Calreticulin (CRT) is a calcium-binding protein and has many functions in eukaryotic cells. Studies have showed that CRT is involved in parasite host immune system evasion. To better understand the molecular basis of CRT in ticks, we cloned and sequenced full-length cDNAs encoding hard tick CRTs using the techniques of rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Direct comparisions of the cDNA and genomic sequences of the coding region revealed the exon-intron structures of Calreticulin genes from 29 tick species. The coding region of hard tick Calreticulin genes have only one intron with a conserved position and variable size. Our results may help researchers to obtain cDNA-derived CRT and study its potential use in tick control. In addition, Calreticulin is a potential useful nuclear-protein encoding gene for tick phylogenetic reconstruction.
Species 1: Acari Ixodidae (hard tick)
Keywords: Calreticulin
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