Evaluation of the biological function of ribosomal protein S18 from cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus

Author(s)

Costa, Gabriel C. A. ; Silva, Fernando A. A. ; Torquato, Ricardo J. S. ; Vaz, Itabajara Silva ; Parizi, Luis F. ; Tanaka, Aparecida S.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES; v. 15, n. 4, p. 8-pg., 2024-03-23.

Abstract

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus , also known as the cattle tick, causes severe parasitism and transmits different pathogens to vertebrate hosts, leading to massive economic losses. In the present study, we performed a functional characterization of a ribosomal protein from R. microplus to investigate its importance in blood feeding, egg production and viability. Ribosomal protein S18 (RPS18) is part of the 40S subunit, associated with 18S rRNA, and has been previously pointed to have a secondary role in different organisms. Rhipicephalus microplus RPS18 (RmRPS18) gene expression levels were modulated in female salivary glands during blood feeding. Moreover, mRNA levels in this tissue were 10 times higher than those in the midgut of fully engorged female ticks. Additionally, recombinant RmRPS18 was recognized by IgG antibodies from sera of cattle naturally or experimentally infested with ticks. RNAi-mediated knockdown of the RmRPS18 gene was performed in fully engorged females, leading to a significant (29 %) decrease in egg production. Additionally, egg hatching was completely impaired, suggesting that no viable eggs were produced by the RmRPS18-silenced group. Furthermore, antimicrobial assays revealed inhibitory activities against gram -negative Escherichia coli and gram -positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, affecting bacterial growth. Data presented here show the important role of RmRPS18 in tick physiology and suggest that RmRPS18 can be a potential target for the development of novel strategies for tick control. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/03657-8 - Inhibitor and proteases of ectoparasites: relationship of structure-function and identification of the role of these molecules in the interaction of diseases vector e their etiological agents
• Grantee: Aparecida Sadae Tanaka
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/02433-5 - Library construction of cDNA fragments of R. microplus proteolytic enzymes (peptidases) and serpins on the surface of filamentous phages
• Grantee: Gabriel Cerqueira Alves Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/03779-5 - Use of phage display as a tool in the diagnosis and control of diseases transmitted by hematophagous vectors
• Grantee: Aparecida Sadae Tanaka
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants