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Matoušková Z, Orsághová K, Srb P, Pytelková J, Kukačka Z, Buša M, Hajdušek O, Šíma R, Fábry M, Novák P, Horn M, Kopáček P, Mareš M. An Unusual Two-Domain Thyropin from Tick Saliva: NMR Solution Structure and Highly Selective Inhibition of Cysteine Cathepsins Modulated by Glycosaminoglycans. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2240. [PMID: 38396918 PMCID: PMC10889554 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The structure and biochemical properties of protease inhibitors from the thyropin family are poorly understood in parasites and pathogens. Here, we introduce a novel family member, Ir-thyropin (IrThy), which is secreted in the saliva of Ixodes ricinus ticks, vectors of Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis. The IrThy molecule consists of two consecutive thyroglobulin type-1 (Tg1) domains with an unusual disulfide pattern. Recombinant IrThy was found to inhibit human host-derived cathepsin proteases with a high specificity for cathepsins V, K, and L among a wide range of screened cathepsins exhibiting diverse endo- and exopeptidase activities. Both Tg1 domains displayed inhibitory activities, but with distinct specificity profiles. We determined the spatial structure of one of the Tg1 domains by solution NMR spectroscopy and described its reactive center to elucidate the unique inhibitory specificity. Furthermore, we found that the inhibitory potency of IrThy was modulated in a complex manner by various glycosaminoglycans from host tissues. IrThy was additionally regulated by pH and proteolytic degradation. This study provides a comprehensive structure-function characterization of IrThy-the first investigated thyropin of parasite origin-and suggests its potential role in host-parasite interactions at the tick bite site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Matoušková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 8, 12800 Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Katarína Orsághová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Katerinska 32, 12108 Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Srb
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Jana Pytelková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Zdeněk Kukačka
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 25250 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Buša
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Biopticka Laborator, Mikulasske Namesti 4, 32600 Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Fábry
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Petr Novák
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 25250 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
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Urbanová V, Lu S, Kalinová E, Martins L, Kozelková T, Dyčka F, Ribeiro JM, Hajdušek O, Perner J, Kopáček P. From the fat body to the hemolymph: Profiling tick immune and storage proteins through transcriptomics and proteomics. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 165:104072. [PMID: 38185274 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Ticks are blood-feeding arachnids that are known to transmit various pathogenic microorganisms to their hosts. During blood feeding, ticks activate their metabolism and immune system to efficiently utilise nutrients from the host's blood and complete the feeding process. In contrast to insects, in which the fat body is known to be a central organ that controls essential metabolic processes and immune defense mechanisms, the function of the fat body in tick physiology is still relatively unexplored. To fill this gap, we sought to uncover the repertoire of genes expressed in the fat body associated with trachea (FB/Tr) by analyzing the transcriptome of individual, partially fed (previtellogenic) Ixodes ricinus females. The resulting catalog of individual mRNA sequences reveals a broad repertoire of transcripts encoding proteins involved in nutrient storage and distribution, as well as components of the tick immune system. To gain a detailed insight into the secretory products of FB/Tr specifically involved in inter-tissue transport and humoral immunity, the transcriptomic data were complemented with the proteome of soluble proteins in the hemolymph of partially fed female ticks. Among these proteins, the hemolipoglyco-carrier proteins were predominant. When comparing immune peptides and proteins from the fat body with those produced by hemocytes, we found that the fat body serves as a unique producer of certain immune components. Finally, time-resolved transcriptional regulation of selected immune transcripts from the FB/Tr was examined in response to experimental challenges with model microbes and analyzed by RT-qPCR. Overall, our data show that the fat body of ticks, similar to insects, is an important metabolic tissue that also plays a remarkable role in immune defense against invading microbes. These findings improve our understanding of tick biology and its impact on the transmission of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Stephen Lu
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eliška Kalinová
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Larissa Martins
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity, Rocky Mountain Laboratories - NIH/NIAID, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Tereza Kozelková
- 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
| | - Filip Dyčka
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - José M Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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Kozelková T, Dyčka F, Lu S, Urbanová V, Frantová H, Sojka D, Šíma R, Horn M, Perner J, Kopáček P. Insight Into the Dynamics of the Ixodes ricinus Nymphal Midgut Proteome. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100663. [PMID: 37832788 PMCID: PMC10665701 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasites that feed on blood and have an impressive ability to consume and process enormous amounts of host blood, allowing extremely long periods of starvation between blood meals. The central role in the parasitic lifestyle of ticks is played by the midgut. This organ efficiently stores and digests ingested blood and serves as the primary interface for the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. In this study, we used a label-free quantitative approach to perform a novel dynamic proteomic analysis of the midgut of Ixodesricinus nymphs, covering their development from unfed to pre-molt stages. We identified 1534 I. ricinus-specific proteins with a relatively low proportion of host proteins. This proteome dataset, which was carefully examined by manual scrutiny, allowed precise annotation of proteins important for blood meal processing and their dynamic changes during nymphal ontogeny. We focused on midgut molecules related to lipid hydrolysis, storage, and transport, opening a yet unexplored avenue for studying lipid metabolism in ticks. Further dynamic profiling of the tick's multi-enzyme digestive network, protease inhibitors, enzymes involved in redox homeostasis and detoxification, antimicrobial peptides, and proteins responsible for midgut colonization by Borrelia spirochetes promises to uncover new targets for targeting tick nymphs, the most critical life stage for transmission the pathogens that cause tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Kozelková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Dyčka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Stephen Lu
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Frantová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Bioptic Laboratory, Ltd, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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Contreras M, Vaz-Rodrigues R, Mazuecos L, Villar M, Artigas-Jerónimo S, González-García A, Shilova NV, Bovin NV, Díaz-Sánchez S, Ferreras-Colino E, Pacheco I, Chmelař J, Kopáček P, Cabezas-Cruz A, Gortázar C, de la Fuente J. Allergic reactions to tick saliva components in zebrafish model. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:242. [PMID: 37468955 PMCID: PMC10357745 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05874-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alpha-Gal syndrome (AGS) is a tick-borne food allergy caused by IgE antibodies against the glycan galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) present in glycoproteins and glycolipids from mammalian meat. To advance in the diagnosis and treatment of AGS, further research is needed to unravel the molecular and immune mechanisms underlying this syndrome. The objective of this study is the characterization of tick salivary components and proteins with and without α-Gal modifications involved in modulating human immune response against this carbohydrate. METHODS Protein and α-Gal content were determined in tick saliva components, and proteins were identified by proteomics analysis of tick saliva fractions. Pathophysiological changes were recorded in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model after exposure to distinct Ixodes ricinus tick salivary components. Serum samples were collected from zebrafish at day 8 of exposure to determine anti-α-Gal, anti-glycan, and anti-tick saliva protein IgM antibody titers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Zebrafish treated with tick saliva and saliva protein fractions combined with non-protein fractions demonstrated significantly higher incidence of hemorrhagic type allergic reactions, abnormal behavioral patterns, or mortality when compared to the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated control group. The main tick salivary proteins identified in these fractions with possible functional implication in AGS were the secreted protein B7P208-salivary antigen p23 and metalloproteases. Anti-α-Gal and anti-tick salivary gland IgM antibody titers were significantly higher in distinct saliva protein fractions and deglycosylated saliva group when compared with PBS-treated controls. Anti-glycan antibodies showed group-related profiles. CONCLUSIONS Results support the hypothesis that tick salivary biomolecules with and without α-Gal modifications are involved in modulating immune response against this carbohydrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinela Contreras
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Rita Vaz-Rodrigues
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Lorena Mazuecos
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Sciences and Chemical Technologies, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ave. Camilo José Cela 10, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Sara Artigas-Jerónimo
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Almudena González-García
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Nadezhda V Shilova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str. 16/10, 117997, Moscow, Russian Federation
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named After Academician V. I. Kulakov, Oparina str. 4, 117198, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nicolai V Bovin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str. 16/10, 117997, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Centre for Kode Technology Innovation, School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sandra Díaz-Sánchez
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Microbiología, Biología Celular y Genética, Área de Microbiología, Universidad de La Laguna, Entrada Campus Anchieta, 4, 38200, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Elisa Ferreras-Colino
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Iván Pacheco
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Jindřich Chmelař
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of ParasitologyBiology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain.
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
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Ribeiro JM, Hartmann D, Bartošová-Sojková P, Debat H, Moos M, Šimek P, Fara J, Palus M, Kučera M, Hajdušek O, Sojka D, Kopáček P, Perner J. Blood-feeding adaptations and virome assessment of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae guided by RNA-seq. Commun Biol 2023; 6:517. [PMID: 37179447 PMCID: PMC10183022 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04907-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Dermanyssus gallinae is a blood-feeding mite that parasitises wild birds and farmed poultry. Its remarkably swift processing of blood, together with the capacity to blood-feed during most developmental stages, makes this mite a highly debilitating pest. To identify specific adaptations to digestion of a haemoglobin-rich diet, we constructed and compared transcriptomes from starved and blood-fed stages of the parasite and identified midgut-enriched transcripts. We noted that midgut transcripts encoding cysteine proteases were upregulated with a blood meal. Mapping the full proteolytic apparatus, we noted a reduction in the suite of cysteine proteases, missing homologues for Cathepsin B and C. We have further identified and phylogenetically analysed three distinct transcripts encoding vitellogenins that facilitate the reproductive capacity of the mites. We also fully mapped transcripts for haem biosynthesis and the ferritin-based system of iron storage and inter-tissue trafficking. Additionally, we identified transcripts encoding proteins implicated in immune signalling (Toll and IMD pathways) and activity (defensins and thioester-containing proteins), RNAi, and ion channelling (with targets for commercial acaricides such as Fluralaner, Fipronil, and Ivermectin). Viral sequences were filtered from the Illumina reads and we described, in part, the RNA-virome of D. gallinae with identification of a novel virus, Red mite quaranjavirus 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David Hartmann
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Bartošová-Sojková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Humberto Debat
- Instituto de Patología Vegetal, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (IPAVE-CIAP-INTA), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Martin Moos
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Šimek
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Fara
- International Poultry Testing Station Ústrašice, Ústrašice, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Palus
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Matěj Kučera
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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Hatalová T, Erhart J, Kopáček P, Perner J. On the haem auxotrophy of the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102170. [PMID: 36958097 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Genomes of ticks display reductions, to various extents, in genetic coding for enzymes of the haem biosynthetic pathway. Here, we mined available transcriptomes of soft tick species and identified transcripts encoding only half of the enzymes involved in haem biosynthesis. Transcripts identified across most species examined were those coding for porphobilinogen synthase, coproporphyrinogen oxidase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, and ferrochelatase. Genomic retention of porphobilinogen synthase seems to be soft tick-restricted as no such homologue has been identified in any hard tick species. Bioinformatic mining is thus strongly indicative of the lack of biochemical capacity for de novo haem biosynthesis, suggesting a requirement for dietary haem. In the hard tick Ixodes ricinus, depletion of dietary haem, i.e. serum feeding, leads to oviposition of haem-free eggs, with no apparent embryogenesis and larvae formation. In this work, we show that serum-fed Ornithodoros moubata females, unlike those of I. ricinus, laid haem-containing eggs similarly to blood-fed controls, but only by a small proportion of the serum-fed females. To enhance the effect of dietary haem depletion, O. moubata ticks were serum-fed consecutively as last nymphal instars and females. These females laid eggs with profoundly reduced haem deposits, confirming the host origin of the haem. These data confirm the ability of soft ticks to take up and allocate host haem to their eggs in order to drive reproduction of the ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Hatalová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Erhart
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic.
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Guizzo MG, Hatalová T, Frantová H, Zurek L, Kopáček P, Perner J. Ixodes ricinus ticks have a functional association with Midichloria mitochondrii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 12:1081666. [PMID: 36699720 PMCID: PMC9868949 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1081666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to being vectors of pathogenic bacteria, ticks also harbor intracellular bacteria that associate with ticks over generations, aka symbionts. The biological significance of such bacterial symbiosis has been described in several tick species but its function in Ixodes ricinus is not understood. We have previously shown that I. ricinus ticks are primarily inhabited by a single species of symbiont, Midichloria mitochondrii, an intracellular bacterium that resides and reproduces mainly in the mitochondria of ovaries of fully engorged I. ricinus females. To study the functional integration of M. mitochondrii into the biology of I. ricinus, an M. mitochondrii-depleted model of I. ricinus ticks was sought. Various techniques have been described in the literature to achieve dysbiosed or apo-symbiotic ticks with various degrees of success. To address the lack of a standardized experimental procedure for the production of apo-symbiotic ticks, we present here an approach utilizing the ex vivo membrane blood feeding system. In order to deplete M. mitochondrii from ovaries, we supplemented dietary blood with tetracycline. We noted, however, that the use of tetracycline caused immediate toxicity in ticks, caused by impairment of mitochondrial proteosynthesis. To overcome the tetracycline-mediated off-target effect, we established a protocol that leads to the production of an apo-symbiotic strain of I. ricinus, which can be sustained in subsequent generations. In two generations following tetracycline administration and tetracycline-mediated symbiont reduction, M. mitochondrii was gradually eliminated from the lineage. Larvae hatched from eggs laid by such M. mitochondrii-free females repeatedly performed poorly during blood-feeding, while the nymphs and adults performed similarly to controls. These data indicate that M. mitochondrii represents an integral component of tick ovarian tissue, and when absent, results in the formation of substandard larvae with reduced capacity to blood-feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Garcia Guizzo
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Tereza Hatalová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Helena Frantová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Ludek Zurek
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czechia,Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czechia,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia,*Correspondence: Jan Perner,
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Urbanová V, Kalinová E, Kopáček P, Šíma R. Experimental Infection of Mice and Ticks with the Human Isolate of Anaplasma phagocytophilum NY-18. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070820. [PMID: 35890063 PMCID: PMC9325317 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of tick-borne fever (TBF) and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) and is currently considered an emerging disease in the USA, Europe, and Asia. The increased prevalence of A. phagocytophilum as a human pathogen requires the detailed characterization of human isolates and the implementation of appropriate animal models. In this study, we demonstrated that the dynamics of infection with the human isolate of A. phagocytophilum NY-18 was variable in three different strains of mice (SCID, C3H/HeN, BALB/c). We further evaluated the ability of Ixodes ricinus to acquire and transmit A. phagocytophilum NY-18 and compared it with Ixodes scapularis. Larvae of both tick species effectively acquired the pathogen while feeding on infected mice. The infection rates then decreased during the development to nymphs. Interestingly, molted I. ricinus nymphs were unable to transmit the pathogen to naïve mice, which contrasted with I. scapularis. The results of our study suggest that I. ricinus is not a competent vector for the American human Anaplasma isolate. Further studies are needed to establish reliable transmission models for I. ricinus and European human isolate(s) of A. phagocytophilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (V.U.); (E.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Eliška Kalinová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (V.U.); (E.K.); (P.K.)
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1645/31a, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (V.U.); (E.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (V.U.); (E.K.); (P.K.)
- Bioptická Laboratoř, s.r.o., Mikulášské nám. 4, 32600 Plzeň, Czech Republic
- Correspondence:
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Fiorotti J, Urbanová V, Gôlo PS, Bittencourt VREP, Kopáček P. The role of complement in the tick cellular immune defense against the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. Dev Comp Immunol 2022; 126:104234. [PMID: 34450130 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have been widely explored for their potential in the biological control of insect pests and as an environmentally friendly alternative to acaricides for limiting tick infestation in the field. The arthropod cuticle is the main barrier against fungal infection, however, an understanding of internal defense mechanisms after EPF intrusion into the invertebrate hemocoel is still rather limited. Using an infection model of the European Lyme borreliosis vector Ixodes ricinus with the EPF Metarhizium robertsii, we demonstrated that ticks are capable of protecting themselves to a certain extent against mild fungal infections. However, tick mortality dramatically increases when the capability of tick hemocytes to phagocytose fungal conidia is impaired. Using RNAi-mediated silencing of tick thioester-containing proteins (TEPs), followed by in vitro and/or in vivo phagocytic assays, we found that C3-like complement components and α2-macroglobulin pan-protease inhibitors secreted to the hemolymph play pivotal roles in M. robertsii phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Fiorotti
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Patrícia Silva Gôlo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic.
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Kopáček P, Šíma R, Perner J. An mRNA-based anti-tick vaccine catches ticks red-handed. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabm2504. [PMID: 34788081 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abm2504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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11
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Fogaça AC, Sousa G, Pavanelo DB, Esteves E, Martins LA, Urbanová V, Kopáček P, Daffre S. Tick Immune System: What Is Known, the Interconnections, the Gaps, and the Challenges. Front Immunol 2021; 12:628054. [PMID: 33737931 PMCID: PMC7962413 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.628054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasitic arthropods that necessarily feed on the blood of their vertebrate hosts. The success of blood acquisition depends on the pharmacological properties of tick saliva, which is injected into the host during tick feeding. Saliva is also used as a vehicle by several types of pathogens to be transmitted to the host, making ticks versatile vectors of several diseases for humans and other animals. When a tick feeds on an infected host, the pathogen reaches the gut of the tick and must migrate to its salivary glands via hemolymph to be successfully transmitted to a subsequent host during the next stage of feeding. In addition, some pathogens can colonize the ovaries of the tick and be transovarially transmitted to progeny. The tick immune system, as well as the immune system of other invertebrates, is more rudimentary than the immune system of vertebrates, presenting only innate immune responses. Although simpler, the large number of tick species evidences the efficiency of their immune system. The factors of their immune system act in each tick organ that interacts with pathogens; therefore, these factors are potential targets for the development of new strategies for the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. The objective of this review is to present the prevailing knowledge on the tick immune system and to discuss the challenges of studying tick immunity, especially regarding the gaps and interconnections. To this end, we use a comparative approach of the tick immune system with the immune system of other invertebrates, focusing on various components of humoral and cellular immunity, such as signaling pathways, antimicrobial peptides, redox metabolism, complement-like molecules and regulated cell death. In addition, the role of tick microbiota in vector competence is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa C. Fogaça
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Géssica Sousa
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel B. Pavanelo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eliane Esteves
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa A. Martins
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Sirlei Daffre
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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12
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Kozelková T, Doležel D, Grunclová L, Kučera M, Perner J, Kopáček P. Functional characterization of the insulin signaling pathway in the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101694. [PMID: 33706210 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are blood-feeding arachnids transmitting a variety of pathogens to humans and animals. A unique trait in tick physiology is their ability to engorge and digest large amounts of host blood, ensuring their high reproductive potential. Activation of the blood digestive machinery in the tick gut, as well as processes controlling maturation of ovaries, are triggered upon blood meal uptake by still largely unknown mechanisms. Sensing of the nutritional status in metazoan organisms is facilitated by the evolutionarily conserved Insulin Signaling Pathway (ISP) and the interlinked Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway. Recently, we have identified three components of these pathways in the hard tick Ixodes ricinus midgut transcriptome, namely a putative insulin receptor (InR), and the downstream intracellular serine/threonine kinases AKT and TOR. In this study, we primarily focus on the molecular and functional characterization of the I. ricinus insulin receptor (IrInR), the first InR characterized in Chelicerates. A phylogenetic analysis across the major Arthropod lineages demonstrated that ticks possess only one gene encoding an InR-related molecule. Tissue expression profiling by quantitative PCR in semi-engorged I. ricinus females revealed that the IrInR, as well as AKT (IrAKT) and TOR (IrTOR) are expressed in various organs, with the highest expression being detected in ovaries. We have further evaluated the impact of RNAi-mediated knock-down (KD) of IrInR, IrAKT, and IrTOR on tick blood-feeding and reproductive capacity. Weights of engorged IrInR KD females and laid egg clutches were reduced compared to the control group, and these quantitative parameters clearly correlated with the efficiency of RNAi-KD achieved in individual ticks. The most striking phenotype was observed for IrAKT KD that impaired tick feeding and completely aborted egg production. A recombinant extracellular fragment of the IrInR α-subunit was used to produce antibodies in experimental rabbits to assess its potential as a protective antigen against tick feeding and reproduction. Our data clearly indicate the functionality of the ISP in ticks and demonstrate the need for further investigation of specific roles played by the endogenous insulin-like peptides in tick physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Kozelková
- 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
| | - David Doležel
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Grunclová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Matěj Kučera
- 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 Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - 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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13
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Knorr S, Anguita J, Cortazar JT, Hajdusek O, Kopáček P, Trentelman JJ, Kershaw O, Hovius JW, Nijhof AM. Preliminary Evaluation of Tick Protein Extracts and Recombinant Ferritin 2 as Anti-tick Vaccines Targeting Ixodes ricinus in Cattle. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1696. [PMID: 30568595 PMCID: PMC6290058 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-tick vaccines have the potential to be an environmentally friendly and cost-effective option for tick control. In vaccine development, the identification of efficacious antigens forms the major bottleneck. In this study, the efficacy of immunization with recombinant ferritin 2 and native tick protein extracts (TPEs) against Ixodes ricinus infestations in calves was assessed in two immunization experiments. In the first experiment, each calf (n = 3) was immunized twice with recombinant ferritin 2 from I. ricinus (IrFER2), TPE consisting of soluble proteins from the internal organs of partially fed I. ricinus females, or adjuvant, respectively. In the second experiment, each calf (n = 4) was immunized with protein extracts from the midgut (ME) of partially fed females, the salivary glands (SGE) of partially fed females, a combination of ME and SGE, or adjuvant, respectively. Two weeks after the booster immunization, calves were challenged with 100 females and 200 nymphs. Blood was collected from the calves before the first and after the second immunization and fed to I. ricinus females and nymphs using an in vitro artificial tick feeding system. The two calves vaccinated with whole TPE and midgut extract (ME) showed hyperemia on tick bite sites 2 days post tick infestation and exudative blisters were observed in the ME-vaccinated animal, signs that were suggestive of a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction. Significantly fewer ticks successfully fed on the three animals vaccinated with TPE, SGE, or ME. Adults fed on the TPE and ME vaccinated animals weighed significantly less. Tick feeding on the IrFER2 vaccinated calf was not impaired. The in vitro feeding of serum or fresh whole blood collected from the vaccinated animals did not significantly affect tick feeding success. Immunization with native I. ricinus TPEs thus conferred a strong immune response in calves and significantly reduced the feeding success of both nymphs and adults. In vitro feeding of serum or blood collected from vaccinated animals to ticks did not affect tick feeding, indicating that antibodies alone were not responsible for the observed vaccine immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Knorr
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Juan Anguita
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Derio, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Julen T Cortazar
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Derio, Spain
| | - Ondrej Hajdusek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Jos J Trentelman
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Olivia Kershaw
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ard M Nijhof
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Perner J, Kropáčková S, Kopáček P, Ribeiro JMC. Sialome diversity of ticks revealed by RNAseq of single tick salivary glands. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006410. [PMID: 29652888 PMCID: PMC5919021 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks salivate while feeding on their hosts. Saliva helps blood feeding through host anti-hemostatic and immunomodulatory components. Previous transcriptomic and proteomic studies revealed the complexity of tick saliva, comprising hundreds of polypeptides grouped in several multi-genic families such as lipocalins, Kunitz-domain containing peptides, metalloproteases, basic tail secreted proteins, and several other families uniquely found in ticks. These studies also revealed that the composition of saliva changes with time; expression of transcripts from the same family wax and wane as a function of feeding time. Here, we examined whether host immune factors could influence sialome switching by comparing sialomes of ticks fed naturally on a rabbit, to ticks artificially fed on defibrinated blood depleted of immune components. Previous studies were based on transcriptomes derived from pools of several individuals. To get an insight into the uniqueness of tick sialomes, we performed transcriptomic analyses of single salivary glands dissected from individual adult female I. ricinus ticks. Multivariate analysis identified 1,279 contigs differentially expressed as a function of time and/or feeding mode. Cluster analysis of these contigs revealed nine clusters of differentially expressed genes, four of which appeared consistently across several replicates, but five clusters were idiosyncratic, pointing to the uniqueness of sialomes in individual ticks. The disclosure of tick quantum sialomes reveals the unique salivary composition produced by individual ticks as they switch their sialomes throughout the blood meal, a possible mechanism of immune evasion. In this work, we confirm previous reports that the repertoire of tick salivary gland transcripts changes as a function of time, but in addition, we now identify transcripts that change their levels according to the mode of feeding of ticks. Implementation of membrane feeding allowed us to feed ticks on an immune-deficient diet and identify transcripts that are subject to immunity-stimulated expression. Such identification may help to prioritise selection of salivary gland transcripts for further investigation. One novelty of this work was creating cDNA libraries from a single pair of salivary glands, which helped to gain insight into sialomic diversity at the single tick level. We observed that ticks express a battery of genes in defined clusters as feeding progresses (over tested replicates), but also individual ticks were found to express idiosyncratic clusters of genes. Such a biological phenomenon may imply novel tick mechanisms for evading host-mediated recognition of tick antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Sára Kropáčková
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- * E-mail: (JMCR); (PK)
| | - José M. C. Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda MD, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JMCR); (PK)
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15
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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 Biochem Mol Biol 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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16
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Urbanová V, Hajdušek O, Šíma R, Franta Z, Hönig-Mondeková H, Grunclová L, Bartošová-Sojková P, Jalovecká M, Kopáček P. IrC2/Bf - A yeast and Borrelia responsive component of the complement system from the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. Dev Comp Immunol 2018; 79:86-94. [PMID: 29061482 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ticks possess components of a primordial complement system that presumably play a role in the interaction of the tick immune system with tick-borne pathogens and affect their transmission. Here we characterized a novel complement component, tagged as IrC2/Bf, from the hard tick Ixodes ricinus, the principal vector of Lyme disease in Europe. IrC2/Bf is a multi-domain molecule composed of 5-7 CCP modules, varied by alternative splicing, followed by a von Willebrand factor A domain and a C-terminal trypsin-like domain. The primary structure and molecular architecture of IrC2/Bf displays the closest homology to the C3-complement component convertases described in horseshoe crabs. The irc2/bf gene is mainly expressed in the tick fat body associated with the trachea and, as determined by western blotting, the protein is present in low amounts in tick hemolymph. Expression of irc2/bf mRNA was significantly up-regulated in response to the intra-hemocoelic injection of the yeast Candida albicans and all tested Borrelia sp. strains (B. burgdorferi NE5264, B. burgdorferi CB26, B. garinii MSLB, B. afzelii CB43), but was not affected by injection of model Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria or the aseptic injection control. In-line with these results, RNAi-mediated silencing of irc2/bf inhibited phagocytosis of B. afzelii and C. albicans but not the other bacteria. Tissue expression profiles, specific responses to microbial challenges, and patterns of phagocytic phenotypes upon RNAi silencing observed for IrC2/Bf match well with the previously reported characteristics of I. ricinus C3-related molecule 1 (IrC3-1). Therefore we presume that IrC2/Bf functions as a convertase in the same complement activation pathway protecting ticks against yeast and Borrelia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Franta
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Hönig-Mondeková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Grunclová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Bartošová-Sojková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Jalovecká
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic.
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Hánová I, Brynda J, Houštecká R, Alam N, Sojka D, Kopáček P, Marešová L, Vondrášek J, Horn M, Schueler-Furman O, Mareš M. Novel Structural Mechanism of Allosteric Regulation of Aspartic Peptidases via an Evolutionarily Conserved Exosite. Cell Chem Biol 2018; 25:318-329.e4. [PMID: 29396291 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pepsin-family aspartic peptidases are biosynthesized as inactive zymogens in which the propeptide blocks the active site until its proteolytic removal upon enzyme activation. Here, we describe a novel dual regulatory function for the propeptide using a set of crystal structures of the parasite cathepsin D IrCD1. In the IrCD1 zymogen, intramolecular autoinhibition by the intact propeptide is mediated by an evolutionarily conserved exosite on the enzyme core. After activation, the mature enzyme employs the same exosite to rebind a small fragment derived from the cleaved propeptide. This fragment functions as an effective natural inhibitor of mature IrCD1 that operates in a pH-dependent manner through a unique allosteric inhibition mechanism. The study uncovers the propeptide-binding exosite as a target for the regulation of pepsin-family aspartic peptidases and defines the structural requirements for exosite inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Hánová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12840 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Brynda
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Houštecká
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12108 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nawsad Alam
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Biomedical Research IMRIC, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Marešová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Vondrášek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ora Schueler-Furman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Biomedical Research IMRIC, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic.
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18
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Hartmann D, Šíma R, Konvičková J, Perner J, Kopáček P, Sojka D. Multiple legumain isoenzymes in ticks. Int J Parasitol 2017; 48:167-178. [PMID: 29113783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
By searching nucleotide databases for the North American Lyme disease vector, Ixodes scapularis, we have complemented the previously characterized European Ixodes ricinus legumain IrAE1 with a full set of nine analogous genes (isae1-9). Six of these were PCR confirmed as genes present in all tick genomes tested. The absolute mRNA copy number examined by quantitative (q)PCR enabled expression profiling and an absolute comparison of mRNA levels for individual I. scapularis (Is)AEs in tick tissues. Four IsAEs (1, 2, 4, 9) were expressed solely in the gut and thus are proposed to be involved in host blood digestion. Expression qPCR profiling over developmental stages confirmed IsAE1, the direct analogue of previously characterized I. ricinus IrAE1, as the principle legumain transcript in partially engorged females, and demonstrated its strong regulation by on-host feeding in larvae, nymphs and females. In contrast, IsAE2 was the predominant gut legumain in unfed nymphs, unfed females and males. In-silico, IsAE1 and IsAE2 protein three-dimensional structural models displayed minimal differences in overall proenzyme structures, even in comparison with recently resolved crystal structures of mammalian prolegumain. Three functional studies were performed in I. ricinus with IsAE1/IsAE2 analogues: double IrAE1/IrAE2 RNA interference silencing, feeding of ticks on IrAE1+IrAE2 immunized hosts and in vitro membrane tick feeding on blood containing a legumain-specific inhibitor. The latter experiment led to reduced weights of fully engorged ticks and limited oviposition, and indicated the potential of legumain inhibitors for novel anti-tick interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hartmann
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Konvičková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic.
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Zavašnik-Bergant T, Vidmar R, Sekirnik A, Fonović M, Salát J, Grunclová L, Kopáček P, Turk B. Salivary Tick Cystatin OmC2 Targets Lysosomal Cathepsins S and C in Human Dendritic Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:288. [PMID: 28713775 PMCID: PMC5492865 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To ensure successful feeding tick saliva contains a number of inhibitory proteins that interfere with the host immune response and help to create a permissive environment for pathogen transmission. Among the potential targets of the salivary cystatins are two host cysteine proteases, cathepsin S, which is essential for antigen- and invariant chain-processing, and cathepsin C (dipeptidyl peptidase 1, DPP1), which plays a critical role in processing and activation of the granule serine proteases. Here, the effect of salivary cystatin OmC2 from Ornithodoros moubata was studied using differentiated MUTZ-3 cells as a model of immature dendritic cells of the host skin. Following internalization, cystatin OmC2 was initially found to inhibit the activity of several cysteine cathepsins, as indicated by the decreased rates of degradation of fluorogenic peptide substrates. To identify targets, affinity chromatography was used to isolate His-tagged cystatin OmC2 together with the bound proteins from MUTZ-3 cells. Cathepsins S and C were identified in these complexes by mass spectrometry and confirmed by immunoblotting. Furthermore, reduced increase in the surface expression of MHC II and CD86, which are associated with the maturation of dendritic cells, was observed. In contrast, human inhibitor cystatin C, which is normally expressed and secreted by dendritic cells, did not affect the expression of CD86. It is proposed that internalization of salivary cystatin OmC2 by the host dendritic cells targets cathepsins S and C, thereby affecting their maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Zavašnik-Bergant
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan InstituteLjubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Vidmar
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan InstituteLjubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Sekirnik
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan InstituteLjubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Fonović
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan InstituteLjubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jiří Salát
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of SciencesČeské Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Lenka Grunclová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of SciencesČeské Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of SciencesČeské Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Boris Turk
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan InstituteLjubljana, Slovenia.,Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of ProteinsLjubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of LjubljanaLjubljana, Slovenia
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20
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Urbanová V, Hajdušek O, Hönig Mondeková H, Šíma R, Kopáček P. Tick Thioester-Containing Proteins and Phagocytosis Do Not Affect Transmission of Borrelia afzelii from the Competent Vector Ixodes ricinus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:73. [PMID: 28361038 PMCID: PMC5352706 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The present concept of the transmission of Lyme disease from Borrelia-infected Ixodes sp. ticks to the naïve host assumes that a low number of spirochetes that manage to penetrate the midgut epithelium migrate through the hemocoel to the salivary glands and subsequently infect the host with the aid of immunomodulatory compounds present in tick saliva. Therefore, humoral and/or cellular immune reactions within the tick hemocoel may play an important role in tick competence to act as a vector for borreliosis. To test this hypothesis we have examined complement-like reactions in the hemolymph of the hard tick Ixodes ricinus against Borrelia afzelii (the most common vector and causative agent of Lyme disease in Europe). We demonstrate that I. ricinus hemolymph does not exhibit borreliacidal effects comparable to complement-mediated lysis of bovine sera. However, after injection of B. afzelii into the tick hemocoel, the spirochetes were efficiently phagocytosed by tick hemocytes and this cellular defense was completely eliminated by pre-injection of latex beads. As tick thioester-containing proteins (T-TEPs) are components of the tick complement system, we performed RNAi-mediated silencing of all nine genes encoding individual T-TEPs followed by in vitro phagocytosis assays. Silencing of two molecules related to the C3 complement component (IrC3-2 and IrC3-3) significantly suppressed phagocytosis of B. afzelii, while knockdown of IrTep (insect type TEP) led to its stimulation. However, RNAi-mediated silencing of T-TEPs or elimination of phagocytosis by injection of latex beads in B. afzelii-infected I. ricinus nymphs had no obvious impact on the transmission of spirochetes to naïve mice, as determined by B. afzelii infection of murine tissues following tick infestation. This result supports the concept that Borrelia spirochetes are capable of avoiding complement-related reactions within the hemocoel of ticks competent to transmit Lyme disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Urbanová
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Helena Hönig Mondeková
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Radek Šíma
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
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21
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22
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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23
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24
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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25
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Schetters T, Bishop R, Crampton M, Kopáček P, Lew-Tabor A, Maritz-Olivier C, Miller R, Mosqueda J, Patarroyo J, Rodriguez-Valle M, Scoles GA, de la Fuente J. Cattle tick vaccine researchers join forces in CATVAC. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:105. [PMID: 26911668 PMCID: PMC4766707 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1386-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A meeting sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was held at the Avanti Hotel, Mohammedia, Morocco, July 14–15, 2015. The meeting resulted in the formation of the Cattle Tick Vaccine Consortium (CATVAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Theo Schetters
- ProtActivity R&D, Cuijk, The Netherlands. .,ClinVet International, Bloemfontein, South-Africa.
| | - Richard Bishop
- Tick Unit, International Livestock Research Institute ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Michael Crampton
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, Gauteng, South-Africa.
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Alicja Lew-Tabor
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia. .,Murdoch University, Centre for Comparative Genomics, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Christine Maritz-Olivier
- The Genomics Research Institute, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South-Africa.
| | - Robert Miller
- Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Edinburg, TX, USA.
| | - Juan Mosqueda
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Queretaro, Queretaro, Mexico.
| | | | - Manuel Rodriguez-Valle
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | - Glen A Scoles
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
| | - José 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.
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26
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Sojka D, Pytelková J, Perner J, Horn M, Konvičková J, Schrenková J, Mareš M, Kopáček P. Multienzyme degradation of host serum albumin in ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 7:604-13. [PMID: 26724897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Host blood proteins, represented mainly by hemoglobin and serum albumin, serve as the ultimate source of amino acids needed for de novo protein synthesis during tick development and reproduction. While uptake and processing of hemoglobin by tick gut cells have been studied in detail, molecular mechanisms of host serum albumin degradation remain unknown. In this work, we have used artificial membrane feeding of Ixodes ricinus females on a hemoglobin-free diet in order to characterize the proteolytic machinery involved in albuminolysis. Morphological comparisons of ticks fed on whole blood (BF) and serum (SF) at microscopic and ultrastructural levels showed that albumin and hemoglobin have different trafficking routes in tick gut cells. Analysis in vitro with selective inhibitors demonstrated that albumin is degraded at an acidic pH by a network of cysteine and aspartic peptidases with predominant involvement of cysteine cathepsins having endo- and exopeptidase activities. The cleavage map of albumin and the roles of individual peptidases in albumin degradation were determined. These results indicate that the albuminolytic pathway is controlled by the same proteolytic system that is responsible for hemoglobinolysis. This was further supported by the overall similarity of gut peptidase profiles in SF and BF ticks at the transcriptional and enzymatic activity levels. In conclusion, our work provides evidence that although hemoglobin and albumin are transported differentially during heterophagy they are digested by a common multienzyme proteolytic network. This central digestive system, critical for successful blood feeding in tick females, thus represents a valuable target for novel anti-tick interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 373 11 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Pytelková
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 373 11 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 373 11 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Konvičková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 373 11 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 373 11 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Schrenková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 373 11 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 373 11 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 373 11 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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27
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Ayllón N, Naranjo V, Hajdušek O, Villar M, Galindo RC, Kocan KM, Alberdi P, Šíma R, Cabezas-Cruz A, Rückert C, Bell-Sakyi L, Kazimírová M, Havlíková S, Klempa B, Kopáček P, de la Fuente J. Nuclease Tudor-SN Is Involved in Tick dsRNA-Mediated RNA Interference and Feeding but Not in Defense against Flaviviral or Anaplasma phagocytophilum Rickettsial Infection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0133038. [PMID: 26186700 PMCID: PMC4506139 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tudor staphylococcal nuclease (Tudor-SN) and Argonaute (Ago) are conserved components of the basic RNA interference (RNAi) machinery with a variety of functions including immune response and gene regulation. The RNAi machinery has been characterized in tick vectors of human and animal diseases but information is not available on the role of Tudor-SN in tick RNAi and other cellular processes. Our hypothesis is that tick Tudor-SN is part of the RNAi machinery and may be involved in innate immune response and other cellular processes. To address this hypothesis, Ixodes scapularis and I. ricinus ticks and/or cell lines were used to annotate and characterize the role of Tudor-SN in dsRNA-mediated RNAi, immune response to infection with the rickettsia Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the flaviviruses TBEV or LGTV and tick feeding. The results showed that Tudor-SN is conserved in ticks and involved in dsRNA-mediated RNAi and tick feeding but not in defense against infection with the examined viral and rickettsial pathogens. The effect of Tudor-SN gene knockdown on tick feeding could be due to down-regulation of genes that are required for protein processing and blood digestion through a mechanism that may involve selective degradation of dsRNAs enriched in G:U pairs that form as a result of adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing. These results demonstrated that Tudor-SN plays a role in tick RNAi pathway and feeding but no strong evidence for a role in innate immune responses to pathogen infection was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Ayllón
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Victoria Naranjo
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Ondrej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, The Czech Republic
| | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ruth C. Galindo
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Katherine M. Kocan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Pilar Alberdi
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, The Czech Republic
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille (CIIL), INSERM U1019 –CNRS UMR 8204, Université Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Claudia Rückert
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, United Kingdom
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, United Kingdom
| | - Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84506, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Sabína Havlíková
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84505, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Boris Klempa
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84505, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, The Czech Republic
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Kotsyfakis M, Kopáček P, Franta Z, Pedra JHF, Ribeiro JMC. Deep Sequencing Analysis of the Ixodes ricinus Haemocytome. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003754. [PMID: 25970599 PMCID: PMC4430169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes ricinus is the main tick vector of the microbes that cause Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis in Europe. Pathogens transmitted by ticks have to overcome innate immunity barriers present in tick tissues, including midgut, salivary glands epithelia and the hemocoel. Molecularly, invertebrate immunity is initiated when pathogen recognition molecules trigger serum or cellular signalling cascades leading to the production of antimicrobials, pathogen opsonization and phagocytosis. We presently aimed at identifying hemocyte transcripts from semi-engorged female I. ricinus ticks by mass sequencing a hemocyte cDNA library and annotating immune-related transcripts based on their hemocyte abundance as well as their ubiquitous distribution. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS De novo assembly of 926,596 pyrosequence reads plus 49,328,982 Illumina reads (148 nt length) from a hemocyte library, together with over 189 million Illumina reads from salivary gland and midgut libraries, generated 15,716 extracted coding sequences (CDS); these are displayed in an annotated hyperlinked spreadsheet format. Read mapping allowed the identification and annotation of tissue-enriched transcripts. A total of 327 transcripts were found significantly over expressed in the hemocyte libraries, including those coding for scavenger receptors, antimicrobial peptides, pathogen recognition proteins, proteases and protease inhibitors. Vitellogenin and lipid metabolism transcription enrichment suggests fat body components. We additionally annotated ubiquitously distributed transcripts associated with immune function, including immune-associated signal transduction proteins and transcription factors, including the STAT transcription factor. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This is the first systems biology approach to describe the genes expressed in the haemocytes of this neglected disease vector. A total of 2,860 coding sequences were deposited to GenBank, increasing to 27,547 the number so far deposited by our previous transcriptome studies that serves as a discovery platform for studies with I. ricinus biochemistry and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Kotsyfakis
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Budweis, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Budweis, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Franta
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Budweis, Czech Republic
| | - Joao H. F. Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - José M. C. Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
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Ayllón N, Villar M, Galindo RC, Kocan KM, Šíma R, López JA, Vázquez J, Alberdi P, Cabezas-Cruz A, Kopáček P, de la Fuente J. Systems biology of tissue-specific response to Anaplasma phagocytophilum reveals differentiated apoptosis in the tick vector Ixodes scapularis. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005120. [PMID: 25815810 PMCID: PMC4376793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging pathogen that causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Infection with this zoonotic pathogen affects cell function in both vertebrate host and the tick vector, Ixodes scapularis. Global tissue-specific response and apoptosis signaling pathways were characterized in I. scapularis nymphs and adult female midguts and salivary glands infected with A. phagocytophilum using a systems biology approach combining transcriptomics and proteomics. Apoptosis was selected for pathway-focused analysis due to its role in bacterial infection of tick cells. The results showed tissue-specific differences in tick response to infection and revealed differentiated regulation of apoptosis pathways. The impact of bacterial infection was more pronounced in tick nymphs and midguts than in salivary glands, probably reflecting bacterial developmental cycle. All apoptosis pathways described in other organisms were identified in I. scapularis, except for the absence of the Perforin ortholog. Functional characterization using RNA interference showed that Porin knockdown significantly increases tick colonization by A. phagocytophilum. Infection with A. phagocytophilum produced complex tissue-specific alterations in transcript and protein levels. In tick nymphs, the results suggested a possible effect of bacterial infection on the inhibition of tick immune response. In tick midguts, the results suggested that A. phagocytophilum infection inhibited cell apoptosis to facilitate and establish infection through up-regulation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Bacterial infection inhibited the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in tick salivary glands by down-regulating Porin expression that resulted in the inhibition of Cytochrome c release as the anti-apoptotic mechanism to facilitate bacterial infection. However, tick salivary glands may promote apoptosis to limit bacterial infection through induction of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. These dynamic changes in response to A. phagocytophilum in I. scapularis tissue-specific transcriptome and proteome demonstrated the complexity of the tick response to infection and will contribute to characterize gene regulation in ticks. The continuous human exploitation of environmental resources and the increase in human outdoor activities, which have allowed for the contact with arthropod vectors normally present in the field, has promoted the emergence and resurgence of vector-borne pathogens. Among these, Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging bacterial pathogen transmitted to humans and other vertebrate hosts by ticks as they take a blood meal that causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis in the United States, Europe and Asia, with increasing numbers of affected people every year. Tick response to pathogen infection has been only partially characterized. In this study, global tissue-specific response and apoptosis signaling pathways were characterized in tick nymphs and adult female midguts and salivary glands infected with A. phagocytophilum using a systems biology approach combining transcriptomics and proteomics. The results demonstrated dramatic and complex tissue-specific response to A. phagocytophilum in the tick vector Ixodes scapularis, which reflected pathogen developmental cycle and the impact on tick apoptosis pathways. These dynamic changes in response to A. phagocytophilum in I. scapularis tissue-specific transcriptome and proteome demonstrated the complexity of the tick response to infection and contributes information on tick-pathogen interactions and for development of novel control strategies for pathogen infection and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Ayllón
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ruth C. Galindo
- 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, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Katherine M. Kocan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, The Czech Republic
| | - Juan A. López
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Vázquez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Alberdi
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille (CIIL), Université Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, The Czech Republic
| | - José 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, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Urbanová V, Šíma R, Šauman I, Hajdušek O, Kopáček P. Thioester-containing proteins of the tick Ixodes ricinus: gene expression, response to microbial challenge and their role in phagocytosis of the yeast Candida albicans. Dev Comp Immunol 2015; 48:55-64. [PMID: 25224405 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The ability of ticks to act as vectors for a wide range of serious human and animal infectious diseases is apparently linked to the insufficiency of the tick immune system to effectively eliminate pathogens they transmit. At the tick-pathogen interface, an important role is presumably played by components of an ancient complement system that includes a repertoire of thioester-containing proteins (TEPs), which in Ixodes sp. comprises three α2-macroglobulins (A2M), three C3 complement component-related molecules (C3), two macroglobulin complement-related (Mcr) and one insect-type TEPs (Tep). In order to assess the function of TEPs in tick immunity, a quantitative real-time PCR expression analysis of tick TEPs was performed at various developmental stages of Ixodes ricinus, and in tissues dissected from adult females. Expression of TEP genes was mostly tissue specific; IrA2M1, IrC3-1, IrC3-3 were found to be expressed in cells of tick fat body adjacent to the tracheal trunks, IrA2M2 in hemocytes, IrTep in ovaries, IrMcr1 in salivary glands and only IrA2M3, IrC3-2 and IrMcr2 mRNAs were present in multiple organs. Expression of tick TEPs was further examined in response to injection of model microbes representing Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria and yeast. The greatest expression induction was observed for IrA2M1 and IrC3-1 after challenge with the yeast Candida albicans. Phagocytosis of the yeast was strongly dependent on an active thioester bond and the subsequent silencing of individual tick TEPs by RNA interference demonstrated the involvement of IrC3-1 and IrMcr2. This result suggests the existence of a distinct complement-like pathway, different from that leading to phagocytosis of Gram-negative bacteria. Understanding of the tick immune response against model microbes should provide new concepts for investigating interactions between ticks and relevant tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre ASCR, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre ASCR, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo Šauman
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre ASCR, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre ASCR, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre ASCR, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic.
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Urbanová V, Hartmann D, Grunclová L, Šíma R, Flemming T, Hajdušek O, Kopáček P. IrFC - An Ixodes ricinus injury-responsive molecule related to Limulus Factor C. Dev Comp Immunol 2014; 46:439-447. [PMID: 24924263 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2014.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Limulus Clotting Factor C is a multi-domain serine protease that triggers horseshoe crab hemolymph clotting in the presence of trace amounts of bacterial lipopolysaccharides. Here we describe and functionally characterize an homologous molecule, designated as IrFC, from the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. Tick Factor C consists of an N-terminal cysteine-rich domain, four complement control protein (sushi) modules, an LCCL domain, a truncated C-lectin domain and a C-terminal trypsin-type domain. Developmental expression profiling by quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the irfc mRNA is expressed in all stages including eggs. In tissues dissected from adult I. ricinus females, the irfc mRNA is present mainly in tick hemocytes and accordingly, indirect immunofluorescence microscopy localized IrFC intracellularly, in tick hemocytes. Irfc mRNA levels were markedly increased upon injection of sterile saline, or different microbes, demonstrating that the irfc gene transcription occurs in response to injury. This indicates a possible role of IrFC in hemolymph clotting and/or wound healing, although these defense mechanisms have not been yet definitely demonstrated in ticks. RNAi silencing of irfc expression resulted in a significant reduction in phagocytic activity of tick hemocytes against the Gram-negative bacteria Chryseobacterium indologenes and Escherichia coli, but not against the yeast, Candida albicans. This result suggests that IrFC plays a role in the tick primordial complement system and as such possibly mediates transmission of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - David Hartmann
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Grunclová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Tina Flemming
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic.
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Sprong H, Trentelman J, Seemann I, Grubhoffer L, Rego ROM, Hajdušek O, Kopáček P, Šíma R, Nijhof AM, Anguita J, Winter P, Rotter B, Havlíková S, Klempa B, Schetters TP, Hovius JWR. ANTIDotE: anti-tick vaccines to prevent tick-borne diseases in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:77. [PMID: 24559082 PMCID: PMC3933510 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus transmits bacterial, protozoal and viral pathogens, causing disease and forming an increasing health concern in Europe. ANTIDotE is an European Commission funded consortium of seven institutes, which aims to identify and characterize tick proteins involved in feeding and pathogen transmission. The knowledge gained will be used to develop and evaluate anti-tick vaccines that may prevent multiple human tick-borne diseases. Strategies encompassing anti-tick vaccines to prevent transmission of pathogens to humans, animals or wildlife will be developed with relevant stakeholders with the ultimate aim of reducing the incidence of tick-borne diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hein Sprong
- The National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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Hajdušek O, Síma R, Ayllón N, Jalovecká M, Perner J, de la Fuente J, Kopáček P. Interaction of the tick immune system with transmitted pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2013; 3:26. [PMID: 23875177 PMCID: PMC3712896 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2013.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous arachnids transmitting a wide variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, and protozoans to their vertebrate hosts. The tick vector competence has to be intimately linked to the ability of transmitted pathogens to evade tick defense mechanisms encountered on their route through the tick body comprising midgut, hemolymph, salivary glands or ovaries. Tick innate immunity is, like in other invertebrates, based on an orchestrated action of humoral and cellular immune responses. The direct antimicrobial defense in ticks is accomplished by a variety of small molecules such as defensins, lysozymes or by tick-specific antimicrobial compounds such as microplusin/hebraein or 5.3-kDa family proteins. Phagocytosis of the invading microbes by tick hemocytes is likely mediated by the primordial complement-like system composed of thioester-containing proteins, fibrinogen-related lectins and convertase-like factors. Moreover, an important role in survival of the ingested microbes seems to be played by host proteins and redox balance maintenance in the tick midgut. Here, we summarize recent knowledge about the major components of tick immune system and focus on their interaction with the relevant tick-transmitted pathogens, represented by spirochetes (Borrelia), rickettsiae (Anaplasma), and protozoans (Babesia). Availability of the tick genomic database and feasibility of functional genomics based on RNA interference greatly contribute to the understanding of molecular and cellular interplay at the tick-pathogen interface and may provide new targets for blocking the transmission of tick pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Hajdušek
- Biological Centre ASCR, Institute of Parasitology České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Sojka D, Franta Z, Horn M, Caffrey CR, Mareš M, Kopáček P. New insights into the machinery of blood digestion by ticks. Trends Parasitol 2013; 29:276-85. [PMID: 23664173 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2013.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 04/06/2013] [Accepted: 04/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Blood-protein digestion is a key physiological process providing essential nutrients for ticks and is a prerequisite for the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. Recently, substantial progress has been made in determining the proteolytic machinery in tick gut tissue, which is based on a dynamic multienzyme network capable of processing a vast amount of host blood. In this article we summarize our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of tick hematophagy and their similarities to those of Platyhelminthes, nematodes, and Plasmodium. Future research perspectives, including the potential for rational control of ticks and transmitted diseases, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sojka
- 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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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: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Ovat A, Muindi F, Fagan C, Brouner M, Hansell E, Dvořák J, Sojka D, Kopáček P, McKerrow JH, Caffrey CR, Powers JC. Aza-Peptidyl Michael Acceptor and Epoxide Inhibitors—Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni and Ixodes ricinus Legumains (Asparaginyl Endopeptidases). J Med Chem 2009; 52:7192-210. [DOI: 10.1021/jm900849h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asli Ovat
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400
| | - Fanuel Muindi
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400
| | - Crystal Fagan
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400
| | - Michelle Brouner
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400
| | - Elizabeth Hansell
- Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Jan Dvořák
- Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - James C. Powers
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400
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Götz MG, James KE, Hansell E, Dvořák J, Seshaadri A, Sojka D, Kopáček P, McKerrow JH, Caffrey CR, Powers JC. Aza-peptidyl Michael Acceptors. A New Class of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Asparaginyl Endopeptidases (Legumains) from Evolutionarily Diverse Pathogens. J Med Chem 2008; 51:2816-32. [DOI: 10.1021/jm701311r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marion G. Götz
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, and Department of Chemistry, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla
| | - Karen Ellis James
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, and Department of Chemistry, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla
| | - Elizabeth Hansell
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, and Department of Chemistry, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla
| | - Jan Dvořák
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, and Department of Chemistry, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla
| | - Amritha Seshaadri
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, and Department of Chemistry, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla
| | - Daniel Sojka
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, and Department of Chemistry, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla
| | - Petr Kopáček
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, and Department of Chemistry, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla
| | - James H. McKerrow
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, and Department of Chemistry, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, and Department of Chemistry, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla
| | - James C. Powers
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Petit Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, and Department of Chemistry, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Loosová G, Jindrák L, Kopáček P. Mortality caused by experimental infection with the yeast Candida haemulonii in the adults of Ornithodoros moubata (Acarina: Argasidae). Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2001. [DOI: 10.14411/fp.2001.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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