A serpin from the tick Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides: Involvement in vitellogenesis

Veterinary Parasitology
Zhengmao XuJinlin Zhou

Abstract

Tick serpins are involved in enzyme activity, food digestion, blood-feeding, immune response and anticoagulation. Little is known about the potential roles of serpins in tick reproduction. RHS8, a serpin from the tick Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, has an open reading frame 1212 bp long and encodes a protein that has 404 amino acids and a predicted molecular weight of 45 kDa. RHS8 exhibits 89.58 % amino acid identity with RmS15 in Rhipicephalus microplus. RHS8 was expressed primarily in larvae and nymphs. RHS8 mRNA expression in the ovaries, fat bodies and salivary glands were up-regulated from feeding to ovipositing ticks. RNAi results showed that RHS8 dsRNA-injected ticks had a lower body weight, longer feeding time, fewer eggs laid and lower egg hatchability. Tick reproduction, such as egg laying and hatching, was disrupted by RNAi. Compared with the control group, ovaries of the RHS8 interference group were light brown color, indicating a reduction in yolk granule accumulation. Western blot results showed that the expression of RHVg3 and RHVg4 proteins in ovaries was reduced in the RHS8 dsRNA-injected group. These results indicate that RHS8 is related to tick reproduction and its interference affects vitellogenesis.

Citations

Jan 23, 2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Mohamed Amine JmelMichalis Kotsyfakis

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.