Fig. 3

rab27 silencing affects the fitness of Ixodes scapularis nymphs during hematophagy. A Ixodes scapularis nymphs were microinjected with small interfering (si-rab27)(green) or scrambled (sc-rab27)(gray) RNA, incubated for 24 h, and then placed on uninfected mice. B rab27 expression relative to actin after silencing. The graph represents three independent experiments combined. si-rab27 (n = 16). sc-rab27 (n = 25). Mean ± standard deviation (SD) is plotted. Statistical significance was evaluated by an unpaired, two-tailed t-test with Welch’s correction. *P < 0.05. C rab27 silencing effect on tick attachment. The graph represents three independent experiments combined. A Fisher’s exact test was performed to determine statistical differences. ns = not significant, P > 0.05. D Tick weight after rab27 silencing. The graph represents three independent experiments combined. si-rab27 (n = 16). sc-rab27 (n = 25). Mean ± SD is plotted. Statistical significance was evaluated by an unpaired, two-tailed t-test with Welch’s correction. *P < 0.05. Ticks recorded as a weight of 0 mg were below the limit of detection of our scale (1 mg)