Periviscerokinin (Cap(2b); CAPA) receptor silencing in females of Rhipicephalus microplus reduces survival, weight and reproductive output

BACKGROUND: The cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, is a vector of pathogens causative of babesiosis and anaplasmosis, both highly lethal bovine diseases that affect cattle worldwide. In Ecdysozoa, neuropeptides and their G-protein-coupled receptors play a critical integrative role in the regulation of all physiological processes. However, the physiological activity of many neuropeptides is still unknown in ticks. Periviscerokinins (CAP(2b)/PVKs) are neuropeptides associated with myotropic and diuretic activities in insects. These peptides have been identified only in a few tick species, such as Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes scapularis and R. microplus, and their cognate receptor only characterized for the last two. METHODS: Expression of the periviscerokinin receptor (Rhimi-CAP(2b)R) was investigated throughout the developmental stages of R. microplus and silenced by RNA interference (RNAi) in the females. In a first experiment, three double-stranded (ds) RNAs, named ds680-805, ds956-1109 and ds1102-1200, respectively, were tested in vivo. All three caused phenotypic effects, but only the last one was chosen for subsequent experiments. Resulting RNAi phenotypic variables were compared to those of negative controls, both non-injected and dsRNA beta-lactamase-injected ticks, and to positive controls injected with beta-actin dsRNA. Rhimi-CAP(2b)R silencing was verified by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR in whole females and dissected tissues. RESULTS: Rhimi-CAP(2b)R transcript expression was detected throughout all developmental stages. Rhimi-CAP(2b)R silencing was associated with increased female mortality, decreased weight of surviving females and of egg masses, a delayed egg incubation period and decreased egg hatching (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CAP(2b)/PVKs appear to be associated with the regulation of female feeding, reproduction and survival. Since the Rhimi-CAP(2b)R loss of function was detrimental to females, the discovery of antagonistic molecules of the CAP(2b)/PVK signaling system should cause similar effects. Our results point to this signaling system as a promising target for tick control. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05457-7.