Identification of Residual Blood Proteins in Ticks by Mass Spectrometry Proteomics

Abstract

Mass spectrometry–based proteomics of individual ticks demonstrated persistence of mammalian host blood components, including α- and β-globin chains, histones, and mitochondrial enzymes, in Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum ticks for months after molting. Residual host proteins may identify sources of infection for ticks.

Keywords

• Tick
• blood
• protein
• mass spectrometry
• proteomics
• host