Validation of heat-inducible HSP70 and tick-specific 3xP3 promoters in ISE6 cells.

is an important vector of many pathogens, including the causative agent of Lyme disease. The gene function studies in and other ticks are hampered by the lack of genetic tools, including an inducible promoter for temporal control over transgene-encoding protein or double-stranded RNA. We characterized an intergenic sequence upstream of a heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene that can drive luciferase and mCherry expression in the cell line ISE6 (IsHSP70).

Validation of a heat-inducible HSP70 promoter and developing a tick-specific 3xP3 promoter sequence in ISE6 cells.

is an important vector of many pathogens, including the causative agent of Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, and anaplasmosis. The study of gene function in and other ticks has been hampered by the lack of genetic tools, such as an inducible promoter to permit temporal control over transgenes encoding protein or double-stranded RNA expression. Studies of vector-pathogen relationships would also benefit from the capability to activate anti-pathogen genes at different times during pathogen infection and dissemination.

The highly improved genome of with X and Y pseudochromosomes.

, the black-legged tick, is the principal vector of the Lyme disease spirochete, , and is responsible for most of the ∼470,000 estimated Lyme disease cases annually in the USA. can transmit six additional pathogens of human health significance. Because of its medical importance, was the first tick genome to be sequenced and annotated.

Pitt-Rogers-Danks syndrome: further delineation.

The Pitt-Rogers-Danks syndrome is an entity characterized by proportionate short stature and low weight of prenatal onset, moderate to severe mental retardation, seizures, and typical facial changes including microcephaly, telecanthus, upward or downward slanting palpebral fissures, prominent eyes, ocular abnormalities, hypoplastic maxilla, short philtrum, and large mouth. This is the seventh reported case, and the first one in which the patient also presents with optic atrophy. Autosomal recessive inheritance has been proposed until now, however, the increased paternal age seen in this case is suggestive of a possible autosomal dominant de novo mutation.

Autosomal dominant macroglossia in two unrelated families.

Two unrelated families, one with 15 and the other with 3 members affected with macroglossia as a sole trait, are described. It is concluded that this entity differs from previously reported syndromes presenting macroglossia and is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion.