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Bonina V, Arpaia S. The use of RNA interference for the management of arthropod pests in livestock farms. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:631-646. [PMID: 37401856 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Pest management in farm animals is an important action to contain economic damage to livestock production and prevent transmission of severe diseases to the stock. The use of chemical insecticides is still the most common approach followed by farmers; however, avoiding possible toxic effects on animals is a fundamental task for pest control measures compatible with animal well-being. Moreover, legal constraints and insurgence of resistance by target species to the available insecticidal compounds are increasingly complicating farmers' operations. Alternatives to chemical pesticides have been explored with some promising results in the area of biological control or the use of natural products as sprays. The application of RNA interference techniques has enabled the production of new means of pest control in agriculture, and it is opening a promising avenue for controlling arthropod pests of livestock. Transcript depletion of specific target genes of the recipient organisms is based on the action of double-strand RNAs (dsRNA) capable of impairing the production of fundamental proteins. Their mode of action, based on the specific recognition of short genomic sequences, is expected to be highly selective towards non-target organisms potentially exposed; in addition, there are physical and chemical barriers to dsRNA uptake by mammalian cells that render these products practically innocuous for higher animals. Summarising existing literature on gene silencing for main taxa of arthropod pests of livestock (Acarina, Diptera, Blattoidea), this review explores the perspectives of practical applications of dsRNA-based pesticides against the main pests of farm animals. Knowledge gaps are summarised to stimulate additional research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Bonina
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Arpaia
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, TERIN-BBC Research Centre Trisaia, Rotondella, Matera, Italy
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Nganso BT, Pines G, Soroker V. Insights into gene manipulation techniques for Acari functional genomics. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 143:103705. [PMID: 35134533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Functional genomics is an essential tool for elucidating the structure and function of genes in any living organism. Here, we review the use of different gene manipulation techniques in functional genomics of Acari (mites and ticks). Some of these Acari species inflict severe economic losses to managed crops and health problems to humans, wild and domestic animals, but many also provide important ecosystem services worldwide. Currently, RNA interference (RNAi) is the leading gene expression manipulation tool followed by gene editing via the bacterial type II Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and associated protein 9 system (CRISPR-Cas9). Whilst RNAi, via siRNA, does not always lead to expected outcomes, the exploitations of the CRISPR systems in Acari are still in their infancy and are limited only to CRISP/Cas9 to date. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 and the technical challenges associated with their exploitations. We also compare the biochemical machinery of RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies. We highlight some potential solutions for experimental optimization of each mechanism in gene function studies. The potential benefits of adopting various CRISPR-Cas9 systems for expanding on functional genomics experiments in Acari are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice T Nganso
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
| | - Gur Pines
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
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Tick extracellular vesicles enable arthropod feeding and promote distinct outcomes of bacterial infection. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3696. [PMID: 34140472 PMCID: PMC8211691 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23900-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles are thought to facilitate pathogen transmission from arthropods to humans and other animals. Here, we reveal that pathogen spreading from arthropods to the mammalian host is multifaceted. Extracellular vesicles from Ixodes scapularis enable tick feeding and promote infection of the mildly virulent rickettsial agent Anaplasma phagocytophilum through the SNARE proteins Vamp33 and Synaptobrevin 2 and dendritic epidermal T cells. However, extracellular vesicles from the tick Dermacentor andersoni mitigate microbial spreading caused by the lethal pathogen Francisella tularensis. Collectively, we establish that tick extracellular vesicles foster distinct outcomes of bacterial infection and assist in vector feeding by acting on skin immunity. Thus, the biology of arthropods should be taken into consideration when developing strategies to control vector-borne diseases.
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Xiao Q, Hu Y, Yang X, Tang J, Wang X, Xue X, Li M, Wang M, Zhao Y, Liu J, Wang H. Changes in Protein Phosphorylation during Salivary Gland Degeneration in Haemaphysalis longicornis. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2020; 58:161-171. [PMID: 32418385 PMCID: PMC7231830 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2020.58.2.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The ticks feed large amount of blood from their hosts and transmit pathogens to the victims. The salivary gland plays an important role in the blood feeding. When the female ticks are near engorgement, the salivary gland gradually loses its functions and begins to rapidly degenerate. In this study, data-independent acquisition quantitative proteomics was used to study changes in the phosphorylation modification of proteins during salivary gland degeneration in Haemaphysalis longicornis. In this quantitative study, 400 phosphorylated proteins and 850 phosphorylation modification sites were identified. Trough RNA interference experiments, we found that among the proteins with changes in phosphorylation, apoptosis-promoting Hippo protein played a role in salivary gland degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xiao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, PR China
| | - Yuhong Hu
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Jianna Tang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, PR China
| | - Xiaoshuang Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, PR China
| | - Xiaomin Xue
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, PR China
| | - Mengxue Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, PR China
| | - Minjing Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, PR China
| | - Yinan Zhao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, PR China
| | - Jingze Liu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, PR China
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Salivary gland proteome analysis of developing adult female Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks: molecular motor and TCA cycle-related proteins play an important role throughout development. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:613. [PMID: 31888749 PMCID: PMC6937756 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3864-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are notorious blood-feeding arthropods that can spread a variety of deadly diseases. The salivary gland is an important organ for ticks to feed on blood, and this organ begins to develop rapidly when ixodid ticks suck blood. When these ticks reach a critical weight, the salivary glands stop developing and begin to degenerate. The expression levels of a large number of proteins during the development and degeneration of salivary glands change, which regulate the biological functions of the salivary glands. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, there are only a few reports on the role of molecular motor and TCA cycle-related proteins in the salivary glands of ticks. Results We used iTRAQ quantitative proteomics to study the dynamic changes in salivary gland proteins in female Haemaphysalis longicornis at four feeding stages: unfed, partially fed, semi-engorged and engorged. Using bioinformatics methods to analyze the dynamic changes of a large number of proteins, we found that molecular motor and TCA cycle-related proteins play an important role in the physiological changes of the salivary glands. The results of RNAi experiments showed that when dynein, kinesin, isocitrate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase were knocked down independently, the weight of the engorged female ticks decreased by 63.5%, 54.9%, 42.6% and 48.6%, respectively, and oviposition amounts decreased by 83.1%, 76.0%, 50.8%, and 55.9%, respectively, and the size of type III acini of females salivary glands decreased by 35.6%, 33.3%, 28.9%, and 20.0%, respectively. Conclusions The results showed that the expression of different types of proteins change in different characteristics in salivary glands during the unfed to engorged process of female ticks. Corresponding expression changes of these proteins at different developmental stages of female ticks are very important to ensure the orderly development of the organ. By analyzing these changes, some proteins, such as molecular motor and TCA cycle-related proteins, were screened and RNAi carried out. When these mRNAs were knocked down, the female ticks cannot develop normally. The research results provide a new protein target for the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.
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Galay RL, Hernandez EP, Talactac MR, Maeda H, Kusakisako K, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, Mochizuki M, Fujisaki K, Tanaka T. Induction of gene silencing in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks through immersion in double-stranded RNA. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:813-816. [PMID: 27062446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The continuous emergence of tick-borne diseases and chemical acaricide-resistant tick strains necessitates the development of new and more effective control strategies. RNA interference through the injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has been a very useful tool in tick research for evaluating gene function. However, this technique can be sophisticated due to the required equipment and technique. Here we studied the feasibility of an immersion technique to induce gene silencing in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks. We targeted the Hlfer1 gene, previously shown to be crucial in successful blood feeding and reproduction. Larval, nymphal, and adult female H. longicornis ticks were immersed in Hlfer1 or Luciferase dsRNA for control. The dsRNA dissolving medium, incubation temperature and time were varied to establish the optimum conditions. RT-PCR was performed to confirm gene silencing. It was found that immersing the ticks in dsRNA dissolved in nuclease-free water at 15°C for 12h resulted in clear gene silencing. The phenotypes of adult ticks immersed in dsRNA were then compared with those of adult ticks injected with dsRNA. Similar to dsRNA injection, the post-blood meal weight of ticks immersed in Hlfer1 dsRNA was significantly lower than the control group. Moreover, high post-blood meal mortality and low egg output was observed both from ticks injected with and immersed in Hlfer1 dsRNA. Our results here suggest that immersion in dsRNA can effectively induce gene silencing and not only offers an alternative method to dsRNA injection but also opens the possibility of applying dsRNA for tick control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remil Linggatong Galay
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines; Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Emmanuel Pacia Hernandez
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Melbourne Rio Talactac
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Hiroki Maeda
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Kodai Kusakisako
- 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
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Kozo Fujisaki
- Zen-noh Institute of Animal Health, 7 Ooja, Sakura, Chiba 285-0043, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
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Marr EJ, Sargison ND, Nisbet AJ, Burgess STG. RNA interference for the identification of ectoparasite vaccine candidates. Parasite Immunol 2015; 36:616-26. [PMID: 25065384 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ectoparasites present a major challenge for disease management globally. With drug resistance increasingly observed in many disease-causing species, the need for novel control measures is pressing. Ever-expanding genomic resources from 'next generation' sequencing are now available for a number of arthropod ectoparasites, necessitating an effective means of screening these data for novel candidates for vaccine antigens or targets for chemotherapeutics. Such in vitro screening methods must be developed if we are to make discoveries in a timely and cost-effective manner. This review will discuss the potential that RNA interference (RNAi) has demonstrated thus far in the context of arthropod ectoparasites and the potential roles for this technology in the development of novel methods for parasite control.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Marr
- Division of Vaccines and Diagnostics, Pentlands Science Park, Moredun Research Institute, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, UK; Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, UK
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Browning R, Karim S. RNA interference-mediated depletion of N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein and synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa results in the inhibition of blood feeding of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 22:245-57. [PMID: 23437815 PMCID: PMC3644323 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The signalling pathways in tick salivary glands that control 'sialo-secretome' secretion at the tick-host interface remain elusive; however, this complex process is essential for successful feeding and manipulation of the host haemostatic response. Exocytosis of the sialo-secretome in the salivary glands requires a core of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion (NSF) attachment proteins (SNAPs) and receptor proteins (SNAREs). SNAREs have been identified as the key components in regulating the sialo-secretome in the salivary gland cells. In this study, we utilized RNA interference to investigate the functional role of two Amblyomma maculatum SNARE complex proteins, AmNSF and AmSNAP-25, in the tick salivary glands during extended blood feeding on the vertebrate host. Knock-down of AmNSF and AmSNAP-25 resulted in death, impaired feeding on the host, lack of engorgement and inhibited oviposition in ticks. Depletion also led to important morphological changes in the collapse of the Golgi apparatus in the salivary gland cells. Our results imply a functional significance of AmNSF and AMSNAP-25 in prolonged tick feeding, and survival on the host. Further characterization of the factors that regulate exocytosis may lead to novel approaches to prevent tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shahid Karim
- Corresponding author: Shahid Karim, 118 College Drive #5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, , Phone: 601.266.6232, Fax: 601.266.5797
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Villarreal AM, Adamson SW, Browning RE, Khem Raj B, Sajid MS, Karim S. Molecular characterization and functional significance of the Vti family of SNARE proteins in tick salivary glands. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 43:483-93. [PMID: 23499931 PMCID: PMC3633690 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Exocytosis involves membrane fusion between secretory vesicles and the plasma membrane. The Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment proteins (SNAPs) and their receptor proteins (SNAREs) interact to fuse vesicles with the membrane and trigger the release of their sialosecretome out of the tick salivary gland cells. In this study, we examined the functional significance of the Vti family of SNARE proteins of blood-feeding Amblyomma maculatum and Amblyomma americanum. Vti1A and Vti1B have been implicated in multiple functional roles in vesicle transport. QRT-PCR studies demonstrated that the highest transcriptional expression of vti1a and vti1b genes occurs in unfed salivary glands, suggesting that elevated secretory vesicle formation occurs prior to feeding but continues at low rates after blood feeding commences. Vti1A and Vti1B localize to the secretory vesicles in unfed tick salivary glands in immunofluorescence microscopy studies. Knockdown of vti1a and vti1b by RNA interference resulted in a significant decrease in the engorged tick weight compared to the control during prolonged blood-feeding on the host. RNA interference of vti1a or vti1b impaired oviposition and none of the ticks produced eggs masses. Surprisingly, the double knockdown did not produce a strong phenotype and ticks fed normally on the host and produced egg masses, suggesting a compensatory mechanism exists within the secretory system which may have been activated in the double knockdown. These results suggest an important functional role of the Vti family of SNARE proteins in tick blood feeding and ultimately oviposition. Understanding the basic functions of the Vti family of SNARE proteins in salivary glands may lead to better ways to prevent tick attachment and transmission of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Shahid Karim
- Corresponding author: Shahid Karim, 118 College Drive #5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 Phone: 601.266.6232 Fax: 601.266.5797
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Barnard AC, Nijhof AM, Fick W, Stutzer C, Maritz-Olivier C. RNAi in Arthropods: Insight into the Machinery and Applications for Understanding the Pathogen-Vector Interface. Genes (Basel) 2012; 3:702-41. [PMID: 24705082 PMCID: PMC3899984 DOI: 10.3390/genes3040702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The availability of genome sequencing data in combination with knowledge of expressed genes via transcriptome and proteome data has greatly advanced our understanding of arthropod vectors of disease. Not only have we gained insight into vector biology, but also into their respective vector-pathogen interactions. By combining the strengths of postgenomic databases and reverse genetic approaches such as RNAi, the numbers of available drug and vaccine targets, as well as number of transgenes for subsequent transgenic or paratransgenic approaches, have expanded. These are now paving the way for in-field control strategies of vectors and their pathogens. Basic scientific questions, such as understanding the basic components of the vector RNAi machinery, is vital, as this allows for the transfer of basic RNAi machinery components into RNAi-deficient vectors, thereby expanding the genetic toolbox of these RNAi-deficient vectors and pathogens. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge of arthropod vector RNAi machinery and the impact of RNAi on understanding vector biology and vector-pathogen interactions for which vector genomic data is available on VectorBase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ard M Nijhof
- Institut für Parasitologie und Tropenveterinärmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Wilma Fick
- Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
| | - Christian Stutzer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
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Aung KM, Boldbaatar D, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, Liao M, Xuenan X, Suzuki H, Linggatong Galay R, Tanaka T, Fujisaki K. Scavenger receptor mediates systemic RNA interference in ticks. PLoS One 2011; 6:e28407. [PMID: 22145043 PMCID: PMC3228737 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2011] [Accepted: 11/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference is an efficient method to silence gene and protein expressions. Here, the class B scavenger receptor CD36 (SRB) mediated the uptake of exogenous dsRNAs in the induction of the RNAi responses in ticks. Unfed female Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks were injected with a single or a combination of H. longicornis SRB (HlSRB) dsRNA, vitellogenin-1 (HlVg-1) dsRNA, and vitellogenin receptor (HlVgR) dsRNA. We found that specific and systemic silencing of the HlSRB, HlVg-1, and HlVgR genes was achieved in ticks injected with a single dsRNA of HlSRB, HlVg-1, and HlVgR. In ticks injected first with HlVg-1 or HlVgR dsRNA followed 96 hours later with HlSRB dsRNA (HlVg-1/HlSRB or HlVgR/HlSRB), gene silencing of HlSRB was achieved in addition to first knockdown in HlVg-1 or HlVgR, and prominent phenotypic changes were observed in engorgement, mortality, and hatchability, indicating that a systemic and specific double knockdown of target genes had been simultaneously attained in these ticks. However, in ticks injected with HlSRB dsRNA followed 96 hours later with HlVg-1 or HlVgR dsRNAs, silencing of HlSRB was achieved, but no subsequent knockdown in HlVgR or HlVg-1 was observed. The Westernblot and immunohistochemical examinations revealed that the endogenous HlSRB protein was fully abolished in midguts of ticks injected with HlSRB/HlVg-1 dsRNAs but HlVg-1 was normally expressed in midguts, suggesting that HlVg-1 dsRNA-mediated RNAi was fully inhibited by the first knockdown of HlSRB. Similarly, the abolished localization of HlSRB protein was recognized in ovaries of ticks injected with HlSRB/HlVgR, while normal localization of HlVgR was observed in ovaries, suggesting that the failure to knock-down HlVgR could be attributed to the first knockdown of HlSRB. In summary, we demonstrated for the first time that SRB may not only mediate the effective knock-down of gene expression by RNAi but also play essential roles for systemic RNAi of ticks.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Egg Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Egg Proteins/genetics
- Egg Proteins/metabolism
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
- Gene Silencing
- Ovary/metabolism
- Ovary/pathology
- RNA Interference
- RNA, Double-Stranded/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- Rabbits
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Receptors, Cell Surface/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics
- Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism
- Receptors, Scavenger/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Scavenger/genetics
- Receptors, Scavenger/metabolism
- Tick Infestations/genetics
- Tick Infestations/metabolism
- Tick Infestations/mortality
- Ticks/pathogenicity
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyaw Min Aung
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Damdinsuren Boldbaatar
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Min Liao
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Xuan Xuenan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Suzuki
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Remil Linggatong Galay
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kozo Fujisaki
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan
- * E-mail:
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12
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Yamaji K, Tsuji N, Miyoshi T, Islam MK, Hatta T, Alim MA, Anisuzzaman M, Kushibiki S, Fujisaki K. A salivary cystatin, HlSC-1, from the ixodid tick Haemaphysalis longicornis play roles in the blood-feeding processes. Parasitol Res 2009; 106:61-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1626-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2009] [Accepted: 09/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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