1
|
Miklau M, Burn SJ, Eckerstorfer M, Dolezel M, Greiter A, Heissenberger A, Hörtenhuber S, Zollitsch W, Hagen K. Horizon scanning of potential environmental applications of terrestrial animals, fish, algae and microorganisms produced by genetic modification, including the use of new genomic techniques. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1376927. [PMID: 38938511 PMCID: PMC11208717 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1376927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
With scientific progress and the development of new genomic techniques (NGTs), the spectrum of organisms modified for various purposes is rapidly expanding and includes a wide range of taxonomic groups. An improved understanding of which newly developed products may be introduced into the market and released into the environment in the near and more distant future is of particular interest for policymakers, regulatory authorities, and risk assessors. To address this information need, we conducted a horizon scanning (HS) of potential environmental applications in four groups of organisms: terrestrial animals (excluding insects and applications with gene drives), fish, algae and microorganisms. We applied a formal scoping review methodology comprising a structured search of the scientific literature followed by eligibility screening, complemented by a survey of grey literature, and regulatory websites and databases. In all four groups of organisms we identified a broad range of potential applications in stages of basic as well as advanced research, and a limited number of applications which are on, or ready to be placed on, the market. Research on GM animals including fish is focused on farmed animals and primarily targets traits which increase performance, influence reproduction, or convey resistance against diseases. GM algae identified in the HS were all unicellular, with more than half of the articles concerning biofuel production. GM algae applications for use in the environment include biocontrol and bioremediation, which are also the main applications identified for GM microorganisms. From a risk assessor's perspective these potential applications entail a multitude of possible pathways to harm. The current limited level of experience and limited amount of available scientific information could constitute a significant challenge in the near future, for which risk assessors and competent authorities urgently need to prepare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Miklau
- Department of Landuse and Biosafety, Environment Agency Austria, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah-Joe Burn
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Eckerstorfer
- Department of Landuse and Biosafety, Environment Agency Austria, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marion Dolezel
- Department of Landuse and Biosafety, Environment Agency Austria, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anita Greiter
- Department of Landuse and Biosafety, Environment Agency Austria, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Stefan Hörtenhuber
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Werner Zollitsch
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristin Hagen
- Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Division Assessment Synthetic Biology/Enforcement Genetic Engineering Act, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zeng S, Lin Z, Yu X, Zhang J, Zou Z. Expressing Parasitoid Venom Protein VRF1 in an Entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana Enhances Virulence toward Cotton Bollworm Helicoverpa armigera. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0070523. [PMID: 37272799 PMCID: PMC10304766 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00705-23] [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: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite entomopathogenic fungi being used in various insect pest control, it is recognized that they could replace more chemical insecticides if they were more efficient. We have found that cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera responded to the infection of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana by activating the Toll pathway. Koinobiont wasps also regulate host immunity and development to ensure the survival of their progeny. Previously, venom protein VRF1 was identified in Microplitis mediator. It enters H. armigera hemocytes, suppresses the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) by inhibiting the Toll pathway, and prevents parasite offspring from being encapsulated. With this in mind, we thought that it might be feasible to increase the virulence of B. bassiana by embedding VRF1 into its genome. Compared with that of wild-type (WT) B. bassiana, the median lethal dose (LD50) of the transformant expressing VRF1 (named BbVRF1) decreased approximately 2.36-fold, and the median time to lethality (LT50) was shortened to 84% when infecting H. armigera (a natural host of M. mediator). The AMP expression level of hemocytes in H. armigera infected with BbVRF1 strain was significantly downregulated compared to that in the control group infected with the WT. In addition, the LD50 of BbVRF1 against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (an unnatural host of M. mediator) was decreased 3.45-fold and the LT50 was shortened to 73%, showing a greater virulence. Our research indicated that BbVRF1, an engineered strain of B. bassiana, has greater efficacy against pest insects both within and outside its host range (M. mediator), expanding the utilization of parasitoid wasp virulence effectors. IMPORTANCE Mycoinsecticides are essential for the development of integrated pest management as substitutes to chemical insecticides, but their usage is limited by their inferior virulence. Thus, genetically engineered bioinsecticides, including recombinant entomopathogenic fungi, have been regarded as a breakthrough to rapidly control pests. Deep knowledge of parasitoid wasps allows us to take advantage of this natural enemy of pest insects beyond raising them for field release. Our transformant BbVRF1 (Beauveria bassiana integrated with a venom protein VRF1 from Microplitis mediator) showed a higher virulence in H. armigera and S. frugiperda, demonstrating its potential for managing natural or unnatural hosts of M. mediator. This result provides a new strategy regarding which venom protein of parasitoid wasps can become part of the arsenal with which to equip entomopathogenic fungi. Utilizing parasitoid wasps with this approach could easily overcome the difficulties of artificial culture and enhance the virulence of other biocontrol agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuocheng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xianhao Yu
- Engineering Research Center of Natural Enemies, Institute of Biological Control, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Natural Enemies, Institute of Biological Control, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rhodes VL, Thomas MB, Michel K. The interplay between dose and immune system activation determines fungal infection outcome in the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 85:125-133. [PMID: 29649553 PMCID: PMC5935592 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The Toll pathway is a central regulator of antifungal immunity in insects. In mosquitoes, the Toll pathway affects infections with the fungal entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana, which is considered a potential mosquito biopesticide. We report here the use of B. bassiana strain I93-825 in Anopheles gambiae to analyze the impact of Toll pathway modulation on mosquito survival. Exposure to a narrow dose range of conidia by direct contact decreased mosquito longevity and median survival. In addition, fungal exposure dose correlated positively and linearly with hazard ratio. Increased Toll signaling by knockdown of its inhibitor, cactus, decreased survivorship of uninfected females, increased mosquito survival after low dose B. bassiana exposure, but had little effect following exposure to higher doses. This observed trade-off could have implications for development of B. bassiana as a prospective vector control tool. On the one hand, selection for small increases in mosquito immune signaling across a narrow dose range could impair efficacy of B. bassiana. On the other hand, costs of immunity and the capacity for higher doses of fungus to overwhelm immune responses could limit evolution of resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Rhodes
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Matthew B Thomas
- Department of Entomology and Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Kristin Michel
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee SJ, Lee MR, Kim S, Kim JC, Park SE, Shin TY, Kim JS. Conidiogenesis-related DNA photolyase gene in Beauveria bassiana. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 153:85-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2018.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
5
|
Proteomic Characterization of the Venom of Five Bombus (Thoracobombus) Species. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9110362. [PMID: 29137123 PMCID: PMC5705977 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9110362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Venomous animals use venom, a complex biofluid composed of unique mixtures of proteins and peptides, to act on vital systems of the prey or predator. In bees, venom is solely used for defense against predators. However, the venom composition of bumble bees (Bombus sp.) is largely unknown. The Thoracobombus subgenus of Bombus sp. is a diverse subgenus represented by 14 members across Turkey. In this study, we sought out to proteomically characterize the venom of five Thoracobombus species by using bottom-up proteomic techniques. We have obtained two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel (2D-PAGE) images of each species’ venom sample. We have subsequently identified the protein spots by using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). We have identified 47 proteins for Bombus humilis, 32 for B. pascuorum, 60 for B. ruderarius, 39 for B. sylvarum, and 35 for B. zonatus. Moreover, we illustrated that intensities of 2DE protein spots corresponding to putative venom toxins vary in a species-specific manner. Our analyses provide the primary proteomic characterization of five bumble bee species’ venom composition.
Collapse
|
6
|
Fungal dimorphism in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium rileyi: Detection of an in vivo quorum-sensing system. J Invertebr Pathol 2016; 136:100-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2016.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
7
|
Chu Y, Liu Y, Shen D, Hong F, Wang G, An C. Serine proteases SP1 and SP13 mediate the melanization response of Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, against entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. J Invertebr Pathol 2015; 128:64-72. [PMID: 25900291 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to entomopathogenic fungi is one approach for insect pest control. Little is known about the immune interactions between fungus and its insect host. Melanization is a prominent immune response in insects in defending against pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. Clip domain serine proteases in insect plasma have been implicated in the activation of prophenoloxidase, a key enzyme in the melanization. The relationship between host melanization and the infection by a fungus needs to be established. We report here that the injection of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana induced both melanin synthesis and phenoloxidase activity in its host insect, the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). qRT-PCR analysis showed several distinct patterns of expression of 13 clip-domain serine proteases in response to the challenge of fungi, with seven increased, two decreased, and four unchanged. Of special interest among these clip-domain serine protease genes are SP1 and SP13, the orthologs of Manduca sexta HP6 and PAP1 which are involved in the prophenoloxidase activation pathway. Recombinant O. furnacalis SP1 was found to activate proSP13 and induce the phenoloxidase activity in corn borer plasma. Additionally, SP13 was determined to directly cleave prophenoloxidase and therefore act as the prophenoloxidase activating protease. Our work thus reveals a biochemical mechanism in the melanization in corn borer associated with the challenge by B. bassiana injection. These insights could provide valuable information for better understanding the immune responses of Asian corn borer against B. bassiana.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Chu
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dongxu Shen
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Hong
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Guirong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunju An
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Production of antibacterial Bombyx mori cecropin A in mealworm-pathogenic Beauveria bassiana ERL1170. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 42:151-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s10295-014-1551-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|