1
|
Lin C, Qin H, Liao Y, Chen J, Gao B. Chemical Synthesis and Insecticidal Activity Research Based on α-Conotoxins. Molecules 2024; 29:2846. [PMID: 38930912 PMCID: PMC11206848 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The escalating resistance of agricultural pests to chemical insecticides necessitates the development of novel, efficient, and safe biological insecticides. Conus quercinus, a vermivorous cone snail, yields a crude venom rich in peptides for marine worm predation. This study screened six α-conotoxins with insecticidal potential from a previously constructed transcriptome database of C. quercinus, characterized by two disulfide bonds. These conotoxins were derived via solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and folded using two-step iodine oxidation for further insecticidal activity validation, such as CCK-8 assay and insect bioassay. The final results confirmed the insecticidal activities of the six α-conotoxins, with Qc1.15 and Qc1.18 exhibiting high insecticidal activity. In addition, structural analysis via homology modeling and functional insights from molecular docking offer a preliminary look into their potential insecticidal mechanisms. In summary, this study provides essential references and foundations for developing novel insecticides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jiao Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Tropical Medicine Innovation and Transformation of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center of Human-Machine Intelligent Collaborative for Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Hainan Province, Hainan Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China; (C.L.); (H.Q.); (Y.L.)
| | - Bingmiao Gao
- Engineering Research Center of Tropical Medicine Innovation and Transformation of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center of Human-Machine Intelligent Collaborative for Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Hainan Province, Hainan Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China; (C.L.); (H.Q.); (Y.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Huang SS, Yang HX, He J, Liu JK, Feng T. Discovery of a Biocontrol Strain Trichaptum laricinum: Its Metabolites and Antifungal Activity against Pathogenic Fungus Colletotrichum anthrisci. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:13154-13163. [PMID: 38780776 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c02028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Finding safe and environmentally friendly fungicides is one of the important strategies in modern pesticide research and development. In this work, the antipathogenic effects of the fungus Trichaptum laricinum against the anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum anthrisci were studied. The EtOAc extract of T. laricinum showed remarkable antifungal activity against C. anthrisci with an inhibition rate of 50% at 256 μg/mL. Bioguided isolation of the cultural broth of T. laricinum produced four new drimane sesquiterpenes, trichalarins A-D (1-4), and six other metabolites (5-10). Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic methods, quantum chemical calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds exhibited antifungal activity against C. anthrisci with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 8-64 μg/mL in vitro. Further in vivo assay suggested that compounds 2, 6, and 9 could significantly inhibit C. anthrisci growth in avocado fruit with inhibition rates close to 80% at the concentration of 256 μg/mL, while compounds 2 and 6 had an inhibition rate over 90% at the concentration of 512 μg/mL. The EtOAc extract of T. laricinum had no inhibitory effect on Pinus massoniana seed germination and growth at the concentration of 2 mg/mL, showing good environmental friendliness. Thus, the fungus T. laricinum could be considered as an ideal biocontrol strain, and its metabolites provided a diverse material basis for the antibiotic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Huang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Protection and Application of Special Plants in Wuling Area of China, College of Life Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Hui-Xiang Yang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Protection and Application of Special Plants in Wuling Area of China, College of Life Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Juan He
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Protection and Application of Special Plants in Wuling Area of China, College of Life Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Ji-Kai Liu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Protection and Application of Special Plants in Wuling Area of China, College of Life Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Tao Feng
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Protection and Application of Special Plants in Wuling Area of China, College of Life Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, China
- International Cooperation Base for Active Substances in Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan 430074, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Srivastava A, Srivastava AK, Pandeya A, Pant AB. Pesticide mediated silent neurotoxicity and its unmasking: An update on recent progress. Toxicology 2023; 500:153665. [PMID: 37944577 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Being human's one of the most protected organs, brain is yet most vulnerable to xenobiotics exposure. Though pesticide-mediated neurotoxicity is well-explored, the fraternity of neurotoxicologists is less focused on the phenomenon of "silent" or "clinically undetectable" neurotoxicity. Silent neurotoxicity defines continual trivial changes in the nervous system that do not manifest any overt signs of toxicity unless unmasked by any natural or experimental event. Although this perception is not novel, insufficient experimental and epidemiological evidence makes it an outlier among toxicological research. A report in 2016 highlighted the need to investigate silent neurotoxicity and its potential challenges. The limited existing experimental data unveiled the unique responsiveness of neurons following silent neurotoxicity unmasking. Concerned studies have shown that low-dose developmental exposure to pesticides sensitizes the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system towards silent neurotoxicity, making it vulnerable to advanced cumulative neurotoxicity following pesticide challenges later in life. Therefore, conducting such studies may explain the precise etiology of pesticide-induced neurological disorders in humans. With no updates on this topic since 2016, this review is an attempt to acquaint the neurotoxicologist with silent neurotoxicity as a serious threat to human health, and proof-of-concept through a narrative using relevant published data so far with future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Srivastava
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Ankur Kumar Srivastava
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, Systems Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhavan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, P.O. Box No. 80, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India
| | - Abhishek Pandeya
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, Systems Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhavan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, P.O. Box No. 80, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India
| | - Aditya Bhushan Pant
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, Systems Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhavan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, P.O. Box No. 80, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Arbel-Groissman M, Menuhin-Gruman I, Naki D, Bergman S, Tuller T. Fighting the battle against evolution: designing genetically modified organisms for evolutionary stability. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1518-1531. [PMID: 37442714 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has made significant progress in many areas, but a major challenge that has received limited attention is the evolutionary stability of synthetic constructs made of heterologous genes. The expression of these constructs in microorganisms, that is, production of proteins that are not necessary for the organism, is a metabolic burden, leading to a decrease in relative fitness and make the synthetic constructs unstable over time. This is a significant concern for the synthetic biology community, particularly when it comes to bringing this technology out of the laboratory. In this review, we discuss the issue of evolutionary stability in synthetic biology and review the available tools to address this challenge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matan Arbel-Groissman
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Itamar Menuhin-Gruman
- School of Mathematical Sciences, The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Doron Naki
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Shaked Bergman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Tamir Tuller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fei YC, Cheng Q, Zhang H, Han C, Wang X, Li YF, Li SQ, Zhao XH. Maleic acid and malonic acid reduced the pathogenicity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by inhibiting mycelial growth, sclerotia formation and virulence factors. STRESS BIOLOGY 2023; 3:45. [PMID: 37955738 PMCID: PMC10643788 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-023-00122-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungus with broad distribution and host range. Bioactive compounds derived from plant extracts have been proven to be effective in controlling S. sclerotiorum. In this study, the mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum was effectively inhibited by maleic acid, malonic acid, and their combination at a concentration of 2 mg/mL, with respective inhibition rates of 32.5%, 9.98%, and 67.6%. The treatment of detached leaves with the two acids resulted in a decrease in lesion diameters. Interestingly, maleic acid and malonic acid decreased the number of sclerotia while simultaneously increasing their weight. The two acids also disrupted the cell structure of sclerotia, leading to sheet-like electron-thin regions. On a molecular level, maleic acid reduced oxalic acid secretion, upregulated the expression of Ss-Odc2 and downregulated CWDE10, Ss-Bi1 and Ss-Ggt1. Differently, malonic acid downregulated CWDE2 and Ss-Odc1. These findings verified that maleic acid and malonic acid could effectively inhibit S. sclerotiorum, providing promising evidence for the development of an environmentally friendly biocontrol agent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chen Fei
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology / College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Fujian Universities and Colleges Engineering Research Center of Modern Facility Agriculture, Fuqing, 350300, China
| | - Qin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology / College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology / College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chuang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology / College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Monitoring Technology for Agro-Products of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Yan-Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology / College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shi-Qian Li
- Fujian Universities and Colleges Engineering Research Center of Modern Facility Agriculture, Fuqing, 350300, China.
| | - Xiao-Hu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology / College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yang MJ, Luo SH, Liu Y, Li SH. Defensive furofuran lignans localized to the oil cells of Neocinnamomum delavayi and their metabolism by a specialist insect. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2023; 215:113852. [PMID: 37690698 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Neocinnamomum delavayi (Lauraceae) leaves with abundant oil cells are seldom attacked by insects, but their chemical constituent and biological function remain obscure. Three furofuran lignans, including (+)-eudesmin (3), (+)-magnolin (4), and demethoxyaschantin (5), were identified to be the major specialized metabolites in the oil cells of N. delavayi leaves through laser microdissection coupled with NMR analysis. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited obvious antifeedant activity against a generalist insect Spodoptera exigua, and their natural contents in the leaves could effectively defend against generalist insects. Intriguingly, three specific metabolites 9-11, the O-demethylation derivates of compounds 3-5, were identified from a native specialist insect Dindica polyphaenaria feeding with N. delavayi leaves, implying an adaptation mechanism of specialist insects to plant defensive compounds. The results revealed a chemical connection between plants and insects, which would contribute to our understanding of plant-insect interaction and insect management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China
| | - Shi-Hong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China; College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, PR China
| | - Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, and Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
| | - Sheng-Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, and Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pavela R, Ferrati M, Spinozzi E, Maggi F, Petrelli R, Rakotosaona R, Ricciardi R, Benelli G. The Essential Oil from the Resurrection Plant Myrothamnus moschatus Is Effective against Arthropods of Agricultural and Medical Interest. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121511. [PMID: 36558962 PMCID: PMC9782303 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This work aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, insecticidal and acaricidal potential of the essential oil (EO) obtained from the resurrection plant Myrothamnus moschatus (Baill.) Baill. (Myrothamnaceae) from Madagascar. The EO bioactivity was evaluated against selected arthropod pests and vectors of agricultural and public health relevance. The most abundant volatile compounds were trans-pinocarveol (37.7 ± 4.2%) and pinocarvone (20.8 ± 3.1%), similar to the EO of the chemotype collected from the same region. Lethal concentrations (LC50) or doses (LD50) from acute toxicity tests were estimated for Musca domestica (L.) adults at 22.7 µg adult-1, for Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae at 35.6 µg larva-1, for Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) at 43.6 µg mL-1, for adults of Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) at 2.4 mL L-1, and for adults of Tetranychus urticae (Koch) at 1.2 mL L-1. The good insecticidal and acaricidal activities determined in this work may open a new perspective on the use of this plant as a source of botanical insecticide ingredients. The exploitation of this species could also be important for the African economy, helping local farmers cultivating this plant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roman Pavela
- Crop Research Institute, Drnovska 507, 161 06 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Plant Protection, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Ferrati
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP), School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Eleonora Spinozzi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP), School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Filippo Maggi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP), School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3470-786-878
| | - Riccardo Petrelli
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP), School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Renato Ricciardi
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tan M, Wu H, Yan S, Jiang D. Evaluating the Toxic Effects of Tannic Acid Treatment on Hyphantria cunea Larvae. INSECTS 2022; 13:872. [PMID: 36292820 PMCID: PMC9604457 DOI: 10.3390/insects13100872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
To increase the development potential of botanical pesticides, it is necessary to expand the toxicology research on plant secondary metabolites. Herein, the Hyphantria cunea larvae were exposed to tannic acid concentrations consistent with those found in larch needles, and, subsequently, the growth and nutrient utilization, oxidative damage, and detoxification abilities in the larval midgut, as well as the changes in the gut microbiome, were analyzed. Our results revealed that tannic acid treatment significantly increased the mortality of H. cunea larvae and inhibited larval growth and food utilization. The contents of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide in the larval midgut were significantly elevated in the treatment group, along with a significant decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and detoxifying enzymes. However, the non-enzymatic antioxidants showed a significant increase in the tannic acid-treated larvae. From gut microbiome analysis in the treatment group, the abundance of gut microbiota related to toxin degradation and nutrient metabolism was significantly reduced, and the enrichment analysis also suggested that all pathways related to nutritional and detoxification metabolism were substantially inhibited. Taken together, tannic acid exerts toxic effects on H. cunea larvae at multiple levels and is a potential botanical pesticide for the control of H. cunea larvae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingtao Tan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Hongfei Wu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Shanchun Yan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Dun Jiang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| |
Collapse
|