昆虫共生菌研究进展

昆虫与微生物的共生是一种普遍存在的现象,与昆虫共生的微生物从形态学或生活史上可大致分为三大类:细菌、酵母和立克次氏体.     

共生微生物对昆虫化学感受的影响北大核心

共生微生物通过影响昆虫信息化合物的合成或感受来调控宿主的化学通讯,进而影响昆虫的交流、防御、捕食和扩散行为。这种调控作用有助于共生微生物的扩散,但对宿主可能是有利的,也可能是有害的,并为共生体系的协同进化提供动力。本文围绕近年来共生微生物对昆虫化学感受的影响及其机制展开综述,并分析其进化意义,旨在为昆虫化学生态学理论提供补充,并为开发新的害虫防治策略提供思路。     

植菌昆虫与其共生真菌协同进化分子机制

昆虫菌业（fungiculture）是一种类似于人类种植业的昆虫种植体系,包括种植、耕作、收获和营养依赖4个过程,可分为高级的社会性昆虫如切叶蚂蚁、白蚁等和低级的非社会性昆虫如食菌小蠹虫、卷叶象甲、蜥蜴甲虫、树蜂等,它们均能种植并取食真菌。近年来随着组学及微生物组技术的发展,植菌昆虫与其共生真菌协同进化的分子机制研究方面取得了重要进展。系统发育分析阐明了植菌昆虫的起源与进化历程,并显示出与共生真菌系统发育的一致性;共生真菌细胞核数量也从双核增加到最多17个核,而染色体倍型也从单倍体增加为二倍体甚至多倍体;组学分析则揭示了植菌昆虫与其共生真菌在精氨酸、碳水化合物、木质素及几丁质合成或降解等方面显示出了高度的协同进化。本文系统综述了植菌昆虫及其共生真菌的系统进化、核进化及基因组进化进展,并探讨这种协同进化机制的生物学意义。     

肠道微生物与昆虫的共生关系

昆虫肠道栖息着大量的微生物。随着近年来研究肠道微生物的方法不断进步,尤其是基于16S rDNA的分子生物学方法的应用,人们对肠道微生物的了解逐渐加深。昆虫肠道对于微生物的拓殖存在一定的选择作用。肠道微生物对昆虫寄主的作用包括提供营养、利用拓殖抗性抵抗外来微生物侵袭、参与多重营养关系、引起昆虫免疫反应。长期进化过程中肠道微生物与昆虫发展出紧密的共生关系,微生物发展出一系列手段适应昆虫肠道环境。文章从以上几个方面对近年来的研究进展进行总结,并对昆虫肠道微生态学的实践意义和将来可能的研究热点进行展望。     

植菌昆虫及共生真菌共生机制

大约4-6千万年前,3种昆虫类群：白蚁、蚂蚁及食菌甲虫独立进化了培植真菌作为食物的能力,完成了从收集、捕获到主动种植真菌作为食物的生活方式的转变。“耕种”的生活方式最终使得这些昆虫占据重要的生态位。这3类昆虫种植真菌的过程具有明确的人类农业的特点,包括接种、培育、收获以及对培养物的营养依赖。围绕这些环节,昆虫适应不同的功能而进行分工合作,同时通过与一类放线菌共生,利用其产生抗生素来保护菌圃。切叶蚁（attine ant）及其共生真菌、白蚁（termite）及其共生蚁巢伞、食菌甲虫（ambrosia beetles）及其共生真菌是典型的被广泛研究的真菌和昆虫共生体系。而这种培植真菌的能力并不仅仅存在于以上3类昆虫中。植菌卷叶象甲Euops chinensis精心制作叶苞并接种储菌器真菌;蜥蜴甲虫Doubledaya bucculenta以及树蜂Sirex spp.也存在接种共生真菌作物的行为。从本质上讲,昆虫的真菌培植体系与人类的农业体系非常类似,因此对于种植真菌昆虫的系统研究能够为应对全球粮食短缺和农业持续高产提供一些有价值的参考。     

昆虫体外共生菌研究进展

昆虫体外共生菌是指能在体外与宿主发生互利共生关系的微生物。体外共生菌虽然不如肠道微生物那样普遍存在于昆虫中,但也在宿主生长发育过程中扮演着重要的角色。昆虫体外共生菌一般寄生于昆虫体表或体内特异器官(如储菌器),在特定时期转移到植物组织中。体外共生菌产生的挥发物能作为宿主定位寄主植物的信号物质,能为宿主提供生长发育所需的营养物质,还参与了宿主体外免疫。对昆虫体外共生菌的研究,不仅能进一步揭示昆虫与微生物之间的互作关系,丰富昆虫共生菌的研究,还能从共生菌的角度探索害虫引诱剂和昆虫免疫豁免机制。本文对昆虫体外共生菌寄生方式、传播途径、对宿主的影响等研究成果进行了综述,旨在为害虫综合防控提供新思路。     

共生菌与昆虫抗药性

越来越多的研究表明,共生菌与昆虫的抗药性存在一定的联系.在不同的虫菌共生体系中,共生菌和昆虫抗药性联系的表现型存在较大的差异.昆虫对抗药性的生理补偿效应会影响共生菌群落组成.反之,共生菌通过提高宿主的适合度,利用自身的解毒作用或通过免疫系统间接调控宿主的解毒能力来影响宿主昆虫的抗药性.多组学和分子生物学技术的发展有助于...     

共生菌与昆虫抗药性

越来越多的研究表明,共生菌与昆虫的抗药性存在一定的联系.在不同的虫菌共生体系中,共生菌和昆虫抗药性联系的表现型存在较大的差异.昆虫对抗药性的生理补偿效应会影响共生菌群落组成.反之,共生菌通过提高宿主的适合度,利用自身的解毒作用或通过免疫系统间接调控宿主的解毒能力来影响宿主昆虫的抗药性.多组学和分子生物学技术的发展有助于对共生菌和昆虫抗药性的联系进行更深入的研究.     

昆虫共生微生物：研究进展与展望

昆虫共生微生物是指与昆虫宿主建立持久互作关系的微生物,这些微生物分布于昆虫的体表、肠道、血腔或者细胞内,参与调节宿主昆虫的多种生理功能。昆虫-共生微生物互作研究涉及多个学科领域的交叉。深入研究昆虫共生微生物的功能及其与宿主的互作关系不仅有助于阐明重要的生命科学机理,还将为害虫治理和虫传病害的防控以及益虫的有效利用提供新的思路和方法。近年来,我国学者在昆虫微生物组研究领域取得显著进展,在多个研究方向取得重要成果。本文概述了国内外昆虫共生微生物研究的最新进展,介绍了本专辑论文的主要研究内容,并提出了值得关注的3个研究方向：(1)昆虫细胞内共生微生物的功能;(2)昆虫调控共生微生物丰度和传播的机制;(3)昆虫共生微生物的遗传改造和应用。     

昆虫完全变态发育与其共生微生物之间的相互影响

完全变态昆虫在发育过程中要经过卵、幼虫、蛹和成虫四个阶段,它们在幼虫和成虫阶段形态构造和生活习性明显不同,这一现象被称为适应性解耦,使幼虫和成虫能够更独立地完成不同的任务,各自获得更高的效率,这对完全变态昆虫有巨大的生态和进化意义。然而这种发育方式为完全变态昆虫与微生物建立稳定的共生关系带来了巨大的挑战。它们在变态过程中身体结构的重塑、饮食习惯的改变等使微生物居住的栖息地发生彻底转变,微生物在昆虫宿主个体不同发育阶段和不同个体代际之间的垂直传递也受到了限制。为了高保真地维持稳定的共生关系,部分完全变态昆虫和共生微生物进化出多样的严格垂直传递或者规避完全变态发育的传递方式。也有部分完全变态昆虫趁此机会实现与共生微生物的关系解绑,与新的微生物建立联系,呈现出在不同生命阶段共生微生物的动态变化。此外,昆虫变态发育还直接受到共生微生物的影响,微生物能保护宿主在变态发育中最脆弱的阶段免受病原体感染,为变态发育提供必需的营养物质和促进变态发育的因子。因此,本综述将总结和深入探究昆虫完全变态发育与其共生微生物之间的相互影响。     

类花生酸在昆虫细胞免疫中的作用研究进展

类花生酸包括前列腺素类,凝血恶烷类和白细胞三烯类等,在高等动物中的作用研究较多,后来有许多学者发现类花生酸在昆虫的细胞免疫反应中发挥了重要作用。本文就类花生酸在昆虫清除细菌、真菌、寄生物及病毒等过程中发挥的作用进行了综述,并就深入研究方向进行了展望。     

Developing insect models for the study of current and emerging human pathogens

The study of human diseases requires the testing of microorganisms in model systems. Although mammals are typically used, we argue the validity of using insects as models in order to examine human diseases, particularly the growing number of opportunistic microorganisms. Insects can be used in large numbers, are easily manipulated, and are not subject to the same ethical concerns as mammalian systems. Insects and mammals have many parallels with respect to microbial pathogenesis, from proteinaceous integuments that require breaching before infection to similarities in their innate immune responses. Reactions of insects to Candida and Pseudomonas spp. infections show good correlation with mouse models, providing precedent-setting examples of the study of human pathogens using insects. Insects as pathogen hosts also warrant study because they may act as reservoirs for emerging human pathogens. Finally, insect models may be used to examine the evolutionary processes involved in the acquisition of virulence factors and host-jumping mechanisms indispensable to emerging pathogens. Insect models may be used in 'niche' investigations where large sample sizes can facilitate rapid, informative screening of opportunistic diseases and provide insights into pathogen evolution, while reducing the cost and ethical concerns associated with mammalian models.     

昆虫免疫识别与病原物免疫逃避机理研究进展

昆虫在长期进化过程中形成复杂的天然免疫系统,病原识别是启动下游免疫反应的第一步,这一过程主要是由不同的模式识别蛋白来完成的。目前发现并鉴定的昆虫模式识别蛋白主要包括肽聚糖识别蛋白、类免疫球蛋白、β-1,3-葡聚糖结合蛋白、C型凝集素及具多功能的载脂蛋白等,不同的蛋白种类具有不同的结构、功能及识别对象。与昆虫免疫识别相对应的是,不同昆虫病原物在进化过程中发展出不同策略的免疫逃避能力,以战胜宿主免疫而致病或最终杀死昆虫。本文就昆虫免疫过程中不同模式识别蛋白的结合对象、结构与功能,以及逐渐兴起的病原物通过分子伪装等进行免疫逃避的研究进展进行了综述。并在此基础上,作者就昆虫免疫与昆虫病理研究的发展方向进行了展望,认为只有当两方面研究相结合时,才能更好地揭示昆虫宿主与病原物之间免疫与抗免疫的动态相互作用过程。     

Relationship between maternal transfer of immunity and mother fecundity in an insect

Trans-generational immune priming (TGIP) corresponds to the plastic adjustment of offspring immunity as a result of maternal immune experience. TGIP is expected to improve mother's fitness by improving offspring individual performance in an environment where parasitism becomes more prevalent. However, it was recently demonstrated that maternal transfer of immunity to the offspring is costly for immune-challenged female insects. Thus, these females might not provide immune protection to all their offspring because of the inherent cost of other fitness-related traits. Females are therefore expected to adjust their investment to individual offspring immune protection in ways that maximize their fitness. In this study, we investigated how bacterially immune-challenged females of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, provision their eggs with immune protection according to egg production. We found that immune-challenged females provide a variable number of their eggs with internal antibacterial activity along egg-laying bouts. Furthermore, within the first immune-protected egg-laying bout (2-4 days after the maternal immune challenge), the number of eggs protected was strongly dependent on the number of eggs produced. Immune-challenged females might therefore adjust their investment into TGIP and fecundity according of their individual perception of the risk of dying from the infection and the expected parasitic conditions for the offspring.     

Insecticidal activity of Bacillus laterosporus

Strains of Bacillus laterosporus demonstrated pathogenic activity for second-instar larvae of the mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, but failed to demonstrate detectable pathogenicity against larvae of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni. Of 29 strains of the bacterium screened, 16 displayed pathogenicity for mosquito larvae. One of the most pathogenic strains, NRS 590, also demonstrated pathogenic activity for larvae of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and for larvae of the black fly, Simulium vittatum. The pathogenicity for Culex larvae was associated with the cell mass rather than with the culture supernatant. A suspension of ultraviolet irradiation-killed cells demonstrated no loss in pathogenic activity, an indication that the pathogenicity is toxin mediated. The toxic substance produced by NRS 590 was found to be resistant to heating at 96°C for 10 min. The toxin was not associated with the heat-resistant, bacterial endospore or with the associated paraspore since a suspension consisting primarily of spores was not toxic to mosquito larvae. Toxic activity in stationary phase cells of NRS 590 was associated with the cell's particulate fraction rather than with the soluble fraction.     

Eicosanoids in insect immunity: bacterial infection stimulates hemocytic phospholipase A2 activity in tobacco hornworms

Intracellular phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) is responsible for releasing arachidonic acid from cellular phospholipids, and is thought to be the first step in eicosanoid biosynthesis. Intracellular PLA(2)s have been characterized in fat body and hemocytes from tobacco hornworms, Manduca sexta. Here we show that bacterial challenge stimulated increased PLA(2) activity in isolated hemocyte preparations, relative to control hemocyte preparations that were challenged with water. The increased activity was detected as early as 15 s post-challenge and lasted for at least 1 h. The increased activity depended on a minimum bacterial challenge dose, and was inhibited in reactions conducted in the presence of oleyoxyethylphosphorylcholine, a site-specific PLA(2) inhibitor. In independent experiments with serum prepared from whole hemolymph, we found no PLA(2) activity was secreted into serum during the first 24 h following bacterial infection. We infer that a hemocytic intracellular PLA(2) activity is increased immediately an infection is detected. The significance of this enzyme lies in its role in launching the biosynthesis of eicosanoids, which mediate cellular immune reactions to bacterial infection.     

昆虫共生菌的次级代谢产物研究进展

微生物与昆虫的共生是一种普遍现象,昆虫种类繁多,与昆虫共生的微生物也多种多样。昆虫共生菌是活性次生代谢产物的重要来源。本文对自2008年以来已报道的177个昆虫共生菌的次级代谢产物进行了统计和分析,结果表明:61.6%的化合物为新天然产物(生物碱类新化合物最多),其中,约75%的新化合物来源于昆虫共生真菌,25%来源于细菌;醌酮类化合物是昆虫共生菌源天然产物的主要结构类型,占23.2%;47.5%的化合物具有显著的抗肿瘤、抗菌、除草和抗氧化等生物活性,且化合物中的主要活性类型是抗菌和抗肿瘤活性,活性范围覆盖面最广的结构类型是生物碱类。以上结果表明昆虫共生菌的次级代谢产物是先导性化合物的重要来源且具有丰富的生物活性类型。本文以天然产物的结构分类为切入点,结合其研究菌株来源、生物活性等进行综述,旨在为充分挖掘昆虫共生菌次级代谢产物提供重要参考。