Immune Hemolymph Research Articles

A novel cecropin‐like peptide from black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens: Isolation, structural and functional characterization

AbstractCecropins are basic antibacterial peptides that have potent antimicrobial activities. We induced and purified a novel antimicrobial peptide exhibiting activity against Gram‐negative bacteria from the immunized hemolymph of Hermetia illucens larvae. The immunized hemolymph was extracted, and the novel cecropin‐like peptide 1 (CLP1) was purified using solid‐phase extraction and reverse‐phase chromatography. The purified CLP1 demonstrated a molecular weight of 4,840 Da, as determined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF). From analysis of CLP1 by N‐terminal amino acid sequencing using Edman degradation, combined with MALDI‐TOF and rapid amplification of cDNA ends‐polymerase chain reaction (RACE‐PCR), the amino acid sequence of the mature peptide was determined to be GWRKRVFKPVEKFGQRVRDAGVQGIAIAQQGANVLATARGGP PQQG. In NCBI BLAST, the amino acid sequence of CLP1 was found to be 60 % identical to the Drosophila melanogaster cecropin C. In silico analysis revealed that CLP1 was suggested to be part of the cecropin superfamily of AMPs characterized as cationic, linear, α‐helical, and amphipathic polypeptides. Analysis of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) showed that CLP1 exerted antibacterial effects against Gram‐negative bacteria. The expression of CLP1 transcripts in several tissues after bacterial challenge was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. CLP1 expression was negligible throughout the body before immunization, and was mostly evident in the fat body after immunization.

세균에 의해 면역이 유도된 동애등에의 항균활성

동애등에(Hermetia illucens)를 포함한 곤충은 불량환경에서 오랜 진화의 역사를 통해 병원균 침입에 대응하기 위하여 강력한 항균 펩타이드를 발현하는 선천성 면역기전을 보유하고 있다. 동애등에 생체 내 항균펩타이드를 인위적으로 유도하기 위하여, E. faecalis 포함한 5종의 세균을 한방침에 묻혀 주사하였다. 5종 세균에 의해 면역이 유도된 동애등에로부터 혈림프를 채취하여 각 세균에 따른 항균펩타이드 유도효과에 의한 항균활성을 그람양성균인 S. aureus와 그람음성균인 E. coli에 대해 비교 분석하였다. 그 결과, 고초균인 B. subtilis은 5종 세균 중 그람양성 및 음성균 둘 다에 대해서 가장 높은 항균활성을 나타내었다. B. subtilis (<TEX>$1{\times}10^9cfu/ml$</TEX>)에 의해 면역이 유도된 동애등에는 주사 후 24시간째 가장 강한 항균활성을 나타내었다. 또한 B. subtilis에 의해 면역이 유도된 동애등에는 가금류의 주요 병원균인 S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium 및 S. pullorum에 대해서도 높은 항균활성을 나타내었다. 이상의 결과로써, B. subtilis에 의해 면역이 유도된 동애등에는 가축 성장촉진용 항생제를 대체할 수 있는 사료첨가제로써 매우 유용할 것으로 판단된다. In the larvae of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, innate immunity mechanisms are activated in response to various pathogens and stimulants, resulting in the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). To induce the mass production of AMPs, H. illucens fifth instar larvae were immunized with five different kinds of bacteria. We isolated from the hemolymph of the H. illucens larvae after bacterial challenge, and their antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) were measured using the inhibition zone assay. Among these five different kinds of bacteria, the hemolymph of Bacillus subtilis-challenged H. illucens larvae showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of the hemolymph of <TEX>$1{\times}10^9cfu/ml$</TEX> B. subtilis-challenged H. illucens peaks at 24 hr at 48 hr post-infection and gradually declines with time. Moreover, the immunized hemolymph also showed strong antimicrobial activity against various poultry pathogens such as S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium, and S. pullorum. These results suggest that the expression of AMP genes in B. subtilis-challenged H. illucens is up-regulated by innate immune responses, and that B. subtilis-challenged H. illucens overexpressing AMPs may be useful as a feed additive in livestock diets to reduce the need for antibiotics.

Histopathological and combinatorial effects of the metalloprotease InhA1 and Cry proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis against Spodoptera littoralis

The zinc metalloprotease (InhA) of Bacillus thuringiensis specifically hydrolyzes cecropins and attacins, two antibacterial peptides in the immune hemolymph of insects, leading to a high resistance of the bacteria to the humoral defense system of its host. In the present study, the inhA gene of B. thuringiensis strain BUPM28 was cloned and the nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that it was identical to that of B. thuringiensis 8010. The expressed InhA1 protein in Escherichia coli showed toxicity to neonate Spodoptera littoralis larvae with a LC50 of 2.07±0.72μg/cm2. Study of the effect of combining Cry proteins with InhA1 showed that one improves the toxicity of the other one against S. littoralis. Investigation of the histopathological effect of this metalloprotease showed an extensive damage of S. littoralis epithelium tissue. These results provide an insight to the use of InhA as supplement to Cry toxins to improve the efficacy of B. thuringiensis formulations and to overcome possible resistance problems.

Purification and characterization of a novel antibacterial peptide from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae

In this study, we induced and purified a novel antimicrobial peptide exhibiting activity against Gram-positive bacteria from the immunized hemolymph of Hermetia illucens larvae. The immunized hemolymph was extracted, and the novel defensin-like peptide 4 (DLP4) was purified using solid-phase extraction and reverse-phase chromatography. The purified DLP4 demonstrated a molecular weight of 4267 Da, as determined using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time-of-flight (MALDI–TOF) method. From analysis of DLP4 by N-terminal amino acid sequencing using Edman degradation, combined with MALDI–TOF and rapid amplification of cDNA ends–polymerase chain reaction (RACE–PCR), the amino acid sequence of the mature peptide was determined to be ATCDLLSPFKVGHAACAAHCIARGKRGGWCDKRAVCNCRK. In NCBI BLAST, the amino acid sequence of DPL4 was found to be 75% identical to the Phlebotomus duboscqi defensin. Analysis of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) revealed that DLP4 have antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The expression of DLP4 transcripts in several tissues after bacterial challenge was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Expression of the DLP4 gene hardly occurred throughout the body before immunization, but was mostly evident in the fat body after immunization.

Activation of an immune response in Litopenaeus vannamei by oral immunization with phagocytosis activating protein (PAP) DNA

The phagocytosis activating protein (PAP) gene has been reported to stimulate the phagocytic activity of shrimp hemocytes and to protect shrimp from several pathogens. In this study oral administration of the chitosan-PAP gene to shrimp was investigated for its ability to induce immunity. The PAP gene was cooperated into a phMGFP plasmid, named PAP-phMGFP. Chitosan-PAP-phMGFP nanoparticles were formed by mixing a low molecular weight chitosan (50 kDa) and a high molecular weight chitosan (150 kDa) with various ratios of PAP-phMGFP. The optimal ratio of chitosan PAP-phMGFP nanoparticles was first determined by transfection into Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells before being used for oral immunization in shrimp. The chitosan-PAP-phMGFP nanoparticles at a ratio of 2:1 with the low molecular weight chitosan were optimum for transfecting the CHO cells. The shrimp were then fed with 25, 50, 100 and 150 μg/shrimp/day of chitosan-PAP-phMGFP (2:1) nanoparticles then challenged by the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Shrimp fed with 50 μg of chitosan-PAP-phMGFP nanoparticles per day for 7 consecutive days, produced the highest relative percent survival (RPS) (94.45 ± 9.86%). The presence of PAP-phMGFP was detected in every shrimp tissue including the hemolymph, lymphoid organ, heart, hepatopancreas, intestine and muscle. The folds increase of the PAP gene expression increased significantly together with an increase of the phagocytic activity in the immunized shrimp. The stability of the PAP-phMGFP in the immunized shrimp hemolymph was detected by determination of the expression of the GFP at various days after immunization ceased. GFP expression was detected until the 15th day but not at the 30th day after immunization ceased. A quantitative analysis of the WSSV copies in shrimp heart tissue was significantly reduced in the immunized shrimp. In addition, chitosan-PAP-phMGFP nanoparticles protected shrimp against WSSV, Yellow head virus (YHV) and Vibrio harveyi with RPS values of 83.34 ± 7.86%, 55.56 ± 15.72% and 53.91 ± 5.52%, respectively. This study therefore confirms the role of the PAP gene in shrimp immunity and may lead to the development of a way to prevent microbial diseases of shrimp at an industrial level by appropriate feeding of a chitosan/DNA complex.

Biophysical Mechanism of Galleria Mellonella Natural and Analoge Peptides with Bacterial Model Membranes

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important components of the innate immune system of animals and plants. AMPs are considered promising alternatives to conventional antibiotic treatments, as they exhibit a broad spectrum activity [1]. Understanding the mechanism by which AMPs interact with membranes is fundamental for explaining their biological action. We present a study of two synthetic peptides: Gm1, a cecropine neutral D-like peptide, from Galleria mellonella with activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi [2], and ΔGm1, a modified structure of Gm1. The aim of the modification was to evaluate the biological activity that increases the cationic amino acids.We have studied the interaction of peptides by applying Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Foster resonance energy transfer spectroscopy (FRET), using pholipid membranes built-up lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) as representative components of the outer and cytoplasmic bacterial membrane, respectively. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to evaluate the effect of the peptides on the bacterial cells of P. mirabilis R45, and colony counting assay was employed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity. FTIR results showed an opposite effect on the acyl chain packing of lipids. FRET experiments confirmed the incorporation of peptides into the lipid membranes. Considerable alterations were observed in the morphology of P. mirabilis R45. The exposure of the bacteria to Gm1 leads to grooves and when exposed to ΔGm1, it induces the formation of indentations and cell debris in P. mirabilis R45. The colony counting assay showed that ΔGm1 also has biological activity.[1] K.L. Brown, R.E. Hancock, Cationic host defense (antimicrobial) peptides, Curr. Opin. Immunol., 18 (2006) 24-30.[2] M. Cytrynska, P. Mak, A. Zdybicka-Barabas, P. Suder, T. Jakubowicz, Purification and characterization of eight peptides from Galleria mellonella immune hemolymph, Peptides, 28 (2007) 533-546.

천잠 세크로핀 항균펩타이드 분리 및 정제

세크로핀(cecropin)은 곤충의 체액성 면역에 있어서 효과적인 방어인자로 작용하는 항균 펩타이드로 잘 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 면역 유도된 천잠, Antheraea yamamai 유충 혈림프로부터 세크로핀 항균 펩타이드 분리 및 정제를 실시하였다. 먼저 항균 펩타이드를 분리하기 위해서, 면역 유도된 유충 및 정상 유충으로부터 추출된 혈림프 단백질 시료에 대한 단백질 전기영동(SDS-PAGE)를 통하여 비교분석하였다. 정상누에 혈림프 시료에 비해 면역 유도된 혈림프 추출물에서만 특이적으로 발현되는 분자량 4,223.01 Da의 펩타이드 밴드를 검출하였다. 선발된 면역유도 특이적 발현 펩타이드의 특성 분석을 위해서 이온교환 크로마토그래피 및 gel permeation 크래마토그래피을 수행하여 특이적으로 발현되는 펩타이드를 성공적으로 순수 정제하였다. 정제된 펩타이드는 Edman degradation법으로 N말단 아미노산 서열을 결정하였고 다른 나비목곤충의 세크로핀과 매우 높은 상동성을 나타내어 세크로핀으로 동정하였다. 또한 정제된 천잠 세크로핀 항균 펩타이드는 그람음성세균, 그람양성세균 및 곰팡이에 대해 폭 넓은 항균 스펙트럼을 나타냈었다. Cecropin is a well-studied antimicrobial peptide that play important role as key factor in insect humoral immunity. In this study, cecropin-like antimicrobial peptide was isolated and purified from the larval haemolymph of immune-challenged japanese oak silkworm, Antheraea yamamai. To isolate antimicrobial peptide, we separated and compared acidic extracted hemolymph protein bends between control and immune-challenged larvae using SDS-PAGE analysis. In the immune hemolymph extract, but not of non-immune hemolymph, we detected differential expressed peptide band with molecular mass 4,223.01 Da. To understand this peptide better, we successfully purified this peptide using cation exchange chromatography and gel permeation chromatography. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence obtained by Edman degradation evidenced a significant degree of identity with other lepidopteran cecropins. The purified A. yamamai cecropin-like peptide showed a broad spectrum of activity against fungi, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Anti-Legionella dumoffii Activity of Galleria mellonella Defensin and Apolipophorin III

The gram-negative bacterium Legionella dumoffii is, beside Legionella pneumophila, an etiological agent of Legionnaires’ disease, an atypical form of pneumonia. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of Galleria mellonella defense polypeptides against L. dumoffii. The extract of immune hemolymph, containing a mixture of defense peptides and proteins, exhibited a dose-dependent bactericidal effect on L. dumoffii. The bacterium appeared sensitive to a main component of the hemolymph extract, apolipophorin III, as well as to a defense peptide, Galleria defensin, used at the concentrations 0.4 mg/mL and 40 μg/mL, respectively. L. dumoffii cells cultured in the presence of choline were more susceptible to both defense factors analyzed. A transmission electron microscopy study of bacterial cells demonstrated that Galleria defensin and apolipophorin III induced irreversible cell wall damage and strong intracellular alterations, i.e., increased vacuolization, cytoplasm condensation and the appearance of electron-white spaces in electron micrographs. Our findings suggest that insects, such as G. mellonella, with their great diversity of antimicrobial factors, can serve as a rich source of compounds for the testing of Legionella susceptibility to defense-related peptides and proteins.

Effect ofPseudomonas aeruginosaElastase B on Level and Activity of Immune Proteins/Peptides ofGalleria mellonellaHemolymph

Susceptibility of proteins and peptides present in immune hemolymph of Galleria mellonella Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae to proteolytic degradation by purified elastase B of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied. Results showed that apoLp-III protein was gradually digested by elastase B in vitro. Additionally, polipeptides with molecular mass 6.5 and 4 kDa were degraded after treatment with the studied enzyme. The lack of these peptides and the decrease in anti-Escherichia coli activity could indicate that inducible antimicrobial peptides were digested by elastase B. On the contrary, no change in the lysosome activity level was observed in immune hemolymph incubated with elastase B. Thus, elastase B might contribute to the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa.

Purification and Characterization of Two Antimicrobial Peptides from Bacterial-challenged Haemolymph of Bombyx mori Larva.

Defense peptides and proteins constitute key factors in insect humoral immune response against invading microorganisms. In this study, biochemical approach was designed to purify and characterize two peptides which appeared in larval haemolymph of B. mori after bacterial challenge. The results showed a significant increase of total protein of the bacterial-challenged haemolymph and then declined over time. This suggested that the AMPs are upregulated and released in haemolymph as “acute phase response” of the insect. Full antimicrobial activity was observed for the immune haemolymph at 24 h p.i. Fractionation of the immune haemolymph extract on a reversed phase C-18 column allowed effective separation of 5 fractions containing mainly proteins and peptides of molecular masses below 20 kDa. After fractionation, one out of three fractions (fraction# 5) exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity. Finally, two peptides (5.8 and 4.3 KDa) were purified and one of them (4.3 KDa) showed full antimicrobial activity and very weak hemolytic activity up to concentration of 100 µg/ ml. These results were consistent to the results of quantitative protein analysis. Conclusively, this study demonstrated that the antimicrobial activity of the immune haemplymph is related to the presence of two antimicrobial peptides.

A peptidomics study reveals the impressive antimicrobial peptide arsenal of the wax moth Galleria mellonella

The complete antimicrobial peptide repertoire of Galleria mellonella was investigated for the first time by LC/MS. Combining data from separate trypsin, Glu-C and Asp-N digests of immune hemolymph allowed detection of 18 known or putative G. mellonella antimicrobial peptides or proteins, namely lysozyme, moricin-like peptides (5), cecropins (2), gloverin, Gm proline-rich peptide 1, Gm proline-rich peptide 2, Gm anionic peptide 1 (P1-like), Gm anionic peptide 2, galiomicin, gallerimycin, inducible serine protease inhibitor 2, 6tox and heliocin-like peptide. Six of these were previously known only as nucleotide sequences, so this study provides the first evidence for expression of these genes. LC/MS data also provided insight into the expression and processing of the antimicrobial Gm proline-rich peptide 1. The gene for this peptide was isolated and shown to be unique to moths and to have an unusually long precursor region (495 bp). The precursor region contained other proline-rich peptides and LC/MS data suggested that these were being specifically processed and were present in hemolymph at very high levels. This study shows that G. mellonella can concurrently release an impressive array of at least 18 known or putative antimicrobial peptides from 10 families to defend itself against invading microbes.

Host-Derived Extracellular Nucleic Acids Enhance Innate Immune Responses, Induce Coagulation, and Prolong Survival upon Infection in Insects

Extracellular nucleic acids play important roles in human immunity and hemostasis by inducing IFN production, entrapping pathogens in neutrophil extracellular traps, and providing procoagulant cofactor templates for induced contact activation during mammalian blood clotting. In this study, we investigated the functions of extracellular RNA and DNA in innate immunity and hemolymph coagulation in insects using the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella a reliable model host for many insect and human pathogens. We determined that coinjection of purified Galleria-derived nucleic acids with heat-killed bacteria synergistically increases systemic expression of antimicrobial peptides and leads to the depletion of immune-competent hemocytes indicating cellular immune stimulation. These activities were abolished when nucleic acids had been degraded by nucleic acid hydrolyzing enzymes prior to injection. Furthermore, we found that nucleic acids induce insect hemolymph coagulation in a similar way as LPS. Proteomic analyses revealed specific RNA-binding proteins in the hemolymph, including apolipoproteins, as potential mediators of the immune response and hemolymph clotting. Microscopic ex vivo analyses of Galleria hemolymph clotting reactions revealed that oenocytoids (5-10% of total hemocytes) represent a source of endogenously derived extracellular nucleic acids. Finally, using the entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens as an infective agent and Galleria caterpillars as hosts, we demonstrated that injection of purified nucleic acids along with P. luminescens significantly prolongs survival of infected larvae. Our results lend some credit to our hypothesis that host-derived nucleic acids have independently been co-opted in innate immunity of both mammals and insects, but exert comparable roles in entrapping pathogens and enhancing innate immune responses.

Peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP) from eri-silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini; protein purification and induction of the gene expression

Peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP) was isolated from immunized hemolymph of the wild silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini, detecting the biding activity with 125I-labeled peptidoglycan (PGN). The binding specificity of PGRP was tested by competitive inhibition of the binding to 125I-labeled-PGN by a large excess amount of non-labeled-PGN or other glucans. The binding to labeled uncross-linked Lys-type PGN from Micrococcus luteus was strongly inhibited by non-labeled-PGN of the same structure and meso-diaminopimelic acid (DAP)-type cross-linked PGN from Bacillus cell wall, but only a little by cross-linked PGN from M. luteus cell wall. The PGRP cDNA encodes a 193 amino acid open reading frame. The deduced amino acid sequence had 62 to 91% identities to known lepidopteran PGRPs, but less than 40% to Drosophila PGRPs. The PGRP gene constitutively expressed at a low level in naive fat body, and strongly induced by an injection of DAP-type cross-linked and Lys-type uncross-linked PGNs, but only weakly by Lys-type cross-linked PGN from M. luteus. The silkworm possibly distinguish between PGNs based on the structure of cross-linking peptide, but has less if any preference for the diamino acid residue of the stem peptide.

Purification and characterization of eight peptides from Galleria mellonella immune hemolymph

Defense peptides play a crucial role in insect innate immunity against invading pathogens. From the hemolymph of immune-challenged greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Gm) larvae, eight peptides were isolated and characterized. Purified Gm peptides differ considerably in amino acid sequences, isoelectric point values and antimicrobial activity spectrum. Five of them, Gm proline-rich peptide 2, Gm defensin-like peptide, Gm anionic peptides 1 and 2 and Gm apolipophoricin, were not described earlier in G. mellonella. Three others, Gm proline-rich peptide 1, Gm cecropin D-like peptide and Galleria defensin, were identical with known G. mellonella peptides. Gm proline-rich peptides 1 and 2 and Gm anionic peptide 2, had unique amino acid sequences and no homologs have been found for these peptides. Antimicrobial activity of purified peptides was tested against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi. The most effective was Gm defensin-like peptide which inhibited fungal and sensitive bacteria growth in a concentration of 2.9 and 1.9 μM, respectively. This is the first report describing at least a part of defense peptide repertoire of G. mellonella immune hemolymph.

Purification and cDNA Cloning of Lysozyme II from Cabbage Butterfly, Artogeia rapae Larvae

ABSTRACTLast instar larvae of cabbage butterflyArtogeia rapaerespond to injection of bacteria with a set of inducible antibacterial peptides/proteins. The inducible peptides/proteins are related to the known hinnavins (I and II) and lysozymes (I and II). The lysozyme II has been isolated by heat treatment, cation exchange, and reversed‐phase chromatography from immunized hemolymph of last instar larvae. The lysozyme II gene ofA. rapaewas isolated and its nucleotide sequence was determined by the RACE‐PCR from immunized fat body withE. coli.It has an open reading frame of 414 bp nucleotide corresponding to 138 amino acids including an 18 amino acid signal sequence. The molecular weight and the isoelectric point ofArtogeialysozyme II without a signal peptide were 13,649.38 Da and 9.11, respectively. It is great similarity withManducalysozyme among other lepidopteran.

Isolation of mannose-binding C-type lectin from Heliothis virescens pupae

A mannose-binding C-type lectin (MBL) was isolated by affinity chromatography from Heliothis virescens immune pupal hemolymph. The immune pupal hemolymph was obtained after bacterial injection of live Enterobacter cloacae bacteria. MBL in mammals acts as an opsonin for phagocytosis and activates the lectin complement pathway of the innate immune response, which leads to killing of gram-negative bacteria and enveloped viruses. The affinity-purified and reduced pupal MBL showed a single band of 36 kDa by SDS–PAGE (12% gel). A dot-immunoblot ELISA (using guinea pig anti-MBL IgG as primary antibody) demonstrated specificity of the antibody for the affinity-purified pupal MBL. The immune pupal hemolymph contained 21 μg of MBL per ml of hemolymph. The amino acid composition of the purified pupal MBL was determined with high amounts of arginine and histidine detected. The presence of MBL in insect pupae has not before been reported and could be important in pupal innate immunity to bacterial infection.

Lead optimization of antifungal peptides with 3D NMR structures analysis.

Antimicrobial peptides are key components of the innate immune response in most multicellular organisms. These molecules are considered as one of the most innovative class of anti-infective agents that have been discovered over the last two decades, and therefore, as a source of inspiration for novel drug design. Insect cystine-rich antimicrobial peptides with the CS alpha beta scaffold (an alpha-helix linked to a beta-sheet by two disulfide bridges) represent particularly attractive templates for the development of systemic agents owing to their remarkable resistance to protease degradation. We have selected heliomicin, a broad spectrum antifungal CS alpha beta peptide from Lepidoptera as the starting point of a lead optimization program based on phylogenic exploration and fine tuned mutagenesis. We report here the characterization, biological activity, and 3D structure of heliomicin improved analogs, namely the peptides ARD1, ETD-135, and ETD-151. The ARD1 peptide was initially purified from the immune hemolymph of the caterpillars of Archeoprepona demophoon. Although it differs from heliomicin by only two residues, it was found to be more active against the human pathogens Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. The peptides ETD-135 and ETD-151 were engineered by site-directed mutagenesis of ARD1 in either cationic or hydrophobic regions. ETD-135 and ETD-151 demonstrated an improved antifungal activity over the native peptides, heliomicin and ARD1. A comparative analysis of the 3D structure of the four molecules highlighted the direct impact of the modification of the amphipathic properties on the molecule potency. In addition, it allowed to characterize an optimal organization of cationic and hydrophobic regions to achieve best antifungal activity.

Purification of Lysozyme from Hemolymph of Tobacco Cutworm,Spodoptera litura

ABSTRACTLysozyme is one of the components of the innate immunity of the insects. The lysozyme has been isolated by heat treatment, cation exchange, and reversed‐phase chromatography from immunized hemolymph of last instar larvae ofSpodoptera litura.The hemolymph immunized with the insect nonpathogen,Escherichia coliwas collected 2 days after the abdominal injection. The molecular weight ofSpodopteralysozyme was estimated to be about 15 kDa by SDS‐PAGE and it is great similarity withAgriuslysozyme, which recently purified from larval hemolymph ofAgrius convolvuli.

Purification and cDNA cloning of inducible antibacterial peptides from Protaetia brevitarsis (Coleoptera).

Three antibacterial peptides, named protaetins 1, 2, and 3, were purified and characterized from immunized larval hemolymph of Protaetia brevitarsis, a fruit tree pest in Korea. Also, protaetin 1 was cloned. Acid extraction, gel filtration, preparative acid-urea PAGE, and reversed-phase FPLC were used for purification of peptides. Protaetins 1 and 3 had molecular masses of 7.5 and 12 kDa on Tricine SDS-PAGE, respectively, and the molecular mass of protaetin 2 was 9,283.95 Da as determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. In an antibacterial assay, protaetins showed antibacterial activities against a panel of Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. For the RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) to obtain the complete primary sequence, the primer was designed according to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of protaetin 1. Amino acid sequence homology of protaetin 1 with holotricin 2, an antibacterial peptide from Holotrichia diomphalia, showed 99% identity. Northern blot analysis showed that the protaetin 1 gene was strongly expressed in the fat body after Escherichia coli injection, but not in normal fat body. Also, it was expressed in the gut, but was much weaker after immunization.

Purification and characterization of apolipophorin III from immune hemolymph of Heliothis virescens pupae

Apolipophorin III (ApoLp-III) from Heliothis virescens pupae was purified by heat-treatment followed by Sephadex G-50 filtration and reverse phase-HPLC. The molecular mass of the purified ApoLp-III was determined as 17 965.9±5 Da by mass spectrometry. The N-terminal sequence confirmed the protein as ApoLp-III with homology of 56–83% to other insect ApoLp-III molecules. The amino acid spatial arrangement of the predicted α-helix 1 of Heliothis ApoLp-III was nearly identical to that of the amphipatic α-helix 1 of Manduca sexta ApoLp-III. The absorption spectrum from 240–340 nm of the Heliothis ApoLp-III was the same as the UV spectra of ApoLp-III from Manduca sexta and Galleria mellonella, showing absorption maxima at 280, 268, 264 and 259 nm. These results indicated that the primary structure of ApoLp-III is conserved in lepidopterans. The Heliothis ApoLp-III was not a glycoprotein and showed hemagglutination activity against rabbit red blood cells. This hemagglutination activity was abolished by Tween 80, but not by six different carbohydrates. Hydrophobic interaction of ApoLp-III with red blood cells agreed with structural studies since ApoLp-III binds lipid through hydrophobic interaction after conformational change. Bacterial injection apparently increased the amount of ApoLp-III in immune hemolymph when compared with normal hemolymph, and may indicate that ApoLp-III plays a role in insect immunity.