Amblyomma americanum tick calreticulin binds C1q but does not inhibit activation of the classical complement cascade.

ABSTRACT: In this study we characterized Amblyomma americanum (Aam) tick calreticulin (CRT) homolog in tick feeding physiology. In nature, different tick species can be found feeding on the same animal host. This suggests that different tick species found feeding on the same host can modulate the same host anti-tick defense pathways to successfully feed. From this perspective it's plausible that different tick species can utilize universally conserved proteins such as CRT to regulate and facilitate feeding. CRT is a multi-functional protein found in most taxa that is injected into the vertebrate host during tick feeding. Apart from it's current use as a biomarker for human tick bites, role(s) of this protein in tick feeding physiology have not been elucidated. Here we show that annotated functional

SUBMITTER: Kim TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4304940 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature