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Wang Y, Gao P, Zheng J, Li H, Meng L, Li B. Effects of parasitism by a parasitoid wasp on the gut microbiota in a predaceous lady beetle host. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:4501-4507. [PMID: 37418555 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiota has an intimate relationship with insect hosts and this relationship can become complicated with parasitic organisms being involved with the host. To date there has been limited evidence for the relevance of parasitism of the host by parasitoids to host gut microbiota, especially in host insect predators. Here, our study examined gut microbiotas in larvae of the predaceous lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, in response to their parasitism by Homalotylus eytelweinii regarding the development progress of offspring parasitoids. RESULTS Overall 58.5% of gut bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the parasitized lady beetle were different from those in the unparasitized host. The phylum Proteobacteria abundance increased while Firmicutes decreased in parasitized hosts compared to the unparasitized. The abundance of genus Aeribacillus decreased substantially in the parasitized lady beetle across all stages of the offspring development compared to the unparasitized host. The α-diversity of the gut microbiota in a parasitized lady beetle larva increased at the early stage of offspring parasitoids and then returned over the intermediate and later stages. Analyses of β-diversity indicated that the gut microbial community in a parasitized lady beetle was distinct from that in an unparasitized one and different between early or middle and late stages of offspring parasitoids in parasitized hosts. CONCLUSION Our results provide evidence for the relevance of the gut microbiota to interactions between a lady beetle host and its parasitoid. Our study provides a starting point for further investigations of the role the gut microbiota may play in host-parasitoid interactions. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansong Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ping Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongran Li
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Meng
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Baoping Li
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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2
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Russo E, Di Lelio I, Shi M, Becchimanzi A, Pennacchio F. Aphidius ervi venom regulates Buchnera contribution to host nutritional suitability. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 147:104506. [PMID: 37011858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The association between the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera: Aphididae), and the endophagous parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) offers a unique model system for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the complex interactions between the parasitoid, its host and the associated primary symbiont. Here, we investigate in vivo the functional role of the most abundant component of A. ervi venom, Ae-γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (Ae-γ-GT), which is known to induce host castration. Microinjections of double-stranded RNA into A. ervi pupae stably knocked down Ae-γ-GT1 and Ae-γ-GT2 paralogue genes in newly emerged females. These females were used to score the phenotypic changes both in parasitized hosts and in the parasitoid's progeny, as affected by a venom blend lacking Ae-γ-GT. Ae-γ-GT gene silencing enhanced growth both of host and parasitoid, supported by a higher load of the primary bacterial symbiont Buchnera aphidicola. Emerging adults showed a reduced survival and fecundity, suggesting a trade-off with body size. This demonstrates in vivo the primary role of Ae-γ-GT in host ovary degeneration and suggests that this protein counterbalances the proliferation of Buchnera likely triggered by other venom components. Our study provides a new approach to unravelling the complexity of aphid parasitoid venom in vivo, and sheds light on a novel role for Ae-γ-GT in host regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia Russo
- University of Naples "Federico II" - Department of Agricultural Sciences, Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Lelio
- University of Naples "Federico II" - Department of Agricultural Sciences, Naples, Italy; BAT Center - Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Min Shi
- Jiaxing Nanhu University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Andrea Becchimanzi
- University of Naples "Federico II" - Department of Agricultural Sciences, Naples, Italy; BAT Center - Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Pennacchio
- University of Naples "Federico II" - Department of Agricultural Sciences, Naples, Italy; BAT Center - Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
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Liu S, Zhang J, Sheng Y, Feng T, Shi W, Lu Y, Guan X, Chen X, Huang J, Chen J. Metabolomics Provides New Insights into Host Manipulation Strategies by Asobara japonica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Fruit Fly Parasitoid. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13030336. [PMID: 36984776 PMCID: PMC10053316 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13030336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Asobara japonica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an endoparasitoid wasp that can successfully parasitize a wide range of host species across the Drosophila genus, including the invasive crop pest Drosophila suzukii. Parasitoids are capable of regulating the host metabolism to produce the nutritional metabolites for the survival of their offspring. Here, we intend to investigate the metabolic changes in D. melanogaster hosts after parasitization by A. japonica, using the non-targeted LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) metabolomics analysis. In total, 3043 metabolites were identified, most of which were not affected by A. japonica parasitization. About 205 metabolites were significantly affected in parasitized hosts in comparison to non-parasitized hosts. The changed metabolites were divided into 10 distinct biochemical groups. Among them, most of the lipid metabolic substances were significantly decreased in parasitized hosts. On the contrary, most of metabolites associated with the metabolism of amino acids and sugars showed a higher abundance of parasitized hosts, and were enriched for a wide range of pathways. In addition, eight neuromodulatory-related substances were upregulated in hosts post A. japonica parasitization. Our results reveal that the metabolites are greatly changed in parasitized hosts, which might help uncover the underlying mechanisms of host manipulation that will advance our understanding of host–parasitoid coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengmei Liu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Junwei Zhang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yifeng Sheng
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ting Feng
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wenqi Shi
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yueqi Lu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xueying Guan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xuexin Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianhua Huang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiani Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-571-88982133
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Genome of the parasitoid wasp Cotesia chilonis sheds light on amino acid resource exploitation. BMC Biol 2022; 20:118. [PMID: 35606775 PMCID: PMC9128236 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01313-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A fundamental feature of parasitism is the nutritional exploitation of host organisms by their parasites. Parasitoid wasps lay eggs on arthropod hosts, exploiting them for nutrition to support larval development by using diverse effectors aimed at regulating host metabolism. However, the genetic components and molecular mechanisms at the basis of such exploitation, especially the utilization of host amino acid resources, remain largely unknown. To address this question, here, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly of the parasitoid wasp Cotesia chilonis and reconstruct its amino acid biosynthetic pathway. Results Analyses of the amino acid synthetic pathway indicate that C. chilonis lost the ability to synthesize ten amino acids, which was confirmed by feeding experiments with amino acid-depleted media. Of the ten pathways, nine are known to have been lost in the common ancestor of animals. We find that the ability to synthesize arginine was also lost in C. chilonis because of the absence of two key genes in the arginine synthesis pathway. Further analyses of the genomes of 72 arthropods species show that the loss of arginine synthesis is common in arthropods. Metabolomic analyses by UPLC-MS/MS reveal that the temporal concentrations of arginine, serine, tyrosine, and alanine are significantly higher in host (Chilo suppressalis) hemolymph at 3 days after parasitism, whereas the temporal levels of 5-hydroxylysine, glutamic acid, methionine, and lysine are significantly lower. We sequence the transcriptomes of a parasitized host and non-parasitized control. Differential gene expression analyses using these transcriptomes indicate that parasitoid wasps inhibit amino acid utilization and activate protein degradation in the host, likely resulting in the increase of amino acid content in host hemolymph. Conclusions We sequenced the genome of a parasitoid wasp, C. chilonis, and revealed the features of trait loss in amino acid biosynthesis. Our work provides new insights into amino acid exploitation by parasitoid wasps, and this knowledge can specifically be used to design parasitoid artificial diets that potentially benefit mass rearing of parasitoids for pest control. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01313-3.
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Gao X, Niu R, Zhu X, Wang L, Ji J, Niu L, Wu C, Zhang S, Luo J, Cui J. Characterization and comparison of the bacterial microbiota of Lysiphlebia japonica parasitioid wasps and their aphid host Aphis gosypii. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:2710-2718. [PMID: 33492720 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endosymbiotic bacteria have been reported to mediate interactions between parasitoids and their insect hosts. How parasitic wasps influence changes in host microbial communities and the relationship between them are of great importance to the study of host-parasitoid co-evolutionary and ecological interactions. However, these interactions remain largely unreported for interactions between Aphis gossypii and Lysiphlebia japonica. RESULTS In this study, we characterize the bacterial microbiota of L. japonica wasps at different developmental stages and monitor changes over time in the bacterial microbiota of their parasitized and nonparasitized aphid hosts, using metagenomic analysis of 16S rDNA sequencing data. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were the three most abundant bacterial phyla identified in L. japonica. We found that parasitism was associated with an increased abundance of Buchnera nutritional endosymbionts, but decreased abundance of Acinetobacter, Arsenophonus, Candidatus_Hamiltonella, and Pseudomonas facultative symbionts in aphid hosts. Functional analysis of enriched pathways of parasitized aphids showed significant differences in the 'transport and metabolism of carbohydrates' and 'amino acid, lipid, and coenzyme biosynthesis' pathways. Notably, the composition of symbiotic bacteria in wasp larvae was highly similar to that of their aphid hosts, especially the high abundance of Buchnera. CONCLUSION The results provide a conceptual framework for L. japonica interactions with A. gossypii in which the exchange of symbiotic microbes provides a means by which microbiota can potentially serve as evolutionary drivers of complex, multilevel interactions underlying the ecology and co-evolution of these hosts and parasites. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueke Gao
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruichang Niu
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiangzhen Zhu
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jichao Ji
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lin Niu
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changcai Wu
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Luo
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinjie Cui
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Ye X, Xiong S, Teng Z, Yang Y, Wang J, Yu K, Wu H, Mei Y, Yan Z, Cheng S, Yin C, Wang F, Yao H, Fang Q, Song Q, Werren JH, Ye G, Li F. Amino acid synthesis loss in parasitoid wasps and other hymenopterans. eLife 2020; 9:e59795. [PMID: 33074103 PMCID: PMC7593089 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects utilize diverse food resources which can affect the evolution of their genomic repertoire, including leading to gene losses in different nutrient pathways. Here, we investigate gene loss in amino acid synthesis pathways, with special attention to hymenopterans and parasitoid wasps. Using comparative genomics, we find that synthesis capability for tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and histidine was lost in holometabolous insects prior to hymenopteran divergence, while valine, leucine, and isoleucine were lost in the common ancestor of Hymenoptera. Subsequently, multiple loss events of lysine synthesis occurred independently in the Parasitoida and Aculeata. Experiments in the parasitoid Cotesia chilonis confirm that it has lost the ability to synthesize eight amino acids. Our findings provide insights into amino acid synthesis evolution, and specifically can be used to inform the design of parasitoid artificial diets for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhai Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Department of Biology, University of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - Shijiao Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Ziwen Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jiale Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Kaili Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Huizi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yang Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Zhichao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Sammy Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - Chuanlin Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Hongwei Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of MissouriColumbiaUnited States
| | - John H Werren
- Department of Biology, University of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Fei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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7
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Kutsukake M, Moriyama M, Shigenobu S, Meng XY, Nikoh N, Noda C, Kobayashi S, Fukatsu T. Exaggeration and cooption of innate immunity for social defense. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:8950-8959. [PMID: 30988178 PMCID: PMC6500135 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1900917116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Social insects often exhibit striking altruistic behaviors, of which the most spectacular ones may be self-destructive defensive behaviors called autothysis, "self-explosion," or "suicidal bombing." In the social aphid Nipponaphis monzeni, when enemies damage their plant-made nest called the gall, soldier nymphs erupt to discharge a large amount of body fluid, mix the secretion with their legs, and skillfully plaster it over the plant injury. Dozens of soldiers come out, erupt, mix, and plaster, and the gall breach is promptly sealed with the coagulated body fluid. What molecular and cellular mechanisms underlie the self-sacrificing nest repair with body fluid for the insect society? Here we demonstrate that the body cavity of soldier nymphs is full of highly differentiated large hemocytes that contain huge amounts of lipid droplets and phenoloxidase (PO), whereas their hemolymph accumulates huge amounts of tyrosine and a unique repeat-containing protein (RCP). Upon breakage of the gall, soldiers gather around the breach and massively discharge the body fluid. The large hemocytes rupture and release lipid droplets, which promptly form a lipidic clot, and, concurrently, activated PO converts tyrosine to reactive quinones, which cross-link RCP and other macromolecules to physically reinforce the clot to seal the gall breach. Here, soldiers' humoral and cellular immune mechanisms for wound sealing are extremely up-regulated and utilized for colony defense, which provides a striking case of direct evolutionary connection between individual immunity and social immunity and highlights the importance of exaggeration and cooption of preexisting traits to create evolutionary novelties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayako Kutsukake
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, 305-8566 Tsukuba, Japan;
| | - Minoru Moriyama
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, 305-8566 Tsukuba, Japan
- Computational Bio Big Data Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, 305-8566 Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- Core Research Facilities, National Institute for Basic Biology, 444-8585 Okazaki, Japan
| | - Xian-Ying Meng
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, 305-8566 Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Naruo Nikoh
- Department of Liberal Arts, The Open University of Japan, 261-8586 Chiba, Japan
| | - Chiyo Noda
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, 444-8787 Okazaki, Japan
| | - Satoru Kobayashi
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, 305-8577 Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takema Fukatsu
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, 305-8566 Tsukuba, Japan;
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 305-8572 Tsukuba, Japan
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8
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Colella S, Parisot N, Simonet P, Gaget K, Duport G, Baa-Puyoulet P, Rahbé Y, Charles H, Febvay G, Callaerts P, Calevro F. Bacteriocyte Reprogramming to Cope With Nutritional Stress in a Phloem Sap Feeding Hemipteran, the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1498. [PMID: 30410449 PMCID: PMC6209921 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutritional symbioses play a central role in the ability of insects to thrive on unbalanced diets and in ensuring their evolutionary success. A genomic model for nutritional symbiosis comprises the hemipteran Acyrthosiphon pisum, and the gamma-3-proteobacterium, Buchnera aphidicola, with genomes encoding highly integrated metabolic pathways. A. pisum feeds exclusively on plant phloem sap, a nutritionally unbalanced diet highly variable in composition, thus raising the question of how this symbiotic system responds to nutritional stress. We addressed this by combining transcriptomic, phenotypic and life history trait analyses to determine the organismal impact of deprivation of tyrosine and phenylalanine. These two aromatic amino acids are essential for aphid development, are synthesized in a metabolic pathway for which the aphid host and the endosymbiont are interdependent, and their concentration can be highly variable in plant phloem sap. We found that this nutritional challenge does not have major phenotypic effects on the pea aphid, except for a limited weight reduction and a 2-day delay in onset of nymph laying. Transcriptomic analyses through aphid development showed a prominent response in bacteriocytes (the core symbiotic tissue which houses the symbionts), but not in gut, thus highlighting the role of bacteriocytes as major modulators of this homeostasis. This response does not involve a direct regulation of tyrosine and phenylalanine biosynthetic pathway and transporter genes. Instead, we observed an extensive transcriptional reprogramming of the bacteriocyte with a rapid down-regulation of genes encoding sugar transporters and genes required for sugar metabolism. Consistently, we observed continued overexpression of the A. pisum homolog of RRAD, a small GTPase implicated in repressing aerobic glycolysis. In addition, we found increased transcription of genes involved in proliferation, cell size control and signaling. We experimentally confirmed the significance of these gene expression changes detecting an increase in bacteriocyte number and cell size in vivo under tyrosine and phenylalanine depletion. Our results support a central role of bacteriocytes in the aphid response to amino acid deprivation: their transcriptional and cellular responses fine-tune host physiology providing the host insect with an effective way to cope with the challenges posed by the variability in composition of phloem sap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Colella
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, INRA, BF2I, UMR0203, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Nicolas Parisot
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, INRA, BF2I, UMR0203, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Pierre Simonet
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, INRA, BF2I, UMR0203, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Karen Gaget
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, INRA, BF2I, UMR0203, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Gabrielle Duport
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, INRA, BF2I, UMR0203, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France
| | | | - Yvan Rahbé
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, INRA, BF2I, UMR0203, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Hubert Charles
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, INRA, BF2I, UMR0203, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Gérard Febvay
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, INRA, BF2I, UMR0203, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Patrick Callaerts
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Federica Calevro
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, INRA, BF2I, UMR0203, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France
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Diverse Bacteriophage Roles in an Aphid-Bacterial Defensive Mutualism. ADVANCES IN ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-28068-4_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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10
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Pennacchio F, Caccia S, Digilio MC. Host regulation and nutritional exploitation by parasitic wasps. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2014; 6:74-79. [PMID: 32846685 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2014.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The physiological alterations observed in naturally parasitized hosts are characterized by a number of reproductive and developmental changes. Some of these changes are also associated with alterations in host physiology that benefit the nutrition and development of wasp offspring. Here we review the breadth of host-parasitoid nutritional interactions, and discuss current understanding of underlying mechanisms. We also discuss priorities for future studies that could enhance understanding of basic questions about the parasitoid lifestyle and provide insights of value for insect control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Pennacchio
- Dipartimento di Agraria, BiPAF - Laboratorio di Entomologia "E. Tremblay", Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Italy.
| | - Silvia Caccia
- Dipartimento di Agraria, BiPAF - Laboratorio di Entomologia "E. Tremblay", Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Digilio
- Dipartimento di Agraria, BiPAF - Laboratorio di Entomologia "E. Tremblay", Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Italy
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11
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Rossi GD, Salvador G, Cônsoli FL. The parasitoid, Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), influences food consumption and utilization by larval Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2014; 87:85-94. [PMID: 25042594 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Parasitoids exploit host insects for food and other resources; they alter host development and physiology to optimize conditions to favor parasitoid development. Parasitoids influence their hosts by injecting eggs, along with a variety of substances, including venoms, polydnaviruses, ovarian fluids, and other maternal factors, into hosts. These factors induce profound changes in hosts, such as behavior, metabolism, endocrine events, and immune defense. Because endoparasitoids develop and consume tissues from within their hosts, it is reasonable to suggest that internal parasitization would also influence host food consumption and metabolism. We report on the effects of parasitism by Cotesia flavipes on the food consumption and utilization of its host, Diatraea saccharalis. Cotesia flavipes reduces the host food consumption, but parasitized larvae considered a unit with their parasitoid's attained the same final weight as the nonparasitized larvae. Nutritional indices, midgut activities of carbohydrases, and trypsin of parasitized and nonparasitized D. saccharalis were assessed. Parasitized larvae had reduced relative food consumption, metabolic and growth rates, coupled with higher efficiency for conversion of the digested, but not ingested, food into body mass. Parasitism also affected food flux through the gut and protein contents in the midgut of parasitized larvae. The activity of α-amylase and trehalase in parasitized host was enhanced in the first day after parasitism relative to control larvae. Saccharase activity remained unchanged during larval development. Trypsin activity was reduced from the fifth to ninth day after parasitism. We argue on the mechanisms involved in host food processing after parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Duarte Rossi
- Lab de Interações em Insetos, Depto de Entomologia & Acarologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz," Univ de São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brasil; Depto de Fitossanidade, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho" (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
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12
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Trotta V, Duran Prieto J, Battaglia D, Fanti P. Plastic responses of some life history traits and cellular components of body size inAphidius ervias related to the age of its hostAcyrthosiphon pisum. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Trotta
- Dipartimento di Scienze; Università della Basilicata; Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10 85100 Potenza Italy
| | - Juliana Duran Prieto
- Dipartimento di Scienze; Università della Basilicata; Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10 85100 Potenza Italy
| | - Donatella Battaglia
- Dipartimento di Scienze; Università della Basilicata; Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10 85100 Potenza Italy
| | - Paolo Fanti
- Dipartimento di Scienze; Università della Basilicata; Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10 85100 Potenza Italy
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13
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Martinez AJ, Weldon SR, Oliver KM. Effects of parasitism on aphid nutritional and protective symbioses. Mol Ecol 2013; 23:1594-1607. [PMID: 24152321 DOI: 10.1111/mec.12550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Revised: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Insects often carry heritable symbionts that negotiate interactions with food plants or natural enemies. All pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum, require infection with the nutritional symbiont Buchnera, and many are also infected with Hamiltonella, which protects against the parasitoid Aphidius ervi. Hamiltonella-based protection requires bacteriophages called APSEs with protection levels varying by strain and associated APSE. Endoparasitoids, including A. ervi, may benefit from protecting the nutritional symbiosis and suppressing the protective one, while the aphid and its heritable symbionts have aligned interests when attacked by the wasp. We investigated the effects of parasitism on the abundance of aphid nutritional and protective symbionts. First, we determined strength of protection associated with multiple symbiont strains and aphid genotypes as these likely impact symbiont responses. Unexpectedly, some A. pisum genotypes cured of facultative symbionts were resistant to parasitism and resistant aphid lines carried Hamiltonella strains that conferred no additional protection. Susceptible aphid clones carried protective strains. qPCR estimates show that parasitism significantly influenced both Buchnera and Hamiltonella titres, with multiple factors contributing to variation. In susceptible lines, parasitism led to increases in Buchnera near the time of larval wasp emergence consistent with parasite manipulation, but effects were variable in resistant lines. Parasitism also resulted in increases in APSE and subsequent decreases in Hamiltonella, and we discuss how this response may relate to the protective phenotype. In summary, we show that parasitism alters the within-host ecology of both nutritional and protective symbioses with effects likely significant for all players in this antagonistic interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Martinez
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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14
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Hansen AK, Vorburger C, Moran NA. Genomic basis of endosymbiont-conferred protection against an insect parasitoid. Genome Res 2011; 22:106-14. [PMID: 21948522 DOI: 10.1101/gr.125351.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial endosymbionts exert a variety of beneficial effects on insect hosts. In pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), several inherited endosymbiont species protect their hosts against parasitoid wasps, which are major natural enemies. However, strains of these symbiont species vary in their ability to confer protection against parasitoids, with some conferring almost complete protection and others conferring almost none. In this study, two strains of the endosymbiont Regiella insecticola (R. insecticola 5.15 and R. insecticola LSR1) were found to differ in ability to protect pea aphids attacked by the parasitoid Aphidius ervi. Parasitism trials reveal that R. insecticola 5.15, but not R. insecticola LSR1, significantly reduced parasitoid success and increased aphid survivorship. To address the potential genetic basis of protection conferred by R. insecticola 5.15 we sequenced the genome of this symbiont strain, and then compared its gene repertoire with that of the already sequenced nonprotective strain R. insecticola LSR1. We identified striking differences in gene sets related to eukaryote pathogenicity. The protective strain R. insecticola 5.15 encoded five categories of pathogenicity factors that were missing or inactivated in R. insecticola LSR1. These included genes encoding the O-antigen biosynthetic pathway, an intact Type 1 Secretion System and its secreted RTX toxins, an intact SPI-1 Type 3 Secretion System and its effectors, hemin transport, and the two-component system PhoPQ. These five pathogenicity factors and translocation systems are hypothesized to collectively play key roles in the endosymbiont's virulence against parasitoids, resulting in aphid protection. Mechanisms through which these factors may target parasitoids are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison K Hansen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516-7388, USA
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15
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Viñuelas J, Febvay G, Duport G, Colella S, Fayard JM, Charles H, Rahbé Y, Calevro F. Multimodal dynamic response of the Buchnera aphidicola pLeu plasmid to variations in leucine demand of its host, the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Mol Microbiol 2011; 81:1271-85. [PMID: 21797941 PMCID: PMC3229713 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07760.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Aphids, important agricultural pests, can grow and reproduce thanks to their intimate symbiosis with the γ-proteobacterium Buchnera aphidicola that furnishes them with essential amino acids lacking in their phloem sap diet. To study how B. aphidicola, with its reduced genome containing very few transcriptional regulators, responds to variations in the metabolic requirements of its host, we concentrated on the leucine metabolic pathway. We show that leucine is a limiting factor for aphid growth and it displays a stimulatory feeding effect. Our metabolic analyses demonstrate that symbiotic aphids are able to respond to leucine starvation or excess by modulating the neosynthesis of this amino acid. At a molecular level, this response involves an early important transcriptional regulation (after 12 h of treatment) followed by a moderate change in the pLeu plasmid copy number. Both responses are no longer apparent after 7 days of treatment. These experimental data are discussed in the light of a re-annotation of the pLeu plasmid regulatory elements. Taken together, our data show that the response of B. aphidicola to the leucine demand of its host is multimodal and dynamically regulated, providing new insights concerning the genetic regulation capabilities of this bacterium in relation to its symbiotic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Viñuelas
- UMR203 BF2I, Biologie Fonctionnelle Insectes et Interactions, INSA-Lyon, INRA, Université de Lyon, Bât. Louis Pasteur, 20 av. Albert Einstein, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France
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16
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Sabri A, Hance T, Leroy PD, Frère I, Haubruge E, Destain J, Compère P, Thonart P. Placenta-like structure of the aphid endoparasitic wasp Aphidius ervi: a strategy of optimal resources acquisition. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18847. [PMID: 21526196 PMCID: PMC3079733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an entomophagous parasitoid known to be an effective parasitoid of several aphid species of economic importance. A reduction of its production cost during mass rearing for inundative release is needed to improve its use in biological control of pests. In these contexts, a careful analysis of its entire development phases within its host is needed. This paper shows that this parasitoid has some characteristics in its embryological development rather complex and different from most other reported insects, which can be phylogenetically very close. First, its yolkless egg allows a high fecundity of the female but force them to hatch from the egg shell rapidly to the host hemocoel. An early cellularisation allowing a rapid differentiation of a serosa membrane seems to confirm this hypothesis. The serosa wraps the developing embryo until the first instar larva stage and invades the host tissues by microvilli projections and form a placenta like structure able to divert host resources and allowing nutrition and respiration of embryo. Such interspecific invasion, at the cellular level, recalls mammal's trophoblasts that anchors maternal uterine wall and underlines the high adaptation of A. ervi to develop in the host body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Sabri
- Centre Wallon de Biologie Industrielle, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium.
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17
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Cheng RX, Meng L, Mills NJ, Li B. Host preference between symbiotic and aposymbiotic Aphis fabae, by the aphid parasitoid, Lysiphlebus ambiguus. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2011; 11:81. [PMID: 21870967 PMCID: PMC3281486 DOI: 10.1673/031.011.8101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2010] [Accepted: 02/16/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Few empirical studies have directly explored the association between Buchnera aphidicola (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae), the primary endosymbiont of aphids, and the life history strategies of aphid parasitoids. A series of paired-choice experiments were conducted to explore the preference of the parasitoid Lysiphlebus ambiguus Halliday (Hymenoptera: Aphididae) for symbiotic and aposymbiotic Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and the suitability of these hosts for parasitoid development. When given a choice between symbiotic and aposymbiotic aphids of the same instar, the parasitoid significantly preferred symbiotic over aposymbiotic aphids only during the later instars (L(4) and adult). The suitability of aposymbiotic aphids for parasitoid development was equal to that of symbiotic aphids in terms of survivorship and sex ratio, but was significantly lower than that of symbiotic aphids for L(4) and adult instars in development rate and/or female adult size. When given a choice between similar-sized symbiotic L(2) and aposymbiotic L(4) aphids, the parasitoid preferred the former. No significant differences in preference or host suitability were demonstrated when the parasitoid was given a choice between different instars of aposymbiotic aphids. While parasitoid lifetime fecundity increased with aphid instar at the time of oviposition, there was no significant influence of previous development from symbiotic versus aposymbiotic aphids. These results suggest that while L. ambiguus can discriminate between symbiotic and aposymbiotic A. fabae during later instars and when the aphids are of a similar size, the primary endosymbiont is not needed for successful parasitoid development; and its absence only compromises parasitoid growth reared from later instar aposymbiotic host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Xia Cheng
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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18
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19
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Cheng RX, Meng L, Li BP. Effects of aposymbiotic and symbiotic aphids on parasitoid progeny development and adult oviposition behavior within aphid instars. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2010; 39:389-395. [PMID: 20388267 DOI: 10.1603/en08312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
This study aims at exploring the potential relationship between aphidiine parasitoid development and the primary endosymbiont in aphids by focusing on specific aphid instars and the relative effects on parasitoid oviposition behavior and progeny development. Lysiphlebus ambiguus (Aphidiidae, Hymenoptera) is a solitary parasitoid of several species of aphids, including Aphis fabae. In this study, A. fabae was treated with antibiotic rifampicin to obtain aposymbiotic hosts and exposed to parasitism. L. ambiguus launched significantly more attacks on symbiotic L(2) (the second instar), aposymbiotic L(3) (the third instar) and L(4) (the forth instar) hosts than on the corresponding hosts at the same age. L. ambiguus also parasitized more L(1) aphids compared with adults irrespective of whether the aphid was asymbiotic or not. Pupa mortality rate of parasitoid progeny was significantly lower from aposymbiotic hosts than from the corresponding symbiotics at all stages. Female-biased parasitoid progeny was produced from aposymbiotic aphids without respect to host ages, but female progeny increased linearly with host ages at parasitism from symbiotic aphids. Body size of parasitoid progeny increased linearly with host instars at parasitism in symbiotic aphids but did not significantly change across host instars in aposymbiotic aphids. The offspring parasitoids turned out to be generally large in body size from attacking aposymbiotic aphids compared with the symbiotics. Development time of egg-to-adult of parasitoid progeny decreased with host instars in both symbiotic and aposymbiotic aphids but was generally much longer in aposymbiotic aphids than in symbiotic aphids. Our study suggests that age or body size of host aphids may not be the only cue exercised by L. ambiguus to evaluate host quality and that offspring parasitoids may be able to compensate for the nutrition stress associated with disruption of primary endosymbiotc bacteria in aposymbiotic aphids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Xia Cheng
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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20
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Fiandra L, Caccia S, Giordana B, Casartelli M. Leucine transport by the larval midgut of the parasitoid Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2010; 56:165-169. [PMID: 19799906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2009.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2009] [Revised: 09/22/2009] [Accepted: 09/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The larval midgut of the hymenopteran parasitoid Aphidius ervi accomplishes a large transport of nutrients from the lumen to the haemocoel, providing most of the organic molecules necessary for rapid insect development. l-amino acids in general, and leucine in particular, are efficiently accumulated in the larval body. We show here that the intact midgut of early 3rd instar larvae incubated in vitro can take up [(3)H]l-leucine from the basolateral side of the epithelium by transporters insensitive to the presence of monovalent cations. When the midgut is opened and the apical membrane of the absorbing epithelial cells is exposed to the medium containing radiolabelled leucine, a sodium-dependent uptake of the amino acid becomes apparent, disclosing the presence of a symport mechanism. Inhibition experiments of leucine uptake by a 100-fold excess of different amino acids, selected according to the properties of their side chain, revealed that this apical sodium-dependent mechanism is a broad spectrum transport system with a specialization for the absorption of aliphatic amino acids, that can also transfer glutamine and proline, but not phenylalanine, lysine and arginine. Altogether the experimental results obtained with intact- and open-gut preparations suggest that leucine transport across the basolateral membrane is mediated by both an uniporter and an obligatory amino acid exchange mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fiandra
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Biologia, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
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21
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Multifaceted determinants of host specificity in an aphid parasitoid. Oecologia 2009; 160:387-98. [PMID: 19219460 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-009-1289-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2008] [Accepted: 01/08/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The host specificity of insect parasitoids and herbivores is thought to be shaped by a suite of traits that mediate host acceptance and host suitability. We conducted laboratory experiments to identify mechanisms shaping the host specificity of the aphid parasitoid Binodoxys communis. Twenty species of aphids were exposed to B. communis females in microcosms, and detailed observations and rearing studies of 15 of these species were done to determine whether patterns of host use resulted from variation in factors such as host acceptance or variation in host suitability. Six species of aphids exposed to B. communis showed no signs of parasitism. Four of these species were not recognized as hosts and two effectively defended themselves from attack by B. communis. Other aphid species into which parasitoids laid eggs had low suitability as hosts. Parasitoid mortality occurred in the egg or early larval stages for some of these hosts but for others it occurred in late larval stages. Two hypotheses explaining low suitability were investigated in separate experiments: the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria conferring resistance to parasitoids, and aphids feeding on toxic plants. An association between resistance and endosymbiont infection was found in one species (Aphis craccivora), and evidence for the toxic plant hypothesis was found for the milkweed aphids Aphis asclepiadis and Aphis nerii. This research highlights the multifaceted nature of factors determining host specificity in parasitoids.
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Xu Q, Meng L, Li B, Mills N. Influence of host size variation on the development of a koinobiont aphid parasitoid, Lysiphlebus ambiguus Haliday (Braconidae, Hymenoptera). BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2008; 98:389-395. [PMID: 18294414 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485308005683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
To determine whether host body size is the currency used by the aphidiine parasitoid, Lysiphlebus ambiguus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), in assessing host quality, the aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli (Homoptera: Aphididae), was reared at either high or low temperature to yield hosts of the same instar with different body sizes. Cohorts of A. fabae raised at 15 degrees C and 30 degrees C and exposed to individual female L. ambiguus in no-choice tests were successfully parasitized in all host stages from 1st instar nymphs to adults. However, younger and smaller aphids were more susceptible to parasitism than older and larger nymphs or adults, as measured by the number of mummies produced. For aphid cohorts reared at 15 degrees C, the proportion of female progeny, progeny adult size, and development time all increased linearly with aphid size at the time of attack. In contrast, for aphid cohorts raised at 30 degrees C, the proportion of female progeny and progeny adult size declined with aphid size, while development time remained unaffected. Through manipulation of host rearing temperature, we have shown that at cooler temperatures the koinobiont parasitoid, L. ambiguus, responds to host size in the same way as an idiobiont parasitoid, but that this response is compromised at higher temperatures. Our results suggest that differential mortality during development is likely to influence the observed secondary sex ratio in relation to aphid size for aphid cohorts raised at higher temperatures due to disruption of the activity of the host's primary endosymbiont and that such reduced nutritional quality of aphids cannot be compensated by increased development time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Xu
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang #1, Nanjing, China
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Colinet H, Hance T, Vernon P, Bouchereau A, Renault D. Does fluctuating thermal regime trigger free amino acid production in the parasitic wasp Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Aphidiinae)? Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2007; 147:484-92. [PMID: 17347005 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2007.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2006] [Revised: 01/23/2007] [Accepted: 01/26/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
When stressful cold-exposure is interrupted by short warm intervals, physiological recovery is possible, and this improves markedly the survival of insects. Fluctuating thermal regime (FTR) may act as a cue triggering the initiation of a metabolic response involving synthesis of cryoprotective compounds, such as free amino acids (FAA). Since specific changes in FAA levels can provide a good indication of the overall response of an organism to stressful conditions, we investigated temporal changes in FAA body contents of the parasitoid Aphidius colemani Viereck during exposure to FTR (4 degrees C: 20 degrees C for 22 h: 2 h per day) versus constant low temperature (4 degrees C). Physiological response during cold-exposure was clearly dissimilar between thermal treatments. Under constant cold-exposure FAA pool increased, whereas it decreased with cold-exposure duration in FTR. No single FAA accumulation could explain the higher survival under FTR. We propose that instead of considering FAA as a part of cryoprotective arsenal, FAA accumulation should rather be regarded as a symptom of a cold-induced physiological response. This is much less manifest under FTR, as the warm intervals likely allow a periodic reactivation of normal metabolic activities and a recovery of developmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Colinet
- Unité d'Ecologie et de Biogéographie, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
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Caccia S, Casartelli M, Grimaldi A, Losa E, de Eguileor M, Pennacchio F, Giordana B. Unexpected similarity of intestinal sugar absorption by SGLT1 and apical GLUT2 in an insect (Aphidius ervi,Hymenoptera) and mammals. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2007; 292:R2284-91. [PMID: 17322115 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00847.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sugars are critical substrates for insect metabolism, but little is known about the transporters and epithelial routes that ensure their constant supply from dietary resources. We have characterized glucose and fructose uptakes across the apical and basolateral membranes of the isolated larval midgut of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi. The uptake of radiolabeled glucose at the basal side of the epithelium was almost suppressed by 200 μM cytochalasin B, uninhibited by phlorizin, and showed the following decreasing rank of specificity for the tested substrates: glucose > glucosamine > fructose, with no recognition of galactose. These functional properties well agree with the expression of GLUT2-like transporters in this membrane. When the apical surface of the epithelium was also exposed to the labeled medium, a cation-dependent glucose uptake, inhibited by 10 μM phlorizin and by an excess of galactose, was detected suggesting the presence in the apical membrane of a cation-dependent cotransporter. Radiolabeled fructose uptakes were only partially inhibited by cytochalasin B. SGLT1-like and GLUT5-like transporters were detected in the apical membranes of the epithelial cell by immunocytochemical experiments. These results, along with the presence of GLUT2-like transporters both in the apical and basolateral cell membranes of the midgut, as we recently demonstrated, allow us to conclude that the model for sugar transepithelial transport in A. ervi midgut appears to be unexpectedly similar to that recently proposed for sugar intestinal absorption in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Caccia
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
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Falabella P, Riviello L, Caccialupi P, Rossodivita T, Teresa Valente M, Luisa De Stradis M, Tranfaglia A, Varricchio P, Gigliotti S, Graziani F, Malva C, Pennacchio F. A gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase of Aphidius ervi venom induces apoptosis in the ovaries of host aphids. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2007; 37:453-65. [PMID: 17456440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2007.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2006] [Revised: 01/29/2007] [Accepted: 02/06/2007] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Parasitism by the endophagous braconid Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) has a negative impact on the reproductive activity of its host, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Homoptera, Aphididae). The host castration is induced by the parasitoid venom and is reproduced by the injection of chromatographic fractions highly enriched with two proteins, of 18 (p18) and 36 kDa (p36) in size, respectively. Here we demonstrate that these bioactive proteins trigger apoptosis of the cells in the germaria and ovariole sheath of the host aphid. Both p18 and p36 were internally sequenced and the gathered information was matched against the deduced amino acid sequence of the putative proteins encoded by cDNA clones, randomly selected from a cDNA library, which was raised using mRNA extracted from A. ervi venom glands. The identified cDNA clones contained an insert corresponding to the RNA product of an interrupted gene, made of six exons and five introns, which was found to be transcribed at higher levels in adult females of A. ervi than in males. This gene codes for a putative protein composed of 541 amino acids, with a calculated molecular mass of 56.9 kDa, which contained the amino acid sequences experimentally determined for both p18 and p36. This putative protein showed a significant level of sequence identity with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidases (gamma-GT), and it was named Ae-gamma-GT. The gamma-GTs are enzymes which play a key role in the metabolism of glutathione (GSH) and, as observed in most organisms, they are membrane-bound heterodimers formed by a large and a small subunit, which originate by post-translational processing of a single-chain precursor. The expression in insect cells of Ae-gamma-GT confirmed the occurrence of the expected post-translational processing, and demonstrated that, unlike other gamma-GTs, this protein is secreted in the extracellular environment. A measurable gamma-GT activity was detected in the venom of A. ervi and in the chromatographic fractions containing Ae-gamma-GT. Thus, we suggest that this venom protein may induce apoptosis in the host ovarioles by generating an alteration of the GSH metabolism and a consequent oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Falabella
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Difesa e Biotecnologie Agro-Forestali, Università della Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
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Hance T, van Baaren J, Vernon P, Boivin G. Impact of extreme temperatures on parasitoids in a climate change perspective. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2007; 52:107-26. [PMID: 16846383 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.ento.52.110405.091333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Parasitoids depend on a series of adaptations to the ecology and physiology of their hosts and host plants for survival and are thus likely highly susceptible to changes in environmental conditions. We analyze the effects of global warming and extreme temperatures on the life-history traits of parasitoids and interactions with their hosts. Adaptations of parasitoids to low temperatures are similar to those of most ectotherms, but these adaptations are constrained by the responses of their hosts. Life-history traits are affected by cold exposure, and extreme temperatures can reduce endosymbiont populations inside a parasitoid, eventually eliminating populations of endosymbionts that are susceptible to high temperatures. In several cases, divergences between the thermal preferences of the host and those of the parasitoid lead to a disruption of the temporal or geographical synchronization, increasing the risk of host outbreaks. A careful analysis on how host-parasitoid systems react to changes in temperature is needed so that researchers may predict and manage the consequences of global change at the ecosystem level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Hance
- Unité d'Ecologie et de Biogéographie, Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité, Université Catholique de Louvain, B-1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgique.
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27
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Kuriachan I, Consoli FL, Vinson SB. In vitro rearing of Toxoneuron nigriceps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval endoparasitoid of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from early second instar to third instar larvae. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2006; 52:881-7. [PMID: 16828792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2006.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2006] [Revised: 05/08/2006] [Accepted: 05/15/2006] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The early second instar larvae of Toxoneuron nigriceps, a larval endoparastioid of Heliothis virescens, were incubated in artificial rearing media, supplemented with hemolymph of the unparasitized and parasitized fifth instar larvae of the host, H. virescens. The parasitoid larvae were incubated in both a semisolid and liquid form of the artificial rearing medium, and their growth and development were evaluated. The growth in size (increase in length and width), development (molting), and survival of the incubated larvae were observed for 10 days. The incubated larvae exhibited some level of growth in all nine types of media tested, including the control (without host hemolymph). However, ingesting the semisolid rearing media supplemented with the hemolymph from the late fifth instar (day 5, 7 and 9) parasitized host resulted in 100% of the larvae molting to third instars. Some of the in vitro reared third instar larvae demonstrated behavioral changes that could be interpreted as the preparation for cocoon formation or pupation i.e. oral secretion of a whitish material and lots of twisting and turning; however, none produced a cocoon nor pupa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Kuriachan
- Department of Entomology, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Carroll MJ, Berenbaum MR. Lutein sequestration and furanocoumarin metabolism in parsnip webworms under different ultraviolet light regimes in the montane west. J Chem Ecol 2006; 32:277-305. [PMID: 16555136 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-005-9002-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2003] [Revised: 10/12/2005] [Accepted: 10/24/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Both biotic and abiotic selection pressures can contribute to geographic variation in allelochemical production in plants. We examined furanocoumarin production in western North American populations of Heracleum lanatum and Pastinaca sativa that, at different latitudes and altitudes, experience different ultraviolet (UV) light regimes. Total furanocoumarins and linear furanocoumarins of fruits were negatively correlated with UV irradiance, whereas amounts of angular furanocoumarins, which are generally less phototoxic, were not. Another factor potentially influencing furanocoumarin production is the presence of the parsnip webworm Depressaria pastinacella, (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), an herbivore that feeds on reproductive structures of both plant species. These insects sequester lutein from their host plants; this carotenoid acts to ameliorate furanocoumarin toxicity. Although the concentration of lutein in fruits did not vary with UV irradiance, lutein sequestration by sixth instars was positively correlated with UV irradiance. Webworm populations are variably infested with the polyembryonic webworm parasitoid Copidosoma sosares Walker (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). H. lanatum fruits from populations with webworms parasitized by C. sosares had lower concentrations of furanocoumarins, with the exception of sphondin, than fruits from plants infested with webworms free from parasitism. Lower levels of these furanocoumarins may reduce negative effects on the fitness of this parasitoid. In contrast with the variation in furanocoumarin content, the ability of webworms to metabolize furanocoumarins by cytochrome P450 did not differ significantly among populations from New Mexico to Alberta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Carroll
- Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, USDA/ARS/SAA, 1600/1700 SW 16th Drive, Gainesville, FL 32604, USA
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29
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Pennacchio F, Strand MR. Evolution of developmental strategies in parasitic hymenoptera. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2006; 51:233-58. [PMID: 16332211 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.ento.51.110104.151029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 342] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Parasitoid wasps have evolved a wide spectrum of developmental interactions with hosts. In this review we synthesize and interpret results from the phylogenetic, ecological, physiological, and molecular literature to identify factors that have influenced the evolution of parasitoid developmental strategies. We first discuss the origins and radiation of the parasitoid lifestyle in the Hymenoptera. We then summarize how parasitoid developmental strategies are affected by ecological interactions and assess the inventory of physiological and molecular traits parasitoids use to successfully exploit hosts. Last, we discuss how certain parasitoid virulence genes have evolved and how these changes potentially affect parasitoid-host interactions. The combination of phylogenetic data with comparative and functional genomics offers new avenues for understanding the evolution of biological diversity in this group of insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Pennacchio
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Difesa e Biotecnologie Agro-Forestali, Università della Basilicata, Potenza, Italy.
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30
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Caccia S, Leonardi MG, Casartelli M, Grimaldi A, de Eguileor M, Pennacchio F, Giordana B. Nutrient absorption by Aphidius ervi larvae. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2005; 51:1183-92. [PMID: 16085087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2005.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2004] [Revised: 06/22/2005] [Accepted: 06/23/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
It is well documented that in the model system Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera, Braconidae)/Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera, Aphididae) host regulation by the parasitoid larva induces in the aphid haemolymph major changes of the titer of nutritional compounds such as proteins, acylglycerols and free amino acids, in order to meet the stage-specific demands of the developing larva. Since little is known about how the larva absorbs these mobilized nutritional resources, nutrient absorption by larval stages of A. ervi was studied. In 2nd instar larvae, leucine was ten-fold accumulated in the haemocoel, and tyrosine and glutamine two-fold. Glucose and fructose were readily absorbed and fructose was extensively metabolized by larval tissues. In 3rd instars, the presence of a number of larvae that did not ingest the incubation medium enabled us to determine the respective amounts of substrate absorbed by the epidermis and the midgut. An accumulation of leucine in the haemocoel was observed only when midgut cells were involved in absorption, while the amino acid concentration within body fluids never exceeded that of the incubation medium when the uptake was performed only by epidermal cells. The immunofluorescence analysis, the mutual inhibition exerted on labeled glucose or fructose uptakes by a 100-fold excess of the sugars and the strong inhibition of uptakes induced by 0.2mM cytochalasin B support the expression of facilitative GLUT2-like transporters in the apical and basal cell membranes of midgut epithelial cells. Taken together, these results prove that both midgut and epidermis are involved in nutrient absorption throughout the parasitoid development, that GLUT2 transporters are responsible for glucose and fructose uptakes and that the chemical gradient that favors the passive influx of the two sugars is maintained by their conversion to other substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Caccia
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
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31
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Dias SC, Franco OL, Magalhães CP, de Oliveira-Neto OB, Laumann RA, Figueira ELZ, Melo FR, Grossi-De-Sá MF. Molecular cloning and expression of an alpha-amylase inhibitor from rye with potential for controlling insect pests. Protein J 2005; 24:113-23. [PMID: 16003953 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-004-1518-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-amylase inhibitors have important roles in plant defense mechanisms, particularly against insects, and several of these inhibitors have been expressed in different crops to increase their resistance to particular insects. In this work, we report the cloning and expression of a gene encoding for a new alpha-amylase inhibitor (BIII) from rye (Secale cereale) seeds. The BIII gene contains 354 nucleotides that encode for 118 amino acids sequence. A 313 bp fragment of the gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and resulted in a functional inhibitor that reduced the activity of alpha-amylases of larvae of the coleopteran pests Acanthoscelides obtectus, Zabrotess subfasciatus and Anthonomus grandis. In contrast, the inhibitor did not inhibit the activity of porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase. Although the amino acid sequence of BIII showed high identity with those of bifunctional inhibitors, the recombinant protein was unable to inhibit trypsin-like serine proteinases. The effects of recombinant BIII were evaluated in vivo against A. grandis. When first instar larvae were reared on an artificial diet containing four different concentrations of BIII, a reduction in larval weight and a mortality of 83% were observed at the highest concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simoni C Dias
- EMBRAPA-Recursor Genéticos e Biotechnologia, Brasília-DF, Brazil
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32
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Cônsoli FL, Brandt SL, Coudron TA, Vinson SB. Host regulation and release of parasitism-specific proteins in the system Toxoneuron nigriceps–Heliothis virescens. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2005; 142:181-91. [PMID: 16054411 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2005.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2005] [Revised: 06/20/2005] [Accepted: 07/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The braconid wasp Toxoneuron nigriceps induced qualitative and quantitative changes in the protein composition of the moth Heliothis virescens host hemolymph. Total protein concentration was found to be higher in parasitized host 4 days after parasitism as compared to control hosts, mainly due to changes in a particular group of proteins. Host proteins with a molecular mass of 173 and 72 kDa were found in higher levels in the hemolymph of parasitized larvae as control hosts approached pupation, while an 80 kDa peptide was found in reduced concentration in the hemolymph of parasitized hosts. Levels of these three peptides were maintained throughout parasitoid development, while two of them (173 and 72 kDa) were cleared from the host hemolymph close to pupation. Besides the regulation of host proteins, three parasitism-specific proteins (PSPs) were released into the host hemolymph. Two of them (PSP1-MW=116 kDa, pI=6.3; PSP2-MW=114 kDa, pI=6.2) first appeared in the hemolymph of parasitized hosts soon after pupation of control host and increased in concentration as the parasitoid developed. The third PSP (PSP3-MW=56 kDa, pI=5.8) was produced towards the end of parasitoid larval development, close to parasitoid egression. Database searches based on the amino acid composition and amino terminal sequence of PSP1 and PSP2 did not produce any significant matches, while PSP3 was identified as a putative chitinase. Incubation of host derived tissues, parasitoid larvae and teratocytes in 35S conditioned media suggested PSPs were a product of teratocytes. The role of the regulation of host proteins and release of PSPs by teratocytes for the successful development of T. nigriceps are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F L Cônsoli
- Department of Entomology, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA.
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33
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Oliver KM, Moran NA, Hunter MS. Variation in resistance to parasitism in aphids is due to symbionts not host genotype. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:12795-800. [PMID: 16120675 PMCID: PMC1200300 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0506131102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 373] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural enemies are important ecological and evolutionary forces, and heritable variation in resistance to enemies is a prerequisite for adaptive responses of populations. Such variation in resistance has been previously documented for pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) attacked by the parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi. Although the variation was presumed to reflect genotypic differences among the aphids, another potential source of resistance to A. ervi is infection by the facultative bacterial symbiont Hamiltonella defensa. Here, we explored whether variation among symbiont isolates underlies variation among A. pisum clones in resistance to A. ervi. Although maternally transmitted, H. defensa is sometimes horizontally transferred in nature and can be experimentally established in clonal aphid lineages. We established five H. defensa isolates in a common A. pisum genetic background. All of the five isolates tested, including one originating from another aphid species, conferred resistance. Furthermore, isolates varied in levels of resistance conferred, ranging from 19% to nearly 100% resistance. In contrast, a single H. defensa isolate established in five different aphid clones conferred similar levels of resistance; that is, host genotype did not influence resistance level. These results indicate that symbiont-mediated resistance to parasitism is a general phenomenon in A. pisum and that, at least for the isolates and genotypes considered, it is the symbiont isolate that determines the level of resistance, not aphid genotype or any interaction between isolate and genotype. Thus, acquisition of a heritable symbiont appears to be a major mode of adaptation to natural enemy pressure in these insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry M Oliver
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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34
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Falabella P, Perugino G, Caccialupi P, Riviello L, Varricchio P, Tranfaglia A, Rossi M, Malva C, Graziani F, Moracci M, Pennacchio F. A novel fatty acid binding protein produced by teratocytes of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2005; 14:195-205. [PMID: 15796753 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2004.00548.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Aphidius ervi is an endophagous braconid, parasitoid of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. A. ervi teratocytes, deriving from the dissociation of the embryonic serosa, synthesize and release two major proteins into the host haemocoel. The gene of one of these proteins has been cloned and characterized. This gene codes for a 15.8 kDa protein belonging to the fatty acid binding protein (FABP) family, named Ae-FABP (A. ervi-FABP). It is abundantly present in the host haemolymph when the parasitoid larva attains its maximum growth rate. The recombinant Ae-FABP binds to fatty acids in vitro, showing a high affinity to C14-C18 saturated fatty acids and to oleic and arachidonic acid. The possible nutritional role for the parasitoid larva of Ae-FABP is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Falabella
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Difesa e Biotecnologie Agro-Forestali, Università della Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
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Consoli FL, Vinson SB. Host regulation and the embryonic development of the endoparasitoid Toxoneuron nigriceps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2004; 137:463-73. [PMID: 15081998 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2004.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2003] [Revised: 12/15/2003] [Accepted: 01/06/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Insect endoparasitoids modulate the host physiology through the injection of maternal-derived substances into the host, inducing physiological and hormonal changes in the host's internal environment to benefit parasitoid development. These changes are direct to control host development and regulate nutrient availability to the developing parasitoid, and they are synchronized with parasitoid development. Eggs of some of these parasitoids have low yolk content and require nutrients from the host hemolymph to initiate and complete embryogenesis. We report changes in the amino acid composition and protein profile of the host hemolymph of the endoparasitoid Toxoneuron nigriceps, and improved the in vitro culture of pre-germ band stage eggs. The protein profile of parasitized larvae was similar to controls throughout the embryonic development, but total amino acid concentration decreased in the first 2 h after parasitization, significantly increasing in the following hours up to 8 h. Amino acid levels were higher in parasitized larvae from 16 to 28 h after parasitization. Comparison of single amino acids indicated amino acids involved in energy metabolism (Krebs cycle) followed a trend during parasitoid embryogenesis, and their changes were correlated with embryonic development. Improvement in the in vitro development of 6 h-old eggs of T. nigriceps was obtained by adding factors released by the host fat body to the artificial medium, while a cell lysate stimulated embryogenesis and allowed the full development of newly laid eggs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando L Consoli
- Department of Entomology, ERL, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA.
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Buitenhuis R, McNeil JN, Boivin G, Brodeuri J. The role of honeydew in host searching of aphid hyperparasitoids. J Chem Ecol 2004; 30:273-85. [PMID: 15112724 DOI: 10.1023/b:joec.0000017977.39957.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Foraging in many insect parasitoids is mediated by chemicals associated with hosts. For example, honeydew, the feces of feeding aphids, induces and/or prolongs searching behavior of aphid parasitoids. In the laboratory, we tested if aphid hyperparasitoids, which belong to a higher trophic level, also rely on aphid honeydew to locate their hosts. We used the potato aphid. Macrosiphum euphorbiae, the primary parasitoid, Aphidius nigripes, and four hyperparasitoids, Asaphes suspensus, Dendrocerus carpenteri. Alloxysta victrix, and Syrphophagus aphidivorus that possess different biological attributes and host ranges. We determined if foraging hyperparasitoid females could discriminate between (i) honeydew from a host and a non-aphid host (the potato aphid and the soft brown scale, Coccus hesperidum), and (ii) honeydew from healthy aphids and those parasitized by A. nigripes. Females of A. suspensus did not react to any of the honeydew treatments. While the presence of non-aphid honeydew did not modify the behavior of A. victrix, D. carpenteri, and S. aphidivorus females, they exhibited an increase in searching time and path length but not walking speed when in the presence of honeydew from aphids. However, there were no changes in host searching behaviors, such as antennation or ovipositor probing that have been reported for primary aphid parasitoids. There was no difference in the response of hyperparasitoid females to honeydew from healthy and parasitized aphids. These results indicate that hyperparasitoids may use aphid honeydew, a conspicuous cue from the second trophic level, as an infochemical to locate their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Buitenhuis
- Centre de Recherche en Horticulture, Université Laval, Québec, Qc Canada G1K 7P4
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37
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QUICKE DONALDLJ, SHAW MARKR. Cocoon silk chemistry in parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonoidea) and their hosts. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2004. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2003.00290.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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38
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Giordana B, Milani A, Grimaldi A, Farneti R, Casartelli M, Ambrosecchio MR, Digilio MC, Leonardi MG, de Eguileor M, Pennacchio F. Absorption of sugars and amino acids by the epidermis of Aphidius ervi larvae. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2003; 49:1115-1124. [PMID: 14624883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2003.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is an endophagous parasitoid of several aphid species of economic importance, widely used in biological control. The definition of a suitable artificial diet for in vitro mass production of this parasitoid is still an unresolved issue that, to be properly addressed, requires a deeper understanding both of its nutritional needs and of the functional properties of the larval epithelia involved in nutrient absorption. The experimental evidence presented in this paper unequivocally demonstrates that the uptake of sugars and amino acids takes place through the body surface of the larval stages of A. ervi. These nutrients are efficiently absorbed by the larval epidermis, but the transport rate progressively declines over time. The epidermis exhibits a cross-reactivity to antibodies raised against the mammalian facilitative glucose transporter GLUT2 and the sodium cotransporter SGLT1. The analysis of sugar transport sensitivity to specific inhibitors indicates the involvement of GLUT2-like transporters, while a role for SGLT1-like transporters is not supported. The peculiar pathways of nutrient absorption in A. ervi larvae further corroborate the general idea that the pre-imaginal stages of endophagous koinobiont Hymenoptera, like Metazoan parasites, show a high degree of physiological integration with their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Giordana
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Li S, Falabella P, Giannantonio S, Fanti P, Battaglia D, Digilio MC, Völkl W, Sloggett JJ, Weisser W, Pennacchio F. Pea aphid clonal resistance to the endophagous parasitoid Aphidius ervi. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2002; 48:971-980. [PMID: 12770044 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-1910(02)00176-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The physiological mechanism of resistance to the endophagous braconid Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) by a pink clone (PC) of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera, Aphididae) has been investigated. Comparative data on parasitoid development and associated host biochemical changes in the resistant PC aphids and in a susceptible green clone (GC) of A. pisum are reported. When the PC aphids were attacked as early 4th instars, the developing parasitoid larvae showed a strongly reduced increase in size, compared to those synchronously developing in GC aphids, and were unable to produce a regular mummy. In contrast, parasitism of 2nd instar PC aphids, allowed completion of parasitoid development, but adults had a prolonged developmental time, due to a longer duration of parasitoid's final (3rd) instar. In all cases, teratocytes, cells deriving from the A. ervi serosal membrane, and the proteins abundantly synthesised by them, were never found in the haemolymph of parasitised PC aphids. Host castration, as demonstrated by total protein incorporation into reproductive tissues, was total in the majority of early (2nd instar) parasitised host aphids, while it was limited when later instars (4th) of PC aphids were parasitised. This is partly due to the absence of the cytolytic activity of teratocytes on host embryos, which, through their persistence, may compete for nutritional resources with the developing parasitoid larvae. In parasitised PC aphids, this competitive effect is further aggravated for the parasitoid by the absence of the regulated amino acid titre increase in the host haemolymph, which is regularly observed in GC aphids. Failure of teratocyte development in the PC clone of the pea aphid is, then, the major functional constraint accounting for the reduction/inhibition of A. ervi larval growth. The reported results allow to assess in vivo the role of teratocytes in the host physiological redirection and nutritional exploitation by the parasitoid, and to integrate and validate the proposed physiological model of host-parasitoid interactions in the system A. pisum-A.ervi.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Li
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Difesa e Biotecnologie Agro-Forestali-Università della Basilicata, Macchia Romana - 85100, Potenza, Italy
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