SeroTick · Serotonergic System in Ticks

Линиите свързват координатора с партньорите.

Накратко на български

Цел на проекта

Ticks are competent vectors of several viruses, bacteria, and parasites, that threaten the health of humans and animals worldwide and highlight the importance of tick biology research. Although these systems are involved in almost all biological mechanisms of tick life, the signalling networks of tick neurotransmitters and neuropeptides remain a highly neglected topic in tick studies. In the case of serotonin (5-HT) and its receptors (5-HT-R), there is evidence for the presence of a dual serotonergic system that involves the reception of exogenous and endogenous 5-HT. However, the regulatory network of 5-HT remains largely unexplored, therefore the SeroTick project aims to provide a comprehensive investigation of serotonergic signalling and serotonin receptors in Ixodes ricinus ticks. We will utilize immunohistochemistry and immunogold TEM to explore the complexity of serotonergic neurons and 5-HT-Rs in the synganglion, salivary glands and midgut; perform receptor expression assays to determine the functional and pharmacological identity of serotonin receptors; and employ the RNA interference technique of gene silencing to assess the role of 5-HT-Rs in the physiology of salivary glands and migdut. The proposed project integrates molecular biology, neurophysiology, pharmacology, proteomics, and advanced imaging to dissect serotonergic signalling in Ixodes ricinus. The SeroTick project aims to significantly expand the currently limited knowledge about tick signalling networks and lay the foundations for innovative tick control strategies. Our central objective is to generate tools that disrupt tick feeding by targeting life-essential serotonergic processes, and this will be achieved through rigorous fundamental research. Such advances have the potential for considerable scientific, medical, veterinary, and economic impact.

Оригинален текст от CORDIS (на английски).

Участници

• INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT · ParisКоординаторФранция

Връзки

• Виж в CORDIS
• DOI: 10.3030/101281186