1. RFP : SFTS 감염실태 및 전파 방지 연구

2. 해당분과 : 2-1-5 과제

3. 과제명 : SFTSV 동물 간 전파 및 면역반응 연구

4. 연구책임자 : 김범석(전북대학교)

[Abstract]

Glycogen synthase kinase 3(GSK-3), which belongs to the serine/threonine kinase family, regulates glycogen metabolism, Wnt signaling, hormonal regulation, and embryonic development in many eukaryotes. Here, we cloned a complete open reading frame (ORF) of glycogen synthase kinase 3b (GSK-3b) from Haemaphysalis longicornis and characterized its transcriptional and functional status. The ORF of GSK-3b possesses 1242 nucleotides encoding a mature protein of 413 amino acid residues. GSK-3b nucleotide and protein sequences are highly conserved among different vertebrate and invertebrate animals, with identity between 47.8–100% and 63.2–88.7%, respectively.

Sequence comparison showed one signature domain between the residues of 51 and 335 amino acids, which was iden-tified as a protein kinase (serine/threonine). RT-PCR showed GSK-3b mRNA present in all developmental stages of H. longicornis. Interestingly, a higher transcript level was observed in nymph and 7-day-old eggs compared with others by real-time PCR, indicating a role of GSK-3b in the early stages of life. The functional status of GSK-3b was characterized by RNA interference (RNAi) and caused significant (p < 0.05) reduction in feeding and reproduction, as well as an abnormality in eggs and hatching. Taken together, our results suggest that GSK-3b may be an important candidate for a multiple antigen vaccine for controlling the tick population.