title: Gene silencing of a cubilin-related serine proteinase from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis by RNA interference.
abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) has been recently exploited to determine gene function by degrading specific mRNAs in several eukaryotic organisms. We constructed a double stranded RNA (dsRNA) from a previously cloned Haemaphysalis longicornis serine proteinase (HlSP) gene to test the importance of the function of the HlSP gene product during blood-feeding. Growth of unfed ticks treated with HlSP dsRNA was significantly inhibited compared to that of PBS-treated ticks. This inhibition was supported by the level of HlSP mRNA. HlSP may play a crucial role for blood-feeding in these ticks. This is the first report on gene silencing of a functional serine proteinase in hard ticks.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Animal Health, National Agricultural Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyoshi
authors.forename: Naotoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: M Khyrul
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Tsugihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamio
authors.forename: Kozo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujisaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology*; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases