Cloning and sequence of a gene for a homologue of the C subunit of the V-ATPase from the salivary gland of the tick Amblyomma americanum (L.)

• Published in: Insect molecular biology 1997-02, Vol.6 (1), p.67-76
• Main Authors: McSwain, J. L., Luo, C., DeSilva, G. A., Palmer, M. J., Tucker, J. S., Sauer, J. R., Essenberg, R. C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acari; Amblyomma americanum; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Base Sequence; Cloning, Molecular; DNA, Complementary; Ethylmaleimide - pharmacology; Female; Gene Expression; Ixodidae; Macrolides; Molecular Sequence Data; Ouabain - pharmacology; Proton-Translocating ATPases - antagonists & inhibitors; Proton-Translocating ATPases - genetics; Salivary Glands - drug effects; Salivary Glands - enzymology; Salivary Glands - secretion; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Ticks - enzymology; Ticks - genetics; Ticks - growth & development; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases
• ISSN: 0962-1075; 1365-2583
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2583.1997.00158.x

A 1084 base pair partial cDNA showing similarity to the C subunit of the vacuolar ATPase (V‐ATPase) was isolated on a clone from a cDNA library made from salivary glands from 3‐day‐old feeding adult Amblyomma americanum (L.) female ticks. The 5′ end was completed using primer extension and the two pieces joined to form a complete cDNA of 1373 bp. This mRNA is expressed in embryos and the salivary glands of unfed adults and adult females at all stages of feeding. Specific inhibitors of the V‐ATPase decrease the rate of dopamine‐stimulated secretion of isolated salivary glands, but not as much as ouabain, an inhibitor of the Na+, K+ ATPase, indicating that a V‐ATPase may participate in the mechanism of salivary fluid secretion in A. americanum , but the volume of saliva secreted is more dependent on an active Na+, K+ ATPase.