In silico identification of neurohormones and neuropeptides and their G protein-coupled receptors in the sheep scab mite Psoroptes ovis: potential targets for alternative control strategies

The genome of the sheep scab mite, Psoroptes ovis, was analysed for the presence of neuropeptide and neurohormone precursors and their G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Many of these showed significant similarities to those known or predicted from other Acaridae and also insect species. Similarities to orthologous precursors and receptors from the sheep Ovis aries, host for P. ovis, were also evaluated. The roles of neuropeptides and neurohormones in the control of behavioural and physiological processes such as osmoregulation, reproduction, growth and development are discussed. The GPCRs for these neuropeptides and neurohormones offer potential targets for the development of next-generation acaricides. Modification of normal receptor function by new chemistries that either block or over-stimulate the GPCRs can result in the death of the mite or alter its normal development and reproductive ability thereby suppressing populations. This work provides the information required to select potential GPCR targets in P. ovis for future development of new acaricides.