title: Comparison of synganglion neuropeptides, neuropeptide receptors and neurotransmitter receptors and their gene expression in response to feeding in Ixodes scapularis (Ixodidae) vs. Ornithodoros turicata (Argasidae).
abstract: Illumina GAII high-throughput sequencing was used to compare expressed genes for female synganglion neuropeptides, neuropeptide receptors and neurotransmitter receptors of the soft tick Ornithodoros turicata with the hard tick Ixodes scapularis. Gene ontology molecular level three mapping revealed no significant differences amongst the same categories represented in O. turicata and I. scapularis. Transcripts predicting 22 neuropeptides or their receptors in the O. turicata synganglion were similar to annotations for 23 neuropeptides or receptors previously identified from I scapularis, with minor exceptions. A transcript predicting ecdysis triggering hormone receptor was identified in O. turicata; transcripts encoding for proprotein convertase and glycoprotein B were identified in both species. Transcripts predicting the same neurotransmitter receptors were found in the synganglion of both species. Gene expression of the transcripts showed numerous differences in response to feeding. Major differences were observed in expression of genes believed important in regulating slow vs. rapid feeding, blood water elimination, cuticle synthesis plasticity and in signalling reproductive activity. Although the glutamate receptor was strongly upregulated in both species, the gamma aminobutyric acid receptor, which inhibits glutamate, was upregulated significantly only in I. scapularis. These differences are consistent with the slow vs. rapid action of the pharyngeal pump in the two species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Egekwu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Sonenshine
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Garman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Barshis
authors.affiliation: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.affiliation: Tyra Tech, R&D, Repellents & Animal Health, Morrisville, NC, USA.
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Bissinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: M Roe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004231:Diuresis; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D045888:Ganglion Cysts / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D063990:Gene Ontology; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018884:Ixodes / Q000378:metabolism*; D018978:Molting; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D026861:Ornithodoros / Q000378:metabolism*; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000378:metabolism*; D012098:Reproduction; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide
keywords: Illumina; blood feeding; gene expression; gene ontology; neuropeptide receptors; neuropeptides; neurotransmitters; quantitative PCR; synganglion; transcriptomics