title: Characterization of glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase from the ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, and its critical role in host blood feeding.
abstract: Glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (GFAT, EC2.6.1.16) is the first, and rate-limiting, enzyme in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway, and is involved in the regulation of chitin biosynthesis and glycosylation of proteins. We report here the molecular characterization and potential functions of a novel GFAT (HlGFAT) from the ixodid tick Haemaphysalis longicornis. HlGFAT consists of 696 amino acids, possesses a class II glutamine aminotransferase domain and two sugar isomerase motifs, and has a close phylogenetic relationship to insect GFAT. HlGFAT was expressed at all stages of development and in multiple organs. The transcription levels in the cuticle and midgut were enhanced significantly by blood feeding during the first 3 days and decreased on the fifth day, while those in salivary glands maintained almost the same level during the first 3 days, and decreased to a rather low level at 5 days postinfestation. Endogenous HlGFAT was identified at all developmental stages and in multiple organs, such as epidermis, midgut epithelium, salivary gland, ovary, Malpigian's tubule and trachea. It was identified as a protein of 78.4 kDa using Western blot analysis. Following RNA interference of HlGFAT, engorgement by adult females was reduced significantly. One of the potential mechanisms for this effect may be that the inhibition of HlGFAT limits chitin biosynthesis, so disrupting cuticle growth and possibly peritrophic matrix formation during blood feeding.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture Research Organization, 3-1-5, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan.
authors.forename: Xiaohong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Naotoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Takeharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyoshi
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motobu
authors.forename: M Khyrul
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: M Abdul
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alim
authors.forename: Kozo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujisaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D020868:Gene Silencing; D005945:Glutamine-Fructose-6-Phosphate Transaminase (Isomerizing) / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D013987:Ticks / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005945:Glutamine-Fructose-6-Phosphate Transaminase (Isomerizing)