Ticks are obligatory ectoparasites causing global animal and human health problems. Tick salivary secretions are required for initiation and continuation of the feeding by injections of bioactive salivary components into the host and by osmoregulations upon ingestion of large quantity of blood. Nervous control of the salivary glands has been previously speculated. Dopamine has been described as a potent activator of salivary secretion.  Our recent finding indicates presence of more complex mechanisms for control of the salivary glands. We identified at least two neuropeptides, myoinhibitory peptide and SIFamide, innervating the salivary glands in blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say) which transmits the most important tick-born disease Lyme disease. We hypothesize that these neuropeptides control dopaminergic cells located on the base of acini in the salivary glands.  Additionally, we find at least two different dopamine receptors with putative different functions in the salivary secretion. The fundamental knowledge obtained from this research is eventually expected to lead to the design of compounds and vaccines to prevent disease transmissions by ticks.

Potential acaricidal targets in tick salivary glands

246th National Meeting (2013)

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