0397478 - BC 2014 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Sojka, Daniel - Franta, Zdeněk - Horn, Martin - Caffrey, C. R. - Mareš, Michael - Kopáček, Petr
New insights into the machinery of blood digestion by ticks.
Trends in Parasitology. Roč. 29, č. 6 (2013), s. 276-285. ISSN 1471-4922. E-ISSN 1471-5007
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA13-11043S; GA ČR(CZ) GAP207/10/2183; GA ČR GPP502/11/P682; GA AV ČR IAA600960910
Institutional support: RVO:60077344 ; RVO:61388963
Keywords : tick * Ixodes * hemoglobin * digestion * peptidase * cathepsin
Subject RIV: EC - Immunology
Impact factor: 6.217, year: 2013

Blood-protein digestion is a key physiological process providing essential nutrients for ticks and is a prerequisite for the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. Recently, substantial progress has been made in determining the proteolytic machinery in tick gut tissue, which is based on a dynamic multienzyme network capable of processing a vast amount of host blood. In this article we summarize our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of tick hematophagy and their similarities to those of Platyhelminthes, nematodes, and Plasmodium. Future research perspectives, including the potential for rational control of ticks and transmitted diseases, are also discussed.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0225104