1
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Li TH, Wang X, Desneux N, Wang S, Zang LS. Egg coverings in insects: ecological adaptation to abiotic and biotic selective pressures. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39171447 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Insects have evolved a spectrum of strategies that facilitate survival in the face of adverse environmental conditions and bottom-up or top-down pressures. The egg is the first stage in the life cycle of most insects. It is not only immobile but in many insects is the stage that survives unfavourable seasons when food resources are unavailable. Eggs are targeted by oophagous natural enemies and also are subject to abiotic stresses. In response to these diverse stresses, insects have developed various egg protection strategies. Females of many insects lay eggs in clusters and then use their own body resources to cover them to provide protection from harsh environments and biotic attack. Such egg protection strategies have allowed some herbivorous insects to thrive in new environments and become serious invasive pests. Females of many insects protect their eggs in other ways (e.g. laying eggs in concealed places, direct parental care) while others do not provide protection at all. Here, we review various egg protective strategies in insects. Our focus is on adaptive ecological mechanisms and temporal variation as well as the benefits and costs of egg coverings. We highlight several case studies on how these egg protective traits might impede biological control of globally important agricultural and forest pests and propose a framework for incorporating egg protective traits into biological control programs especially for invasive insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Xingeng Wang
- USDA ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, Newark, 19713, DE, USA
| | | | - Su Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Lian-Sheng Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
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2
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Schendel V, Müller CHG, Kenning M, Maxwell M, Jenner RA, Undheim EAB, Sombke A. The venom and telopodal defence systems of the centipede Lithobius forficatus are functionally convergent serial homologues. BMC Biol 2024; 22:135. [PMID: 38867210 PMCID: PMC11170834 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01925-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evolution of novelty is a central theme in evolutionary biology, yet studying the origins of traits with an apparently discontinuous origin remains a major challenge. Venom systems are a well-suited model for the study of this phenomenon because they capture several aspects of novelty across multiple levels of biological complexity. However, while there is some knowledge on the evolution of individual toxins, not much is known about the evolution of venom systems as a whole. One way of shedding light on the evolution of new traits is to investigate less specialised serial homologues, i.e. repeated traits in an organism that share a developmental origin. This approach can be particularly informative in animals with repetitive body segments, such as centipedes. RESULTS Here, we investigate morphological and biochemical aspects of the defensive telopodal glandular organs borne on the posterior legs of venomous stone centipedes (Lithobiomorpha), using a multimethod approach, including behavioural observations, comparative morphology, proteomics, comparative transcriptomics and molecular phylogenetics. We show that the anterior venom system and posterior telopodal defence system are functionally convergent serial homologues, where one (telopodal defence) represents a model for the putative early evolutionary state of the other (venom). Venom glands and telopodal glandular organs appear to have evolved from the same type of epidermal gland (four-cell recto-canal type) and while the telopodal defensive secretion shares a great degree of compositional overlap with centipede venoms in general, these similarities arose predominantly through convergent recruitment of distantly related toxin-like components. Both systems are composed of elements predisposed to functional innovation across levels of biological complexity that range from proteins to glands, demonstrating clear parallels between molecular and morphological traits in the properties that facilitate the evolution of novelty. CONCLUSIONS The evolution of the lithobiomorph telopodal defence system provides indirect empirical support for the plausibility of the hypothesised evolutionary origin of the centipede venom system, which occurred through functional innovation and gradual specialisation of existing epidermal glands. Our results thus exemplify how continuous transformation and functional innovation can drive the apparent discontinuous emergence of novelties on higher levels of biological complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Schendel
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Carsten H G Müller
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Loitzer Strasse 26, Greifswald, 17489, Germany
| | - Matthes Kenning
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Loitzer Strasse 26, Greifswald, 17489, Germany
| | - Michael Maxwell
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | | | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0316, Norway.
| | - Andy Sombke
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Austria.
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3
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Beňo M, Beňová-Liszeková D, Kostič I, Šerý M, Mentelová L, Procházka M, Šoltýs J, Trusinová L, Ritomský M, Orovčík L, Jerigová M, Velič D, Machata P, Omastová M, Chase BA, Farkaš R. Gross morphology and adhesion-associated physical properties of Drosophila larval salivary gland glue secretion. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9779. [PMID: 38684688 PMCID: PMC11059401 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57292-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the major functions of the larval salivary glands (SGs) of many Drosophila species is to produce a massive secretion during puparium formation. This so-called proteinaceous glue is exocytosed into the centrally located lumen, and subsequently expectorated, serving as an adhesive to attach the puparial case to a solid substrate during metamorphosis. Although this was first described almost 70 years ago, a detailed description of the morphology and mechanical properties of the glue is largely missing. Its main known physical property is that it is released as a watery liquid that quickly hardens into a solid cement. Here, we provide a detailed morphological and topological analysis of the solidified glue. We demonstrated that it forms a distinctive enamel-like plaque that is composed of a central fingerprint surrounded by a cascade of laterally layered terraces. The solidifying glue rapidly produces crystals of KCl on these alluvial-like terraces. Since the properties of the glue affect the adhesion of the puparium to its substrate, and so can influence the success of metamorphosis, we evaluated over 80 different materials for their ability to adhere to the glue to determine which properties favor strong adhesion. We found that the alkaline Sgs-glue adheres strongly to wettable and positively charged surfaces but not to neutral or negatively charged and hydrophobic surfaces. Puparia formed on unfavored materials can be removed easily without leaving fingerprints or cascading terraces. For successful adhesion of the Sgs-glue, the material surface must display a specific type of triboelectric charge. Interestingly, the expectorated glue can move upwards against gravity on the surface of freshly formed puparia via specific, unique and novel anatomical structures present in the puparial's lateral abdominal segments that we have named bidentia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Beňo
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84505, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Denisa Beňová-Liszeková
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84505, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ivan Kostič
- Department of Sensor Information Systems and Technologies, Institute of Informatics v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 07, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Šerý
- Department of Applied Physics and Technology, Faculty of Education, University of South Bohemia, Jeronýmova 10, 37115, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Mentelová
- Department of Genetics, Comenius University, Mlynská Dolina, B-1, 84215, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Procházka
- Department of Composite Materials, Polymer Institute v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84541, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ján Šoltýs
- Department of Physics and Technology at Nanoscale, Institute of Electrical Engineering v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84104, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ludmila Trusinová
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84505, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mário Ritomský
- Department of Sensor Information Systems and Technologies, Institute of Informatics v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 07, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lubomír Orovčík
- Division of Microstructure of Surfaces and Interfaces, Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84513, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Jerigová
- Laboratory of Secondary Ion Mass-Spectrometry, International Laser Centre, Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information, Ilkovičova 3, 84104, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dušan Velič
- Laboratory of Secondary Ion Mass-Spectrometry, International Laser Centre, Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information, Ilkovičova 3, 84104, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Machata
- Department of Composite Materials, Polymer Institute v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84541, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Omastová
- Department of Composite Materials, Polymer Institute v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84541, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Bruce A Chase
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182-0040, USA
- Department of Data Analytics, Endeavor Health, NorthShore University Health System, Skokie, IL, 60077, USA
| | - Robert Farkaš
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center v.v.i., Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84505, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Ma X, Yin Z, Li H, Guo J. Roles of herbivorous insects salivary proteins. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29201. [PMID: 38601688 PMCID: PMC11004886 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricate relationship between herbivorous insects and plants has evolved over millions of years, central to this dynamic interaction are salivary proteins (SPs), which mediate key processes ranging from nutrient acquisition to plant defense manipulation. SPs, sourced from salivary glands, intestinal regurgitation or acquired through horizontal gene transfer, exhibit remarkable functional versatility, influencing insect development, behavior, and adhesion mechanisms. Moreover, SPs play pivotal roles in modulating plant defenses, to induce or inhibit plant defenses as elicitors or effectors. In this review, we delve into the multifaceted roles of SPs in herbivorous insects, highlighting their diverse impacts on insect physiology and plant responses. Through a comprehensive exploration of SP functions, this review aims to deepen our understanding of plant-insect interactions and foster advancements in both fundamental research and practical applications in plant-insect interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Ma
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pest in Guiyang, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the PR China, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Zhiyong Yin
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pest in Guiyang, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the PR China, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Haiyin Li
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pest in Guiyang, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the PR China, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Jianjun Guo
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pest in Guiyang, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the PR China, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
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5
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Salerno G, Rebora M, Gorb E, Gorb S. Mechanoecology: biomechanical aspects of insect-plant interactions. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2024; 210:249-265. [PMID: 38480551 PMCID: PMC10994878 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-024-01698-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Plants and herbivorous insects as well as their natural enemies, such as predatory and parasitoid insects, are united by intricate relationships. During the long period of co-evolution with insects, plants developed a wide diversity of features to defence against herbivores and to attract pollinators and herbivores' natural enemies. The chemical basis of insect-plant interactions is established and many examples are studied, where feeding and oviposition site selection of phytophagous insects are dependent on the plant's secondary chemistry. However, often overlooked mechanical interactions between insects and plants can be rather crucial. In the context of mechanoecology, the evolution of plant surfaces and insect adhesive pads is an interesting example of competition between insect attachment systems and plant anti-attachment surfaces. The present review is focused on mechanical insect-plant interactions of some important pest species, such as the polyphagous Southern Green Stinkbug Nezara viridula and two frugivorous pest species, the polyphagous Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata and the monophagous olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae. Their ability to attach to plant surfaces characterised by different features such as waxes and trichomes is discussed. Some attention is paid also to Coccinellidae, whose interaction with plant leaf surfaces is substantial across all developmental stages in both phytophagous and predatory species that feed on herbivorous insects. Finally, the role of different kinds of anti-adhesive nanomaterials is discussed. They can reduce the attachment ability of insect pests to natural and artificial surfaces, potentially representing environmental friendly alternative methods to reduce insect pest impact in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, Perugia, 06121, Italy
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, Perugia, 06121, Italy.
| | - Elena Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098, Kiel, Germany
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6
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Zhang X, Chen H, Chen X, Liang A. Genomic and Transcriptomic Insights into the Genetic Basis of Foam Secretion in Rice Spittlebug Callitettix versicolor. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2012. [PMID: 38396690 PMCID: PMC10889267 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Many animal species produce protective foams, the majority of which exhibit evolutionary adaptability. Although the function and composition of foams have been widely studied, the genetic basis of foam secretion remains unknown. Unlike most species that produce foam under specific situations, spittlebugs continuously secrete foams throughout all nymphal stages. Here, we capitalize on the rice spittlebug (Callitettix versicolor) to explore the genetic basis of foam secretion through genomic and transcriptomic approaches. Our comparative genomic analysis for C. versicolor and eight other insect species reveals 606 species-specific gene families and 66 expanded gene families, associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. These functions are in accordance with the composition of foams secreted by spittlebugs. Transcriptomic analyses of malpighian tubules across developmental stages detected 3192 differentially expressed genes. Enrichment analysis of these genes highlights functions also revealed by our comparative genomic analysis and aligns with previous histochemical and morphological observations of foam secretion. This consistency suggests the important roles of these candidate genes in foam production. Our study not only provides novel insights into the genetic basis of foam secretion in rice spittlebugs but also contributes valuable knowledge for future evolutionary studies of spittlebugs and the development of pest control strategies for C. versicolor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Aiping Liang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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7
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Sim YW, Cho S, Lee SH, Kim JH, Lee J, Park S. Characterization of the common bed bug's eggshell and egg glue proteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 249:126004. [PMID: 37517751 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
An insect egg is one of the most vulnerable stages of insect life, and the evolutionary success of a species depends on the eggshell protecting the embryo and the egg glue securing the attachment. The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius), notorious for its painful and itchy bites, infests human dwellings to feed on blood. They are easier to find these days as they adapt to develop resistance against commonly used insecticides. In this study, we identify and characterize the eggshell protein and the probable egg glue protein (i.e. keratin associated protein 5-10 like protein) of the bed bug by using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analysis. Furthermore, by using transcription profiling and in vivo RNA interference, we show evidences that the keratin associated protein 5-10 like protein functions as the glue protein. Finally, structural characterizations on the two proteins are performed using recombinant proteins. Amino acid sequences of various insect eggshell and egg glue proteins support their independent evolution among different insect groups. Hence, inhibiting the function of these proteins related to the earliest stage of life can achieve species-specific population control. In this respect, our results would be a starting point in developing new ways to control bed bug population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeo Won Sim
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - Susie Cho
- Entomology Division, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Hyeock Lee
- Entomology Division, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hyeon Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Julian Lee
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea.
| | - SangYoun Park
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Sánchez-Hernández E, Martín-Ramos P, Niño-Sánchez J, Diez-Hermano S, Álvarez-Taboada F, Pérez-García R, Santiago-Aliste A, Martín-Gil J, Diez-Casero JJ. Characterization of Leptoglossus occidentalis Eggs and Egg Glue. INSECTS 2023; 14:396. [PMID: 37103211 PMCID: PMC10143709 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910, Heteroptera: Coreidae) has a significant economic impact due to the reduction in the quality and viability of conifer seed crops; it can feed on up to 40 different species of conifers, showing a clear predilection for Pinus pinea L. in Europe. Its incidence is especially relevant for the pine nut-producing industry, given that the action of this pest insect can reduce the production of pine nuts by up to 25%. As part of ongoing efforts aimed at the design of control strategies for this insect, this work focuses on the characterization (by scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, GC-MS) of the compounds released by these insects during oviposition, with emphasis on the adhesive secretion that holds L. occidentalis eggs together. Elemental analysis pointed to the presence of significant amounts of compounds with high nitrogen content. Functional groups identified by infrared spectroscopy were compatible with the presence of chitin, scleroproteins, LNSP-like and gelatin proteins, shellac wax analogs, and policosanol. Regarding the chemical species identified by GC-MS, eggs and glue hydromethanolic extracts shared constituents such as butyl citrate, dibutyl itaconate, tributyl aconitate, oleic acid, oleamide, erucamide, and palmitic acid, while eggs also showed stearic and linoleic acid-related compounds. Knowledge of this composition may allow advances in new strategies to address the problem caused by L. occidentalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Sánchez-Hernández
- Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, ETSIIAA, University of Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Martín-Ramos
- Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, ETSIIAA, University of Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, Spain
| | - Jonatan Niño-Sánchez
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible (iuFOR), Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34071 Palencia, Spain
- Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Recursos Forestales, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34071 Palencia, Spain
| | - Sergio Diez-Hermano
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible (iuFOR), Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34071 Palencia, Spain
- Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Recursos Forestales, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34071 Palencia, Spain
| | - Flor Álvarez-Taboada
- School of Agrarian and Forest Engineering, DRACONES, Universidad de León, Avenida de Portugal 41, 24401 Ponferrada, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Pérez-García
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible (iuFOR), Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34071 Palencia, Spain
- Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Recursos Forestales, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34071 Palencia, Spain
| | - Alberto Santiago-Aliste
- Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, ETSIIAA, University of Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Martín-Gil
- Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, ETSIIAA, University of Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, Spain
| | - Julio Javier Diez-Casero
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible (iuFOR), Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34071 Palencia, Spain
- Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Recursos Forestales, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34071 Palencia, Spain
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9
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Caarls L, Bassetti N, Verbaarschot P, Mumm R, van Loon JJA, Schranz ME, Fatouros NE. Hypersensitive-like response in Brassica plants is specifically induced by molecules from egg-associated secretions of cabbage white butterflies. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1070859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants perceive and respond to herbivore insect eggs. Upon egg deposition on leaves, a strong hypersensitive response (HR)-like cell death can be activated leading to egg desiccation and/or dropping. In Brassica spp., including many crops, the HR-like mechanism against eggs of cabbage white butterflies (Pieris spp.) is poorly understood. Using two Brassica species, the crop B. rapa and its wild relative B. nigra, we studied the cellular and molecular plant response to Pieris brassicae eggs and characterized potential insect egg-associated molecular patterns (EAMPs) inducing HR-like cell death. We found that eggs of P. brassicae induced typical hallmarks of early immune responses, such as callose deposition, production of reactive oxygen species and cell death in B. nigra and B. rapa leaf tissue, also in plants that did not express HR-like cell death. However, elevated levels of ethylene production and upregulation of salicylic acid-responsive genes were only detected in a B. nigra accession expressing HR-like cell death. Eggs and egg wash from P. brassicae contains compounds that induced such responses, but the eggs of the generalist moth Mamestra brassicae did not. Furthermore, wash made from hatched Pieris eggs, egg glue, and accessory reproductive glands (ARG) that produce this glue, induced HR-like cell death, whereas washes from unfertilized eggs dissected from the ovaries or removal of the glue from eggs resulted in no or a reduced response. This suggests that there is one or multiple egg associated molecular pattern (EAMP) located in the egg glue a that teresponse in B. nigra is specific to Pieris species. Lastly, our results indicate that the EAMP is neither lipidic nor proteinaceous. Our study expands the knowledge on the mechanism of Brassica-Pieris-egg interaction and is a step closer toward identification of EAMPs in Pieris egg glue and corresponding receptor(s) in Brassica.
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Büscher TH, Gorb SN. Convergent Evolution of Adhesive Properties in Leaf Insect Eggs and Plant Seeds: Cross-Kingdom Bioinspiration. Biomimetics (Basel) 2022; 7:biomimetics7040173. [PMID: 36412700 PMCID: PMC9680409 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics7040173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants and animals are often used as a source for inspiration in biomimetic engineering. However, stronger engagement of biologists is often required in the field of biomimetics. The actual strength of using biological systems as a source of inspiration for human problem solving does not lie in a perfect copy of a single system but in the extraction of core principles from similarly functioning systems that have convergently solved the same problem in their evolution. Adhesive systems are an example of such convergent traits that independently evolved in different organisms. We herein compare two analogous adhesive systems, one from plants seeds and one from insect eggs, to test their properties and functional principles for differences and similarities in order to evaluate the input that can be potentially used for biomimetics. Although strikingly similar, the eggs of the leaf insect Phyllium philippinicum and the seeds of the ivy gourd Coccinia grandis make use of different surface structures for the generation of adhesion. Both employ a water-soluble glue that is spread on the surface via reinforcing fibrous surface structures, but the morphology of these structures is different. In addition to microscopic analysis of the two adhesive systems, we mechanically measured the actual adhesion generated by both systems to quantitatively compare their functional differences on various standardized substrates. We found that seeds can generate much stronger adhesion in some cases but overall provided less reliable adherence in comparison to eggs. Furthermore, eggs performed better regarding repetitive attachment. The similarities of these systems, and their differences resulting from their different purposes and different structural/chemical features, can be informative for engineers working on technical adhesive systems.
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Rho S, Park JK, Sim YW, Choi MH, Kwon N, Kim M, Jung W, Kim J, Kim JH, Lee SH, Park S. Biophysical properties of human body louse nit related proteins: LNSP1, Agp9 and Agp22. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 631:64-71. [PMID: 36174297 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The human parasitic head and body lice lay their eggs on either hair or clothing. Attachments of the eggs are possible because the female lice secret a glue substance from the accessory gland along with the egg, which hardens into a nit sheath that secures and protects the egg (The "nit" commonly refers to either the louse egg with an embryo or the empty hatched egg). Proteins called the louse nit sheath protein (LNSP) are suggested to be the major proteins of the nit sheath, but transcriptome profiling of the accessory glands indicated other proteins such as Agp9 and Agp22 are also expressed in the glands. In this study, human body louse LNSP1 (partial), Agp9, and Agp22 are recombinantly produced using the E. coli expression system, and the biophysical properties characterized. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that the secondary structure elements of LNSP1 N-terminal and middle-domains, Agp9, and Agp22 are prominently random coiled with up to 10-30% anti-parallel β-sheet element present. Size-exclusion chromatography profiles of LNSP1 proteins further suggested that the β-sheets made of the smaller N-terminal domain stacks onto the β-sheets of the larger middle-domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- SooHo Rho
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Kuk Park
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeo Won Sim
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hee Choi
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - Nayoung Kwon
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - MinJu Kim
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - WeonSeok Jung
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - JooYoung Kim
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hyeon Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Hyeock Lee
- Entomology Division, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - SangYoun Park
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea.
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Souza NM, Wang T, Suwansa-Ard S, Nahrung HF, Cummins SF. Ovi-protective mothers: exploring the proteomic profile of weevil ( Gonipterus) egg capsules. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10516. [PMID: 36119877 PMCID: PMC9475328 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects of different orders produce elaborate structures to protect their eggs from the many threats they may face from the environment and natural enemies. In the weevil genus Gonipterus, their dark, hardened egg capsule is possibly generated by a mixture of the insects' excrement and glandular substances. To test this hypothesis, this study focused on the elucidation of protein components present in the egg capsule cover and interrogated them through comparative analysis and gene expression to help infer potential functions. First, female Gonipterus sp. n. 2 reproductive and alimentary tissues were isolated to establish a reference transcriptome-derived protein database. Then, proteins from weevil frass (excrement) and egg capsule cover were identified through mass spectrometry proteomics. We found that certain egg capsule cover proteins were both exclusive and shared between frass and egg capsule cover, including those of plant origin (e.g. photosystem II protein) and others secreted by the weevil, primarily from reproductive tissue. Among them, a mucin/spidroin-like protein and novel proteins with repetitive units that likely play a structural role were identified. We have confirmed the dual origin of the egg capsule cover substance as a blend of the insects’ frass and secretions. Novel proteins secreted by the weevils are key candidates for holding the egg case cover together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia M Souza
- Tropical Fruit and Market Access RD&E, Horticulture and Forestry Science, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Portsmith, QLD 4870, Australia
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore 4558, QLD, Australia.,School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore 4558, QLD, Australia
| | - Saowaros Suwansa-Ard
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore 4558, QLD, Australia
| | - Helen F Nahrung
- Forest Research Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Scott F Cummins
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore 4558, QLD, Australia.,School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore 4558, QLD, Australia
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Lei Y, Guo K, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Qin L, Wang X, Zhu H, Guo Y, Yang W, Li B, Xia Q, Zhao P, Dong Z. Adhesive property and mechanism of silkworm egg glue protein. Acta Biomater 2021; 134:499-512. [PMID: 34311106 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Egg glue proteins (EGPs) are produced by female insects, which can make the eggs firmly attached to the oviposition sites, not affected by wind and rain. Although EGPs are widespread in insects, they have been rarely characterized in molecular detail. Here, the full-length sequence and secondary structure of silkworm EGP is reported. A pentapeptide motif, G-G-N/K/D-Q/E/K-Q/P, was found to repeat 346 times, forming a hydrophilic and elastic β-spiral structure in the silkworm EGP. To reveal the adhesive property and mechanism, we extracted natural EGP from silkworm colleterial gland, and expressed recombinant EGP in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. The glycosylated natural EGP and recombinant EGP from P. pastoris was found to have better adhesive strength than the non-glycosylated recombinant EGP from E. coli. In addition, two transglutaminases in the colleterial gland were found to contribute to the high adhesion of EGP by catalyzing the cross-linking. This study provides important insights into the structure-function relationships associated with this protein, thereby creating new opportunities for the use of insect EGP as a biomaterial. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Egg glue proteins are produced by female insects, which can make the eggs firmly attached to the oviposition sites, not affected by wind and rain. However, genes encoding insect egg glue proteins have not yet been reported, and the molecular mechanism underpinning their adhesion is still unknown. Our study makes a significant contribution to the literature as it identifies the sequence, structure, adhesive property, and mechanism of silkworm egg glue protein. Furthermore, it outlines key insights into the structure-function relationships associated with egg glue proteins. We believe that this paper will be of interest to the readership of your journal as it identifies the first complete sequence of insect egg glue proteins, thereby highlighting their potentials future applications in both the biomedical and technical fields.
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Büscher TH, Lohar R, Kaul MC, Gorb SN. Multifunctional Adhesives on the Eggs of the Leaf Insect Phyllium philippinicum (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae): Solvent Influence and Biomimetic Implications. Biomimetics (Basel) 2020; 5:biomimetics5040066. [PMID: 33261153 PMCID: PMC7768468 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics5040066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leaf insects (Phylliidae) are well-camouflaged terrestrial herbivores. They imitate leaves of plants almost perfectly and even their eggs resemble seeds—visually and regarding to dispersal mechanisms. The eggs of the leaf insect Phyllium philippinicum utilize an adhesive system with a combination of glue, which can be reversibly activated through water contact and a water-responding framework of reinforcing fibers that facilitates their adjustment to substrate asperities and real contact area enhancement. So far, the chemical composition of this glue remains unknown. To evaluate functional aspects of the glue–solvent interaction, we tested the effects of a broad array of chemical solvents on the glue activation and measured corresponding adhesive forces. Based on these experiments, our results let us assume a proteinaceous nature of the glue with different functional chemical subunits, which enable bonding of the glue to both the surface of the egg and the unpredictable substrate. Some chemicals inhibited adhesion, but the deactivation was always reversible by water-contact and in some cases yielded even higher adhesive forces. The combination of glue and fibers also enables retaining the adhesive on the egg, even if detached from the egg’s surface. The gained insights into this versatile bioadhesive system could hereafter inspire further biomimetic adhesives.
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Halbritter DA. Exposed Neophasia terlooii (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Eggs are Resistant to Desiccation During Quiescence. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 49:918-923. [PMID: 32514519 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvaa066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial insects face the risk of desiccation owing to their small size and high surface area to volume ratios. Insect eggs adhered to exposed substrates are especially prone to extremes in temperature and available moisture. The potential of butterfly egg clusters to withstand desiccation in saturated and unsaturated atmospheres was investigated in this study. Butterflies in the genus Neophasia (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) lay their eggs along live pine needles and they must survive long intervals without available liquid water while overwintering. After 2 d in a desiccating environment, groups of Neophasia terlooii Behr eggs were exposed to several different humidified chambers for 8 d at 5°C. Group masses were monitored over time and the change in mass was compared to the pre-desiccation mass. Changes in mass were minimal, ranging from a 3% increase in the saturated chamber (100% RH) to a 2% decrease in the driest chamber (<10% RH). Ambient humidity was recorded from among the pine needles of a live tree branch in the natural habitat for 2 wk at the start of the overwintering period. Daytime relative humidity among the pine needles dropped as low as 14.5% but rose as high as 92% at night. In the absence of precipitation, N. terlooii eggs can remain within 2% of their starting weight for 10 d at a constant RH of <10% at 5°C. The mechanism for avoiding desiccation and the physical properties of the egg coating are discussed in the context of life in an arid environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Halbritter
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Steinmetz Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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16
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Adhesion Performance in the Eggs of the Philippine Leaf Insect Phyllium Philippinicum (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae). INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11070400. [PMID: 32605269 PMCID: PMC7412187 DOI: 10.3390/insects11070400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Leaf insects (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae) exhibit perfect crypsis imitating leaves. Although the special appearance of the eggs of the species Phyllium philippinicum, which imitate plant seeds, has received attention in different taxonomic studies, the attachment capability of the eggs remains rather anecdotical. We herein elucidate the specialized attachment mechanism of the eggs of this species and provide the first experimental approach to systematically characterize the functional properties of their adhesion by using different microscopy techniques and attachment force measurements on substrates with differing degrees of roughness and surface chemistry, as well as repetitive attachment/detachment cycles while under the influence of water contact. We found that a combination of folded exochorionic structures (pinnae) and a film of adhesive secretion contribute to attachment, which both respond to water. Adhesion is initiated by the glue, which becomes fluid through hydration, enabling adaption to the surface profile. Hierarchically structured pinnae support the spreading of the glue and reinforcement of the film. This combination aids the egg’s surface in adapting to the surface roughness, yet the attachment strength is additionally influenced by the egg’s surface chemistry, favoring hydrophilic substrates. Repetitive detachment and water-mediated adhesion can optimize the location of the egg to ensure suitable environmental conditions for embryonic development. Furthermore, this repeatable and water-controlled adhesion mechanism can stimulate further research for biomimeticists, ecologists and conservationalists.
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Borne F, Kovalev A, Gorb S, Courtier-Orgogozo V. The glue produced by Drosophila melanogaster for pupa adhesion is universal. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb220608. [PMID: 32165432 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.220608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Insects produce a variety of adhesives for diverse functions such as locomotion, mating, and egg or pupal anchorage to substrates. Although they are important for the biology of organisms and potentially represent a great resource for developing new materials, insect adhesives have been little studied so far. Here, we examined the adhesive properties of the larval glue of Drosophila melanogaster This glue is made of glycosylated proteins and allows the animal to adhere to a substrate during metamorphosis. We designed an adhesion test to measure the pull-off force required to detach a pupa from a substrate and to evaluate the contact area covered by the glue. We found that the pupa adheres with similar forces to a variety of substrates (with distinct roughness, hydrophilic and charge properties). We obtained an average pull-off force of 217 mN, corresponding to 15,500 times the weight of a pupa and an adhesion strength of 137-244 kPa. Surprisingly, the pull-off forces did not depend on the contact area. Our study paves the way for a genetic dissection of the components of D. melanogaster glue that confer its particular adhesive properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Borne
- Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS, Université de Paris, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Alexander Kovalev
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute of the University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute of the University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
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Federle W, Labonte D. Dynamic biological adhesion: mechanisms for controlling attachment during locomotion. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20190199. [PMID: 31495309 PMCID: PMC6745483 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid control of surface attachment is a key feature of natural adhesive systems used for locomotion, and a property highly desirable for man-made adhesives. Here, we describe the challenges of adhesion control and the timescales involved across diverse biological attachment systems and different adhesive mechanisms. The most widespread control principle for dynamic surface attachment in climbing animals is that adhesion is 'shear-sensitive' (directional): pulling adhesive pads towards the body results in strong attachment, whereas pushing them away from it leads to easy detachment, providing a rapid mechanical 'switch'. Shear-sensitivity is based on changes of contact area and adhesive strength, which in turn arise from non-adhesive default positions, the mechanics of peeling, pad sliding, and the targeted storage and controlled release of elastic strain energy. The control of adhesion via shear forces is deeply integrated with the climbing animals' anatomy and locomotion, and involves both active neuromuscular control, and rapid passive responses of sophisticated mechanical systems. The resulting dynamic adhesive systems are robust, reliable, versatile and nevertheless remarkably simple. This article is part of the theme issue 'Transdisciplinary approaches to the study of adhesion and adhesives in biological systems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Federle
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Labonte
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College, London, UK
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Opell BD, Burba CM, Deva PD, Kin MHY, Rivas MX, Elmore HM, Hendricks ML. Linking properties of an orb-weaving spider's capture thread glycoprotein adhesive and flagelliform fiber components to prey retention time. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:9841-9854. [PMID: 31534698 PMCID: PMC6745672 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
An orb web's adhesive capture spiral is responsible for prey retention. This thread is formed of regularly spaced glue droplets supported by two flagelliform axial lines. Each glue droplet features a glycoprotein adhesive core covered by a hygroscopic aqueous layer, which also covers axial lines between the droplets, making the entire thread responsive to environmental humidity.We characterized the effect of relative humidity (RH) on ability of Argiope aurantia and Argiope trifasciata thread arrays to retain houseflies and characterize the effect of humidity on their droplet properties. Using these data and those of Araneus marmoreus from a previous study, we then develop a regression model that correlated glycoprotein and flagelliform fiber properties with prey retention time. The model selection process included newly determined, humidity-specific Young's modulus and toughness values for the three species' glycoproteins.Argiope aurantia droplets are more hygroscopic than A. trifasciata droplets, causing the glycoprotein within A. aurantia droplets to become oversaturated at RH greater than 55% RH and their extension to decrease, whereas A. trifasciata droplet performance increases to 72% RH. This difference is reflected in species' prey retention times, with that of A. aurantia peaking at 55% RH and that of A. trifasciata at 72% RH.Fly retention time was explained by a regression model of five variables: glue droplet distribution, flagelliform fiber work of extension, glycoprotein volume, glycoprotein thickness, and glycoprotein Young's modulus.The material properties of both glycoprotein and flagelliform fibers appear to be phylogenetically constrained, whereas natural selection can more freely act on the amount of each material invested in a thread and on components of the thread's aqueous layer. Thus, it becomes easier to understand how natural selection can tune the performance of viscous capture threads by directing small changes in these components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent D. Opell
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
| | | | - Pritesh D. Deva
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
| | | | - Malik X. Rivas
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
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Orb weaver glycoprotein is a smart biological material, capable of repeated adhesion cycles. Naturwissenschaften 2019; 106:10. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-019-1607-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Pancsa R, Schad E, Tantos A, Tompa P. Emergent functions of proteins in non-stoichiometric supramolecular assemblies. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019; 1867:970-979. [PMID: 30826453 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2019.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Proteins are the basic functional units of the cell, carrying out myriads of functions essential for life. There are countless reports in molecular cell biology addressing the functioning of proteins under physiological and pathological conditions, aiming to understand life at the atomistic-molecular level and thereby being able to develop remedies against diseases. The central theme in most of these studies is that the functional unit under study is the protein itself. Recent rapid progress has radically challenged and extended this protein-function paradigm, by demonstrating that novel function(s) may emerge when proteins form dynamic and non-stoichiometric supramolecular assemblies. There is an increasing number of cases for such collective functions, such as targeting, localization, protection/shielding and filtering effects, as exemplified by signaling complexes and prions, biominerals and mucus, amphibian adhesions and bacterial biofilms, and a broad range of membraneless organelles (bio-condensates) formed by liquid-liquid phase separation in the cell. In this short review, we show that such non-stoichiometric organization may derive from the heterogeneity of the system, a mismatch in valency and/or geometry of the partners, and/or intrinsic structural disorder and multivalency of the component proteins. Either way, the resulting functional features cannot be simply described by, or predicted from, the properties of the isolated single protein(s), as they belong to the collection of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Pancsa
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eva Schad
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Agnes Tantos
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Peter Tompa
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; VIB Center for Structural Biology (CSB), Brussels, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels (SBB), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
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Characterization of the human head louse nit sheath reveals proteins with adhesive property that show no resemblance to known proteins. Sci Rep 2019; 9:48. [PMID: 30631086 PMCID: PMC6328571 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36913-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human head and body lice attach their eggs respectively to human hair or clothing by female lice secreted glue that hardens into a nit sheath that protects the egg. In this study, a series of experiments were conducted to characterize the glue-like material of the nit sheath. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy on embryo-cleared nit showed proteinaceous amide I bands. With this result, we determined the amino acid composition of the nit sheath proteins and performed similarity search against the protein products of the body louse genome to identify the candidate nit sheath proteins. The identified two homologous proteins newly named as louse nit sheath protein (LNSP) 1 and LNSP2 are composed of three domains of characteristic repeating sequences. The N-terminal and middle domains consist of tandem two-residue repeats of Gln-Ala and Gly-Ala, respectively, which are expected to fold into β-strands and may further stack into β-sheets, whereas the C-terminal domain contains multiple consecutive Gln residues. Temporal and spatial transcription profiling demonstrated that both LNSP1 and LNSP2 are most predominantly expressed in the accessory gland of females of egg-laying stage, supporting that they indeed encode the nit sheath proteins. Further adhesive property of recombinant partial LNSP1 suggests that both LNSP1 and LNSP2 may act as glues.
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Brennan MJ, Hollingshead SE, Wilker JJ, Liu JC. Critical factors for the bulk adhesion of engineered elastomeric proteins. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:171225. [PMID: 29892346 PMCID: PMC5990844 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Many protein-based materials, such as soy and mussel adhesive proteins, have been the subject of scientific and commercial interest. Recently, a variety of protein adhesives have been isolated from diverse sources such as insects, frogs and squid ring teeth. Many of these adhesives have similar amino acid compositions to elastomeric proteins such as elastin. Although elastin is widely investigated for a structural biomaterial, little work has been done to assess its adhesive potential. In this study, recombinant elastin-like polypeptides were created to probe the factors affecting adhesion strength. Lap shear adhesion was used to examine the effects of both extrinsic factors (pH, concentration, cross-linker, humidity, cure time and cure temperature) and intrinsic factors (protein sequence, structure and molecular weight). Of the extrinsic factors tested, only humidity, cure time and cure temperature had a significant effect on adhesion strength. As water content was reduced, adhesion strength increased. Of the intrinsic factors tested, amino acid sequence did not significantly affect adhesion strength, but less protein structure and higher molecular weights increased adhesion strength directly. The strengths of proteins in this study (greater than 2 MPa) were comparable to or higher than those of two commercially available protein-based adhesives, hide glue and a fibrin sealant. These results may provide general rules for the design of adhesives from elastomeric proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Jane Brennan
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Sydney E. Hollingshead
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jonathan J. Wilker
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Julie C. Liu
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Schroeder TBH, Houghtaling J, Wilts BD, Mayer M. It's Not a Bug, It's a Feature: Functional Materials in Insects. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1705322. [PMID: 29517829 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201705322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Over the course of their wildly successful proliferation across the earth, the insects as a taxon have evolved enviable adaptations to their diverse habitats, which include adhesives, locomotor systems, hydrophobic surfaces, and sensors and actuators that transduce mechanical, acoustic, optical, thermal, and chemical signals. Insect-inspired designs currently appear in a range of contexts, including antireflective coatings, optical displays, and computing algorithms. However, as over one million distinct and highly specialized species of insects have colonized nearly all habitable regions on the planet, they still provide a largely untapped pool of unique problem-solving strategies. With the intent of providing materials scientists and engineers with a muse for the next generation of bioinspired materials, here, a selection of some of the most spectacular adaptations that insects have evolved is assembled and organized by function. The insects presented display dazzling optical properties as a result of natural photonic crystals, precise hierarchical patterns that span length scales from nanometers to millimeters, and formidable defense mechanisms that deploy an arsenal of chemical weaponry. Successful mimicry of these adaptations may facilitate technological solutions to as wide a range of problems as they solve in the insects that originated them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas B H Schroeder
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2300 Hayward Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jared Houghtaling
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Bodo D Wilts
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Michael Mayer
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Gnatzy W, Volknandt W, Dzwoneck A. Egg-laying behavior and morphological and chemical characterization of egg surface and egg attachment glue of the digger wasp Ampulex compressa (Hymenoptera, Ampulicidae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2018; 47:74-81. [PMID: 29199047 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2017.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
For providing their offspring females of the digger wasp species Ampulex compressa hunt cockroaches, paralyze them and attach as a rule one egg to the coxa of one of the mid legs of their prey. We observed the egg-laying behavior and examined with light- and scanning microscopy (i) nearly mature eggs from ovaries of freshly dissected females and (ii) eggs immediately after their deposition on the coxae of their prey. The length of the white bean-shaped eggs varied between 2.2 and 3.0 mm, their diameter between 0.66 and 0.72 mm, and their weight between 345 and 832 μg. The surface of fresh, untreated eggs shows even at higher magnifications (>20.000×) a smooth appearance. However, after conventional fixation, dehydration with ethyl-alcohol and critical-point drying the egg-surface exhibited a little bit texture. The eggs are at two-third of their underside glued to the coxa of the prey. With the naked eye the glue appears as a compact mass. The eggs may be mechanically removed from the substrate (their attachment site); however, in doing so the viscous attachment glue appears in a more fibrous consistence. The polypeptide composition washed off the egg surface and the glue revealed no similarities, whereas the molecular mass of two polypeptides were similar between glue and the Dufour's gland contents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Gnatzy
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Biologicum, Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Walter Volknandt
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Biologicum, Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anja Dzwoneck
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Biologicum, Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Hollmann T, Kim TK, Tirloni L, Radulović ŽM, Pinto AFM, Diedrich JK, Yates JR, da Silva Vaz I, Mulenga A. Identification and characterization of proteins in the Amblyomma americanum tick cement cone. Int J Parasitol 2017; 48:211-224. [PMID: 29258831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The adaptation of hard ticks to feed for long periods is facilitated by the cement cone, which securely anchors the tick mouthparts onto host skin and protects the tick from being groomed off by the host. Thus, preventing tick cement deposition is an attractive target for the development of innovative tick control. We used LC-MS/MS sequencing to identify 160 Amblyomma americanum tick cement proteins that include glycine-rich proteins (GRP, 19%), protease inhibitors (12%), proteins of unknown function (11%), mucin (4%), detoxification, storage, and lipocalin at 1% each, and housekeeping proteins (50%). Spatiotemporal transcription analysis showing mRNA expression in multiple tick organs and transcript abundance increasing with feeding suggest that selected GRPs (n = 13) regulate multiple tick feeding functions, being classified as constitutively expressed (CE), feeding induced (FI), and up-regulated with feeding (UR). We show that transcription of CE GRPs is likely under the control of tick appetence associated factors in that mRNA abundance increased several thousand fold in 1 week old adult ticks, the time period that coincides with tick attainment of appetence. Given the high number of targets, we synthesized and injected unfed ticks with combinatorial (co) double stranded (ds)RNA and disrupted GRP mRNA in clusters according to similar transcription patterns: CE (n = 3), FI, (n = 4), and UR (n = 6) to streamline the work. Our data suggest that CE and FI GRPs are important for maintenance of the tick feeding site in that reddening and subsequent bleeding were observed around the mouthparts of CE and FI GRP co-dsRNA injected ticks during feeding. Furthermore, although not significantly different, indices for blood meal size and fecundity were apparently reduced in FI and UR ticks. We discuss our data with reference to A. americanum tick feeding physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Hollmann
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tae Kwon Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Željko M Radulović
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Antônio F M Pinto
- Centro de Pesquisas em Biologia Molecular e Funcional, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Tuberculose (INCT-TB), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Mass Spectrometry Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jolene K Diedrich
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Mass Spectrometry Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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Harris TI, Gaztambide DA, Day BA, Brock CL, Ruben AL, Jones JA, Lewis RV. Sticky Situation: An Investigation of Robust Aqueous-Based Recombinant Spider Silk Protein Coatings and Adhesives. Biomacromolecules 2016; 17:3761-3772. [PMID: 27704788 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b01267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical properties and biocompatibility of spider silks have made them one of the most sought after and studied natural biomaterials. A biomimetic process has been developed that uses water to solvate purified recombinant spider silk proteins (rSSps) prior to material formation. The absence of harsh organic solvents increases cost effectiveness, safety, and decreases the environmental impact of these materials. This development allows for the investigation of aqueous-based rSSps as coatings and adhesives and their potential applications. In these studies it was determined that fiber-based rSSps in nonfiber formations have the capability to coat and adhere numerous substrates, whether rough, smooth, hydrophobic, or hydrophilic. Further, these materials can be functionalized for a variety of processes. Drug-eluting coatings have been made with the capacity to release a variety of compounds in addition to their inherent ability to prevent blood clotting and biofouling. Additionally, spider silk protein adhesives are strong enough to outperform some conventional glues and still display favorable tissue implantation properties. The physical properties, corresponding capabilities, and potential applications of these nonfibrous materials were characterized in this study. Mechanical properties, ease of manufacturing, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and functionality are the hallmarks of these revolutionary spider silk protein materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas I Harris
- Departments of Biological Engineering, §Biology, and ∥Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences, Utah State University , Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Danielle A Gaztambide
- Departments of Biological Engineering, §Biology, and ∥Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences, Utah State University , Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Breton A Day
- Departments of Biological Engineering, §Biology, and ∥Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences, Utah State University , Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Cameron L Brock
- Departments of Biological Engineering, §Biology, and ∥Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences, Utah State University , Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Ashley L Ruben
- Departments of Biological Engineering, §Biology, and ∥Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences, Utah State University , Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Justin A Jones
- Departments of Biological Engineering, §Biology, and ∥Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences, Utah State University , Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Randolph V Lewis
- Departments of Biological Engineering, §Biology, and ∥Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences, Utah State University , Logan, Utah 84322, United States
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Betz O, Maurer A, Verheyden AN, Schmitt C, Kowalik T, Braun J, Grunwald I, Hartwig A, Neuenfeldt M. First protein and peptide characterization of the tarsal adhesive secretions in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and the Madagascar hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 25:541-9. [PMID: 27126627 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Peptides and proteins have been largely neglected in the analysis of insect tarsal adhesives. After extraction of the protein fraction of the tarsal secretion of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and Madagascar hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa, we combined Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analyses for protein mass detection. In both these insects, SDS-PAGE analysis revealed several protein bands ranging from 8-190 kDa in both the tarsal secretion and the tibia control sample. Two (S. gregaria) and one (G. portentosa) protein bands exclusively occurred in the tarsal secretion and can be considered to belong to peptides and proteins specific to this secretion. MALDI-TOF analyses revealed 83 different proteins/peptides of 1-7 kDa in S. gregaria, and 48 of 1-11 kDa in G. portentosa. 59 (S. gregaria) and 27 (G. portentosa) proteins exclusively occurred in the tarsal secretion. In G. portentosa, a characteristic series of signal peaks occurred in the range of c. 10-12 kDa, each peak being approximately 160 Da apart. Such a pattern is indicative of proteins modified by glycosylation. Our approach demonstrates that extensive sampling involving considerable time and manpower to sample the adhesive fluid directly from the tarsi opens up a perspective for extracting peptides and proteins in sufficient quantities. This makes them accessible to the field of proteomics and thus to elucidate their possible function in the adhesive process.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Betz
- Professur für Evolutionsbiologie der Invertebraten, Universität Tübingen, Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Tübingen, Germany
| | - A Maurer
- Medizinisch-Naturwissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum, Tübingen, Germany
| | - A N Verheyden
- Professur für Evolutionsbiologie der Invertebraten, Universität Tübingen, Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Tübingen, Germany
| | - C Schmitt
- Professur für Evolutionsbiologie der Invertebraten, Universität Tübingen, Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Tübingen, Germany
| | - T Kowalik
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Angewandte Materialforschung, Bremen, Germany
| | - J Braun
- Professur für Evolutionsbiologie der Invertebraten, Universität Tübingen, Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Tübingen, Germany
| | - I Grunwald
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Angewandte Materialforschung, Bremen, Germany
| | - A Hartwig
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Angewandte Materialforschung, Bremen, Germany
| | - M Neuenfeldt
- Professur für Evolutionsbiologie der Invertebraten, Universität Tübingen, Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Tübingen, Germany
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Bullard R, Allen P, Chao CC, Douglas J, Das P, Morgan SE, Ching WM, Karim S. Structural characterization of tick cement cones collected from in vivo and artificial membrane blood-fed Lone Star ticks (Amblyomma americanum). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:880-892. [PMID: 27118479 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is endemic to the southeastern United States and capable of transmitting pathogenic diseases and causing non-pathogenic conditions. To remain firmly attached to the host, the tick secretes a proteinaceous matrix termed the cement cone which hardens around the tick's mouthparts to assist in the attachment of the tick as well as to protect the mouthparts from the host immune system. Cement cones collected from ticks on a host are commonly contaminated with host skin and hair making analysis of the cone difficult. To reduce the contamination found in the cement cone, we have adapted an artificial membrane feeding system used to feed long mouthpart ticks. Cones collected from in vivo and membrane fed ticks are analyzed to determine changes in the cone morphology. Comparisons of the cement cones using light microscopy shows similar structures and color however using scanning electron microscopy the cones have drastically different structures. The in vivo cones contain fibrils, sheets, and are heavily textured whereas cones from membrane fed ticks are remarkably smooth with no distinct structures. Analysis of the secondary protein structures using FTIR-ATR show both in vivo and membrane fed cement cones contain β sheets but only in vivo cement cones contain helical protein structures. Additionally, proteomic analysis using LC-MS/MS identifies many proteins including glycine rich proteins, metalloproteases, and protease inhibitors. Proteomic analysis of the cones identified both secreted and non-secreted tick proteins. Artificial membrane feeding is a suitable model for increased collection of cement cones for proteomic analysis however, structurally there are significant differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Bullard
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Paige Allen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Chien-Chung Chao
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Infectious Diseases Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jessica Douglas
- School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Pradipta Das
- School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Sarah E Morgan
- School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Wei-Mei Ching
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Infectious Diseases Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shahid Karim
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA.
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30
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Proteome profiling reveals tissue-specific protein expression in male and female accessory glands of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Amino Acids 2016; 48:1173-83. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-2141-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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31
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Poiani SB, Costa-Leonardo AM. Dehiscent organs used for defensive behavior of kamikaze termites of the genus Ruptitermes (Termitidae, Apicotermitinae) are not glands. Micron 2016; 82:63-73. [PMID: 26774748 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2015.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
During Isoptera evolution, the caste of soldiers disappeared in some Apicotermitinae termites as in the Neotropical Ruptitermes. Paired dorsolateral structures located between the metathorax and abdomen of foraging workers of Ruptitermes were previously denominated dehiscent glands, and are responsible for releasing an adhesive secretion that immobilizes enemies, causing their death. In this study, we investigated the morphology of dehiscent organs of workers of Ruptitermes reconditus, Ruptitermes xanthochiton, and Ruptitermes pitan and also second instar larvae of R. reconditus using light, laser scanning confocal, and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, we performed a preliminary protein analysis using SDS-PAGE to further characterize the secretion of Ruptitermes dehiscent organs. Our results showed that the dehiscent organs do not exhibit the typical characteristics of the exocrine glandular cells class I, II or III of insects, suggesting that they constitute a new type of defensive organ. Thus, the denomination dehiscent gland was not used but dehiscent organ. Dehiscent organs in larvae are formed by fat body cells. In workers, dehiscent organs are composed by compact masses of cells that accumulate a defensive secretion and are poor in organelles related to the production of secretion. Since the dehiscent organs are not glands, we hypothesize that the dehiscent organs originate from larval fat body. The defensive secretion may have been produced at younger developmental stages of worker or the defensive compounds were absorbed from food and accumulated in the worker fat body. Histochemical techniques and SDS-PAGE revealed that the secretion of Ruptitermes dehiscent organs is constituted mainly by a protein of high molecular weight (200 kDa). In conclusion, the dehiscent organs are extremely different from the exocrine glands of termites and other insects described until now. In fact, they seem to be a specialized fat body that is peculiar and exclusive of Ruptitermes termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana B Poiani
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Av. 24A, 1515, Bela Vista, 13.506-900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ana M Costa-Leonardo
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Av. 24A, 1515, Bela Vista, 13.506-900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
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32
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Peng HT, Shek PN. Novel wound sealants: biomaterials and applications. Expert Rev Med Devices 2014; 7:639-59. [DOI: 10.1586/erd.10.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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33
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Vitale DGM, Viscuso R. Ultrastructural organization of the genital tracts in amphigonic females ofEuceraphis betulaeKoch (Aphididae: Calaphidinae). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Danilo G. M. Vitale
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences; Section of Animal Biology “Marcello La Greca”; University of Catania; via Androne 81 95125 Catania Italy
| | - Renata Viscuso
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences; Section of Animal Biology “Marcello La Greca”; University of Catania; via Androne 81 95125 Catania Italy
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Stewart RJ, Ransom TC, Hlady V. Natural Underwater Adhesives. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE. PART B, POLYMER PHYSICS 2011; 49:757-771. [PMID: 21643511 PMCID: PMC3104275 DOI: 10.1002/polb.22256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The general topic of this review is protein-based underwater adhesives produced by aquatic organisms. The focus is on mechanisms of interfacial adhesion to native surfaces and controlled underwater solidification of natural water-borne adhesives. Four genera that exemplify the broad range of function, general mechanistic features, and unique adaptations are discussed in detail: blue mussels, acorn barnacles, sandcastle worms, and freshwater caddisfly larva. Aquatic surfaces in nature are charged and in equilibrium with their environment, populated by an electrical double layer of ions as well as adsorbed natural polyelectrolytes and microbial biofilms. Surface adsorption of underwater bioadhesives likely occurs by exchange of surface bound ligands by amino acid sidechains, driven primarily by relative affinities and effective concentrations of polymeric functional groups. Most aquatic organisms exploit modified amino acid sidechains, in particular phosphorylated serines and hydroxylated tyrosines (dopa), with high-surface affinity that form coordinative surface complexes. After delivery to the surfaces as a fluid, permanent natural adhesives solidify to bear sustained loads. Mussel plaques are assembled in a manner superficially reminiscent of in vitro layer-by-layer strategies, with sequentially delivered layers associated through Fe(dopa)(3) coordination bonds. The adhesives of sandcastle worms, caddisfly larva, and barnacles may be delivered in a form somewhat similar to in vitro complex coacervation. Marine adhesives are secreted, or excreted, into seawater that has a significantly higher pH and ionic strength than the internal environment. Empirical evidence suggests these environment triggers could provide minimalistic, fail-safe timing mechanisms to prevent premature solidification (insolubilization) of the glue within the secretory system, yet allow rapid solidification after secretion. Underwater bioadhesives are further strengthened by secondary covalent curing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell J Stewart
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
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35
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Hennebert E, Wattiez R, Flammang P. Characterisation of the carbohydrate fraction of the temporary adhesive secreted by the tube feet of the sea star Asterias rubens. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2011; 13:484-495. [PMID: 20886254 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-010-9319-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2010] [Accepted: 09/08/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In sea stars, adhesion takes place at the level of a multitude of small appendages, the tube feet. It involves the secretion of an adhesive material which, after tube foot detachment, remains on the substratum as a footprint. It was previously reported that the two main organic components of this material are proteins and carbohydrates. The carbohydrate moiety of the adhesive secretion of Asterias rubens was investigated using a set of 16 lectins which were used on sections through tube feet, on footprints, and on the proteins extracted from these footprints. After gel electrophoresis, these proteins separate into eight protein bands which were named sea star footprint proteins (Sfps). Eleven lectins label the tube foot epidermis at the level of the adhesive cells, four react with footprints, and eight with two of the extracted footprint proteins, which are therefore classified as glycoproteins. Sfp-290 appears to bear mostly N-linked oligosaccharides and Sfp-210 principally O-linked oligosaccharides. The outer chains of both glycoproteins enclose galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose, and sialic acid residues. Another part of the carbohydrate fraction of the footprints would be in the form of larger molecules, such as sialylated proteoglycans. These two types of glycoconjugates are presumably key components of the sea star temporary adhesive providing both cohesive and adhesive contributions through electrostatic interactions by the polar and hydrogen-bonding functional groups of their glycan chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Hennebert
- Laboratoire de Biologie Marine, Université de Mons-UMONS, Pentagone 2B 6, Avenue du Champ de Mars, 7000, Mons, Belgium
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Graham LD, Danon SJ, Johnson G, Braybrook C, Hart NK, Varley RJ, Evans MDM, McFarland GA, Tyler MJ, Werkmeister JA, Ramshaw JAM. Biocompatibility and modification of the protein-based adhesive secreted by the Australian frog Notaden bennetti. J Biomed Mater Res A 2010; 93:429-41. [PMID: 19569213 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.32559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
When provoked, Notaden bennetti frogs secrete a proteinaceous exudate, which rapidly forms a tacky and elastic glue. This material has potential in biomedical applications. Cultured cells attached and proliferated well on glue-coated tissue culture polystyrene, but migrated somewhat slower than on uncoated surfaces. In organ culture, dissolved glue successfully adhered collagen-coated perfluoropolyether lenses to debrided bovine corneas and supported epithelial regrowth. Small pellets of glue implanted subcutaneously into mice were resorbed by surrounding tissues, and all of the animals made a full recovery. An initial but transient skin necrosis at the implant site was probably caused by some of the potentially toxic metabolites present in the frog secretion; these include sterols and carotenoids, as well as fatty alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, and aromatic compounds. Removal of the carotenoid pigments did not significantly alter the glue's material properties. In contrast, peroxidase treatment of dissolved glue introduced unnatural crosslinks between molecules of the major protein (Nb-1R) and resulted in the formation of a soft hydrogel, which was very different to the original material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd D Graham
- CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Sydney Laboratory, P.O. Box 184, North Ryde, New South Wales 1670, Australia.
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Voigt D, Gorb S. Egg attachment of the asparagus beetle Crioceris asparagi to the crystalline waxy surface of Asparagus officinalis. Proc Biol Sci 2009; 277:895-903. [PMID: 19923132 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2009.1706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant surfaces covered with crystalline epicuticular waxes are known to be anti-adhesive, hardly wettable and preventing insect attachment. But there are insects that are capable of gluing their eggs to these surfaces by means of proteinaceous secretions. In this study, we analysed the bonding region between the eggs of Crioceris asparagi and the plant surface of Asparagus officinalis using light and cryo-scanning electron microscopy. The wettability of the plant surface by egg secretion was compared with that by Aqua Millipore water, aqueous sugar solution and chicken egg white. Furthermore, the force required to remove C. asparagi eggs from the plant surface was measured, in order to evaluate the egg's bonding strength. Mean pull-off force was 14.7 mN, which is about 8650 times higher than the egg weight. Egg glue was observed spreading over the wax crystal arrays on the plant cladophyll and wetting them. Similar wetting behaviour on the A. officinalis surface was observed for chicken egg white. Our results support the hypothesis that the mechanism of insect egg adhesion on micro- and nanostructured hydrophobic plant surfaces is related to the proteinaceous nature of adhesive secretions of insect eggs. The secretion wets superhydrophobic surfaces and after solidifying builds up a composite, consisting of the solidified glue and wax crystals, at the interface between the egg and plant cuticle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Voigt
- Evolutionary Biomaterials Group, Department of Thin Films and Biological Systems, Max-Planck Institute for Metals Research, Heisenbergstrasse 03, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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