Uptake and incorporation of sialic acid by the tick Ixodes ricinus.
We describe the detection of sialylated N-linked glycans in partially fed Ixodes ricinus tick females using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Sialylated glycans were detected in salivary glands as well as in tick guts and we propose the host origin of these structures. In addition, we mapped the transport of sialylated structures from the blood meal through the gut to the salivary glands using electron microscopy. Specific localization of sialylated glycans to basement membranes of salivary glands was observed. Finally, the influence of the sample preparation methods for electron microscopy on ultrastructure and immunogold labeling was evaluated.
Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the ASCR, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. vancova@paru.cas.cz
Marie
M
Vancova
Jan
J
Sterba
Jarmila
J
Dupejova
Zuzana
Z
Simonova
Jana
J
Nebesarova
Milos V
MV
Novotny
Libor
L
Grubhoffer
D000818:Animals; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018884:Ixodes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008317:Malpighian Tubules / Q000378:metabolism; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
D000939:Epitopes; D011134:Polysaccharides; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid