Pathogens of bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and other beetles in Bulgaria

The presence and diversity of beetle pathogens associated with different tree species in Bulgaria was investigated. In total, 818 specimens belonging to 22 beetle species were examined. Pathogens occurred in 9 host species. The infections were found in the gut (virus, nematodes, protozoans, microsporidia) and haemolymph (nematodes) of the infected insects. The following pathogen species: ItEPV, Beauveria bassiana, B. brongniartii, Isaria farinosa, Gregarina typographi, Gregarina spp., Chytridiopsis typographi, Chytridiopsis sp., and nematodes were revealed. Insects with mycoses were mummified and filled up with fungal structures, formed pseudosclerotium. Most pathogens were established in bark beetles (Scolytinae). For the first time, the fungus B. bassiana was reported in Tomicus piniperda, Orthotomicus longicollis, O. erosus, X. spinole, Taphrorychus villifrons and Phylobius sp. in Bulgaria. We also present the first records of gregarines in O. longicollis, Acanthocinus aedilis, Rhagium inquisitor, Pyrochroa coccinea, and of the microsporidium Chytridiopsis sp. in O. longicollis.     

An anti-B lectin from Zea mays everta

The results of serological studies of Zea mays everta seed extracts with anti-B specificity are presented. Lectin will agglutinates A1B erythrocytes significantly more weakly than erythrocytes of B and A2B blood groups.     

The Amaryllidaceae alkaloids: an untapped source of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

Phytochemistry Reviews - The AChE inhibitory activity of alkaloid extracts and compounds has been in the focus of research on the plants of Amaryllidoideae subfamily since the approval of...     

Functional incorporation of the pore forming segment of AChR M2 into tethered bilayer lipid membranes

Tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs) are robust and flexible model platforms for the investigation of various membrane related processes. They are especially suited to study the incorporation and function of ion channel proteins, where a high background resistance of the membrane is essential. Synthetic M2 peptides, analogues of the transmembrane fragment of the acetylcholine receptor, could be incorporated into two different membrane architectures. The functional reconstitution and the formation of a conducting pore are shown by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The pore is selective for small monovalent cations, while bulky ions cannot pass. This is a significant step towards a novel biosensing approach. We envision a device, where a stable and insulating membrane would be attached to an electronic read-out unit and embedded proteins would serve as actual sensing units.