The localization of a paralysis toxin in granules and nuclei of prefed female Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi tick salivary gland cells

A monoclonal antibody directed against a paralysis toxin of Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi ticks was used to localize the toxin in cytoplasmic granules and, surprisingly, chromatin of the nuclei of cells which resemble the "b" cell type in the salivary glands of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Boophilus microplus and Ixodes holocyclus. The association of toxin with chromatin indicates that the toxin may have a regulatory function. Evidence is provided to support the view that the toxin is made up of three identical sub-units, with only the trimeric form being toxic.