Quantitative analysis of ticks looks into pathogen transmission

Quantitative analysis of protein expression using gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry has revealed insights into how pathogens are transmitted by ticks.

Research published in Proteome Science, the proteomics periodical, reports the results achieved by an international team of scientists from Spain, Italy, the US and the Netherlands.

They used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to carry out quantitative analysis of protein expression in response to infection by pathogens.

According to the study, this could be the first time differential in gel electrophoresis (DIGE) labelling has been applied to tick proteins.

By using the approach, DNA could be extracted from ticks to examine for pathogen infection, while simultaneously mRNA levels of differentially expressed proteins could be characterised.

The scientists say that their findings - in which 16 from 300 ticks were seen to be infected - highlight the potential power of DIGE labelling for conducting research into tick pathogens.

Proteome Science is a peer-reviewed, open-access periodical specialising in structural and functional proteomic analysis coupled with developmental or cell biology.