Identification of a glycine-rich protein from the tick Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and evaluation of its vaccine potential against tick feeding

A cDNA coding a glycine-rich protein was identified from the Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides tick. The cDNA named here as RH50 was 1,823 bp, including a single open reading frame (ORF) of 1,518 nucleotides. The ORF encodes a polypeptide of 506 amino acid residues with a size of 50 kDa, as calculated by a computer. The predicted amino acid sequence of RH50 showed a low homology to sequences of some known extracellular matrix-like proteins. The native protein was identified in both the fed tick salivary gland lysates and extracts of cement material using the serum against the recombinant protein. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results showed that RH50 mRNA was only transcribed in partially fed tick salivary glands, not in unfed tick salivary glands or partially fed tick midgut, fat body, or ovary. The differential expression of RH50 protein in fed tick salivary glands was confirmed by immunofluorescence. The low attachment rate both in the adult and nymphal tick, and the high mortality of immature ticks (nymph) feeding on recombinant RH50-immunized rabbits were found. These results show that the RH50 protein could be a useful candidate for anti-tick vaccine development.