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Colarusso A, Lauro C, Canè L, Cozzolino F, Tutino ML. Bacterial Production of CDKL5 Catalytic Domain: Insights in Aggregation, Internal Translation and Phosphorylation Patterns. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8891. [PMID: 39201578 PMCID: PMC11354467 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168891] [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: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) is a serine/threonine protein kinase involved in human brain development and functioning. Mutations in CDKL5, especially in its catalytic domain, cause a severe developmental condition named CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Nevertheless, molecular studies investigating the structural consequences of such mutations are still missing. The CDKL5 catalytic domain harbors different sites of post-translational modification, such as phosphorylations, but their role in catalytic activity, protein folding, and stability has not been entirely investigated. With this work, we describe the expression pattern of the CDKL5 catalytic domain in Escherichia coli demonstrating that it predominantly aggregates. However, the use of solubility tags, the lowering of the expression temperature, the manual codon optimization to overcome an internal translational start, and the incubation of the protein with K+ and MgATP allow the collection of a soluble catalytically active kinase. Interestingly, the resulting protein exhibits hypophosphorylation compared to its eukaryotic counterpart, proving that bacteria are a useful tool to achieve almost unmodified CDKL5. Posing questions about the CDKL5 autoactivation mechanism and the determinants for its stability, this research provides a valuable platform for comparative biophysical studies between bacterial and eukaryotic-expressed proteins, contributing to our understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with CDKL5 dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Colarusso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (C.L.); (F.C.)
| | - Concetta Lauro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (C.L.); (F.C.)
| | - Luisa Canè
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy;
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Flora Cozzolino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (C.L.); (F.C.)
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy;
| | - Maria Luisa Tutino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (C.L.); (F.C.)
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi I.N.B.B., Viale Medaglie D’Oro 305, 00136 Roma, Italy
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Gornard S, Mougel F, Germon I, Borday-Birraux V, Venon P, Drabo S, Kaiser L. Cellular dynamics of host - parasitoid interactions: Insights from the encapsulation process in a partially resistant host. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 155:104646. [PMID: 38705455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104646] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Cotesia typhae is an eastern African endoparasitoid braconid wasp that targets the larval stage of the lepidopteran stem borer, Sesamia nonagrioides, a maize crop pest in Europe. The French host population is partially resistant to the Makindu strain of the wasp, allowing its development in only 40% of the cases. Resistant larvae can encapsulate the parasitoid and survive the infection. This interaction provides a very interesting frame for investigating the impact of parasitism on host cellular resistance. We characterized the parasitoid ovolarval development in a permissive host and studied the encapsulation process in a resistant host by dissection and histological sectioning compared to that of inert chromatography beads. We measured the total hemocyte count in parasitized and bead-injected larvae over time to monitor the magnitude of the immune reaction. Our results show that parasitism of resistant hosts delayed encapsulation but did not affect immune abilities towards inert beads. Moreover, while bead injection increased total hemocyte count, it remained constant in resistant and permissive larvae. We conclude that while Cotesia spp virulence factors are known to impair the host immune system, our results suggest that passive evasion could also occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Gornard
- EGCE, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Florence Mougel
- EGCE, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Isabelle Germon
- EGCE, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Véronique Borday-Birraux
- EGCE, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pascaline Venon
- EGCE, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Salimata Drabo
- EGCE, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Laure Kaiser
- EGCE, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Salvia R, Scieuzo C, Boschi A, Pezzi M, Mistri M, Munari C, Chicca M, Vogel H, Cozzolino F, Monaco V, Monti M, Falabella P. An Overview of Ovarian Calyx Fluid Proteins of Toxoneuron nigriceps (Viereck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): An Integrated Transcriptomic and Proteomic Approach. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1547. [PMID: 37892230 PMCID: PMC10605793 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101547] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The larval stages of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), are parasitized by the endophagous parasitoid wasp, Toxoneuron nigriceps (Viereck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). During the injections of eggs, this parasitoid wasp also injects into the host body the secretion of the venom gland and the calyx fluid, which contains a polydnavirus (T. nigriceps BracoVirus: TnBV) and the Ovarian calyx fluid Proteins (OPs). The effects of the OPs on the host immune system have recently been described. In particular, it has been demonstrated that the OPs cause hemocytes to undergo a number of changes, such as cellular oxidative stress, actin cytoskeleton modifications, vacuolization, and the inhibition of hemocyte encapsulation capacity, which results in both a loss of hemocyte functionality and cell death. In this study, by using a combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis, the main components of T. nigriceps ovarian calyx fluid proteins were identified and their possible role in the parasitic syndrome was discussed. This study provides useful information to support the analysis of the function of ovarian calyx fluid proteins, to better understand T. nigriceps parasitization success and for a more thorough understanding of the components of ovarian calyx fluid proteins and their potential function in combination with other parasitoid factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Salvia
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (R.S.); (A.B.)
- Spinoff XFlies s.r.l., University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Carmen Scieuzo
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (R.S.); (A.B.)
- Spinoff XFlies s.r.l., University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Andrea Boschi
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (R.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Marco Pezzi
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.P.); (M.M.); (C.M.)
| | - Michele Mistri
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.P.); (M.M.); (C.M.)
| | - Cristina Munari
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.P.); (M.M.); (C.M.)
| | - Milvia Chicca
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoll-Straße 8, D-07745 Jena, Germany;
| | - Flora Cozzolino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (F.C.); (V.M.)
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Vittoria Monaco
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (F.C.); (V.M.)
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Monti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (F.C.); (V.M.)
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Patrizia Falabella
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (R.S.); (A.B.)
- Spinoff XFlies s.r.l., University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
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Scieuzo C, Giglio F, Rinaldi R, Lekka ME, Cozzolino F, Monaco V, Monti M, Salvia R, Falabella P. In Vitro Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of the Peptide Fractions Extracted from the Hemolymph of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14050464. [PMID: 37233092 DOI: 10.3390/insects14050464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a chemically and structurally heterogeneous family of molecules produced by a large variety of living organisms, whose expression is predominant in the sites most exposed to microbial invasion. One of the richest natural sources of AMPs is insects which, over the course of their very long evolutionary history, have adapted to numerous and different habitats by developing a powerful innate immune system that has allowed them to survive but also to assert themselves in the new environment. Recently, due to the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, interest in AMPs has risen. In this work, we detected AMPs in the hemolymph of Hermetia illucens (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) larvae, following infection with Escherichia coli (Gram negative) or Micrococcus flavus (Gram positive) and from uninfected larvae. Peptide component, isolated via organic solvent precipitation, was analyzed by microbiological techniques. Subsequent mass spectrometry analysis allowed us to specifically identify peptides expressed in basal condition and peptides differentially expressed after bacterial challenge. We identified 33 AMPs in all the analyzed samples, of which 13 are specifically stimulated by Gram negative and/or Gram positive bacterial challenge. AMPs mostly expressed after bacterial challenge could be responsible for a more specific activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Scieuzo
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
- Spinoff XFlies s.r.l., University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Fabiana Giglio
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Roberta Rinaldi
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Marilena E Lekka
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Flora Cozzolino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Vittoria Monaco
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Monti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosanna Salvia
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
- Spinoff XFlies s.r.l., University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Patrizia Falabella
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
- Spinoff XFlies s.r.l., University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
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Pinto CPG, Walker AA, King GF, Rossi GD. Immunosuppressive, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of inhibitor cystine knot peptides produced by teratocytes of the endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). INSECT SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 36434808 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Teratocytes are specialized cells released by parasitoid wasps into their hosts. They are known for producing regulatory molecules that aid the development of immature parasitoids. We have recently reported the primary structures of cystine-rich peptides, including some containing inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) motifs, produced by teratocytes of the parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). ICKs are known for their stability and diverse biological functions. In this study, we produced four putative ICK peptides from the teratocytes of C. flavipes using solid-phase peptide synthesis or recombinant expression in E. coli, and investigated their functions on host immune modulation as well their potential to impair the development of two lepidopterans after ingestion of the peptides. In addition, the peptides were assayed against pathogens and human cells. The peptides did not influence total hemocyte count but suppressed cellular immunity, detectable as a reduction of hemocyte encapsulation (CftICK-I, CftICK-II, CftICK-III) and spread indexes (CftICK-IV) in the host. None of the peptides influenced the activities of prophenoloxidase and phenoloxidase in the hemolymph of larval Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). CftICK-I and CftICK-II with previously unknown function showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans but were non-toxic to human cells. CftICK-I, CftICK-II, and CftICK-III increased larval mortality and reduced leaf consumption of D. saccharalis, a permissive host for C. flavipes. The CftICK-III also increased larval mortality and reduced leaf consumption of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a non-permissive host for C. flavipes. This study highlights biological functions and biotechnological potential of ICK peptides from the teratocytes of C. flavipes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro P G Pinto
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Guilherme D Rossi
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
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Pinto CPG, Walker AA, Robinson SD, King GF, Rossi GD. Proteotranscriptomics reveals the secretory dynamics of teratocytes, regulators of parasitization by an endoparasitoid wasp. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 139:104395. [PMID: 35413336 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104395] [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: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Parasitoid wasps have evolved sophisticated mechanisms of host regulation that establish a favorable environment for the development of immature parasitoids. While maternal venom and symbiotic virus-like particles are well-known mechanisms of host regulation, another less-studied mechanism is the secretion of host regulation factors by cells called teratocytes, extra-embryonic cells released during parasitoid larval eclosion. Consequently, identification and characterization of teratocyte secretory products has not been reported in detail for any parasitoid wasp. We aimed to analyze teratocyte secretory products released into hemolymph of the larval sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) by its biological control agent, the koinobiont endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes Cameron, 1891 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Teratocytes were released upon eclosion of parasitoid larvae four days after parasitization (DAP) and increased in number and size until six DAP. Total D. saccharalis hemocyte viability was reduced immediately after parasitization until DAP 2, while total hemocyte count was lower from the third DAP, and phenoloxidase and lysozyme activity were disrupted compared to non-parasitized controls. To examine the secretory products of teratocytes, we generated a teratocyte transcriptome and compared its in silico translated open reading frames to mass spectra obtained from hemolymph from parasitized and unparasitized hosts. This led to the identification of 57 polypeptides secreted by teratocytes, the abundance of which we tracked over 0-10 DAP. Abundant teratocyte products included proteins similar to bracovirus proteins and multiple disulfide-rich peptides. Most teratocyte products accumulated in hemolymph, reaching their highest concentrations immediately before parasitoid pupation. Our results provide insights into host regulation by teratocytes and reveal molecules that may be useful in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro P G Pinto
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Guilherme D Rossi
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil.
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