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Ducker C, Baines C, Guy J, Euzébio Goulart Santana A, Pickett JA, Oldham NJ. A diterpene synthase from the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis produces the pheromone sobralene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322453121. [PMID: 38470919 PMCID: PMC10962984 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322453121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The phlebotomine sandfly, Lutzomyia longipalpis, a major vector of the Leishmania parasite, uses terpene pheromones to attract conspecifics for mating. Examination of the L. longipalpis genome revealed a putative terpene synthase (TPS), which-upon heterologous expression in, and purification from, Escherichia coli-yielded a functional enzyme. The TPS, termed LlTPS, converted geranyl diphosphate (GPP) into a mixture of monoterpenes with low efficiency, of which β-ocimene was the major product. (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) principally produced small amounts of (E)-β-farnesene, while (Z,E)- and (Z,Z)-FPP yielded a mixture of bisabolene isomers. None of these mono- and sesquiterpenes are known volatiles of L. longipalpis. Notably, however, when provided with (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), LlTPS gave sobralene as its major product. This diterpene pheromone is released by certain chemotypes of L. longipalpis, in particular those found in the Ceará state of Brazil. Minor diterpene components were also seen as products of the enzyme that matched those seen in a sandfly pheromone extract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ducker
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Cameron Baines
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Guy
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | | | - John A. Pickett
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, CardiffCF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Neil J. Oldham
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, United Kingdom
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Ducker C, French S, Pathak M, Taylor H, Sainter A, Askem W, Dreveny I, Santana AEG, Pickett JA, Oldham NJ. Characterisation of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 161:104001. [PMID: 37619821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a debilitating and often fatal neglected tropical disease. Males from sub-populations of the Leishmania-harbouring sandfly, Lutzomyia longipalpis, produce the diterpene sex and aggregation pheromone, sobralene, for which geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) is the likely isoprenoid precursor. We have identified a GGPP synthase (lzGGPPS) from L. longipalpis, which was recombinantly expressed in bacteria and purified for functional and kinetic analysis. In vitro enzymatic assays using LC-MS showed that lzGGPPS is an active enzyme, capable of converting substrates dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), (E)-geranyl diphosphate (GPP), (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) with co-substrate isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) into (E,E,E)-GGPP, while (Z,E)-FPP was also accepted with low efficacy. Comparison of metal cofactors for lzGGPPS highlighted Mg2+ as most efficient, giving increased GGPP output when compared against other divalent metal ions tested. In line with previously characterised GGPPS enzymes, GGPP acted as an inhibitor of lzGGPPS activity. The molecular weight in solution of lzGGPPS was determined to be ∼221 kDa by analytical SEC, suggesting a hexameric assembly, as seen in the human enzyme, and representing the first assessment of GGPPS quaternary structure in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ducker
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Stanley French
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Monika Pathak
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Harry Taylor
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Adam Sainter
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - William Askem
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ingrid Dreveny
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | | | - John A Pickett
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Pl, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Neil J Oldham
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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Isolation in Natural Host Cell Lines of Wolbachia Strains wPip from the Mosquito Culex pipiens and wPap from the Sand Fly Phlebotomus papatasi. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12100871. [PMID: 34680640 PMCID: PMC8539649 DOI: 10.3390/insects12100871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Diverse strains of Wolbachia bacteria, carried by many arthropods, as well as some nematodes, interact in many different ways with their hosts. These include male killing, reproductive incompatibility, nutritional supplementation and suppression or enhancement of the transmission of diseases such as dengue and malaria. Consequently, Wolbachia have an important role to play in novel strategies to control human and livestock diseases and their vectors. Similarly, cell lines derived from insect hosts of Wolbachia constitute valuable research tools in this field. During the generation of novel cell lines from mosquito and sand fly vectors, we isolated two strains of Wolbachia and demonstrated their infectivity for cells from a range of other insects and ticks. These new insect cell lines and Wolbachia strains will aid in the fight against mosquitoes, sand flies and, potentially, ticks and the diseases that these arthropods transmit to humans and their domestic animals. Abstract Endosymbiotic intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia are harboured by many species of invertebrates. They display a wide range of developmental, metabolic and nutritional interactions with their hosts and may impact the transmission of arboviruses and protozoan parasites. Wolbachia have occasionally been isolated during insect cell line generation. Here, we report the isolation of two strains of Wolbachia, wPip and wPap, during cell line generation from their respective hosts, the mosquito Culex pipiens and the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi. wPip was pathogenic for both new C. pipiens cell lines, CPE/LULS50 and CLP/LULS56, requiring tetracycline treatment to rescue the lines. In contrast, wPap was tolerated by the P. papatasi cell line PPL/LULS49, although tetracycline treatment was applied to generate a Wolbachia-free subline. Both Wolbachia strains were infective for a panel of heterologous insect and tick cell lines, including two novel lines generated from the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis, LLE/LULS45 and LLL/LULS52. In all cases, wPip was more pathogenic for the host cells than wPap. These newly isolated Wolbachia strains, and the novel mosquito and sand fly cell lines reported here, will add to the resources available for research on host–endosymbiont relationships, as well as on C. pipiens, P. papatasi, L. longipalpis and the pathogens that they transmit.
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Eiben CB, de Rond T, Bloszies C, Gin J, Chiniquy J, Baidoo EEK, Petzold CJ, Hillson NJ, Fiehn O, Keasling JD. Mevalonate Pathway Promiscuity Enables Noncanonical Terpene Production. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:2238-2247. [PMID: 31576747 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) make the six-carbon compounds homoisopentenyl pyrophosphate (HIPP) and homodimethylallyl pyrophosphate (HDMAPP) that are incorporated into 16, 17, and 18 carbon farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) analogues. In this work we heterologously expressed the lepidopteran modified mevalonate pathway, a propionyl-CoA ligase, and terpene cyclases in E. coli to produce several novel terpenes containing 16 carbons. Changing the terpene cyclase generated different novel terpene product profiles. To further validate the new compounds we confirmed 13C propionate was incorporated, and that the masses and fragmentation patterns were consistent with novel 16 carbon terpenes by GC-QTOF. On the basis of the available farnesyl pyrophosphate analogues lepidoptera produce, this approach should greatly expand the reachable biochemical space with applications in areas where terpenes have traditionally found uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B. Eiben
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Tristan de Rond
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Clayton Bloszies
- National Institute of Health West Coast Metabolomics Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Jennifer Gin
- Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94270, United States
- Department of Energy Agile BioFoundry, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Jennifer Chiniquy
- Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94270, United States
- Department of Energy Agile BioFoundry, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Edward E. K. Baidoo
- Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94270, United States
- Department of Energy Agile BioFoundry, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Christopher J. Petzold
- Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94270, United States
- Department of Energy Agile BioFoundry, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Nathan J. Hillson
- Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94270, United States
- Department of Energy Agile BioFoundry, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Oliver Fiehn
- National Institute of Health West Coast Metabolomics Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Jay D. Keasling
- Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94270, United States
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Hørsholm, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biochemistry, Institute for Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes for Advanced Technologies, Shenzhen, China
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Matsunaga K, Saito N, Kogen H, Takatori K. Total Synthesis of (±)-Marsupellins A and B via Acetoxymarsupellone Using an Intramolecular Reductive Cyclization of Epoxycyanohydrin Derivative with Cp 2TiI. Org Lett 2019; 21:6054-6057. [PMID: 31310558 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b02207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The first total synthesis of C3- and C9-oxidized ent-longipinane-type sesquiterpenoids containing acetoxymarsupellone, marsupellins A and B, has been accomplished. This unique core common to C3- and C9-oxidized ent-longipinane-type sesquiterpenoids was constructed via a new intramolecular reductive cyclization reaction of an epoxycyanohydrin derivative using Cp2TiI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuma Matsunaga
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Meiji Pharmaceutical University , 2-522-1 Noshio , Kiyose , Tokyo 204-8588 , Japan
| | - Naoki Saito
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Meiji Pharmaceutical University , 2-522-1 Noshio , Kiyose , Tokyo 204-8588 , Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kogen
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Meiji Pharmaceutical University , 2-522-1 Noshio , Kiyose , Tokyo 204-8588 , Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Takatori
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Meiji Pharmaceutical University , 2-522-1 Noshio , Kiyose , Tokyo 204-8588 , Japan
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Palframan MJ, Bandi KK, Hamilton JG, Pattenden G. Sobralene, a new sex-aggregation pheromone and likely shunt metabolite of the taxadiene synthase cascade, produced by a member of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis species complex. Tetrahedron Lett 2018; 59:1921-1923. [PMID: 29780183 PMCID: PMC5937913 DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2018.03.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A new sex-aggregation pheromone, sobralene, produced by the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis from Sobral (Ceará State, Brazil) is shown to have the novel 6,12-membered ring-fused diterpene structure 3. It is proposed that sobralene is a likely shunt metabolite of the taxadiene synthase-catalysed cyclisation of geranygeranyl diphosphate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Palframan
- School of Chemistry, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Krishna K. Bandi
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK
| | - James G.C. Hamilton
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK
| | - Gerald Pattenden
- School of Chemistry, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
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7
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Spiegel CN, Dias DBDS, Araki AS, Hamilton JGC, Brazil RP, Jones TM. The Lutzomyia longipalpis complex: a brief natural history of aggregation-sex pheromone communication. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:580. [PMID: 27842601 PMCID: PMC5109651 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1866-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper we review the natural history of pheromone communication and the current diversity of aggregation-sex pheromones in the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. This species complex is the main vector of Leishmania infantum, the agent of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. The identification of variation in pheromone chemotypes combined with molecular and sound analyses have all contributed to our understanding of the extent of divergence among cryptic members of this complex. The importance of chemical signals as pre-mating barriers and drivers of speciation is discussed. Moreover, the importance of aggregation-sex pheromones as sexually selected signals is highlighted with evidence from the literature suggesting their potential role in species and mate recognition as well as mate assessment. The distinct evolutionary forces possibly involved are briefly reviewed and discussed in the context of this intriguing insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina N. Spiegel
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n, Valonguinho, Centro, Niterói, 24.020-150 RJ Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360 RJ Brazil
| | - Denise B. dos Santos Dias
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 20.551-030 RJ Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360 RJ Brazil
| | - Alejandra S. Araki
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360 RJ Brazil
| | - James G. C. Hamilton
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Reginaldo P. Brazil
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900 RJ Brazil
| | - Théresa M. Jones
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010 Australia
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Ômura H, Noguchi T, Nehira T. New oxygenated himachalenes in male-specific odor of the Chinese windmill butterfly, Byasa alcinous alcinous. Nat Prod Res 2015; 30:406-11. [PMID: 25743162 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2015.1019352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Male adults of the Chinese windmill Byasa alcinous alcinous (Papilionidae) are well known to have a strong musk-like odor, in which two oxygenated himachalene compounds, together with six sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, were newly discovered. γ-Himachalen-4-yl acetate (1) was the predominant compound isolated from the solvent extract of the males. The structure of 1 was determined using MS and NMR, and its relative configuration was established as 1S*,4R*,6R* by NOE analysis with the help of quantum mechanical computation. Interestingly, the amount of 1 in males increased until 7 days after eclosion, suggesting that this compound is involved in sexual maturation for mating. Another new compound was identified as γ-himachalen-4-ol (2) by comparison with the retention time and mass spectrum of the hydrolysate of 1. Since males of other papilionid species have general volatiles omnipresent in plants and insects, the presence of species-specific volatiles in males is characteristic of B. alcinous alcinous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Ômura
- a Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University , Higashihiroshima 739-8528 , Japan
| | - Taro Noguchi
- a Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University , Higashihiroshima 739-8528 , Japan
| | - Tatsuo Nehira
- b Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University , Higashihiroshima 739-8521 , Japan
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9
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Casanova C, Colla-Jacques FE, Hamilton JGC, Brazil RP, Shaw JJ. Distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis chemotype populations in São Paulo state, Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003620. [PMID: 25781320 PMCID: PMC4363371 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) is an emerging disease in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Its geographical expansion and the increase in the number of human cases has been linked to dispersion of Lutzomyia longipalpis into urban areas. To produce more accurate risk maps we investigated the geographic distribution and routes of expansion of the disease as well as chemotype populations of the vector. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A database, containing the annual records of municipalities which had notified human and canine AVL cases as well as the presence of the vector, was compiled. The chemotypes of L. longipalpis populations from municipalities in different regions of São Paulo State were determined by Coupled Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry. From 1997 to June 2014, L. longipalpis has been reported in 166 municipalities, 148 of them in the Western region. A total of 106 municipalities were identified with transmission and 99 were located in the Western region, where all 2,204 autochthonous human cases occurred. Both the vector and the occurrence of human cases have expanded in a South-easterly direction, from the Western to central region, and from there, a further expansion to the North and the South. The (S)-9-methylgermacrene-B population of L. longipalpis is widely distributed in the Western region and the cembrene-1 population is restricted to the Eastern region. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE The maps in the present study show that there are two distinct epidemiological patterns of AVL in São Paulo State and that the expansion of human and canine AVL cases through the Western region has followed the same dispersion route of only one of the two species of the L. longipalpis complex, (S)-9-methylgermacrene-B. Entomological vigilance based on the routes of dispersion and identification of the chemotype population could be used to identify at-risk areas and consequently define the priorities for control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Casanova
- Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde, Mogi Guaçu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - James G. C. Hamilton
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
| | - Reginaldo P. Brazil
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jeffrey J. Shaw
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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10
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Guidobaldi F, May-Concha IJ, Guerenstein PG. Morphology and physiology of the olfactory system of blood-feeding insects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 108:96-111. [PMID: 24836537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2014.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Revised: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Several blood-feeding (hematophagous) insects are vectors of a number of diseases including dengue, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis which persistently affect public health throughout Latin America. The vectors of those diseases include mosquitoes, triatomine bugs and sandflies. As vector control is an efficient way to prevent these illnesses it is important to understand the sensory biology of those harmful insects. We study the physiology of the olfactory system of those insects and apply that knowledge on the development of methods to manipulate their behavior. Here we review some of the latest information on insect olfaction with emphasis on hematophagous insects. The insect olfactory sensory neurons are housed inside hair-like organs called sensilla which are mainly distributed on the antenna and mouthparts. The identity of many of the odor compounds that those neurons detect are already known in hematophagous insects. They include several constituents of host (vertebrate) odor, sex, aggregation and alarm pheromones, and compounds related to egg-deposition behavior. Recent work has contributed significant knowledge on how odor information is processed in the insect first odor-processing center in the brain, the antennal lobe. The quality, quantity, and temporal features of the odor stimuli are encoded by the neural networks of the antennal lobe. Information regarding odor mixtures is also encoded. While natural mixtures evoke strong responses, synthetic mixtures that deviate from their natural counterparts in terms of key constituents or proportions of those constituents evoke weaker responses. The processing of olfactory information is largely unexplored in hematophagous insects. However, many aspects of their olfactory behavior are known. As in other insects, responses to relevant single odor compounds are weak while natural mixtures evoke strong responses. Future challenges include studying how information about odor mixtures is processed in their brain. This could help develop highly attractive synthetic odor blends to lure them into traps.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Guidobaldi
- Laboratorio de Neuroetología Ecológica, CICyTTP-CONICET, Diamante, Entre Ríos, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNER, Oro Verde, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - I J May-Concha
- Laboratorio de Neuroetología Ecológica, CICyTTP-CONICET, Diamante, Entre Ríos, Argentina; Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública (CRISP), Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP), Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico.
| | - P G Guerenstein
- Laboratorio de Neuroetología Ecológica, CICyTTP-CONICET, Diamante, Entre Ríos, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNER, Oro Verde, Entre Ríos, Argentina
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11
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Dias AKK, Bauzer LGSDR, Santos Dias DBD, Peixoto AA. Molecular analysis of an odorant-binding protein gene in two sympatric species of Lutzomyia longipalpis s.l. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 108 Suppl 1:88-91. [PMID: 24473807 PMCID: PMC4109184 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276130449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lutzomyia longipalpis s.l. is the main vector of American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) and occurs as a species complex. DNA samples from two Brazilian sympatric species that differ in pheromone and courtship song production were used to analyse molecular polymorphisms in an odorant-binding protein (obp29) gene. OBPs are proteins related to olfaction and are involved in activities fundamental to survival, such as foraging, mating and choice of oviposition site. In this study, the marker obp29 was found to be highly polymorphic in Lu. longipalpis s.l. , with no fixed differences observed between the two species. A pairwise fixation index test indicated a moderate level of genetic differentiation between the samples analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Karina Kerche Dias
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Brasil, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Luiz Guilherme Soares da Rocha Bauzer
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Brasil, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Denise Borges dos Santos Dias
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Brasil, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Alexandre Afranio Peixoto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Brasil, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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12
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González-Caballero N, Rodríguez-Vega A, Dias-Lopes G, Valenzuela JG, Ribeiro JMC, Carvalho PC, Valente RH, Brazil RP, Cuervo P. Expression of the mevalonate pathway enzymes in the Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) sex pheromone gland demonstrated by an integrated proteomic approach. J Proteomics 2014; 96:117-32. [PMID: 24185139 PMCID: PMC3917562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In Latin America, Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum, which is the causal agent of American Visceral Leishmaniasis. This insect uses male-produced pheromones for mate recognition. Elucidation of pheromone biogenesis or its regulation may enable molecular strategies for mating disruption and, consequently, the vector's population management. Motivated by our recent results of the transcriptomic characterization of the L. longipalpis pheromone gland, we performed a proteomic analysis of this tissue combining SDS-PAGE, and mass spectrometry followed by an integrative data analysis. Considering that annotated genome sequences of this sand fly are not available, we designed an alternative workflow searching MS/MS data against two customized databases using three search engines: Mascot, OMSSA and ProLuCID. A total of 542 proteins were confidently characterized, 445 of them using a Uniref100-insect protein database, and 97 using a transcript translated database. In addition, use of PEAKS for de novo peptide sequencing of MS/MS data confirmed ~90% identifications made with the combination of the three search engines. Our results include the identification of six of the seven enzymes of the mevalonate-pathway, plus the enzymes involved in sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis, all of which are proposed to be involved in pheromone production in L. longipalpis. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE L. longipalpis is the main vector of the protozoan parasite L. infantum, which is the causal agent of American Visceral Leishmaniasis. One of the control measures of such disease is focused on vector population control. As this insect uses male-produced pheromones for mate recognition, the elucidation of pheromone biogenesis or its regulating process may enable molecular strategies for mating disruption and, consequently, this vector's population management. On this regard, in this manuscript we report expression evidence, at the protein level, of several molecules potentially involved in the pheromone production of L. longipalpis. Our results include the identification of the mevalonate-pathway enzymes, plus the enzymes involved in sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis, all of which are proposed to be involved in pheromone production in L. longipalpis. In addition, considering that the annotated genome sequences of this sand fly are not yet available, we designed an alternative workflow searching MS/MS data against proteomic and transcript translated customized databases, using three search engines: Mascot, OMSSA, and ProLuCID. In addition, a de novo peptide sequencing software (PEAKS) was used to further analyze the MS/MS data. This approach made it possible to identify and annotate 542 proteins for the pheromone gland of L. longipalpis. Importantly, all annotated protein sequences and raw data are available for the research community in protein repositories that provide free access to the data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Geovane Dias-Lopes
- Pós-graduação Biologia Parasitaria, IOC, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jesus G Valenzuela
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jose M C Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Paulo Costa Carvalho
- Laboratório de Proteômica e Engenharia de Proteínas, Instituto Carlos Chagas, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Richard H Valente
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, IOC, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Reginaldo P Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, IOC, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, IOC, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Dufour S, Castets P, Pickett JA, Hooper AM. A diastereoselective synthesis of (1SR,3SR,7RS)-3-methyl-α-himachalene, the sex pheromone of the sandfly, Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae). Tetrahedron 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2012.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Chelbi I, Zhioua E, Hamilton JGC. Behavioral evidence for the presence of a sex pheromone in male Phlebotomus papatasi scopoli (Diptera: Psychodidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2011; 48:518-525. [PMID: 21661311 DOI: 10.1603/me10132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the Old World sand fly vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major (Trypanosomatidae: Kinetoplastida), a debilitating and disfiguring protist parasitic disease prevalent throughout southern Mediterranean countries, the Middle East, as well as southern and eastern European countries, where it is regarded as a serious public health problem. Little is known of the mating ecology of P. papatasi, and, in particular, the role (if any) of pheromones is not known. In this laboratory- and field-based study, we have shown that a male-produced sex pheromone exists in P. papatasi. Young female P. papatasi are attracted to the headspace volatiles of small groups of males, males and females together, but not females alone. Males were not attracted to males, females, or mixed groups of males and females in the laboratory. Larger groups of males or males and females together were repellent in the laboratory study. Field experiments showed that Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps baited with small groups of males and females together were attractive to females, but not males. CDC traps baited with large groups of males and females together caught significantly fewer females and males than the control traps; however, the proportion of females caught compared with males overall was much higher than with CDC traps baited with small numbers of males and females. These results suggest that females may be attracted in preference to males to the vicinity of the baited traps and are highly sensitive to the concentration of male pheromone. It also suggests that P. papatasi mating behavior is fundamentally different from that of Lutzomyia longipalpis, where large mating aggregations of males and females occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Chelbi
- Keele University, Center for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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Souza NA, Andrade-Coelho CA, Silva VC, Ward RD, Peixoto AA. Life cycle differences among Brazilian sandflies of the Lutzomyia longipalpis sibling species complex. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2009; 23:287-292. [PMID: 19712160 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2009.00818.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The developmental cycles of five Brazilian populations of the Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva species complex (Diptera: Psychodidae) were compared under laboratory conditions. Three of the populations were derived from insects collected in allopatric sites at Natal (Rio Grande do Norte State), Jacobina (Bahia State) and Lapinha Cave (Minas Gerais State). The other two originated from Sobral (Ceará State), where the males of two sympatric species can be distinguished by the presence of one (1S) or two (2S) pairs of abdominal spots. The results of the present study clearly show that all three populations whose males produce C16 pheromones and use pulse-type copulation songs (Jacobina, Lapinha Cave and Sobral 1S) are more easily adapted to the colonization conditions used in our laboratory, producing larger egg batches, with higher survival and an overall faster developmental cycle. This contrasts with populations producing C20 male pheromones and using burst-type copulation songs (Natal and Sobral 2S) that produce smaller egg batches, have higher oviposition mortality and a slower rate of development under identical laboratory conditions. In conclusion, these phenological differences are a further indication of the differentiation of the siblings within the Lu. longipalpis species complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Souza
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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16
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Araki AS, Vigoder FM, Bauzer LGSR, Ferreira GEM, Souza NA, Araújo IB, Hamilton JGC, Brazil RP, Peixoto AA. Molecular and behavioral differentiation among Brazilian populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2009; 3:e365. [PMID: 19172187 PMCID: PMC2628317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2008] [Accepted: 12/17/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lutzomyia longipalpis is the primary vector of American visceral leishmaniasis. There is strong evidence that L. longipalpis is a species complex, but until recently the existence of sibling species among Brazilian populations was considered a controversial issue. In addition, there is still no consensus regarding the number of species occurring in this complex. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Using period, a gene that controls circadian rhythms and affects interpulse interval periodicity of the male courtship songs in Drosophila melanogaster and close relatives, we analyzed the molecular polymorphism in a number of L. longipalpis samples from different regions in Brazil and compared the results with our previously published data using the same marker. We also studied the male copulation songs and pheromones from some of these populations. The results obtained so far suggest the existence of two main groups of populations in Brazil, one group representing a single species with males producing Burst-type copulation songs and cembrene-1 pheromones; and a second group that is more heterogeneous and probably represents a number of incipient species producing different combinations of Pulse-type songs and pheromones. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our results reveal a high level of complexity in the divergence and gene-flow among Brazilian populations of the L. longipalpis species complex. This raises important questions concerning the epidemiological consequences of this incipient speciation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra S. Araki
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felipe M. Vigoder
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz G. S. R. Bauzer
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriel E. M. Ferreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nataly A. Souza
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Leishmanioses, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Izeneide B. Araújo
- Curso de Ciências Biológicas e Agrárias, Universidade Estadual do Piauí, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
| | - James G. C. Hamilton
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Institute of Science & Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Reginaldo P. Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre A. Peixoto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Casanova C, Hamilton JGC, Trigo JR, Costa AIP. Identification of sex pheromones of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) populations from the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2006; 101:113-5. [PMID: 16699721 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762006000100023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In Brazil, four populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis each producing different sex pheromones are recognised. It has been suggested that these chemotype populations represent true sibling species. In this study we present the results of an analysis, by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, of the pheromones of males L. longipalpis from two different municipalities of the state of São Paulo. Our study showed that L. longipalpis from these two municipalities produced different sex pheromones from each other. This coupled with the remarkable difference between the epidemiological situation in Araçatuba and Espírito Santo do Pinhal, suggests that the (S)-9-methylgermacrene-B and cembrene-1 populations may have different vectorial capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudio Casanova
- Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, 13845-206 Mogi Guaçu, SP, Brazil.
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18
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Spiegel CN, Jeanbourquin P, Guerin PM, Hooper AM, Claude S, Tabacchi R, Sano S, Mori K. (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene from the male sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) induces neurophysiological responses and attracts both males and females. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2005; 51:1366-75. [PMID: 16226273 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2005.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2005] [Revised: 05/10/2005] [Accepted: 05/10/2005] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Lutzomyia longipalpis adult males form leks on or near hosts and release (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene from their tergal glands to lure females to the same site for mating and feeding. Here we have examined whether the male-produced attractant could also serve as a male aggregation stimulus. High resolution chiral capillary gas chromatography analysis of male tergal gland extracts, synthetic (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene, and a synthetic mixture of all isomers of 3-methyl-alpha-himachalene, was coupled to electrophysiological recordings from ascoid sensillum receptor cells in antennae of male and female sandflies. Receptor cells of both sexes responded only to the main component of the male tergal gland extract that eluted at the same retention time as (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene. Furthermore, of the eight 3-methyl-alpha-himachalene isomers in the synthetic mixture only the fraction containing (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene, co-eluting with an isomer of (1S*,3S*,7S*)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene, elicited an electrophysiological response from male and female ascoid sensillum receptor cells. Both males and females flew upwind in a wind tunnel towards a filter paper disk treated with either 4-6 male equivalents of the tergal gland extract, pure (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene or the synthetic mixture of eight isomers. This indicates that (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-alpha-himachalene derived from L. longipalpis males may have a dual function in causing male aggregation as well as serving as a sex pheromone for females.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Spiegel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
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19
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Hamilton JGC, Maingon RDC, Alexander B, Ward RD, Brazil RP. Analysis of the sex pheromone extract of individual male Lutzomyia longipalpis sandflies from six regions in Brazil. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2005; 19:480-8. [PMID: 16336313 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2005.00594.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the phlebotomine sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae) is generally accepted to be a species complex, it is unclear how many members there are, how they are related and which are the main vectors of leishmaniasis. The vectorial capacity of each sibling species is likely to differ, thus a means of identifying the most important vector species is of critical importance to the epidemiology and control of this debilitating disease in South and Central America. In Brazil four chemotypes have been distinguished by sex pheromone analysis. In this study the sex pheromone extracts of L. longipalpis from six regions of Brazil were analysed in detail. Samples included the sympatric 1-spot, 2-spot and intermediate spot morphotypes from Sobral, Ceará State. The results strongly suggest that members of the complex that produce different sex pheromones are reproductively isolated, thus strengthening the argument that the different chemotypes represent true sibling species. The study also found significant differences in morphology and the amounts of sex pheromone produced by members of each chemotype from different parts of Brazil, which suggests population substructuring that has not previously been recognized. Evidence of a fifth chemotype in Brazil is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G C Hamilton
- Chemical Ecology/Medical Entomology Group, Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK.
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20
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Bottecchia M, Oliveira SG, Bauzer LGSR, Souza NA, Ward RD, Garner KJ, Kyriacou CP, Peixoto AA. Genetic divergence in the cacophony IVS6 intron among five Brazilian populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis. J Mol Evol 2004; 58:754-61. [PMID: 15461432 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-004-2586-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Genes involved in the reproductive isolation are particularly useful as molecular markers in speciation studies. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), a putative species complex, is a vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Latin America. We isolated from this species a fragment homologous to cacophony, a Drosophila gene that encodes features of the lovesong, an acoustic signal that is important in the sexual isolation of closely related species and known to vary considerably among L. longipalpis putative siblings species. Using an intron of the sandfly cacophony as a marker, we analyzed the molecular variation and sequence divergence among five populations of L. longipalpis from Brazil, three allopatric (Jacobina, Lapinha and Natal) and two putative sympatric sibling species from the locality of Sobral. A high level of polymorphism was found and analysis of the data indicates that very little gene flow is occurring among the populations of Jacobina, Lapinha, and Natal. A high level of differentiation was also observed between the two putative sympatric species of Sobral, one of which seems to be the same sibling species found in Natal, while the other is somewhat more related to Jacobina and Lapinha. However, the amount of estimated gene flow among the Sobral siblings is about seven times higher than the previously estimated for period, another lovesong gene, perhaps indicating that introgression might be affecting cacophony more than period. The results suggest that L. longipalpis is not a single species in Brazil, but it is yet not clear whether the different populations studied deserve species status rather than representing an incipient speciation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bottecchia
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Fundacão Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, CEP 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Hamilton JGC, Brazil RP, Maingon R. A fourth chemotype of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Jaibas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2004; 41:1021-1026. [PMID: 15605640 DOI: 10.1603/0022-2585-41.6.1021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva) is a species complex of Lutzomyia pseudolongipalpis (Arrivillaga and Feliciangeli) and at least three other as yet undefined siblings. Isozyme and mitochondrial studies of allopatric populations across Central and South America have suggested the presence of four "clades" that have been hypothesized to have arisen mainly because of geographical isolation mechanisms. Parallel studies of sexual behavior as well as cross-mating and genetic analysis, of both allopatric and sympatric populations, suggest at least four sibling species that do not seem to correspond to the defined four "clades." In an effort to understand this apparent discrepancy, sympatric populations of L. longipalpis from a single South American country, Brazil, are being studied. In Brazil, three putative species can be identified by their male-produced sex pheromones: (S)-9-methylgermacrene-B, 3-methyl-a-himachalene, and a cembrene. We report here that analysis by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry shows that L. longipalpis from Jaibas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, occurs as two sympatric sex pheromone chemotypes. One chemotype is the cembrene type previously recorded in a L. longipalpis population from Sobral, Ceará State, Brazil, and the other is a new cembrene isomer not previously observed in L. longipalpis. The finding of this new chemotype strongly suggests that the L. longipalpis species complex in Brazil consists of four members rather than the three previously recognized and confirms previous analysis of genetic variation that had suggested the presence of a complex in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G C Hamilton
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom.
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Souza NA, Vigoder FM, Araki AS, Ward RD, Kyriacou CP, Peixoto AA. Analysis of the copulatory courtship songs of Lutzomyia longipalpis in six populations from Brazil. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2004; 41:906-913. [PMID: 15535620 DOI: 10.1603/0022-2585-41.5.906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), the main vector of Leishmania infantum in the Americas, is believed to be a species complex, although the status of different Brazilian populations is still somewhat unclear. Preliminary analysis of the acoustic signals that are produced during copulation by L. longipalpis males has suggested the existence of three sibling species in Brazil. In the current report, we analyze in more detail a number of parameters of the copulatory courtship songs of L. longipalpis males from four allopatric populations from different parts of the country (Marajó Island, Natal, Jacobina, and Lapinha Cave) and from two sympatric populations from the locality of Sobral, where two types of males can be differentiated by the number of pale spots (one or two pairs) found on the abdomen. We show that males from the localities of Natal, Marajó, and Sobral (two-spot morph) have very similar songs composed of successive bursts, which are modulated in frequency and amplitude. No significant differences were found in the song parameters of these three populations. In contrast, one-spot males from Sobral and males from Jacobina and Lapinha produce songs that are made of pulses but with distinct patterns for each population and significant differences in all song parameters studied. The results suggest that the L. longipalpis complex in Brazil is composed of four sibling species and that the differences in song patterns between the populations are consistent with the level of divergence found in the period gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataly A Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil
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Abstract
Lutzomyia longipalpis is the most important vector of AmericanVisceral Leishmaniasis (AVL) due to Leishmania chagasi in the New World. Despite its importance, AVL, a disease primarily of rural areas, has increased its prevalence and became urbanized in some large cities in Brazil and other countries in Latin America. Although the disease is treatable, other control measures include elimination of infected dogs and the use of insecticides to kill the sand flies. A better understanding of vector biology could also account as one more tool for AVL control. A wide variety of papers about L. longipalpis have been published in the recent past years. This review summarizes our current information of this particular sand fly regarding its importance, biology, morphology, pheromones genetics, saliva, gut physiology and parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo P P Soares
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
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Maingon RDC, Ward RD, Hamilton JGC, Noyes HA, Souza N, Kemp SJ, Watts PC. Genetic identification of two sibling species of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) that produce distinct male sex pheromones in Sobral, Ceará State, Brazil. Mol Ecol 2003; 12:1879-94. [PMID: 12803639 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-294x.2003.01871.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main sandfly vector for New World visceral leishmaniasis is a complex of an as yet undefined number of sibling species. At present, there is no consensus on the status (single species vs. species complex) of Brazilian populations. We applied five microsatellite loci to test the hypothesis that L. longipalpis occurs as two sympatric cryptic species in Sobral, Ceará State, Brazil as predicted by male sex pheromone chemotypes described previously for field specimens from this site [S-9-methyl-germacrene-B (9MGB) and a cembrene compound]. Abdominal spot morphology corresponds with pheromone type at this locality (9MGB in '1 spot' males and cembrene in '2 spot' males). Genotype data from 190 wild-caught L. longipalpis specimens collected in October 1999 and April 2001 were used to estimate genetic differentiation between the two sex pheromone populations and sampling dates. No significant (P > 0.05) genetic differences were found between the 1999 and 2001 9MGB samples (theta = 0.018; RST = -0.005), and genetic differentiation was low between the cembrene collections (theta = 0.037, P < 0.05; RST = -0.043, P > 0.05). By contrast, highly divergent allelic frequencies (largely at two microsatellite loci) corresponded to significant (P > 0.05) genetic differentiation (theta = 0.221; RST = 0.215) for all comparisons between samples with different pheromones. When pheromone samples were pooled across sample date, genetic differentiation was high (theta = 0.229; P < 0.001; Nem = 0.84). The allele frequency distribution at each of the five microsatellite loci was similar for males and females from the two collection years. Two of these loci showed highly divergent allele frequencies in the two sex pheromone populations. This was reflected in the highly significant genetic differentiation obtained from the male genotypes, between populations producing different pheromones (theta = 0.229-0.268; P < 0.0001 for the 2001 and theta = 0.254-0.558; P < 0.0001 for the 1999 collections, respectively). Similar results were obtained when the females, assigned to a pheromone type, were included in the analysis. Both a Bayesian analysis of the data set and a population assignment test provided strong evidence for two distinct populations corresponding to pheromone type. Given its genotype, the probability of assigning a 9MGB male to the original 9MGB population was 100% once the two years' collections were pooled. For cembrene-producing '2 spot' males this probability although still high, was lower than for 9MGB males, at 86%. This microsatellite data together with previously reported reproductive isolation between the two Sobral populations confirm that premating barriers are important in speciation of L. longipalpis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D C Maingon
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, ST5 5BG, UK.
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Bauzer LGSR, Gesto JSM, Souza NA, Ward RD, Hamilton JGC, Kyriacou CP, Peixoto AA. Molecular divergence in the period gene between two putative sympatric species of the Lutzomyia longipalpis complex. Mol Biol Evol 2002; 19:1624-7. [PMID: 12200489 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a004224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Brazil RP, Hamilton JGC. Isolation and identification of 9-methylgermacrene-B as the putative sex pheromone of Lutzomyia cruzi (Mangabeira, 1938) (Diptera: Psychodidae). Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2002; 97:435-6. [PMID: 12048580 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762002000300030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) cruzi has been named as a probable vector of Leishmania chagasi in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Taxonomically L. cruzi is closely related to the L. longipalpis species complex. Females of L. cruzi and L. longipalpis are morphologically indistinguishable and associated males must be examined carefully to confirm identifications. Chemical analysis hexane extracts of male L. cruzi has revealed the presence of a 9-methylgermacrene-B (C16), a homosesquiterpene (mw 218) previously shown to be the sex pheromone of one of the members of the L. longipalpis species complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginaldo P Brazil
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30190-002, Brasil.
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Hamilton JGC, Brazil RP, Campbell-Lendrum D, Davies CR, Kelly DW, Pessoa FAC, de Queiroz RG. Distribution of putative male sex pheromones among Lutzomyia sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae). ANNALS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PARASITOLOGY 2002; 96:83-92. [PMID: 11989537 DOI: 10.1179/000349802125000547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Male Lutzomyia longipalpis produce terpene sex pheromones in glandular tissue underlying the cuticle. The pheromones are transmitted to the surface via cuticle-lined ducts (measuring 0.25 microm in diameter), each of which reaches the surface in the centre of a papule (measuring 3-3.5 microm in diameter). Similar papules, in a range of shapes but all characterized by the presence of a central pore and absence of macroserae, occur in some other species of sandfly. The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of sex pheromones in sandflies of the genus Lutzomyia that do and do not have the papules. The results indicate that sex pheromones are not widely distributed amongst male Lutzomyia spp. Male members of the genus can be subdivided into three groups: those that produce terpenes and have cuticular papules; those that do not produce terpenes but still have the associated papules; and those that have neither terpenes nor papules. The papules seen in the species that do not synthesise sex pheromones are presumably vestigial, non-functional structures. Such species may have stopped producing pheromone as the result of changes in the way in which the females found and selected mates or changing feeding preferences. A similar event has occurred in the Lepidoptera, where vestigial pheromone-secreting structures remain in some species which no longer produce pheromone. Lutzomyia lenti collected in southern Brazil produced a novel diterpene whereas male L. lenti from north-eastern Brazil did not, supporting suggestions by others that L. lenti is, like L. longipalpis, a species complex.
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Mori K, Tashiro T, Sano S. Enantioselective synthesis of (1S,3S,7R)-3-methyl-α-himachalene, the sex pheromone of the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis from Jacobina, Brazil. Tetrahedron Lett 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s0040-4039(00)00831-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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