Identification of TROSPA homologue in Ixodes persulcatus Schulze, the specific vector for human Lyme borreliosis in Japan

The tick receptor for outer surface protein A (TROSPA) is an . Ixodes scapularis (. I. scapularis) receptor for . Borrelia burgdorferi (. B. burgdorferi), the causative agent of Lyme disease in North America. The blockade of TROSPA has been shown to reduce . B. burgdorferi adherence to the . I. scapularis gut in vivo. Thus, TROSPA is one of the potential targets for the development of vector-antigen-based vaccines to prevent the transmission of . B. burgdorferi. The aim of this study is to identify the TROSPA gene in . I. persulcatus Schulze, the specific vector for human Lyme borreliosis in Japan. The cDNA clone encoding the TROSPA-like sequence with 483 nucleotides was obtained from whole-body homogenates of fed nymphs of . I. persulcatus. The putative amino acid sequence of . I. persulcatus TROSPA was 88.2% and 87.8% identical to that of . I. scapularis and . I. ricinus, respectively. This finding will facilitate investigations on the role of . I. persulcatus TROSPA and its interaction with . Borrelia spp. and will have important implications on endeavors to develop a tick vaccine.