Anaplasma phagocytophilum induces actin phosphorylation to selectively regulate gene transcription in Ixodes scapularis ticks.

ABSTRACT: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the agent of human anaplasmosis, persists in ticks and mammals. We show that A. phagocytophilum induces the phosphorylation of actin in an Ixodes ricinus tick cell line and Ixodes scapularis ticks, to alter the ratio of monomeric/filamentous (G/F) actin. A. phagocytophilum-induced actin phosphorylation was dependent on Ixodes p21-activated kinase (IPAK1)-mediated signaling. A. phagocytophilum stimulated IPAK1 activity via the G protein-coupled receptor Gbetagamma subunits, which mediated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation. Disruption of Ixodes gbetagamma, pi3k, and pak1 reduced actin phosphorylation and bacterial acquisition by ticks. A. phagocytophilum-induced actin phosphorylation resulted in increased nuclear G actin and phosphorylated actin. The latt

SUBMITTER: Sultana H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2916137 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature