Attachment of phenoloxidase to fungal cell walls in arthropod immunity

MaAzaR Influences Virulence of Metarhizium acridum against Locusta migratoria manilensis by Affecting Cuticle Penetration

The entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Metarhizium acridum is a typical filamentous fungus and has been used to control migratory locusts (Locusta migratoria manilensis). This study examines the impact of the Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factor, MaAzaR, in the virulence of M. acridum. Disruption of MaAzaR (ΔMaAzaR) diminished the fungus's ability to penetrate the insect cuticle, thereby decreasing its virulence. The median lethal time (LT50) for the ΔMaAzaR strain increased by approximately 1.5 d compared to the wild-type (WT) strain when topically inoculated, simulating natural infection conditions. ΔMaAzaR compromises the formation, turgor pressure, and secretion of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes in appressoria. However, the growth ability of ΔMaAzaR within the hemolymph is not impaired; in fact, it grows better than the WT strain. Moreover, RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis of ΔMaAzaR and WT strains grown for 20 h on locust hindwings revealed 87 upregulated and 37 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the mutant strain. Pathogen-host interaction database (PHI) analysis showed that about 40% of the total DEGs were associated with virulence, suggesting that MaAzaR is a crucial transcription factor that directly regulates the expression of downstream genes. This study identifies a new transcription factor involved in EPF cuticle penetration, providing theoretical support and genetic resources for the developing highly virulent strains.

Protocols for studying the crayfish plague pathogen, Aphanomyces astaci, and its host-pathogen interactions

The crayfish plague caused by the pathogen Aphanomyces astaci has decimated the European and Asian populations of freshwater crayfish and represents an important threat to the other highly susceptible crayfish species in the world, such as the Australian, Madagascar, and South American species. The development and application of molecular methods addressed to the identification of A. astaci has increased exponentially during the last decades in contrast to a slow trend of the pathogen biology and host interaction. There is still a need for a better comprehension of the A. astaci-crayfish interactions, specifically the resistance and tolerance immune mechanism. These types of studies required a robust basic knowledge on the developmental biology of the pathogen in order to reproduce life stages and to perform infection experiments. A great piece of work in this area was carried out during the 1960 s to 80 s in University of Uppsala. Thus, the purpose of this work was to update previous protocols as well as to generate new guidelines to reproduce key developmental biology stages of A. astaci, to eventually identify crayfish populations with higher resistance and tolerance to this pathogen. This work also refers to other methodologies and guidelines for the diagnosis of crayfish plague, the pathogen isolation, and the in vitro production of zoospores.

Improving red-color performance, immune response and resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus on white shrimp Penaeus vannamei by an engineered astaxanthin yeast

Astaxanthin (AST), a super antioxidant with coloring and medical properties, renders it a beneficial feed additive for shrimp. This study conducted a white shrimp feeding trial of 3S, 3'S isoform AST, which was derived from metabolic-engineered Kluyveromyces marxianus fermented broth (TB) and its extract (TE) compared to sources from two chemically synthetic ASTs (Carophyll Pink [CP] and Lucantin Pink [LP]), which contain 3S, 3'S, 3R, 3'S (3S, 3'R) and 3R, 3'R isoforms ratio of 1:2:1. The effects on red coloration, immune parameters and resistance to Vibrio infection were evaluated. Four AST sources were incorporated into the diets at concentrations of 0 (control), 100 mg kg^-1 (TB100, TE100, CP100, and LP100), and 200 mg kg^-1 (TB200, TE200, CP200, and LP200). Results revealed that in week 4, shrimps that received AST-supplemented feeds, especially TB100, TB200, and TE200, significantly increased redness (a*) values. Immune responses including phagocytosis activity, superoxide-anion production, phenoloxidase activity, and immune-related genes were examined on days 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Generally, shrimps that received AST-supplemented feeds exhibited higher immune responses on days 7 and 14 than the control feed. Gene expression levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly upregulated on days 7 and 14 in shrimps that received AST-supplemented feeds, while genes of penaeidins, antilipopolysaccharide factor, and lysozyme were upregulated on days 4, 7, and 14, especially received TB200 and TE200. Furthermore, shrimps that received TB100, TE100, CP100, and LP100 7 days were then challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus and the result demonstrated higher survival rates especially TB100 at 168 h than the control feed. In conclusion, incorporating AST into the diets enhanced shrimp red coloration, immune parameters, and resistance against V. parahaemolyticus infection. The K. marxianus-derived AST exhibited higher performance than did chemical AST to be a potential feed additive in shrimp aquaculture.

Host–Pathogen Interactions between Metarhizium spp. and Locusts

The progress in research on the interactions between Metarhizium spp. and locusts has improved our understanding of the interactions between fungal infection and host immunity. A general network of immune responses has been constructed, and the pathways regulating fungal pathogenicity have also been explored in depth. However, there have been no systematic surveys of interaction between Metarhizium spp. and locusts. The pathogenesis of Metarhizium comprises conidial attachment, germination, appressorial formation, and colonization in the body cavity of the host locusts. Meanwhile, the locust resists fungal infection through humoral and cellular immunity. Here, we summarize the crucial pathways that regulate the pathogenesis of Metarhizium and host immune defense. Conidial hydrophobicity is mainly affected by the contents of hydrophobins and chitin. Appressorial formation is regulated by the pathways of MAPKs, cAMP/PKA, and Ca²⁺/calmodulin. Lipid droplets degradation and secreted enzymes contributed to fungal penetration. The humoral response of locust is coordinated by the Toll pathway and the ecdysone. The regulatory mechanism of hemocyte differentiation and migration is elusive. In addition, behavioral fever and density-dependent population immunity have an impact on the resistance of hosts against fungal infection. This review depicts a prospect to help us understand host–pathogen interactions and provides a foundation for the engineering of entomopathogenic fungi and the discovery of insecticidal targets to control insect pests.

Moringa oleifera Leaves' Extract Enhances Nonspecific Immune Responses, Resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus, and Growth in Whiteleg Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)

Simple Summary

This study found that moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves’ water extract triggered phenoloxidase activity, phagocytic rate, and superoxide anion production in whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) hemocytes by an in vitro assay. By an in vivo assay, a dietary moringa extract enhanced the total hemocyte count, phenoloxidase activity, phagocytic rate, immune-related gene expressions, and growth performance of the whiteleg shrimp. The administration of dietary moringa extract increased the survival rate after challenging the whiteleg shrimp with Vibrio alginolyticus.

Abstract

Moringa is widely known as a plant with high medicinal properties. Therefore, moringa has a high potential for use as an immunostimulant in shrimp. This study investigated the effect of a moringa water extract on the immune response, resistance against V. alginolyticus, and growth performance of whiteleg shrimp. To perform the in vitro assay, hemocytes were incubated with different concentrations of the moringa extract. Furthermore, the moringa extract was incorporated at 0 (control), 1.25 g (ME1.25), 2.5 g (ME2.5), and 5.0 g (ME5.0) per kg of diet for the in vivo assay. During the rearing period, immune responses, namely the total hemocyte count (THC), phenoloxidase (PO) activity, phagocytosis activity, superoxide anion production, and immune-related gene expression were examined on days 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Growth performance was measured 60 days after the feeding period. Furthermore, the shrimp were challenged with V. alginolyticus after being fed for different feeding durations. The results of the in vitro assay revealed that 100–250 ppm of the moringa extract enhanced the PO activity, phagocytic rate (PR), and superoxide anion production. The findings of the in vivo assay demonstrated that the THC, PO activity, PR, and immune-related gene expression, including alpha-2-macroglobulin, prophenoloxidase II, penaeidin2, penaeidin3, anti-lipopolysaccharide factor, crustin, lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, and clotting protein, were higher in the group of ME.25 and ME5.0 than in the control and ME1.25 at several time points. Growth performance was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the ME2.5 group compared to the control group. Furthermore, the dietary ME2.5 resulted in a higher survival rate compared to that of the control group after challenging with V. alginolyticus, especially at ME2.5 administered for 4 and 7 days. This study indicated that the incorporation of the moringa extract at 2.5 g per kg of diet enhanced the immune response, the growth performance of the whiteleg shrimp, and the resistance against V. alginolyticus infection.

Crayfish plague in Japan: A real threat to the endemic Cambaroides japonicus

Global introductions of aquatic species and their associated pathogens are threatening worldwide biodiversity. The introduction of two North American crayfish species, Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus, into Japan in 1927 seems to have negatively affected native Japanese crayfish populations of Cambaroides japonicus. Several studies have shown the decline of these native populations due to competition, predation and habitat colonization by the two invasive North American crayfish species. Here, we identify an additional factor contributing to this decline. We report the first crayfish plague outbreaks in C. japonicus populations in Japan, which were diagnosed using both histological and molecular approaches (analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region). Subsequent analyses of the mitochondrial ribosomal rnnS and rnnL regions of diseased specimens indicate that these outbreaks originated from a P. clarkii population and identify a novel haplotype of Aphanomyces astaci, d3-haplotype, hosted by P. clarkii. Overall, our findings demonstrate the first two cases of crayfish plague in Japan, and the first case in a non-European native crayfish species, which originated from the red swamp crayfish P. clarkii. This finding is a matter of concern for the conservation of the native freshwater species of Japan and also highlights the risk of introducing crayfish carrier species into biogeographic regions harboring species susceptible to the crayfish plague.

Resistance to the crayfish plague, Aphanomyces astaci (Oomycota) in the endangered freshwater crayfish species, Austropotamobius pallipes

The pathogen Aphanomyces astaci Schikora 1906 is responsible for the decline of the native crayfish species of Europe, and their current endangered status. This pathogenic species is native to North America and only colonizes aquatic decapods. The North American crayfish species have a high resistance to this pathogen, while species from other regions are highly susceptible. However, recent field and laboratory observations indicate that there might exist some populations with resistance against this disease. The objective of this study was to test the susceptibility of 8 selected native European crayfish populations of Austropotamobius pallipes Lereboullet 1858 from the Pyrenees. We challenged them against the genome sequenced strain AP03 of A. astaci isolated from a North American red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii Girard 1852, in the Garrotxa Natural Park, Girona. The results showed that there are significant differences (P<0,001) among populations, although most of them show high mortality rates after the zoospore challenge with A. astaci. However, one population from Girona exhibited a 100% survival during a four-month monitoring period under the experimental conditions tested. Histological analyses revealed a high immune reaction in tissues examined, i.e., encapsulation and melanization of hyphae, similar to that found in North American resistant crayfish species. These results represent the first observation of a native European crayfish population showing high resistance towards the most virulent genotype of this pathogen, i.e., genotype Pc. The identification of this population is of key importance for the management of these endangered species, and represents a crucial step forward towards the elucidation of the factors involved in the immune reaction against this devastating pathogen.

Presence of prophenoloxidase in the humoral fluid of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense

The presence of phenoloxidase (PO) activity in the humoral fluid of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense was electrophoretically and spectrophotometrically studied. The enzyme was present in the humoral fluid predominantly as an inactive proenzyme, prophenoloxidase (proPO). The optimum temperature for activation of the proPO ranged from 30 degrees C to 35 degrees C, and the enzyme exhibited optimum activity at pH between 7.0 and 7.5. ProPO in the humoral fluid was readily activated to active form PO by exogenous elicitors such as trypsin, zymosan and LPS. The activation of the proPO by exogenous elicitors was significantly enhanced in the presence of 10 mM Ca2+, but was susceptible to serine protease inhibitors like soybean trypsin inhibitor and p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate. PAGE revealed a single band of PO activity in the humoral fluid with an apparent molecular mass of 150 kDa, which was resolved to three bands with molecular masses of 44, 46 and 72 kDa, respectively, after SDS-PAGE. This is the first report on the presence of the enzyme PO in amphioxus humoral fluid.

Cresolase, catecholase and laccase activities in haemocytes of the red swamp crayfish

Phenoloxidase activity in crayfish haemocyte lysates and extracts of haemocyte membranes were studied using native PAGE and SDS-PAGE gels and staining for cresolase, catecholase and laccase activities. The activation of the proenzyme, prophenoloxidase to phenoloxidase, in native PAGE was demonstrated following exposure to SDS. By staining samples separated in SDS-PAGE followed by renaturation, a high molecular mass phenoloxidase activity was identified in both the soluble and membrane fractions of haemocyte preparations. The membrane-associated activity appeared at only relatively high molecular mass (> 300 kDa), and could easily be eluted from membranes using detergents or NaCl. Further, this membrane-associated activity has a catecholase activity but not the cresolase activity seen in the soluble preparations. In addition, several other phenoloxidase enzymes were identified with different relative mobilities (250, 80, 72 and 10 kDa). Crayfish haemocytes also contained laccase activity, thought to be restricted to cuticle sclerotisation in the integument. Laccase activity in haemocytes might aid in the formation of capsule used to contain pathogens.

A nonpermissive entomophthoralean fungal infection increases activation of insect prophenoloxidase

Entomophaga maimaiga and Entomophaga aulicae are entomopathogenic fungi that show species-specific infection in Lepidoptera. These fungi grow as protoplasts in the hemolymph of permissive insect hosts. E. maimaiga infects gypsy moth larvae, Lymantria dispar, and E. aulicae infects hemlock looper, Lambdina fiscellaria. Cross-infections do not occur and are referred to as a nonpermissive response. We circumvented cuticular barriers and injected E. aulicae protoplasts into L. dispar and investigated factors which could potentially curtail entomophthoralean fungal infection in a nonpermissive host insect. There was no evidence of (i) restricted fungal growth in cell-free hemolymph of the nonpermissive host, (ii) fungal toxins specific to host insect, (iii) hemocyte encapsulation of fungal protoplasts in a nonpermissive or permissive infection, or (iv) fungal-specific induction of plasma proteins in L. dispar. However, higher levels of phenoloxidase activity for up to 96 h postchallenge, as well as a prophenoloxidase-activating trypsin activity, were observed for L. dispar challenged with E. aulicae when compared to an E. maimaiga challenge. Three isoforms of phenoloxidase (pI 5.0-5.5) and at least six isoforms of trypsin activity (four basic trypsins pI 8-10 and two acidic trypsins pI 4-6) with preferences for small amino acid residues were activated in L. dispar after challenge. In vitro prophenoloxidase activation experiments showed that treatment of L. dispar hemolymph with E. aulicae protoplast plasma membranes consistently resulted in higher prophenoloxidase activation than E. maimaiga. We suggest that differences in protoplastic components of Entomophaga species, such as the surface glycoproteins, are implicated in activation of zymogenic trypsins in the insect which in turn activate the prophenoloxidase cascade as a nonpermissive response. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Isolation and characterization of phenoloxidase from egg masses of the gastropod mollusc, Biomphalaria glabrata

Previous studies have shown that phenoloxidase activity is present in the albumen gland and egg masses of Biomphalaria glabrata, and its potential role in egg formation in this snail has been proposed. In the present study, a phenoloxidase enzyme has been isolated from the supernatant of egg mass homogenates using a combination of hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration high-performance liquid chromatography (GF-HPLC). The isolated phenoloxidase eluted as a single peak of activity upon GF-HPLC (representing a 132-fold purification) and subsequently was detected as a single band with an estimated molecular mass of 35 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis. Phenylthiourea-inhibitable mono- and diphenoloxidase activities were demonstrated for the isolated enzyme suggesting that both enzyme activities are associated with a single, tyrosinase-type molecule.

The prophenoloxidase activating system of the shrimp Penaeus paulensis and associated factors

In the present study we investigated the proPO activating system of the penaeid Penaeus paulensis, focusing on its role in the shrimp immune system. The great majority of PO activity (more than 90%) was found in the shrimp hemocytes. The enzyme activity was greatly enhanced by components of microorganism cell walls, such as LPS and beta-1,3-glucans, suggesting its involvement in non-self recognition. PO activity was also found in the shrimp serum and trypsin, and LPS were able to increase the enzyme activity. Thus, serum can be used as an alternative for the study of the shrimp proPO activating system, as it is much more readily obtained than HLS. PO activity was cation-dependent, and 5 mM of calcium and 10 mM of magnesium were the optimal concentrations for the enzyme activity. An immune factor was found in the shrimp HLS, capable of inducing cell-adhesion and degranulation of the penaeid hemocytes.

Activation of prophenoloxidase in the plasma and haemocytes of the marine mussel Perna viridis Linnaeus

Phenoloxidase activity was detected in plasma and haemocytes of the marine mussel Perna viridis. This enzyme exists as a proenzyme, prophenoloxidase (proPO), in both these haemolymph fractions and could be activated in vitro by exogenous proteases (trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin) and a detergent (sodium dodecyl sulphate). In addition, laminarin (a polymer of beta-1,3 glucan) and bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSa) effectively triggered proPO activation in these haemolymph fractions. The activation of proPO by non-self molecules was dependent upon calcium ions at a low concentration. This activation process appeared to involve a limited proteolysis, since serine protease inhibitors (soybean trypsin inhibitor, benzamidine or p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate) suppressed conversion of proPO to the active enzyme. This study demonstrates the selective response of plasma and haemocytic proPO to activation by different types of bacterial LPS tested and suggests that proPO system in both plasma and haemocytes of P. viridis serves an important function in non-self recognition and host immune reactions.

The prophenoloxidase activating system and associated proteins in invertebrates

In this review, we present arguments indicating that prophenoloxidase (proPO) activating system acts as a pattern recognition and defence system in invertebrate blood. Phenoloxidase (PO) activity has been found in the blood of many invertebrates. At least in arthropods, echinoderms and urochordates, the inactive pro-form, proPO has been found to be elicited by the microbial cell-wall components beta-1, 3-glucans, lipopolysaccharide and/or peptidoglycan. This activation seems to involve elicitor-binding proteins and serine protease(s). ProPO, the proPO-activating enzyme (ppA) and plasma elicitor-binding proteins, have been purified from some arthropods, and proPO and the beta-1, 3-glucan binding protein (beta GBP) have been cloned and sequenced from crayfish. Arthropod proPO has a molecular mass of 70-90 kDa and PO has a molecular mass of 60-70 kDa. The beta GBP also stimulates phagocytosis of fungal cells and, after reacting with beta-1, 3-glucan, blood-cell degranulation (and release of the proPO system). In addition, a cell-adhesion protein (of 70-100 kDa), apparently associated with the proPO system, has been purified from arthropods. This mediates blood-cell adhesion, degranulation, phagocytosis and encapsulation. The cell-adhesion protein and beta GBP bind to a common blood-cell membrane receptor. It would be interesting to see the sequences of more proPO system components and investigate whether the scheme for cellular communication and defence, involving the cell-adhesion protein, elicitor-binding proteins and the membrane receptor described in arthropods, applies to invertebrates in general.

The prophenoloxidase system and in vitro interaction of Trypanosoma rangeli with Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans haemolymph

The presence of the prophenoloxidase (proPO) system in the haemolymph of Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans and the role played by Trypanosoma rangeli in the in vitro activation of proPO were tested. Both R. prolixus and T. infestans whole blood preparations showed a very active ProPO system. The proPO cascade of the two insect species were differentially activated by microbial-derived extracts: laminarin was a better activator of T. infestans haemolymph than of R. prolixus blood, and lipopolysaccharides from Shigella flexneri or Pseudomonas aeroginosa caused significant proPO activation of T. infestans haemolymph but not of R. prolixus preparations. For the two insect species, neither T. rangeli from culture nor parasite lysates were able to trigger proPO activation. The presence of the parasite in R. prolixus haemolymph/laminarin assays, however, significantly reduced the level of proPO activation to that of spontaneous activating controls. The immobilization of T. rangeli in vitro in haemolymph preparations occurred in both insect species and was dependent on the proPO activation intensity. Our results suggest that the susceptibility of R. prolixus to T. rangeli haemocoel infection may be explained, at least in part, by the suppression of the insect immune defence system i.e., inhibition of proPO in the presence of this protozoan parasite.

The cytotoxic reaction of hemocytes from the freshwater crayfish, Astacus astacus

Crayfish hemocytes displayed cytotoxic capacity towards all tested mammalian tumor and nontumor cell lines. The ratio required for the cytotoxic action of effector cells to target cells was at least 1:1. The lysis of the target cells required a minimum of 1 hr to become detected. After separation and isolation of the hemocyte populations of crayfish, the semigranular and granular cells retained their cytotoxic capacity. These cells contain the prophenoloxidase activating (proPO) system, a complement-like pathway, which in an activated form lyses semigranular cells in vitro, but failed to kill the tested target cells.

Hemocyte lysate enhancement of fungal spore encapsulation by crayfish hemocytes

Crayfish hemocytes exhibited a stronger encapsulation reaction to fungal blastospores of Beauveria bassiana coated with hemocyte lysate, than to blastospores treated with plasma or buffer, indicating an opsonic function of hemocyte lysate proteins. Five proteins of the prophenoloxidase activating system in the hemocytes were attached to foreign surfaces (including the blastospores) after activation and it is suggested that these attaching proteins (one being phenoloxidase) are responsible for the opsonic function of the hemocyte lysate on crayfish blood cells.

Separation of the haemocyte populations of Carcinus maenas and other marine decapods, and prophenoloxidase distribution

Three morphologically distinct populations of haemocytes; the granular, semigranular and hyaline cells; were isolated from the haemolymph of Carcinus maenas and other decapod crustaceans by density gradient centrifugation. Cell lysis and coagulation during separation were prevented, without significant loss of cell viability, by the use of citrate/EDTA buffer at low pH as an anticoagulant. Biochemical analyses of the haemocyte fractions revealed that prophenoloxidase is present in the granular and semigranular cells, but not the hyaline cells, and, thus, is a useful marker for cell purity in the hyaline haemocyte populations. A method for rapidly detecting prophenoloxidase contamination of the hyaline cells using L-dopa and trypsin in drop assay is described.