Eicosanoids in Tick Salivary Gland Physiology

前列腺素(二十烷类分子的一种)在哺乳动物和其他脊椎动物中非常重要。环氧合酶，将花生四烯酸转化为前列腺素，是大多数广泛使用的抗炎药物，如阿司匹林，布洛芬等的靶标。在孤星蜱的唾液腺中发现了前列腺素E2受体，这是首次在无脊椎动物中发现前列腺素受体。前列腺素E2通过其受体刺激唾液蛋白的分泌，清楚地证明了二十烷类化合物在扁虱唾液腺生理中的作用。Sauer博士的建议研究将确定扁虱唾液腺中的所有二十烷类化合物。研究还将分析前列腺素E2的合成，以及合成是否对一些相同的抗炎药物敏感，这些抗炎药物被证明在哺乳动物和其他脊椎动物中抑制合成有效。这项研究还将阐明前列腺素E2在诱导唾液蛋白分泌方面的作用模式。随着对扁虱生理学的更多了解，可能会开发出药物(例如针对前列腺素系统酶的药物)或其他治疗方法来中和扁虱饲养造成的伤害。

Prostaglandins ( type of eicosanoid molecule) are extremely important in mammals and other vertebrates. Cyclooxygenase, which converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, is the target for most of the widely used anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. A prostaglandin E2 receptor has been identified in the salivary glands of the lone star tick, demonstrating for the first time, a prostaglandin receptor in an invertebrate. Prostaglandin E2, through its receptor, stimulates secretion of saliva protein clearly demonstrating a function for an eicosanoid in tick salivary gland physiology.The proposal research by Dr. Sauer will identify all eicosanoids in tick salivary glands. Research will also analyze syntheis of prostaglandin E2 and whether synthesis is sensitive to some of the same anti-inflamatory drugs shown to effective in inhibiting synthesis in mammals and other vertebrates. The research will also exaimen the mode of action of prostaglandin E2 in eliciting secretion of saliva protein.As more is learned about the tick's physiology it may be possible to develop agents (e.g. drugs which target protaglandin systensis enzymes) or other treatments that will neutralize the harm caused by tick feeding.