Purification and characterization of recombinant endoglucanases from the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

A family of endoglucanases belonging to glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 45 have been isolated from the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Here we describe the purification and characterization of the recombinant enzymes, named Bx-ENG-1, 2, and 3, expressed in Pichia pastoris. The respective molecular masses of purified Bx-ENG-1, 2, and 3 were estimated to be 18, 33-39, and 100-140 kDa by SDS-PAGE, and 18, 67, and 252 kDa by gel filtration, suggesting that Bx-ENG-1 existed in an unglycosylated monomeric form and Bx-ENG-2 and Bx-ENG-3 in a glycosylated dimeric form. The enzymatic properties of the recombinant enzymes were similar to each other: optimal activity at 60 degrees C at about pH 6.0, like other endoglucanases of GHF45. The recombinant enzymes displayed the highest activity toward lichenan, and lower activities were observed on carboxymethyl cellulose and amorphous cellulose. Nematode enzymes also hydrolyzed glucomannan, the most abundant hemicellulose in the cell walls of softwood. These substrate specificities suggest that B. xylophilus endoglucanases acted on the cellulose-hemicellulose complex in the cell walls, resulting in a weakening of the mechanical strength of the cell walls to facilitate the nematode's feeding on plant cells.     

Population dynamics of bacteria associated with different strains of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus after inoculation in maritime pine (Pinus pinaster)

For a long time it was thought that Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was the only agent of the pine wilt disease. Recently, it was discovered that there are bacteria associated with the nematodes that contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease, mainly through the release of toxins that promote the death of the pines. Among the species most commonly found, are bacteria belonging to the Bacillus, Pantoea, Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas genera.The main objective of this work was to study the effect of inoculation of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) with four different nematode isolates, in the bacterial population of nematodes and trees, at different stages of disease progression. The monitoring of progression of disease symptoms was also recorded. Also, the identification of bacteria isolated from the xylem of trees and the surface of nematodes was performed by classical identification methods, by the API20E identification system and by sequencing of bacterial DNA.The results showed that for the symptoms progression, the most striking difference was observed for the pines inoculated with the avirulent isolate, C14-5, which led to a slower and less severe aggravation of symptoms than in pines inoculated with the virulent isolates. In general, it was found that bacterial population, inside the tree, increased with disease progression. A superior bacterial quantity was isolated from pines inoculated with the nematode isolates HF and 20, and, comparatively, few bacteria were isolated from pines inoculated with the avirulent isolate. The identification system API20E was insufficient in the identification of bacterial species; Enterobacter cloacae species was identified in 79% of the isolated bacterial colonies and seven of these colonies could not be identified by this method. Molecular identification methods, through bacterial DNA sequencing, allowed a more reliable identification: eleven different bacterial species within the Bacillus, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Paenibacillus, Pantoea and Terribacillus genera were identified. General bacterial diversity increased with the progression of the disease. Bacillus spp. were predominant at the earlier stage of disease progression and Klebsiella oxytoca at the later stages. Furthermore, bacterial species isolated from the surface of nematodes were similar to those isolated from the xylem of pines.In the present work new bacterial species were identified which have never been reported before in this type of study and may be associated with their geographical origin (Portugal). P. pinaster, the pine species used in this study, was different from those commonly grown in Japan and China. Furthermore, it was the first time that bacteria were isolated and identified from an avirulent pine wood nematode isolate.     

Activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by water-soluble extracts of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, a pine wood nematode

In our previous study, water-soluble extracts from Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (B. xylophilus), a pine wood nematode, were shown to enhance interleukin (IL)-4 plus lipopolysaccharide-induced polyclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) E production in vitro in mice and to increase serum levels of an antigen-nonspecific IgE in vivo. Here we examined whether the nematode extracts stimulate immunofunctions of murine peritoneal macrophages. In both resident and inflammatory macrophages, Fcgamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis was markedly activated by B. xylophilus extracts, while non-specific phagocytosis was not. The enhancement of specific phagocytosis was accompanied by an increase in the formation of IgG-Fcgamma receptor rosettes. B. xylophilus extracts also stimulated IL-1beta production in both types of macrophages, and enhanced NO production and mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines in inflammatory macrophages. These results indicate that the extracts of B. xylophilus contain an activating substance(s) for immunofunctions in macrophages, besides an enhancing factor for polyclonal IgE production.     

松材线虫病疫木熏蒸剂筛选试验

为筛选出松材线虫病疫木的低毒熏蒸剂,采用3种熏蒸剂威百亩、棉隆、磷化铝对松材线虫病疫木进行熏蒸处理,测试3种药剂对疫木中松墨天牛和其他昆虫的杀灭效果。结果表明,威百亩的熏蒸效果明显好于棉隆、磷化铝处理组。当威百亩浓度达到200 mL/m3以上时,威百亩对松木包内部的天牛、小蠹、白蚁等均达到100%杀灭效果,实际的应用中可以考虑使用200 mL/m3的威百亩对松材线虫病疫木进行熏蒸;而棉隆对松材线虫疫木的熏蒸效果较差,天牛致死率均未达到40%,不建议使用棉隆作为松材线虫病疫木熏蒸处理剂。     

A family of glycosyl hydrolase family 45 cellulases from the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

We have characterized a family of GHF45 cellulases from the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The absence of such genes from other nematodes and their similarity to fungal genes suggests that they may have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from fungi. The cell wall degrading enzymes of other plant parasitic nematodes may have been acquired by HGT from bacteria. B. xylophilus is not directly related to other plant parasites and our data therefore suggest that horizontal transfer of cell wall degrading enzymes has played a key role in evolution of plant parasitism by nematodes on more than one occasion.     

Functional analysis of the cellulose gene of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, using RNA interference

Cellulases are pathogenic substances suspected to be responsible for the development of the early symptoms of nematode disease. The pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Parasitaphelenchidae), is the causal agent of pine wilt disease, which kills millions of pine trees. We used RNA interference (RNAi), a reverse genetic tool, to analyze the function of the endo-β-1,4-glucanase gene of B. xylophilus, which causes the most serious forest tree disease in China and the rest of eastern Asia. Silencing of this gene was detected through real-time PCR and cellulase activity assays after soaking for 24 h in dsRNA. The cellulase gene silencing effects differed among various siRNAs. The propagation and dispersal ability of these nematodes decreased when the endo-β-1,4-glucanase gene was silenced. It is important to select an effective siRNA before performing an RNAi test.     

不同干扰措施对松材线虫入侵松林内物种多样性的影响

经野外调查发现:松材线虫入侵松林后,对原先林型相同的两块染病松林而言,经过人为伐除和保留受害木这两种干扰措施后,任其自然恢复更新,后恢复的林型会大不相同,即对受害木采取不同的干扰措施会对染病松林内林下植被的更新产生不同的影响.基于以上出发点,以松材线虫入侵后采取不同伐除干扰措施的2个马尾松受害群落为研究对象,针对受害木移除和保留两种处理方式,选择α多样性指数函数Rényi指数为测量单位,探讨了不同受害木处理方式下植物多样性的变化规律.结果表明:受害木及时移走的松林内林下灌草多样性比受害木保留的要高.     

Cloning and characterization of pectate lyases expressed in the esophageal gland of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Two pectate lyase genes (Bx-pel-1 and Bx-pel-2) were cloned from the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The deduced amino acid sequences of these pectate lyases are most similar to polysaccharide lyase family 3 proteins. Recombinant BxPEL1 showed highest activity on polygalacturonic acid and lower activity on more highly methylated pectin. Recombinant BxPEL1 demonstrated full dependency on Ca2+ for activity and optimal activity at 55 degrees C and pH 8 to 10 like other pectate lyases of polysaccharide lyase family 3. The protein sequences have predicted signal peptides at their N-termini and the genes are expressed solely in the esophageal gland cells of the nematode, indicating that the pectate lyases could be secreted into plant tissues to help feeding and migration in the tree. This study suggests that pectate lyases are widely distributed in plant-parasitic nematodes and play an important role in plant-nematode interactions.     

Enzymatic synthesis of avermectin B1a glycosides for the effective prevention of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - Avermectin produced by Streptomyces avermitilis is an anti-nematodal agent against the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. However, its potential...     

Preliminary results on nematicidal activity from culture filtrates of Basidiomycetes against the pine wood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Aphelenchoididae)

One hundred and eighty one fungal species that were isolated from the fresh fruiting bodies collected in the Mountains of Pu Er County of Yunnan Province, China were tested on the pine wood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in vitro. Each fungal species was grown in Czapek broth and potato dextrose broth (PDB). Fifteen filtrates fromAmauroderma austrosinense, Amauroderma macer, Filoboletus sp.,Laccaria tortilis, Lactarius gerardii, Lentinula edodes, Oudemansiella longipes, Oudemansiella mucida, Peziza sp.,Pleurotus sp.,Sinotermitomyces carnosus (two strains),Strobilomyces floccopus, Termitomyces albuminosus, Tylopilus striatulus grown on PDB were found to be pathogenic to the tested nematodes. Eleven filtrates fromAmanita junguillea, Amanita sp.,Daedalea sepiaria, Fistulina hepatica, Omphalotus olearius, Oudemansiella mucida, Peziza sp.,Pleurotus pulmatus, Ramaria sp.,Tricholoma conglobatum, Tylopilus striatulus grown on Czapek broth were also pathogenic to the nematodes. When screening for nematicidal potential of fungi, it is important to study the growth medium conditions necessary to obtain the optimal nematicidal effect as fungal filtrates growing on different liquid media showed a very inconsistent toxicity towards nematodes.     

Transmission of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus through feeding activity of Monochamus galloprovincialis (Col., Cerambycidae)

Abstract:  Transmission of the pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Bührer) Nickle to Pinus pinaster Aiton branches through feeding wounds of its vector in Portugal, Monochamus galloprovincialis Olivier, was studied under laboratory conditions. All the B. xylophilus -infected beetles transmitted nematodes to branches they fed. The transmission was more frequent during the first 6 weeks after emergence, with transmission peaks during the second and the sixth week. The adult M. galloprovincialis transmitted nematodes for a mean of 5 weeks, independently of the beetle's sex or longevity. No relation was found between beetle feeding intensity and effective transmission of B. xylophilus to the branches. The nematode transmission ceased after the ninth week, even in insects which still had B. xylophilus on their bodies. The longevity of the nematode-free insects (control group) was slightly higher than the B. xylophilus -infected beetles, although with no significant difference. The results emphasize the necessity to control the immature stages of M. galloprovincialis prior to emergence and develop efficient strategies to capture and eliminate the recently emerged beetles, as majority of the nematode infection of healthy pine trees occurs during a short period of few weeks after beetle emergence.     

Antinematodal activities of ingenane diterpenes from Euphorbia kansui and their derivatives against the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)

Under the bioassay-guided method, two diterpenes, 3-O-(2",3"-dimethylbutanoyl)-13-O-dodecanoylingenol (1) and 3-O-(2",3"-dimethylbutanoyl)-13-O-decanoylingenol (2) isolated from Euphorbia kansui, showed a pronounced antinematodal activity against the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus at the same minimum effective dose (MED) of 5 microg per cotton ball and still displayed antinematodal activity at a dose of 2.5 microg per cotton ball. Compounds 3-6 were obtained, and the structure of the new compound 6 was elucidated based on 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses and physicochemical data. Preliminary structure-biological activity relationships of ingenane-type compounds were deduced.     

Post-inoculation Population Dynamics of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Associated Bacteria in Pine Wilt Disease on Pinus thunbergii

Population dynamics of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (PWN) and its accompanying bacteria in non-inoculated twigs along with the process of the disease was observed in Japanese black pine, Pinus thunbergii inoculated with PWN. In the non-inoculated twigs, bacteria could be detected when only a few pine needles became yellow. Once most needles had turned yellow or brown, the nematode began to appear and the bacterial populations increased. At the late stages of the disease when the inoculated pine was dying and the needles were totally wilted, the populations of both nematode and bacteria started to increase rapidly. Only a few bacterial species were found at the early stages. As the disease process advanced, the bacterial populations increased rapidly in both population size and variety of the species. However, Pseudomonas fluorescens , P. sp., Pantoea sp. and Sphimgomenas pancimobilis, remained dominant.     

Cloning and characterization of a 2-cys peroxiredoxin in the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, a putative genetic factor facilitating the infestation

The pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is an invasive plant parasitic nematode and a worldwide quarantine pest. An indigenous species in North America and the causal agent of pine wilt disease, B. xylophilus has devastated pine production in Southeastern Asia including Japan, China, and Korea since its initial introduction in the early 1900s. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the first line of defense utilized by host plants against parasites, while nematodes, counteractively, employ antioxidants to facilitate their infection. Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a large class of antioxidants recently found in a wide variety of organisms. In this report, a gene encoding a novel 2-cysteine peroxiredoxin protein in B. xylophilus was cloned and characterized. The 2-cysteine peroxiredoxin in B. xylophilus (herein refers to as "BxPrx") is highly conserved in comparison to 2-cysteine peroxiredoxins (Prx2s) in other nematodes, which have two conserved cysteine amino acids (Cp and Cr), a threonine-cysteine-arginine catalytic triad, and two signature motifs (GGLG and YF) sensitive to hydrogen peroxide. In silico assembly of BxPrx tertiary structure reveals the spatial configuration of these conserved domains and the simulated BxPrx 3-dimensional structure is congruent with its presumed redox functions. Although no signal peptide was identified, BxPrx was abundantly expressed and secreted under the B. xylophilus cuticle. Upon further analysis of this leader-less peptide, a single transmembrane α-helix composed of 23 consecutive hydrophobic amino acids was found in the primary structure of BxPrx. This transmembrane region and/or readily available ATP binding cassette transporters may facilitate the transport of non-classical BxPrx across the cell membrane. Recombinant BxPrx showed peroxidase activity in vitro reducing hydrogen peroxide using glutathione as the electron donor. The combined results from gene discovery, protein expression and distribution profiling (especially the "surprising" presence under the nematode cuticle), and recombinant antioxidant activity suggest that BxPrx plays a key role in combating the oxidative burst engineered by the ROS defense system in host plants during the infection process. In summary, BxPrx is a genetic factor potentially facilitating B. xylophilus infestation.     

Nematicidal activity of (Z)-ligustilide isolated from Angelica tenuissima Nakai root extract against the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

In this study, we investigated the nematicidal activities of the ethanol extracts of 49 medicinal plants against the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, and isolated a main nematicidal constituent, (Z)-ligustilide, from Angelica tenuissima Nakai root extract. Among the 49 plant extracts, only the A. tenuissima root extract showed the strong nematicidal activity against the pine wood nematode, with a 92.3% mortality rate at a concentration of 2 mg/mL. Based on bioassay-guided isolation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, (Z)-ligustilide was identified as the active component of A. tenuissima root extract at 73.6% of the total content ratio. The LC₅₀ value of (Z)-ligustilide against the pine wood nematode was 0.24 mg/mL. Our results indicated that (Z)-ligustilide as well as A. tenuissima root extract can be potential candidates for novel trunk injection agents against the pine wood nematode.     

A demographic analysis of mortality caused by the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and pine sawyer beetles (Monochamus alternatus) in pine forests in the Seto Inland Sea-side,Japan

In northern Sweden breeding males of Tengmalm's owls (Aegolius funereus (L.)) were site tenacious during and between the peaks of the vole (staple food) cycles, but females only during the peaks. Most of these adults shifted nest boxes between successive years. They selected nest boxes randomly in a radius of 3 km. Juveniles, in contrast to site tenacious adults, dispersed outside their natal area. The females moved longer than the males prior to their first breeding. Five adult females were found to be nomadic. One of these nomadic females previously bred site tenaciously as long as food was abundant. Juveniles and adult males were not found to be nomadic. Emigration of adult females and juveniles occurred most frequently when vole populations declined. The breeding population increased sharply and received immigrants suggesting that nomadism may be essential in the population dynamics. Site tenacity and nomadism are discussed in terms of costbenefit to males and females, respectively. Emphasis is on the main functional roles of males (feeding femle and young) and females (incubation).     

携带与未携带松材线虫的松墨天牛转录组差异表达基因分析

【目的】本研究旨在建立携带与未携带松材线虫Bursaphelenchus xylophilus的松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus成虫各组织的转录组数据库,揭示松墨天牛对松材线虫响应的转录组整体表达特征。【方法】以携带和未携带松材线虫的松墨天牛成虫的表皮、气管和脂肪体为材料,采用Illumina HiSeq^TM 2000测序平台开展转录组测序,利用Trinity软件对RNA-Seq数据进行从头组装,利用NCBI数据库进行基因注释。通过DEG-Seq分析携带和未携带松材线虫的松墨天牛成虫中的差异表达基因,对上调表达基因进行GO和KEGG代谢途径富集分析,并通过实时荧光定量PCR技术对部分差异表达的基因包括ENV, CDK1, HSP70-C, HSP70, HSP75, DUO, PABPN1和IGFP基因的表达水平进行验证。【结果】测序过滤后共获得55 059条单基因簇(unigene),平均长度为1 536 bp。将unigene与数据库中的序列进行BLASTX比对,成功注释24 354条unigenes,其中4 022条unigene在GO数据...     

Diversity of bacteria associated with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and other nematodes isolated from Pinus pinaster trees with pine wilt disease

The pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, has been thought to be the only causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD), however, since bacteria have been suggested to play a role in PWD, it is important to know the diversity of the microbial community associated to it. This study aimed to assess the microbial community associated with B. xylophilus and with other nematodes isolated from pine trees, Pinus pinaster, with PWD from three different affected forest areas in Portugal. One hundred and twenty three bacteria strains were isolated from PWN and other nematodes collected from 14 P. pinaster. The bacteria strains were identified by comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene partial sequence. All except one gram-positive strain (Actinobacteria) belonged to the gram-negative Beta and Gammaproteobacteria. Most isolates belonged to the genus Pseudomonas, Burkholderia and to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Species isolated in higher percentage were Pseudomonas lutea, Yersinia intermedia and Burkholderia tuberum. The major bacterial population associated to the nematodes differed according to the forest area and none of the isolated bacterial species was found in all different forest areas. For each of the sampled areas, 60 to 100% of the isolates produced siderophores and at least 40% produced lipases. The ability to produce siderophores and lipases by most isolates enables these bacteria to have a role in plant physiological response. This research showed a high diversity of the microbial community associated with B. xylophilus and other nematodes isolated from P. pinaster with PWD.