Article
Physiology
Amit Rana, Stav Emanuel, Michael E. Adams, Frederic Libersat
Summary: This study reveals how a parasitoid wasp eliminates pain avoidance behavior in its host by injecting venom, thus turning it into a food supply for its offspring. Despite still being able to sense pain, stung cockroaches fail to show escape responses. This is because the venom affects the locomotory command center in their brain.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu-Wei Zhong, Yun-Yun Fan, Zhang-Qi Zuo, Run-Guo Shu, Yin-Quan Liu, Jun-Bo Luan, Fei Li, Shu-Sheng Liu
Summary: Using Illumina, PacBio HiFi and Hi-C technologies, the chromosome-level genome assembly of Eretmocerus hayati (Aphelinidae, Hymenoptera) was successfully obtained. The assembled genome has a size of 692.1 Mb with a contig N50 of 7.96 Mb. After Hi-C scaffolding, the genome was assembled onto four chromosomes with a mapping rate of > 98%. The genome contains 370.8 Mb repeat sequences and a total of 24471 protein coding genes. This chromosome-level genome assembly provides valuable support for future research on the evolution of parasitoid wasps and the interaction between hosts and parasitoid wasps.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xiao Shan, Fang Qi, Liu Ming-ming, Zhang Jiao, Wang Bei-bei, Yan Zhi-chao, Wang Fang, David W. Stanley, Ye Gong-yin
Summary: This study identified and analyzed the biogenesis pathways of miRNAs and siRNAs in Pteromalus puparum, a parasitoid wasp species. The study found that these pathways in P. puparum have a different gene copy number compared to other insect species. Furthermore, the analysis revealed differences and changes in the protein structures and evolutionary rates of these genes in P. puparum compared to other hymenopteran species. The study also showed different expression patterns of these genes in adult P. puparum. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the miRNA and siRNA pathways in parasitoid wasps.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kaili Yu, Jin Chen, Xue Bai, Shijiao Xiong, Xinhai Ye, Yi Yang, Hongwei Yao, Fang Wang, Qi Fang, Qisheng Song, Gongyin Ye
Summary: Habrobracon hebetor is an important parasitoid wasp in biocontrol of lepidopteran pests. We developed a novel venom collection method and identified 204 potential venom proteins through proteomic and transcriptomic analysis. This comprehensive approach provides a more accurate identification of true venom proteins in parasitoid wasps.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fernanda Almeida-Oliveira, Samara Santos-Araujo, Luiz Fernando Carvalho-Kelly, Alessa Macedo-Silva, Jose Roberto Meyer-Fernandes, Katia C. Gondim, David Majerowicz
Summary: ATP synthase plays an important role in mitochondrial metabolism, but recent research suggests it may also be involved in lipophorin binding and lipid metabolism. This study used a functional genetics approach to explore the roles of ATP synthase in lipid metabolism in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus. The results showed that knockdown of ATP synthase subunits impaired ovarian development, reduced egg-laying, and increased triacylglycerol accumulation in the fat body, suggesting a direct role of ATP synthase in lipid metabolism and lipophorin physiology.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Stefania Nordio, Maayan Kaiser, Michael E. Adams, Frederic Libersat
Summary: The subjugation strategy used by the jewel wasp to manipulate its host, the American cockroach, involves injecting dopamine venom into the host's brain to induce intense grooming behavior and hypokinesia. The role of dopamine receptor subtypes in these behavioral changes caused by the wasp's venom remains unclear. This study demonstrates the importance of D1-like dopamine receptors in venom-induced grooming and the necessity of dopamine signaling in the induction of long-lasting hypokinesia.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah N. Inwood, Thomas W. R. Harrop, Peter K. Dearden
Summary: The biocontrol system in New Zealand using Microctonus hyperodae is failing despite its past success. This study used RNA-seq to analyze the venom and asexual reproduction of M. hyperodae. The expanded characterization of the venom identified candidates involved in host manipulation and stimulation of the host immune system. Investigation of asexual reproduction revealed conserved expression patterns of meiosis-specific genes, suggesting the potential for sexual reproduction. The upregulation of genes involved in endoreduplication may play a role in restoring diploidy in eggs after meiosis.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hai-yan Wang, Ze-qi Yu, Xin-yue Ren, Yuan-xi Li, Zhi-chao Yan
Summary: Parasitoid wasps are diverse insects that can control pests by injecting venom. However, collecting parasitoid wasp venom is challenging due to their small size and difficulty in dissection. In this study, a method for extracting venom from Trichogramma wasps using artificial hosts was reported. This innovative approach enables the extraction of large amounts of venom for further research and applications.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lizhen Zhou, Ruijuan Wang, Zhe Lin, Suke Shi, Caihua Chen, Haobo Jiang, Zhen Zou, Zhiqiang Lu
Summary: This study reveals the functions of two serpin proteins (MmvSPN-1 and MmvSPN-2) in the humoral immune responses of the oriental armyworm and the cotton bollworm. It demonstrates that these serpins are able to inhibit host immune responses and protect wasp eggs from attacks by host antimicrobial peptides and melanization.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jordann E. Trainor, K. R. Pooja, Nathan T. Mortimer
Summary: The interaction between Drosophila melanogaster and parasitoid wasps provides an important model for understanding host-parasite relationships. Parasitoids have evolved various virulence mechanisms to overcome the immune response of D. melanogaster host, including both active immune suppression by venom proteins and passive immune evasive mechanisms. The newly identified parasitoid species, Asobara sp. AsDen, utilizes an active virulence mechanism to infect D. melanogaster hosts by altering host signaling to suppress immunity.
Article
Biology
Amit Rana, Michael E. Adams, Frederic Libersat
Summary: This study investigated the effects of wasp venom on the brain activity of American cockroaches. The researchers found that the venom caused sequential changes in neuronal firing patterns, leading to reduced locomotion in the cockroaches.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Claude Lambre, Jose Manuel Barat Baviera, Claudia Bolognesi, Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, Riccardo Crebelli, David Michael Gott, Konrad Grob, Evgenia Lampi, Marcel Mengelers, Alicja Mortensen, Gilles Riviere, Inger-Lise Steffensen, Christina Tlustos, Henk Van Loveren, Laurence Vernis, Holger Zorn, Yrjo Roos, Jaime Aguilera, Magdalena Andryszkiewicz, Yi Liu, Andrew Chesson
Summary: The food enzyme triacylglycerol lipase, produced with genetically modified yeast strain LALL-LI, is considered safe for consumption. Although it contains recombinant DNA, the genetic modifications do not raise safety concerns. The enzyme, intended for use in baking, carries a low risk of allergic reactions. Under the recommended conditions of use, the enzyme is not expected to pose any safety concerns.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bracha Schindler, Efrat Gavish-Regev, Tamar Keasar
Summary: The study investigated the non-target effect of the insecticide Indoxacarb on parasitoid wasp communities in vineyards, focusing on the dynamics of common wasp species and their abundance in different areas of the vineyard. The results showed that the insecticide had an impact on the parasitoid wasp community, particularly on parasitoids of lepidopterans. However, there was potential for recovery of the community through migration from nearby natural vegetation.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Mio Amemiya, Koji Sasakawa
Summary: The study on thanatosis in the parasitoid wasp Heterospilus prosopidis found that factors such as sex, age, and temperature have significant effects on this behavior. Females and 0-day-old individuals showed more frequent thanatosis, especially at 18 degrees Celsius. Background color did not affect the frequency or duration of thanatosis in this species.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Claude Lambre, Jose Manuel Barat Baviera, Claudia Bolognesi, Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, Riccardo Crebelli, David Michael Gott, Konrad Grob, Evgenia Lampi, Marcel Mengelers, Alicja Mortensen, Gilles Riviere, Inger-Lise Steffensen, Christina Tlustos, Henk Van Loveren, Laurence Vernis, Holger Zorn, Yrjoe Roos, Magdalena Andryszkiewicz, Natalia Kovalkovicova, Yi Liu, Simone Lunardi, Andrew Chesson
Summary: The food enzyme triacylglycerol lipase produced by Meito Sangyo could promote the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes. It is intended for use in milk processing and modification of fats and oils. Dietary exposure to the food enzyme was estimated to be up to 0.663 mg TOS/kg body weight per day in European populations. The use of this food enzyme could not be considered safe due to the risk of spreading AMR genes.