Know more

Ticks are a major issue in human and animal health. Knowledge of all their genes will provide a better understanding of the biology of these organisms and thus provide avenues for control or monitoring. This knowledge requires a complete sequencing of the genome and the identification of all the transcripts and their conditions of expression.

A team from UMR BIOEPAR has carried out high-speed sequencing of transcribed sequences (the so-called "RNAseq" approach) in the European tick species Ixodes ricinus, which has enabled them to identify a very complete catalogue of more than 190,000 transcripts. The team then identified differences in gene expression according to the tick's physiological states (before or during the blood meal) in order to understand the molecular mechanisms involved before and after the blood meal. Finally, by comparing their data with those of other projects already published for other ticks of the same species, the team has identified variations in gene sequences (genetic polymorphism), enabling them to accurately assess the variability of this species at the level of the transcribed regions, according to the different lines (wild or laboratory strains).

Partners: this work, carried out in partnership between the "ticks" team of the BIOEPAR unit in Nantes and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland), is a step towards more comprehensive projects to study the genome and genetic diversity of this species.

Associated publication : Charrier, N. P., Couton, M., Voordouw, M. J., Rais, O., Durand-Hermouet, A., Hervet, C., Plantard, O., & Rispe, C. (2018). Whole body transcriptomes and new insights into the biology of the tick Ixodes ricinus. Parasites & Vectors, 11(1), 364.  http://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2932-3- https://rdcu.be/6i0H

Contacts

Scientific contact :

•  Claude Rispe UMR BIOEPAR (INRAE-Oniris)

Associated Department : Santé animale

Associated Centre : Pays de la Loire