Article
Infectious Diseases
Jessica Waldman, Marina Amaral Xavier, Larissa Rezende Vieira, Raquel Logullo, Gloria Regina Cardoso Braz, Lucas Tirloni, Jose Marcos C. Ribeiro, Jan A. Veenstra, Itabajara da Silva Vaz
Summary: This study investigates the synganglion, the central nervous system of ticks, and identifies numerous neuropeptides that play crucial roles in tick physiology. These neuropeptides have the potential to be targeted for drug development.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Claude Rispe, Caroline Hervet, Nathalie de la Cotte, Romain Daveu, Karine Labadie, Benjamin Noel, Jean-Marc Aury, Steeve Thany, Emiliane Taillebois, Alison Cartereau, Anais Le Mauff, Claude L. Charvet, Clement Auger, Elise Courtot, Cedric Neveu, Olivier Plantard
Summary: Ticks are a major health problem for humans and animals. This study sequenced the transcriptomes of the tick's central nervous system (synganglion) and discovered genes related to neurotransmission. Furthermore, the study cloned and reconstituted the first GABA-gated receptor of Ixodes ricinus and found tick-specific gene family expansion.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kevin B. Temeyer, Kristie G. Schlechte, Aaron D. Gross, Kimberly H. Lohmeyer
Summary: A novel cholinesterase gene from the larvae of Amblyomma americanum was identified and confirmed to be expressed in both tick synganglion and saliva. The recombinant enzyme showed high sensitivity to eserine and BW284c51, and hydrolyzed BuTCh faster than ATCh. The presence of the antigenic protein in tick saliva suggests potential roles in hydrolyzing cholinergic substrates and modulating host immune responses to tick feeding and pathogens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Xiaojuan Lu, Zhipeng Zhang, Dongqi Yuan, Yongzhi Zhou, Jie Cao, Houshuang Zhang, Itabajara da Silva Vaz Jr, Jinlin Zhou
Summary: This study identified the functional ecdysone receptor (RhEcR/RhUSP) from the salivary gland of the tick R. haemaphysaloides and explored its molecular mechanism in regulating salivary gland degeneration. The results showed that silencing of the RhEcR gene inhibited blood-feeding and engorgement in ticks, while also suppressing caspase-dependent apoptosis during salivary gland degeneration. Interaction studies in mammalian cells indicated that RhEcR1 interacts with RhUSP1 and induces caspase-dependent apoptosis.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fetta Guerrib, Caina Ning, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Sabine Rakotobe, Yoonseong Park, Ondrej Hajdusek, Jan Perner, Marie Vancova, James J. Valdes, Ladislav Simo
Summary: Salivary glands are crucial for tick feeding success and pathogen transmission. Previous studies have shown that neuropeptidergic axons innervate saliva-producing acini in Ixodes scapularis salivary glands and release different neuropeptides. One of these neuropeptides, SIFamide, along with its receptor, has been found to control the acinar valve. In this study, a second SIFamide receptor, SIFa_R2, was identified and characterized in I. scapularis salivary glands.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Khalid Boussaine, Maria Taha, Oaina Ning, Alison Cartereau, Sabine Rakotobe, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Emiliane Taillebois, Ladislav Simo, Steeve H. Thany
Summary: This study successfully isolated and recorded tick neurons from the synganglion for the first time. The results showed that acetylcholine induced inward currents and reversible increase in intracellular calcium levels. In contrast, muscarine and nicotine induced non-reversible increase in intracellular calcium levels.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL METHODS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Larissa Almeida Martins, Chaima Bensaoud, Jan Kotal, Jindrich Chmelar, Michail Kotsyfakis
Summary: The use of 'omics' technologies has allowed for the identification of numerous tick molecules involved in tick feeding and disease transmission. Deep sequencing methods have been crucial in studying disease vectors without reference genomes. Understanding the tick 'sialome' through functional analysis is important for developing strategies to prevent pathogen transmission and discovering new pharmacologically active compounds for human diseases.
PARASITE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jos J. A. Trentelman, Fons A. de Vogel, Emil Colstrup, Radek Sima, Jeroen Coumou, Joris Koetsveld, Michelle J. Klouwens, Abhijeet Nayak, Jasmin Ersoz, Diego Barriales, Julen Tomas-Cortazar, Sukanya Narasimhan, Ondrej Hajdusek, Juan Anguita, Joppe W. Hovius
Summary: Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes scapularis are important vectors for the transmission of Lyme borreliosis and other pathogens. Tick immunity, mainly directed against tick salivary gland proteins (TSGPs), partially protects against experimental Lyme borreliosis. This study identified conserved TSGPs that could serve as universal anti-tick vaccines and found that non-secreted TSGPs are involved in the development of tick immunity and could be potential anti-tick vaccine candidates.
Review
Parasitology
Shahid Karim, Juan Manuel Leyva-Castillo, Sukanya Narasimhan
Summary: Tick salivary glycans play important roles in the phenomenon of red meat allergy and acquired tick resistance.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Bo Lyu, Jingjing Li, Brigid Niemeyer, David Stanley, Qisheng Song
Summary: This study investigated Ecdysis-related neuropeptides (ERNs) in Amblyomma americanum and revealed their evolutionary relationships, protein properties, and functions. The study found that ERNs play important roles in various ecdysis-related functions and have higher expression levels in newly molted adults and synganglia. RNAi experiments suggested that some ERNs may be involved in immune-related gene expression regulation, protecting arthropods from microbial invasion during vulnerable periods.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Alexander Soohoo-Hui, Zhilin Li, L. Paulina Maldonado-Ruiz, Ganyu Zhang, Daniel R. Swale
Summary: The study reveals that dopamine, serotonin, and pilocarpine increase the secretory activity of female A. aegypti salivary gland, while octopamine or ergonovine do not. Dopamine and serotonin exposure facilitate amylase secretion, with serotonin also increasing apyrase concentrations in the secreted saliva.
JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ivan Pacheco, Eduardo Prado, Sara Artigas-Jeronimo, Jose Francisco Lima-Barbero, Gabriela de la Fuente, Sandra Antunes, Joana Couto, Ana Domingos, Margarita Villar, Jose de la Fuente
Summary: Rhipicephalus spp. ticks were studied for the elementome of their salivary glands and cement, showing potential tick/host-driven differences in element composition and nitrogen being a key component in the cement elementome. Future research should focus on understanding the functional implications of tick elementome for better understanding cement structure and function.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Karolina Martins Ferreira Menezes, Jaires Gomes de Oliveira Filho, Lorena Lopes Ferreira, Ligia Miranda Ferreira Borges
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the neuronal projection patterns of olfactory sensilla from Haller's organ to the olfactory lobes of Amblyomma sculptum adults and perform 3D reconstruction of the glomeruli. The results showed that the neuronal projections were confined to the olfactory lobes, organized into glomeruli, with males and females presenting corresponding round-shaped glomeruli. Positive correlations were observed between glomeruli volumes within and between sexes. This is the first report on the 3D reconstruction of the olfactory lobes of a tick species.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Quan T. Nguyen, Grace E. Beck Coburn, Amber Valentino, Bekir Karabucak, Marco Tizzano
Summary: A newly discovered chemosensory structure in the rear of the mandibular mucosa in mice may play a role in taste sensation and serve as a potential novel pharmacological target for taste disorders. This structure contains unorganized taste buds associated with the ducts of a minor salivary gland and expresses various taste receptors and signaling molecules, similar to other lingual and palate taste buds.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ruijie Jin, Shanbin Sun, Yang Hu, Hongfei Zhang, Xiangrong Sun
Summary: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in various physiological functions. This paper explores the mechanisms of neuropeptides in regulating food intake through the reward system, specifically through dopaminergic neurons projecting from the VTA to the NAc. The study of these neuropeptides can contribute to identifying therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders such as obesity.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Donghun Kim, Deborah C. Jaworski, Chuanmin Cheng, Arathy D. S. Nair, Roman R. Ganta, Nic Herndon, Susan Brown, Yoonseong Park
JOURNAL OF ASIA-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Donghun Kim, Ladislav Simo, Marie Vancova, Joshua Urbana, Yoonseong Park
GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Donghun Kim, Ladislav Simo, Yoonseong Park
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Krissana Ruang-Rit, Yoonseong Park
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, Pedro J. Espinosa, Pilar Alberdi, Ladislav Simo, James J. Valdes, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Marinela Contreras, Margarita Villar Rayo, Jose de la Fuente
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marie Vancova, Tomas Bily, Jana Nebesarova, Libor Grubhoffer, Sarah Bonnet, Yoonseong Park, Ladislav Simo
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Immunology
Yoonseong Park, Donghun Kim, Gunavanthi D. Boorgula, Kristof De Schutter, Guy Smagghe, Ladislav Simo, Stephanie A. Archer-Hartmann, Parastoo Azadi
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jia Xie, Ming Sang, Xiaowen Song, Sisi Zhang, Donghun Kim, Jan A. Veenstra, Yoonseong Park, Bin Li
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gloria I. Giraldo-Calderon, Arley Calle-Tobon, Paula Rozo-Lopez, Tonya M. Colpitts, Yoonseong Park, Guillermo L. Rua-Uribe, Berlin Londono-Renteria
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Entomology
Jinghua Zhu, Kunmiao Zhu, Liang Li, Zengxin Li, Weiwei Qin, Yoonseong Park, Yueping He
Article
Immunology
Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Dasiel Obregon, Jennifer Maye, Jeremie Borneres, Nicolas Versille, Jose de la Fuente, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Adnan Hodzic, Ladislav Simo, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Article
Microbiology
Ghania Boularias, Naouelle Azzag, Clemence Galon, Ladislav Simo, Henri-Jean Boulouis, Sara Moutailler
Summary: The study found that ixodid ticks on cattle in Algeria mainly carry tick-borne pathogens such as Rickettsia spp., Francisella-like endosymbionts, Theileria spp., Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., and Babesia spp. Multiple pathogens can be carried by the same tick species.
Article
Microbiology
Ladislav Simo
Summary: Kaufman and Phillips' series of papers 50 years ago greatly contributed to our understanding of ion and water balance in ixodid ticks and emphasized the importance of their salivary glands in regulating these processes, paving the way for future research.