Pheromone response inhibitors of the corn stalk borer Sesamia nonagrioides. Biological evaluation and toxicology

Antifungal compounds, GC-MS analysis and toxicity assessment of methanolic extracts of Trichoderma species in an animal model

Fungi of the genus Trichoderma have been marketed for the management of diseases of crops. However, some Trichoderma species may produce toxic secondary metabolites and it should receive due attention to ensure human safety. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antagonistic potential of T. asperellum AU131 and T. longibrachiatum AU158 as microbial biocontrol agents (MBCAs) against Fusarium xylarioides and the associated antagonistic mechanism with bioactive substances. Swiss albino mice were used to evaluate the in vivo toxicity and pathogenicity of T. asperellum AU131 and T. longibrachiatum AU158 methanolic extracts and spore suspensions, respectively, in a preliminary safety assessment for use as biofungicides. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to profile volatile organic metabolites (VOCs) present in the methanolic extracts. The agar diffusion assay of the methanolic extracts from both T. asperellum AU131 and T. longibrachiatum AU158 were effective at a concentration of 200 μg/mL (1×10⁷ spores/mL), causing 62.5%, and 74.3% inhibition, respectively. A GC-MS analysis of methanolic extracts from both bioagents identified 23 VOCs which classified as alcohols, acids, sesquiterpenes, ketones and aromatic compounds. The oral administration of methanolic extracts and spore suspensions of each Trichoderma species to female Swiss albino mice over 14 days did not show any significant signs of toxicity, mortality or changes to body weight. It can be concluded that the tested spore suspensions and methanolic extracts were not pathogenic or toxic, respectively, when administered to Swiss albino mice at various doses.

An Overview of Antennal Esterases in Lepidoptera

Lepidoptera are used as a model for the study of insect olfactory proteins. Among them, odorant degrading enzymes (ODEs), that degrade odorant molecules to maintain the sensitivity of antennae, have received less attention. In particular, antennal esterases (AEs; responsible for ester degradation) are crucial for intraspecific communication in Lepidoptera. Currently, transcriptomic and genomic studies have provided AEs in several species. However, efforts in gene annotation, classification, and functional assignment are still lacking. Therefore, we propose to combine evidence at evolutionary, structural, and functional level to update ODEs as well as key information into an easier classification, particularly of AEs. Finally, the kinetic parameters for putative inhibition of ODEs are discussed in terms of its role in future integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.

Effect of Treatment With 3-Octylthio-1,1,1-Trifluoropropan-2-One in the Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) to the Toxicity of Diafenthiuron, Indoxacarb, and Bacillus thuringiensis

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is a worldwide insect pest of cruciferous crops. Although insecticides have long been used for its control, diamondback moth rapidly evolves resistance to almost any insecticide. In insects, juvenile hormone (JH) is critically involved in almost all biological processes. The correct activity of JH depends on the precise regulation of its titer, and juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) is the key regulator. Thus, JH and JHE have become important targets for new insecticide development. Trifluoromethyl ketones are specific JHE inhibitors, among which 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one (OTFP) has the highest activity. The interaction effects between pretreatment with or combination of OTFP and the insecticides diafenthiuron, indoxacarb, and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) were investigated in diamondback moth larvae to determine OTFP's potential as an insecticide synergist. In third-instar larvae, both pretreatment and combination treatment with OTFP decreased or antagonized the toxicities of diafenthiuron, indoxacarb, and Bt at all set concentrations. In fourth-instar larvae, combination treatment with OTFP decreased or antagonized the toxicities of diafenthiuron and indoxacarb at all set concentrations. However, it increased or synergized the toxicity of Bt at lower concentrations despite the limited effect at higher concentrations. Our results indicated that the effect of OTFP on the toxicities of insecticides varied with the type and concentration, larval stage, and treatment method. These findings contribute to the better use of OTFP in diamondback moth control.

Synthesis, Functional Assays, Electrophysiological Activity, and Field Tests of Pheromone Antagonists of the Tomato Leafminer, Tuta absoluta

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is one of the major pests of tomato and other Solanaceae in many regions worldwide. In the search for new strategies to control this pest, we present herewith the stereoselective synthesis, electrophysiological activity, functional analysis, and field tests of new chemicals as possible antagonists of the sex pheromone of the leafminer. The chemicals are methyl ketone (MK) and trifluoromethyl ketone (TFMK) structural analogues of both components of the pheromone. Most of the chemicals exerted per se some electrophysiological activity and inhibited the electroantennographic response to the pheromone when vapors of the inhibitor were passed over the antennae. Except TFMK 3, which elicited a modest effect, the compounds did not exhibit antiesterase activity on the pheromone-degrading enzymes of the antennae, but in the field the chemicals, particularly MK 5, notably decreased the number of catches when mixed with the pheromone in 1:1 and 10:1 ratios, regardless the infestation level of the plot. These results suggest that MK 5 is a good behavioral antagonist of the pheromone to be considered as a putative agent to control the pest in new future integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.

Electrophilic derivatives antagonise pheromone attraction in Cydia pomonella

BACKGROUND

Pheromone antagonists are good disruptants of the pheromone communication in insects and, as such, have been used in mating disruption experiments. In this study, new non-fluorinated electrophilic keto derivatives structurally related to the pheromone of Cydia pomonella (codlemone) have been synthesised and tested as putative pheromone antagonists.

RESULTS

Codlemone (1) was prepared in excellent stereoselectivity in a new, iterative approach involving two Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions. Methyl ketone (2), keto ester (3) and diketone (4) were obtained from codlemone in straightforward approaches in good overall yields and excellent stereochemical purity (≥98% E,E). In electrophysiology, only compound 2 displayed inhibition of the antennal response to the pheromone after presaturation of the antennal receptors. Compounds 2 to 4 did not inhibit the pheromone-degrading enzyme responsible for codlemone metabolism, but mixtures of ketone 2 and diketone 4 with codlemone elicited erratic flights on males in a wind tunnel. In the field, blends of either compound (2 or 4) with the pheromone caught significantly fewer males than codlemone alone.

CONCLUSION

Codlemone and the potential antagonists 2 to 4 have been synthesised in good yields and excellent stereoselectivity. These chemicals behave as pheromone antagonists of the codling moth both in the laboratory and in the field.

Inhibition of the responses to sex pheromone of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

Trifluoromethyl ketones reversibly inhibit pheromone-degrading esterases in insect olfactory tissues, affecting pheromone detection and behavior of moth males. In this work, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z9-14:TFMK), a closely-related analogue of the pheromone of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), was prepared and tested in electroantennogram and field tests as possible inhibitors of the pheromone action. The electroantennogram parameters, amplitude, and the repolarization time of the antennal responses of S. frugiperda males were affected by Z9-14:TFMK vapors. Exposure of male antennae to a stream of air passing through 100 μg of the ketone produced a significant reduction of the amplitude and an increase of 2/3 repolarization time signals to the pheromone. The effect was reversible and dose-dependent. In the field, the analogue significantly decreased the number of males caught when mixed with the pheromone in 10:1 ratio. The results suggest that Z9-14:TFMK is a mating disruptant of S. frugiperda and may be a good candidate to consider in future strategies to control this pest.

Synthesis of allylic trifluoromethyl ketones and their activity as inhibitors of the sex pheromone of the leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

BACKGROUND

Trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs), structurally related to the pheromones, are good inhibitors of pheromone communication in insects. To determine their activity on Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), a polyphagous pest, the authors have prepared two diunsaturated TFMK analogues of the major (3) and the minor (4) pheromone components, and two monounsaturated ones (5, 6). Their biological activity in electroantennogram (EAG), wind tunnel and field tests is presented.

RESULTS

The synthetic strategy to obtain the allylic TFMKs 3 and 5 is based on the reactions of diene 10 and 1-octadecene with trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal, followed by Dess-Martin oxidation of the resulting homoallylic trifluoromethyl alcohols. In EAG, topical application of analogues 3 and 4 on male antennae significantly reduced the pheromone response. In the wind tunnel, compound 4 reduced the number of contacts with the pheromone source. In the field, traps baited with mixtures of pheromone and inhibitors captured significantly fewer males than the pheromone alone.

CONCLUSION

An efficient synthesis of allylic TFMKs is reported, with good overall yield, regiospecificity and diastereoselectivity. These compounds are good inhibitors of the pheromone in electrophysiology, wind tunnel and field tests. The results show the importance of two unsaturations at positions 2 and 13 of the trifluoroacyl group in the structure of the analogues, the latter being critical for inhibitory activity.

New pheromones and insect control strategies

A survey of the new environmentally safe strategies used for insect control is presented. The survey includes mating disruption, pheromone antagonists as chemical communication inhibitors, pheromones and plant-based volatiles, attractant-and-kill, and push-pull strategies. Important successes have been obtained, particularly in mating disruption with significant reduction in pesticide use in low to moderate pest infestations. One important factor of concern is the high cost of semiochemicals and formulations containing them in comparison to the conventional insecticide treatments, and a combined effort by scientists, producers, and farmers should be made to reduce the cost of application of these semiochemicals.

Binding specificity of locust odorant binding protein and its key binding site for initial recognition of alcohols

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are required for olfaction perception, and thus may be possible targets for controlling the population of pests by interfering with their chemical communication. A single OBP LmigOBP1 has been identified in the antennae of Locusta migratoria, though four isoforms have been detected. Here, we have investigated the ligand-binding specificity of LmigOBP1 using 67 volatile odor compounds. Fluorescence assays indicate that LmigOBP1 does not bind fecal volatiles or green leaf odors, but shows high affinity for some linear aliphatic compounds, with pentadecanol and 2-pentadecanone being the strongest binding ligands. A 3-dimensional (3D) model of LmigOBP1 was built by homology modeling. Docking simulations based on this model suggested that Asn74 of LmigOBP1 is a key binding site, and this was validated by site-directed mutagenesis and fluorescence assays. We suggest that, as a general rule, a hydrophilic amino acid at the entrance of the binding cavity participates in initial recognition of ligands, and contributes to ligand-binding specificity of OBPs.

Expression of differential antennal proteins in males and females of an important crop pest, Sesamia nonagrioides

Pest damage causes important decrease in crop yield every year all over the world, particularly by Lepidoptera. Characterization of the antennal proteins implicated in the reproduction of Lepidoptera will help to develop new methods for pest management and contribute to sustainable agriculture and biodiversity maintenance. We present herein the characterization of some antennal proteins of Sesamia nonagrioides by proteomic techniques such as two-dimensional electrophoresis, MALDI-TOF MS, and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The antennal proteins expressed in both sexes were analyzed and more than 800 spots were detected, finding 16 proteins differentially expressed between males and females. Most of the identified proteins were involved in olfaction. High levels of pheromone binding proteins (PBP1 and PBP2) were found as expected in males, but also in female antennae, although females did not electrophysiologically respond to their own pheromone. General odorant binding proteins (GOBP1 and GOBP2) were preferentially expressed in females but high levels were also detected in males. The expression was remarkably high in both sexes along the complete photoperiod. A sensitive proteomic methodology was developed to identify antennal proteins.

Aquatic ecotoxicity of a pheromonal antagonist in Daphnia magna and Desmodesmus subspicatus

Evaluation of the ecotoxicological potential of (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11-16:TFMK), a new biorational agent with high prospective features to control the Mediterranean corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides in infested maize fields, in comparison to the parent pheromone compound (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac) is described. Acute and sublethal toxicity tests of both compounds against the cladoceran Daphnia magna and the chlorophyte Desmodesmus subspicatus were conducted, the endpoints being immobilisation and feeding inhibition for Daphnia and growth rate inhibition for Desmodesmus. In addition, effects on B esterases including cholinesterase and carboxylesterase activities in Daphnia were also assessed to evaluate the mode of action of both chemicals. Toxicities of both compounds were moderate with EC(50) values ranging from 3.11 to 103.74mgl(-1) in algae growth, from 0.07 to 1.20mgl(-1) in Daphnia survival, and from 0.10 to 0.53mgl(-1) in Daphnia feeding rate. In all cases Z11-16:TFMK was more toxic than the naturally occurring pheromone component. Serine esterase assays showed a strong inhibition of the carboxylesterase activities in Daphnia at concentrations with apparently no effects on survival or feeding, suggesting that inhibition of other key esterases may be the possible mechanism of toxicity of this compound. The results obtained have been related with some physico-chemical properties of the compounds, such as water solubility and octanol-water partition coefficient, suggesting that Z11-16:TFMK may affect aquatic organisms at lower concentrations than expected from non-polar narcosis.

A new, mild, and efficient synthesis of 2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxyacids through a selective haloform reaction

[reaction: see text] Long-chain 2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxyacids have been synthesized in a new, straightforward manner by treatment of 4-hydroxy-1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoroalkyl ketones, easily obtained by reaction of pentafluoroenolate 2 with aldehydes and ketones, with base under mild conditions. The reaction sequence is marked by the selective cleavage of the CO-CF3 bond, as well as the absence of products arising from the alternative CO-CF2R bond cleavage. The process represents a convenient approach for the synthesis of 2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxyacids, as it is short, provides good to excellent yields under mild conditions, and uses hexafluoro-2-propanol, a very cheap reagent, as the fluorine source.

Antagonism of pheromone response of Ostrinia nubilalis males and implications on behavior in the laboratory and in the field

The antagonistic effect on the pheromone response and catabolism of male European corn borers, Ostrinia nubilalis, by several trifluoromethyl ketones is reported. (Z)-11-Tetradecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11-14:TFMK), the most closely related analogue of the main component of the pheromone, elicits a remarkable disruptive effect on close approach and source contact of males flying to a source baited with mixtures of the pheromone and the antagonist in 5:1 and 10:1 ratios. In this experiment, the male displayed an erratic flight track with frequent counter turns and intersections with the plume. In the field, the TFMK significantly lowered the number of males caught when mixed with the pheromone in a 10:1 ratio in comparison with the natural attractant. The compound was also a good inhibitor of the antennal esterase of the insect with a IC(50) value of 0.28 muM. The homologous (Z)-10-tridecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone, with one carbon less in the chain, also elicited an antagonistic effect in the wind tunnel, but in the field, the results were not conclusive. The effect induced was lower than the one displayed by Z11-14:TFMK including the activity as the esterase inhibitor (IC(50) value of 7.55 muM). The saturated tetradecyl trifluoromethyl ketone, tetradecyltrifluoropyruvamide, and (Z)-11-2-thiatetradecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone resulted completely inactive. The results obtained in conjunction to the previously shown low toxicity to mice by related trifluoromethyl ketones provide new important data for the putative utilization of these chemicals as new pest control agents.

New Selective Haloform-type Reaction Yielding 3-Hydroxy-2,2-difluoroacids: Theoretical Study of the Mechanism

Experimental results of an unprecedented haloform-type reaction in which 4-alkyl-4-hydroxy-3,3-difluoromethyl trifluoromethyl ketones undergo base-promoted selective cleavage of the CO-CF(3) bond, yielding 3-hydroxy-2,2-difluoroacids and fluoroform, are rationalized using DFT (B3LYP) calculations. The gas-phase addition of hydroxide ion to 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro-4-hydroxypentan-2-one (R) is found to be a barrierless process, yielding a tetrahedral intermediate (INT), involving a DeltaG(r)(298 K) of -61.4 kcal/mol. The CO-CF(3) bond cleavage in INT leads to a hydrogen-bonded [CH(3)CHOHCF(2)CO(2)H...CF(3)](-) complex by passage through a transition structure (TS1) with a DeltaG()(298 K) of 20.8 kcal/mol and a DeltaG(r)(298 K) of 9.8 kcal/mol. This complex undergoes a proton transfer between its components, yielding a hydrogen-bonded [CH(3)CHOHCF(2)CO(2)...CHF(3)](-) complex. This process has associated with it a DeltaG()(298 K) of only 3.1 kcal/mol and a DeltaG(r)(298 K) of -43.3 kcal/mol. The CO-CF(2) bond cleavage in INT leads to a hydrogen-bonded [CH(3)CHOHCF(2)...CF(3)CO(2)H](-) complex by passage through a transition structure (TS3) with a DeltaG()(298 K) of 29.2 kcal/mol and a DeltaG(r)(298 K) of 25.1 kcal/mol. The lower energy barrier found for CO-CF(3) bond cleavage in INT is ascribed to the larger number of fluorine atoms stabilizing the negative charge accumulated on the CF(3) moiety of TS1, as compared to the number of fluorine atoms stabilizing the negative charge on the CH(3)CHOHCF(2) moiety of TS3. The solvent-induced effects on the two pathways, introduced within the SCRF formalism through PCM calculations, do not reverse the predicted preference of the CO-CF(3) over the CO-CF(2) bond cleavage of R in the gas phase.

The Influence of Fluorinated Molecules (Semiochemicals and Enzyme Substrate Analogues) on the Insect Communication System

Can the introduction of fluorine atoms affect the bioactivity of natural semiochemicals? Can fluorine contribute in the creation of specific enzyme inhibitors to interrupt or disrupt the insect communication system? The first step for the bioactivity of a molecule is interaction with the biological sensor. Hydrogen and fluorine are almost bioisosteric and the receptor site of the enzyme can still recognize and accept the fluoro analogue of its natural substrate. However, the peculiar electronegativity of the fluorine atom can affect the binding, absorption, and transport of the molecule. The differences in the molecule's electronic properties can lead to differences in the chemical interactions between the receptor and the fluorinated substrate. Fluorine introduction can modify the metabolic stability and pathway of the semiochemicals in many different ways. Fluorinated analogues can show synergism, inhibition, or hyperagonism effects on insect behaviors, that is, the activity of the nonfluorinated parent compounds can be mimicked, lost, or increased. In any case, the fluorinated molecules can interact with the bioreceptors in a new and disrupting way. The semiochemicals are olfactory substances: fluorine can affect their volatility or smell. Production of semiochemicals from exogenous substances, perception at antennal receptors, and processing of biological responses are the main steps of communication among insects. In the production step, the fluorinated molecules can interact with enzymes that catalyze the biosynthesis of the natural pheromones. In the perception step, fluorinated semiochemicals can interact with the olfactory receptor cells; this often leads to totally unpredictable behaviors. Fluorinated molecules have been developed as probes to elucidate the complex chemorecognition processes of insects. Many of these molecules have been tested to find highly effective behavior-modifying chemicals. New analogues have been synthesized to investigate the metabolic pathway of a pheromone molecule and many of them are promising disrupting agents. Despite such titanic research efforts, the results have often been random, rational trends in the induced behaviors have sometimes been impossible to find, and practical applications of the fluorinated semiochemicals are still uncertain.

New fluorinated derivatives as esterase inhibitors. Synthesis, hydration and crossed specificity studies

A variety of new fluorinated chemicals have been prepared for the first time and tested as inhibitors of esterases, one of the main enzymes involved in pheromone catabolism, in two economically important pests, the Egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis (SL) and the Mediterranean corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides (SN). Using the respective major component of the pheromone as substrate, the K(m) and V(max) of the antennal esterase of both insects resulted to be 5.66 x 10(-4) M and 8.47 x 10(-6) Mmin(-1) for SL and 1.61 x 10(-7) M and 1.25 x 10(-7) Mmin(-1) for SN, pointing out that SN esterase has a higher affinity for its corresponding substrate than SL. In general, the trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) exhibited higher inhibitory potency than the corresponding difluoromethyl ketones (DFMKs) or difluoroaldehydes (DFAs). The compounds appeared to hydrate differently in aqueous solution, the extent of hydration following the order: alpha,alpha-DFMKs<alpha,alpha-difluoro-beta-thioalkylmethyl ketones<TFMKs<beta-thiotrifluoromethyl ketones<alpha,alpha-DFAs. No clear correlation has been found between the K(hyd) and the inhibitory potency and no specificity has been found when the chemicals were assayed on extracts of both insects.

Activity of octylthiotrifluoropropan-2-one, a potent esterase inhibitor, on growth, development, and intraspecific communication in Spodoptera littoralis and Sesamia nonagrioides

A series of experiments were conducted to examine the effect of 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanone (OTFP) on growth, development, and behavior of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and the corn stalk borer, Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The chemical behaved as an oviposition deterrent and, when added to the diet of the second-instar larvae of both insects, reduced diet consumption and growth, pupation, and adult emergence. Treatment of 100-5000 ng of the compound on fourth-instar larvae for 3-24 h, however, did not produce significant differences in the amount of diet ingested. Our results suggest that the effect of OTFP is long-lasting and that the inhibitor is not fully detoxified by the detoxification enzymes of the digestive tract of the insects. In behavioral assays, adult males which had been treated with the chemical at the larval stage were less attracted to the pheromone source than regular untreated males. When Sp. littoralis untreated females were used as the attractant source, treated males also displayed significantly fewer contacts with the cage-containing females than untreated or solvent-treated males. In the presence of treated females, only 27% of treated males successfully completed the flight in comparison to animals responding to solvent-treated females (54.5%). By contrast, when Se. nonagrioides females, whether they had been subjected or not to the treatment, were used as the attractant source, males were similarly attracted to them regardless of whether they had been treated or not at the larval stage. Analyses of gland extracts of Sp. littoralis treated females showed no difference from control insects in the qualitative or quantitative composition of the pheromone blend. The results obtained, in combination with other results previously reported by us (Riba, M.; Sans, A.; Bau, P.; Grolleau, G.; Renou, M.; Guerrero, A. J. Chem. Ecol. 2001, 27, 1879-1897), provide new and relevant information about the possible utility of these chemicals in future studies directed to the development of new approaches for pest control.

Disruption of responses to pheromone by (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone, an analogue of the pheromone, in the cabbage armyworm Mamestra brassicae

The effects of (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11-16:TFMK) a fluorinated pheromone analogue, on the responses to sex pheromone of the male cabbage armyworm, Mamestra brassicae, have been investigated in an actograph and by electroantennography (EAG). In spite of its structural proximity with the natural pheromone, Z11-16:TFMK was poorly active in EAG, and not active on male behaviour. When permeated in the air, Z11-16:TFMK reversibly inhibited the electroantennographic responses to (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac), the main component of the sex pheromone. In the actograph, the latency of the activation was increased and the intensity of the behavioural activity of males in response to Z11-16:Ac was significantly reduced in the presence of Z11-16:TFMK. These results, along with others previously reported by us, provide new pointers to the possible use of Z11-16:TFMK in pest-control strategies.