Consumption of a toxic food by caterpillars increases with dietary exposure: support for a role of induced detoxification enzymes

We examined whether there is a link between feeding behavior and detoxification enzyme activity, which increases over time in proportion to the ingested dose of toxic allelochemicals. We hypothesized that, for insects consuming a toxic but nondeterrent food, consumption would initially decline but then increase after continuous exposure in conjunction with the induction of detoxification enzyme activity. We tested this hypothesis by observing the feeding behavior of fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda) when offered diets containing indole 3-carbinol (I3C), a well-known inducer of detoxification enzymes in this species. The I3C concentrations used were toxic but nondeterrent, thereby avoiding any confounding influence of preingestive responses. The feeding pattern of caterpillars previously unexposed to dietary I3C (i.e. with basal detoxification enzyme activity) was substantially altered when offered I3C-containing diets. Compared with control caterpillars fed I3C-free diets, they exhibited fewer feeding bouts and had a greater proportion of long (> 60 min) non-feeding pauses between bouts. In contrast, the feeding pattern of caterpillars pre-exposed to an I3C diet (i.e. with induced detoxification enzyme activity) did not differ from that of control caterpillars. We conclude that there is a relationship between feeding behavior and detoxification activity in these caterpillars, and propose two postingestive mechanisms that could link these processes.     

柑橘全爪螨田间种群敏感性测定及三种主要解毒酶活性比较

为明确重庆地区柑橘全爪螨Panonychus citri(McGregor)对常用杀螨剂的抗性水平,本研究采用阿维菌素、哒螨灵、三唑锡、螺螨酯4种不同类型杀螨剂对柑橘全爪螨重庆北碚种群、璧山种群、武隆种群和忠县种群进行了田间敏感性测定。结果表明,柑橘全爪螨4个种群对三唑锡表现最不敏感,致死中浓度LC50在209.9～370.9mg/L之间。璧山种群对阿维菌素敏感性最高,武隆种群和忠县种群对阿维菌素的相对抗性分别达12倍和11倍。哒螨灵监测结果表明,北碚种群的抗性水平显著高于其他3个种群。而北碚种群对螺螨酯的LC50仅为1.2mg/L,显著低于其他种群。柑橘全爪螨4个种群解毒酶活性研究发现,解毒酶活性的高低与不同种群抗性水平之间并没有明显相关性,这可能同各地区施药背景不同、综合防治措施不同、各杀螨剂作用机理不同、不同种群体内代谢抗性及靶标抗性水平差异有关。     

亚致死浓度氰氟虫腙对小菜蛾三种解毒酶及P450 mRNA表达量的影响

【目的】为探讨亚致死浓度氰氟虫腙对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella(L.)3种解毒酶和细胞色素P450基因表达量的影响。【方法】采用叶片浸渍法,测定用氰氟虫腙LC10和LC25处理72 h后小菜蛾羧酸酯酶、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶和多功能氧化酶3种解毒酶的活性;应用实时荧光定量PCR(Real-time PCR)方法测定了其在24、48和72 h时对P450基因(Px CYP4、Px CYP6和Px CYP9家族)表达的影响。【结果】结果表明,氰氟虫腙LC10和LC25处理对羧酸酯酶活性影响不显著;对谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活性存在显著抑制作用(P<0.05);LC25处理后多功能氧化酶活性显著增加(P<0.05),为对照的1.39倍。同时,LC25氰氟虫腙处理组小菜蛾P450基因Px CYP4M19、Px CYP6BF1V2、Px CYP6CN1和Px CYP6CV2 m RNA的相对表达量分别为对照组的2.33~8.5倍、1.32~3.48倍、1.18~2.53倍、2.02~7.22倍。【结论】结果显示,氰氟虫腙可能通过诱导这4种P450基因m RNA的上调表达而增强了小菜蛾多功能氧化酶酶活性。     

Temperature-independent increase in the detoxifying enzyme activity of insecticide-resistant small brown planthoppers and Drosophila

The populations of migrated small brown planthoppers (SBPHs) collected in Korea were reported to have higher insecticide resistance and percentages of viruliferous individuals than the populations of overwintering SBPHs. Therefore, the migrated SBPHs might survive after insecticide treatments and cause severe damage to rice plants. In this study, the changes in the biochemical properties of resistant SBPHs with temperature changes were investigated. The activities of detoxifying enzymes known to be involved in insecticide resistance showed no correlation with temperature, but the resistant strains had consistently higher detoxifying enzyme activities than the susceptible strains. Interestingly, the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased with temperature in all strains.Chlorantraniliprole-resistant strains of Drosophila melanogaster were examined to investigate whether the phenomena observed in the resistant SBPHs were conserved in other insects with resistance to an insecticide with different modes of action. Similar to the resistant SBPHs, the resistant Drosophila also exhibited increased amounts of ROS and detoxifying enzyme activity compared to the control Drosophila. Also in the resistant Drosophila, only the ROS showed a temperature-dependent increase.Taken together, in addition to the involvement of increased activities of detoxifying enzymes, the resistant insects also had a temperature-dependent significant increase in ROS. Thus, the development of tools to induce ROS toxicity could lead to the development of new control methods to eliminate resistant insect strains.     

Identification and classification of detoxification enzymes from Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Molecular characterization of the insecticide resistance has become a hot research topic ever since the first disease transmitting arthropod (Anopheles gambiae) genome sequence has unveiled in 2002. A recent publication of the Culex quinquefasciatus genome sequence has opened up new opportunities for molecular and comparative genomic analysis of multiple mosquito genomes to characterize the insecticide resistance. Here, we utilized a whole genome sequence of Cx. quinquefasciatus to identify putatively active members of the detoxification supergene families, namely cytochrome P450s (P450s), glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), and choline/carboxylesterases (CCEs). The Culex genome analysis revealed 166 P450s, 40 GSTs, and 62 CCEs. Further, the comparative genomic analysis shows that these numbers are considerably higher than the other dipteran mosquitoes. These observed speciesspecific expansions of the detoxification super gene family members endorse the popular understanding of the involvement of these gene families in protecting the organism against multitudinous classes of toxic substances during its complex (aquatic and terrestrial) life cycle. Thus, the generated data set may provide an initial point to start with to characterize the insecticide resistance at a molecular level which could then lead the development of an easy to use molecular marker to monitor the incipient insecticide resistance in field environs.     

Cross-induction of detoxification genes by environmental xenobiotics and insecticides in the mosquito Aedes aegypti: impact on larval tolerance to chemical insecticides

The effect of exposure of Aedes aegypti larvae to sub-lethal doses of the pyrethroid insecticide permethrin, the organophosphate temephos, the herbicide atrazine, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluoranthene and the heavy metal copper on their subsequent tolerance to insecticides, detoxification enzyme activities and expression of detoxification genes was investigated. Bioassays revealed a moderate increase in larval tolerance to permethrin following exposure to fluoranthene and copper while larval tolerance to temephos increased moderately after exposure to atrazine, copper and permethrin. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases activities were induced in larvae exposed to permethrin, fluoranthene and copper while glutathione S-transferase activities were induced after exposure to fluoranthene and repressed after exposure to copper. Microarray screening of the expression patterns of all detoxification genes following exposure to each xenobiotic with the Aedes Detox Chip identified multiple genes induced by xenobiotics and insecticides. Further expression studies using real-time quantitative PCR confirmed the induction of multiple CYP genes and one carboxylesterase gene by insecticides and xenobiotics. Overall, this study reveals the potential of xenobiotics found in polluted mosquito breeding sites to affect their tolerance to insecticides, possibly through the cross-induction of particular detoxification genes. Molecular mechanisms involved and impact on mosquito control strategies are discussed.     

Cross-induction of systemic induced resistance between an insect and a fungal pathogen in Austrian pine over a fertility gradient

Evidence for cross-induction of systemic resistance or susceptibility in plant–fungus–herbivore interactions is mostly derived from herbaceous model systems and not perennial woody plants. Furthermore, the effects of environmental variables such as soil fertility on these tripartite interactions are generally unknown. This study examined cross-induction of systemic resistance in Pinus nigra (Austrian pine) to infection by Sphaeropsis sapinea (a fungal pathogen), or feeding by Neodiprion sertifer (European pine sawfly), by prior induction with either S. sapinea or N. sertifer, over a fertility gradient. In a replicated 3-year study, cross-induction of systemic induced resistance (SIR) was found to be both asymmetric within a single year and variable between years. Prior induction with insect defoliation induced SIR to subsequent fungal challenge in 2006 but not in 2005. In 2005, a fertility-independent negative systemic effect of the fungal infection on herbivore growth was detected while herbivore survival was affected by a significant interaction between induction treatment and fertility level in 2006. Prior infection by the fungus induced SIR against the same fungus in both years regardless of fertility levels. This is the first report of whole-plant SIR against a defoliating insect induced by a fungal pathogen and vice versa, under variable nutrient availability, in a conifer or any other tree. Alieta Eyles and Rodrigo Chorbadjian contributed equally to the paper.     

The influence of cytochrome P450 enzyme activity on the composition and quantity of volatile organics in expired breath

Abstract

We have previously described a method to capture, identify and quantify volatile components in expired breath. The purpose of this research is to provide a non-invasive means to measure biomarkers of metabolism in vivo. In the present studies, the effect of 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT), an inhibitor of diverse cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes, on the composition of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) expired in the breath of male F-344 rats was determined in parallel with the catalytic activities and total content of hepatic P450. lntraperitoneal administration of ABT (100 mg kg-¹) to rats resulted in markedly diminished hepatic microsomal P450 content and activities. The extent of inhibition was near maximal at 4 h, at which time approximately 50% of the total P450 content, about 65% of the CYPlA2 activity, 55% of the CYP2E1 activity, and about 80% of CYP2B activity were lost. Inhibition was maintained to 48 h post-dosing, but P450 content and activities had largely been restored by day 7. Concomitant with the inhibition of P450 were corresponding increases (up to several hundred-fold) in the molar amount of volatiles appearing in the breath of ABT-treated animals, and the rebound of P450 levels was attended by corresponding decreases in the appearance of breath volatiles. These studies indicate that P450 plays a major role in the metabolism of VOCs appearing in breath, and that these chemicals can serve as markers on P450 activity in vivo.     

The influence of cytochrome P450 enzyme activity on the composition and quantity of volatile organics in expired breath

We have previously described a method to capture, identify and quantify volatile components in expired breath. The purpose of this research is to provide a non-invasive means to measure biomarkers of metabolism in vivo. In the present studies, the effect of 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT), an inhibitor of diverse cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes, on the composition of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) expired in the breath of male F-344 rats was determined in parallel with the catalytic activities and total content of hepatic P450. lntraperitoneal administration of ABT (100 mg kg-¹) to rats resulted in markedly diminished hepatic microsomal P450 content and activities. The extent of inhibition was near maximal at 4 h, at which time approximately 50% of the total P450 content, about 65% of the CYPlA2 activity, 55% of the CYP2E1 activity, and about 80% of CYP2B activity were lost. Inhibition was maintained to 48 h post-dosing, but P450 content and activities had largely been restored by day 7. Concomitant with the inhibition of P450 were corresponding increases (up to several hundred-fold) in the molar amount of volatiles appearing in the breath of ABT-treated animals, and the rebound of P450 levels was attended by corresponding decreases in the appearance of breath volatiles. These studies indicate that P450 plays a major role in the metabolism of VOCs appearing in breath, and that these chemicals can serve as markers on P450 activity in vivo.     

Phylogeny, expression and enzyme activity of zebrafish cyp19 (P450 aromatase) genes

The cyp19 encodes P450 aromatase, the enzyme catalyzing the conversion of estrogens from androgens. Estrogens affect the dimorphic, anatomical, functional and behavioral aspects of development of both males and females. In zebrafish, two cyp19 genes, cyp19a and cyp19b were found. They are expressed in ovary and brain, respectively. Expression of cyp19b can be detected by 11 days post-fertilization (dpf) by in situ hybridization in the olfactory bulbs, ventral telencephalic region and the hypothalamus of the brain in both male and female, where it is generally known to be affecting the reproductive function and sexual behavior. COS-1 clones permanently expressing the enzymes have been isolated. Both aromatase enzymes encoded by these two genes are functional in COS-1 cells and they can use androstenedione and testosterone equally efficiently. The presence of two functional cyp19 in zebrafish has its evolutionary and physiological importance.     

Immunolocalization of cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">galloprovincialis</Emphasis> and its induction by nutritional levels

We have examined the localization of P450scc in different tissues of the mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis along a gonadal cycle by using a polyclonal antibody against rat cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (cytochrome P450scc). Immunoreactivity specific for P450scc was found only in the cytoplasm of basophilic cells from digestive gland; gonad, gills and kidney appeared to be devoid of P450scc immunoreactivity. SDS-gel electrophoresis and western blot analysis of different subcellular fractions revealed that this protein is mainly located in microsomes, has a molecular weight of 51.4 kDa and is recognized by the antibody against rat P450scc. These results suggest that the digestive gland of M. galloprovincialis could be considered a steroidogenic tissue where the first step in biosynthesis of steroid hormones occurs. Moreover, seasonal slot blot analysis of post-mitochondrial fractions showed a P450scc induction by available nutrients and phytoplankton blooms.     

The isolation and characterisation of a mutant of the C4 plant Amaranthus edulis deficient in NAD-malic enzyme activity

A mutant of Amaranthus edulis (Speg.) lacking activity of the C₄ leaf form of NAD-malic enzyme (ME; EC 1.1.1.39) has been isolated. Homozygous mutant (5% wild-type ME activity) and heterozygous (50% wild-type ME activity) F₂ plants were shown to contain both the α and β NAD-ME subunits in similar amounts to those detected in the wild-type leaves. The rate of photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation was reduced in the homozygous mutant to 5% of that observed for the wild-type leaves. Other C₄ enzymes were not down-regulated in the mutant plants. There was little difference in photosynthetic rate of the heterozygous plants compared to the wild-type, suggesting that NAD-ME exerts little control over the rate of C₄ photosynthesis, and that in the wild-type the enzyme has a very low control coefficient. The activity loss in the heterozygote may therefore be compensated by regulatory mechanisms that increase the activity of the enzyme in vivo. Data for bundle-sheath strands indicated that although the homozygous mutants were able to oxidise malate via the Krebs cycle, they were unable to convert malate to pyruvate and alanine via NAD-ME. Received: 2 April 1998 / Accepted: 7 May 1998     

Abscinazole-F1, a conformationally restricted analogue of the plant growth retardant uniconazole and an inhibitor of ABA 8′-hydroxylase CYP707A with no growth-retardant effect

To develop a specific inhibitor of abscisic acid (ABA) 8′-hydroxylase, a key enzyme in the catabolism of ABA, a plant hormone involved in stress tolerance, seed dormancy, and other various physiological events, we designed and synthesized conformationally restricted analogues of uniconazole (UNI), a well-known plant growth retardant, which inhibits a biosynthetic enzyme (ent-kaurene oxidase) of gibberellin as well as ABA 8′-hydroxylase. Although most of these analogues were less effective than UNI in inhibition of ABA 8′-hydroxylase and rice seedling growth, we found that a lactol-bridged analogue with an imidazole is a potent inhibitor of ABA 8′-hydroxylase but not of plant growth. This compound, abscinazole-F1, induced drought tolerance in apple seedlings upon spray treatment with a 10 μM solution.     

Plant-mediated interactions between insects and a fungal plant pathogen and the role of plant chemical responses to infection

Diverse organisms simultaneously exploit plants in nature, but most studies do not examine multiple types of exploiters like phytophagous insects and fungal, bacterial, and viral plant pathogens. This study examined patterns of induction of antipathogenic peroxidase enzymes and phenolics after infection by the cucurbit scab fungus, Cladosporium cucumerinum, and then determined if induction mediated ecological effects on Colletotrichum orbiculare, another fungal pathogen, and two insect herbivores, spotted cucumber beetles, and melon aphids. Peroxidase induction occurred in inoculated, `local,' symptom-bearing leaves 3 days after inoculation, and in `systemic,' symptom-free leaves on the same plants 1 day later. Phenolics were elevated in systemic but not in local leaves 3 days after inoculation. Detached systemic leaves from plants inoculated with C. cucumerinum developed significantly fewer and smaller lesions after challenge with C. orbiculare. Spotted cucumber beetles did not show consistently significant preferences for infected versus control leaf disks in comparisons using local or systemic leaves, but trends differed significantly between leaf positions. In no-choice tests, beetles removed more leaf area from local but not from systemic infected leaves compared to control leaves, and melon aphid reproduction was enhanced on local infected leaves. In the field, cucumber beetle and melon aphid densities did not differ between infected and control plants. Antipathogenic plant chemical responses did not predict reduced herbivory by insects. Other changes in metabolism may explain the positive direction and spatially dependent nature of plant-mediated interactions between pathogens and insects in this system. Received: 28 September 1997 / Accepted: 9 February 1998     

Stimulation of DNA synthesis and mitotic activity of chick embryo hepatocytes in primary culture

Summary Monolayer cultures were prepared from hepatocytes of 15 d chick embryos and maintained at high cell density in a chemically defined medium. In the absence of growth stimulatory conditions DNA synthesis was observed only during the first 10 to 16 h of culture. Thus, after a 12 h exposure to [³H]thymidine ([³H]dThd, 4 to 16 h) 9.1±1% ( ,n=4) of the hepatocyte nuclei were labeled. Labeled mitotic nuclei, up to late telophase, were regularly observed in these cultures. Beyond 16 h less than 2% labeled nuclei were found (12 h of [³H]dThd), which indicates that the hepatocytes entered proliferative quiescence. DNA synthesis of “resting” hepatocytes was stimulated by insulin and, only slightly, by hydrocortisone, glucagon, or fetal bovine serum. Triiodothyronine (T₃), or the nucleoside inosine (i) did not stimulate. Combination of insulin (I) with hydrocortisone (H), T₃ (T), or glucagon (G) resulted in a more than additive effect. Nearly maximal stimulation occurred with the combinations IHT and ITG. Labeling increased at 10 ng/ml of each component and was maximal at 1 to 10 μg/ml. A lag period of 8 to 10 h after hormone administration (IHiTG, 10 μg/ml) was observed before nuclear labeling increased. Within the subsequent 10 h a considerable proportion of the hepatocytes (up to 30% or more) entered DNA synthesis. Mitotic activity (with nuclei in prophase up to late telophase) also was stimulated. An increase of both total DNA and protein content was measured in several experiments. Hormonal stimulation of hepatocyte DNA synthesis and mitotic activity was associated with decreased β-naphthoflavone-mediated induction of cytochrome P450. A causal relationship between these two phenomena remains to be established. It is suggested that chick embryo hepatocyte cultures are a useful tool for studies on hepatocyte proliferation and differentiation. The present study is based on original observations by Dr. F. R. Althaus (presently at the Institute of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Switzerland). This contribution of his and his incisive criticism are acknowledged. The study was supported by Grant 3.893.81 from the Swiss National Research Foundation.     

Multiplicative interaction between the two major mechanisms of permethrin resistance,kdr and cytochrome P450‐monooxygenase detoxification,in mosquitoes

Epistasis is the nonadditive interaction between different loci which contribute to a phenotype. Epistasis between independent loci conferring insecticide resistance is important to investigate as this phenomenon can shape the rate that resistance evolves and can dictate the level of resistance in the field. The evolution of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes is a growing and world‐wide problem. The two major mechanisms that confer resistance to permethrin in Culex mosquitoes are target site insensitivity (i.e. kdr) and enhanced detoxification by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. Using three strains of mosquitoes, and crosses between these strains, we assessed the relative contribution of the two independent loci conferring permethrin resistance, individually and when present together. We found that for all genotype combinations tested, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus exhibited multiplicative interactions between kdr and P450 detoxification, whether the resistance alleles were homozygous or heterozygous. These results provide a basis for further analysis of the evolution and maintenance of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes.     

北柴胡细胞色素P450酶基因的克隆及其植物过量表达载体的构建

目的:克隆北柴胡中可能参与柴胡皂苷生物合成的细胞色素P450酶基因,构建其过量表达载体,为通过转基因验证其功能奠定基础。方法:在454高通量测序获得5'和3'端部分cDNA序列的基础上,利用LD-PCR方法获得全长cDNA,根据全长cDNA序列设计含有酶切位点的PCR引物,利用高保真酶,以RNA反转录产物为模板PCR扩增细胞色素P450酶基因的开放读框,扩增产物与pEASY-T1 Simple载体连接,转化大肠杆菌DH5α;重组质粒pT1-P450经菌液PCR和酶切方法验证后测序,采用NCBI在线Blastx、DNAman和MEGA4软件对序列进行生物信息学分析,随后将pT1-P450的酶切产物插入双元载体pCAMBIA-SUPER 1300,菌液PCR和酶切验证重组质粒p1300-P450。结果:扩增到了北柴胡细胞色素P450酶基因BcCYP87E,构建了这一基因的过量表达载体。结论:细胞色素P450酶基因的克隆和转基因载体的构建,为后续开展转基因研究,验证其生物功能奠定了基础。     

Notable difference in anti-HIV activity of integrase inhibitors as a consequence of geometric and enantiomeric configurations

While some examples are known of integrase inhibitors that exhibit potent anti-HIV activity, there are very few cases reported of integrase inhibitors that show significant differences in anti-HIV activity that result from distinctions in cis- and trans-configurations as well as enantiomeric stereostructure. We describe here the design and synthesis of two enantiomeric trans-hydroxycyclopentyl carboxamides which exhibit notable difference in anti-HIV activity. This difference is explained through their binding interactions within the active site of the HIV-1 integrase intasome. The more active enantiomer 3 (EC₅₀ 25 nM) was relatively stable in human liver microsomes. Kinetic data revealed that its impact on key cytochrome P450 isozymes, as either an inhibitor or an activator, was minor, suggesting a favorable CYP profile.