This family represents evasins proteins from ticks, secreted glycoproteins that enhance host blood flow and have anti-inflammatory activity as they bind to chemokines and prevent leukocyte recruitment. Evasins can be divided in two classes based on their chemokine selectivity. Class A binds CC chemokines and includes Evasin-1 (EVA-1) and Evasin-4, being EVA-1 more selective. Class B Evasins include Evasin-3 which binds and inhibits several CXC chemokines but not CC chemokines. This family contains eight conserved Cys residues that define four intramolecular disulfide bonds. The N- and C-terminal regions are flexible, extend from either side of the core and form a concave surface with the first beta-sheet suitable for binding another EVA-1 molecule or to a chemokine. There are two Gly residues strictly conserved. Predicted glycosylation sites were identified on the exterior surface of the structure. These proteins are interesting therapeutic anti-inflammatory agents [1,2].

1: Evasins: Tick Salivary Proteins that Inhibit Mammalian Chemokines. Bhusal RP, Eaton JRO, Chowdhury ST, Power CA, Proudfoot AEI, Stone MJ, Bhattacharya S; Trends Biochem Sci. 2020;45:108-122. PMID:31679840

2: Ticks produce highly selective chemokine binding proteins with antiinflammatory activity. Deruaz M, Frauenschuh A, Alessandri AL, Dias JM, Coelho FM, Russo RC, Ferreira BR, Graham GJ, Shaw JP, Wells TN, Teixeira MM, Power CA, Proudfoot AE; J Exp Med. 2008;205:2019-2031. PMID:18678732