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Walkowiak-Nowicka K, Chowański S, Pacholska-Bogalska J, Adamski Z, Kuczer M, Rosiński G. Effects of alloferon and its analogues on reproduction and development of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17016. [PMID: 39043811 PMCID: PMC11266558 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68118-y] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As the most numerous group of animals on Earth, insects are found in almost every ecosystem. Their useful role in the environment is priceless; however, for humans, their presence may be considered negative or even harmful. For years, people have been trying to control the number of pests by using synthetic insecticides, which eventually causes an increased level of resistance to applied compounds. The effects of synthetic insecticides have encouraged researchers to search for alternatives and thus develop safe compounds with high specificity. Using knowledge about the physiology of insects and the functionality of compounds of insect origin, a new class of bioinsecticides called peptidomimetics, which are appropriately modified insect analogues, was created. One promising compound that might be successfully modified is the thirteen amino acid peptide alloferon (HGVSGHGQHGVHG), which is obtained from the hemolymph of the blue blowfly Calliphora vicinia. Our research aimed to understand the physiological properties of alloferon and the activity of its peptidomimetics, which will provide the possibility of using alloferon or its analogues in the pharmaceutical industry, as a drug or adjuvant, or in agriculture as a bioinsecticide. We used alloferon and its three peptidomimetics, which are conjugates of the native peptide with three unsaturated fatty acids with various chain lengths: caprylic, myristic, and palmitic. We tested their effects on the morphology and activity of the reproductive system and the embryogenesis of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. We found that the tested compounds influenced the growth and maturation of ovaries and the expression level of the vitellogenin gene. The tested compounds also influenced the process of egg laying, embryogenesis, and offspring hatching, showing that alloferon might be a good peptide for the synthesis of effective bioinsecticides or biopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Walkowiak-Nowicka
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Szymon Chowański
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna Pacholska-Bogalska
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Adamski
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
- Laboratory of Electron and Confocal Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Mariola Kuczer
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Rosiński
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
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Winkiel MJ, Chowański S, Gołębiowski M, Bufo SA, Słocińska M. Solanaceae Glycoalkaloids Disturb Lipid Metabolism in the Tenebrio molitor Beetle. Metabolites 2023; 13:1179. [PMID: 38132861 PMCID: PMC10744845 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13121179] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycoalkaloids (GAs) are produced naturally by plants and affect insect survivability and fertility. These compounds can be considered potential bioinsecticides; however, the mechanisms and effects of their action remain undiscovered. As lipids are essential molecules for the proper functioning of an insect organism, this research aimed to determine the effects of GAs on the lipid metabolism of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. Solanine, chaconine, tomatine, and tomato leaf extract were applied to larvae by injection at two concentrations, 10-8 and 10-5 M. Then, the tissue was isolated after 2 and 24 h to determine the levels of free fatty acids, sterols and esters using the GC-MS technique. Moreover, the triacylglyceride level and the activity of the key β-oxidation enzyme, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HADH), were measured. The results indicate that GAs affect the content and composition of lipid compounds in the beetles' haemolymph and fat body. The effects depend on the GA concentrations, incubation time, and kind of tissue. Moreover, the tested compounds decrease HADH activity, especially in the fat body, which may affect energy production. To our knowledge, this is the first study concerning lipid metabolism in T. molitor after GA application. Our results provide some insights into that topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Joanna Winkiel
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland; (S.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Szymon Chowański
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland; (S.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Marek Gołębiowski
- Laboratory of Analysis of Natural Compounds, Department of Environmental Analytics, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Sabino Aurelio Bufo
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy;
- Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa
| | - Małgorzata Słocińska
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland; (S.C.); (M.S.)
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Pereira ÉJMC, Amorim ÉADF, Aragão FMM, Câmara WDS, Araújo MC, Pereira CDDS, Dias LRL, Gomes WC, Aliança ASDS, Souza JCDS, da Silva LCN, de Miranda RDCM. Biocontrol Potential of Serratia Marcescens (B8) and Bacillus sp. (B13) Isolated from Urban Mangroves in Raposa, Brazil. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2036. [PMID: 37895418 PMCID: PMC10607943 DOI: 10.3390/life13102036] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study analyzed the antifungal potential of 16 bacterial strains isolated from mangrove sediment. Bacterial selection was conducted in a solid medium. This was followed by the production and extraction of metabolites using ethyl acetate to evaluate chitinase production, antifungal activity, and toxicity toward Allium cepa and Tenebrio molitor. Bacterial strains B8, B11, and B13 produced the largest inhibition halos (>30 mm) toward Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani fungi. Strains B1, B3, B6, B8, B11, B13, B14, and B16 produced chitinases. In assays using liquid media, B8 and B13 produced the largest inhibition halos. Exposing the fungal inocula to metabolic extracts of strains B6, B8, B11, B13, B14, B15, and B16 caused micromorphological alterations in the inocula, culminating in the inhibition of R. solani sporulation and spore germination. Toxicity tests using Allium cepa and Tenebrio molitor revealed that the metabolites showed low toxicity. Six of the bacterial strains were molecularly identified to species levels, and a further two to genus level. These included Serratia marcescens (B8), which exhibited activity in all tests. Mangroves provide a useful resource for the isolation of microorganisms for biocontrol. Among the isolates, Serratia marcescens and Bacillus spp. showed the greatest potential to produce metabolites for use as biocontrol agents in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Érima Jôyssielly Mendonça Castro Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Microbiana, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia, Universidade CEUMA, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil; (É.A.d.F.A.)
| | - Érika Alves da Fonsêca Amorim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia, Universidade CEUMA, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil; (É.A.d.F.A.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil
| | - Felicia Maria Melo Aragão
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Meio Ambiente, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil; (F.M.M.A.); (W.d.S.C.)
| | - Wallison de Souza Câmara
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Meio Ambiente, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil; (F.M.M.A.); (W.d.S.C.)
| | - Maria Carvalho Araújo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gestão de Programas e Serviços de Saúde, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil
| | - Carlos Drielson da Silva Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Microbiana, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia, Universidade CEUMA, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil; (É.A.d.F.A.)
| | - Leo Ruben Lopes Dias
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia, Universidade CEUMA, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil; (É.A.d.F.A.)
| | - Wolia Costa Gomes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Meio Ambiente, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil; (F.M.M.A.); (W.d.S.C.)
| | - Amanda Silva dos Santos Aliança
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Microbiana, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gestão de Programas e Serviços de Saúde, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil
| | - Joicy Cortez de Sá Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Microbiana, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil
| | - Luís Cláudio Nascimento da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Microbiana, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia, Universidade CEUMA, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil; (É.A.d.F.A.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cássia Mendonça de Miranda
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Microbiana, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia, Universidade CEUMA, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil; (É.A.d.F.A.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Meio Ambiente, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís 65075-120, Brazil; (F.M.M.A.); (W.d.S.C.)
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