Recombinant <i>Ixodes scapularis</i> Calreticulin Binds Complement Proteins but Does Not Protect <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> from Complement Killing.

ABSTRACT: Ixodes scapularis is a blood-feeding obligate ectoparasite responsible for transmitting the Lyme disease (LD) agent, Borrelia burgdorferi. During the feeding process, I. scapularis injects B. burgdorferi into the host along with its saliva, facilitating the transmission and colonization of the LD agent. Tick calreticulin (CRT) is one of the earliest tick saliva proteins identified and is currently utilized as a biomarker for tick bites. Our recent findings revealed elevated levels of CRT in the saliva proteome of B. burgdorferi-infected I. scapularis nymphs compared to uninfected ticks. Differential precipitation of proteins (DiffPOP) and LC-MS/MS analyses were used to identify the interactions between Ixs (I. scapularis) CRT and huma

SUBMITTER: Ansari MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11280304 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature