Monoamine neurotransmitters as substrates for novel tick sulfotransferases, homology modeling, molecular docking, and enzyme kinetics.

ABSTRACT: Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) transmit the causative agent of Lyme disease in the Northeastern United States. Current research focuses on elucidating biochemical pathways that may be disrupted to prevent pathogen transmission, thereby preventing disease. Genome screening reported transcripts coding for two putative sulfotransferases in whole tick extracts of the nymphal and larval stages. Sulfotransferases are known to sulfonate phenolic and alcoholic receptor agonists such as 17β-estradiol, thereby inactivating the receptor ligands. We used bioinformatic approaches to predict substrates for Ixosc Sult 1 and Ixosc Sult 2 and tested the predictions with biochemical assays. Homology models of 3D protein structure were prepared, and visualization of the electrostatic surface of the li

SUBMITTER: Yalcin EB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3042050 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature