Genetic diversity of Salp15 in the Ixodes ricinus complex (Acari: Ixodidae).
Salp15, a 15-kDa tick salivary gland protein, is both essential for ticks to successfully obtain host blood and also facilitates transmission of Lyme borreliosis. To determine whether the Salp15 gene is expressed in Ixodes persulcatus and Ixodes sinensis, principle vectors of Lyme borreliosis in China, we studied transcriptions of this gene in semi-engorged larvae, nymph and adults of these two species. A total of eight Salp15 homologues, five in I. persulcatus and three in I. sinensis, were identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Interestingly, the intra-species similarity of Salp15 is approximately equal to its interspecies similarity and more than one Salp15 protein is expressed in a certain tick developmental stage. Comparison of DNA and proteins with other available tick Salp15 homologues suggests that the Salp15 superfamily is genetically conserved and diverse in the Ixodes ricinus complex. These findings indicate that Salp15 proteins in the I. ricinus complex may play an essential role in interacting with the host immune system and transmission of Borrelia genospecies.
State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China; Wenzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wenzhou, P. R. China.
Xin
X
Wang
State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.
Yong
Y
Huang
State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, P. R. China.
Si-bo
SB
Niu
State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.
Bao-Gui
BG
Jiang
State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.
Na
N
Jia
Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Section Population Ecology, The University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Leo
L
van der Geest
State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.
Xue-bing
XB
Ni
State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China; Wenzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wenzhou, P. R. China.
Yi
Y
Sun
State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.
Wu-Chun
WC
Cao
D000818:Animals; D014644:Genetic Variation; D018884:Ixodes / Q000235:genetics*; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000635:transmission*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000235:genetics*
D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; C464566:Salp15 protein, Ixodes scapularis