Figure 4. Transcriptional profile of Arp2/3 complex (all subunits) in D. variabilis tissues.

R. montanensis was used to infect tick midgut, ovary, and salivary glands (8×10⁷ rickettsiae per tissue) for 1 h. After removal of rickettsiae, tick tissues were washed and collected by low-speed centrifugation. Total RNA was then extracted from the tissues and the levels of DvArp2/3 complex mRNA were measured by qRT-PCR. DvGAPDH mRNA was used to normalize the differences among samples. Data shown are mean (±SEM) relative expression from two independent experiments. The asterisk denotes a significant difference between treatment groups (unexposed- or Rickettsia-exposed group) in the same tissue. For each subunit, different letters above bars represents significance differences between tissues.