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Ferrelli ML, Salvador R. Effects of Mixed Baculovirus Infections in Biological Control: A Comprehensive Historical and Technical Analysis. Viruses 2023; 15:1838. [PMID: 37766245 PMCID: PMC10534452 DOI: 10.3390/v15091838] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Baculoviruses are insect-specific DNA viruses that have been exploited as bioinsecticides for the control of agricultural and forest pests around the world. Mixed infections with two different baculoviruses have been found in nature, infecting the same host. They have been studied to understand the biology of virus interactions, their effects on susceptible insects, and their insecticidal implications. In this work, we summarize and analyze the in vivo baculovirus co-infections reported in the literature, mainly focusing on pest biocontrol applications. We discuss the most common terms used to describe the effects of mixed infections, such as synergism, neutralism, and antagonism, and how to determine them based on host mortality. Frequently, baculovirus co-infections found in nature are caused by a combination of a nucleopolyhedrovirus and a granulovirus. Studies performed with mixed infections indicated that viral dose, larval stage, or the presence of synergistic factors in baculovirus occlusion bodies are important for the type of virus interaction. We also enumerate and discuss technical aspects to take into account in studies on mixed infections, such as statistical procedures, quantification of viral inocula, the selection of instars, and molecular methodologies for an appropriate analysis of baculovirus interaction. Several experimental infections using two different baculoviruses demonstrated increased viral mortality or a synergistic effect on the target larvae compared to single infections. This can be exploited to improve the baculovirus-killing properties of commercial formulations. In this work, we offer a current overview of baculovirus interactions in vivo and discuss their potential applications in pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Leticia Ferrelli
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM, UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Salvador
- Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola (IMyZA), Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias (CICVyA), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Nicolás Repetto y de los Reseros s/n, Hurlingham 1686, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Miles S, Mourglia-Ettlin G, Fernández V. Expanding the family of Mu-class glutathione transferases in the cestode parasite Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Gene 2022; 835:146659. [PMID: 35680021 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146659] [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: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Glutathione transferases (GSTs) perform catalytic and non-catalytic activities, mostly involved in stress-response and cell detoxification. Helminth parasites express several GSTs of multiple classes that are involved in the neutralization of potentially harmful oxidants, and in the inactivation or removal of xenobiotics. Additionally, GSTs participate in immunomodulatory processes that facilitate the parasite establishment and survival within its host. In Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) -the cestode parasite responsible for cystic echinococcosis- only one Mu-class GST has been reported. In the present work, by using bioinformatic and proteomic approaches we searched for novel Mu-class GSTs potentially involved in the parasite oxidative-stress metabolism. In the genome of E. granulosus s.l., 6 GST-related sequences were found to constitute a strongly conserved phylogenetical clade with Mu-class members. Among them, 5 displayed conserved gene structure (exon/intron), as well as specific residues and motifs characteristic of Mu-class enzymes. By proteomic analysis, 3 Mu-GSTs were identified to be expressed in the protoscolex parasite stage, 2 of them being firstly described as Mu-class GSTs here. The existence of more than one productive Mu-GST gene expands the parasite xenobiotic phase II metabolism, which might have beneficial roles on E. granulosus s.l. ability to successfully infect its host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Miles
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química - Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Graduate Program in Chemistry, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Gustavo Mourglia-Ettlin
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química - Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Verónica Fernández
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química - Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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The Threat of Pests and Pathogens and the Potential for Biological Control in Forest Ecosystems. FORESTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/f12111579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Forests are an essential component of the natural environment, as they support biodiversity, sequester carbon, and play a crucial role in biogeochemical cycles—in addition to producing organic matter that is necessary for the function of terrestrial organisms. Forests today are subject to threats ranging from natural occurrences, such as lightning-ignited fires, storms, and some forms of pollution, to those caused by human beings, such as land-use conversion (deforestation or intensive agriculture). In recent years, threats from pests and pathogens, particularly non-native species, have intensified in forests. The damage, decline, and mortality caused by insects, fungi, pathogens, and combinations of pests can lead to sizable ecological, economic, and social losses. To combat forest pests and pathogens, biocontrol may be an effective alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers. This review of forest pests and potential adversaries in the natural world highlights microbial inoculants, as well as research efforts to further develop biological control agents against forest pests and pathogens. Recent studies have shown promising results for the application of microbial inoculants as preventive measures. Other studies suggest that these species have potential as fertilizers.
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Miles S, Velasco-de-Andrés M, Lozano F, Mourglia-Ettlin G. Interactome analysis of CD5 and CD6 ectodomains with tegumental antigens from the helminth parasite Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 164:3718-3728. [PMID: 32891642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) is a cestode parasite affecting both human and livestock health. Recombinant ectodomains of human scavenger receptors CD5 (rshCD5) and CD6 (rshCD6) were previously reported to bind its tegumental antigens and to exert prophylactic effects in a murine model of infection. Although the properties of mammalian scavenger receptors include the binding to diverse pathogen-derived structures, their interaction with helminth parasites has been scarcely explored. Therefore, we report here a search for CD5 and CD6 interactors within E. granulosus s.l. antigens. Mass spectrometry analysis of pull-downs from soluble tegumental components with biotinylated rshCD5 and rshCD6 resulted in 17 and 11 overrepresented interactors, respectively, 8 of which were shared. The interactors included previously reported protective molecules against E. granulosus s.l. and/or other helminths. Similar studies performed with 11-mer peptides mapping to each of the three extracellular scavenger domains of CD5 and CD6 allowed an estimated molecular topology of the interactions. In conclusion, the fact that most helminth interactors identified for rshCD5 and rshCD6 were already reported as vaccine candidates or pharmacological targets against different helminthiases, supports the view that their beneficial effects in experimental infection results from binding to multiple relevant tegumental antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Miles
- Área Inmunología, Facultad de Química/Facultad de Ciencias, DEPBIO/IQB, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Velasco-de-Andrés
- Immunoreceptors del Sistema Innat i Adaptatiu, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Lozano
- Immunoreceptors del Sistema Innat i Adaptatiu, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Servei d'Immunologia, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Biomedicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Gustavo Mourglia-Ettlin
- Área Inmunología, Facultad de Química/Facultad de Ciencias, DEPBIO/IQB, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Fabre ML, Masson T, Haase S, Ferrelli ML, Romanowski V. A simplified strategy to package foreign proteins into baculovirus occlusion bodies without engineering the viral genome. J Biotechnol 2020; 307:175-181. [PMID: 31715205 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2019.10.017] [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: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Polyhedron envelope protein (PEP) is the major component of the calyx that surrounds the baculovirus occlusion body (OB). PEP has been associated with the stabilization and resistance of polyhedra in the environment. Due to the abundant levels of PEP in OBs, we decided to use this protein as a fusion partner to redirect foreign proteins to baculovirus polyhedra. In this study we developed a strategy that involves the generation of a monoclonal transformed insect cell line expressing a protein of interest fused to the the Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) N-terminus of PEP that enables the packaging of foreign proteins into the OBs without generating a recombinant baculovirus. This proved to be an efficient platform that could be exploited to improve wild type baculovirus for their use as bioinsecticides without facing the concerns of releasing genetically modified DNA to the environment and bypassing the associated regulatory issues. We demonstrated, using immunological, proteomic and microscopy techniques, that the envelope of AgMNPV OBs can effectively trap chimeric proteins in an infected insect cell line expressing AgMNPV PEP fused to the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). Furthermore, packaging of chimeric PEP also took place with heterologous OBs such as those of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), another group I alphabaculovirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Laura Fabre
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM, UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tomás Masson
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM, UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago Haase
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM, UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Leticia Ferrelli
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM, UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Víctor Romanowski
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM, UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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