Venom proteins from polydnavirus‐producing endoparasitoids: Their role in host‐parasite interactions

Abstract

Endoparasitoid wasps have evolved various mechanisms to ensure successful development of their progeny, including co-injection of a cocktail of maternal secretions into the host hemocoel, including venom, calyx fluid, and polydnaviruses. The components of each type of secretion may influence host physiology and development independently or in a synergistic fashion. For example, venom fluid consists of several peptides and proteins that promote expression of polydnavirus genes in addition to other activities, such as inhibition of prophenoloxidase activation, inhibition of hemocytes spreading and aggregation, and inhibition of development. This review provides a brief overview of advances and prospects in the study of venom proteins from polydnavirus-producing endoparasitoid wasps with a special emphasis on the role of C. rubecula venom proteins in host-parasitoid interactions.

A γ-glutamyl transpeptidase of Aphidius ervi venom induces apoptosis in the ovaries of host aphids

“…idiobiont parasitoids), even though a growing number of studies are now becoming available on non-paralyzing venoms of hymenopteran species, especially those associated with polydnaviruses (Asgari, 2006). The present study, to our knowledge, is the first report on molecular characterization of a venom component produced by a koinobiont species (i.e.…”

Proteome changes in the plasma of Papilio xuthus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae): effect of parasitization by the endoparasitic wasp Pteromalus puparum (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

“…Among the known mechanisms to fend off parasitoid, defensive melanization is perhaps the most ubiquitous and best characterized among humoral response (Doucet et al, 2008). Thus a reduced melanization caused by the inhibition of phenoloxidase (PO) activity and proPO-activating enzyme serine protease (PPAE) is often observed of parasitization (Lavine and Beckage, 1995;Asgari, 2006). PO is present in the plasma fraction of the haemolymph or in the haemocytes of insects.…”

“…However, as potent regulators of insect hosts, parasitic wasps can use an extensive array of immune-evasive or suppressive factors including venoms, polydnaviruses (PDVs), virus-like particles (VLPs), and ovarian fluids to suppress the host immune responses. These factors create a suitable microenvironment for successful completion of parasitoid offspring development in the hemocoel or at the external surface of host insects (Stettler et al, 1998;Turnbull and Webb, 2002;Asgari, 2006;Schmidt, 2006). The destructive or subversive functions of these virulent factors on host physiology have been well documented (Stettler et al, 1998;Beckage and Gelman, 2004;Asgari, 2006;Moreau and Guillot, 2005;Pennacchio and Strand, 2006), although little is known so far on the molecular basis of these alterations.…”

Isolation and characterization of an immunosuppressive protein from venom of the pupa-specific endoparasitoid Pteromalus puparum

“…These virulence factors include polydnaviruses (PDVs), virus-like particles (VLPs), ovarian fluids, teratocytes and venoms of which effects on host physiology have been best characterized (Beckage and Gelman, 2004;Glatz et al, 2004;Schmidt et al, 2001;Shelby and Webb, 1999;Strand and Pech, 1995;Vass and Nappi, 2000;Vinson, 1990). Over the last several years, it is well documented that parasitoid venoms contain a rich and diverse array of peptides, proteins and enzymes actively contributed to the parasitic success of these organism by disrupting host cells or tissues, enhancing the action of other maternal factors, inhibiting host defences and/or modifying its metabolism and physiology (Asgari, 2006(Asgari, , 2007Beckage and Gelman, 2004;Moreau and Guillot, 2005;Nakamatsu and Tanaka, 2003). However, limited studies on isolation and characterization of venom components have been documented for hymenopteran parasitoids although a number of original peptides, proteins and enzymes have been reported from the venoms of a few species, including two ichneumonids (Dani et al, 2003(Dani et al, , 2005Ergin et al, 2007;Parkinson et al, 2001Parkinson et al, ,2002aParkinson et al, -c, 2003Parkinson et al, , 2004Uçkan et al, 2004), four braconids (Asgari et al, 2003a, b;Digilio et al 2000;Falabella et al, 2007;Jones et al, 1992;Krishnan et al, 1994;Moreau et al, 2004;Zhang et al, 2004aZhang et al, , b, 2006, one figitid (Labrosse et al, 2005a, b) and one pteromalid (Abt and Rivers, 2007).…”