TY - JOUR
T1 - A constitutively expressed antifungal peptide protects Tenebrio molitor during a natural infection by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana
AU - Maistrou, Sevasti
AU - Paris, Véronique
AU - Jensen, Annette Bruun
AU - Rolff, Jens
AU - Meyling, Nicolai Vitt
AU - Zanchi, Caroline
PY - 2018/9
Y1 - 2018/9
N2 - Antimicrobial peptides have been well studied in the context of bacterial infections. Antifungal peptides have received comparatively less attention. Fungal pathogens of insects and their hosts represent a unique opportunity to study host-pathogen interactions due to the million of years of co-evolution they share. In this study, we investigated role of a constitutively expressed thaumatin-like peptide with antifungal activity expressed by the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor, named Tenecin 3, during a natural infection with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. We monitored the effect of the expression of Tenecin 3 on the survival of infected hosts as well as on the progression of the fungal infection inside the host. Finally, we tested the activity of Tenecin 3 against B. bassiana. These findings could help improving biocontrol strategies and help understanding the evolution of antifungal peptides as a defense mechanism.
AB - Antimicrobial peptides have been well studied in the context of bacterial infections. Antifungal peptides have received comparatively less attention. Fungal pathogens of insects and their hosts represent a unique opportunity to study host-pathogen interactions due to the million of years of co-evolution they share. In this study, we investigated role of a constitutively expressed thaumatin-like peptide with antifungal activity expressed by the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor, named Tenecin 3, during a natural infection with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. We monitored the effect of the expression of Tenecin 3 on the survival of infected hosts as well as on the progression of the fungal infection inside the host. Finally, we tested the activity of Tenecin 3 against B. bassiana. These findings could help improving biocontrol strategies and help understanding the evolution of antifungal peptides as a defense mechanism.
KW - Antifungal peptide, Constitutive immune defense, Thaumatin-like peptide, ,
U2 - 10.1016/j.dci.2018.04.015
DO - 10.1016/j.dci.2018.04.015
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 29698631
SN - 0145-305X
VL - 86
SP - 26
EP - 33
JO - Developmental & Comparative Immunology
JF - Developmental & Comparative Immunology
ER -