Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels mediate salivary gland function and blood feeding in the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum.

• Published in: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Zhilin Li, Kevin R Macaluso, Lane D Foil, Daniel R Swale
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2019
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic; Lone; Ramsay
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007153; https://doaj.org/article/83a08eeea74f427e982e385e69c92145

BACKGROUND:Tick feeding causes extreme morbidity and mortality to humans through transmission of pathogens and causes severe economic losses to the agricultural industry by reducing livestock yield. Salivary gland secretions are essential for tick feeding and thus, reducing or preventing saliva secr...