Molecular characterization and tissue-specific gene expression of Dermacentor variabilis      α-catenin in response to rickettsial infection.
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 α-catenin (Dvα-catenin) was previously identified as differentially regulated in ovaries of ticks chronically infected with Rickettsia montanensis. To begin characterizing the role(s) of Dvα-catenin during rickettsial infection, the full-length Dvα-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 scapularisα-catenin. A portion of Dvα-catenin is homologous to the vinculin-conserved domain containing a putative actin-binding region and β-catenin-binding and -dimerization regions. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR analysis demonstrated that Dvα-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 Dvα-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.
Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
P
P
Sunyakumthorn
N
N
Petchampai
M T
MT
Kearney
D E
DE
Sonenshine
Kevin R
KR
Macaluso
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001179:Arthropod Vectors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003870:Dermacentor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000502:physiology*; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000635:transmission; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D051178:alpha Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051178:alpha Catenin