We propose to identify and characterize proteins in innermost layer of Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum tick cement cones. Currently there are 14 reportable human tick borne disease (TBD) agents are recognized in the United States with 13 of these transmitted via hard tick bites (www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/). Hard tick species are adapted to feed for many days. Majority of hard ticks secrete an adhesive substance known as tick cement that allows ticks to firmly anchor onto host skin, and prevent them from being groomed off their feeding site by their host. The tick cement cone has two layers: the innermost layer, which is deposited within 5-30min of the tick starting the feeding process, and the outermost layer, which begins to be deposited one day after the tick has started the feeding process. Deposition of the innermost layer precedes major tick feeding events including transmission of major human tick borne diseases such as the Lyme disease agent. Thus, our assumptions are that preventing functions of proteins that form the innermost layer of the tick cement cone will stop tick feeding before transmission of major human disease agents starts. There are two specific aims in this application. First is to identify proteins in I. scapularis and A. americanum tick cement cones, and second is to verify significance in tick attachment and/or completion of tick feeding. Of the 14 reportable human TBD agents, in the United States, a combined 9 are vectored by I. scapularis and A. americanum (www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/). Thus proposed discovery of I. scapularis and A. americanum tick cement proteins will have broader impacts toward development of novel methods to improve public health in the USA.
In the United States ticks transmit more vector borne disease agents than any other vector arthropod. Limitations associated with current acaricide based tick control strategies that threaten the future sustainability of containment programs for tick borne illnesses, have necessitated the need for development of alternative tick control strategies. Identification of important tick proteins that regulate tick physiology and facilitate tick feedingis important before alternative tick control methods can be developed. In this application we have proposed to identify proteins that are important to formation of tick cement. Hard ticks secrete the adhesive substance, 'tick cement' to glue themselves onto animal skin. In this way the tick is not groomed off during feeding over several days. Preventing formation of tick cement formation will prevent ticks from continuing to feed and transmit disease agents.
| Hollmann, Taylor; Kim, Tae Kwon; Tirloni, Lucas et al. (2018) Identification and characterization of proteins in the Amblyomma americanum tick cement cone. Int J Parasitol 48:211-224 |
