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Horizontal gene transfer of a vertebrate vasodilatory hormone into ticks

Author

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  • Shiroh Iwanaga

    (School of Medicine, Mie University)

  • Haruhiko Isawa

    (School of Medicine, Mie University
    Present address: Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan)

  • Masao Yuda

    (School of Medicine, Mie University)

Abstract

The horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of functional molecules is found in higher eukaryotes, but its influence on their evolution has not been fully evaluated. Here we describe the HGT of a vertebrate vasodilator, adrenomedullin (ADM), into ticks of the genus Ornithodoros and hypothesize its involvement in tick evolution. The salivary glands of Ornithodoros ticks contain ADM-like vasodilators, tick-adrenomedullin (TAM). ADM-like molecules, including TAM, are conserved in all vertebrates and Ornithodoros ticks but not in any other invertebrates, including Argas ticks, which share a common ancestor with Ornithodoros ticks. In addition, the close evolutionarily relationship between TAM and ADM is supported through genomic sequence and phylogenetic relatedness analyses. Ornithodoros ticks horizontally acquired vertebrate ADM and currently employ it to facilitate blood feeding. The acquisition of TAM might result in a beneficial change in feeding behaviour and influence the divergence of Ornithodoros ticks.

Suggested Citation

  • Shiroh Iwanaga & Haruhiko Isawa & Masao Yuda, 2014. "Horizontal gene transfer of a vertebrate vasodilatory hormone into ticks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-7, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4373
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4373
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