Interactions between tick oogenesis-related molecules and parasites in the transovarial transmission of Babesia

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06416
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Rika Shirafuji 帯広畜産大学, 原虫病研究センター, 准教授 (00549909)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: マダニ / 原虫 / バベシア / 介卵伝播 / 卵形成 / 卵黄タンパク質前駆体 / 卵黄タンパク質前駆体受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Babesia, a tick-borne protozoan parasite, infects various organs such as the ovary in ticks, but the molecular mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we examined the interactions between Babesia and tick oogenesis-related molecules, such as egg yolk protein precursor (vitellogenin; Vg) present in the hemolymph and Vg receptor (VgR) on the surface of oocytes, during the pre-oviposition period. It was found that the Babesia DNA level in the hemolymph was the highest 1 day after engorgement, which has immature oocytes in the ovary, and that Vg-2 is an essential molecule for the transmission of Babesia to the ovary.

Free Research Field

獣医寄生虫学・獣医衛生動物学（特にマダニ）

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、バベシア感染マダニモデルを用い、マダニの卵母細胞成熟過程におけるバベシア感染の時系列ならびにバベシア-卵形成関連分子間相互作用の一端を明らかにした。これまで抗マダニワクチン候補分子として注目されることが極めて少なかった卵形成関連分子を解析対象とし、バベシア原虫介卵伝播における卵黄タンパク質前駆体（Vg-2）の重要性を見出した本研究成果は、将来の原虫伝播阻止ワクチンの開発研究へと発展させるための有用な基礎的知見である。