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Zhang W, Chen X, Eleftherianos I, Mohamed A, Bastin A, Keyhani NO. Cross-talk between immunity and behavior: insights from entomopathogenic fungi and their insect hosts. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae003. [PMID: 38341280 PMCID: PMC10883697 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae003] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects are one of the most successful animals in nature, and entomopathogenic fungi play a significant role in the natural epizootic control of insect populations in many ecosystems. The interaction between insects and entomopathogenic fungi has continuously coevolved over hundreds of millions of years. Many components of the insect innate immune responses against fungal infection are conserved across phyla. Additionally, behavioral responses, which include avoidance, grooming, and/or modulation of body temperature, have been recognized as important mechanisms for opposing fungal pathogens. In an effort to investigate possible cross-talk and mediating mechanisms between these fundamental biological processes, recent studies have integrated and/or explored immune and behavioral responses. Current information indicates that during discrete stages of fungal infection, several insect behavioral and immune responses are altered simultaneously, suggesting important connections between the two systems. This review synthesizes recent advances in our understanding of the physiological and molecular aspects influencing cross-talk between behavioral and innate immune antifungal reactions, including chemical perception and olfactory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, Huaxi District 550025, China
| | - Xuanyu Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, Huaxi District 550025, China
| | - Ioannis Eleftherianos
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States
| | - Amr Mohamed
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
- Research fellow, King Saud University Museum of Arthropods, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashley Bastin
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
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Mesquita E, da Costa DP, Meirelles LN, Camargo MG, Corrêa TA, Bittencourt VREP, da Silva Coelho I, Santos HA, Humber RA, Golo PS. Entomopathogenic fungus treatment changes the gut bacterial diversity of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:185. [PMID: 37280668 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05790-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are obligate bloodsucking parasites responsible for significant economic losses and concerns with human and animal health, mainly due to the transmission of pathogens. Entomopathogenic fungi have been intensively studied as an alternative strategy for tick control that can be used in combination with synthetic acaricides in the integrated management of ticks. Here, we investigated how the gut bacterial community of Rhipicephalus microplus is shaped after Metarhizium anisopliae treatment and how the tick susceptibility to the fungus is affected after disrupting gut bacterial microbiota. METHODS Partially engorged tick females were artificially fed with pure bovine blood or blood plus tetracycline. Two other groups received the same diet and were topically treated with M. anisopliae. The guts were dissected, and the genomic DNA was extracted 3 days after the treatment; the V3-V4 variable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. RESULTS The gut of ticks that received no antibiotic but were treated with M. anisopliae exhibited lower bacterial diversity and a higher occurrence of Coxiella species. The Simpson diversity index and Pielou equability coefficient were higher in the gut bacterial community when R. microplus were fed with tetracycline and fungus-treated. Ticks from fungus-treated groups (with or without tetracycline) exhibited lower survival than untreated females. Previous feeding of ticks with the antibiotic did not change their susceptibility to the fungus. Ehrlichia spp. were not detected in the gueated groups. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that myco-acaricidal action would not be impacted if the calf hosting these ticks is under antibiotic therapy. Moreover, the hypothesis that entomopathogenic fungi can affect the bacterial community in the gut of R. microplus engorged females is endorsed by the fact that ticks exposed to M. anisopliae exhibited a dramatic reduction in bacterial diversity. This is the first report of an entomopathogenic fungus affecting the tick gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Mesquita
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Diogo Paes da Costa
- Microbiology and Enzymology Laboratory, Federal University of Agreste Pernambuco, Garanhuns, PE, 55292-270, Brazil
| | - Laura Nóbrega Meirelles
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Mariana Guedes Camargo
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thaís Almeida Corrêa
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Vânia Rita Elias Pinheiro Bittencourt
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Irene da Silva Coelho
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Huarrisson Azevedo Santos
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Richard Alan Humber
- USDA-ARS Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research, R. W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Patrícia Silva Golo
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
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Fiorotti J, Urbanová V, Gôlo PS, Bittencourt VREP, Kopáček P. The role of complement in the tick cellular immune defense against the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 126:104234. [PMID: 34450130 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have been widely explored for their potential in the biological control of insect pests and as an environmentally friendly alternative to acaricides for limiting tick infestation in the field. The arthropod cuticle is the main barrier against fungal infection, however, an understanding of internal defense mechanisms after EPF intrusion into the invertebrate hemocoel is still rather limited. Using an infection model of the European Lyme borreliosis vector Ixodes ricinus with the EPF Metarhizium robertsii, we demonstrated that ticks are capable of protecting themselves to a certain extent against mild fungal infections. However, tick mortality dramatically increases when the capability of tick hemocytes to phagocytose fungal conidia is impaired. Using RNAi-mediated silencing of tick thioester-containing proteins (TEPs), followed by in vitro and/or in vivo phagocytic assays, we found that C3-like complement components and α2-macroglobulin pan-protease inhibitors secreted to the hemolymph play pivotal roles in M. robertsii phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Fiorotti
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Patrícia Silva Gôlo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic.
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Cell Line Platforms Support Research into Arthropod Immunity. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12080738. [PMID: 34442304 PMCID: PMC8397109 DOI: 10.3390/insects12080738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Many insect and tick species are serious pests, because insects damage crop plants and, along with ticks, transmit a wide range of human and animal diseases. One way of controlling these pests is by impairing their immune system, which protects them from bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. An important tool for studying immunity is using long-lasting cell cultures, known as cell lines. These lines can be frozen and thawed at will to be used in automated tests, and they provide consistent results over years. Questions that can be asked using cell lines include: How do insects or ticks recognize when they have been infected and by what organism? What kinds of defensive strategies do they use to contain or kill infectious agents? This article reviews research with insect or tick cell lines to answer these questions, as well as other questions relating to immunity. This review also discusses future research strategies for working with cell lines. Abstract Innate immune responses are essential to maintaining insect and tick health and are the primary defense against pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Cell line research is a powerful method for understanding how invertebrates mount defenses against pathogenic organisms and testing hypotheses on how these responses occur. In particular, immortal arthropod cell lines are valuable tools, providing a tractable, high-throughput, cost-effective, and consistent platform to investigate the mechanisms underpinning insect and tick immune responses. The research results inform the controls of medically and agriculturally important insects and ticks. This review presents several examples of how cell lines have facilitated research into multiple aspects of the invertebrate immune response to pathogens and other foreign agents, as well as comments on possible future research directions in these robust systems.
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Li C, Zhang Q, Xia Y, Jin K. MaAreB, a GATA Transcription Factor, Is Involved in Nitrogen Source Utilization, Stress Tolerances and Virulence in Metarhizium acridum. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7070512. [PMID: 34198996 PMCID: PMC8305397 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR) pathway is involved in nitrogen utilization, in which the global GATA transcription factor AreA plays an indispensable role and has been reported in many fungi. However, relatively few studies are focused on AreB, another GATA transcription factor in the NCR pathway and the functions of AreB are largely unknown in entomopathogenic fungi. Here, we characterized MaAreB in the model entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum. Sequence arrangement found that MaAreB had a conserved GATA zinc finger DNA binding domain and a leucine zipper domain. Disruption of MaAreB affected the nitrogen utilization and led to decelerated conidial germination and hyphal growth, decreased conidial yield, and lower tolerances to UV-B irradiation and heat-shock. Furthermore, the MaAreB mutant (ΔMaAreB) exhibited increased sensitivity to CFW (Calcofluor white), decreased cell wall contents (chitin and β-1,3-glucan) and reduced expression levels of some genes related to cell wall integrity, indicating that disruption of MaAreB affected the cell wall integrity. Bioassays showed that the virulence of the ΔMaAreB strain was decreased in topical inoculation but not in intra-hemocoel injection. Consistently, deletion of MaAreB severely impaired the appressorium formation and reduced the turgor pressure of appressorium. These results revealed that MaAreB regulated fungal nitrogen utilization, cell wall integrity and biological control potential, which would contribute to the functional characterization of AreB homologous proteins in other insect fungal pathogens, and even filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaochuang Li
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China; (C.L.); (Q.Z.)
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, Chongqing 401331, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies Under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Qipei Zhang
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China; (C.L.); (Q.Z.)
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, Chongqing 401331, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies Under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Yuxian Xia
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China; (C.L.); (Q.Z.)
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, Chongqing 401331, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies Under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing 401331, China
- Correspondence: (Y.X.); (K.J.); Tel.: +86-23-65120990 (Y.X.)
| | - Kai Jin
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China; (C.L.); (Q.Z.)
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, Chongqing 401331, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies Under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing 401331, China
- Correspondence: (Y.X.); (K.J.); Tel.: +86-23-65120990 (Y.X.)
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The multifunctional lifestyles of Metarhizium: evolution and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:9935-9945. [PMID: 33085023 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10968-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The genus Metarhizium is comprised of a diverse group of common soil fungi that exhibit multifunctional lifestyles with varying degrees of saprotrophic, endophytic, and insect pathogenic modes of nutrient acquisition. The transcriptome of these species is modulated to reflect immediate needs of the fungus and availability of resources-a form of transcriptional plasticity that allows for physiological adaptation to environments with diverse and dynamic exploitable nutrient sources. In this review, we discuss the endophytic, insect pathogenic lifestyles of Metarhizium spp., including their symbiotic interface, origins, and evolution, and agricultural applications. Isotope labeling experiments have demonstrated that a mutually beneficial exchange of limiting nutrients occurs between the fungus and its host plant, with nitrogen derived via insect pathogenesis being translocated from Metarhizium to host plants in exchange for fixed carbon in the form of photosynthate. Thus, the endophytic and entomopathogenic abilities of Metarhizium spp. are not exclusive of one another, but rather are interdependent and reciprocal in nature. Although endophytic, insect pathogenic fungi (EIPF) could certainly have evolved from insect pathogenic fungi, phylogenomic evidence indicates that this genus is more closely related to plant-associated fungi than animal pathogens, suggesting that Metarhizium evolved from a lineage of plant symbionts, which subsequently acquired genes for insect pathogenesis. Entomopathogenicity may have been an adaptive trait, allowing for procurement of insect-derived nitrogen that could be translocated to host plants and bartered for fixed carbon, thereby improving the stability of fungal-plant symbioses. Given their ability to simultaneously parasitize soil insects, including a number of pests of agriculturally important crops, as well as promote plant health, growth, and productivity, Metarhizium spp. are considered promising alternatives to the chemical pesticides and fertilizers that have wreaked havoc on the health and integrity of ecosystems. KEY POINTS: • Metarhizium is a fungus that is an insect pathogen as well as a plant symbiont. • The genus Metarhizium has specialist and generalist insect pathogens. • Metarhizium is phylogenetically most closely related to plant endophytes.
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Fiorotti J, Menna-Barreto RFS, Gôlo PS, Coutinho-Rodrigues CJB, Bitencourt ROB, Spadacci-Morena DD, Angelo IDC, Bittencourt VREP. Ultrastructural and Cytotoxic Effects of Metarhizium robertsii Infection on Rhipicephalus microplus Hemocytes. Front Physiol 2019; 10:654. [PMID: 31191351 PMCID: PMC6548823 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metarhizium is an entomopathogenic fungus widely employed in the biological control of arthropods. Hemocytes present in the hemolymph of invertebrates are the cells involved in the immune response of arthropods. Despite this, knowledge about Rhipicephalus microplus hemocytes morphological aspects as well as their role in response to the fungal infection is scarce. The present study aimed to analyze the hemocytes of R. microplus females after Metarhizium robertsii infection, using light and electron microscopy approaches associated with the cytotoxicity evaluation. Five types of hemocytes (prohemocytes, spherulocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, and oenocytoids) were described in the hemolymph of uninfected ticks, while only prohemocytes, granulocytes, and plasmatocytes were observed in fungus-infected tick females. Twenty-four hours after the fungal infection, only granulocytes and plasmatocytes were detected in the transmission electron microscopy analysis. Hemocytes from fungus-infected tick females showed several cytoplasmic vacuoles with different electron densities, and lipid droplets in close contact to low electron density vacuoles, as well as the formation of autophagosomes and subcellular material in different stages of degradation could also be observed. M. robertsii propagules were more toxic to tick hemocytes in the highest concentration tested (1.0 × 108 conidia mL-1). Interestingly, the lowest fungus concentration did not affect significantly the cell viability. Microanalysis showed that cells granules from fungus-infected and uninfected ticks had similar composition. This study addressed the first report of fungal cytotoxicity analyzing ultrastructural effects on hemocytes of R. microplus infected with entomopathogenic fungi. These results open new perspectives for the comprehension of ticks physiology and pathology, allowing the identification of new targets for the biological control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Fiorotti
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | - Patrícia Silva Gôlo
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Oliveira Barbosa Bitencourt
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | - Isabele da Costa Angelo
- Departamento de Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
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Djouda BS, Moukam Kakmeni FM, Guemkam Ghomsi P, Ndjomatchoua FT, Tchawoua C, Tonnang HEZ. Theoretical analysis of spatial nonhomogeneous patterns of entomopathogenic fungi growth on insect pest. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2019; 29:053134. [PMID: 31154798 DOI: 10.1063/1.5043612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the study of the dynamics of intrahost (insect pests)-pathogen [entomopathogenic fungi (EPF)] interactions. The interaction between the resources from the insect pest and the mycelia of EPF is represented by the Holling and Powell type II functional responses. Because the EPF's growth is related to the instability of the steady state solution of our system, particular attention is given to the stability analysis of this steady state. Initially, the stability of the steady state is investigated without taking into account diffusion and by considering the behavior of the system around its equilibrium states. In addition, considering small perturbation of the stable singular point due to nonlinear diffusion, the conditions for Turing instability occurrence are deduced. It is observed that the absence of the regeneration feature of insect resources prevents the occurrence of such phenomena. The long time evolution of our system enables us to observe both spot and stripe patterns. Moreover, when the diffusion of mycelia is slightly modulated by a weak periodic perturbation, the Floquet theory and numerical simulations allow us to derive the conditions in which diffusion driven instabilities can occur. The relevance of the obtained results is further discussed in the perspective of biological insect pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byliole S Djouda
- Laboratory of Mechanics, Materials and Structures, Research and Postgraduate Training Unit for Physics and Applications, Postgraduate School of Science, Technology and Geosciences, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. Box 812, Ngoa Ekelle, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - F M Moukam Kakmeni
- Complex Systems and Theoretical Biology Group, Laboratory of Research on Advanced Materials and Nonlinear Science (LaRAMaNS), Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Buéa, P. O. Box 63, Buéa, Cameroon
| | - P Guemkam Ghomsi
- Laboratory of Mechanics, Materials and Structures, Research and Postgraduate Training Unit for Physics and Applications, Postgraduate School of Science, Technology and Geosciences, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. Box 812, Ngoa Ekelle, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Frank T Ndjomatchoua
- Sustainable Impact Platform, Adaptive Agronomy and Pest Ecology Cluster, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), DAPO Box 7777-1301, Metro Manila, Philippines
| | - Clément Tchawoua
- Laboratory of Mechanics, Materials and Structures, Research and Postgraduate Training Unit for Physics and Applications, Postgraduate School of Science, Technology and Geosciences, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. Box 812, Ngoa Ekelle, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Henri E Z Tonnang
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), 08 BP 0932, Tri Postal Abomey Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
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Pereira SL, Reis TC, de Oliveira IT, Ferreira EA, de Castro e Castro BM, Soares MA, Vidal Ribeiro VH. Pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana fungi to Tetranychus ludeni (Acari: Tetranychidae). ARQUIVOS DO INSTITUTO BIOLÓGICO 2019. [DOI: 10.1590/1808-1657000272018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT The use of acaricides is the main control method for Tetranychus ludeni (Acari: Tetranychidae) in horticultural crops. This mite has been recorded causing damage to sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.). The use of pathogenic fungi is an alternative to chemical control. The objective was to evaluate the pathogenicity of the fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (Meetch) Sorok, and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. to phytophagous mite T. ludeni in sweet potato plants. Conidial suspensions of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana, at concentrations of 106 and 107 con.mL-1 were applied to sweet potato leaves. After 24 hours, five females of T. ludeni newly emerged were released on the leaves. The bioassay was arranged in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement 2 × 2 (two species of fungi and two concentrations) plus the control (distilled water), with 10 repetitions per treatment. The evaluation consisted of observing of three biological parameters of the mite: mortality, oviposition, and repellency, after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of contact with the fungi. The isolates of M. anisopliae cause high mortality rates of T. ludeni in laboratory. Beauveria bassiana has the potential to suppress future generations of mite, reducing its oviposition rate. Repellency behavior was not observed.
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Reif KE, Ujczo JK, Alperin DC, Noh SM. Francisella tularensis novicida infection competence differs in cell lines derived from United States populations of Dermacentor andersoni and Ixodes scapularis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12685. [PMID: 30140074 PMCID: PMC6107653 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30419-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the United States, Dermacentor spp. are common vectors of Francisella tularensis subspecies (ssp.), while Ixodes scapularis is not, though the geographic distribution and host range of pathogen and tick overlap. To examine if differences in infection competence at the cellular level underpin these ecological differences, we evaluated the competence of D. andersoni (DAE100) and I. scapularis (ISE6) cell lines to support F. tularensis ssp. novicida (F. novicida) infection. Importantly, D. andersoni is a vector for both F. tularensis spp. tularensis, and F. novicida. We hypothesized F. novicida infection would be more productive in D. andersoni than in I. scapularis cells. Specifically, we determined if there are differences in F. novicida i) invasion, ii) replication, or iii) tick cell viability between DAE100 and ISE6 cells. We further examined the influence of temperature on infection kinetics. Both cell lines were permissive to F. novicida infection; however, there were significantly higher bacterial levels and mortality in DAE100 compared to ISE6 cells. Infection at environmental temperatures prolonged the time bacteria were maintained at high levels and reduced tick cell mortality in both cell lines. Identifying cellular determinants of vector competence is essential in understanding tick-borne disease ecology and designing effective intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Reif
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agriculture Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington, USA.
| | - Jessica K Ujczo
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agriculture Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Debra C Alperin
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Susan M Noh
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agriculture Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Keyhani NO. Lipid biology in fungal stress and virulence: Entomopathogenic fungi. Fungal Biol 2018; 122:420-429. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Boucias DG, Zhou Y, Huang S, Keyhani NO. Microbiota in insect fungal pathology. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:5873-5888. [PMID: 29802479 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9089-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Significant progress has been made in the biochemical and genetic characterization of the host-pathogen interaction mediated by insect pathogenic fungi, with the most widely studied being the Ascomycetes (Hypocrealean) fungi, Metarhizium robertsii and Beauveria bassiana. However, few studies have examined the consequences and effects of host (insect) microbes, whether compatible or antagonistic, on the development and survival of entomopathogenic fungi. Host microbes can act on the insect cuticular surface, within the gut, in specialized insect microbe hosting structures, and within cells, and they include a wide array of facultative and/or obligate exosymbionts and endosymbionts. The insect microbiome differs across developmental stages and in response to nutrition (e.g., different plant hosts for herbivores) and environmental conditions, including exposure to chemical insecticides. Here, we review recent advances indicating that insect-pathogenic fungi have evolved a spectrum of strategies for exploiting or suppressing host microbes, including the production of antimicrobial compounds that are expressed at discrete stages of the infection process. Conversely, there is increasing evidence that some insects have acquired microbes that may be specialized in the production of antifungal compounds to combat infection by (entomopathogenic) fungi. Consideration of the insect microbiome in fungal insect pathology represents a new frontier that can help explain previously obscure ecological and pathological aspects of the biology of entomopathogenic fungi. Such information may lead to novel approaches to improving the efficacy of these organisms in pest control efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drion G Boucias
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Yonghong Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Shuaishuai Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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Abstract
Fungi are the most common disease-causing agents of insects; aside from playing a crucial role in natural ecosystems, insect-killing fungi are being used as alternatives to chemical insecticides and as resources for biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Some common experimentally tractable genera, such as Metarhizium spp., exemplify genetic diversity and dispersal because they contain numerous intraspecific variants with distinct environmental and insect host ranges. The availability of tools for molecular genetics and multiple sequenced genomes has made these fungi ideal experimental models for answering basic questions on the genetic and genomic processes behind adaptive phenotypes. For example, comparative genomics of entomopathogenic fungi has shown they exhibit diverse reproductive modes that often determine rates and patterns of genome evolution and are linked as cause or effect with pathogenic strategies. Fungal-insect pathogens represent lifestyle adaptations that evolved numerous times, and there are significant differences in host range and pathogenic strategies between the major groups. However, typically, spores landing on the cuticle produce appressoria and infection pegs that breach the cuticle using mechanical pressure and cuticle-degrading enzymes. Once inside the insect body cavity, fungal pathogens face a potent and comprehensively studied immune defense by which the host attempts to eliminate or reduce an infection. The Fungal Kingdom stands alone in the range, extent, and complexity of their manipulation of arthropod behavior. In part, this is because most only sporulate on cadavers, so they must ensure the dying host positions itself to allow efficient transmission.
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Leclerc JB, Detrain C. Ants detect but do not discriminate diseased workers within their nest. Naturwissenschaften 2016; 103:70. [PMID: 27475810 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-016-1394-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Social insects have evolved an array of individual and social behaviours that limit pathogen entrance and spread within the colony. The detection of ectoparasites or of fungal spores on a nestmate body triggers their removal by allogrooming and appears as a primary component of social prophylaxis. However, in the case of fungal infection, one may wonder whether ant workers are able to detect, discriminate and keep at bay diseased nestmates that have no spores over their cuticle but which constitute a latent sanitary risk due to post-mortem corpse sporulation. Here, we investigate the ability of Myrmica rubra workers to detect and discriminate a healthy from a diseased nestmate infected by the entomopathogen Metarhizium anisopliae. During dyadic encounters in a neutral location, workers were more aggressive towards isolated sick nestmates on the 3rd post-infection day. However, no such detection or discrimination of fungus-infected nestmates occurred in a social context inside the nest or at the nest entrance. Gatekeepers never actively rejected incoming diseased nestmates that rather spontaneously isolated themselves outside the nest. Our study reveals that ant workers may detect health-dependent cues and that their 'acceptance level' of sick nestmates is tunable depending on the social context. This raises questions about possible trade-offs between a social closure to pathogens and risks of erroneous rejection of healthy nestmates. Social isolation of moribund ants also appears as a widespread prophylactic strategy of social insects allowing them to reduce exposure to pathogens and to spare costs associated with the management of infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Leclerc
- Unit of Social Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP 231, Bd du Triomphe, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Claire Detrain
- Unit of Social Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP 231, Bd du Triomphe, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
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15
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Molecular Genetics of Beauveria bassiana Infection of Insects. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2016; 94:165-249. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Lu HL, St. Leger R. Insect Immunity to Entomopathogenic Fungi. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI 2016; 94:251-85. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Zhang W, Chen J, Keyhani NO, Zhang Z, Li S, Xia Y. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of immune responses of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, to challenge by the fungal insect pathogen, Metarhizium acridum. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:867. [PMID: 26503342 PMCID: PMC4624584 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2089-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis, is an immensely destructive agricultural pest that forms a devastating and voracious gregarious phase. The fungal insect pathogen, Metarhizium acridum, is a specialized locust pathogen that has been used as a potent mycoinsecticide for locust control. Little, however, is known about locust immune tissue, i.e. fat body and hemocyte, responses to challenge by this fungus. Methods RNA-seq (RNA sequencing) technology were applied to comparatively examine the different roles of locust fat body and hemocytes, the two major contributors to the insect immune response, in defense against M. acridum. According to the sequence identity to homologies of other species explored immune response genes, immune related unigenes were screened in all transcriptome wide range from locust and the differential expressed genes were identified in these two tissues, respectively. Results Analysis of differentially expressed locust genes revealed 4660 and 138 up-regulated, and 1647 and 23 down-regulated transcripts in the fat body and hemocytes, respectively after inoculation with M. acridum spores. GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis showed membrane biogenesis related proteins and effector proteins significantly differentially expressed in hemocytes, while the expression of energy metabolism and development related transcripts were enriched in the fat body after fungal infection. A total of 470 immune related unigenes were identified, including members of the three major insect immune pathways, i.e. Toll, Imd (immune deficiency) and JAK/STAT (janus kinase/signal transduction and activator of transcription). Of these, 58 and three were differentially expressed in the insect fat body or hemocytes after infection, respectively. Of differential expressed transcripts post challenge, 43 were found in both the fat body and hemocytes, including the LmLys4 lysozyme, representing a microbial cell wall targeting enzyme. Conclusions These data indicate that locust fat body and hemocytes adopt different strategies in response to M. acridum infection. Fat body gene expression after M. acridum challenge appears to function mainly through activation of innate immune related genes, energy metabolism and development related genes. Hemocyte responses attempt to limit fungal infection primarily through regulation of membrane related genes and activation of cellular immune responses and release of humoral immune factors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2089-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianhong Chen
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, People's Republic of China.
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Zhengyi Zhang
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sai Li
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuxian Xia
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, People's Republic of China. .,Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, Chongqing, 400045, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, 400045, People's Republic of China.
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Song C, Ortiz-Urquiza A, Ying SH, Zhang JX, Keyhani NO. Interaction between TATA-Binding Protein (TBP) and Multiprotein Bridging Factor-1 (MBF1) from the Filamentous Insect Pathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140538. [PMID: 26466369 PMCID: PMC4605657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
TATA-binding protein (TBP) is a ubiquitous component of eukaryotic transcription factors that acts to nucleate assembly and position pre-initiation complexes. Multiprotein bridging factor 1 (MBF1) is thought to interconnect TBP with gene specific transcriptional activators, modulating transcriptional networks in response to specific signal and developmental programs. The insect pathogen, Beauveria bassiana, is a cosmopolitan fungus found in most ecosystems where it acts as an important regulator of insect populations and can form intimate associations with certain plants. In order to gain a better understanding of the function of MBF1 in filamentous fungi, its interaction with TBP was demonstrated. The MBF1 and TBP homologs in B. bassiana were cloned and purified from a heterologous E. coli expression system. Whereas purified BbTBP was shown to be able to bind oligonucleotide sequences containing the TATA-motif (Kd ≈ 1.3 nM) including sequences derived from the promoters of the B. bassiana chitinase and protease genes. In contrast, BbMBF1 was unable to bind to these same target sequences. However, the formation of a ternary complex between BbMBF1, BbTBP, and a TATA-containing target DNA sequence was seen in agarose gel electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA). These data indicate that BbMBF1 forms direct interactions with BbTBP, and that the complex is capable of binding to DNA sequences containing TATA-motifs, confirming that BbTBP can link BbMBF1 to target sequences as part of the RNA transcriptional machinery in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Song
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Bldg 981, Museum Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611, United States of America
| | - Almudena Ortiz-Urquiza
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Bldg 981, Museum Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611, United States of America
| | - Sheng-Hua Ying
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jin-Xia Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Nemat O. Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Bldg 981, Museum Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611, United States of America
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19
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Abstract
Fungi cause the majority of insect disease. However, to date attempts to model host–fungal interactions with Drosophila have focused on opportunistic human pathogens. Here, we performed a screen of 2,613 mutant Drosophila lines to identify host genes affecting susceptibility to the natural insect pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma549). Overall, 241 (9.22%) mutant lines had altered resistance to Ma549. Life spans ranged from 3.0 to 6.2 days, with females being more susceptible than males in all lines. Speed of kill correlated with within-host growth and onset of sporulation, but total spore production is decoupled from host genotypes. Results showed that mutations affected the ability of Drosophila to restrain rather than tolerate infections and suggested trade-offs between antifungal and antibacterial genes affecting cuticle and gut structural barriers. Approximately, 13% of mutations where in genes previously associated with host pathogen interactions. These encoded fast-acting immune responses including coagulation, phagocytosis, encapsulation and melanization but not the slow-response induction of anti-fungal peptides. The non-immune genes impact a wide variety of biological functions, including behavioral traits. Many have human orthologs already implicated in human disorders; while others were mutations in protein and non-protein coding genes for which disease resistance was the first biological annotation.
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Oliver JD, Chávez ASO, Felsheim RF, Kurtti TJ, Munderloh UG. An Ixodes scapularis cell line with a predominantly neuron-like phenotype. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2015; 66:427-442. [PMID: 25894426 PMCID: PMC4449809 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9908-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The Ixodes scapularis embryo-derived cell line ISE6 is the most widely utilized tick-derived cell line due to its susceptibility to a wide variety of tick- and non-tick-vectored pathogens. Little is known about its tissue origin or biological background. Protein expression of ISE6 cells was compared with that of another I. scapularis-derived cell line, IDE12, and dissected tick synganglia. Results demonstrated the presence of a neuronal marker protein, type 3 β-tubulin, in all three samples, as well as other shared and unique neuronal and immune response-associated proteins. Of neuronal proteins shared between the two cell lines, ISE6 expressed several in significantly greater quantities than IDE12. Stimulation of ISE6 cells by in vivo exposure to the hemocoel environment in unfed larval and molting nymphal ticks, but not unfed nymphal ticks, resulted in the development of neuron-like morphologic characteristics in the implanted cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Oliver
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, 219 Hodson Hall, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA,
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He Z, Zhang S, Keyhani NO, Song Y, Huang S, Pei Y, Zhang Y. A novel mitochondrial membrane protein, Ohmm, limits fungal oxidative stress resistance and virulence in the insect fungal pathogenBeauveria bassiana. Environ Microbiol 2014; 17:4213-38. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhangjiang He
- Biotechnology Research Center; Southwest University; Chongqing 400715 China
| | - Suhong Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Center; Southwest University; Chongqing 400715 China
| | - Nemat O. Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science; University of Florida; Gainesville FL 32611 USA
| | - Yulin Song
- Biotechnology Research Center; Southwest University; Chongqing 400715 China
| | - Shuaishuai Huang
- Biotechnology Research Center; Southwest University; Chongqing 400715 China
| | - Yan Pei
- Biotechnology Research Center; Southwest University; Chongqing 400715 China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Center; Southwest University; Chongqing 400715 China
- College of Plant Protection; Southwest University; Chongqing 400715 China
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Ortiz-Urquiza A, Luo Z, Keyhani NO. Improving mycoinsecticides for insect biological control. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 99:1057-68. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-6270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Ortiz-Urquiza A, Keyhani NO. Stress response signaling and virulence: insights from entomopathogenic fungi. Curr Genet 2014; 61:239-49. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-014-0439-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Moreti R, Perrella NN, Lopes AR. Carbohydrate digestion in ticks and a digestive α-L-fucosidase. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2013; 59:1069-1075. [PMID: 23994295 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2013.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Revised: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Digestive carbohydrases are present in many species of hematophagous Arthropoda, including ticks. In this work, Amblyomma cajennense (Ixodidae) midgut digestive carbohydrases were tracked with different substrates, resulting in the identification of a chitinase and an N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase and the first description of a digestive α-L-fucosidase in ticks. α-L-fucosidases are involved in various physiological processes, and digestive α-L-fucosidases have been shown to be present in other types of organisms. Amblyomma cajennense α-L-fucosidase activity was isolated using acidic and salting-out precipitations and chromatographic steps in hydrophobic and cation-exchange columns. The specificity of the isolated activity as an α-L-fucosidase was confirmed by the hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl α-L-fucopyranoside and the natural substrate fucoidan and the inhibition by fucose and deoxyfuconojirimycin. The isolated activity of α-L-fucosidase forms oligomers with molecular mass of 140 kDa or 150 kDa as determined by gel filtration and non-reducing SDS-PAGE, respectively. This particular fucosidase has an optimum pH of 5.3, is stable even at high temperatures (stable for at least 2h at 50 °C), has a Km of 45 μM to the substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl α-L-fucopyranoside and IC 50% of 327 μM to fucose and 42 pM to deoxyfuconojirimycin. The presence of digestive fucosidases in hematophagous Arthropoda may be related to defence mechanisms against host-parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Moreti
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Ying SH, Feng MG, Keyhani NO. A carbon responsive G-protein coupled receptor modulates broad developmental and genetic networks in the entomopathogenic fungus,Beauveria bassiana. Environ Microbiol 2013; 15:2902-21. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ming-Guang Feng
- Institute of Microbiology; College of Life Sciences; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou; 310058; China
| | - Nemat O. Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science; University of Florida; Gainesville; FL; 32611; USA
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Pedrini N, Ortiz-Urquiza A, Huarte-Bonnet C, Zhang S, Keyhani NO. Targeting of insect epicuticular lipids by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana: hydrocarbon oxidation within the context of a host-pathogen interaction. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:24. [PMID: 23422735 PMCID: PMC3573267 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Broad host range entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana attack insect hosts via attachment to cuticular substrata and the production of enzymes for the degradation and penetration of insect cuticle. The outermost epicuticular layer consists of a complex mixture of non-polar lipids including hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and wax esters. Long chain hydrocarbons are major components of the outer waxy layer of diverse insect species, where they serve to protect against desiccation and microbial parasites, and as recognition molecules or as a platform for semiochemicals. Insect pathogenic fungi have evolved mechanisms for overcoming this barrier, likely with sets of lipid degrading enzymes with overlapping substrate specificities. Alkanes and fatty acids are substrates for a specific subset of fungal cytochrome P450 monooxygenases involved in insect hydrocarbon degradation. These enzymes activate alkanes by terminal oxidation to alcohols, which are further oxidized by alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases, whose products can enter β-oxidation pathways. B. bassiana contains at least 83 genes coding for cytochrome P450s (CYP), a subset of which are involved in hydrocarbon oxidation, and several of which represent new CYP subfamilies/families. Expression data indicated differential induction by alkanes and insect lipids and four CYP proteins have been partially characterized after heterologous expression in yeast. Gene knockouts revealed a phenotype for only one (cyp52X1) out of six genes examined to date. CYP52X1 oxidizes long chain fatty acids and participates in the degradation of specific epicuticular lipid components needed for breaching the insect waxy layer. Examining the hydrocarbon oxidizing CYP repertoire of pathogens involved in insect epicuticle degradation can lead to the characterization of enzymes with novel substrate specificities. Pathogen targeting may also represent an important co-evolutionary process regarding insect cuticular hydrocarbon synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Pedrini
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (CCT La Plata CONICET-UNLP)La Plata, Argentina
| | | | - Carla Huarte-Bonnet
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (CCT La Plata CONICET-UNLP)La Plata, Argentina
| | - Shizhu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal UniversityNanjing, China
| | - Nemat O. Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
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Effects on plant growth and root-knot nematode infection of an endophytic GFP transformant of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia. Symbiosis 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-012-0173-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Reber A, Chapuisat M. No evidence for immune priming in ants exposed to a fungal pathogen. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35372. [PMID: 22523588 PMCID: PMC3327680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that invertebrates can acquire long-term protection against pathogens through immune priming. However, the range of pathogens eliciting immune priming and the specificity of the response remain unclear. Here, we tested if the exposure to a natural fungal pathogen elicited immune priming in ants. We found no evidence for immune priming in Formica selysi workers exposed to Beauveria bassiana. The initial exposure of ants to the fungus did not alter their resistance in a subsequent challenge with the same fungus. There was no sign of priming when using homologous and heterologous combinations of fungal strains for exposure and subsequent challenges at two time intervals. Hence, within the range of conditions tested, the immune response of this social insect to the fungal pathogen appears to lack memory and strain-specificity. These results show that immune priming is not ubiquitous across pathogens, hosts and conditions, possibly because of immune evasion by the pathogen or efficient social defences by the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabelle Reber
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michel Chapuisat
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Friesen LR, Kuhn RE. Fluorescent microscopy of viable Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. J Parasitol 2012; 98:509-12. [PMID: 22257116 DOI: 10.1645/ge-2973.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ), a chytrid fungus, is a causative agent of chytridiomycosis and amphibian population declines worldwide. The sequenced genome of Bd provides information necessary for studying the fungus and its molecular biology. Fluorescent microscopy is a technique used to image targeted molecules in live or fixed organisms to understand cellular trafficking and localization, but the use of fluorescent microscopy with Bd has not yet been demonstrated. Two fluorescent stains were tested for their use in live-cell imaging of Bd , i.e., the cell wall-specific fluorophore Solophenyl Flavine 7GFE and the DNA-specific fluorophore DRAQ5. These specific staining patterns were observed in live cultures of Bd when visualized with laser-scanning confocal microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon R Friesen
- Department of Biology, P.O. Box 7325, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27109, USA
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Bidochka MJ, Clark DC, Lewis MW, Keyhani NO. Could insect phagocytic avoidance by entomogenous fungi have evolved via selection against soil amoeboid predators? Microbiology (Reading) 2010; 156:2164-2171. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.038216-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana are ubiquitously distributed in soils. As insect pathogens they adhere to the insect cuticle and penetrate through to the insect haemocoel using a variety of cuticle-hydrolysing enzymes. Once in the insect haemocoel they are able to survive and replicate within, and/or evade, phagocytic haemocyte cells circulating in the haemolymph. The mechanism by which these soil fungi acquire virulence factors for insect infection and insect immune avoidance is unknown. We hypothesize that insect phagocytic cell avoidance in M. anisopliae and B. bassiana is the consequence of a survival strategy against soil-inhabiting predatory amoebae. Microscopic examination, phagocytosis assays and amoeba mortality assays showed that these insect pathogenic fungi are phagocytosed by the soil amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii and can survive and grow within the amoeba, resulting in amoeba death. Mammalian fungal and bacterial pathogens, such as Cryptococcus neoformans and Legionella pneumophila, respectively, show a remarkable overlap between survival against soil amoebae and survival against human macrophages. The insect immune system, particularly phagocytic haemocytes, is analogous to the mammalian macrophage. Our data suggest that the ability of the fungal insect pathogens M. anisopliae and B. bassiana to survive insect phagocytic haemocytes may be a consequence of adaptations that have evolved in order to avoid predation by soil amoebae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Bidochka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - David C. Clark
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Mike W. Lewis
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-0700, USA
| | - Nemat O. Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-0700, USA
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Kopáček P, Hajdušek O, Burešová V, Daffre S. Tick Innate Immunity. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8059-5_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Billeter SA, Diniz PPVP, Battisti JM, Munderloh UG, Breitschwerdt EB, Levy MG. Infection and replication of Bartonella species within a tick cell line. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2009; 49:193-208. [PMID: 19242658 PMCID: PMC4465226 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-009-9255-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2008] [Accepted: 02/11/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Bartonella species are fastidious, gram negative bacteria, some of which are transmitted by arthropod vectors, including fleas, sandflies, and lice. There is very little information regarding the interaction and/or transmission capabilities of Bartonella species by ticks. In the present study, we demonstrate successful infection of the Amblyomma americanum cell line, AAE12, by seven Bartonella isolates and three Candidatus Bartonella species by electron or light microscopy. With the exception of Bartonella bovis, infection with all other examined Bartonella species induced cytopathic effects characterized by heavy cellular vacuolization and eventually cell lysis. Furthermore, using quantitative real time PCR (qPCR), we demonstrated significant amplification of two B. henselae genotype I isolates in the A. americanum cell line over a 5 days period. Ultimately, tick-cell derived Bartonella antigens may prove useful for the development of more sensitive diagnostic reagents and may assist in the development of an effective vaccine to prevent the further spread of disease caused by these organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Billeter
- Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Room 456, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Pedro Paulo V. P. Diniz
- Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Room 456, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - James M. Battisti
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | | | - Edward B. Breitschwerdt
- Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Room 456, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Michael G. Levy
- Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Room 456, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
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de Crecy E, Jaronski S, Lyons B, Lyons TJ, Keyhani NO. Directed evolution of a filamentous fungus for thermotolerance. BMC Biotechnol 2009; 9:74. [PMID: 19709419 PMCID: PMC2741439 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-9-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2009] [Accepted: 08/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Filamentous fungi are the most widely used eukaryotic biocatalysts in industrial and chemical applications. Consequently, there is tremendous interest in methodology that can use the power of genetics to develop strains with improved performance. For example, Metarhizium anisopliae is a broad host range entomopathogenic fungus currently under intensive investigation as a biologically based alternative to chemical pesticides. However, it use is limited by the relatively low tolerance of this species to abiotic stresses such as heat, with most strains displaying little to no growth between 35-37 degrees C. In this study, we used a newly developed automated continuous culture method called the Evolugator, which takes advantage of a natural selection-adaptation strategy, to select for thermotolerant variants of M. anisopliae strain 2575 displaying robust growth at 37 degrees C. RESULTS Over a 4 month time course, 22 cycles of growth and dilution were used to select 2 thermotolerant variants of M. anisopliae. Both variants displayed robust growth at 36.5 degrees C, whereas only one was able to grow at 37 degrees C. Insect bioassays using Melanoplus sanguinipes (grasshoppers) were also performed to determine if thermotolerant variants of M. anisopliae retained entomopathogenicity. Assays confirmed that thermotolerant variants were, indeed, entomopathogenic, albeit with complex alterations in virulence parameters such as lethal dose responses (LD50) and median survival times (ST50). CONCLUSION We report the experimental evolution of a filamentous fungus via the novel application of a powerful new continuous culture device. This is the first example of using continuous culture to select for complex phenotypes such as thermotolerance. Temperature adapted variants of the insect-pathogenic, filamentous fungus M. anisopliae were isolated and demonstrated to show vigorous growth at a temperature that is inhibitory for the parent strain. Insect virulence assays confirmed that pathogenicity can be retained during the selection process. In principle, this technology can be used to adapt filamentous fungi to virtually any environmental condition including abiotic stress and growth substrate utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eudes de Crecy
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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