Detection of midgut antigens of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum tick using DS-PAGE and Western blot

Ticks are important ectoparasites which are a considerable threat to human beings and to animals all over the world. Enormous economic losses annually occur in livestock production around the world as a result of their existance. One of the ways to control ticks and tick-borne diseases is to introduce resistance to these ectoparasites through immunization. For identification of the putative protective antigens, screening of large number of parasite antigens and their fractions are necessary. In this study, midguts of fed adult female Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum were used to prepare antigen and to identify the midgut profile. Polypeptide profile was analysed by SDS-PAGE with 12.5% concentration under denaturated conditions and discontinuous buffer system. Humoral immunity and antigenic pattern were evaluated by Western blot. A total of 4 fractions were observed in the polypeptide profile. The molecular weight of the fractions were 97, 84, 66 and 55 kDa. The band with molecular weight of 66 kDa was dominant. Positive reaction with 84, 66 and 55 kDa bands were observed in immuno-blot of the midgut antigens.