Identification and Characterization of Rhipicephalus microplus ATAQ Homolog from Haemaphysalis longicornis Ticks and Its Immunogenic Potential as an Anti-Tick Vaccine Candidate Molecule.

ABSTRACT: Although vaccines are one of the environmentally friendly means to prevent the spread of ticks, there is currently no commercial vaccine effective against Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks. In this study, we identified, characterized, localized, and evaluated the expression patterns, and tested the immunogenic potential of a homologue of Rhipicephalus microplus ATAQ in H. longicornis (HlATAQ). HlATAQ was identified as a 654 amino acid-long protein present throughout the midgut and in Malpighian tubule cells and containing six full and one partial EGF-like domains. HlATAQ was genetically distant (homology < 50%) from previously reported ATAQ proteins and was expressed throughout tick life stages. Its expression steadily increased (p < 0.001) during feeding,

SUBMITTER: Adjou Moumouni PF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10145298 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature