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Factor C is a multi-domain serine protease which recognizes Gram-negative bacteria via binding to lipopolysaccharides and triggers hemolymph clotting cascade in the horseshoe crab. A closely related molecule was also found to be present in the genome of the tick Ixodes scapularis. In this work, the full sequence of Factor C ortholog from Ixodes ricinus (IrFC) was determined. IrFC is mainly expressed in tick hemocytes and the heavy chain of the activated molecules is present in tick hemolymph as confirmed by Western blotting with antibodies raised against recombinant fragments of IrFC. The function of the IrFC in tick innate immunity was assessed using its silencing by RNA interference.

Extracellular adenosine is an important signaling molecule in various physiological processes. When not regulated properly it can cause various pathologies such as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency. To study the effects of increased extracellular adenosine level a Drosophila model has been established. This model is based on mutation in the main adenosine deaminase gene in Drosophila (ADGF-A, Adenosine Deaminase-related Growth Factor A). This work is a consequence of large screening for the suppressors of adgf-a mutant phenotype and presents a more detailed study of 3 previously identified regions containing dominant suppressors.