Oral secretion elicited by effectors of signal transduction pathways in the salivary glands of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae).

The abilities of various effectors of signal pathways in tick salivary glands to stimulate oral secretions in partially fed Amblyomma americanum (L.) female ticks were compared. Pilocarpine stimulated secretion the most rapidly following tick stimulation, but its effectiveness declined with time and subsequent injections. Secretion rates induced by dopamine and theophylline increased with time of collection and additional injections and were as effective as pilocarpine after 60 min. Activators of protein kinase C, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol inhibited dopamine, and theophylline stimulated secretion. gamma-amino-butyric acid either by itself or in combination with other drugs had no effect on volume of oral secretions. Peptides were visible in the oral secretion stimulated by the various drugs after separation and staining in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. More peptides were present in the oral secretion obtained from the smallest partially fed (slow feeding) ticks. In some ticks, proteins were observed in oral secretions obtained from the same tick at one collection time but not another in response to the same pharmacological agent.