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Analysis of Group IV Viral SSHHPS Using In Vitro and In Silico Methods
Published on: December 21, 2019
Molecular characterization of four novel serpins in Psoroptes ovis var. cuniculi and their implications in the
Chongyang Zhang1, Xiaobin Gu1, Yuhang Chen2
1Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Psoroptes ovis var. cuniculi infestation rapidly causes skin lesion, cutaneous inflammatory and subsequent adaptive immune response in rabbits. To success feeding and survive on the host skin, this mite should product bioactive molecules to confront host tissue repair and immune defense, but these molecules of this mite remains mostly unknown. Serpins have been proved to involve in diverse biological functions including parasite reproduction, survival and modulating host defense. Limited information is currently available on serpins from Psoroptes mites. Herein, we identified four novel serpins (PsoSP3-PsoSP6) in P. ovis var. cuniculi using bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques. Sequence analysis revealed that PsoSP3-PsoSP6 comprised the common features of typical serpins superfamily including serpin domains, signature or the reactive centre loop (RCL) domain. The recombinant PsoSP4-PsoSP6 (rPsoSP4-rPsoSP6) revealed variable potency inhibition on trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase except for rPsoSP3 in inhibitory activity assays. By quantitative RT-PCR, the expressions of PsoSP3 and PsoSP4 were higher in juvenile mites (larva and nymph) than in adult mites, however, PsoSP5 and PsoSP6 appeared near-exclusive expression in adult female mites. Immunolocalization showed that native PsoSP4 protein was localized in uterus, whilst native PsoSP3, PsoSP5 and PsoSP6 were specifically localized in the ovarian nutritive cell (ONC) in ovary. Our findings indicated that PsoSP3-PsoSP6 might play critical roles in development and reproduction physiologies. rPsoSP4-rPsoSP6 might participate in modulating host inflammation, immune response and tissue repair.
Insights
Four novel serpins (PsoSP3-PsoSP6) were identified in Psoroptes ovis var. cuniculi. These serpins may play roles in mite development, reproduction, and modulating host immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Psoroptes ovis var. cuniculi infestation causes skin lesions and immune responses in rabbits.
- Mites produce bioactive molecules to survive, but these are largely unknown.
- Serpins are implicated in parasite survival and host immune modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel serpins from Psoroptes ovis var. cuniculi.
- To investigate the potential roles of these serpins in mite physiology and host interaction.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques were used for identification.
- Sequence analysis confirmed serpin superfamily features.
- Recombinant serpins were tested for enzyme inhibition (trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase).
- Quantitative RT-PCR and immunolocalization were employed to study expression and localization.
Main Results:
- Four novel serpins (PsoSP3-PsoSP6) were identified.
- Recombinant PsoSP4-PsoSP6 inhibited trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase.
- PsoSP3 and PsoSP4 expression was higher in juvenile mites, while PsoSP5 and PsoSP6 were mainly in adult females.
- PsoSP4 localized to the uterus, and PsoSP3, PsoSP5, PsoSP6 to ovarian nutritive cells.
Conclusions:
- PsoSP3-PsoSP6 likely play roles in P. ovis var. cuniculi development and reproduction.
- rPsoSP4-rPsoSP6 may contribute to modulating host inflammation, immunity, and tissue repair.
