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Wrońska AK, Kaczmarek A, Sobich J, Boguś MI. The effect of infection with the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomopthorales) on eighteen cytokine-like proteins in Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) larvae. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1385863. [PMID: 38774871 PMCID: PMC11106378 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In response to the replace mammal research models with insects in preliminary immunological studies, interest has grown in invertebrate defense systems. The immunological response is regulated by cytokines; however, while their role in mammals is well understood, little is known of their function in insects. A suitable target for studies into insect immunology is Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera), the wax moth: a common host for human fungal and bacterial pathogens. G. mellonella is also a perfect subject for studies into the presence of cytokine-like proteins. Specific objectives The main goal of present research was detection in insect immunocompetent cells the 18 mammalian cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, IL-19, IFN-γ, TNF-α, TNF-β, GM-CSF, M-CSF, G-CSF), which play important role in immunological response and indication how their level change after fungal infection. Methodology The changes of cytokine-like proteins level were detected in hemocytes taken from G. mellonella larvae infected with entomopathogenic fungus, C. coronatus. The presence of cytokine-proteins was confirmed with using fluorescence microscopy (in cultured hemocytes) and flow cytometry (in freshly collected hemolymph). The ELISA test was used to detect changes in concentration of examined cytokine-like proteins. Results Our findings indicated the presence of eighteen cytokine-like molecules in G. mellonella hemocytes during infection with C. coronatus. The hemocytes taken from infected larvae demonstrated higher fluorescence intensity for six cytokine-like proteins (GM-CSF, M-CSF, IL-3, IL-15, IL-1β and IL-19) compared to untreated controls. ELISA test indicated significantly higher IL-3 and IL-15. M-CSF, IL-1α and IL-19 concentration in the hemolymph after fungal infection, and significantly lower TNF-β and G-CSF. Conclusions Our findings confirm that the selected cytokine-like molecules are present in insect hemocytes and that their concentrations change after fungal infection, which might suggest that they play a role in the anti-fungal immunological response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agata Kaczmarek
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Justyna Sobich
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland
- Dioscuri Centre for RNA-Protein Interactions in Human Health and Disease, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Boguś MI, Kazek M, Drozdowski M, Kaczmarek A, Wrońska AK. The Entomopathogenic Fungus Conidiobolus coronatus Has Similar Effects on the Cuticular Free Fatty Acid Profile of Sensitive and Resistant Insects. INSECTS 2023; 14:895. [PMID: 37999094 PMCID: PMC10671882 DOI: 10.3390/insects14110895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the recognition of a susceptible host by a fungus and the role of cuticular compounds (CCs) in this process remain unclear; however, accumulated data suggest that this is influenced to a great degree by cuticular lipids. Two insect species differing in their sensitivity to fungal infection, viz. the highly sensitive Galleria mellonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the resistant Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae), exhibited significant qualitative and quantitative changes in cuticular free fatty acid (FFA) profiles after exposure to Conidiobolus coronatus (Constantin) Batko (Entomopthorales). Despite being systematically distant, leading different lifestyles in different habitats, both insect species demonstrated similar changes in the same FFAs following exposure to the fungus (C12:0, C13:0, C14:0, C15:0, C16:1, C16:0, C18:1, C18:0), suggesting that these are involved in a contact-induced defense response. As it was not possible to distinguish the share of FFAs present in the conidia that were attached to the cuticle from the FFAs of the cuticle itself in the total number of extracted FFAs, further research is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland; (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Michalina Kazek
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Centre of Advanced Materials and Technology CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, ul. Poleczki 19, 02-822 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Mikołaj Drozdowski
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland; (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Agata Kaczmarek
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland; (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland; (M.D.); (A.K.)
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Apirajkamol NB, Hogarty TM, Mainali B, Taylor PW, Walsh TK, Tay WT. Virulence of Beauveria sp. and Metarhizium sp. fungi towards fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:328. [PMID: 37676308 PMCID: PMC10495518 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03669-8] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
The development of effective pest management strategies for Spodoptera frugiperda is a high priority for crop protection across its invasive ranges. Here, we examined six Beauveria and five Metarhizium fungal isolates against this pest. Two Beauveria isolates (B-0571, B-1311) induced high mortality toward 3rd and 6th instar caterpillars and adults. For B-0571 mortality was 82.81 ± 5.75%, 61.46 ± 6.83%, and 93.75 ± 3.61%, and 73.72 ± 2.51%, 71.88 ± 5.41%, and 97.92 ± 2.08% for B-1311, with deaths in caterpillars largely occurring under 24 h (3rd instar control 0.74 ± 0.33%, B-0571 73.96 ± 7.85% and B-1311 62.08 ± 3.67%; 6th instar control 0%, B-0571 66.67% ± 11.02% and B-1311 62.5% ± 9.55%). Infection from both Beauveria isolates fully prevented reproduction in surviving S. frugiperda females. In contrast, all five Metarhizium isolates tested and the remaining four Beauveria isolates exhibited lower virulence. The discovery of two highly virulent Beauveria fungal isolates to S. frugiperda opens avenues to develop novel biological control tools against this highly invasive pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nonthakorn Beatrice Apirajkamol
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
- Black Mountain Laboratories, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
| | - Timothy Michael Hogarty
- Black Mountain Laboratories, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Bishwo Mainali
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | | | - Thomas Kieran Walsh
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
- Black Mountain Laboratories, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Wee Tek Tay
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
- Black Mountain Laboratories, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
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Kaczmarek A, Wrońska AK, Boguś MI. The Changes in Mitochondrial Morphology and Physiology Accompanying Apoptosis in Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) Immunocompetent Cells during Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomophthorales) Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10169. [PMID: 37373316 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria have been shown to play an important role in apoptosis using mammalian cell lines. However, their role in insects is not fully understood; thus, more indepth studies of insect cell apoptosis are necessary. The present study investigates mitochondrial involvement during Conidiobolus coronatus-induced apoptosis in Galleria mellonella hemocytes. Previous research has shown that fungal infection could induce apoptosis in insect hemocytes. Our findings indicate that mitochondria undergo several morphological and physiological changes during fungal infection, e.g., loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, megachannel formation, disturbances in intracellular respiration, increased nonrespiratory oxygen consumption in mitochondria, decreased ATP-coupled oxygen consumption and increased non-ATP-coupled oxygen consumption, decreased extracellular and intracellular oxygen consumption, and increased extracellular pH. Our findings confirm that G. mellonella immunocompetent cells demonstrate Ca2+ overload in mitochondria, translocation of cytochrome c-like protein from mitochondrial to cytosol fraction, and higher activation of caspase-9-like protein after C. coronatus infection. Most importantly, several of the changes observed in insect mitochondria are similar to those accompanying apoptosis in mammalian cells, suggesting that the process is evolutionarily conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kaczmarek
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warsaw, Poland
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warsaw, Poland
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warsaw, Poland
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland
- Biomibo, 04-872 Warsaw, Poland
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Wrońska AK, Kaczmarek A, Boguś MI, Kuna A. Lipids as a key element of insect defense systems. Front Genet 2023; 14:1183659. [PMID: 37359377 PMCID: PMC10289264 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1183659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between insect pathogenic fungi and their insect hosts is a classic example of a co-evolutionary arms race between pathogen and target host: parasites evolve towards mechanisms that increase their advantage over the host, and the host increasingly strengthens its defenses. The present review summarizes the literature data describing the direct and indirect role of lipids as an important defense mechanism during fungal infection. Insect defense mechanisms comprise anatomical and physiological barriers, and cellular and humoral response mechanisms. The entomopathogenic fungi have the unique ability to digest the insect cuticle by producing hydrolytic enzymes with chitin-, lipo- and proteolytic activity; besides the oral tract, cuticle pays the way for fungal entry within the host. The key factor in insect resistance to fungal infection is the presence of certain types of lipids (free fatty acids, waxes or hydrocarbons) which can promote or inhibit fungal attachment to cuticle, and might also have antifungal activity. Lipids are considered as an important source of energy, and as triglycerides are stored in the fat body, a structure analogous to the liver and adipose tissue in vertebrates. In addition, the fat body plays a key role in innate humoral immunity by producing a range of bactericidal proteins and polypeptides, one of which is lysozyme. Energy derived from lipid metabolism is used by hemocytes to migrate to the site of fungal infection, and for phagocytosis, nodulation and encapsulation. One polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid, is used in the synthesis of eicosanoids, which play several crucial roles in insect physiology and immunology. Apolipoprotein III is important compound with antifungal activity, which can modulate insect cellular response and is considered as important signal molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Warszawa, Poland
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Kaczmarek
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Warszawa, Poland
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Warszawa, Poland
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Kuna
- Independent Researcher, Warsaw, Poland
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6
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Expression and purification of snustorr snarlik protein from Plutella xylostella. Protein Expr Purif 2023; 206:106256. [PMID: 36871763 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Snustorr snarlik (Snsl) is a type of extracellular protein essential for insect cuticle formation and insect survival, but is absent in mammals, making it a potential selective target for pest control. Here, we successfully expressed and purified the Snsl protein of Plutella xylostella in Escherichia coli. Two truncated forms of Snsl protein, Snsl 16-119 and Snsl 16-159, were expressed as a maltose-binding protein (MBP) fusion protein and purified to a purity above 90% after a five-step purification protocol. Snsl 16-119, forming stable monomer in solution, was crystallized, and the crystal was diffracted to a resolution of ∼10 Å. Snsl 16-159, forming an equilibrium between monomer and octamer in solution, was shown to form rod-shaped particles on negative staining electron-microscopy images. Our results lay a foundation for the determination of the structure of Snsl, which would improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism of cuticle formation and related pesticide resistance and provide a template for structure-based insecticide design.
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Ganina MD, Tyurin MV, Zhumatayeva UT, Lednev GR, Morozov SV, Kryukov VY. Comparative Analysis of Epicuticular Lipids in Locusta migratoria and Calliptamus italicus: A Possible Role in Susceptibility to Entomopathogenic Fungi. INSECTS 2022; 13:736. [PMID: 36005361 PMCID: PMC9409248 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cuticular lipids protect insects from desiccation and may determine resistance to fungal pathogens. Nonetheless, the trade-off between these lipid functions is still poorly understood. The migratory locust Locusta migratoria and the Italian locust Calliptamus italicus have dissimilar hygrothermal preferences: L. migratoria inhabits areas near water bodies with a reed bed, and C. italicus exploits a wide range of habitats and prefers steppes and semideserts with the predominance of sagebrushes. This paper presents significant differences between these species' nymphs in epicuticular lipid composition (according to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry) and in susceptibility to Metarhizium robertsii and Beauveria bassiana. The main differences in lipid composition are shifts to longer chain and branched hydrocarbons (di- and trimethylalkanes) in C. italicus compared to L. migratoria. C. italicus also has a slightly higher n-alkane content. Fatty acids showed low concentrations in the extracts, and L. migratoria has a wider range of fatty acids than C. italicus does. Susceptibility to M. robertsii and the number of conidia adhering to the cuticle proved to be significantly higher in C. italicus, although conidia germination percentages on epicuticular extracts did not differ between the species. We propose that the hydrocarbon composition of C. italicus may be an adaptation to a wide range of habitats including arid ones but may make the C. italicus cuticle more hospitable for fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya D. Ganina
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Lavrentyev Ave. 9, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Maksim V. Tyurin
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Frunze Str. 11, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ulzhalgas T. Zhumatayeva
- Department of Plant Protection and Quarantine, Faculty of Agrabiology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Abai Avenue 8, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan
| | - Georgy R. Lednev
- All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, Podbelskogo Avenue 3, St. Petersburg, 196608 Pushkin, Russia
| | - Sergey V. Morozov
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Lavrentyev Ave. 9, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vadim Yu. Kryukov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Frunze Str. 11, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia
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Włóka E, Boguś MI, Wrońska AK, Drozdowski M, Kaczmarek A, Sobich J, Gołębiowski M. Insect cuticular compounds affect Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomopthorales) sporulation and the activity of enzymes involved in fungal infection. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13641. [PMID: 35948615 PMCID: PMC9365854 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17960-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoses are a global problem that affects humans and animals. In the present study, the entomopathogenic soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomophthorales), infecting in tropics also humans, sheep and horses, was cultivated with the addition of insect cuticular compounds (CCs) previously detected in the cuticle of C. coronatus-resistant fly species (C10-C30 fatty alcohols, butyl oleate, butyl stearate, glycerol oleate, squalene, tocopherol acetate). Our findings indicate that CCs have diversified and complex effects on the growth and sporulation of C. coronatus and its ability to infect the larvae of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera). The CCs affected protein content and cuticle-degrading enzymes (CDEs) activity in the conidia. Some CCs inhibited fungal growth (0.1% C10), decreased sporulation (C12, C16, C24, C28, C30, butyl stearate, squalene), virulence (C12, C14, butyl oleate, butyl stearate) and protein content (C18). They also reduced conidial CDE activity: elastase (C24, butyl oleate, butyl stearate, squalene, tocopherol acetate), chitobiosidase (C12, C14, C20) and lipase (C12, C18, C26, squalene, tocopherol acetate). Several CCs enhanced sporulation (C14, C18, C22, C26, C30), virulence (C18, C26, squalene), conidial protein content (C16, C24, C30, squalene) and CDE activity: elastase (C10, C16, C18), NAGase (C16, C20), chitobiosidase (C16) and lipase (C10, C14, C16, C20, butyl oleate). Our findings indicate that C. coronatus colonies grown on media supplemented with CCs employ various compensation strategies: colonies grown with C16 alcohol demonstrated reduced sporulation but greater conidial protein accumulation and increased elastase, NAGase, chitobiosidase and lipase activity, thus preserving high virulence. Also, colonies supplemented with C18 alcohol demonstrated high virulence and enhanced sporulation and elastase activity but slightly decreased conidial protein content. CCs that inhibit the activity of lipases and proteases show promise in the fight against conidiobolomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Włóka
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mikołaj Drozdowski
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Justyna Sobich
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Gołębiowski
- Laboratory of Analysis of Natural Compounds, Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
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Kaczmarek A, Wrońska AK, Kazek M, Boguś MI. Octanoic Acid-An Insecticidal Metabolite of Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomopthorales) That Affects Two Majors Antifungal Protection Systems in Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera): Cuticular Lipids and Hemocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095204. [PMID: 35563592 PMCID: PMC9101785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The food flavour additive octanoic acid (C8:0) is also a metabolite of the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus, which efficiently infects and rapidly kills Galleria mellonella. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of C8:0 in insecticidal fraction FR3 extracted from C. coronatus filtrate. Topical administration of C8:0 had a dose-dependent effect on survival rates of larvae but not on pupation or adult eclosion times of the survivors. Topically applied C8:0 was more toxic to adults than larvae (LD100 for adults 18.33 ± 2.49 vs. 33.56 ± 2.57 µg/mg of body mass for larvae). The administration of C8:0 on the cuticle of larvae and adults, in amounts corresponding to their LD50 and LD100 doses, had a considerable impact on the two main defense systems engaged in protecting against pathogens, causing serious changes in the developmental-stage-specific profiles of free fatty acids (FFAs) covering the cuticle of larvae and adults and damaging larval hemocytes. In vitro cultures of G. mellonella hemocytes, either directly treated with C8:0 or taken from C8:0 treated larvae, revealed deformation of hemocytes, disordered networking, late apoptosis, and necrosis, as well as caspase 1-9 activation and elevation of 8-OHdG level. C8:0 was also confirmed to have a cytotoxic effect on the SF-9 insect cell line, as determined by WST-1 and LDH tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland; (A.K.W.); (M.K.); (M.I.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland; (A.K.W.); (M.K.); (M.I.B.)
| | - Michalina Kazek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland; (A.K.W.); (M.K.); (M.I.B.)
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland; (A.K.W.); (M.K.); (M.I.B.)
- Biomibo, 04-872 Warsaw, Poland
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Wrońska AK, Kaczmarek A, Kazek M, Boguś MI. Infection of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) Larvae With the Entomopathogenic Fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomophthorales) Induces Apoptosis of Hemocytes and Affects the Concentration of Eicosanoids in the Hemolymph. Front Physiol 2022; 12:774086. [PMID: 35069239 PMCID: PMC8769874 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.774086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis and autophagy, the mechanisms of programmed cell death, play critical roles in physiological and pathological processes in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Apoptosis is also known to play an important role in the immune response, particularly in the context of entomopathogenic infection. Of the factors influencing the apoptotic process during infection, two of the lesser known groups are caspases and eicosanoids. The aim of this study was to determine whether infection by the entomopathogenic soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus is associated with apoptosis and changes in caspase activity in the hemocytes of Galleria mellonella larvae, and to confirm whether fungal infection may affect eicosanoid levels in the host. Larvae were exposed for 24 h to fully grown and sporulating fungus. Hemolymph was collected either immediately after termination of exposure (F24 group) or 24 h later (F48 group). Apoptosis/necrosis tests were performed in hemocytes using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, while ELISA tests were used to measure eicosanoid levels. Apoptosis and necrosis occurred to the same degree in F24, but necrosis predominated in F48. Fungal infection resulted in caspase activation, increased PGE1, PGE2, PGA1, PGF2α, and 8-iso-PGF2α levels and decreased TXB2 levels, but had no effect on TXA2 or 11-dehydro-TXB2 concentrations. In addition, infected larvae demonstrated significantly increased PLA2 activity, known to be involved in eicosanoid biosynthesis. Our findings indicate that fungal infection simultaneously induces apoptosis in insects and stimulates general caspase activity, and this may be correlated with changes in the concentrations of eicosanoids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michalina Kazek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.,BIOMIBO, Warsaw, Poland
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Kaczmarek A, Boguś M. The metabolism and role of free fatty acids in key physiological processes in insects of medical, veterinary and forensic importance. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12563. [PMID: 35036124 PMCID: PMC8710053 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects are the most widespread group of organisms and more than one million species have been described. These animals have significant ecological functions, for example they are pollinators of many types of plants. However, they also have direct influence on human life in different manners. They have high medical and veterinary significance, stemming from their role as vectors of disease and infection of wounds and necrotic tissue; they are also plant pests, parasitoids and predators whose activities can influence agriculture. In addition, their use in medical treatments, such as maggot therapy of gangrene and wounds, has grown considerably. They also have many uses in forensic science to determine the minimum post-mortem interval and provide valuable information about the movement of the body, cause of the death, drug use, or poisoning. It has also been proposed that they may be used as model organisms to replace mammal systems in research. The present review describes the role of free fatty acids (FFAs) in key physiological processes in insects. By focusing on insects of medical, veterinary significance, we have limited our description of the physiological processes to those most important from the point of view of insect control; the study examines their effects on insect reproduction and resistance to the adverse effects of abiotic (low temperature) and biotic (pathogens) factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieczysława Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Biomibo, Warsaw, Poland
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Kaczmarek A, Boguś MI. The Impact of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Conidiobolus coronatus on the Free Fatty Acid Profile of the Flesh Fly Sarcophaga argyrostoma. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12110970. [PMID: 34821771 PMCID: PMC8623223 DOI: 10.3390/insects12110970] [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: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The interaction between insect and fungus is characterised on the one hand by the parasite developing more effective strategies of host exploitation, and on the other, by the host mounting increasingly robust defences though Red Queen dynamics or coevolutionary arms races. Furthermore, depending on gene flow and differences in selection pressure between sites, both host and parasite may demonstrate local adaptation to their counterpart or develop more general resistance or offensive traits. As the cuticle is considered the first line of defence of the insect, changes in the FFA profile may well influence susceptibility or resistance to fungal invasion. Our findings indicate that Sarcophaga argyrostoma demonstrates stage-specific resistance to Conidiobolus coronatus infection and suggests that FFAs play a role in resistance to fungal infection in flesh flies. These findings not only increase our knowledge of the entomopatogenic potential of fungi, but also of the growing level of infection by C. coronatus in humans and other mammals. Also, the presented research suggests that FFAs demonstrate antifungal activity which may be helpful in designing new antifungal treatments. Abstract The chemical composition of the insect cuticle varies remarkably between species and their life stages. It can affect host resistance and substrate utilization by invading entomopathogen fungi, such as the soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus. In this study, Sarcophaga argyrostoma flies were exposed to sporulating C. coronatus colonies for 24 h; the pupae were resistant, but the adults demonstrated 60% mortality. Although the pupae demonstrated no sign of infection nor any abnormal development, our findings indicate that after 24 h of contact with the fungus, the pupae demonstrated a 25.2-fold increase in total cuticular free fatty acids (FFAs) and a 1.9-fold decrease in total internal FFAs. Also, the cuticular FFA increased from 26 to 30, while the internal FFA class increased from 13 to 23. In exposed adults, the total mass of cuticular FFAs increased 1.7-fold, while the number of FFAs stayed the same (32 FFAs). Also, the internal FFA class increased from 26 to 35 and the total FFA mass increased 1.1-fold. These considerable differences between adults and pupae associated with C. coronatus exposure indicate developmental changes in the mechanisms governing lipid metabolism and spatial distribution in the organism, and suggest that cuticular lipids play a vital role in the defence against pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland;
- BIOMIBO, Strzygłowska 15, 04-872 Warsaw, Poland
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13
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Balotf S, Wilson R, Tegg RS, Nichols DS, Wilson CR. In Planta Transcriptome and Proteome Profiles of Spongospora subterranea in Resistant and Susceptible Host Environments Illuminates Regulatory Principles Underlying Host-Pathogen Interaction. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10090840. [PMID: 34571717 PMCID: PMC8471823 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Infections of potato tubers and roots by Spongospora subterranea result in powdery scab and root diseases. Losses due to infections with S. subterranea are substantial in most potato-growing regions of the world with no fully effective treatments available. Understanding the gene regulation of pathogens in their host is dependent on multidimensional datasets. In this study, we profiled the transcriptome and proteome of S. subterranea within the susceptible and resistant host. Enzyme activity and nucleic acid metabolism appear to be important to the virulence of S. subterranea. Our results provide a good resource for future functional studies of powdery scab and might be useful in S. subterranea inoculum management. Abstract Spongospora subterranea is an obligate biotrophic pathogen, causing substantial economic loss to potato industries globally. Currently, there are no fully effective management strategies for the control of potato diseases caused by S. subterranea. To further our understanding of S. subterranea biology during infection, we characterized the transcriptome and proteome of the pathogen during the invasion of roots of a susceptible and a resistant potato cultivar. A total of 7650 transcripts from S. subterranea were identified in the transcriptome analysis in which 1377 transcripts were differentially expressed between two cultivars. In proteome analysis, we identified 117 proteins with 42 proteins significantly changed in comparisons between resistant and susceptible cultivars. The functional annotation of transcriptome data indicated that the gene ontology terms related to the transportation and actin processes were induced in the resistant cultivar. The downregulation of enzyme activity and nucleic acid metabolism in the resistant cultivar suggests a probable influence of these processes in the virulence of S. subterranea. The protein analysis results indicated that the majority of differentially expressed proteins were related to the metabolic processes and transporter activity. The present study provides a comprehensive molecular insight into the multiple layers of gene regulation that contribute to S. subterranea infection and development in planta and illuminates the role of host immunity in affecting pathogen responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadegh Balotf
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, New Town Research Laboratories, University of Tasmania, New Town, TAS 7008, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.T.)
| | - Richard Wilson
- Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia; (R.W.); (D.S.N.)
| | - Robert S. Tegg
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, New Town Research Laboratories, University of Tasmania, New Town, TAS 7008, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.T.)
| | - David S. Nichols
- Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia; (R.W.); (D.S.N.)
| | - Calum R. Wilson
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, New Town Research Laboratories, University of Tasmania, New Town, TAS 7008, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.T.)
- Correspondence:
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Dodecanol, metabolite of entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus, affects fatty acid composition and cellular immunity of Galleria mellonella and Calliphora vicina. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15963. [PMID: 34354188 PMCID: PMC8342708 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95440-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
One group of promising pest control agents are the entomopathogenic fungi; one such example is Conidiobolus coronatus, which produces a range of metabolites. Our present findings reveal for the first time that C. coronatus also produces dodecanol, a compound widely used to make surfactants and pharmaceuticals, and enhance flavors in food. The main aim of the study was to determine the influence of dodecanol on insect defense systems, i.e. cuticular lipid composition and the condition of insect immunocompetent cells; hence, its effect was examined in detail on two species differing in susceptibility to fungal infection: Galleria mellonella and Calliphora vicina. Dodecanol treatment elicited significant quantitative and qualitative differences in cuticular free fatty acid (FFA) profiles between the species, based on gas chromatography analysis with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and had a negative effect on G. mellonella and C. vicina hemocytes and a Sf9 cell line in vitro: after 48 h, almost all the cells were completely disintegrated. The metabolite had a negative effect on the insect defense system, suggesting that it could play an important role during C. coronatus infection. Its high insecticidal activity and lack of toxicity towards vertebrates suggest it could be an effective insecticide.
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Kaczmarek A, Wrońska AK, Boguś MI, Kazek M, Gliniewicz A, Mikulak E, Matławska M. The type of blood used to feed Aedes aegypti females affects their cuticular and internal free fatty acid (FFA) profiles. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251100. [PMID: 33930098 PMCID: PMC8087090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of various arthropod-borne viral (arboviral) diseases such as dengue and Zika, is a popular laboratory model in vector biology. However, its maintenance in laboratory conditions is difficult, mostly because the females require blood meals to complete oogenesis, which is often provided as sheep blood. The outermost layer of the mosquito cuticle is consists of lipids which protects against numerous entomopathogens, prevents desiccation and plays an essential role in signalling processes. The aim of this work was to determine how the replacement of human blood with sheep blood affects the cuticular and internal FFA profiles of mosquitoes reared in laboratory culture. The individual FFAs present in cuticular and internal extracts from mosquito were identified and quantified by GC-MS method. The normality of their distribution was checked using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the Student's t-test was used to compare them. GC-MS analysis revealed similar numbers of internal and cuticular FFAs in the female mosquitoes fed sheep blood by membrane (MFSB) and naturally fed human blood (NFHB), however MFSB group demonstrated 3.1 times greater FFA concentrations in the cuticular fraction and 1.4 times the internal fraction than the NFHB group. In the MFSB group, FFA concentration was 1.6 times higher in the cuticular than the internal fraction, while for NFHB, FFA concentration was 1.3 times lower in the cuticular than the internal fraction. The concentration of C18:3 acid was 223 times higher in the internal fraction than the cuticle in the MHSB group but was absent in the NFHB group. MFSB mosquito demonstrate different FFA profiles to wild mosquitoes, which might influence their fertility and the results of vital processes studied under laboratory conditions. The membrane method of feeding mosquitoes is popular, but our research indicates significant differences in the FFA profiles of MFSB and NFHB. Such changes in FFA profile might influence female fertility, as well as other vital processes studied in laboratory conditions, such as the response to pesticides. Our work indicates that sheep blood has potential shortcomings as a substitute feed for human blood, as its use in laboratory studies may yield different results to those demonstrated by free-living mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- BIOMIBO, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michalina Kazek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Ewa Mikulak
- National Institute of Public Health—National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Matławska
- National Institute of Public Health—National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw, Poland
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16
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Galdino JS, Silva CAD, Zanuncio JC, Castellani MA. Susceptibility of Alabama argillacea and Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae to Beauveria bassiana associated with kaolin. BRAZ J BIOL 2020; 81:1023-1029. [PMID: 33111931 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.233340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The mortality of the Alabama argillacea and Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae caused by the kaolin inert powder and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana were determined under laboratory conditions. Using the caterpillar submersion method, the CG 138 B. bassiana isolate was more pathogenic to A. argillacea than the CG 70, GC 82, ESALQ 634, and ESALQ 645. All five tested isolates caused similar mortality of C. includens. The mortality of first-instar larvae of A. argillacea and C. includens by feeding on leaf-disc impregnated with B. bassiana (CG 138) and kaolin was also determined. Higher A. argillacea mortalities were observed in the B. bassiana (CG 138) treatments, regardless of the presence of kaolin. However, the activity of kaolin + B. bassiana (CG 138) against C. includens was higher than each ingredient alone, indicating an additive action against C. includes larvae. The mortality of A. argillacea and C. includens larvae treated with kaolin + B. bassiana (CG 138) was similar, and the A. argillacea mortality was higher than that of C. includens with kaolin and B. bassiana (GC 138) separated. The treatment kaolin + B. bassiana (CG 138) is promising for the simultaneous management of these two defoliator pests, mainly A. includes. In addition, the monophagous A. argillacea is more susceptible to both kaolin and B. bassiana (GC 138) than the polyphagous C. includens, suggesting that the nutritional ecology plays an important role in the susceptibility of these defoliator species to alternative insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Galdino
- Universidade Estadual da Paraíba - UEPB, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Agrárias, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil
| | - C A D Silva
- Universidade Estadual da Paraíba - UEPB, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Agrárias, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.,Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Laboratório de Entomologia, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Algodão, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil
| | - J C Zanuncio
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Departamento de Entomologia/BIOAGRO, Viçosa, MG, Brasil
| | - M A Castellani
- Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia - UESB, Departamento de Fitotecnia e Zootecnia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brasil
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17
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Kaczmarek A, Wrońska AK, Kazek M, Boguś MI. Metamorphosis-related changes in the free fatty acid profiles of Sarcophaga (Liopygia) argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830). Sci Rep 2020; 10:17337. [PMID: 33060748 PMCID: PMC7562915 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74475-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The flies of the Sarcophagidae, widespread throughout the temperate zone, are of great significance in Medicine, Veterinary science, Forensics and Entomotoxicology. Lipids are important elements of cell and organelle membranes and a source of energy for embryogenesis, metamorphosis and flight. Cuticular lipids protect from desiccation and act as recognition cues for species, nest mates and castes, and are a source of various pheromones. The free fatty acid (FFA) profile of cuticular and internal extracts of Sarcophaga (Liopygia) argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) larvae, pupae and adults was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The larvae, pupae and adults contained FFAs from C5:0 to C28:0. The extracts differed quantitatively and qualitatively from each other: C18:1 > C16:1 > C16:0 > C18:0 predominated in the cuticular and internal extracts from the larvae and adults, while 18:1 > C16:0 > C16:1 > C18:0 predominated in the pupae. The FFA profile of the cuticle varies considerably between each development stage: C23:0 and C25:0 are only present in larvae, C28:0 in the pupal cuticle, and C12:1 and C18:3 in internal extracts from adults. The mechanisms underlying this diversity are discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kaczmarek
- The Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- The Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michalina Kazek
- The Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- The Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Biomibo, Warsaw, Poland
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18
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Batalha MDMC, Goulart HF, Santana AEG, Barbosa LAO, Nascimento TG, da Silva MKH, Dornelas CB, Grillo LAM. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of cuticular and internal lipids of the insect Rhynchophorus palmarum. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 105:e21723. [PMID: 32623787 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Insect cuticle lipids are involved in various types of chemical communication between species, and reduce the penetration of insecticides, chemicals, and toxins, as well as provide protection against the attack of microorganisms, parasitic insects, and predators. Ecological studies related to the insect Rhynchophorus palmarum are well-known; however, very little is known about its resistance mechanisms, which includes its lipid composition and its importance, specifically the cuticle layer. This study aimed to characterize the cuticle and internal lipid compounds of the male and female R. palmarum adult insects and to evaluate the presence of antimicrobial activity. We performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyzes of lipid extracts fractions and we identified 10 methyl esters of fatty acids esters of C14 to C23, with variation between the sexes of C22:0, C21:0, present only in male cuticle, and C20:2 in female. The lipid content of this insect showed relevant amount of C16:1, C18:1, and C18:2. The antimicrobial activity of the cuticular and internal fractions obtained was tested, which resulted in minimum inhibitory concentrations between 12.5 and 20 μg/ml against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis), Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia), and fungal species (Candida albicans e Candida tropicalis). The antimicrobial effect of the R. palmarum cuticle open perspectives for a new source to bioinsecticidal strategies, in addition to elucidating a bioactive mixture against bacteria and fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana de M C Batalha
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Henrique F Goulart
- Agrarian Sciences Center, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Antônio E G Santana
- Agrarian Sciences Center, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Leandro A O Barbosa
- Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry, Federal University of São João del Rei, Dona Lindú Centro-Oeste Campus, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ticiano G Nascimento
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Meirielly K H da Silva
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Camila B Dornelas
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Luciano A M Grillo
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
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19
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Wang ZL, Pan HB, Huang J, Yu XP. The zinc finger transcription factors Bbctf1α and Bbctf1β regulate the expression of genes involved in lipid degradation and contribute to stress tolerance and virulence in a fungal insect pathogen. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:2589-2600. [PMID: 32077581 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To initiate insect infection, entomopathogenic fungi produce diverse cuticle-degrading enzymes. Of those, lipolytic enzymes participate in epicuticular lipid hydrolysis and thus facilitate fungal penetration through the outermost cuticular barrier of the insect host. The Far/CTF1-type zinc finger transcription factors play an important role in the regulation of lipolytic activity and fungal pathogenicity in plant pathogens but remain functionally unknown in fungal insect pathogens. RESULTS Two Far/CTF1-type transcription factor Bbctf1α and Bbctf1β, which are essential for differential expression of genes involved in the fungal lipid degradation, were identified and functionally characterized in a fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana. Disruption of each gene led to drastic losses of extracellular lipolytic activities under lipidic substrate-inducing conditions, followed by remarkable phenotypic defects associated with the fungal biocontrol potential. These defects mainly included severe impairments of mycelial growth and conidium formation, and drastic losses of tolerance to the stresses of oxidation and cell wall perturbation during colony growth under either normal or induction conditions. Bioassays showed that the virulence of each disruption mutant on the greater wax moth was remarkably attenuated in topical immersion. However, there was no significant difference in intrahemolymph injection when the cuticle penetration process was bypassed. CONCLUSIONS Bbctf1α and Bbctf1β are multifunctional transcription factors that play vital roles in the regulation of fungal lipid utilization and contribute to the vegetative growth, sporulation capacity, environmental fitness and pest control potential in B. bassiana. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Liang Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Bo Pan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Jue Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Ping Yu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou Zhejiang, P. R. China
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20
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Kaczmarek A, Boguś MI, Włóka E, Wrońska AK, Krawiel A, Kazek M, Zalewska K, Kłocińska-Biały K, Sobocińska M, Gliniewicz A, Mikulak E, Matławska M. The interaction between cuticle free fatty acids (FFAs) of the cockroaches Blattella germanica and Blatta orientalis and hydrolases produced by the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235785. [PMID: 32645074 PMCID: PMC7347226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The interactions between entomopathogenic fungi and insects serve a classic example of a co-evolutionary arms race between pathogens and their target host. The cuticle, site of the first contact between insects and entomopathogenic fungus, is an important defensive barrier against pathogens. It is covered by a layer of lipids that appears to play a key role in these processes and cuticular free fatty acid (FFA) profiles are consider as a determinant of susceptibility, or resistance, to fungal infections. These profiles are species-specific. The cockroaches Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Blattidae) and Blatta orientalis (Blattodea: Ectobiidae) are unsusceptible to the soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomophthorales: Ancylistaceae) infection, therefore we studied the profiles of FFAs in order to understand the defensive capabilities of the cockroaches. The fungus was cultivated for three weeks in minimal medium. Cell-free filtrate was obtained, assayed for elastase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, chitobiosidase and lipase activity, and then used for in vitro hydrolysis of the cuticle from wings and thoraces of adults and oothecae. The amounts of amino acids, N-glucosamine and FFAs released from the hydrolysed cuticle samples were measured after eight hours of incubation. The FFA profiles of the cuticle of adults, and the wings, thoraces and oothecae of both species were established using GC-MS and the results were correlated with the effectiveness of fungal proteases, chitinases and lipases in the hydrolyzation of cuticle samples. Positive correlations would suggest the existence of compounds used by the fungus as nutrients, whereas negative correlations may indicate that these compounds could be engaged in insect defence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- BIOMIBO, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Emilia Włóka
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Michalina Kazek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | - Ewa Mikulak
- National Institute of Public Health–National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Matławska
- National Institute of Public Health–National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw, Poland
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21
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Wrońska AK, Boguś MI. Heat shock proteins (HSP 90, 70, 60, and 27) in Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) hemolymph are affected by infection with Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomophthorales). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228556. [PMID: 32027696 PMCID: PMC7004346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Invertebrates are becoming more popular models for research on the immune system. The innate immunity possessed by insects shows both structural and functional similarity to the resistance displayed by mammals, and many processes occurring in insect hemocytes are similar to those that occur in mammals. The humoral immune response in insects acts by melanization, clotting and the production of reactive oxygen species and antimicrobial peptides, while the cellular immunity system is based on nodulation, encapsulation and phagocytosis. An increasingly popular insect model in biological research is Galleria mellonella, whose larvae are sensitive to infection by the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus, which can also be dangerous to humans. One group of factors that modulate the response of the immune system during infection in mammals are heat shock proteins (HSPs). The aim of this study was to investigate whether infection by C. coronatus in G. mellonella hemolymph is accompanied by an increase of HSP90, HSP70, HSP60 and HSP27. Larvae (five-day-old last instar) were exposed for 24 hours to fully-grown and sporulating fungus. Hemolymph was collected either immediately after termination of exposure (F24) or 24 hours later (F48). The concentration of the HSPs in hemolymph was determined using ELISA. Immunolocalization in hemocytes was performed using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. HSP90, HSP70, HSP60 and HSP27 were found to be present in the G. mellonella hemocytes. HSP60 and HSP90 predominated in healthy insects, with HSP70 and HSP27 being found in trace amounts; HSP60 and HSP27 were elevated in F24 and F48, and HSP90 was elevated in F48. The fungal infection had no effect on HSP70 levels. These findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying the interaction between the innate insect immune response and entomopathogen infection. The results of this innovative study may have a considerable impact on research concerning innate immunology and insect physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Warsaw, Poland
- BIOMIBO, Warsaw, Poland
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Tomilova OG, Yaroslavtseva ON, Ganina MD, Tyurin MV, Chernyak EI, Senderskiy IV, Noskov YA, Polenogova OV, Akhanaev YB, Kryukov VY, Glupov VV, Morozov SV. Changes in antifungal defence systems during the intermoult period in the Colorado potato beetle. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 116:106-117. [PMID: 31077710 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Susceptibility to the fungus Metarhizium robertsii and changes in host defences were evaluated in different stages of the intermoult period (4-6 h, 34-36 h and 84-86 h post moult in IV larval instars) of the Colorado potato beetle. A significant thickening of the cuticle during larval growth was accompanied by decreases in cuticle melanization, phenoloxidase activity and epicuticular hydrocarbon contents (C28-C32). At the same time, a decrease in the conidial adhesion rate and an increase in resistance to the fungus were observed. In addition, we recorded significant elevation of the encapsulation rate and total haemocyte counts in the haemolymph during the specified period. The activity of detoxification enzymes decreased in the haemolymph but increased in the fat body during larval growth. No significant differences in the fatty acid content in the epicuticle were observed. The role of developmental disorders in susceptibility to entomopathogenic fungi is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana G Tomilova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, st. Frunze 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
| | - Olga N Yaroslavtseva
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, st. Frunze 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
| | - Mariya D Ganina
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Academician Lavrentyev Ave., 9, 630090, Russia
| | - Maksim V Tyurin
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, st. Frunze 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
| | - Elena I Chernyak
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Academician Lavrentyev Ave., 9, 630090, Russia
| | - Igor V Senderskiy
- All-Russia Institute of Plant Protection, sh. Podbel'skogo, 3, St. Petersburg - Pushkin, 196608, Russia
| | - Yury A Noskov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, st. Frunze 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia; Tomsk State University, st. Lenin, 36, Tomsk 634050, Russia
| | - Olga V Polenogova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, st. Frunze 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
| | - Yuriy B Akhanaev
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, st. Frunze 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
| | - Vadim Yu Kryukov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, st. Frunze 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia.
| | - Viktor V Glupov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, st. Frunze 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
| | - Sergey V Morozov
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Academician Lavrentyev Ave., 9, 630090, Russia
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Diet influences the bacterial and free fatty acid profiles of the cuticle of Galleria mellonella larvae. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211697. [PMID: 30730940 PMCID: PMC6366757 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary success of insects is arguably due to their ability to build up a complex, highly-adaptable and very effective defense system against numerous pathogens, including entomopathogenic fungi. This system relies on the humoral immune system and cellular defense reactions. The first line of defense against biological pathogens is a cuticle formed of several layers. The cuticular lipids may contain hydrocarbons, free fatty acids (FFA), alcohols, waxes, glycerides, aldehydes and sterols. Cuticular fatty acids may also play a role in defending against fungal invasion. Our present findings show that the diet of insects can have a significant effect on their sensitivity and defense response to pathogens; for example, while G. mellonella larvae fed on beeswax had a similar appearance to those reared on a semi-artificial diet, they possessed a different cuticular free fatty acid (FFA) profile to those fed on a semi-artificial diet, and were less sensitive to Conidiobolus coronatus infection. It is possible that the presence of heneicosenoic acid (C21:1) and other long-chain free fatty acids (C22:0, C24:0, C26:0), as well as Brevibacillus laterosporus bacteria, on the cuticle of larvae fed on beeswax, plays a protective role against fungal invasion. Insect pests represent a global problem. An understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying the fungal infection of insects might provide a clearer insight into their defenses, thus allowing the design of more effective, and environmentally-friendly, means of controlling them. The greater wax moth is an excellent model for the study of immunology resistance. Knowledge of the influence of diet on pathogen resistance in insects can be also useful for creating a model of human diseases caused by pathogens, such as Candia albicans.
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