Identification and characterization of ecdysis-related neuropeptides in the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is an important ectoparasite known for transmitting diseases to humans and animals. Ecdysis-related neuropeptides (ERNs) control behaviors crucial for arthropods to shed exoskeletons. However, ERN identification and characterization in A. americanum remain incomplete.

Methods

We investigated ERNs in A. americanum, assessing their evolutionary relationships, protein properties, and functions. Phylogeny, sequence alignment, and domain structures of ERNs were analyzed. ERN functionality was explored using enrichment analysis, and developmental and tissue-specific ERN expression profiles were examined using qPCR and RNAi experiments.

Results and discussion

The study shows that ERN catalogs (i.e.,

SUBMITTER: Lyu B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10490126 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature