Publication details
Searching for proteins involved in the infection of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2023 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are obligate lethal insect parasites used in the biocontrol of many insect pests. Their use as alternatives to synthetic insecticides reduces the accumulation of pesticides in the environment. During infection, EPNs release excretory/secretory products (ESPs) containing molecules that facilitate the invasion and modulate the host immune system. EPNs involve two genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema. We chose the less studied H. bacteriophora species to uncover the spectrum of molecules released during the invasion process by infective juveniles (IJs). It is believed that IJs start producing active compounds upon the contact with the molecules of host origin. Three types of homogenates derived from the insect host Galleria mellonella (the greater wax moth) are usually used to activate IJs of H. bacteriophora. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of these activation agents on the ESP protein content and to identify invasion-specific molecules by comparison with the ESP protein profiles of nonactivated IJs. ESPs produced by IJs challenged with three types of homogenates prepared from G. mellonella, PBS or water were collected from the media, concentrated, and subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis using RSLCNano system on-line connected to Impact II Ultra-High Resolution Qq-Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometer. Protein searches were performed against a protein database derived from the H. bacteriophora reference genome. We quantified more than 300 proteins present in ESPs of H. bacteriophora and observed differences in ESP content related to each activation agent. Among ESPs, we identified metallopeptidases, ShTK domain proteins, fatty acid- and retinoid- binding protein, and other molecules with immunomodulatory potential |
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