Gene silencing of a cubilin-related serine proteinase from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis by RNA interference

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 66; no. 11; pp. 1471 - 1473
• Main Authors: Miyoshi, T. (National Inst. of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki (Japan)), Tsuji, N, Islam, M.K, Kamio, T, Fujisaki, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.11.2004; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Animals; CATTLE; Feeding Behavior - physiology; Female; HAEMAPHYSALIS LONGICORNIS; HAEMATOPHAGY; Ixodidae; Ixodidae - enzymology; Ixodidae - growth & development; PROTEASES; RNA; RNA interference; RNA Interference - physiology; RNA, Double-Stranded; SERINE; Serine Endopeptidases - genetics; Serine Endopeptidases - physiology; serine proteinase
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.66.1471

RNA interference (RNAi) has been recently exploited to determine gene function by degrading specific mRNAs in several eukaryotic organisms. We constructed a double stranded RNA (daRNA) from a previously cloned Haemaphysalis longicornis serine proteinase (HISP) gene to test the importance of the function of the HISP gene product during blood-feeding. Growth of unfed ticks treated with HISP dsRNA was significantly inhibited compared to that of PBS-treated ticks. This inhibition was supported by the level of HISP mRNA. HISP may play a crucial role for blood-feeding in these ticks. This is the first report on gene silencing of a functional serine proteinase in hard ticks.