Cloning and characterization of a male-specific defensin-like antimicrobial peptide from the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis.
A novel gene was identified from a cDNA library of the male accessory glands of Haemaphysalis longicornis. The full-length cDNA of the gene was 349bp, encoding a 79-amino acid defensin-like protein and therefore the protein was named HlMS-defensin. Reverse transcriptase-PCR results suggested that this gene was expressed exclusively in male ticks. The tissue expression pattern and the mRNA levels of HlMS-defensin during blood feeding were determined using real-time PCR. HlMS-defensin was expressed predominately in the male accessory gland and was up-regulated during blood feeding. The antimicrobial activity of a synthetic peptide based on the predicted mature portion of HlMS-defensin was examined against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. It appears that ticks use the antimicrobial peptide to protect their reproductive tracts from microbial infections. The protective role of HlMS-defensin during mating was also discussed.
Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050016, Hebei, China.
Hongyuan
H
Zheng
Lifeng
L
Zhou
Xiaolong
X
Yang
Duo
D
Wang
Jingze
J
Liu
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D023082:Defensins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005835:Genitalia / Q000378:metabolism; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011817:Rabbits; D012098:Reproduction; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023082:Defensins; D019476:Insect Proteins