Mating, male Ixodes scapularis express several genes including those with sequence similarity to immunoglobulin-binding proteins and metalloproteases.
We created a cDNA library from mating, male Ixodes scapularis ticks and screened the library with a subtracted probe to eliminate genes common to feeding female and mating male I. scapularis ticks. A total of seven unique cDNAs were identified in this screen. One cDNA had sequence similarity to the IGBP-MC gene from Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, and another cDNA potentially encodes a protein with similarity to metalloproteases. RT-PCR, using RNA isolated from male and female I. scapularis ticks, confirmed that these genes are expressed in male, but not female ticks. The remaining five cDNAs did not match any sequences in the GenBank database.
Packila
Mark
M
Biology Department, Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Dr., NE, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA.
Guilfoile
Patrick G
PG
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D015723:Gene Library; D018884:Ixodes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
D015342:DNA Probes; D008222:Lymphokines; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; C043076:beta-microseminoprotein; C013059:immunoglobulin-binding factors; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases