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Dutta TK, Veeresh A, Mathur C, Phani V, Mandal A, Sagar D, Nebapure SM. The induced knockdown of GmCAD receptor protein encoding gene in Galleria mellonella decreased the insect susceptibility to a Photorhabdus akhurstii oral toxin. Virulence 2021; 12:2957-2971. [PMID: 34882066 PMCID: PMC8667893 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.2006996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Photorhabdus bacteria secrete a repertoire of protein toxins that can kill the host insect. Among them, toxin complex (Tc) proteins have gained significant attention due to their wider conservation across the different bacterial genera. In our laboratory, a C-terminal domain of TcaB protein was characterized from P. akhurstii bacterium that conferred the potent oral insecticidal effect on Galleria mellonella. However, the role of insect gut receptors in the TcaB intoxication process was yet to be investigated. In the current study, we examined the transcription of candidate midgut receptors in TcaB-infected larvae and subsequently cloned a cadherin-like gene, GmCAD, from G. mellonella. GmCAD was highly transcribed in the fourth-instar larval stage and specifically in the midgut tissues. Our ligand blot and binding ELISA assays indicated that TcaB binds to the truncated peptides from the GmCAD transmembrane-proximal region with greater affinity than that from the transmembrane-distal region. Oral administration of bacterially expressed GmCAD dsRNA in G. mellonella severely attenuated the expression of target mRNA, which in turn alleviated the negative effect of TcaB on insect survival (TcaB-induced mortality in CAD dsRNA pretreated larvae reduced by 72-83% compared to control), implying the association of GmCAD in the TcaB intoxication process. Present findings form a basis of future research related to the insect gut receptor interactions with Photorhabdus toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tushar K. Dutta
- Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Arudhimath Veeresh
- Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Chetna Mathur
- Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Victor Phani
- Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Dakshin Dinajpur, India
| | - Abhishek Mandal
- Division of Agricultural Chemicals, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Doddachowdappa Sagar
- Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Suresh M. Nebapure
- Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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Machado RAR, Somvanshi VS, Muller A, Kushwah J, Bhat CG. Photorhabdus hindustanensis sp. nov., Photorhabdus akhurstii subsp. akhurstii subsp. nov. , and Photorhabdus akhurstii subsp. bharatensis subsp. nov. , isolated from Heterorhabditis entomopathogenic nematodes. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021; 71. [PMID: 34524954 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Two Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria, H1T and H3T, isolated from the digestive tract of Heterorhabditis entomopathogenic nematodes were biochemically and molecularly characterized to determine their taxonomic positions. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of these strains indicate that they belong to the Gammaproteobacteria, to the family Morganellaceae, and to the Photorhabdus genus. Deeper analyses using whole genome-based phylogenetic reconstructions show that strains H1T and H3T are closely related to P. akhurstii DSM 15138T, to P. hainanensis DSM 22397T, and to P. namnaonensis PB45.5T. In silico genomic comparisons confirm these observations and show that strain H1T shares 70.6, 66.8, and 63.5 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) with P. akhurstii DSM 15138T, P. hainanensis DSM 22397T, and P. namnaonensis PB45.5T, respectively, and that strain H3T shares 76.6, 69.4, and 59.2 % dDDH with P. akhurstii DSM 15138T, P. hainanensis DSM 22397T, and P. namnaonensis PB45.5T, respectively. Physiological and biochemical characterization reveals that these two strains differ from most of the validly described Photorhabdus species and from their more closely related taxa. Given the clear phylogenetic separations, that the threshold to discriminate species and subspecies is 70 and 79% dDDH, respectively, and that strains H1T and H3T differ physiologically and biochemically from their more closely related taxa, we propose to classify H1T and H3T into new taxa as follows: H3T as a new subspecies within the species P. akhurstii, and H1T as a new species within the Photorhabdus genus, in spite that H1T shares 70.6 % dDDH with P. akhurstii DSM 15138T, score that is slightly higher than the 70 % threshold that delimits species boundaries. The reason for this is that H1T and P. akhurstii DSM 15138T cluster apart in the phylogenetic trees and that dDDH scores between strain H1T and other P. akhurstii strains are lower than 70 %. Hence, the following names are proposed: Photorhabdus hindustanensis sp. nov. with the type strain H1T (=IARI-SGMG3T,=KCTC 82683T=CCM 9150T=CCOS 1975T) and P. akhurstii subsp. bharatensis subsp. nov. with the type strain H3T (=IARI-SGHR2T=KCTC 82684T=CCM 9149T=CCOS 1976T). These propositions automatically create P. akhurstii subsp. akhurstii subsp. nov. with DSM 15138T as the type strain (currently classified as P. akhurstii).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A R Machado
- Experimental Biology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Vishal S Somvanshi
- Division of Nematology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi, India
| | - Arthur Muller
- Experimental Biology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Jyoti Kushwah
- Division of Nematology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi, India
| | - Chaitra G Bhat
- Division of Nematology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi, India
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Photorhabdus spp.: An Overview of the Beneficial Aspects of Mutualistic Bacteria of Insecticidal Nematodes. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10081660. [PMID: 34451705 PMCID: PMC8401807 DOI: 10.3390/plants10081660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The current approaches to sustainable agricultural development aspire to use safer means to control pests and pathogens. Photorhabdus bacteria that are insecticidal symbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes in the genus Heterorhabditis can provide such a service with a treasure trove of insecticidal compounds and an ability to cope with the insect immune system. This review highlights the need of Photorhabdus-derived insecticidal, fungicidal, pharmaceutical, parasiticidal, antimicrobial, and toxic materials to fit into current, or emerging, holistic strategies, mainly for managing plant pests and pathogens. The widespread use of these bacteria, however, has been slow, due to cost, natural presence within the uneven distribution of their nematode partners, and problems with trait stability during in vitro culture. Yet, progress has been made, showing an ability to overcome these obstacles via offering affordable mass production and mastered genome sequencing, while detecting more of their beneficial bacterial species/strains. Their high pathogenicity to a wide range of arthropods, efficiency against diseases, and versatility, suggest future promising industrial products. The many useful properties of these bacteria can facilitate their integration with other pest/disease management tactics for crop protection.
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Ozakman Y, Eleftherianos I. Nematode infection and antinematode immunity in Drosophila. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:1002-1013. [PMID: 34154933 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis and Steinernema form mutualistic complexes with Gram-negative bacteria. These insect parasites have emerged as excellent research tools for studying nematode pathogenicity and elucidating the features that allow them to persist and multiply within the host. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of nematode infection and host antinematode processes will lead to the development of novel means for parasitic nematode control. Recent work has demonstrated the power of using the Drosophila infection model to identify novel parasitic nematode infection factors and elucidate the genetic and functional bases of host antinematode defense. Here, we aim to highlight the recent advances and address their contribution to the development of novel means for parasitic nematode control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaprak Ozakman
- Infection and Innate Immunity Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Science and Engineering Hall, 800 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Ioannis Eleftherianos
- Infection and Innate Immunity Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Science and Engineering Hall, 800 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
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Ahuja A, Kushwah J, Mathur C, Chauhan K, Dutta TK, Somvanshi VS. Identification of Galtox, a new protein toxin from Photorhabdus bacterial symbionts of Heterorhabditis nematodes. Toxicon 2021; 194:53-62. [PMID: 33610634 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacteria Photorhabdus lives in a symbiotic relationship with the insect-pathogenic Heterorhabditis nematodes and produces numerous hydrolytic enzymes, secondary metabolites and protein toxins. Seven Photorhabdus strains were previously isolated from the Heterorhabditis nematodes collected from different geographical regions of India. The strains IARI-SGMG3, IARI-SGHR2, IARI-SGHR4, IARI-SGMS1 and IARI-SGGJ2 were identified as P. akhurstii, whereas IARI-SGLDK1 and IARI-SGHP1 were identified as P. laumondii subsp. laumondii and P. laumondii subsp. clarkeii, respectively. A new and previously unreported 35 kDa molecular weight protein toxin 'Galtox' was identified from these Photorhabdus strains. The nucleotide sequences of the toxin gene from seven Photorhabdus strains were PCR amplified, sequenced, cloned into pET protein expression vector, and the protein toxin was expressed and purified. The Galtox sequence from various strains showed variations in sequence and toxicity against Galleria mellonella. The injection of purified Galtox protein into the 4th instar larvae showed median lethal dose (LD50) values of 2.39-26.08 ng toxin/g G. mellonella bodyweight after 48 h. The protein injection killed the insects quickly and exhibited a median lethal time (LT50) of 12-60 h when injected at the rate of 3.1-31.2 ng toxin/g G. mellonella bodyweight. Galtox protein sequence analysis indicated similarity to several bacterial toxin-related protein domains, such as 6rgnA domain of Bordetella membrane targeting toxin BteA, 6gy6 domain of Xenorhabdus α-Xenorhabdolysins, 4mu6A and 4xa9a domains similar to effector protein LegC3 from Legionella pneumophila and 1cv8.1 domain of staphylococcal cysteine proteinase staphopain B. The mode of action of Galtox needs to be understood to enable its use for the management of agricultural insect-pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Ahuja
- Division of Nematology, ICAR - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Jyoti Kushwah
- Division of Nematology, ICAR - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Chetna Mathur
- Division of Nematology, ICAR - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Khushbu Chauhan
- Division of Nematology, ICAR - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Tushar Kanti Dutta
- Division of Nematology, ICAR - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Vishal Singh Somvanshi
- Division of Nematology, ICAR - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
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A toxin complex protein from Photorhabdus akhurstii conferred oral insecticidal activity against Galleria mellonella by targeting the midgut epithelium. Microbiol Res 2020; 242:126642. [PMID: 33191102 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2020.126642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The nematode-bacterium pair Heterorhabditis indica-Photorhabdus akhurstii is a malleable model system to investigate mutualistic relations. A number of toxins produced by P. akhurstii allow the bacterium to kill the insect host. However, a few of these heterologously expressed toxins are orally active against different insects which possibly caused neglected attention to Photorhabdus toxins compared to Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). In the current study, a functional subunit of orally active toxin complex (Tc) protein, TcaB (63 kDa), isolated from two strains of P. akhurstii namely IARI-SGHR2 and IARI-SGMS1, was tested for biological activity against Galleria mellonella. A force feeding-based administration of the toxin translated into LD50 values of 45.63-58.90 ng/g which was even lower compared to injection LD50 values (51.48-64.30 ng/g) at 48 h after inoculation. An oral uptake of 500 ng toxin caused extensive gut damage in G. mellonella during 6-24 h incubation period coupled with a gradual disruption of gut integrity leading to escape of TcaB into the hemocoel. This finding was supported by the cytotoxic and immune-stimulatory effect of TcaB in the insect hemocoel at 6-24 h after force feeding. The circulatory hemocyte numbers and cell viability was markedly reduced to 0.66-0.68 × 106 ml-1 and 49-52 %, respectively, in TcaB force fed insect at 24 h, compared to control (2.55 × 106 ml-1; 100 %). The hemolymph phenoloxidase (PO) activity was elevated by 10.2-fold in force fed larvae than control at 24 h. An in silico docking study revealed that TcaB putatively interacts with a number of G. mellonella receptor proteins in order to become a gut-active toxin. Present research reinforces the potential of gut-active Photorhabdus toxins for their inclusion in sustainable insect management tactics and strengthens the existing Bt-dominated management repository.
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