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Jiménez J, Kemmerer M, King GF, Polston JE, Bonning BC. Coat protein of a whitefly-vectored plant virus as a delivery system to target whitefly. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14468. [PMID: 38635158 PMCID: PMC11025618 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is responsible for significant crop losses and presents one of the greatest challenges for global agricultural pest management. Management of whitefly populations and associated plant viral diseases is hindered by widespread whitefly resistance to chemical insecticides. An alternative control approach involves the use of insect-specific neurotoxins, but these require delivery from the whitefly gut into the haemocoel. Here we demonstrate that the coat protein (CP) of a begomovirus, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, is sufficient for delivery of fused proteins into the whitefly haemocoel without virion assembly. Following feeding on the recombinant CP-P-mCherry fusion (where -P- is a proline-rich linker), mCherry fluorescence was detected in the dorsal aorta and pericardial cells of the whitefly, but not in those of whitefly fed on negative control treatments, indicating effective CP-mediated delivery of mCherry into the whitefly haemocoel. Significant mortality was observed in whiteflies fed on a fusion of CP-P to the insect-specific neurotoxin Hv1a, but not in whiteflies fed on CP-P fused to a disarmed Hv1a mutant. Begomovirus coat protein - insect neurotoxin fusions hold considerable potential for transgenic resistance to whitefly providing valuable tools for whitefly management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Jiménez
- Department of Entomology and NematologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
- Present address:
Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICA‐CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Mariah Kemmerer
- Department of Entomology and NematologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
- Present address:
Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of DelawareNewarkDelawareUSA
| | - Glenn F. King
- Centre for Future Medicines, Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein ScienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Jane E. Polston
- Department of Plant PathologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Bryony C. Bonning
- Department of Entomology and NematologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
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Yu N, Yan Y, Han Q, Zhang L, Liu Z. Insecticidal toxicity of ω-Atypitoxin-Cs1a and its inhibitory effects on insect voltage-gated calcium channels. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:4879-4885. [PMID: 37506304 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive use of chemical insecticides raises concerns about insecticide resistance, urging the development of novel insecticides. Peptide neurotoxins from spider venom are an incredibly rich source of ion channel modulators with potent insecticidal activity. A neurotoxin U1-Atypitoxin-Cs1a from the spider Calommata signata was annotated previously. It was of interest to investigate its insecticidal activity and potential molecular targets. RESULTS Cs1a was heterologously expressed, purified and pharmacologically characterized here. The recombinant neurotoxin inhibited high-voltage-activated calcium channel currents with an median inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) value of 0.182 ± 0.026 μm on cockroach DUM neurons and thus was designated as ω-Atypitoxin-Cs1a. The recombinant Cs1a was toxic to three insect pests of agricultural importance, Nilaparvata lugens, Spodoptera frugiperda and Plutella xylostella with median lethal concentration (LD50 ) values of 0.121, 0.172 and 0.356 nmol g-1 , respectively, at 24 h postinjection. Cs1a was equivalently toxic to both insecticide-susceptible and -resistant insects. Cs1a exhibited low toxicity to Danio rerio with an LD50 of 2.316 nmol g-1 . CONCLUSION Our results suggest that ω-Atypitoxin-Cs1a is a potent CaV channel inhibitor and an attractive candidate reagent for pest control and resistance management. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yangyang Yan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianqian Han
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingchun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zewen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Rakesh V, Kalia VK, Ghosh A. Diversity of transgenes in sustainable management of insect pests. Transgenic Res 2023; 32:351-381. [PMID: 37573273 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-023-00362-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Insecticidal transgenes, when incorporated and expressed in plants, confer resistance against insects by producing several products having insecticidal properties. Protease inhibitors, lectins, amylase inhibitors, and chitinase genes are associated with the natural defenses developed by plants to counter insect attacks. Several toxin genes are also derived from spiders and scorpions for protection against insects. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner is a microbial source of insecticidal toxins. Several methods have facilitated the large-scale production of transgenic plants. Bt-derived cry, cyt, vip, and sip genes, plant-derived genes such as lectins, protease inhibitors, and alpha-amylase inhibitors, insect cell wall-degrading enzymes like chitinase and some proteins like arcelins, plant defensins, and ribosome-inactivating proteins have been successfully utilized to impart resistance to insects. Besides, transgenic plants expressing double-stranded RNA have been developed with enhanced resistance. However, the long-term effects of transgenes on insect resistance, the environment, and human health must be thoroughly investigated before they are made available for commercial planting. In this chapter, the present status, prospects, and future scope of transgenes for insect pest management have been summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Rakesh
- Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
- Insect Vector Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Plant Virology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Vinay K Kalia
- Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Amalendu Ghosh
- Insect Vector Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Plant Virology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
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Identification and Functional Characterization of a Novel Insecticidal Decapeptide from the Myrmicine Ant Manica rubida. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11100562. [PMID: 31557881 PMCID: PMC6832575 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11100562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ant venoms contain many small, linear peptides, an untapped source of bioactive peptide toxins. The control of agricultural insect pests currently depends primarily on chemical insecticides, but their intensive use damages the environment and human health, and encourages the emergence of resistant pest populations. This has promoted interest in animal venoms as a source of alternative, environmentally-friendly bio-insecticides. We tested the crude venom of the predatory ant, Manica rubida, and observed severe fitness costs in the parthenogenetic pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), a common agricultural pest. Therefore, we explored the M. rubida venom peptidome and identified a novel decapeptide U-MYRTX-MANr1 (NH2-IDPKVLESLV-CONH2) using a combination of Edman degradation and de novo peptide sequencing. Although this myrmicitoxin was inactive against bacteria and fungi, it reduced aphid survival and reproduction. Furthermore, both crude venom and U-MYRTX-MANr1 reversibly paralyzed injected aphids and induced a loss of body fluids. Components of M. rubida venom may act on various biological targets including ion channels and hemolymph coagulation proteins, as previously shown for other ant venom toxins. The remarkable insecticidal activity of M. rubida venom suggests it may be a promising source of additional bio-insecticide leads.
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Cytotoxic and lethal effects of recombinant β-BUTX-Lqq1a peptide against Lepidopteran insects and cell lines. Toxicol In Vitro 2019; 60:44-50. [PMID: 31082490 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Extensive usage of synthetic chemical pesticides have collateral effect in harming the health, environment and development of resistance in insect pests. Scorpion produces variety of molecules that are specific to insects, mammals and to both. Insect specific molecules act as potential candidature as an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. We have successfully expressed and purified recombinant Scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus quinquestriaus β-BUTX-Lqq1a toxin in bacterial system. Cytotoxic activity assay with the help of insect cell line Sf-21 from Spodoptera frugiperda reveals that mean IC50 1.72-3.0 μg ml -1 significantly reduced the cell proliferation when compared with control. Microscopic examination of treated Sf-21 cell lines also showed changes in the cell morphology such as cell membrane blebbing, cell shrinkage and granulated apoptotic bodies. When β-BUTX-Lqq1a was hemocoelly injected with various doses, significant reduction in survival of Helicoverpa armigera (LC50 = 0.13 μg insect-1) and Spodoptera litura (LC50 = 0.147 μg insect -1) were noticeable with immediate paralysis, and reduced feeding when compared with control. Toxicity with purified recombinant β-BUTX-Lqq1a protein towards insect cell line Sf-21 and major agricultural pest was demonstrated by various bioassays. Cytotoxicity and insect bioassay demonstrated the potential use of β-BUTX-Lqq1a protein as an effective insecticide against lepidopteran insects. These results strongly suggest that the development of rational insecticidal molecule against with significant promise.
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Heep J, Klaus A, Kessel T, Seip M, Vilcinskas A, Skaljac M. Proteomic Analysis of the Venom from the Ruby Ant Myrmica rubra and the Isolation of a Novel Insecticidal Decapeptide. INSECTS 2019; 10:E42. [PMID: 30717163 PMCID: PMC6409562 DOI: 10.3390/insects10020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ants are a biodiverse group of insects that have evolved toxic venom containing many undiscovered bioactive molecules. In this study, we found that the venom of the ruby ant Myrmica rubra is a rich source of peptides. LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 142 different peptides varying in molecular weight, sequence length, and hydrophobicity. One of the most abundant peaks was selected for further biochemical and functional characterization. Combined Edman degradation and de novo peptide sequencing revealed the presence of a novel decapeptide (myrmicitoxin) with the amino acid sequence NH₂-IDPKLLESLA-CONH₂. The decapeptide was named U-MYRTX-MRArub1 and verified against a synthetic standard. The amidated peptide was tested in a synthetic form to determine the antimicrobial activity towards the bacterial pathogens and insecticidal potential against pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum). This peptide did not show antimicrobial activity but it significantly reduced the survival of aphids. It also increased the sensitivity of the aphids to two commonly used chemical insecticides (imidacloprid and methomyl). Since ant venom research is still in its infancy, the findings of this first study on venom peptides derived from M. rubra highlight these insects as an important and rich source for discovery of novel lead structures with potential application in pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Heep
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Alica Klaus
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Tobias Kessel
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Seip
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Marisa Skaljac
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
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Torres-Quintero MC, Gómez I, Pacheco S, Sánchez J, Flores H, Osuna J, Mendoza G, Soberón M, Bravo A. Engineering Bacillus thuringiensis Cyt1Aa toxin specificity from dipteran to lepidopteran toxicity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4989. [PMID: 29563565 PMCID: PMC5862903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22740-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cyt and Cry toxins are different pore-forming proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria, and used in insect-pests control. Cry-toxins have a complex mechanism involving interaction with several proteins in the insect gut such as aminopeptidase N (APN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cadherin (CAD). It was shown that the loop regions of domain II of Cry toxins participate in receptor binding. Cyt-toxins are dipteran specific and interact with membrane lipids. We show that Cry1Ab domain II loop3 is involved in binding to APN, ALP and CAD receptors since point mutation Cry1Ab-G439D affected binding to these proteins. We hypothesized that construction of Cyt1A-hybrid proteins providing a binding site that recognizes gut proteins in lepidopteran larvae could result in improved Cyt1Aa toxin toward lepidopteran larvae. We constructed hybrid Cyt1Aa-loop3 proteins with increased binding interaction to Manduca sexta receptors and increased toxicity against two Lepidopteran pests, M. sexta and Plutella xylostella. The hybrid Cyt1Aa-loop3 proteins were severely affected in mosquitocidal activity and showed partial hemolytic activity but retained their capacity to synergize Cry11Aa toxicity against mosquitos. Our data show that insect specificity of Cyt1Aa toxin can be modified by introduction of loop regions from another non-related toxin with different insect specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary-Carmen Torres-Quintero
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Isabel Gómez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Sabino Pacheco
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Jorge Sánchez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Humberto Flores
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Joel Osuna
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Gretel Mendoza
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Mario Soberón
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
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Wang D, Xie N, Yi S, Liu C, Jiang H, Ma Z, Feng J, Yan H, Zhang X. Bioassay-guided isolation of potent aphicidal Erythrina alkaloids against Aphis gossypii from the seed of Erythrina crista-galli L. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2018; 74:210-218. [PMID: 28799721 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) is one of the most invasive pests of cotton. Many botanical phytochemicals have a long history as a source of insecticides, and as templates for new insecticides. This study was undertaken to isolate aphicidal compounds from the seeds of Erythrina crista-galli L. using the bioassay-guided isolation method. RESULTS Three novel and 11 known Erythrina alkaloids were isolated. Erysodine (9), erysovine (10), erysotrine (8) and erythraline (11) showed moderate to excellent aphicidal activity with LD50 values of 7.48, 6.68, 5.13 and 4.67 ng aphid-1 , respectively. The Potter spray tower bioassay gave corresponding LC50 values of 186.81, 165.35, 163.74 and 112.78 µg ml-1 . A unique substructure, which presents an sp3 methylene at C-8, a non-oxygenated site at N-9 and a conjugated dienes group (Δ1,2 and Δ6,7 ), plays a crucial role in the aphicidal activity. Application of erythraline (11) led to different increases in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated that the Erythrina alkaloids erysodine (9), erysovine (10), erysotrine (8) and erythraline (11) have potential use as botanical aphicides for commercial application, or as templates for the development of new insecticides. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delong Wang
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticide, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Na Xie
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticide, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shandong Yi
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticide, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chuanyuan Liu
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticide, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticide, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhiqing Ma
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticide, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Juntao Feng
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticide, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - He Yan
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticide, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticide, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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Zhu L, Peigneur S, Gao B, Zhang S, Tytgat J, Zhu S. Target-Driven Positive Selection at Hot Spots of Scorpion Toxins Uncovers Their Potential in Design of Insecticides. Mol Biol Evol 2016; 33:1907-20. [PMID: 27189560 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Positive selection sites (PSSs), a class of amino acid sites with an excess of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions, are indicators of adaptive molecular evolution and have been detected in many protein families involved in a diversity of biological processes by statistical approaches. However, few studies are conducted to evaluate their functional significance and the driving force behind the evolution (i.e., agent of selection). Scorpion α-toxins are a class of multigene family of peptide neurotoxins affecting voltage-gated Na(+ )(Nav) channels, whose members exhibit differential potency and preference for insect and mammalian Nav channels. In this study, we undertook a systematical molecular dissection of nearly all the PSSs newly characterized in the Mesobuthus α-toxin family and a two-residue insertion ((19)AlaPhe(20)) located within a positively selected loop via mutational analysis of α-like MeuNaTxα-5, one member affecting both insect and mammalian Nav channels. This allows to identify hot-spot residues on its functional face involved in interaction with the receptor site of Nav channels, which comprises two PSSs (Ile(40) and Leu(41)) and the small insertion, both located on two spatially separated functional loops. Mutations at these hot-spots resulted in a remarkably decreased anti-mammalian activity in MeuNaTxα-5 with partially impaired or enhanced insecticide activity, suggesting the potential of PSSs in designing promising candidate insecticides from scorpion α-like toxins. Based on an experiment-guided toxin-channel complex model and high evolutionary variability in the receptor site of predators and prey of scorpions, we provide new evidence for target-driven adaptive evolution of scorpion toxins to deal with their targets' diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limei Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shangfei Zhang
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Nakasu EY, Karamaouna F, Partsinevelos GK, Abd El Halim HM, Fitches EC, Pyati P, Gatehouse JA, Gatehouse AM, Edwards MG. Sublethal effects of the insecticidal fusion protein ω-ACTX-Hv1a/GNA on the parasitoid Eulophus pennicornis via its host Lacanobia oleracea. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2016; 72:585-590. [PMID: 25914218 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neurotoxin peptide ω-ACTX-Hv1a, fused to the carrier molecule GNA, presents potential for insect control as a biopesticide, being orally toxic to insect pests from different orders. However, thorough evaluation is required to assure its safety towards non-target invertebrates. Effects of this novel biopesticide on the parasitoid Eulophus pennicornis via its host Lacanobia oleracea are presented. RESULTS Hv1a/GNA did not cause mortality when injected or fed to fifth-stage L. oleracea, but caused up to 39% reduction in mean larval weight (P < 0.05) and increased developmental time when injected. When fed, GNA, but not Hv1a/GNA, caused ∼35% reduction in larval weight, indicating that host quality was not affected by the fusion protein. Although GNA and Hv1a/GNA were internalised by the hosts following ingestion, and thus were available to higher trophic levels, no significant changes in the rate of E. pennicornis parasitism occurred. Number of parasitoid pupae per host, adult emergence and sex ratio were unaffected by GNA- or Hv1a/GNA-treated hosts (P > 0.05). The fusion protein was degraded by parasitoid larvae, rendering it non-toxic. CONCLUSION Hv1a/GNA has negligible effects on the parasitoid, even under worst-case scenarios. This low toxicity to these insects is of interest in terms of biopesticide specificity and safety to non-target organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erich Yt Nakasu
- Newcastle Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability, School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Capes Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | | | - Hesham M Abd El Halim
- Newcastle Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability, School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Elaine C Fitches
- The Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York, UK
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Prashant Pyati
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - John A Gatehouse
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Angharad Mr Gatehouse
- Newcastle Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability, School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Martin G Edwards
- Newcastle Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability, School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Insect vector-mediated transmission of plant viruses. Virology 2015; 479-480:278-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 307] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Sun Z, Zhang W, Zhang P, Gao D, Gong P, Yu XF, Wu Y, Cao Z, Li W, Cai L. Neurotoxin-directed synthesis and in vitro evaluation of Au nanoclusters. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra03006d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A glioma-specific theranostic agent is prepared by using Chlorotoxin fusion protein to direct the synthesis of Au nanoclusters, which exhibit bright fluorescence and high specificity to target and treat glioma cells.
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Nakasu EYT, Edwards MG, Fitches E, Gatehouse JA, Gatehouse AMR. Transgenic plants expressing ω-ACTX-Hv1a and snowdrop lectin (GNA) fusion protein show enhanced resistance to aphids. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2014; 5:673. [PMID: 25506351 PMCID: PMC4246675 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2014.00673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant fusion proteins containing arthropod toxins have been developed as a new class of biopesticides. The recombinant fusion protein Hv1a/GNA, containing the spider venom toxin ω-ACTX-Hv1a linked to snowdrop lectin (GNA) was shown to reduce survival of the peach-potato aphid Myzus persicae when delivered in artificial diet, with survival <10% after 8 days exposure to fusion protein at 1 mg/ml. Although the fusion protein was rapidly degraded by proteases in the insect, Hv1a/GNA oral toxicity to M. persicae was significantly greater than GNA alone. A construct encoding the fusion protein, including the GNA leader sequence, under control of the constitutive CaMV 35S promoter was transformed into Arabidopsis; the resulting plants contained intact fusion protein in leaf tissues at an estimated level of 25.6 ± 4.1 ng/mg FW. Transgenic Arabidopsis expressing Hv1a/GNA induced up to 40% mortality of M. persicae after 7 days exposure in detached leaf bioassays, demonstrating that transgenic plants can deliver fusion proteins to aphids. Grain aphids (Sitobion avenae) were more susceptible than M. persicae to the Hv1a/GNA fusion protein in artificial diet bioassays (LC50 = 0.73 mg/ml after 2 days against LC50 = 1.81 mg/ml for M. persicae), as they were not able to hydrolyze the fusion protein as readily as M. persicae. Expression of this fusion protein in suitable host plants for the grain aphid is likely to confer higher levels of resistance than that shown with the M. persicae/Arabidopsis model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erich Y. T. Nakasu
- Plant-Insect Molecular Interactions Group, Newcastle Institute for Sustainability, School of Biology, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Capes Foundation, Ministry of Education of BrazilBrasília, Brazil
| | - Martin G. Edwards
- Plant-Insect Molecular Interactions Group, Newcastle Institute for Sustainability, School of Biology, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Elaine Fitches
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham UniversityDurham, UK
| | - John A. Gatehouse
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham UniversityDurham, UK
| | - Angharad M. R. Gatehouse
- Plant-Insect Molecular Interactions Group, Newcastle Institute for Sustainability, School of Biology, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, UK
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14
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Arzamasov AA, Vassilevski AA, Grishin EV. Chlorotoxin and related peptides: Short insect toxins from scorpion venom. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2014; 40:387-98. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162014040013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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15
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Delivery of intrahemocoelic peptides for insect pest management. Trends Biotechnol 2014; 32:91-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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16
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Toxin delivery by the coat protein of an aphid-vectored plant virus provides plant resistance to aphids. Nat Biotechnol 2013; 32:102-5. [PMID: 24316580 DOI: 10.1038/nbt.2753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The sap-sucking insects (order Hemiptera), including aphids, planthoppers, whiteflies and stink bugs, present one of the greatest challenges for pest management in global agriculture. Insect neurotoxins offer an alternative to chemical insecticides for controlling these pests, but require delivery into the insect hemocoel. Here we use the coat protein of a luteovirus, an aphid-vectored plant virus, to deliver a spider-derived, insect-specific toxin that acts within the hemocoel. The luteovirid coat protein is sufficient for delivery of fused proteins into the hemocoel of pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum, without virion assembly. We show that when four aphid pest species-A. pisum, Rhopalosiphum padi, Aphis glycines and Myzus persicae-feed on a recombinant coat protein-toxin fusion, either in an experimental membrane sachet or in transgenic Arabidopsis plants, they experience significant mortality. Aphids fed on these fusion proteins showed signs of neurotoxin-induced paralysis. Luteovirid coat protein-insect neurotoxin fusions represent a promising strategy for transgenic control of aphids and potentially other hemipteran pests.
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