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Brantley SE, Stouthamer CM, Kr P, Fischer ML, Hill J, Schlenke TA, Mortimer NT. Host JAK-STAT activity is a target of parasitoid wasp virulence strategies. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012349. [PMID: 38950076 PMCID: PMC11244843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Innate immune responses that allow hosts to survive infection depend on the action of multiple conserved signaling pathways. Pathogens and parasites in turn have evolved virulence factors to target these immune signaling pathways in an attempt to overcome host immunity. Consequently, the interactions between host immune molecules and pathogen virulence factors play an important role in determining the outcome of an infection. The immune responses of Drosophila melanogaster provide a valuable model to understand immune signaling and host-pathogen interactions. Flies are commonly infected by parasitoid wasps and mount a coordinated cellular immune response following infection. This response is characterized by the production of specialized blood cells called lamellocytes that form a tight capsule around wasp eggs in the host hemocoel. The conserved JAK-STAT signaling pathway has been implicated in lamellocyte proliferation and is required for successful encapsulation of wasp eggs. Here we show that activity of Stat92E, the D. melanogaster STAT ortholog, is induced in immune tissues following parasitoid infection. Virulent wasp species are able to suppress Stat92E activity during infection, suggesting they target JAK-STAT pathway activation as a virulence strategy. Furthermore, two wasp species (Leptopilina guineaensis and Ganaspis xanthopoda) suppress phenotypes associated with a gain-of-function mutation in hopscotch, the D. melanogaster JAK ortholog, indicating that they inhibit the activity of the core signaling components of the JAK-STAT pathway. Our data suggest that parasitoid wasp virulence factors block JAK-STAT signaling to overcome fly immune defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna E Brantley
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Corinne M Stouthamer
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Pooja Kr
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Mary L Fischer
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Joshua Hill
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Todd A Schlenke
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Nathan T Mortimer
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
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2
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Quicray M, Wilhelm L, Enriquez T, He S, Scheifler M, Visser B. The Drosophila-parasitizing wasp Leptopilina heterotoma: A comprehensive model system in ecology and evolution. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9625. [PMID: 36703713 PMCID: PMC9871341 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9625] [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: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The parasitoid Leptopilina heterotoma has been used as a model system for more than 70 years, contributing greatly to diverse research areas in ecology and evolution. Here, we synthesized the large body of work on L. heterotoma with the aim to identify new research avenues that could be of interest also for researchers studying other parasitoids and insects. We start our review with a description of typical L. heterotoma characteristics, as well as that of the higher taxonomic groups to which this species belongs. We then continue discussing host suitability and immunity, foraging behaviors, as well as fat accumulation and life histories. We subsequently shift our focus towards parasitoid-parasitoid interactions, including L. heterotoma coexistence within the larger guild of Drosophila parasitoids, chemical communication, as well as mating and population structuring. We conclude our review by highlighting the assets of L. heterotoma as a model system, including its intermediate life history syndromes, the ease of observing and collecting natural hosts and wasps, as well as recent genomic advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maude Quicray
- Evolution and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary EntomologyUniversity of Liège ‐ Gembloux Agro‐Bio TechGemblouxBelgium
| | - Léonore Wilhelm
- Evolution and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary EntomologyUniversity of Liège ‐ Gembloux Agro‐Bio TechGemblouxBelgium
| | - Thomas Enriquez
- Evolution and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary EntomologyUniversity of Liège ‐ Gembloux Agro‐Bio TechGemblouxBelgium
| | - Shulin He
- Evolution and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary EntomologyUniversity of Liège ‐ Gembloux Agro‐Bio TechGemblouxBelgium
| | - Mathilde Scheifler
- Evolution and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary EntomologyUniversity of Liège ‐ Gembloux Agro‐Bio TechGemblouxBelgium
| | - Bertanne Visser
- Evolution and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary EntomologyUniversity of Liège ‐ Gembloux Agro‐Bio TechGemblouxBelgium
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Lemauf S, Cazes D, Poirié M, Gatti JL. Amount of venom that Leptopilina species inject into Drosophila melanogaster larvae in relation to parasitic success. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 135:104320. [PMID: 34634293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2021.104320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Drosophila endoparasitoid wasps Leptopilina boulardi and L. heterotoma (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) are pro-ovigenic species, i.e., females contain their lifetime number of mature eggs at emergence. They are therefore able to immediately parasitize many hosts when present. In response to parasitoid oviposition, the larval host D. melanogaster can mount an immune response, encapsulation, that can destroy the parasitoid eggs. This response is counteracted by the venom the wasp injects during oviposition. Here, we estimated the amount of venom injected into a D. melanogaster host larva using immunodetection of venom proteins and we attempted to correlate this amount with the number of eggs a female can lay on successive days. The venom reservoir of L. boulardi contains enough venom for at least 100 ovipositions while that of L. heterotoma contains venom for about 16 ovipositions. While a female L. boulardi may have enough venom for three days of parasitism when 20 or 40 larval hosts were presented each day, L. heterotoma certainly needs to synthesize new venom to parasitize the number of hosts offered. Interestingly, parasitism stopped (L. boulardi), egg protection (L. heterotoma) and egg hatching decreased (both species) after three days of parasitism. Thus, although venom does not appear to be a limiting factor for parasitism, our data suggest that it may have less effectiveness on the egg protection and on egg/host development after high repetitive egg laying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Lemauf
- Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Dominique Cazes
- Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Marylène Poirié
- Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Jean-Luc Gatti
- Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France.
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Quicke DLJ, Butcher BA. Review of Venoms of Non-Polydnavirus Carrying Ichneumonoid Wasps. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:50. [PMID: 33445639 PMCID: PMC7828074 DOI: 10.3390/biology10010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Parasitoids are predominantly insects that develop as larvae on or inside their host, also usually another insect, ultimately killing it after various periods of parasitism when both parasitoid larva and host are alive. The very large wasp superfamily Ichneumonoidea is composed of parasitoids of other insects and comprises a minimum of 100,000 species. The superfamily is dominated by two similarly sized families, Braconidae and Ichneumonidae, which are collectively divided into approximately 80 subfamilies. Of these, six have been shown to release DNA-containing virus-like particles, encoded within the wasp genome, classified in the virus family Polydnaviridae. Polydnaviruses infect and have profound effects on host physiology in conjunction with various venom and ovarial secretions, and have attracted an immense amount of research interest. Physiological interactions between the remaining ichneumonoids and their hosts result from adult venom gland secretions and in some cases, ovarian or larval secretions. Here we review the literature on the relatively few studies on the effects and chemistry of these ichneumonoid venoms and make suggestions for interesting future research areas. In particular, we highlight relatively or potentially easily culturable systems with features largely lacking in currently studied systems and whose study may lead to new insights into the roles of venom chemistry in host-parasitoid relationships as well as their evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald L. J. Quicke
- Integrative Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan 10330, Thailand;
- Center of Excellence in Entomology, Bee Biology, Diversity of Insects and Mites, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan 10330, Thailand
| | - Buntika A. Butcher
- Integrative Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan 10330, Thailand;
- Center of Excellence in Entomology, Bee Biology, Diversity of Insects and Mites, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan 10330, Thailand
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Trainor JE, KR P, Mortimer NT. Immune Cell Production Is Targeted by Parasitoid Wasp Virulence in a Drosophila-Parasitoid Wasp Interaction. Pathogens 2021; 10:49. [PMID: 33429864 PMCID: PMC7826891 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The interactions between Drosophila melanogaster and the parasitoid wasps that infect Drosophila species provide an important model for understanding host-parasite relationships. Following parasitoid infection, D. melanogaster larvae mount a response in which immune cells (hemocytes) form a capsule around the wasp egg, which then melanizes, leading to death of the parasitoid. Previous studies have found that host hemocyte load; the number of hemocytes available for the encapsulation response; and the production of lamellocytes, an infection induced hemocyte type, are major determinants of host resistance. Parasitoids have evolved various virulence mechanisms to overcome the immune response of the D. melanogaster host, including both active immune suppression by venom proteins and passive immune evasive mechanisms. We identified a previously undescribed parasitoid species, Asobara sp. AsDen, which utilizes an active virulence mechanism to infect D. melanogaster hosts. Asobara sp. AsDen infection inhibits host hemocyte expression of msn, a member of the JNK signaling pathway, which plays a role in lamellocyte production. Asobara sp. AsDen infection restricts the production of lamellocytes as assayed by hemocyte cell morphology and altered msn expression. Our findings suggest that Asobara sp. AsDen infection alters host signaling to suppress immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nathan T. Mortimer
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA; (J.E.T.); (P.K.)
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Zhang XM, Zhang HJ, Liu M, Liu B, Zhang XF, Ma CJ, Fu TT, Hou YM, Tang BZ. Cloning and Immunosuppressive Properties of an Acyl-Activating Enzyme from the Venom Apparatus of Tetrastichus brontispae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E672. [PMID: 31752154 PMCID: PMC6891662 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11110672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Venom injected into the host plays vital roles in facilitating successful parasitization and development for parasitoid wasps, especially those devoid of polydnavirus, and the abundant venom proteins appear to be most likely involved in parasitization success. Previously, we found the four most abundant venom proteins, including 4-coumarate:CoA ligase-like 4 (4CL4-like), in the Tetrastichus brontispae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) venom apparatus. In this study, we cloned, expressed T. brontispae 4CL4-like (Tb4CL4-like) in Escherichia coli, and investigated its immunosuppressive properties. The deduced amino acid sequence for Tb4CL4-like shares high identity at conserved amino acids associated with the acyl-activating enzyme (AAE) consensus motif but shows only <40% identity with the members in the AAE superfamily. mRNA abundance analysis indicated that Tb4CL4-like was transcribed mainly in the venom apparatus. Recombinant Tb4CL4-like inhibited Octodonta nipae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) pupal cellular encapsulation and spreading by targeting the hemocyte cytoskeleton and reduced the hemocyte-mediated phagocytosis of E. coli in vivo. Moreover, Tb4CL4-like exhibited greater affinity to palmitic acid and linolenic acid based on the molecular docking assay and is hypothesized to be involved in fatty acid metabolism. In conclusion, our results suggest that Tb4CL4-like may be an immunity-related AAE protein that is involved in the regulation of host immunity through fatty acid metabolism-derived signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Mei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Hua-Jian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Min Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Bin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Xia-Fang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Cheng-Jun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Ting-Ting Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - You-Ming Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Bao-Zhen Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
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Mathé-Hubert H, Kremmer L, Colinet D, Gatti JL, Van Baaren J, Delava É, Poirié M. Variation in the Venom of Parasitic Wasps, Drift, or Selection? Insights From a Multivariate QST Analysis. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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