Expression of scorpion toxin LqhIT2 increases the virulence of Metarhizium acridum towards Locusta migratoria manilensis

LqhIT2 is an insect-specific neurotoxin from the venom of scorpion. In this study, the LqhIT2 gene was introduced into the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium acridum. The virulence of the genetically modified strain MaLqhIT2 was then evaluated against locusts (Locusta migratoria manilensis). Compa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of industrial microbiology & biotechnology 2014-11, Vol.41 (11), p.1659-1666
Main Authors: Peng, Guoxiong, Xia, Yuxian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
appressoria
Biochemistry
Bioinformatics
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biotechnology
conidia
death
Engineering research
entomopathogenic fungi
Environmental Microbiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fungi
Genes
Genetic Engineering
germination
hemolymph
Inorganic Chemistry
Insect control
Insecticides
Insects
lethal concentration 50
Life Sciences
Locusta migratoria
Locusta migratoria - microbiology
Locusta migratoria manilensi
locusts
meat carcasses
Metarhizium
Metarhizium - genetics
Metarhizium - growth & development
Metarhizium - pathogenicity
Microbiology
Neurotoxins
Pathogens
Polypeptides
Scorpion Venoms - genetics
Scorpion Venoms - metabolism
Scorpiones
sporulation
Studies
Toxins
Venom
venoms
Virulence
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Description
Summary:LqhIT2 is an insect-specific neurotoxin from the venom of scorpion. In this study, the LqhIT2 gene was introduced into the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium acridum. The virulence of the genetically modified strain MaLqhIT2 was then evaluated against locusts (Locusta migratoria manilensis). Compared with the wild-type strain, the median lethal cell density (LC₅₀) for MaLqhIT2 was a 22.6-fold lower, and the median times to death (LT₅₀) for MaLqhIT2 were reduced by 30.3 and 29.6 %, respectively, after topical inoculation and injection. MaLqhIT2 also grew significantly faster in the hemolymph than wild-type strain. There were no significant differences in germination, appressorium formation and sporulation in locust carcasses between the MaLqhIT2 and wild-type strain. These results indicate that LqhIT2 increased the virulence of M. acridum towards locusts by shortening the in vivo infection period, without affecting cuticle penetration or conidia formation in the carcasses. LqhIT2 thus shows considerable potential for increasing fungal virulence against locusts.
ISSN:1367-5435
1476-5535
DOI:10.1007/s10295-014-1497-1