Molecular characterization and tissue-specific gene expression of Dermacentor variabilis a-catenin in response to rickettsial infection

作者：Sunyakumthorn P; Petchampai N; Kearney M T; Sonenshine D E; Macaluso K R^*

来源：Insect Molecular Biology, 2012, 21(2): 197-204.

DOI：10.1111/j.1365-2583.2011.01126.x

• Dermacentor variabilis
• Rickettsia montanensis
• Rickettsia amblyommii
• a-catenin

Alpha catenin is a cytoskeleton protein that acts as a regulator of actin rearrangement by forming an E-cadherin adhesion complex. In Dermacentor variabilis, a putative a-catenin (Dva-catenin) was previously identified as differentially regulated in ovaries of ticks chronically infected with Rickettsia montanensis. To begin characterizing the role(s) of Dva-catenin during rickettsial infection, the full-length Dva-catenin cDNA was cloned and analysed. Comparative sequence analysis demonstrates a 3069-bp cDNA with a 2718-bp open reading frame with a sequence similar to Ixodes scapularisa-catenin. A portion of Dva-catenin is homologous to the vinculin-conserved domain containing a putative actin-binding region and beta-catenin-binding and -dimerization regions. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR analysis demonstrated that Dva-catenin is predominantly expressed in tick ovaries and is responsive to tick feeding. The tissue-specific gene expression analysis of ticks exposed to Rickettsia demonstrates that Dva-catenin expression was significantly downregulated 12 h after exposure to R. montanensis, but not in Rickettsia amblyommii-exposed ovaries, compared with Rickettsia-unexposed ticks. Studying tick-derived molecules associated with rickettsial infection will provide a better understanding of the transmission dynamics of tick-borne rickettsial diseases.

• 出版日期2012-4