椰心叶甲CYP4基因的克隆及绿僵菌侵染后的诱导表达研究

根据细胞色素P450家族4（CYP4）的氨基酸保守序列设计1对简并引物,从椰心叶甲Brontispa longissima成虫总RNA中扩增得到5个cDNA片段（GenBank登录号: DQ238840－DQ238844）。以3′-RACE法获得片段BLWH4的3′端序列,推导的氨基酸序列表明其结构中含有CYP家族的特征性保守序列： 螺旋K区的ETLR和血红素结合区的F××G×××C×G。以18S 为对照的RT-PCR分析表明,BLWH4在成虫的mRNA表达量远大于幼虫。绿僵菌Metarhizium anisopliae菌株MA-3和MA-4侵染椰心叶甲成虫及5龄幼虫后,BLWH4的mRNA表达增强,提示BLWH4可能具有增强椰心叶甲抵抗绿僵菌侵染的作用。     

海南椰心叶甲病原菌金龟子绿僵菌的分离、鉴定及其生防潜力

椰心叶甲[Brontispa longissima（Gestro）]是椰子的重要害虫,近年来,该虫在海南岛发生普遍,椰子受害严重。由于椰心叶甲受到自然界中某些致病微生物的侵袭,在受害的椰子树心叶上常可发现椰心叶甲僵虫,并发现大部分僵虫表面长出了霉菌,本研究的目的在于从椰心叶甲僵虫表面的霉菌中分离出绿僵菌,并对分离菌株进行鉴定和致病性测定。从僵虫表面刮下孢子或菌丝体,置于绿僵菌选择性培养基（DOA）上培养,挑出真菌菌落,经纯化后,进行生物学特性、菌落生长速率及产孢量的测定,并从PPDA、OMA、VSA和PDA中筛选菌落生长及产孢最适培养基,同时对所分离的菌株进行对椰心叶甲的致病性测定。结果表明,所有分离菌株均鉴定为金龟子绿僵菌[Metarhizium anisopliae（Metschnikoff）],PPDA是菌落生长及产孢的最适培养基,大多数菌株对椰心叶甲有较强的致病力。选取强毒菌株MA4在田间进行防治效果的初步测定,结果表明,该菌株能显著降低椰心叶甲成虫的虫口密度。这些金龟子绿僵菌菌株是首次从海南的椰心叶甲僵虫中分离到的昆虫病原真菌,该菌对海南的椰心叶甲具有很好的生防潜能。     

根虫瘟霉不同菌株对小菜蛾幼虫血淋巴酚氧化酶原的激活作用

在对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella幼虫血淋巴酚氧化酶原的存在部位及免疫激活作用特点研究的基础上,比较了根虫瘟霉Zoophthora radicans不同菌株对酚氧化酶原激活系统的免疫激化及防御作用的差异。研究发现, 酚氧化酶原主要位于小菜蛾幼虫血细胞膜及血细胞裂解液中,极少存在于血浆中。在免疫激活剂昆布多糖存在下,分别测得小菜蛾幼虫血细胞碎片、血细胞裂解液和血浆的酚氧化酶活性为26.80 U,16.68 U和2.53 U。酚氧化酶原显著地受血浆和昆布多糖同时存在的激活,但两者单独存在时对酚氧化酶原的激活作用较弱。根虫瘟霉菌丝裂解液对酚氧化酶原有不同程度的激活作用,其激活作用在有血浆存在时显著增强,其酚氧化酶活性可提高2.9～3.4倍。各菌株间对酚氧化酶原的激活作用则以ARSEF1342菌株最强,ARSEF2699和F99101菌株次之,ARSEF1100菌株最弱。被激活的酚氧化酶可粘附于根虫瘟霉菌丝上并能产生黑化反应,各菌株间酚氧化酶粘附于ARSEF1342菌株的能力最强,粘附于ARSEF2699和F99101菌株的次之,粘附于ARSEF1100菌株的最弱。但酚氧化酶粘附于昆布多糖的能力显著强于各虫霉菌株,表明各菌株在一定程度上能逃避寄主的免疫识别;各菌株激活酚氧化酶原及酚氧化酶粘附于菌株强弱,与对小菜蛾毒力呈负相关性,表明高毒力菌株具有易逃避寄主免疫识别的趋向。     

注射亲水性硅珠对棉铃虫血浆酚氧化酶活性的影响

昆虫通过细胞免疫和体液免疫的协同作用对入侵的异物做出防御反应。在不同时间向棉铃虫体内注射亲水性硅珠后,测定了血浆中酚氧化酶（PO）的活性,同时研究了不同抑制剂和激活剂对注射硅珠后的酚氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明,注射亲水性硅珠后,棉铃虫血浆中酚氧化酶的活性明显升高。分别以牛胰蛋白酶和昆布多糖作为酚氧化酶原（proPO）的激活剂,发现两者都可激活注射硅珠后血浆中的proPO。以牛胰蛋白酶激活时,随着注射硅珠后时间的延长,PO活性逐渐增高;而用昆布多糖激活后PO活性也明显升高,但注射硅珠后不同时间proPO被昆布多糖激活的情况基本相似。这些结果表明,在异物入侵后酚氧化酶原有很大程度的积累,并能被激活,协同细胞免疫抵御异物入侵。P-NPGB和PTU几乎能完全抑制酚氧化酶的活性。     

椰扁甲啮小蜂寄生对椰心叶甲蛹免疫反应的影响

为了测明椰扁甲啮小蜂Tetrastichus brontispae寄生对寄主椰心叶甲Brontispa longissima蛹的血细胞和体液免疫反应的影响,开展了椰扁甲啮小蜂寄生对椰心叶甲蛹血细胞数量和延展性、血淋巴酚氧化酶活性、血淋巴黑化百分率和血细胞凝集素活性等影响的研究。结果表明：与同期未被寄生蛹相比,寄生蛹血细胞总量在寄生后2 d显著降低,但寄生后4 d显著升高; 寄生蛹的浆血细胞延展率在寄生后2 d显著降低,寄生后4 d显著升高;寄生蛹的血淋巴黑化百分率在寄生后0.5～2 d较高,寄生后3～4 d降低直至为0;寄生蛹的血淋巴酚氧化酶活性在寄生后0.5 d,1 d和4 d时显著升高;寄生蛹的血凝素活性在寄生后2 d较高,寄生后1 d和4 d较低。结果说明椰扁甲啮小蜂寄生使寄主椰心叶甲蛹血细胞和体液免疫反应呈现不规律的变化。     

椰心叶甲啮小蜂(Tetrastichus brontispae)实验种群生命表的编制

通过解剖椰心叶甲被寄生僵虫统计椰心叶甲啮小蜂未成熟期的发育历期、存活率与生殖力数据,编制了椰心叶甲啮小蜂的实验种群生命表.常温下椰心叶甲啮小蜂卵、幼虫和蛹的历期分别为3.1、5.0 d和9.3 d,啮出前期为2.1 d.卵、幼虫和蛹的存活率分别为0.9184、0.9521和0.9818,椰心叶甲啮小蜂的成虫羽化率为0.9,单雌产卵量为23.78粒,种群趋势指数为12 45.通过此生命表的组建,讨论了生命表中种群趋势指数(I)与生殖力表中净增殖力(R0)的关系,认为这两个概念本为同一含义,应该合并.此外,在成虫寿命大于等于2d的情况下,成虫逐日存活率与逐日产卵概率乘积的和小于1,且成虫寿命越长其值越小,结果导致在不考察成虫逐日存活率与逐日产卵概率的情况下种群趋势指数被严重高估,因此组建任何形式的生命表都应考察并计入成虫逐日存活率与逐日产卵概率.     

丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂Serpin1对东亚飞蝗酶学免疫的影响

Serpins是东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis体内具有免疫调节功能的一类丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂.前期研究发现Serpin1能够降低绿僵菌Metarhizium对蝗虫的杀虫效果,本研究旨在从酶学角度明确Serpin1蛋白抑制绿僵菌毒力的原因,进一步揭示Serpins的功能与作用机制.本实验采用饵剂饲喂的方法进一步明确Serpin1蛋白对绿僵菌侵染东亚飞蝗的抑制效果;测定绿僵菌侵染东亚飞蝗过程中,添加Serpin1蛋白对东亚飞蝗体内保护酶(超氧化物歧化酶SOD、过氧化物酶POD、酚氧化酶PO)、解毒酶(多功能氧化酶MFO、谷胱甘肽转移酶GSTs、乙酰胆碱酯酶AchE)共6种酶的影响,以明确Serpin1对东亚飞蝗酶学免疫的调节作用.结果表明,Serpin1能够显著降低绿僵菌对蝗虫的杀虫效果;将Serpin1与绿僵菌混合后处理东亚飞蝗,12 d后其死亡率为63.5％,显著低于绿僵菌单独处理(死亡率为80.6％).酶活测定结果显示,将绿僵菌IMI330189与Serpin1蛋白混合处理后,与绿僵菌处理组相比,东亚飞蝗体内保护酶SOD和PO的活力总体表现为上调,而POD的活力呈现降低的趋势;解毒酶MFO、GSTs的活性呈现升高趋势,AChE的活力呈现先升高后降低的趋势.上述结果表明,Serpin1蛋白能够增强东亚飞蝗体内解毒酶和保护酶的活性,提高东亚飞蝗的酶学免疫,增强对绿僵菌侵染的抵御能力,从而降低东亚飞蝗的死亡率.本研究为进一步揭示Serpins的功能提供了参考.     

低温贮存对椰心叶甲啮小蜂品质的影响

研究低温贮存椰心叶甲蛹Brontispa longissima(Gestro)和椰心叶甲僵蛹对椰心叶甲啮小蜂Tetrastichus brontispae Ferriere种群品质的影响。寄生10℃低温贮存1~4日龄椰心叶甲蛹结果表明,1日龄椰心叶甲蛹的寄生率、羽化率、出蜂率、单蛹出蜂数、后代寄生能力均优于其他日龄,其次为2、3日龄的椰心叶甲蛹,最差为4日龄的椰心叶甲蛹。1日龄椰心叶甲蛹在10℃下贮存5,10,15,20d后,上述生物学指标和种群参数均随贮存天数增加而降低,其中以5d和10d的净生殖率、内禀增长率和周限增长率较未经低温贮存的差异小。1~11日龄椰心叶甲僵蛹于10℃贮存10d的结果表明,8日龄椰心叶甲僵蛹的雌蜂寿命、羽化率、单蛹出蜂数、寄生能力均优于其他日龄僵蛹。8日龄椰心叶甲僵蛹在10℃下贮存5,10,15,20d后,上述生物学指标和种群参数均随贮存天数增加而显著低于对照。     

薇甘菊粗提物在椰心叶甲上的防控潜力

为了评价外来入侵杂草薇甘菊Mikania micrantha在害虫综合防治方面的潜力,为椰心叶甲Brontispa longissima的防控提供参考,测定了薇甘菊提取物对椰心叶甲室内生物活性和田间防治效果。结果表明：不同极性溶剂对薇甘菊活性物质提取率中,以甲醇和乙醇的提取率最高（甲醇、乙酸乙酯、正己烷、石油醚、三氯甲烷、蒸馏水、乙醇的提取率分别为10.54%,7.17%,6.22%,6.28%,8.67%,8.62%和10.36%）;薇甘菊甲醇和乙醇提取物均对椰心叶甲表现出一定的生物活性,且乙醇提取物对各龄幼虫及成虫的活性均高于甲醇提取物,其中乙醇提取物对椰心叶甲1～5龄幼虫和成虫LC₅₀分别为7.09,7.88,8.93,11.88,13.26和17.46 mg/g,而甲醇提取物相应LC₅₀值分别为12.36,14.85,15.89,17.46,19.91和27.81 mg/g;两种提取物均能造成椰心叶甲蛹的羽化延迟、成虫畸形、卵孵化时间延迟等情况。大田试验结果表明,薇甘菊乙醇提取物对椰心叶甲表现出显著的防治效果,其中100和20 mg/mL处理组在处理后的第7天其虫口减退率均达到80%以上。结论：薇甘菊提取物对椰心叶甲具有一定的生物活性和防控潜力。     

入侵害虫椰心叶甲的研究进展

近30年来,椰心叶甲Brontispa longissima(Gestro)在亚太椰子产区扩散蔓延,成为棕榈植物上主要害虫。2002年,该害虫入侵我国海南并暴发成灾。化学防除是控制椰心叶甲危害的首要措施,其中包括挂药包等农药缓释技术,而生物防治是控制该虫扩散蔓延的经济有效措施。从感病椰心叶甲虫体上分离的微生物杀虫剂绿僵菌Metarhizium anisopliae被我国和其他多个国家应用。椰心叶甲天敌寄生蜂的引进利用是可持续控制该害虫发生的重要措施。幼虫寄生蜂椰甲截脉姬小蜂Asecodes hispinarum和蛹寄生蜂椰心叶甲啮小蜂Tetrastichus brontispae是椰心叶甲的两种重要天敌。2004年,椰甲截脉姬小蜂和椰心叶甲啮小蜂被引入到我国,经扩繁释放后,取得了良好的控害效果,其中有些地区的椰甲截脉姬小蜂寄生率可达90%,椰心叶甲啮小蜂寄生率可达100%。连续放蜂,且椰心叶甲种群有合适虫龄被寄生蜂寄生是控害效果的关键。气候等生态因子也可能是影响寄生蜂控制靶标害虫效果的因素,应进一步加强研究。论文最后提出了未来椰心叶甲防控的研究的方向。     

Insect haemolymph: Cooperation between humoral and cellular factors in Locusta migratoria

In Locusta migratoria, prophenoloxidase is present in the plasma and serum, but in reduced amounts relative to the haemocytes. This phenoloxidase activity cannot be induced by either heating or freezing and thawing and it is lost by heating at 70°C for 30 min. Both lipopolysaccharides and laminarin can elicit the prophenoloxidase activating system. These elicitors of prophenoloxidase activation are active in haemocyte lysate and in serum but never induce any phenoloxidase activity in plasma. In haemocyte lysate, the activating system is not heat resistant, and heating at 56°C for 30 min prior to incubation with laminarin or lipopolysaccharide precludes any phenoloxidase activity. Plasma contains a strong inhibitor of the prophenoloxidase activating system but serum does not. This inhibitor does not affect the phenoloxidase enzyme itself. The possible role of the activating system in immune recognition and the strategies evolved by parasites or pathogens to escape being recognized by their host are discussed.     

Changes in lipophorins are related to the activation of phenoloxidase in the haemolymph of Locusta migratoria in response to injection of immunogens

In Locusta migratoria, activation of phenoloxidase in the haemolymph in response to injection of laminarin is age-dependent: being absent in fifth instar nymphs and newly emerged adults, and only becoming evident four days after the final moult. This pattern of change in phenoloxidase activation correlates with the pattern of change in the concentration of apolipophorin-III (apoLp-III) in the haemolymph. Injection of a conspecific adipokinetic hormone (Lom-AKH-I) has no effect on the phenoloxidase response in nymphs or newly emerged adults but, in adults older than four days, co-injection of the hormone with laminarin prolongs the activation of phenoloxidase in the haemolymph: a similar enhancement of the response to laminarin is observed in locusts that have been starved for 48 h but not injected with AKH-I. During most of the fifth stadium, injection of laminarin results in a decrease in the level of prophenoloxidase in the haemolymph; an effect that is not observed in adults of any age. Marked changes in the concentration of apoLp-III, and the formation of LDLp in the haemolymph, are observed after injection of laminarin (or LPS) and these are remarkably similar, at least qualitatively, to those that occur after injection of AKH-I. The involvement of lipophorins in the activation of locust prophenoloxidase in response to immunogens is discussed.     

Comparative study of hemolymph phenoloxidase activity in Aedes aegypti and Anopheles quadrimaculatus and its role in encapsulation of Brugia malayi microfilariae

Hemolymph phenoloxidase activity of sugar-fed and blood-fed females of Anopheles quadrimaculatus and Aedes aegypti showed similar characteristics. Phenoloxidase was present as an inactive proenzyme in both mosquito species and was partially activated during collection of the hemolymph. In both mosquito species, phenoloxidase activity was modulated by different buffers and activated phenoloxidase did not need Ca²⁺. Enzymatic activity was higher in the hemocytes than in the plasma in both mosquito species. Trypsin, laminarin, and blood-feeding on uninfected and Brugia malayi-infected jirds enhanced hemolymph phenoloxidase activity in both mosquito species. The appearance of hemolymph phenoloxidase activity was inhibited by p-nitrophenyl p′-guanidinobenzoate HCl, soybean trypsin inhibitor, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethyldithiocarbamic acid, saturated 1-phenyl-2-thiourea and reduced glutathione, but not by benzamidine in A. quadrimaculatus. The appearance of hemolymph phenoloxidase activity was inhibited by benzamidine, diethyldithiocarbamic acid, saturated 1-phenyl-2-thiourea, reduced glutathione, β-nitrophenyl p′-guanidinobenzoate and soybean trypsin inhibitor, but not by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid in A. aegypti. It is suggested that in both mosquito species, blood-feeding and migration of sheathed microfilariae in the homocoel activated the prophenoloxidase in the hemolymph and caused the encapsulation and melanization of microfilarial sheaths and microfilariae of B. malayi.     

Immune responses of locusts to challenge with the pathogenic fungus Metarhizium or high doses of laminarin

Two isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae var acridum were tested for their effects on the locust immune system and for comparison with the effects of challenge by injection with laminarin. Isolate IMI 330189 (referred to hereafter as Met 189) is highly pathogenic whether applied topically as conidia or injected as blastospores. However, isolate ARSEF 728 (referred to hereafter as Met 728) is pathogenic only when injected as blastospores, suggesting that the lack of pathogenicity of topically applied conidia from this isolate is due to a failure to penetrate the insect cuticle and gain access to the haemocoel. After topical application of conidia from Met 189, no activation of prophenoloxidase is detected, but injection of blastospores from Met 189 brings about a transient increase in phenoloxidase activity in the haemolymph in both adult locusts and 5th instar nymphs, although this does not prevent fungal-induced mortality. Co-injection of adipokinetic hormone-I (AKH-I) with blastospores prolongs the activation of prophenoloxidase in the haemolymph of adult locusts, and enhances it in nymphs. It is argued that the lack of activation of prophenoloxidase in nymphs shown previously (Mullen, L., Goldsworthy, G., 2003. Changes in lipophorins are related to the activation of phenoloxidase in the haemolymph of Locusta migratoria in response to injection of immunogens. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 33, 661-670), reflects differences in the sensitivity of the immune system between adults and nymphs rather than distinct qualitative differences, and this is confirmed in this study by the demonstration that doses of laminarin higher than those used previously (>or=100 microg) do activate the prophenoloxidase cascade in 5th instar nymphs. Nodules are formed in locusts of all ages in response to fungal infection or injection of laminarin, although there is wide variation in the number, size and distribution of nodules formed. During the examination of 5th instar nymphs for nodule formation, a previously unknown phenomenon was observed in which the salivary glands melanise in response to injections of blastospores or high doses of laminarin. In c. 85% of such nymphs, this reaction is so strong that the whole salivary gland is intensely black. Such a response is not observed in the salivary glands of mature adult locusts.     

Adipokinetic hormone enhances laminarin and bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of the prophenoloxidase cascade in the African migratory locust,Locusta migratoria

Lom-AKH-I enhances the activation in vivo of prophenoloxidase in the haemolymph of the African migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, in response to challenge with laminarin. AKH does not influence the speed or initial magnitude of the phenoloxidase response to laminarin, but prolongs the period of activation of the enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. Injections of preparations of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) do not activate prophenoloxidase in vivo, but co-injection of Lom-AKH-I with commercial preparations of LPS from Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, or Shigella flexneri (but not one from Pseudomonas aeroginosa) results in dose-dependent increases in the levels of phenoloxidase that persist in the haemolymph for several hours. It is argued that the effects of AKH on phenoloxidase activation in locusts described here are, at least in part, related directly to changes in lipid metabolism brought about by the hormone.     

Interactions between the endocrine and immune systems in locusts

Abstract. The prophenoloxidase cascade in the haemolymph of mature adult Locusta migratoria migratorioides (R & F) is activated in response to injection of laminarin, a β‐1,3 glucan. Co‐injection of adipokinetic hormone‐I (Lom‐AKH‐I) and laminarin prolongs the activation of the enzyme in a dose‐dependent manner. However, injections of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) do not activate prophenoloxidase unless AKH is co‐injected, when there is a dose‐dependent increase in the level of phenoloxidase that persists in the haemolymph for several hours. Even when AKH is co‐injected, the highest levels of phenoloxidase activity are always greater after injection of laminarin than after LPS, and these two immunogens must activate the prophenoloxidase cascade by quite distinct pathways. In the present study, interactions between the endocrine and immune systems were examined with respect to activation of prophenoloxidase and the formation of nodules: injection of LPS induces nodule formation in adult locusts. With LPS from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, nodules form exclusively in dense accumulations in the anterior portion of the abdomen on either side of the dorsal blood vessel associated with the dorsal diaphragm. However, with LPS from Escherichia coli, fewer nodules are formed but with a similar distribution, except that occasionally some nodules are aligned additionally on either side of the ventral nerve cord. Co‐injection of Lom‐AKH‐I with LPS from either bacteria stimulates greater numbers of nodules to be formed. This effect of coinjection of AKH on nodule formation is seen at low doses of hormone with only 0.3 or 0.4 pmol of Lom‐AKH‐1, respectively, increasing the number of nodules by 50%. Injections of octopamine or 5‐hydroxytryptamine do not mimic either of the actions of Lom‐AKH‐I described here. Co‐injection of an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, reduces nodule formation in response to injections of LPS but has no effect on the activation of phenoloxidase. Co‐injection of an inhibitor of eicosanoid synthesis, dexamethasone, with LPS influences nodule formation (with or without AKH) in different ways according to the dose of dexamethasone used, but does not affect activation of prophenoloxidase. Eicosanoid synthesis is important for nodule formation, but not for the activation of the prophenoloxidase cascade in locust haemolymph.     

Prophenoloxidase activation in the hemolymph of Sarcophaga bullata larvae

Phenoloxidase in the hemolymph of Sarcophaga bullata larvae is present as an inactive proenzyme form. Localization studies indicate that the majority of the prophenoloxidase is present in the plasma fraction whereas only a minor fraction (about 4%) is present in the cellular compartments (hemocytes). Inactive prophenoloxidase can be activated by zymosan, not by either endotoxin or laminarin. This activation process is inhibited by the serine protease inhibitors, benzamidine and p-nitrophenyl-p～-guanidobenzoate. Exogenously added proteases, such as chymotrypsin and subtilisin, also activated the prophenoloxidase in the whole hemolymph but failed to activate the partially purified proenzyme. However, an activating enzyme isolated from the larval cuticle, which exhibits trypsinlike specificity, activated the partially purified prophenoloxidase. Inhibition studies and activity measurements also revealed the presence of a similar activating enzyme in the hemolymph. Thus, the phenoloxidase system in Sarcophaga bullata larval hemolymph seems to be comprised of a cascade of reactions. An endogenous protease inhibitor isolated from the larvae inhibited chymotrypsin-mediated prophenoloxidase activation but failed to inhibit the cuticular activating enzyme-catalyzed activation. Based on these studies, the roles of prophenoloxidase, endogenous activating proteases, and protease inhibitor in insect immunity are discussed.     

Phenoloxidase activity in the hemolymph of the spiny lobster Panulirus argus

The prophenoloxidase activating system plays a major role in the defense mechanism of arthropods. In the present study, the phenoloxidase activity and its location in the hemolymph of the spiny lobster Panulirus argus is presented. Phenoloxidase activity was observed in the hemocyte lysate supernatant (HLS) and plasma after their incubation with trypsin. Higher amounts of trypsin were required to activate the HLS prophenoloxidase, due to the presence of a trypsin inhibitor in this fraction. Activation of prophenoloxidase was found when HLS was incubated with calcium, with an optimal pH between 7.5 and 8. This spontaneous activity is due to the prophenoloxidase activating enzyme, a serine proteinase that activates the prophenoloxidase once calcium ions were available. SDS was able to induce phenoloxidase activity in plasma and hemocyte fractions. Prophenoloxidase from HLS occurs as an aggregate of 300kDa. Electrophoretic studies combining SDS-PAGE and native PAGE indicate that different proteins produced the phenoloxidase activity found in HLS and plasma. Thus, as in most crustaceans, Panulirus argus contains a prophenoloxidase activating system in its hemocyte, comprising at least the prophenoloxidase activating enzyme and the prophenoloxidase. Finally, it is suggested that phenoloxidase activity found in plasma is produced by hemocyanin.     

The role of prophenoloxidase activation in non-self recognition and phagocytosis by insect blood cells

Experiments indicate that the prophenoloxidase activating system, which is responsible for melanin production, is also involved in immunorecognition in insects. Using haemocyte monolayer preparations of Blaberus craniifer, Galleria mellonella and Leucophae maderae, it was shown that laminarin, a β 1,3-glucan extracted from fungal cell walls and an activator of the prophenoloxidase system, enhanced the phagocytosis of test bacteria.Scanning electron microscopy of haemocyte monolayers showed that incubation of test bacteria with laminarin significantly increased the number of microorganisms attached to both the plasmatocytes and the granular cells. Furthermore with the granular cells, these bacteria became entrapped in an amorphous matrix. This material probably consists of the “sticky” proteins previously reported to be produced by crustacean haemocytes following prophenoloxidase activation. Pretreatment of haemocytes with laminarin abolished the stimulatory effect on ingestion, indicating that these “sticky” proteins are opsonic, since they would have been discharged from the haemocytes onto the glass monolayer leaving few molecules available for subsequent coating of the test particles.Preliminary biochemical studies on the G. mellonella prophenoloxidase system demonstrated that it was activated by trypsin, laminarin and laminarin G, a highly purified β 1,3-glucan, but not by dextran. Serine protease activities were also enhanced by adding laminarin to a haemocyte lysate supernatant, suggesting that the stimulatory mechanism may involve the proteolytic activity of such enzymes.