Ticks' antioxidant complex: A defense stronghold and a potential target for their control

Issue Date

1-2017

Abstract

The parasitic blood-sucking lifestyle of ticks makes them efficient transmitters of various diseases in humans and animals worldwide. All developmental stages of ticks exclusively feed on blood, and female hard ticks in particular can ingest large volume of blood relative to their unfed size. Their nutritional dependence for blood is extraordinary because it is potentially toxic, with blood containing high iron and pro-oxidant content. Iron and pro-oxidants may react and produce reactive oxygen species that in high levels may cause oxidative stress. To counteract the negative effects that may result from consumption of blood, ticks are armed with a complex antioxidant system. Several components of their antioxidant defense have been already identified and characterized using various molecular biological techniques. These antioxidant molecules were found to have significant roles in various physiological processes such as blood feeding and reproduction. Others were found to be involved in detoxification mechanisms against environmental toxins including chemical acaricides. A few studies also demonstrated the significant role of tick antioxidant molecules in microbial population and pathogen transmission. This chapter will review our current understanding of tick antioxidant defense with emphasis on its potential as a target for tick and tick-borne pathogen control.

Source or Periodical Title

Advances in Medicine and Biology

Volume

116

Page

231-255

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Subject

Medicine--Research--Periodicals. Biology--Periodicals.

Digital Copy

yes

Link to Full Text

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