
- National Agricultural and Food Research Organization, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
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Merino O, Alberdi P, Pérez de la Lastra JM, de la Fuente J. Tick vaccines and the control of tick-borne pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2013; 3:30. [PMID: 23847771 PMCID: PMC3705209 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2013.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit a wide variety of pathogens to humans and animals. The incidence of tick-borne diseases has increased worldwide in both humans and domestic animals over the past years resulting in greater interest in the study of tick-host-pathogen interactions. Advances in vector and pathogen genomics and proteomics have moved forward our knowledge of the vector-pathogen interactions that take place during the colonization and transmission of arthropod-borne microbes. Tick-borne pathogens adapt from the vector to the mammalian host by differential gene expression thus modulating host processes. In recent years, studies have shown that targeting tick proteins by vaccination can not only reduce tick feeding and reproduction, but also the infection and transmission of pathogens from the tick to the vertebrate host. In this article, we review the tick-protective antigens that have been identified for the formulation of tick vaccines and the effect of these vaccines on the control of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio Merino
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM Ciudad Real, Spain
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27
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Gene expression profiling of adult female tissues in feeding Rhipicephalus microplus cattle ticks. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:541-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Revised: 12/02/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Galay RL, Aung KM, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, Maeda H, Matsuo T, Kawaguchi H, Miyoshi N, Suzuki H, Xuan X, Mochizuki M, Fujisaki K, Tanaka T. Multiple ferritins are vital to successful blood feeding and reproduction of the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 216:1905-15. [PMID: 23393286 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.081240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous parasites and important vectors of diseases. The large amount of blood they consume contains great quantities of iron, an essential but also toxic element. The function of ferritin, an iron storage protein, and iron metabolism in ticks need to be further elucidated. Here, we investigated the function a newly identified secreted ferritin from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (HlFER2), together with the previously identified intracellular ferritin (HlFER1). Recombinant ferritins, expressed in Escherichia coli, were used for anti-serum preparation and were also assayed for iron-binding activity. RT-PCR and western blot analyses of different organs and developmental stages of the tick during blood feeding were performed. The localization of ferritins in different organs was demonstrated through an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. RNA interference (RNAi) was performed to evaluate the importance of ferritin in blood feeding and reproduction of ticks. The midgut was also examined after RNAi using light and transmission electron microscopy. RT-PCR showed differences in gene expression in some organs and developmental stages. Interestingly, only HlFER2 was detected in the ovary during oviposition and in the egg despite the low mRNA transcript. RNAi induced a reduction in post-blood meal body weight, high mortality and decreased fecundity. The expression of vitellogenin genes was affected by silencing of ferritin. Abnormalities in digestive cells, including disrupted microvilli, and alteration of digestive activity were also observed. Taken altogether, our results show that the iron storage and protective functions of ferritin are crucial to successful blood feeding and reproduction of H. longicornis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remil Linggatong Galay
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
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29
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Sojka D, Franta Z, Frantová H, Bartosová P, Horn M, Váchová J, O'Donoghue AJ, Eroy-Reveles AA, Craik CS, Knudsen GM, Caffrey CR, McKerrow JH, Mares M, Kopácek P. Characterization of gut-associated cathepsin D hemoglobinase from tick Ixodes ricinus (IrCD1). J Biol Chem 2012; 287:21152-63. [PMID: 22539347 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.347922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify the gut-associated tick aspartic hemoglobinase, this work focuses on the functional diversity of multiple Ixodes ricinus cathepsin D forms (IrCDs). Out of three encoding genes representing Ixodes scapularis genome paralogs, IrCD1 is the most distinct enzyme with a shortened propeptide region and a unique pattern of predicted post-translational modifications. IrCD1 gene transcription is induced by tick feeding and is restricted to the gut tissue. The hemoglobinolytic role of IrCD1 was further supported by immunolocalization of IrCD1 in the vesicles of tick gut cells. Properties of recombinantly expressed rIrCD1 are consistent with the endo-lysosomal environment because the zymogen is autoactivated and remains optimally active in acidic conditions. Hemoglobin cleavage pattern of rIrCD1 is identical to that produced by the native enzyme. The preference for hydrophobic residues at the P1 and P1' position was confirmed by screening a novel synthetic tetradecapeptidyl substrate library. Outside the S1-S1' regions, rIrCD1 tolerates most amino acids but displays a preference for tyrosine at P3 and alanine at P2'. Further analysis of the cleavage site location within the peptide substrate indicated that IrCD1 is a true endopeptidase. The role in hemoglobinolysis was verified with RNAi knockdown of IrCD1 that decreased gut extract cathepsin D activity by >90%. IrCD1 was newly characterized as a unique hemoglobinolytic cathepsin D contributing to the complex intestinal proteolytic network of mainly cysteine peptidases in ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sojka
- From the Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ 370 05, Czech Republic
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30
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Franta Z, Sojka D, Frantova H, Dvorak J, Horn M, Srba J, Talacko P, Mares M, Schneider E, Craik CS, McKerrow JH, Caffrey CR, Kopacek P. IrCL1 - the haemoglobinolytic cathepsin L of the hard tick, Ixodes ricinus. Int J Parasitol 2011; 41:1253-62. [PMID: 21819989 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2011.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Revised: 06/16/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular proteolysis of ingested blood proteins is a crucial physiological process in ticks. In our model tick, Ixodes ricinus, cathepsin L (IrCL1) is part of a gut-associated multi-peptidase complex; its endopeptidase activity is important in the initial phase of haemoglobinolysis. We present the functional and biochemical characterisation of this enzyme. We show, by RNA interference (RNAi), that cathepsin L-like activity that peaks during the slow feeding period of females is associated with IrCL1. Recombinant IrCL1 was expressed in bacteria and yeast. Activity profiling with both peptidyl and physiological protein substrates (haemoglobin and albumin) revealed that IrCL1 is an acidic peptidase with a very low optimum pH (3-4) being unstable above pH 5. This suggests an endo/lysosomal localisation that was confirmed by indirect fluorescence microscopy that immunolocalised IrCL1 inside the vesicles of digestive gut cells. Cleavage specificity determined by a positional scanning synthetic combinatorial library and inhibition profile indicated that IrCL1 has the ligand-binding characteristics of the cathepsin L subfamily of cysteine peptidases. A non-redundant proteolytic function was demonstrated when IrCL1-silenced ticks had a decreased ability to feed compared with controls. The data suggest that IrCL1 may be a promising target against ticks and tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenek Franta
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Ceske Budejovice, CZ 37005, Czech Republic
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Franta Z, Frantová H, Konvičková J, Horn M, Sojka D, Mareš M, Kopáček P. Dynamics of digestive proteolytic system during blood feeding of the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. Parasit Vectors 2010; 3:119. [PMID: 21156061 PMCID: PMC3016361 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-3-119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2010] [Accepted: 12/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are vectors of a wide variety of pathogens causing severe diseases in humans and domestic animals. Intestinal digestion of the host blood is an essential process of tick physiology and also a limiting factor for pathogen transmission since the tick gut represents the primary site for pathogen infection and proliferation. Using the model tick Ixodes ricinus, the European Lyme disease vector, we have previously demonstrated by genetic and biochemical analyses that host blood is degraded in the tick gut by a network of acidic peptidases of the aspartic and cysteine classes. Results This study reveals the digestive machinery of the I. ricinus during the course of blood-feeding on the host. The dynamic profiling of concentrations, activities and mRNA expressions of the major digestive enzymes demonstrates that the de novo synthesis of peptidases triggers the dramatic increase of the hemoglobinolytic activity along the feeding period. Overall hemoglobinolysis, as well as the activity of digestive peptidases are negligible at the early stage of feeding, but increase dramatically towards the end of the slow feeding period, reaching maxima in fully fed ticks. This finding contradicts the established opinion that blood digestion is reduced at the end of engorgement. Furthermore, we show that the digestive proteolysis is localized intracellularly throughout the whole duration of feeding. Conclusions Results suggest that the egressing proteolytic system in the early stage of feeding and digestion is a potential target for efficient impairment, most likely by blocking its components via antibodies present in the host blood. Therefore, digestive enzymes are promising candidates for development of novel 'anti-tick' vaccines capable of tick control and even transmission of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdeněk Franta
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic.
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Xi L, Xu K, Qiao Y, Qu S, Zhang Z, Dai W. Differential expression of ferritin genes in response to abiotic stresses and hormones in pear (Pyrus pyrifolia). Mol Biol Rep 2010; 38:4405-13. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-010-0568-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2010] [Accepted: 11/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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33
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Hajdusek O, Almazán C, Loosova G, Villar M, Canales M, Grubhoffer L, Kopacek P, de la Fuente J. Characterization of ferritin 2 for the control of tick infestations. Vaccine 2010; 28:2993-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2009] [Revised: 02/02/2010] [Accepted: 02/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Kong P, Wang L, Zhang H, Zhou Z, Qiu L, Gai Y, Song L. Two novel secreted ferritins involved in immune defense of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 28:604-612. [PMID: 20045469 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2009.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2009] [Revised: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 12/18/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
As a principal extracellular iron storage molecule, secreted ferritin plays an important role in the iron-withholding strategy of innate immunity. In this study, two novel secreted ferritins were identified from Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (designated as EsFer-1 and EsFer-2) by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) approaches and expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis. The full-length cDNAs of EsFer-1 and EsFer-2 were of 1278 and 1595 bp, respectively, both containing a putative iron response element (IRE) in their 5' UTRs and multiple A + U-destabilizing elements (TATT or ATTTA) in their 3' UTRs. The ORFs of these two crab ferritin cDNAs were of 639 and 663 bp, respectively, encoding two peptides of 212 and 220 amino acid residues each with a signal peptide and typical structures of ferritins such as four long alpha-helices, one short alpha-helix and an L-loop. EsFer-2 exhibited higher similarity with the H-ferritins from both invertebrates and vertebrates, while EsFer-1 was closer matched to L-ferritins. The eight amino acid residues identified as metal binding sites in vertebrate H-ferritins were conserved in EsFer-2 (Glu53, Tyr60, Glu87, Glu88, His91, Glu146, Glu177 and Gln178), but none of them was observed in EsFer-1. By fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR, mRNA transcripts of EsFer-1 and EsFer-2 were mainly detected in muscle, hepatopancreas and gill, and also marginally detectable in gonad, heart and hemocytes. After the crabs were challenged by bacteria Listonella anguillarum, the transcriptional levels of both EsFer-1 and EsFer-2 in hemocytes were up-regulated twice. In the first up-regulation, the mRNA relative expression levels of both EsFer-1 and EsFer-2 reached peak at 3 h post-challenge, while in the second up-regulation, they did not reach the highest point within the experiment duration. After the fungi Pichia pastoris GS115 challenge, there was only one transcriptional level peak of both the two ferritins, appearing at 6 h post-challenge. These results suggest that secreted EsFer-1 and EsFer-2 are crucial proteins in the iron-withholding defense system, and play important roles in the innate immune responses in crabs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Kong
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
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Su X, Du L, Li Y, Li T, Li D, Wang M, He J. Production of recombinant protein and polyclonal mouse antiserum for ferritin from Sipuncula Phascolosoma esculenta. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 27:466-468. [PMID: 19563895 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2009.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2009] [Revised: 06/11/2009] [Accepted: 06/21/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The iron storage protein, ferritin, plays a key role in iron metabolism, but its regulation and functions in many invertebrate species are still largely unknown. In our previous work, an inducible ferritin cDNA from Phascolosoma esculenta with a full-length of 1017 bp has been cloned. In this follow-up study, the deducted ferritin protein sequence was predicted to be a polypeptide of 175 amino acids with a molecular mass of 20.1955kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.08. The cDNA sequence of P. esculenta ferritin was constructed into pET system expression system and efficiently expressed in E. coli BL21 under IPTG induction. The recombinant ferritin was detected as a 24 kDa protein by SDS-PAGE. After purification directly from the gel, the recombinant ferritin was used to immunize mice and the anti-serum was prepared. The antibody displayed a strong immunological reactivity and specificity when used in Western-blot analysis. For the first time, our work provided a set of molecular tools essential for the further studies of ferritin protein functions in P. esculenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiurong Su
- Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315211, PR China.
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Aljamali MN, Hern L, Kupfer D, Downard S, So S, Roe BA, Sauer JR, Essenberg RC. Transcriptome analysis of the salivary glands of the female tick Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae). INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2009; 18:129-154. [PMID: 19320755 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2009.00863.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Ticks infest a wide range of hosts while bypassing their immune, inflammatory and haemostatic responses during their extended feeding, which may last for more than two weeks. Here, we present a transcriptome analysis of 3868 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from three cDNA libraries generated from the salivary glands of adult female Ambyomma americanum ticks at different stages of feeding. We applied a normalization step for one library, significantly decreasing the abundance of mitochondrial sequences amongst the 2292 sequences from the normalized library. Our ESTs include homologues that may modulate haemostatic, immune and inflammatory responses of the hosts. Other ESTs probably represent important components of the highly efficient secretory pathways for salivary proteins and concomitantly transmitted pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Aljamali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, USA
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Donohue KV, Khalil SMS, Sonenshine DE, Roe RM. Heme-binding storage proteins in the Chelicerata. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2009; 55:287-296. [PMID: 19183556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2009.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2008] [Revised: 01/02/2009] [Accepted: 01/05/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Lipoglycoproteins in the Chelicerata that bind and store heme appear to represent a unique evolutionary strategy to both mitigate the toxicity of heme and utilize the molecule as a prosthetic group. Knowledge of heme-binding storage proteins in these organisms is in its infancy and much of what is known is from studies with vitellogenins (Vg) and more recently the main hemolymph storage protein in ixodid ticks characterized as a hemelipoglyco-carrier protein (CP). Data have also been reported from another arachnid, the black widow spider, Latrodectus mirabilis, and seem to suggest that the heme-binding capability of these large multimeric proteins is not a phenomenon found only in the Acari. CP appears to be most closely related to Vg in ticks in terms of primary structure but post-translational processing is different. Tick CP and L. mirabilis high-density lipoprotein 1 (HDL1) are similar in that they consist of two subunits of approximate molecular masses of 90 and 100 kDa, are found in the hemolymph as the dominant protein, and bind lipids, carbohydrates and cholesterol. CP binds heme which may also be the case for HDL1 since the protein was found to contain a brown pigment when analyzed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Vgs in ticks are composed of multiple subunits and are the precursor of the yolk protein, vitellin. The phylogeny of these proteins, regulation of gene expression and putative functions of binding and storing heme throughout reproduction, blood-feeding and development are discussed. Comparisons with non-chelicerate arthropods are made in order to highlight the mechanisms and putative functions of heme-binding storage proteins and their possible critical function in the evolution of hematophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin V Donohue
- Department of Entomology, Campus Box 7647, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7647, USA
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Knockdown of proteins involved in iron metabolism limits tick reproduction and development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009; 106:1033-8. [PMID: 19171899 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0807961106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are among the most important vectors of a wide range of human and animal diseases. During blood feeding, ticks are exposed to an enormous amount of free iron that must be appropriately used and detoxified. However, the mechanism of iron metabolism in ticks is poorly understood. Here, we show that ticks possess a complex system that efficiently utilizes, stores and transports non-heme iron within the tick body. We have characterized a new secreted ferritin (FER2) and an iron regulatory protein (IRP1) from the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus, and have demonstrated their relationship to a previously described tick intracellular ferritin (FER1). By using RNA interference-mediated gene silencing in the tick, we show that synthesis of FER1, but not of FER2, is subject to IRP1-mediated translational control. Further, we find that depletion of FER2 from the tick plasma leads to a loss of FER1 expression in the salivary glands and ovaries that normally follows blood ingestion. We therefore suggest that secreted FER2 functions as the primary transporter of non-heme iron between the tick gut and the peripheral tissues. Silencing of the fer1, fer2, and irp1 genes by RNAi has an adverse impact on hatching rate and decreases postbloodmeal weight in tick females. Importantly, knockdown of fer2 dramatically impairs the ability of ticks to feed, thus making FER2 a promising candidate for development of an efficient anti-tick vaccine.
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Identification and expression of a ferritin homolog in amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri: Evidence for its dual role in immune response and iron metabolism. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2008; 150:263-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2008.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2008] [Revised: 03/14/2008] [Accepted: 03/17/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Chmelar J, Anderson JM, Mu J, Jochim RC, Valenzuela JG, Kopecký J. Insight into the sialome of the castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus. BMC Genomics 2008; 9:233. [PMID: 18489795 PMCID: PMC2410133 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-9-233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2008] [Accepted: 05/20/2008] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, there have been several sialome projects revealing transcripts expressed in the salivary glands of ticks, which are important vectors of several human diseases. Here, we focused on the sialome of the European vector of Lyme disease, Ixodes ricinus. RESULTS In the attempt to describe expressed genes and their dynamics throughout the feeding period, we constructed cDNA libraries from four different feeding stages of Ixodes ricinus females: unfed, 24 hours after attachment, four (partially fed) and seven days (fully engorged) after attachment. Approximately 600 randomly selected clones from each cDNA library were sequenced and analyzed. From a total 2304 sequenced clones, 1881 sequences forming 1274 clusters underwent subsequent functional analysis using customized bioinformatics software. Clusters were sorted according to their predicted function and quantitative comparison among the four libraries was made. We found several groups of over-expressed genes associated with feeding that posses a secretion signal and may be involved in tick attachment, feeding or evading the host immune system. Many transcripts clustered into families of related genes with stage-specific expression. Comparison to Ixodes scapularis and I. pacificus transcripts was made. CONCLUSION In addition to a large number of homologues of the known transcripts, we obtained several novel predicted protein sequences. Our work contributes to the growing list of proteins associated with tick feeding and sheds more light on the dynamics of the gene expression during tick feeding. Additionally, our results corroborate previous evidence of gene duplication in the evolution of ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jindrich Chmelar
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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41
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Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the salivary glands of the tick Amblyomma cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae). Toxicon 2008; 51:823-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2007.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2007] [Revised: 12/11/2007] [Accepted: 12/14/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Profiling of proteolytic enzymes in the gut of the tick Ixodes ricinus reveals an evolutionarily conserved network of aspartic and cysteine peptidases. Parasit Vectors 2008; 1:7. [PMID: 18348719 PMCID: PMC2289814 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-1-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2008] [Accepted: 03/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are vectors for a variety of viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases in human and domestic animals. To survive and reproduce ticks feed on host blood, yet our understanding of the intestinal proteolytic machinery used to derive absorbable nutrients from the blood meal is poor. Intestinal digestive processes are limiting factors for pathogen transmission since the tick gut presents the primary site of infection. Moreover, digestive enzymes may find practical application as anti-tick vaccine targets. Results Using the hard tick, Ixodes ricinus, we performed a functional activity scan of the peptidase complement in gut tissue extracts that demonstrated the presence of five types of peptidases of the cysteine and aspartic classes. We followed up with genetic screens of gut-derived cDNA to identify and clone genes encoding the cysteine peptidases cathepsins B, L and C, an asparaginyl endopeptidase (legumain), and the aspartic peptidase, cathepsin D. By RT-PCR, expression of asparaginyl endopeptidase and cathepsins B and D was restricted to gut tissue and to those developmental stages feeding on blood. Conclusion Overall, our results demonstrate the presence of a network of cysteine and aspartic peptidases that conceivably operates to digest host blood proteins in a concerted manner. Significantly, the peptidase components of this digestive network are orthologous to those described in other parasites, including nematodes and flatworms. Accordingly, the present data and those available for other tick species support the notion of an evolutionary conservation of a cysteine/aspartic peptidase system for digestion that includes ticks, but differs from that of insects relying on serine peptidases.
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Abstract
An RNA hairpin structure referred to as the iron-responsive element (IRE) and iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) are key players in the control of iron metabolism in animal cells. They regulate translation initiation or mRNA stability, and the IRE is found in a variety of mRNAs, such as those encoding ferritin, transferrin receptor (Tfr), erythroid aminolevulinic acid synthase (eALAS), mitochondrial aconitase (mACO), ferroportin, and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). We have studied the evolution of the IRE by considering all mRNAs previously known to be associated with this structure and by computationally examining its occurrence in a large variety of eukaryotic organisms. More than 100 novel sequences together with approximately 50 IREs that were previously reported resulted in a comprehensive view of the phylogenetic distribution of this element. A comparison of the different mRNAs shows that the IREs of eALAS and mACO are found in chordates, those of ferroportin and Tfr1 are found in vertebrates, and the IRE of DMT1 is confined to mammals. In contrast, the IRE of ferritin occurs in a majority of metazoa including lower metazoa such as sponges and Nematostella (sea anemone). These findings suggest that the ferritin IRE represents the ancestral version of this type of translational control and that during the evolution of higher animals the IRE structure was adopted by other genes. On the basis of primary sequence comparison between different organisms, we suggest that some of these IREs developed by "convergent evolution" through stepwise changes in sequence, rather than by recombination events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Piccinelli
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
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Sojka D, Hajdušek O, Dvořák J, Sajid M, Franta Z, Schneider EL, Craik CS, Vancová M, Burešová V, Bogyo M, Sexton KB, McKerrow JH, Caffrey CR, Kopáček P. IrAE: an asparaginyl endopeptidase (legumain) in the gut of the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. Int J Parasitol 2007; 37:713-24. [PMID: 17336985 PMCID: PMC2587490 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2006.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2006] [Revised: 12/11/2006] [Accepted: 12/12/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasitic blood-feeders and important vectors for pathogens including arboviruses, rickettsiae, spirochetes and protozoa. As obligate blood-feeders, one possible strategy to retard disease transmission is disruption of the parasite's ability to digest host proteins. However, the constituent peptidases in the parasite gut and their potential interplay in the digestion of the blood meal are poorly understood. We have characterised a novel asparaginyl endopeptidase (legumain) from the hard tick Ixodes ricinus (termed IrAE), which we believe is the first such characterisation of a clan CD family C13 cysteine peptidase (protease) in arthropods. By RT-PCR of different tissues, IrAE mRNA was only expressed in the tick gut. Indirect immunofluorescence and EM localised IrAE in the digestive vesicles of gut cells and within the peritrophic matrix. IrAE was functionally expressed in Pichia pastoris and reacted with a specific peptidyl fluorogenic substrate, and acyloxymethyl ketone and aza-asparagine Michael acceptor inhibitors. IrAE activity was unstable at pH > or = 6.0 and was shown to have a strict specificity for asparagine at P1 using a positional scanning synthetic combinatorial library. The enzyme hydrolyzed protein substrates with a pH optimum of 4.5, consistent with the pH of gut cell digestive vesicles. Thus, IrAE cleaved the major protein of the blood meal, hemoglobin, to a predominant peptide of 4kDa. Also, IrAE trans-processed and activated the zymogen form of Schistosoma mansoni cathepsin B1 -- an enzyme contributing to hemoglobin digestion in the gut of that bloodfluke. The possible functions of IrAE in the gut digestive processes of I. ricinus are compared with those suggested for other hematophagous parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, The Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, The Czech Republic
| | - Jan Dvořák
- Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mohammed Sajid
- Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Zdeněk Franta
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, The Czech Republic
| | - Eric L. Schneider
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94720, USA
| | - Charles S. Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94720, USA
| | - Marie Vancová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, The Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Burešová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, The Czech Republic
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kelly B. Sexton
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, The Czech Republic
- Correspondence to: P. Kopáček, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre ASCR, Branišovská 31, CZ-370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic. E-mail:
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Grunclová L, Horn M, Vancová M, Sojka D, Franta Z, Mares M, Kopácek P. Two secreted cystatins of the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata: differential expression pattern and inhibitory specificity. Biol Chem 2007; 387:1635-44. [PMID: 17132111 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2006.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Two genes coding for cysteine peptidase inhibitors of the cystatin family (Om-cystatin 1 and 2) were isolated from a gut-specific cDNA library of the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata. Both cystatins were clearly down-regulated after a blood meal. Om-cystatin 1 is mainly expressed in the tick gut, while Om-cystatin 2 mRNA was also found in other tick tissues. Authentic Om-cystatin 2 was significantly more abundant than Om-cystatin 1 in the gut contents of fasting ticks and was associated with hemosome-derived residual bodies accumulated in the gut lumen. Om-cystatin 2 was also expressed by type 2 secretory cells in the salivary glands of unfed ticks. The inhibitory specificity of recombinant Om-cystatins 1 and 2 was tested with mammalian cysteine peptidases, as well as endogenous cysteine peptidases present in the tick gut. Both cystatins efficiently inhibited papain-like peptidases, including cathepsin B and H, but differed significantly in their affinity towards cathepsin C and failed to block asparaginyl endopeptidase. Our results suggest that the secreted cystatin isoinhibitors are involved in the regulation of multiple proteolytic targets in the tick digestive system and tick-host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Grunclová
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, CZ-370 05 Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic
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Ong ST, Ho JZS, Ho B, Ding JL. Iron-withholding strategy in innate immunity. Immunobiology 2006; 211:295-314. [PMID: 16697921 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2006.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2006] [Accepted: 02/14/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The knowledge of how organisms fight infections has largely been built upon the ability of host innate immune molecules to recognize microbial determinants. Although of overwhelming importance, pathogen recognition is but only one of the facets of innate immunity. A primitive yet effective antimicrobial mechanism which operates by depriving microbial organisms of their nutrients has been brought into the forefront of innate immunity once again. Such a tactic is commonly referred to as the iron-withholding strategy of innate immunity. In this review, we introduce various vertebrate iron-binding proteins and their invertebrate homologues, so as to impress upon readers an obscured arm of innate immune defense. An excellent comprehension of the mechanics of innate immunity paves the way for the possibility that novel antimicrobial therapeutics may emerge one day to overcome the prevalent antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sek Tong Ong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
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Missirlis F, Holmberg S, Georgieva T, Dunkov BC, Rouault TA, Law JH. Characterization of mitochondrial ferritin in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:5893-8. [PMID: 16571656 PMCID: PMC1458669 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0601471103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial function depends on iron-containing enzymes and proteins, whose maturation requires available iron for biosynthesis of iron-sulfur clusters and heme. Little is known about how mitochondrial iron homeostasis is maintained, although the recent discovery of a mitochondrial ferritin in mammals and plants has uncovered a potential key player in the process. Here, we show that Drosophila melanogaster expresses mitochondrial ferritin from an intron-containing gene. It has high similarity to the mouse and human mitochondrial ferritin sequences and, as in mammals, is expressed mainly in testis. This ferritin contains a putative mitochondrial targeting sequence and an epitope-tagged version localizes to mitochondria in transfected cells. Overexpression of mitochondrial ferritin fails to alter both total-body iron levels and iron that is bound to secretory ferritins. However, the viability of iron-deficient flies is compromised by overexpression of mitochondrial ferritin, suggesting that it may sequester iron at the expense of other important cellular functions. The conservation of mitochondrial ferritin in an insect species underscores the importance of this iron-storage molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanis Missirlis
- *Cell Biology and Metabolism Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; and
| | - Sara Holmberg
- *Cell Biology and Metabolism Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; and
| | - Teodora Georgieva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Boris C. Dunkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Tracey A. Rouault
- *Cell Biology and Metabolism Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; and
| | - John H. Law
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
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Qiu L, Gao JR, Clark JM. Sequencing and characterization of a cDNA encoding a ferritin subunit of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2005; 60:140-50. [PMID: 16235258 DOI: 10.1002/arch.20089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A differentially expressed cDNA fragment (P311) from Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), was identified by restriction fragment differential display-polymerase chain reaction (RFDD-PCR) technique, and showed a strong similarity to ferritin heavy chain subunits of other organisms. Based on P311, we constructed specific primers and obtained a 840-bp cDNA fragment spanning the open reading frame of CPB ferritin subunit using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique. The sequence encodes 213 amino acid residues, including a 19 amino acid signal peptide. The sequence has a conserved cysteine in the N-terminus and has the seven conserved residues that comprise the ferroxidase center, which is the feature of heavy chain ferritins of vertebrates. The CPB ferritin subunit has high amino acid sequence identity with the Apriona germari (69.3%), Galleria mellonela (54.5%), Manduca sexta (54.0%), Drosophila melanogaster (53.2%), Calpodes ethlius (51.4%), and Nilaparvata lugens (47.6%) but lower identity with the Anopheles gambiae (38.7%) and Aedes aegypti (37.8%). Using Northern blot analysis, the subunit mRNA was identified from fat body and midgut of 4th instars with much higher mRNA levels found in midgut than that in fat body (2.5-fold). Nevertheless, only the levels of mRNA in fat body was induced by dexamethasone (1.5-fold).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Qiu
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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Mulenga A, Simser JA, Macaluso KR, Azad AF. Stress and transcriptional regulation of tick ferritin HC. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2004; 13:423-433. [PMID: 15271215 DOI: 10.1111/j.0962-1075.2004.00502.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We previously identified a partial Dermacentor variabilis cDNA encoding ferritin HC (HC) subunit homolog (DVFER) that was differentially upregulated in Rickettsia montanensis infected ticks (Mulenga et al., 2003a). We have used rapid amplification of cDNA ends to clone full-length DVFER cDNA and its apparent ortholog from the wood tick, D. andersoni (DAFER), both of which show high sequence similarity to vertebrate than insect ferritin. Both DVFER and DAFER contain the stem-loop structure of a putative iron responsive element in the 5' untranslated region (nucleotide positions, 16-42) and the feroxidase centre loop typical for vertebrate ferritin HC subunits. Quantitative Western and Northern blotting analyses of protein and RNA from unfed and partially fed whole tick as well as dissected tick tissues demonstrated that DVFER is constitutively and ubiquitously expressed. Based on densitometric analysis of detected protein and mRNA bands, DVFER is predominantly expressed in the midgut, and to a lesser extent in the salivary glands, ovary and fatbody. Sham treatment (mechanical injury) and Escherichia coli challenge of D. variabilis ticks stimulated statistically significant (approximately 1.5- and approximately 3.0-fold, respectively) increases in DVFER mRNA abundance over time point matched naive control ticks. These data suggest that DVFER mRNA is nonspecifically up regulated in response to mechanical injury or bacterial infection induced stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mulenga
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Kim HJ, Yun CY, Cheon HM, Chae B, Lee IH, Park SJ, Kang YJ, Seo SJ. Hyphantria cunea ferritin heavy chain homologue: cDNA sequence and mRNA expression. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2004; 56:21-33. [PMID: 15101063 DOI: 10.1002/arch.10141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We have sequenced a cDNA clone encoding a 26-kDa ferritin subunit, which was heavy chain homologue (HCH), in fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea. The HCH cDNA was obtained from the screening of a cDNA library using a PCR product. H. cunea ferritin is composed of 221 amino acid residues and their calculated mass is 26,160 Da. The protein contains the conserved motifs for the ferroxidase center typical for heavy chains of vertebrate ferritin. The iron-responsive element sequence with a predicted stem-loop structure is present in the 5'-untranslated region of ferritin HCH mRNA. The sequence alignment of ferritin HCH shows 68.9 and 68.7% identity with Galleria mellonella HCH (26 kDa ferritin) and Manduca sexta HCH, respectively. While G type insect ferritin vertebrate light chain homologue (LCH) is distantly related to H. cunea ferritin HCH (17.2-20.8%), the Northern blot analysis revealed that H. cunea ferritin HCH was ubiquitously expressed in various tissues and all developmental stages. The ferritin expression of midgut is more responsive to iron-fed, compared to fat body in H. cunea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Ja Kim
- Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
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