Rhabdopeptides as Insect‐Specific Virulence Factors from Entomopathogenic Bacteria

Abstract

Six novel linear peptides, named "rhabdopeptides", have been identified in the entomopathogenic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila after the discovery of the corresponding rdp gene cluster by using a promoter trap strategy for the detection of insect-inducible genes. The structures of these rhabdopeptides were deduced from labeling experiments combined with detailed MS analysis. Detailed analysis of an rdp mutant revealed that these compounds participate in virulence towards insects and are produced upon bacterial infection of a suitable insect host. Furthermore, two additional rhabdopeptide derivatives produced by Xenorhabdus cabanillasii were isolated, these showed activity against insect hemocytes thereby confirming the virulence of this novel class of compounds.

Fabclavines: Bioactive Peptide–Polyketide‐Polyamino Hybrids from Xenorhabdus

“…[13,[27][28][29] Thus, based on a previous method, [30] the configurations of all these hydroxyl functions were assigned as R, by analyzing the primary structures of FclK, FclC, and FclF ( Figure 1, Table S10). [13,[27][28][29] Thus, based on a previous method, [30] the configurations of all these hydroxyl functions were assigned as R, by analyzing the primary structures of FclK, FclC, and FclF ( Figure 1, Table S10).…”

A Photorhabdus Natural Product Inhibits Insect Juvenile Hormone Epoxide Hydrolase

“…[26]–[28] Because the nematode vector shows little insect host specificity,[29] we propose that this might provide P. luminescens with the ability to inhibit diverse JHEHs from a range of insect orders. JHs differing in the presence of methyl or ethyl substituents, degree of saturation and epoxide moieties have been described from different insects, thus making the presence of slightly different JHEHs quite likely.…”

Microbial secondary metabolites and their impacts on insect symbioses

“…For example, a series of rhabdopeptides produced by multiple Xenorhabdus species mediate virulence against host insects [20], as does the cell wall-localized phenoloxidase inhibitor rhabduscin…”