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Zhao WJ, Li Y, Jiao ZL, Su PP, Yang LB, Sun CQ, Xiu JF, Shang XL, Guo G. Function analysis and characterisation of a novel chitinase, MdCht9, in Musca domestica. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:157-172. [PMID: 38160324 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Insect chitinases have been proposed as potential targets for pest control. In this work, a novel group IV chitinase gene, MdCht9, from Musca domestica was found to have multiple functions in the physiological activity, including chitin regulation, development and antifungal immunity. The MdCht9 gene was cloned and sequenced, its phylogeny was analysed and its expression was determined in normal and 20E treated larvae. Subsequently, RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated MdCht9 knockdown was performed, followed by biochemical assays, morphological observations and transcriptome analysis. Finally, the recombinant protein MdCht9 (rMdCht9) was purified and tested for anti-microbial activity and enzyme characteristics. The results showed that MdCht9 consists of three domains, highly expressed in a larval salivary gland. RNAi silencing of MdCht9 resulted in significant down-regulation of chitin content and expression of 15 chitin-binding protein (CBP) genes, implying a new insight that MdCht9 might regulate chitin content by influencing the expression of CBPs. In addition, more than half of the lethality and partial wing deformity appeared due to the dsMdCht9 treatment. In addition, the rMdCht9 exhibited anti-microbial activity towards Candida albicans (fungus) but not towards Escherichia coli (G-) or Staphylococcus aureus (G+). Our work expands on previous studies of chitinase while providing a potential target for pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jing Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yan Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhen-Long Jiao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Pei-Pei Su
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Long-Bing Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Chao-Qin Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jiang-Fan Xiu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiao-Li Shang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control (Guizhou Medical University), Ministry of Education, Guiyang, China
| | - Guo Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control (Guizhou Medical University), Ministry of Education, Guiyang, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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Gama MDVF, Moraes CS, Gomes B, Diaz-Albiter HM, Mesquita RD, Seabra-Junior E, Azambuja P, Garcia EDS, Genta FA. Structure and expression of Rhodnius prolixus GH18 chitinases and chitinase-like proteins: Characterization of the physiological role of RpCht7, a gene from subgroup VIII, in vector fitness and reproduction. Front Physiol 2022; 13:861620. [PMID: 36262251 PMCID: PMC9574080 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.861620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chitinases are enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of glycosidic linkages within chitin chains. In insects, chitinases are typically members of the multigenic glycoside hydrolase family 18 (GH18). They participate in the relocation of chitin during development and molt, and in digestion in detritivores and predatory insects, and they control the peritrophic membrane thickness. Chitin metabolism is a promising target for developing vector control strategies, and knowledge of the roles of chitinases may reveal new targets and illuminate unique aspects of their physiology and interaction with microorganisms. Rhodnius prolixus is an important vector of Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In this study, we performed annotation and structural characterization of nine chitinase and chitinase-like protein genes in the R. prolixus genome. The roles of their corresponding transcripts were studied in more depth; their physiological roles were studied through RNAi silencing. Phylogenetic analysis of coding sequences showed that these genes belong to different subfamilies of GH18 chitinases already described in other insects. The expression patterns of these genes in different tissues and developmental stages were initially characterized using RT-PCR. RNAi screening showed silencing of the gene family members with very different efficiencies. Based on the knockdown results and the general lack of information about subgroup VIII of GH18, the RpCht7 gene was chosen for phenotype analysis. RpCht7 knockdown doubled the mortality in starving fifth-instar nymphs compared to dsGFP-injected controls. However, it did not alter blood intake, diuresis, digestion, molting rate, molting defects, sexual ratio, percentage of hatching, or average hatching time. Nevertheless, female oviposition was reduced by 53% in RpCht7-silenced insects, and differences in oviposition occurred within 14–20 days after a saturating blood meal. These results suggest that RpCht7 may be involved in the reproductive physiology and vector fitness of R. prolixus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bruno Gomes
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hector Manuel Diaz-Albiter
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, ECOSUR, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Rafael Dias Mesquita
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eloy Seabra-Junior
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Azambuja
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eloi de Souza Garcia
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ariel Genta
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Fernando Ariel Genta, ,
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Jain V, Mishra PK, Mishra M, Prakash V. Constitutive expression and discovery of antimicrobial peptides in Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Proteins 2021; 90:465-475. [PMID: 34536291 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26239] [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: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The expression, identification, and discovery of less toxic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are significant in managing infectious pathogens. AMPs triggered in response to the immune system have evolved to defend against pathogens and wounding. The protein composition of Zygogramma bicolorata hemolymph is of diagnostic importance as the open circulatory systems of the insects involve signaling through hemolymph. They have conserved many ancestral vertebrate genes that may help better understand the evolution of innate immunity. The present work describes the isolation, purification, identification, and bioinformatics analysis of AMPs from the immunized hemolymph of Z. bicolorata. Thirty-nine peptides were isolated from reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and sequenced via mass spectrometry analysis. The immunization process recorded a threefold higher protein concentration in immunized hemolymph when compared with nonimmunized one. For the first time, the proteomic study on Z. bicolorata hemolymph unveils the three novel proteins in the family Chrysomelidae with no homology in the database, indicating its novelty and the expression of the rest of 36 well-known proteins, including heat-shock, immune, structural, signaling proteins, and others speak for its method validity. Combining the expression of novel AMPs, detoxifying enzymes, hemolytic, and cytotoxic assays, and this work can elucidate new pathways to immune response mechanisms. Its molecular basis also holds the potential applicability in the future drug development process against pathogenic fungi such as Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijaylakshmi Jain
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, India
| | - Pankaj Kishor Mishra
- Medical Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Medical College, Raipur, India
| | - Meenakshi Mishra
- School of Life and Allied Sciences, ITM University Atal Nagar, Raipur, India
| | - Veeru Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Biochemical Engineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, India
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Ferreira TN, Barufi JB, Horta PA, Castro DP, Genta FA. Beta-1,3-glucanase inhibitors in Brazilian brown seaweed. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2021; 93:e20191402. [PMID: 34378638 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202120191402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta-1,3-glucanases are enzymes that hydrolyze beta-1,3-glucans, and they are essential for the metabolism of seaweed, plants and fungi. These enzymes also participate in the digestion of herbivore and fungivore animals. Because of the importance of these enzymes in insects, beta-1,3-glucanase inhibitors may be used for the development of new control strategies against agricultural pests and disease vectors. Beta-1,3-glucanase inhibitors have been described in the brown seaweed Laminaria cichorioides, but were never recorded in Brazilian seaweed species. We evaluated the presence of beta-1,3-glucanase inhibitors in samples of Padina gymnospora, Dictyota sp., Colpomenia sinuosa, and Lobophora sp., collected in Arraial d'Ajuda (Bahia). Ethanolic or buffer extracts were used in inhibition tests against the beta-1,3-glucanase of Trichoderma sp. Extracts in buffer showed no inhibition, but ethanolic extracts from all species showed different extents of inhibition. Samples from Dictyota sp. and P. gymnospora showed inhibitions above 75% (absolute ethanol) or 50% (ethanol 50%). In summary, extraction with absolute ethanol resulted in better inhibitions, and P. gymnospora showed the higher inhibitions. Brazilian seaweed may be good sources of beta-1,3-glucanase inhibitors for biochemical and physiological studies of these enzymes. Besides that, these molecules show potential for the development of new biotechnological tools for insect control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tainá N Ferreira
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Pav. Leônidas Deane, sala 207, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José B Barufi
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Universitário Trindade, Rua Engenheiro Agronômico Andrei Cristian Ferreira, 216, Carvoeira, 88040-535 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Paulo A Horta
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Universitário Trindade, Rua Engenheiro Agronômico Andrei Cristian Ferreira, 216, Carvoeira, 88040-535 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Daniele P Castro
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Pav. Leônidas Deane, sala 207, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco D-SS, Sala 05, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, 21941902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernando A Genta
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Pav. Leônidas Deane, sala 207, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco D-SS, Sala 05, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, 21941902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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5
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Rêgo FD, Soares RP. Lutzomyia longipalpis: an update on this sand fly vector. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2021; 93:e20200254. [PMID: 33950136 DOI: 10.1590/0001-37652021xxxx] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lutzomyia longipalpis is the most important vector of Leishmania infantum, the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the New World. It is a permissive vector susceptible to infection with several Leishmania species. One of the advantages that favors the study of this sand fly is the possibility of colonization in the laboratory. For this reason, several researchers around the world use this species as a model for different subjects including biology, insecticides testing, host-parasite interaction, physiology, genetics, proteomics, molecular biology, and saliva among others. In 2003, we published our first review (Soares & Turco 2003) on this vector covering several aspects of Lu. longipalpis. This current review summarizes what has been published between 2003-2020. During this period, modern approaches were incorporated following the development of more advanced and sensitive techniques to assess this sand fly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe D Rêgo
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ/MG), Instituto René Rachou, Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, 30180-104 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Pedro Soares
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ/MG), Instituto René Rachou, Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, 30180-104 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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RÊGO FELIPED, SOARES RODRIGOPEDRO. Lutzomyia longipalpis: an update on this sand fly vector. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202120200254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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7
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Henriques BS, Garcia ES, Azambuja P, Genta FA. Determination of Chitin Content in Insects: An Alternate Method Based on Calcofluor Staining. Front Physiol 2020; 11:117. [PMID: 32132935 PMCID: PMC7040371 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chitin is an aminopolysaccharide present in yeast cells and arthropod cuticle and is one of the most abundant biopolymers. The conventional methods for the quantitation of chitin content in biological samples are based on its hydrolysis (acid or enzymatic), and the assessment of the byproduct, glucosamine. However, previously described methodologies are time-consuming, laborious, low throughput, and not applicable to insect samples in many cases. Here we describe a new approach to chitin content quantitation based on calcofluor fluorescent brightener staining of samples, followed by microplate fluorescence readings. Calcofluor is a specific chitin stain commonly used for topological localization of the polymer. The protocol was tested in three important disease vector species, namely Lutzomyia longipalpis, Aedes aegypti, and Rhodnius prolixus, and then compared to a classic colorimetric chitin assessment method. Results show that chitin content in the tested insects can vary largely in a range of 8–4600 micrograms of chitin per insect, depending on species, sex, and instar. Comparisons between measurements from the previous protocol and calcofluor method showed statistically significant differences in some samples. However, the difference might be due to interference in the classic method from non-chitin sources of glucosamine and reducing agents. Furthermore, chitinase hydrolysis reduces the total chitin mass estimated between 36 and 74%, consolidating the fluorescent measurements as actual stained chitin in the same extent that was observed with the standard protocol. Therefore, the calcofluor staining method revealed to be a fast and reliable technique for chitin quantitation in homogenized insect samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Santos Henriques
- Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Oswaldo Cruz Institute - Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC-FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eloi Souza Garcia
- Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Oswaldo Cruz Institute - Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC-FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology (INCT-EM), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia Azambuja
- Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Oswaldo Cruz Institute - Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC-FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ariel Genta
- Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Oswaldo Cruz Institute - Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC-FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology (INCT-EM), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Waldron R, McGowan J, Gordon N, Mitchell EB, Fitzpatrick DA, Doyle S. Characterisation of three novel β-1,3 glucanases from the medically important house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (airmid). INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 115:103242. [PMID: 31520716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The European house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is a major source of airborne allergens worldwide and is found in half of European homes. Interactions between microbes and house dust mites (HDM) are considered important factors that allow them to persist in the home. Laboratory studies indicate the European HDM, D. pteronyssinus is a mycophagous mite, capable of utilising a variety of fungi for nutrients, however specific mycolytic digestive enzymes are unknown. Our previous work identified a number of putative glycosyl hydrolases present in the predicted proteome of D. pteronyssinus airmid and validated the expression of 42 of these. Of note, three GH16 proteins with predicted β-1,3 glucanase activity were found to be consistently present in the mite body and excretome. Here, we performed an extensive bioinformatic, proteomic and biochemical study to characterize three-novel β-1,3 glucanases from this medically important house dust mite. The genes encoding novel β-1,3 glucanases designated Glu1, Glu2 and Glu3 were identified in D. pteronyssinus airmid, each exhibited more than 59% amino acid identity to one another. These enzymes are encoded by Glu genes present in a tri-gene cluster and protein homologs are found in other acari. The patchy phyletic distribution of Glu proteins means their evolutionary history remains elusive, however horizontal gene transfer cannot be completely excluded. Recombinant Glu1 and Glu2 exhibit hydrolytic activity toward laminarin, pachyman and barley glucan. Excreted β-1,3 glucanase activity was increased in response to D. pteronyssinus airmid feeding on baker's yeast. Active β-1,3 glucanases are expressed and excreted in the faeces of D. pteronyssinus airmid indicating they are digestive enzymes capable of breaking down β-1,3 glucans of fungi present in house dust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Waldron
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Airmid Healthgroup Ltd., Trinity Enterprise Campus, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jamie McGowan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Human Health Research Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Natasha Gordon
- Airmid Healthgroup Ltd., Trinity Enterprise Campus, Dublin, Ireland
| | - E Bruce Mitchell
- Airmid Healthgroup Ltd., Trinity Enterprise Campus, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David A Fitzpatrick
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Human Health Research Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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da Costa SG, Bates P, Dillon R, Genta FA. Characterization of α-Glucosidases From Lutzomyia longipalpis Reveals Independent Hydrolysis Systems for Plant or Blood Sugars. Front Physiol 2019; 10:248. [PMID: 31024327 PMCID: PMC6468571 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum and exploits different food sources during development. Adults have a diet rich in sugars, and females also feed on blood. The sugar diet is essential for maintaining longevity, infection, and Leishmaniasis transmission. Carbohydrases, including α-glucosidases, are the main enzymes involved in the digestion of sugars. In this context, we studied the modulation of α-glucosidase activities in different feeding conditions and compartments of Lutzomyia longipalpis females, in order to characterize in detail their roles in the physiology of this insect. All tissues showed activity against MUαGlu and sucrose, with highest activities in the midgut and crop. Activity was 1,000 times higher on sucrose than on MUαGlu. Basal activities were observed in non-fed insects; blood feeding induced activity in the midgut contents, and sugar feeding modulated activity in midgut tissues. α-glucosidase activity changed after female exposure to different sugar concentrations or moieties. α-glucosidases from different tissues showed different biochemical properties, with an optimum pH around 7.0-8.0 and K M between 0.37 and 4.7 mM, when MUαGlu was used as substrate. Using sucrose as substrate, the optimum pH was around 6.0, and K M ranges between 11 and 800 mM. Enzymes from the crop and midgut tissues showed inhibition in high substrate concentrations (sucrose), with K I ranging from 39 to 400 mM, which explains the high K M values found. Chromatographic profiles confirmed that different α-glucosidases are been produced in L. longipalpis in different physiological contexts, with the distinction of at least four α-glucosidases. The results suggest that some of these enzymes are involved in different metabolic processes, like digestion of plant sugars, digestion of blood glycoproteins or glycolipids, and mobilization of energetic storages during starvation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara G. da Costa
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paul Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Rod Dillon
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ariel Genta
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Souza RS, Gama MDVF, Schama R, Lima JBP, Diaz-Albiter HM, Genta FA. Biochemical and Functional Characterization of Glycoside Hydrolase Family 16 Genes in Aedes aegypti Larvae: Identification of the Major Digestive β-1,3-Glucanase. Front Physiol 2019; 10:122. [PMID: 30873040 PMCID: PMC6403176 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect β-1,3-glucanases belong to Glycoside Hydrolase Family 16 (GHF16) and are involved in digestion of detritus and plant hemicellulose. In this work, we investigated the role of GHF16 genes in Aedes aegypti larvae, due to their detritivore diet. Aedes aegypti genome has six genes belonging to GHF16 (Aae GH16.1 – Aae GH16.6), containing two to six exons. Sequence analysis suggests that five of these GHF16 sequences (Aae GH16.1, 2, 3, 5, and 6) contain the conserved catalytic residues of this family and correspond to glucanases. All genomes of Nematocera analyzed showed putative gene duplications corresponding to these sequences. Aae GH16.4 has no conserved catalytic residues and is probably a β-1,3-glucan binding protein involved in the activation of innate immune responses. Additionally, Ae. aegypti larvae contain significant β-1,3-glucanase activities in the head, gut and rest of body. These activities have optimum pH about 5–6 and molecular masses between 41 and 150 kDa. All GHF16 genes above showed different levels of expression in the larval head, gut or rest of the body. Knock-down of AeGH16.5 resulted in survival and pupation rates lower than controls (dsGFP and water treated). However, under stress conditions, severe mortalities were observed in AeGH16.1 and AeGH16.6 knocked-down larvae. Enzymatic assays of β-1,3-glucanase in AeGH16.5 silenced larvae exhibited lower activity in the gut and no change in the rest of the body. Chromatographic activity profiles from gut samples after GH16.5 silencing showed suppression of enzymatic activity, suggesting that this gene codes for the digestive larval β-1,3-glucanase of Ae. aegypti. This gene and enzyme are attractive targets for new control strategies, based on the impairment of normal gut physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Santos Souza
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maiara do Valle Faria Gama
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renata Schama
- Laboratory of Systems and Computational Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José Bento Pereira Lima
- Laboratory of Physiology and Control of Arthropod Vectors, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Ariel Genta
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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11
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Chen B, Yu T, Xie S, Du K, Liang X, Lan Y, Sun C, Lu X, Shao Y. Comparative shotgun metagenomic data of the silkworm Bombyx mori gut microbiome. Sci Data 2018; 5:180285. [PMID: 30532085 PMCID: PMC6289112 DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2018.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) is a major insect order including important pollinators and agricultural pests, however their microbiomes are little studied. Here, using next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based shotgun metagenomics, we characterize both the biodiversity and functional potential of gut microbiota of a lepidopteran model insect, the silkworm Bombyx mori. Two metagenomes, including the standard inbred strain Dazao (P50) and an improved hybrid strain Qiufeng × Baiyu (QB) widely used in commercial silk production, were generated, containing 45,505,084 and 69,127,002 raw reads, respectively. Taxonomic analysis revealed that a total of 663 bacterial species were identified in P50 silkworms, while 322 unique species in QB silkworms. Notably, Enterobacter, Acinetobacter and Enterococcus were dominated in both strains. The further functional annotation was performed by both BlastP and MG-RAST against various databases including Nr, COG, KEGG, CAZy and SignalP, which revealed >5 × 106 protein-coding genes. These datasets not only provide first insights into all bacterial genes in silkworm guts, but also help to generate hypotheses for subsequently testing functional traits of gut microbiota in an important insect group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bosheng Chen
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Yu
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sen Xie
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaiqian Du
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xili Liang
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yahua Lan
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Sun
- Analysis Centre of Agrobiology and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xingmeng Lu
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongqi Shao
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
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12
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Ortigão-Farias JR, Di-Blasi T, Telleria EL, Andorinho AC, Lemos-Silva T, Ramalho-Ortigão M, Tempone AJ, Traub-Csekö YM. Alternative splicing originates different domain structure organization of Lutzomyia longipalpis chitinases. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2018; 113:96-101. [PMID: 29236932 PMCID: PMC5722264 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760170179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The insect chitinase gene family is composed by more than 10 paralogs, which
can codify proteins with different domain structures. In Lutzomyia
longipalpis, the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in
Brazil, a chitinase cDNA from adult female insects was previously
characterized. The predicted protein contains one catalytic domain and one
chitin-binding domain (CBD). The expression of this gene coincided with the
end of blood digestion indicating a putative role in peritrophic matrix
degradation. OBJECTIVES To determine the occurrence of alternative splicing in chitinases of
L. longipalpis. METHODS We sequenced the LlChit1 gene from a genomic clone and the
three spliced forms obtained by reverse transcription polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR) using larvae cDNA. FINDINGS We showed that LlChit1 from L. longipalpis
immature forms undergoes alternative splicing. The spliced form
corresponding to the adult cDNA was named LlChit1A and the two larvae
specific transcripts were named LlChit1B and LlChit1C. The B and C forms
possess stop codons interrupting the translation of the CBD. The A form is
present in adult females post blood meal, L4 larvae and pre-pupae, while the
other two forms are present only in L4 larvae and disappear just before
pupation. Two bands of the expected size were identified by Western blot
only in L4 larvae. MAIN CONCLUSIONS We show for the first time alternative splicing generating chitinases with
different domain structures increasing our understanding on the finely
regulated digestion physiology and shedding light on a potential target for
controlling L. longipalpis larval development.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Ramalho Ortigão-Farias
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Tatiana Di-Blasi
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Erich Loza Telleria
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Ana Carolina Andorinho
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Thais Lemos-Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Ramalho-Ortigão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Antônio Jorge Tempone
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Yara Maria Traub-Csekö
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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13
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Chen W, Qu M, Zhou Y, Yang Q. Structural analysis of group II chitinase (ChtII) catalysis completes the puzzle of chitin hydrolysis in insects. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:2652-2660. [PMID: 29317504 PMCID: PMC5827449 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chitin is a linear homopolymer of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosamines and a major structural component of insect cuticles. Chitin hydrolysis involves glycoside hydrolase family 18 (GH18) chitinases. In insects, chitin hydrolysis is essential for periodic shedding of the old cuticle ecdysis and proceeds via a pathway different from that in the well studied bacterial chitinolytic system. Group II chitinase (ChtII) is a widespread chitinolytic enzyme in insects and contains the greatest number of catalytic domains and chitin-binding domains among chitinases. In Lepidopterans, ChtII and two other chitinases, ChtI and Chi-h, are essential for chitin hydrolysis. Although ChtI and Chi-h have been well studied, the role of ChtII remains elusive. Here, we investigated the structure and enzymology of OfChtII, a ChtII derived from the insect pest Ostrinia furnacalis We present the crystal structures of two catalytically active domains of OfChtII, OfChtII-C1 and OfChtII-C2, both in unliganded form and complexed with chitooligosaccharide substrates. We found that OfChtII-C1 and OfChtII-C2 both possess long, deep substrate-binding clefts with endochitinase activities. OfChtII exhibited structural characteristics within the substrate-binding cleft similar to those in OfChi-h and OfChtI. However, OfChtII lacked structural elements favoring substrate binding beyond the active sites, including an extra wall structure present in OfChi-h. Nevertheless, the numerous domains in OfChtII may compensate for this difference; a truncation containing one catalytic domain and three chitin-binding modules (OfChtII-B4C1) displayed activity toward insoluble polymeric substrates that was higher than those of OfChi-h and OfChtI. Our observations provide the last piece of the puzzle of chitin hydrolysis in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemical Engineering, School of Life Science and Biotechnology and School of Software, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Mingbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemical Engineering, School of Life Science and Biotechnology and School of Software, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemical Engineering, School of Life Science and Biotechnology and School of Software, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Qing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemical Engineering, School of Life Science and Biotechnology and School of Software, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
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14
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Profeta GS, Pereira JAS, Costa SG, Azambuja P, Garcia ES, Moraes CDS, Genta FA. Standardization of a Continuous Assay for Glycosidases and Its Use for Screening Insect Gut Samples at Individual and Populational Levels. Front Physiol 2017; 8:308. [PMID: 28553236 PMCID: PMC5427678 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycoside Hydrolases (GHs) are enzymes able to recognize and cleave glycosidic bonds. Insect GHs play decisive roles in digestion, in plant-herbivore, and host-pathogen interactions. GH activity is normally measured by the detection of a release from the substrate of products as sugars units, colored, or fluorescent groups. In most cases, the conditions for product release and detection differ, resulting in discontinuous assays. The current protocols result in using large amounts of reaction mixtures for the obtainment of time points in each experimental replica. These procedures restrain the analysis of biological materials with limited amounts of protein and, in the case of studies regarding small insects, implies in the pooling of samples from several individuals. In this respect, most studies do not assess the variability of GH activities across the population of individuals from the same species. The aim of this work is to approach this technical problem and have a deeper understanding of the variation of GH activities in insect populations, using as models the disease vectors Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Triatominae) and Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Phlebotominae). Here we standardized continuous assays using 4-methylumbelliferyl derived substrates for the detection of α-Glucosidase, β-Glucosidase, α-Mannosidase, N-acetyl-hexosaminidase, β-Galactosidase, and α-Fucosidase in the midgut of R. prolixus and L. longipalpis with results similar to the traditional discontinuous protocol. The continuous assays allowed us to measure GH activities using minimal sample amounts with a higher number of measurements, resulting in data that are more reliable and less time and reagent consumption. The continuous assay also allows the high-throughput screening of GH activities in small insect samples, which would be not applicable to the previous discontinuous protocol. We applied continuous GH measurements to 90 individual samples of R. prolixus anterior midgut homogenates using a high-throughput protocol. α-Glucosidase and α-Mannosidase activities showed the normal distribution in the population. β-Glucosidase, β-Galactosidase, N-acetyl-hexosaminidase, and α-Fucosidase activities showed non-normal distributions. These results indicate that GHs fluorescent-based high-throughput assays apply to insect samples and that the frequency distribution of digestive activities should be considered in data analysis, especially if a small number of samples is used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerson S Profeta
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jessica A S Pereira
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Samara G Costa
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia Azambuja
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia MolecularRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eloi S Garcia
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia MolecularRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando A Genta
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia MolecularRio de Janeiro, Brazil
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15
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Souza RS, Diaz-Albiter HM, Dillon VM, Dillon RJ, Genta FA. Digestion of Yeasts and Beta-1,3-Glucanases in Mosquito Larvae: Physiological and Biochemical Considerations. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151403. [PMID: 27007411 PMCID: PMC4805253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti larvae ingest several kinds of microorganisms. In spite of studies regarding mosquito digestion, little is known about the nutritional utilization of ingested cells by larvae. We investigated the effects of using yeasts as the sole nutrient source for A. aegypti larvae. We also assessed the role of beta-1,3-glucanases in digestion of live yeast cells. Beta-1,3-glucanases are enzymes which hydrolyze the cell wall beta-1,3-glucan polyssacharide. Larvae were fed with cat food (controls), live or autoclaved Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and larval weight, time for pupation and adult emergence, larval and pupal mortality were measured. The presence of S. cerevisiae cells inside the larval gut was demonstrated by light microscopy. Beta-1,3-glucanase was measured in dissected larval samples. Viability assays were performed with live yeast cells and larval gut homogenates, with or without addition of competing beta-1,3-glucan. A. aegypti larvae fed with yeast cells were heavier at the 4th instar and showed complete development with normal mortality rates. Yeast cells were efficiently ingested by larvae and quickly killed (10% death in 2h, 100% in 48h). Larvae showed beta-1,3-glucanase in head, gut and rest of body. Gut beta-1,3-glucanase was not derived from ingested yeast cells. Gut and rest of body activity was not affected by the yeast diet, but head homogenates showed a lower activity in animals fed with autoclaved S. cerevisiae cells. The enzymatic lysis of live S. cerevisiae cells was demonstrated using gut homogenates, and this activity was abolished when excess beta-1,3-glucan was added to assays. These results show that live yeast cells are efficiently ingested and hydrolyzed by A. aegypti larvae, which are able to fully-develop on a diet based exclusively on these organisms. Beta-1,3-glucanase seems to be essential for yeast lytic activity of A. aegypti larvae, which possess significant amounts of these enzyme in all parts investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Santos Souza
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, 4365 Brasil Av, Leonidas Deane Building, room 207, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21040–360
| | - Hector Manuel Diaz-Albiter
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, 4365 Brasil Av, Leonidas Deane Building, room 207, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21040–360
| | - Vivian Maureen Dillon
- Institute of Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Rod J. Dillon
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Furness Building, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YG, United Kingdom
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology, 373 Carlos Chagas Filho Av., Center for Health Science, Building D, Basement, room 5, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21941–590
| | - Fernando Ariel Genta
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, 4365 Brasil Av, Leonidas Deane Building, room 207, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21040–360
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Molecular Entomology, 373 Carlos Chagas Filho Av., Center for Health Science, Building D, Basement, room 5, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21941–590
- * E-mail:
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16
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Everybody loves sugar: first report of plant feeding in triatomines. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:114. [PMID: 26928036 PMCID: PMC4772290 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1401-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triatomines, which are the vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, have been considered to be exclusive blood feeders for more than 100 years, since the discovery of Chagas disease. METHODS We offered artificial sugar meals to the laboratory model-insect Rhodnius prolixus, which is considered a strict haematophagous insect. We registered feeding by adding colorant to sugar meals. To assess putative phytophagy, fruits of the tomato Solanum lycopersicum were offered to R. prolixus and the presence of tomato DNA was assessed in the insects using PCR. We also assessed longevity, blood feeding and urine production of fruit-exposed triatomines and control insects. RESULTS All instars of R. prolixus ingested sugar from artificial sugar meals in laboratory conditions. First instar R. prolixus ingested plant tissue from S. lycopersicum fruits, and this increased the amount of blood ingested and urine excreted. Decreased mortality was also observed after blood feeding. Exposure to S. lycopersicum increased longevity and reduced weight loss caused by desiccation. CONCLUSIONS We describe here the first report of sugar feeding and phytophagy in a species that was considered to be a strict blood-feeder for over a century. We suggest that local plants might be not merely shelters for insects and vertebrate hosts as previously described, but may have a nutritional role for the maintenance of the triatomine vectors. The description of sugar and plant meals in triatomines opens new perspectives for the study and control of Chagas Disease.
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