Ixodes ricinus tick lipocalins: identification, cloning, phylogenetic analysis and biochemical characterization.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During their blood meal, ticks secrete a wide variety of proteins that interfere with their host's defense mechanisms. Among these proteins, lipocalins play a major role in the modulation of the inflammatory response.

Methodology/principal findings

Screening a cDNA library in association with RT-PCR and RACE methodologies allowed us to identify 14 new lipocalin genes in the salivary glands of the Ixodes ricinus hard tick. A computational in-depth structural analysis confirmed that LIRs belong to the lipocalin family. These proteins were called LIR for "Lipocalin from I. ricinus" and numbered from 1 to 14 (LIR1 to LIR14). According to their percentage identity/similarity, LIR proteins may be assigned to 6 distinct phylogenetic groups. The mature proteins have calcu

SUBMITTER: Beaufays J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2601031 | biostudies-literature | 2008

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature