Functional genomics analysis of the interaction between Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Anaplasma marginale

• Grant number: 11/22124-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Effective date (Start): February 04, 2012
• Effective date (End): December 03, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Entomology and Malacology of Parasites and Vectors
• Principal Investigator: Sirlei Daffre
• Grantee: Thaís Duarte Bifano
• Supervisor: Massaro Wilson Ueti
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Washington State University (WSU), United States

Abstract

The pathogenic bacterium Anaplasma marginale has, as primary target, gut cells of the vector tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus for infection establishment. After bacteria multiplication in the gut, they migrate through the hemocoel to the salivary glands. Transmission of the bacteria to cattle occurs from saliva during the tick feeding. Cellular and molecular responses of R (B.) microplus to A. marginale infection are poorly understood, but it is reasonable to consider that adaptation between the two species may have led ticks to develop defenses against the bacterial infection. Therefore, it is rationale to assume that R. (B.) microplus genes modulated during A. marginale infection may play a role in tick defense against pathogens. In this context, the focus of this project is to verify the importance of some tick genes in acquisition and transmission of A. marginale to the bovine host through the RNA interference (RNAi) technique. Two approaches were used for gene identification: a differential proteomic analysis of embryonic cells BME26 infected by A. marginale, using two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (2D LC-MS/MS) and a transcriptome analysis of two cDNA libraries. Both techniques used BME26 cells uninfected and infected by A. marginale. Among the candidates, genes involved in biological process of redox homeostasis, detoxification, ion transport and vesicular trafficking were selected. The results will contribute to understand the interface A. marginale- R. (B.) microplus, providing knowledge to the development of a vaccine to block the pathogen transmission. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BIFANO, THAIS D.; UETI, MASSARO W.; ESTEVES, ELIANE; REIF, KATHRYN E.; BRAZ, GLORIA R. C.; SCOLES, GLEN A.; BASTOS, REGINALDO G.; WHITE, STEPHEN N.; DAFFRE, SIRLEI. Knockdown of the Rhipicephalus microplus Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit III Gene Is Associated with a Failure of Anaplasma marginale Transmission. PLoS One, v. 9, n. 5, MAY 30 2014. (11/22124-8)

ROSA, RAFAEL D.; CAPELLI-PEIXOTO, JANAINA; MESQUITA, RAFAEL D.; KALIL, SANDRA P.; POHL, PAULA C.; BRAZ, GLORIA R.; FOGACA, ANDREA C.; DAFFRE, SIRLEI. Exploring the immune signalling pathway-related genes of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus: From molecular characterization to transcriptional profile upon microbial challenge. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY, v. 59, p. 1-14, JUN 2016. (11/23549-2, 13/26450-2, 11/22124-8, 13/25213-7)