Structure of the house dust mite allergen Der f 2: implications for function and molecular basis of IgE cross-reactivity

The X-ray structure of the group 2 major allergen from Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 2) was determined to 1.83 A resolution. The overall Der f 2 structure comprises a single domain of immunoglobulin fold with two anti-parallel beta-sheets. A large hydrophobic cavity is formed in the interior of Der f 2. Structural comparisons to distantly related proteins suggest a role in lipid binding. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) cross-reactivity between group 2 house dust mite major allergens can be explained by conserved surface areas representing IgE binding epitopes.     

Orally supplemented Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L‐92 inhibits passive and active cutaneous anaphylaxis as well as 2,4‐dinitroflurobenzene and mite fecal antigen induced atopic dermatitis‐like skin lesions in mice

Oral supplementation of lactic acid bacteria is a potential approach to the prevention and manipulation of allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Our previous report showed that heat‐killed Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L‐92 (L‐92) possessed anti‐allergic properties, although its physiological function in atopic dermatitis has largely remained undefined. To evaluate the anti‐allergic efficacy of L‐92, we used four experimental animal models with the major features of atopic dermatitis and compared the results to those of clinically active drugs. ICR mice were passively sensitized by anti‐dinitrophenyl mouse monoclonal IgE for passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), and BALB/c mice were actively sensitized by ovalbumin for active cutaneous anaphylaxis (ACA). Allergic reaction was induced by repeated exposure to 2,4‐dinitroflurobenzene (DNFB) and mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) fecal allergen, in BALB/c and NC/Nga mice, respectively. Orally administrated L‐92 significantly inhibited the vascular permeability increase in both PCA and ACA, and the elevation of ovalbumin‐specific IgE titer in ACA. Moreover, repeated applications of DNFB and mite fecal antigen onto the BALB/c and NC/Nga mouse ear, respectively, caused clinical symptoms similar to atopic dermatitis such as ear swelling, scratching behavior and elevation of total serum IgE levels that were also moderately suppressed by L‐92. In addition, L‐92 treated mice exhibited lower levels of mast cells, eosinophil infiltration and Th1/Th2 cytokine expression. Our results, therefore, suggest that oral administration of L‐92 might be useful for alleviating allergic symptoms.     

Horizontal and vertical transmission of viruses in the honey bee, Apis mellifera

The most crucial stage in the dynamics of virus infections is the mode of virus transmission. In general, transmission of viruses can occur through two pathways: horizontal and vertical transmission. In horizontal transmission, viruses are transmitted among individuals of the same generation, while vertical transmission occurs from mothers to their offspring. Because of its highly organized social structure and crowded population density, the honey bee colony represents a risky environment for the spread of disease infection. Like other plant and animal viruses, bee viruses use different survival strategies, including utilization of both horizontal and vertical routes, to transmit and maintain levels in a host population. In this review, we explore the current knowledge about the honey bee viruses and transmission routes of bee viruses. In addition, different transmission strategies on the persistence and dynamics of host-pathogen interactions are also discussed.     

Discrimination through silk recognition: The case of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae

Choosing a suitable habitat is a main step in the settlement process, particularly for species having weak movement abilities. Reliable cues are thus needed for habitat selection. In silk-spinning arthropods, silk can be used as a social cue to select an appropriate location. Silk can also provide information on the presence of related or non-related individuals. In this article, we compare the settlement behaviour of two strains of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, in response to the presence of silk woven by an individual of its own or another strain. We then examined how individuals behaved when confronted with both types of silk (own/another strain) simultaneously. Both strains were sensitive to related silk. Settlement decision for both strains did not differ according to the origin of the silk. Mites used the silk as a communication cue for habitat selection and strain discrimination. Our results provide experimental evidence for the use of multiple social cues in the settlement decision by weaving mites.     

Synthesis and degradation of the major allergens in developing and germinating soybean seed

Gly m Bd 28K,Gly m Bd 30K and Gly m Bd 60K are the major soybean(Glycine max(L.)Merr.)allergens limiting the consumption of a good protein source for sensitive individuals.However,little is known about their temporal-spatial expression during seed development and upon germination.The present data shows that soy allergens accumulated in both the embryonic axes and cotyledon,but expression patterns differed depending on the specific allergen.Allergens accumulated sooner and to a greater level in cotyledons than in embryonic axes.Gly m Bd 28 began at 14 d after flowering,7 to 14 d earlier than Gly m Bd 30K and Gly m Bd 60K.Comparatively,their degradation was faster and more profound in embryonic axes than in cotyledons.Gly m Bd 60K began to decline at 36 h after imbibition and remained detectable up to 108 h in cotyledons.In contrast,the Glym Bd 60K protein was reduced at 24 h,and eventually disappeared at 96 h.In cotyledons Gly m Bd 28K first declined at 24 h,then increased from 36 h to 48 h,followed by its large reduction at 72 h after seed germination.These findings provide useful information on soy allergen biosynthesis and will help move forward towards developing a hypoallergenic soybean for safer food.     

The First Outbreak of Chorioptes texanus (Acari: Psoroptidae) Infestation in a Cattle Farm in Korea

Mites in the genus Chorioptes cause a mild form of skin disease in both domestic and wild ruminants. In July 2006, dermatitis characterized by alopecia, marked lichenification, accumulation of crust, and fissuring was recognized in 14 out of 200 Holstein dairy cattle raised in the cattle farm of the National Institute of Animal Science in Cheonan, Republic of Korea. Skin lesions were distributed mainly over the tail base, and sacral and perineal regions. Microscopic examinations of skin scraping samples from severely affected areas revealed numerous mites of all developmental stages. Morphologically, pedicels of the mites were short and unjointed. The tarsal suckers occurred on the pedicels of all the legs in the male worm and on the first, second, and fourth pair of legs in the adult female worm. A single long seta at the tarsus of legs III and the length of legs II being about twice as long as legs IV in adult male mites were observed. Arising anterior to the inner-most spatulate seta was a short seta with an average of 26.4 ± 5.8 µm in length. Also, the length of setae #4 on the opisthosomal lobes was relatively short. Based on these observations, the mites were identified as Choriptes texanus. Although the chorioptic mange may not influence the mortality rate in the affected farm, reports indicate that a decline in milk production can be observed. This is the first report of chorioptic infestation in a cattle farm from Korea.     

Papaya transformed with the Galanthus nivalis GNA gene produces a biologically active lectin with spider mite control activity

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) lectin has previously been shown to have anti-feedant and insecticidal activity towards sap-sucking insects. However, its effectiveness against plant-parasitic mites has not been demonstrated. In this study, the commercial papaya (Carica papaya L.) cultivar Kapoho, which is highly susceptible to mites, was transformed with the snowdrop lectin (G. nivalis agglutin [GNA]) gene. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of the transgene and six independent transformed lines were selected for expression analysis. Western blot analysis showed that the lines expressed a recombinant protein with a molecular weight similar to that of the native snowdrop lectin. Leaf extracts containing the recombinant GNA protein agglutinated trypsinized rabbit erythrocytes thus, showing the GNA protein to be biologically active. ELISA and indirect measurement from the agglutination assay showed there to be variation in GNA expression among the lines produced. A laboratory bioassay using carmine spider mites (Tetranychus cinnabarinus) suggested improved pest resistance in the transgenic papaya plants. This is the first report that a transgenic plant expressing the GNA gene possesses enhanced resistance to a plant-parasitic mite.     

Life history of the predatory mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytoseiulus fragariae</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus evansi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus urticae</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae,Tetranychidae) at five temperatures

Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) are important pests of Solanaceae in many countries. Several studies have demonstrated that T. urticae is an acceptable prey to many predatory mites, although the suitability of this prey depends on the host plant. T. evansi, has been shown to be an unfavorable prey to most predatory mites that have been tested against it. The predator Phytoseiulus fragariae Denmark and Schicha (Acari: Phytoseiidae) has been found in association with the two species in Brazil. The objective of this work was to compare biological parameters of P. fragariae on T. evansi and on T. urticae as prey. The study was conducted under laboratory conditions at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. At all temperatures, survivorship was lower on T. evansi than on T. urticae. No predator reached adulthood at 10°C on the former species; even on the latter species, only about 36% of the predators reached adulthood at 10°C. For both prey, in general, duration of each life stage was shorter, total fecundity was lower and intrinsic rate of population increase (r _m ) was higher with increasing temperatures. The slower rate of development of P. fragariae on T. evansi resulted in a slightly higher thermal requirement (103.9 degree-days) on that prey than on T. urticae (97.1 degree-days). The values of net reproduction rate (R ₀), intrinsic rate of increase (r _m ) and finite rate of increase (λ) were significantly higher on T. urticae, indicating faster population increase of the predator on this prey species. The highest value of r _m of the predator was 0.154 and 0.337 female per female per day on T. evansi and on T. urticae, respectively. The results suggested that P. fragariae cannot be considered a good predator of T. evansi.