Prostaglandin biosynthesis by salivary glands isolated from the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum

Salivary glands separated from internal tissues of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, are competent to synthesize prostaglandins (PGs), Using an in vitro PG biosynthesis assay four major PGs, namely, PGA(2)/PGB(2), PGD(2), PGE(2), and PGF(2 alpha) were synthesized. Under standard assay conditions PGA(2)/PGB(2) was the predominant product, Salivary tissues as well as non-salivary internal tissues were capable of PG biosynthesis. We observed that storing ticks at -80 degrees C for 3 months resulted in reduced PG biosynthesis, This indicates that the tick preparation, unlike comparable mammalian preparations, is not stable to freezing, Cyclooxygenase inhibitors, indomethacin (> 10 mu m) and naproxen (> 15 mu m), completely inhibited PG biosynthesis. These results demonstrate the presence of a PG biosynthetic system in salivary glands and other internal tissues of the lone star ticks. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.