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Thomas G, Withall D, Birkett M. Harnessing microbial volatiles to replace pesticides and fertilizers. Microb Biotechnol 2020; 13:1366-1376. [PMID: 32767638 PMCID: PMC7415372 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Global agricultural systems are under increasing pressure to deliver sufficient, healthy food for a growing population. Seasonal inputs, including synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, are applied to crops to reduce losses by pathogens, and enhance crop biomass, although their production and application can also incur several economic and environmental penalties. New solutions are therefore urgently required to enhance crop yield whilst reducing dependence on these seasonal inputs. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) produced by soil microorganisms may provide alternative, sustainable solutions, due to their ability to inhibit plant pathogens, induce plant resistance against pathogens and enhance plant growth promotion. This review will highlight recent advances in our understanding of the biological activities of microbial VOCs (mVOCs), providing perspectives on research required to develop them into viable alternatives to current unsustainable seasonal inputs. This can identify potential new avenues for mVOC research and stimulate discussion across the academic community and agri-business sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Thomas
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - David Withall
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Michael Birkett
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
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Abagale SA, Woodcock CM, Hooper AM, Caulfield JC, Withall D, Chamberlain K, Acquaah SO, Van Emden H, Braimah H, Pickett JA, Birkett MA. (2R,5S)-Theaspirane Identified as the Kairomone for the Banana Weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus, from Attractive Senesced Leaves of the Host Banana, Musa spp. Chemistry 2018; 24:9217-9219. [PMID: 29644772 PMCID: PMC6055713 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201800315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The principal active component produced by highly attractive senesced host banana leaves, Musa spp., for the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus, is shown by coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAG), coupled GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), chemical synthesis and coupled enantioselective (chiral) GC-EAG to be (2R,5S)-theaspirane. In laboratory behaviour tests, the synthetic compound is as attractive as natural host leaf material and presents a new opportunity for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson A Abagale
- Crops Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, P.O. Box 3785, Fumesua-Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of, Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Christine M Woodcock
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Antony M Hooper
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - John C Caulfield
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - David Withall
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Keith Chamberlain
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Samuel O Acquaah
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of, Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Helmut Van Emden
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, P.O. Box 237, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AR, UK
| | - Haruna Braimah
- Crops Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, P.O. Box 3785, Fumesua-Kumasi, Ghana
| | - John A Pickett
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Michael A Birkett
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
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Hassemer MJ, Sant'Ana J, Borges M, Withall D, Pickett JA, de Oliveira MWM, Laumann RA, Birkett MA, Blassioli-Moraes MC. Revisiting the Male-Produced Aggregation Pheromone of the Lesser Mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae): Identification of a Six-Component Pheromone from a Brazilian Population. J Agric Food Chem 2016; 64:6809-18. [PMID: 27494353 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b02235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer 1797 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a cosmopolitan insect pest affecting poultry production. Due to its cryptic behavior, insecticide control is usually not efficient. Thus, sustainable and effective methods would have an enormous and positive impact in poultry production. The aim of this study was to confirm the identity of the male-produced aggregation pheromone for a Brazilian population of A. diaperinus and to evaluate its biological activity in behavioral assays. Six male-specific compounds were identified: (R)-limonene (1), (E)-ocimene (2), 2-nonanone (3), (S)-linalool (4), (R)-daucene (5), all described before in an American population, and a sixth component, (E,E)-α-farnesene (6), which is apparently exclusive to a Brazilian population. Y-Tube bioassays confirmed the presence of a male-produced aggregation pheromone and showed that all components need to be present in a similar ratio and concentration as emitted by male A. diaperinus to produce a positive chemotactic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marla J Hassemer
- UnB - Universidade de Brası́lia , Departamento de Zoologia, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brası́lia, DF 70910-900, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , PPG-Fitotecnia, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 7712 Porto Alegre, RS 90040-060, Brazil
- EMBRAPA Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia , Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte, 70770-917 Brası́lia, Brazil
| | - Josué Sant'Ana
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , PPG-Fitotecnia, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 7712 Porto Alegre, RS 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Miguel Borges
- EMBRAPA Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia , Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte, 70770-917 Brası́lia, Brazil
| | - David Withall
- Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research , Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - John A Pickett
- Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research , Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Márcio W M de Oliveira
- EMBRAPA Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia , Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte, 70770-917 Brası́lia, Brazil
| | - Raul A Laumann
- EMBRAPA Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia , Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte, 70770-917 Brası́lia, Brazil
| | - Michael A Birkett
- Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research , Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Maria C Blassioli-Moraes
- EMBRAPA Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia , Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte, 70770-917 Brası́lia, Brazil
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Marsh A, Casey-Green K, Probert F, Withall D, Mitchell DA, Dilly SJ, James S, Dimitri W, Ladwa SR, Taylor PC, Singer DRJ. Simvastatin Sodium Salt and Fluvastatin Interact with Human Gap Junction Gamma-3 Protein. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148266. [PMID: 26863535 PMCID: PMC4749215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Finding pleiomorphic targets for drugs allows new indications or warnings for treatment to be identified. As test of concept, we applied a new chemical genomics approach to uncover additional targets for the widely prescribed lipid-lowering pro-drug simvastatin. We used mRNA extracted from internal mammary artery from patients undergoing coronary artery surgery to prepare a viral cardiovascular protein library, using T7 bacteriophage. We then studied interactions of clones of the bacteriophage, each expressing a different cardiovascular polypeptide, with surface-bound simvastatin in 96-well plates. To maximise likelihood of identifying meaningful interactions between simvastatin and vascular peptides, we used a validated photo-immobilisation method to apply a series of different chemical linkers to bind simvastatin so as to present multiple orientations of its constituent components to potential targets. Three rounds of biopanning identified consistent interaction with the clone expressing part of the gene GJC3, which maps to Homo sapiens chromosome 7, and codes for gap junction gamma-3 protein, also known as connexin 30.2/31.3 (mouse connexin Cx29). Further analysis indicated the binding site to be for the N-terminal domain putatively ‘regulating’ connexin hemichannel and gap junction pores. Using immunohistochemistry we found connexin 30.2/31.3 to be present in samples of artery similar to those used to prepare the bacteriophage library. Surface plasmon resonance revealed that a 25 amino acid synthetic peptide representing the discovered N-terminus did not interact with simvastatin lactone, but did bind to the hydrolysed HMG CoA inhibitor, simvastatin acid. This interaction was also seen for fluvastatin. The gap junction blockers carbenoxolone and flufenamic acid also interacted with the same peptide providing insight into potential site of binding. These findings raise key questions about the functional significance of GJC3 transcripts in the vasculature and other tissues, and this connexin’s role in therapeutic and adverse effects of statins in a range of disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Marsh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (AM); (DRJS)
| | | | - Fay Probert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - David Withall
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel A. Mitchell
- Division of Metabolic and Vascular Health, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne J. Dilly
- Tangent Reprofiling Ltd, c/o SEEK, Central Point, 45 Beech Street, London, EC2Y 8AD, United Kingdom
| | - Sean James
- University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom
| | - Wade Dimitri
- University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom
| | - Sweta R. Ladwa
- Tangent Reprofiling Ltd, c/o SEEK, Central Point, 45 Beech Street, London, EC2Y 8AD, United Kingdom
| | - Paul C. Taylor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Donald R. J. Singer
- University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom
- Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine, 11 Chandos St, London W1G 9EB, United Kingdom
- Division of Metabolic and Vascular Health, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (AM); (DRJS)
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