Identification and Functional Characterization of a Novel Insecticidal Decapeptide from the Myrmicine Ant Manica rubida

Toxins

John Heep¹  Tobias Kessel¹  Jens Grotmann¹  Maximilian Seip¹  Marisa Skaljac¹  Andreas Vilcinskas¹  Henrike Schmidtberg² 

[1] Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany;Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff- Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany;

关键词: mass spectrometry;    lc-ms;    formicidae;    myrmicinae;    myrmica rubra;    venom gland;    bioinsecticide;    antimicrobial peptide;    aphids;    acyrthosiphon pisum;   

DOI  :  10.3390/toxins11100562

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Ant venoms contain many small, linear peptides, an untapped source of bioactive peptide toxins. The control of agricultural insect pests currently depends primarily on chemical insecticides, but their intensive use damages the environment and human health, and encourages the emergence of resistant pest populations. This has promoted interest in animal venoms as a source of alternative, environmentally-friendly bio-insecticides. We tested the crude venom of the predatory ant, Manica rubida, and observed severe fitness costs in the parthenogenetic pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), a common agricultural pest. Therefore, we explored the M. rubida venom peptidome and identified a novel decapeptide U-MYRTX-MANr1 (NH₂-IDPKVLESLV-CONH₂) using a combination of Edman degradation and de novo peptide sequencing. Although this myrmicitoxin was inactive against bacteria and fungi, it reduced aphid survival and reproduction. Furthermore, both crude venom and U-MYRTX-MANr1 reversibly paralyzed injected aphids and induced a loss of body fluids. Components of M. rubida venom may act on various biological targets including ion channels and hemolymph coagulation proteins, as previously shown for other ant venom toxins. The remarkable insecticidal activity of M. rubida venom suggests it may be a promising source of additional bio-insecticide leads.

【 授权许可】

Unknown