Insights into function and evolution of parasitoid wasp venoms

Abstract

Most species in the order Hymenoptera are parasitoids that lay eggs and develop in or on the body of arthropod hosts. Several factors contribute to successful parasitism including venoms that wasps inject into hosts when ovipositing. Here, we review the composition, function and diversity of parasitoid venoms with emphasis on studies of wasps that parasitize hosts in the genus Drosophila. The comparative literature indicates that some closely related species parasitizing the same host do not share any abundant venom protein while unrelated species sometimes have the same major venom component. Within species, studies also identify intraspecific variation that suggests parasitoid venoms may rapidly evolve. Overall, however, our picture of venom function remains largely unclear and will require additional comparative data on the composition of venoms from a greater diversity of species than exists currently. Further advances will come mainly from experimental data using functional tools, such as RNA interference.

Intraspecific variations in the venom peptidome of the ant Odontomachus haematodus (Formicidae: Ponerinae) from French Guiana

“…Such inter-colonial variations have previously been reported for Dinoponera quadriceps (Ponerinae) collected from different areas in Brazil (Cologna et al 2013). Among animal venoms, intraspecific variations related to geography are a common phenomenon and have been reported in snakes (Shashidharamurthy et al 2002), cone snails (Duda et al 2009), scorpions (Omran and McVean 2000), spiders (Escoubas et al 1998) and both social ) and parasitoid wasps (Poirié et al 2014). In snakes, intraspecific variations have been shown to exhibit a differential venom effectiveness towards different prey (Casewell et al 2013).…”

Comparative venomics of Psyttalia lounsburyi and P. concolor, two olive fruit fly parasitoids: a hypothetical role for a GH1 β-glucosidase

“…Large scale combined “omics” studies have recently increased knowledge of the nature and diversity of the venom content of parasitoid wasps34. Yet, very few studies were designed to evaluate how far closely-related parasitoid species differ in venom composition.…”

“…movements, feeding). These components are often a complex mixture of ovarian and venom proteins34, but they also include virus-like particles (VLPs)5 or wasp-specific polydnaviruses (PDVs)6.…”

“…Broad studies reporting transcriptomic and/or proteomic analyses have recently improved our knowledge of venom composition in different parasitoid families, evidencing its high complexity and diversity34. Indeed, although some venom proteins – e.g.…”

“…Indeed, although some venom proteins – e.g. serine proteases, metalloproteases or esterases – are largely shared by parasitoids, others seem specific to a parasitoid group or even species, and some are only found in a few phylogenetically distant species3. This suggests a rapid evolution of parasitoid venom composition, based on unidentified molecular mechanisms.…”