Publication Type
Journal Article
Journal Name
Experimental and Applied Acarology
Publication Date
12-5-2002
Abstract
Separation of midgut membrane proteins from the tick, Ambylomma variegatum, using a non-ionic detergent (Triton X-114), resulted in two protein fractions, namely DET (detergent) and AQ (aqueous). In immunoblotting analysis with polyclonal antibodies against these fractions, 4 proteins (Mr ∼ 27,000, 67,000, 86,000 and 95,000,) and 2 proteins (Mr ∼ 54,000 and 67,000) were detected in the DET and AQ fractions, respectively. Three of the DET fraction proteins Mr ∼ 27,000, 67,000 and 95,000 were glycosylated since they bound to the lectin, concanavalin A. In 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the AQ and DET fraction proteins were found to be acidic in nature. In a series of bioassay experiments, rabbits were first immunised with both DET and AQ fractions and then infested with ticks. The egg batch weights of these ticks were reduced by 50% compared to control ticks. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the hatchability of eggs laid by ticks fed on rabbits previously immunised with both DET (14%) and AQ (33%) fractions. Based on the egg hatchability, the reproductive capacity of ticks was reduced by 77 and 48% by DET and AQ fractions, respectively.
Keywords
Amblyomma variegatum, Midgut antigens, Ticks, Vaccination
PubMed ID
12475080
Recommended Citation
Kinyua, J., Osir, E., Ogoyi, D., & Nguu, E. (2002). Characterization of protective antigens from the midgut of Amblyomma variegatum ticks. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 26 (1-2), 101-113. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020908609273