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Rebhi S, Basharat Z, Wei CR, Lebbal S, Najjaa H, Sadfi-Zouaoui N, Messaoudi A. Core proteome mediated subtractive approach for the identification of potential therapeutic drug target against the honeybee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17292. [PMID: 38818453 PMCID: PMC11138523 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Objectives American foulbrood (AFB), caused by the highly virulent, spore-forming bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, poses a significant threat to honey bee brood. The widespread use of antibiotics not only fails to effectively combat the disease but also raises concerns regarding honey safety. The current computational study was attempted to identify a novel therapeutic drug target against P. larvae, a causative agent of American foulbrood disease in honey bee. Methods We investigated effective novel drug targets through a comprehensive in silico pan-proteome and hierarchal subtractive sequence analysis. In total, 14 strains of P. larvae genomes were used to identify core genes. Subsequently, the core proteome was systematically narrowed down to a single protein predicted as the potential drug target. Alphafold software was then employed to predict the 3D structure of the potential drug target. Structural docking was carried out between a library of phytochemicals derived from traditional Chinese flora (n > 36,000) and the potential receptor using Autodock tool 1.5.6. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study was conducted using GROMACS to assess the stability of the best-docked ligand. Results Proteome mining led to the identification of Ketoacyl-ACP synthase III as a highly promising therapeutic target, making it a prime candidate for inhibitor screening. The subsequent virtual screening and MD simulation analyses further affirmed the selection of ZINC95910054 as a potent inhibitor, with the lowest binding energy. This finding presents significant promise in the battle against P. larvae. Conclusions Computer aided drug design provides a novel approach for managing American foulbrood in honey bee populations, potentially mitigating its detrimental effects on both bee colonies and the honey industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawsen Rebhi
- Université de Tunis-El Manar, Laboratoire de Mycologie, Pathologies et Biomarqueurs, Département de Biologie, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Calvin R. Wei
- Department of Research and Development, Shing Huei Group, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Salim Lebbal
- University of Khenchela, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Khenchela, Algeria
| | - Hanen Najjaa
- University of Gabes, Laboratory of Pastoral Ecosystem and Valorization of Spontaneous Plants and Associated Microorganisms, Institute of Arid Lands of Medenine, Medenine, Tunisia
| | - Najla Sadfi-Zouaoui
- Université de Tunis-El Manar, Laboratoire de Mycologie, Pathologies et Biomarqueurs, Département de Biologie, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Abdelmonaem Messaoudi
- Université de Tunis-El Manar, Laboratoire de Mycologie, Pathologies et Biomarqueurs, Département de Biologie, Tunis, Tunisia
- Jendouba University, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, Beja, Tunisia
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Bava R, Castagna F, Lupia C, Ruga S, Musella V, Conforti F, Marrelli M, Argentieri MP, Britti D, Statti G, Palma E. Chemical Profile of Essential Oils of Selected Lamiaceae Plants and In Vitro Activity for Varroosis Control in Honeybees (Apis mellifera). Vet Sci 2023; 10:701. [PMID: 38133253 PMCID: PMC10747025 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10120701] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The most significant ectoparasitic mite of honeybees, Varroa destructor, has a detrimental effect on bee health and honey output. The principal strategy used by the control programs is the application of synthetic acaricides. All of this has resulted in drug resistance, which is now a major worry for beekeeping. As a result, research on alternate products and techniques for mite management is now required. The aim of this study was to determine whether essential oils (EOs) extracted from botanical species of Lamiacae, typical of the Calabria region of Southern Italy, could reduce the population of the mite V. destructor. Among the best-known genera of the Lamiaceae family are oregano, rosemary and thyme, whose EOs were employed in this study. By steam distillation, the EOs were extracted from Origanum vulgare subsp. viridulum (Martrin-Donos) Nyman, Thymus capitatus Hoffmanns. and Link, Thymus longicaulis C.Presl and Salvia rosmarinus Schleid. plant species harvested directly on the Calabrian territory in their balsamic time. Each EO went to the test in vitro (contact toxicity) against V. destructor. Fifty adult female mites, five for each EO and the positive and negative control, were used in each experimental replicate. The positive controls comprised five individuals treated to Amitraz dilute in acetone, and the negative controls included five individuals exposed to acetone alone. To create the working solution to be tested (50 μL/tube), the EOs were diluted (0.5 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, 2 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL) in HPLC-grade acetone. After 1 h of exposure, mite mortality was manually assessed. Origanum vulgare subsp. viridulum, Thymus capitatus and Thymus longicaulis were the EOs with the highest levels of efficiency at 2 mg/mL, neutralizing (dead + inactivated), 94%, 92% and 94% of parasites, respectively. Salvia rosmarinus EO gave a lower efficacy, resulting in a percentage of 38%. Interestingly, no adverse effects were highlighted in toxicity tests on honeybees. These results show that these OEs of the Lamiaceae family have antiparasitic action on V. destructor. Therefore, they could be used, individually or combined, to exploit the synergistic effect for a more sustainable control of this parasite mite in honeybee farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bava
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Fabio Castagna
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, 88054 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carmine Lupia
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, 88054 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Ruga
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Musella
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Filomena Conforti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Mariangela Marrelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Maria Pia Argentieri
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Domenico Britti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Giancarlo Statti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FISH), University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.c.a.r.l., Complesso Ninì Barbieri, 88021 Catanzaro, Italy
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