Doenitin-1: A novel Kunitz family protein with versatile functions during feeding and reproduction of the tick Haemaphysalis doenitzi

• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.872244
• Publication Date: 2022-08-10T07:01:57Z
• Authors: Jialin Lu; Kuang Wang; Zhihua Gao; Songbo Zhang; Hao Li; Yanqing Shi; Xuecheng Song; Jingze Liu; Zhijun Yu; Xiaolong Yang
• Keywords: Thrombin time; Prothrombin time

As obligate blood-feeding ectoparasites, ticks secrete a great diversity of antithrombin molecules during feeding. In this study, novel gene named Doenitin-1 was characterized from the tick Haemaphysalis doenitzi. It has an open reading frame size 426 bp; it encodes 141 amino acids and predicted molecular weight 15.8 kDa. The fibrinogen coagulation test showed that time increased significantly with increase in rDoenitin-1 protein concentration, activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) prothrombin (PT) assays prolonged APTT, indicating anticoagulant activity vitro. addition, presents significant inhibitory thrombin cathepsin G. hemolysis rate healthy human blood cells 4.25%, no obvious observed. comparison other life stages shows higher expression occurs adults, tissue indicated midgut. RNAi results interference reduced engorgement egg hatchability H. doenitzi, engorged body slightly reduced. conclusion, suggested functions doenitzi performs various feeding reproduction may be potential vaccine candidate for control developing new antithrombotic drugs future.