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Molecular characterization and tissue‐specific gene expression of Dermacentor variabilis α‐catenin in response to rickettsial infection
Author(s) -
Sunyakumthorn P.,
Petchampai N.,
Kearney M. T.,
Sonenshine D. E.,
Macaluso K. R.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
insect molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.955
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2583
pISSN - 0962-1075
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2011.01126.x
Subject(s) - biology , dermacentor variabilis , spotted fever , ixodes scapularis , open reading frame , dermacentor , microbiology and biotechnology , rickettsia , gene , tick , catenin , vinculin , amblyomma americanum , ixodes , virology , genetics , wnt signaling pathway , peptide sequence , ixodidae , cytoskeleton , cell , virus
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 scapularis α‐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.