The conserved role of the AKT/GSK3 axis in cell survival and glycogen metabolism in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus embryo tick cell line BME26.

Background: Tick embryogenesis is a metabolically intensive process developed under tightly controlled conditions and whose components are poorly understood.

Methods: In order to characterize the role of AKT (protein kinase B) in glycogen metabolism and cell viability, glycogen determination, identification and cloning of an AKT from Rhipicephalus microplus were carried out, in parallel with experiments using RNA interference (RNAi) and chemical inhibition.

Results: A decrease in glycogen content was observed when AKT was chemically inhibited by 10-DEBC treatment, while GSK3 inhibition by alsterpaullone had an opposing effect.

Effects of anti-tick cocktail vaccine against Rhipicephalus appendiculatus.

Rhipicephalus appendiculatus serpin-3 (RAS-3), R. appendiculatus serpin-4 (RAS-4) and a 36-kDa immuno-dominant protein of R. appendiculatus (RIM36) were reported as candidate antigens for the anti-tick vaccine to control ixodid ticks.