Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Application of Two-spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae for Plant-pest Interaction Studies
Published on: July 4, 2014
Identification of Saliva Proteins of the Spider Mite Tetranychus evansi by Transcriptome and LC-MS/MS Analyses
Hai-Jian Huang1, Jia-Rong Cui1, Lei Chen1
1Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China.
Abstract:
The spider mite Tetranychus evansi has a remarkable ability to suppress and manipulate plant defenses, which makes it an ideal model to investigate plant-herbivores interactions. In this study, a de novo assembly of the transcriptome of T. evansi is performed and the proteins in its secreted saliva by LC-MS/MS are characterized. A total of 29 365 unigenes are assembled and 136 saliva proteins are identified. Comparative analysis of the saliva proteins in T. evansi, T. truncatus, and T. urticae shows that 64 protein groups are shared by at least two Tetranychus species, and 52 protein groups are specifically identified in T. evansi. In addition, some saliva proteins are common in arthropod species, while others are species-specific. These results will help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which T. evansi modulates plant defenses.
Related Concept Videos
Salivary Glands and Saliva
Methods of Classification and Identification
Protein-protein Interfaces
Protein and Protein Structure
A protein's shape is critical to its function. For example, an enzyme...
Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to...
What are Proteins?

