Evaluation of metabolic detoxifying enzyme activities and insecticide resistance in Frankliniella occidentalis

The western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) is a very significant pest of a number of different agricultural crops in the south-east of Spain. The importance of thrips as a pest is not due mainly to the direct damage inflicted on the plant, but to the loss in commercial value which occurs as a consequence of the development of dark spots caused by the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) which they transmit. The economic threshold is therefore almost zero, which enhances the problems of resistance management. The present work is part of a global project that attempts to evaluate the status of insecticide resistance in field populations of thrips obtained from several agricultural crops. We have studied, in either individual or pooled insects, some enzyme systems classically related to detoxification of insecticides: esterase and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The activity of these enzymes from laboratory populations selected with various classes of insecticides has also been measured using several appropriate substrates. An increase in GST mean activity was found in two field-collected strains. Differences in frequency distributions of esterase and GST activities were found for both field-collected strains and for a laboratory strain selected with acrinathrin. These activities were compared with those of a wild-type reference strain.

Structure and activity of insect cytokine GBP which stimulates the EGF receptor

Growth-blocking peptide (GBP) is an insect cytokine that possesses diverse biological activities such as larval growth regulation, cell proliferation, and stimulation of immune cells. GBP is a 25-amino acid peptide with one disulfide bond. It has been revealed that the tertiary structure of GBP consists of an N- and C-terminal disordered region and a well-structured core. Although there is only a slight similarity between the primary structures of GBP and EGF and the molecular weight of GBP is about half that of EGF, GBP directly binds and activates the EGF receptor of human keratinocyte cells. Furthermore, the tertiary structure of the well-defined region of GBP is similar to that of the C-terminal domain of EGF. This review will focus on the tertiary structure of GBP and its activities, as compared with those of EGF.

Structure and function of antifreeze proteins

High-resolution three-dimensional structures are now available for four of seven non-homologous fish and insect antifreeze proteins (AFPs). For each of these structures, the ice-binding site of the AFP has been defined by site-directed mutagenesis, and ice etching has indicated that the ice surface is bound by the AFP. A comparison of these extremely diverse ice-binding proteins shows that they have the following attributes in common. The binding sites are relatively flat and engage a substantial proportion of the protein's surface area in ice binding. They are also somewhat hydrophobic -- more so than that portion of the protein exposed to the solvent. Surface-surface complementarity appears to be the key to tight binding in which the contribution of hydrogen bonding seems to be secondary to van der Waals contacts.

[Lipid metabolism of caddisfly larvae at low pH]

The influence of low pH (5.0 and 4.0) on lipid metabolism of caddisworms Hydropsyche contubernalis L. (Trichoptera) was studied in 48 h toxicity experiments. The results were correlated with lipid composition of caddisworms directly isolated from natural water. Phospholipids, cholesterol, mono-, di-, triacylglycerols, and fatty acids were detected by thin-layer and liquid chromatography. Minimal environmental changes were shown to initiate the biochemical adaptation mechanisms strengthening the cellular membranes through their condensation due to additional phospholipid and cholesterol synthesis. In the natural medium the adaptation processes are more active than in the artificial medium. More serious changes, such as pH decrease to 4.0, suppress the adaptation processes in the first medium and terminated them in the second one.

Surface membranes, Golgi complexes, and vacuolar systems

In the absence of fossils, the cells of vertebrates are often described in lieu of a general animal eukaryote model, neglecting work on insects. However, a common ancestor is nearly a billion years in the past, making some vertebrate generalizations inappropriate for insects. For example, insect cells are adept at the cell remodeling needed for molting and metamorphosis, they have plasma membrane reticular systems and vacuolar ferritin, and their Golgi complexes continue to work during mitosis. This review stresses the ways that insect cells differ from those of vertebrates, summarizing the structure of surface membranes and vacuolar systems, especially of the epidermis and fat body, as a prerequisite for the molecular studies needed to understand cell function. The objective is to provide a structural base from which molecular biology can emerge from biochemical description into a useful analysis of function.

Analysis of methotrexate and folate transport by multidrug resistance protein 4 (ABCC4): MRP4 is a component of the methotrexate efflux system

Human MRP4 (ABCC4, MOAT-B) is a lipophilic anion transporter that is able to confer resistance to nucleotide analogues and methotrexate (MTX). We previously investigated the implications of the ability of MRP4 to confer resistance to nucleotide analogues and determined that the pump is competent in the MgATP-energized transport of cyclic nucleotides and estradiol 17beta-D-glucuronide. Here we examine the potential role of MRP4 in conferring resistance to MTX and related processes by determining the selectivity of the transporter for MTX, MTX polyglutamates, and physiological folates. In so doing, it is shown that MRP4 is active in the transport of MTX as well as the physiological folates folic acid (FA) and N(5)-formyltetrahydrofolic acid (leucovorin). MTX, FA, and leucovorin are subject to high capacity [V(max(MTX)), 0.24 +/- 0.05 nmol/mg/min; V(max (FA)), 0.68 +/- 0.14 nmol/mg/min; V(max(leucovorin)), 1.95 +/- 0.18 nmol/mg/min], low affinity [K(m(MTX)), 0.22 +/- 0.01 mM; K(m(FA)), 0.17 +/- 0.02 mM; K(m (leucovorin)), 0.64 +/- 0.23 mM] transport by MRP4. In addition, as would be expected were MRP4 a component of the MTX efflux system, its capacity to transport this agent is abrogated by the addition of a single glutamyl residue. It is also shown that glutamylation similarly affects the ability of MRP2 to transport MTX. On the basis of these transport properties, it is concluded that the efflux system for MTX includes MRP2 and MRP4, in addition to MRP1 and MRP3, and that MRP4 represents a common efflux system for both MTX and certain nucleotide analogues.

Structure-function analysis of human triacylglycerol hydrolase by site-directed mutagenesis: identification of the catalytic triad and a glycosylation site

Triacylglycerol hydrolase is a microsomal enzyme that hydrolyzes stored cytoplasmic triacylglycerol in the liver and participates in the lipolysis/re-esterification cycle during the assembly of very-low-density lipoproteins. The structure-activity relationship of the enzyme was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis and heterologous expression. Expression of human TGH in Escherichia coli yields a protein without enzymatic activity, which suggests that posttranslational processing is necessary for the catalytic activity. Expression in baculovirus-infected Sf-9 cells resulted in correct processing of the N-terminal signal sequence and yielded a catalytically active enzyme. A putative catalytic triad consisting of a nucleophilic serine (S221), glutamic acid (E354), and histidine (H468) was identified. Site-directed mutagenesis of the residues (S221A, E354A, and H468A) yielded a catalytically inactive enzyme. CD spectra of purified mutant proteins were very similar to that of the wild-type enzyme, which suggests that the mutations did not affect folding. Human TGH was glycosylated in the insect cells. Mutagenesis of the putative N-glycosylation site (N79A) yielded an active nonglycosylated enzyme. Deletion of the putative C-terminal endoplasmic reticulum retrieval signal (HIEL) did not result in secretion of the mutant protein. A model of human TGH structure suggested a lipase alpha/beta hydrolase fold with a buried active site and two disulfide bridges (C87-C116 and C274-C285).

Insects, oxygen, and iron

Konrad Bloch developed an interest in insects because they are unable to make sterols, and in yeast because these cells need oxygen to make sterols and unsaturated fatty acids. Insects, like all other organisms, must deal with the toxic effects of oxygen in the presence of iron, which itself is a vital nutrient. They do so by making proteins with high affinity for ferric or ferrous ions. Two such proteins are transferrins and ferritins. Insects produce both of these proteins, but use them in different ways from most other organisms. Insect transferrins appear to be involved in innate immunity, perhaps by sequestering ferric ions to prevent pathogens and parasites from utilizing them. Insect ferritins, unlike those of any other group of organisms, are exported into the extracellular space (hemolymph). They may be involved in iron transport and/or protection against iron overload in the diet.

Inactivation of a tachykinin-related peptide: identification of four neuropeptide-degrading enzymes in neuronal membranes of insects from four different orders

Tachykinin-related peptides (TRP) are widely distributed in the CNS of insects, where they are likely to function as transmitters/modulators. Metabolic inactivation by membrane ecto-peptidases is one mechanism by which peptide signalling is terminated in the CNS. Using locustatachykinin-1 (LomTK-1, GPSGFYGVRamide) as a substrate and several selective peptidase inhibitors, we have compared the types of membrane associated peptidases present in the CNS of four insects, Locusta migratoria, Leucophaea maderae, Drosophila melanogaster and Lacanobia oleracea. A neprilysin (NEP)-like activity cleaving the G-F peptide bond was the major LomTK-1-degrading peptidase detected in locust brain membranes. NEP activity was also found in Leucophaea brain membranes, but the major peptidase was an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), cleaving the G-V peptide bond. Drosophila adult head and larval neuronal membranes cleaved the G-F and G-V peptide bonds. Phosphoramidon inhibited both these cleavages, but with markedly different potencies, indicating the presence in the fly brain of two NEP-like enzymes with different substrate and inhibitor specificity. In Drosophila, membrane ACE did not make a significant contribution to the cleavage of the G-V bond. In contrast, ACE was an important membrane peptidase in Lacanobia brain, whereas very little neuronal NEP could be detected. A dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) that removed the GP dipeptide from the N-terminus of LomTK-1 was also found in Lacanobia neuronal membranes. This peptidase was a minor contributor to LomTK-1 metabolism by neuronal membranes from all four insect species. In Lacanobia, LomTK-1 was also a substrate for a deamidase that converted LomTK-1 to the free acid form. However, the deamidase was not an integral membrane protein and could be a lysosomal contaminant. It appears that insects from different orders can have different complements of neuropeptide-degrading enzymes. NEP, ACE and the deamidase are likely to be more efficient than the common DPP IV activity at terminating neuropeptide signalling since they cleave close to the C-terminus of the tachykinin, a region essential for maintaining biological activity.

Enhanced in vivo activity of peptidase-resistant analogs of the insect kinin neuropeptide family

The diuretic/myotropic insect kinin neuropeptides, which share the common C-terminal pentapeptide core FX(1)X(2)WG-NH(2), reveal primary (X(2)-W) and secondary (N-terminal to F) sites of susceptibility to peptidases bound to corn earworm (H. zea) Malpighian tubule tissue. Analogs designed to enhance resistance to tissue-bound peptidases, and pure insect neprilysin and ACE, demonstrate markedly enhanced in vivo activity in a weight gain inhibition assay in H. zea, and strong in vivo diuretic activity in the housefly (M. domestica). The peptidase-resistant insect kinin analog pQK(pQ)FF[Aib]WG-NH(2) demonstrates a longer internal residence time in the housefly than the native muscakinin (MK), and despite a difference of over 4 orders of magnitude in an in vitro Malpighian tubule fluid secretion assay, is equipotent with MK in an in vivo housefly diuretic assay. Aminohexanoic acid (Ahx) is shown to function as a surrogate for N-terminal Lys, while at the same time providing enhanced resistance to aminopeptidase attack. Peptidaese-resistant insect kinin analogs demonstrate enhanced inhibition of weight gain in larvae of the agriculturally destructive corn earworm moth. Potent peptidase resistant analogs of the insect kinins, coupled with an increased understanding of related regulatory factors, offer promise in the development of new, environmentally friendly pest insect control measures.

Glucosinolate breakdown products as insect fumigants and their effect on carbon dioxide emission of insects

BACKGROUND

Glucosinolate breakdown products are volatile, therefore good candidates for insect fumigants. However, although they are insecticidal, the mode of action of such natural products is not clear. We studied the insecticidal effect of these compounds as fumigants, and monitored the production of carbon dioxide by the insects as a probe to the understanding of their mode of action.

RESULTS

The fumigation 24-h LC50 against the house fly (Musca domestica L.) of allyl thiocyanate, allyl isothiocyanate, allyl cyanide, and l-cyano-2-hydroxy-3-butene was 0.1, 0.13, 3.66, and 6.2 microg cm-3, respectively; they were 0.55, 1.57, 2.8, and > 19.60 microg cm-3, respectively, against the lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica Fabricius). The fumigation toxicity of some of the glucosinolate products was very close to or better than that of the commercial insect fumigants such as chloropicrin (LC50: 0.08 and 1.3 microg cm-3 against M. domestica and R. dominica, respectively) and dichlorovos (LC50: < 0.02 and 0.29 microg cm-3 against M. domestica and R. dominica, respectively) in our laboratory tests. Significantly increased CO2 expiration was found in insects exposed to the vapor of allyl isothiocyanate, allyl thiocyanate and allyl isocyanate. Allyl isothiocyanate was also found to increase the CO2 expiration of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana L.).

CONCLUSIONS

Glucosinolate breakdown products have potential as biodegradable and safe insect fumigants. They may act on the insect respiratory system in their mode of action.

Localization of metals in cells of pterygote insects

Insects maintain the equilibrium of their internal milieu by diffusion mechanisms, but more frequently by a substantial storage of metals in the cells of numerous organs: digestive tract, Malpighian tubules, fat body, integument, and genital organs. This storage implies the precipitation, of numerous cations (Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu) in a structure called the spherocrystal, which originates from the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi complex: elements precipitate on a glycosaminoglycan nucleus in thin peripheral strata. Some spherocrystals contain exclusively mineral compounds, frequently phosphates, whereas others may contain organic compounds such as urates. In some species mineralized lysosomes store Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu. When fed additional metals found in the environment, insects such as cockroach and ant are able to stay alive and to trap the metals (Cd or Pb, for example) in the peripheral strata of spherocrystals; the cytoplasm is not altered. It seems that these insects are able to resist exposures to high levels of toxic metals. The lysosomes are able to retain toxic heavy metals (Cd or Hg, for example) within metallothionein-like proteins.

Characterization of G3BPs: tissue specific expression, chromosomal localisation and rasGAP(120) binding studies

The G3BP (ras-GTPase-Activating Protein SH3-Domain-Binding Protein) family of proteins has been implicated in both signal transduction and RNA-metabolism. We have previously identified human G3BP-1, G3BP-2, and mouse G3BP-2. Here, we report the cloning of mouse G3BP-1, the discovery of two alternatively spliced isoforms of mouse, and human G3BP-2 (G3BP-2a and G3BP-2b), and the chromosomal localisation of human G3BP-1 and G3BP-2, which map to 5q14.2-5q33.3 and 4q12-4q24 respectively. We mapped the rasGAP(120) interactive region of the G3BP-2 isoforms and show that both G3BP-2a and G3BP-2b use an N-terminal NTF2-like domain for rasGAP(120) binding rather than several available proline-rich (PxxP) motifs found in members of the G3BPs. Furthermore, we have characterized the protein expression of both G3BP-1 and G3BP-2a/b in adult mouse tissues, and show them to be both tissue and isoform specific.

Effects of various muscarinic ligands on M2AChR-Gi1alpha fusion protein expressed in Sf9 insect cells

AIM

To generate M2AChR-Gi1alpha fusion protein in baculovirus-Sf9 cells system and detect the effects of various muscarinic ligands and magnesium ion on the interaction of fused M2AChR and Gi1alpha.

METHODS

M2AChR-Gi1alpha fused DNA was generated in a two step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then expressed in Sf9 cells to produce fusion protein. [3H] L-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) and 35S GTPgammaS binding experiments were performed to study the function of M2AChR-Gi1alpha fusion protein.

RESULTS

The expression level of M2AChR-Gi1alpha was (20.12 +/- 0.14) nmol/g protein. The affinity of GDP to Gi1alpha partner changed in the presence of different muscarinic ligands. IC50 values (95 % confidence limit) of GDP in the presence of acetylcholine (ACh), carbamylcholine, (4-hydroxy-2-butynyl)-1-trimethylammonium-m-chloro-carbanilate chloride (McN-A-343), pilocarpine, and atropine were 178 (148 - 214) micromol/L, 158 (126 - 199) micromol/L, 66 (56 - 78) micromol/L, 62 (55 -7 2) micromol/L, and 5.0 (4.6 - 5.5) micromol/L, respectively, and that in the absence of muscarinic ligand was 15.9 (14.3 - 17.6) micromol/L. Apparent affinity for GDP in the presence of carbamylcholine was markedly decreased with increasing MgCl2 concentrations, although the apparent affinity in the presence of atropine was not affected.

CONCLUSION

The M2AChR-Gi1alpha fusion protein has the pharmacological specificity of M2 receptor and the efficient signaling of the two partners. Affinity of GDP to ligand-bound fusion protein represents the species of muscarinic ligands. Mg2+ is necessary for the action of M2AChR on Gi1alpha.

Do germ line cells in Allacma fusca (Insecta, Collembola, Symphypleona) have a higher metabolic rate than somatic cells

Stereological analysis of the ultrastructure of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and the somatic (ectoderm) cells in two developmental stages of embryos and freshly hatched juveniles of Allacma fusca have shown great differences in mitochondria volume density (vd) between the two types of cells. In younger embryos (migration phase of the PGCs) the vd of mitochondria in the cytoplasm of the PGCs is 74.64% higher than in the ectoderm cells. In older embryos, (PGCs in the gonads) the vd of mitochondria is 123% higher than the corresponding value for the somatic cells cytoplasm. In the juvenile the vd of mitochondria in the ectoderm cells grows twice but is still only 2/3 of the value for the PGCs. On the basis of papers describing a direct relationship between stereological and physiological results the authors conclude that the metabolism of the primordial germ cells during embryonic development of Allacma fusca is much higher than that of the somatic ones. If the above conclusion is correct, the results presented here confirm the "disposable soma theory" (Kirkwood & Holliday 1979).

Control and biochemical nature of the ecdysteroidogenic pathway

Molting is elicited by a critical titer of ecdysteroids that includes the principal molting hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), and ecdysone (E), which is the precursor of 20E but also has morphogenetic roles of its own. The prothoracic glands are the predominate source of ecdysteroids, and the rate of synthesis of these polyhydroxylated sterols is critical for molting and metamorphosis. This review concerns three aspects of ecdysteroidogenesis: (a) how the brain neuropeptide prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) initiates a transductory cascade in cells of the prothoracic gland, which results in an increased rate of ecdysteroid biosynthesis (upregulation); (b) how the concentrations of 20E in the hemolymph feed back on the prothoracic gland to decrease rates of ecdysteroidogenesis (downregulation); and (c) how the prothoracic gland cells convert cholesterol to the precursor of E and then 20E, a series of reactions only now being understood because of the use of a combination of classical biochemistry and molecular genetics.

Biochemistry and genetics of insect resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a valuable source of insecticidal proteins for use in conventional sprayable formulations and in transgenic crops, and it is the most promising alternative to synthetic insecticides. However, evolution of resistance in insect populations is a serious threat to this technology. So far, only one insect species has evolved significant levels of resistance in the field, but laboratory selection experiments have shown the high potential of other species to evolve resistance against Bt. We have reviewed the current knowledge on the biochemical mechanisms and genetics of resistance to Bt products and insecticidal crystal proteins. The understanding of the biochemical and genetic basis of resistance to Bt can help design appropriate management tactics to delay or reduce the evolution of resistance in insect populations.

Hsp70 instability and induction by a pesticide in Folsomia candida

The heat shock protein Hsp70 has been shown to be a promising biomarker in aquatic and terrestrial organisms. However, its analysis in the soil insect Folsomia candida (Collembola) poses many problems as the protein is particularly unstable in this species. Western blotting has shown that the principal degradation fragment has a size of 48 kDa. We have developed a Western blot method that avoids the degradation of Hsp70 and was successful in detecting the protein in the springtail F. candida after a heat shock (12, 18 and 24 h at 32 degrees C). In the second part of the study the organisms were exposed to artificial compressed soil contaminated with the dinitrophenol dinoseb (10, 15 and 20 micrograms g-1 dry weight [DW]). Hsp70 was analysed in pooled samples (40 to 150 collembola according to age) after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 14 days. The only significant induction was observed after 5 days at 20 micrograms g-1 DW of dinoseb. The induction patterns over time were dissimilar for the different concentrations and a relatively high variability between the replicates was observed. Our results show that we must be cautious when interpreting biomarker results, especially those for Hsp70.

Iron metabolism in insects

Like other organisms, insects must balance two properties of ionic iron, that of an essential nutrient and a potent toxin. Iron must be acquired to provide catalysis for oxidative metabolism, but it must be controlled to avoid destructive oxidative reactions. Insects have evolved distinctive forms of the serum iron transport protein, transferrin, and the storage protein, ferritin. These proteins may serve different functions in insects than they do in other organisms. A form of translational control of protein synthesis by iron in insects is similar to that of vertebrates. The Drosophila melanogaster genome contains many genes that may encode other proteins involved in iron metabolism.

Chitin synthesis and inhibition: a revisit

Chitin is an abundant biologically important aminopolysaccharide composed of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units. Individual polymers, which are synthesized intracellularly by chitin synthase (CS), a membrane-bound glycosyl transferase, are translocated across the plasma membrane and coalesce to form rigid crystallites. These crystallites, inter alia, are integral parts of septa and cell walls in yeast and filamentous fungi, respectively, and of cuticles in invertebrates, notably crustaceans and insects. Despite decades of intensive research, many events associated with the complexity of chitin formation and deposition are still obscure, or only partially understood. The list includes the hormonal control of CS at the transcriptional and translational levels as well as the post-translational CS packaging; trafficking and guidance of CS clusters to proper sites in the cells and their intricate insertion into the plasma membranes; activation of the catalytic step and its control or modulation; and translocation of chitin chains across cell membranes, their orientation, fibrillogenesis and association with other extracellular structural components such as polysaccharides (fungi) and cuticular proteins (insects). Also the precise biochemical lesions inflicted by CS inhibitors, such as the acylurea insect growth regulators, are largely unclear. The recent isolation and sequencing of insect CS genes should help in elucidating various aspects of chitin biochemistry and inhibition. In particular, the large number of transmembrane segments, characteristic of the insect CS, are speculated to be involved in chitin translocation and are expected to shed light on the mode of action of acylurea insecticides.