Suppression of pederin biosynthesis through antibiotic elimination of endosymbionts in Paederus sabaeus

Symbiosis as a General Principle in Eukaryotic Evolution

“…This can be illustrated by the contribution of bacterial symbionts to the production of a biologically active class of secondary compounds, the polyketides. For example, the beetle Paederus bears bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas, which have the genes for polyketide synthase and linked reactions required for the production of the polyketide profile of these animals (Piel et al 2004a), and elimination of the Pseudomonas in Paederus results in loss of polyketide production (Kellner 2001). Similarly, many grasses are protected from herbivory by alkaloids that are synthesized by clavicipitaceous fungal endophytes that ramify through the plant tissues (Fletcher and Harvey 1981), and the genetic basis of the fungal synthesis of one key alkaloid loline by the fungal endophyte in the grass Lolium has been established (Spiering et al 2005).…”

Symbiont-mediated protection

“…Paederus spp. predatory wolf spider secretion of pederin toxin Kellner & Dettner (1996), Kellner (1999Kellner ( , 2001), Piel (2002) and Piel et al (2004a) For example, in addition to producing growth-inhibiting toxins, symbionts might also directly protect their hosts by outcompeting HTPs for host resources. Alternatively, they may indirectly protect their host by preventing superinfection of the host by HTPs, perhaps by altering host behaviour or augmenting host defences to prevent disease establishment.…”

The Influence of Brazilian Biodiversity on Searching for Human Use Pharmaceuticals

“…Then two years later, he reported that pederin biosynthesis was suppressed by using antibiotics to remove endosymbionts in another species, Paederus sabaeus. 29 Thus there was significant evidence implying a bacterial component to the production of pederin. Since this occurred in two different species of the beetle, it probably was common to all.…”

“…Lapachol, (29) which was first isolated from T. avellanedae in 1882 as mentioned earlier, was used for the treatment of malaria in the late 19 th century, and then later formed the model for the synthesis of atovaquone (32), which, in combination with proguanil hydrochloride, has proved effective in the treatment of malaria and is available in many countries under the trade name Malarone ® for treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. 85 Currently, as of June 2016, there are 3 clinical studies that are recruiting, and details of 16 now closed in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical trials database.…”