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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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Hull JJ, Brent CS, Choi MY, Mikó Z, Fodor J, Fónagy A. Molecular and Functional Characterization of Pyrokinin-Like Peptides in the Western Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae). INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12100914. [PMID: 34680683 PMCID: PMC8541414 DOI: 10.3390/insects12100914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuropeptides regulate most insect biological functions. One such group of peptides, the pyrokinins (PKs), are distinguished by a C-terminal FXPRLamide. While widely distributed in most insects, they are poorly characterized in plant bugs. To address this limitation, we identified the PK transcript in the western tarnished plant bug (Lygus hesperus) and examined its expression. The Lygus PK transcript is predicted to yield three PK-like peptides but only two (LyghePKa and LyghePKb) have the characteristic C-terminal amide. The transcript is expressed throughout development and is most abundant in heads. A custom FXPRLamide antibody revealed immunoreactive cells throughout the Lygus central nervous system consistent with typical neuropeptide expression. To assess potential functional roles of the peptides, a fluorescence-based Ca2+ influx assay using cultured insect cells stably expressing a moth PK receptor was performed. LyghePKa was unable to stimulate receptor activation, whereas LyghePKb triggered a robust response. The in vivo pheromonotropic activity of the two peptides was likewise assessed using three different moth species. Like the cell culture system, only the LyghePKb peptide was active. The study suggests evolutionary divergence of the PK gene in plant bugs and provides critical insights into likely biological functions in the western tarnished plant bug. Abstract The pyrokinin (PK) family of insect neuropeptides, characterized by C termini consisting of either WFGPRLamide (i.e., PK1) or FXPRLamide (i.e., PK2), are encoded on the capa and pk genes. Although implicated in diverse biological functions, characterization of PKs in hemipteran pests has been largely limited to genomic, transcriptomic, and/or peptidomic datasets. The Lygus hesperus (western tarnished plant bug) PK transcript encodes a prepropeptide predicted to yield three PK2 FXPRLamide-like peptides with C-terminal sequences characterized by FQPRSamide (LyghePKa), FAPRLamide (LyghePKb), and a non-amidated YSPRF. The transcript is expressed throughout L. hesperus development with greatest abundance in adult heads. PRXamide-like immunoreactivity, which recognizes both pk- and capa-derived peptides, is localized to cells in the cerebral ganglia, gnathal ganglia/suboesophageal ganglion, thoracic ganglia, and abdominal ganglia. Immunoreactivity in the abdominal ganglia is largely consistent with capa-derived peptide expression, whereas the atypical fourth pair of immunoreactive cells may reflect pk-based expression. In vitro activation of a PK receptor heterologously expressed in cultured insect cells was only observed in response to LyghePKb, while no effects were observed with LyghePKa. Similarly, in vivo pheromonotropic effects were only observed following LyghePKb injections. Comparison of PK2 prepropeptides from multiple hemipterans suggests mirid-specific diversification of the pk gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Joe Hull
- Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Colin S. Brent
- Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA;
| | - Man-Yeon Choi
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Zsanett Mikó
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Formerly Affiliated with the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), 1051 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.M.); (J.F.); (A.F.)
| | - József Fodor
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Formerly Affiliated with the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), 1051 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.M.); (J.F.); (A.F.)
| | - Adrien Fónagy
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Formerly Affiliated with the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), 1051 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.M.); (J.F.); (A.F.)
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Kaczmarek K, Pacholczyk-Sienicka B, Albrecht Ł, Zabrocki J, Nachman RJ. Solid-Phase Synthesis of an Insect Pyrokinin Analog Incorporating an Imidazoline Ring as Isosteric Replacement of a trans Peptide Bond. Molecules 2021; 26:3271. [PMID: 34071640 PMCID: PMC8198379 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A facile solid-phase synthetic method for incorporating the imidazoline ring motif, a surrogate for a trans peptide bond, into bioactive peptides is reported. The example described is the synthesis of an imidazoline peptidomimetic analog of an insect pyrokinin neuropeptide via a cyclization reaction of an iminium salt generated from the preceding amino acid and 2,4-diaminopropanoic acid (Dap).
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kaczmarek
- Insect Control and Cotton Disease Research Unit, ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2881 F-B Road, College Station, TX 77845, USA;
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Łódź, Poland; (B.P.-S.); (Ł.A.)
| | | | - Łukasz Albrecht
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Łódź, Poland; (B.P.-S.); (Ł.A.)
| | - Janusz Zabrocki
- Insect Control and Cotton Disease Research Unit, ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2881 F-B Road, College Station, TX 77845, USA;
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Łódź, Poland; (B.P.-S.); (Ł.A.)
| | - Ronald J. Nachman
- Insect Control and Cotton Disease Research Unit, ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2881 F-B Road, College Station, TX 77845, USA;
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Disruption of insect immunity using analogs of the pleiotropic insect peptide hormone Neb-colloostatin: a nanotech approach for pest control II. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9459. [PMID: 33947876 PMCID: PMC8097067 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87878-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This work continues our studies on the pleiotropic activity of the insect peptide Neb-colloostatin in insects. In vivo immunological bioassays demonstrated that hemocytotoxic analogs of Neb-colloostatin injected into Tenebrio molitor significantly reduced the number of hemocytes in the hemolymph and impaired phagocytosis, nodulation and phenoloxidase activities in the insects. Among the analogs tested, [Ala1]-,[Val1]-, [Hyp4]- and [Ach4]-colloostatin were particularly potent in disrupting cellular immunity in larvae, pupae and adult insects. This result suggests that the most effective analogs showed increases in the bioactivity period in the hemolymph of insects when compared to Neb-colloostatin. Recently, we demonstrated that it is possible to introduce Neb-colloostatin through the cuticle of an insect into the hemolymph when the peptide is coupled with nanodiamonds. In this study, we showed that [Ala1]-, [Val1]-, [Hyp4]- and [Ach4]-colloostatin, when complexed with nanodiamonds, may also pass through the cuticle into the hemolymph and induce long-term impairments of immunity in T. molitor at all developmental stages. Studies on the tissue selectivity and effectiveness of Neb-colloostatin analogs and efficient methods for their introduction into insects may contribute to the development of eco-friendly pest control methods based on bioactive peptidomimetics.
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Abdulganiyyu IA, Kaczmarek K, Zabrocki J, Nachman RJ, Marchal E, Schellens S, Verlinden H, Broeck JV, Marco H, Jackson GE. Conformational analysis of a cyclic AKH neuropeptide analog that elicits selective activity on locust versus honeybee receptor. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 125:103362. [PMID: 32730893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptides belonging to the adipokinetic hormone (AKH) family elicit metabolic effects as their main function in insects, by mobilizing trehalose, diacylgycerol, or proline, which are released from the fat body into the hemolymph as energy sources for muscle contraction required for energy-intensive processes, such as locomotion. One of the AKHs produced in locusts is a decapeptide, Locmi-AKH-I (pELNFTPNWGT-NH2). A head-to-tail cyclic, octapeptide analog of Locmi-AKH-I, cycloAKH (cyclo[LNFTPNWG]) was synthesized to severely restrict the conformational freedom of the AKH structure. In vitro, cycloAKH selectively retains full efficacy on a pest insect (desert locust) AKH receptor, while showing little or no activation of the AKH receptor of a beneficial insect (honeybee). Molecular dynamic analysis incorporating NMR data indicate that cycloAKH preferentially adopts a type II β-turn under micelle conditions, whereas its linear counterpart and natural AKH adopts a type VI β-turn under similar conditions. CycloAKH, linear LNFTPNWG-NH2, and Locmi-AKH-I feature the same binding site during docking simulations with the desert locust AKH receptor (Schgr-AKHR), but differ in the details of the ligand/receptor interactions. However, cycloAKH failed to enter the binding pocket of the honeybee receptor 3D model during docking simulations. Since the locust AKH receptor has a greater tolerance than the honeybee receptor for the cyclic conformational constraint in vitro receptor assays, it could suggest a greater tolerance for a shift in the direction of the type II β turn exhibited by cycloAKH from the type VI β turn of the linear octapeptide and the native locust decapeptide AKH. Selectivity in biostable mimetic analogs could potentially be enhanced by incorporating conformational constraints that emphasize this shift. Biostable mimetic analogs of AKH offer the potential of selectively disrupting AKH-regulated processes, leading to novel, environmentally benign control strategies for pest insect populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim A Abdulganiyyu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
| | - Krzysztof Kaczmarek
- Insect Control and Cotton Disease Research Unit, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2881 F/B Road, College Station, TX 77845, USA; Lodz University of Technology, 90-924, Lodz, Poland
| | - Janusz Zabrocki
- Insect Control and Cotton Disease Research Unit, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2881 F/B Road, College Station, TX 77845, USA; Lodz University of Technology, 90-924, Lodz, Poland
| | - Ronald J Nachman
- Insect Control and Cotton Disease Research Unit, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2881 F/B Road, College Station, TX 77845, USA.
| | - Elisabeth Marchal
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam Schellens
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Heleen Verlinden
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Heather Marco
- Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
| | - Graham E Jackson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa.
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Wei H, Chang H, Zheng L, Lin S, Chen Y, Tian H, Zhao J, Chen Y, Cai H, Gu X, Murugan K. Identification and expression profiling of pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide in Chlumetia transversa (Walker). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 135:89-96. [PMID: 28043337 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2016.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Insect neuropeptides (NPs) in the pyrokinin/pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (PBAN) family are actively involved in many essential endocrine functions. These peptides are potential targets in the search for novel insect control agents. This is the first report on the cloning and sequence determination of Chlumetia transversa (Walker) PBAN (Ct-PBAN) using rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The open reading frame of Ct-PBAN was 588bp in length and encoded 195 amino acids, which were assembled into five putative neuropeptides (diapause hormone homolog, α-neuropeptide, β-neuropeptide, PBAN, and γ-neuropeptide). These peptides were amidated at C-terminus and shared the conserved pentapeptide motif FXPR (or K) L. Moreover, Ct-PBAN had high homology to PBANs in Helicoverpa zea (84.1%), Helicoverpa armigera (83.5%), Helicoverpa assulta (83%), and Heliothis virescens (82.6%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that Ct-PBAN was closely related to its orthologs in the family Noctuidae. In addition, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays showed that the expression of Ct-PBAN peaked in the female head and was also detected at high levels in 1-d-old adults. These results suggested that Ct-PBAN is associated with sex pheromone biosynthesis in female C. transversa and could be used for developing C. transversa control systems based on molecular techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wei
- Institute of Plant Protection, ', 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China; Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China.
| | - Hong Chang
- Institute of Plant Protection, ', 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China; College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 15 Shangxia Dian Road, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Lizhen Zheng
- Institute of Plant Protection, ', 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China; Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Shuo Lin
- Institute of Plant Protection, ', 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China; Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Yixin Chen
- Institute of Plant Protection, ', 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China; Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Houjun Tian
- Institute of Plant Protection, ', 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China; Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Jianwei Zhao
- Institute of Plant Protection, ', 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China; Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Institute of Plant Protection, ', 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China; Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, 247 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Hongjiao Cai
- Fishery college, Jimei University, 43 Yindou Road, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Xiaojun Gu
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 15 Shangxia Dian Road, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Kadarkarai Murugan
- Division of Entomology, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India
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