Brain factor induced formation of inositol phosphates in tick salivary glands

• Published in: Insect biochemistry Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 343 - 349
• Main Authors: McSwain, Janis L., Tucker, James S., Essenberg, Richard C., Sauer, John R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 1989; New York, NY Pergamon Press
• Subjects: AMBLYOMMA; AMBLYOMMA AMERICANUM; Biochemistry. Physiology. Immunology; Biological and medical sciences; BRAIN; CEREBRO; ENCEPHALE; FOSFATOS; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GLANDE SALIVAIRE; GLANDULAS SALIVALES; INOSITOL; Insecta; Invertebrates; PHOSPHATE; PHOSPHATES; Physiology. Development; PROTEINAS; PROTEINE; PROTEINS; SALIVARY GLANDS; tick salivary glands; brain factor; second messengers; inositol phosphates; ticks; neuro-peptide; Parasitiformes; Phosphates; Brain; Radiolabelling; Cyclic AMP; Salivary gland; Nervous system; Metabolism; In vitro; Neuropeptide; Proteins; Arachnida; Acari; Ixodida; Arthropoda; Second messenger; Amblyomma americanum; Invertebrata; Ixodidae
• ISSN: 0020-1790
• DOI: 10.1016/0020-1790(89)90038-3

A factor from tick brain increases inositol phosphates in isolated, whole tick salivary glands. The factor is sensitive to trypsin and heat (5 min, 100°C) suggesting that it may be a neuropeptide or protein. The salivary glands undergo growth and differentiation accompanied by considerable proliferation of plasma membranes during tick feeding. Salivary glands from ticks in later stages of feeding produce higher levels of inositol phosphates than glands from ticks in early stages of feeding. Cyclic AMP modulates the formation of inositol phosphates suggesting interaction of salivary gland function by the transducing system that employs cyclic AMP as a “second messenger” and that which employs inositol phosphates.