ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4249-5561
Current Organisation
Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-12-2022
Abstract: Teratocytes are specialized cells released by parasitoid wasps into their hosts. They are known for producing regulatory molecules that aid the development of immature parasitoids. We have recently reported the primary structures of cystine‐rich peptides, including some containing inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) motifs, produced by teratocytes of the parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). ICKs are known for their stability and erse biological functions. In this study, we produced four putative ICK peptides from the teratocytes of C. flavipes using solid‐phase peptide synthesis or recombinant expression in E. coli , and investigated their functions on host immune modulation as well their potential to impair the development of two lepidopterans after ingestion of the peptides. In addition, the peptides were assayed against pathogens and human cells. The peptides did not influence total hemocyte count but suppressed cellular immunity, detectable as a reduction of hemocyte encapsulation (CftICK‐I, CftICK‐II, CftICK‐III) and spread indexes (CftICK‐IV) in the host. None of the peptides influenced the activities of prophenoloxidase and phenoloxidase in the hemolymph of larval Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). CftICK‐I and CftICK‐II with previously unknown function showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans but were non‐toxic to human cells. CftICK‐I, CftICK‐II, and CftICK‐III increased larval mortality and reduced leaf consumption of D. saccharalis , a permissive host for C. flavipes . The CftICK‐III also increased larval mortality and reduced leaf consumption of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a non‐permissive host for C. flavipes . This study highlights biological functions and biotechnological potential of ICK peptides from the teratocytes of C. flavipes .
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2022.104395
Abstract: Parasitoid wasps have evolved sophisticated mechanisms of host regulation that establish a favorable environment for the development of immature parasitoids. While maternal venom and symbiotic virus-like particles are well-known mechanisms of host regulation, another less-studied mechanism is the secretion of host regulation factors by cells called teratocytes, extra-embryonic cells released during parasitoid larval eclosion. Consequently, identification and characterization of teratocyte secretory products has not been reported in detail for any parasitoid wasp. We aimed to analyze teratocyte secretory products released into hemolymph of the larval sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) by its biological control agent, the koinobiont endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes Cameron, 1891 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Teratocytes were released upon eclosion of parasitoid larvae four days after parasitization (DAP) and increased in number and size until six DAP. Total D. saccharalis hemocyte viability was reduced immediately after parasitization until DAP 2, while total hemocyte count was lower from the third DAP, and phenoloxidase and lysozyme activity were disrupted compared to non-parasitized controls. To examine the secretory products of teratocytes, we generated a teratocyte transcriptome and compared its in silico translated open reading frames to mass spectra obtained from hemolymph from parasitized and unparasitized hosts. This led to the identification of 57 polypeptides secreted by teratocytes, the abundance of which we tracked over 0-10 DAP. Abundant teratocyte products included proteins similar to bracovirus proteins and multiple disulfide-rich peptides. Most teratocyte products accumulated in hemolymph, reaching their highest concentrations immediately before parasitoid pupation. Our results provide insights into host regulation by teratocytes and reveal molecules that may be useful in biotechnology.
Location: Brazil
No related grants have been discovered for Guilherme Rossi.