Abstract
The insect-parasitic rhabditoid nematodes,Steinernema feltiae andHeterorhabditis bacteriophora, released a compound/s/ toxic to larvae of the greater wax moth,Galleria mellonella, that caused paralysis and death of the insect. Larvicidal substances appeared in wax moth larvae during parasitism and after inoculation with the primary form of the bacterial associates of the nematodes. The nematodeS. feltiae and its associate,Xenorhabdus nematophilus, excreted much less toxic activity within larval body thanH. bacteriophora. The secondary form ofXenohabdus did not produce toxin in parasitized larvae, butX. luminescens, the bacterium associated withH. bacteriophora, released detectable titer of toxin activity in broth cultures. Both nematode toxins were sensitive to heat and produced a specific type of proteolytic activity. Preliminary identification of the compounds responsible for larval toxicity revealed similarities to immune inhibitors produced by some bacterial pathogens of insects.
Résumé
Les nématodes rhabditoïdes parasites d'insectes,Steinernema feltiae etHeterorhabditis bacteriophora libèrent un composé (s) toxique pour les larves de la Teigne,Galleria mellonella, qui provoque la paralysie et la mort de l'insecte. Les substances larvicides apparaissent dans les larves de teigne durant le parasitisme et après inoculation avec la forme primaire des bactéries associées aux nématodes. Le nématodeS. feltiae et son associé,Xenorhabdus nematophilus excrètent beaucoup moins d'activité toxique à l'intérieur du corps de la larve queH. bacteriophora. La forme secondaire deXenorhabdus ne produisait pas de toxine chez la larve parasitée, maisX. luminescens, bactérie associée àH. bacteriophora, libérait un titre détectable d'activité toxique dans les milieux liquides. Les deux toxines de nématode étaient sensibles à la chaleur et produisaient un type spécifique d'activité protéolytique. L'indentification préliminaire des composés responsables de la toxicité larvaire révélait des similitudes avec les inhibiteurs d'immunité produits par quelques bactéries pathogènes d'insectes.
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Jarosz, J., Balcerzak, M. & Skrzypek, H. Involvement of larvicidal toxins in pathogenesis of insect parasitism with the rhabditoid nematodes,Steinernema feltiae andHeterorhabditis bacteriophora . Entomophaga 36, 361–368 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02377940
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02377940