Proteomic analysis of saliva from partially and fully engorged adult female Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

• Published in: Experimental & applied acarology Vol. 78; no. 3; pp. 443 - 460
• Main Authors: Feng, Li-Li, Liu, Lei, Cheng, Tian-Yin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.07.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal Ecology; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Anticoagulants; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Coagulants; Coagulation; Entomology; Feeding; Immunity; Life Sciences; Liquid chromatography; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; Microorganisms; Peptides; Proteins; Rhipicephalus microplus; Saliva; Salivary gland; Salivary glands; Ticks; Salivary proteins; iTRAQ; Proteome; Rhipicephalus microplus
• ISSN: 0168-8162; 1572-9702
• DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00390-4

Rhipicephalus microplus salivary gland secretes a number of complex bioactive proteins during feeding. These components are important in feeding and affect anti-coagulation, anti-inflammation and also have anti-microbial effects. In this study, tick saliva was collected from partially engorged female (PEF) and fully engorged female (FEF) ticks. Liquid chromatography tandem–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) were used to identify and quantify R. microplus salivary proteins. A total of 322 unique peptides were detected and 151 proteins were characterized in both PEF and FEF. Of these, 41 proteins are considered as high-confidence proteins. Fifteen high-confidence proteins were upregulated and six high-confidence proteins were downregulated (p < 0.05; PEF:FEF ratio ≥ 1.2 or PEF:FEF ratio ≤ 0.83); 17 high-confidence proteins are slightly changed (PEF:FEF ratio > 0.83 and < 1.2). These high-confidence proteins are involved in several physiological roles, including egg development, transportation of proteins, immunity and anti-microorganism, anti-coagulant, and adhesion. In comparison with PEF, the number of upregulated proteins exceeded the number of proteins downregulated. Salivary protein may be induced by the blood-meal and these proteins contribute to successful feeding.