Advances and prospects on biosynthesis, structures and functions of venom proteins from parasitic wasps

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

“…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. Over the last several years, the mechanism of host response to parasitization at the molecular level has become a focal point of research.…”

“…Venom is an important parasitoid maternal factor that can act alone or in conjunction with other factors (such as PDVs or VLPs) to affect the parasitoid-host intricate interaction. In addition, understanding how venom operates can help with the discovery of new biologically active molecules for their potential applications in medicine and agriculture (Beckage and Gelman, 2004;Moreau and Guillot, 2005;Pennacchio and Strand, 2006). To investigate the molecular mechanisms of parasitoid venom impact on the hosts is not only helpful to understand the parasitoid-host relationship, but is also invaluable to gain insights into the potential properties of this biological factor for future practical use.…”

Insecticides and Parasitoids

“…Idiobionts include many ectoparasitoids and egg or pupal endoparasitoids, and their venoms have characteristics to paralyse or kill the hosts and contain many kinds of enzymes to digestive most of host tissues with many variety (Moreau and Guillot, 2005). Venom of idiobionts as larval ectoparasitoids like Bracon spp.…”

“…Idiobiont venom acts to arrest the host development and to ensure the food resource while preventing the unregulated decomposition by bacteria. Many kinds of venom in Pimpla hypocondriaca has already been reported and well reviewed by Moreau & Guillot (2005). In pupal endoparasitoid Pimpla hypochondriaca, many functional proteins in venom have been analysed; 28 k and 30 kDa proteins as serine protease (Parkinson et al 2002a), 22 kDa as pimplin of paralytic peptide (Parkinson et al 2002b), 39.9 kDa as reprolysin type metalloprotease (Parkinson et al 2002c), 74 kDa with antibacterial and proteolytic activity (Dani et al, 2003).…”

The mode of action of venom from the endoparasitic wasp Pimpla hypochondriaca (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) involves Ca+2‐dependent cell death pathways

“…Endoparasitic wasps do not leave their eggs defenseless, as most combat the host's internal environment by injecting fluids derived from the reproductive system (e.g., venom and calyx fluid) of the adult female at the time eggs are deposited into the host hemocoel (Beckage, 1998;Shelby and Webb, 1999). Within the fluids are an array of regulatory factors, which often include viruses, virus-like particles, proteins, and peptides that function to help subdue and condition the host for the successful development of wasp progeny Ergin et al, 2006;Moreau and Guillot, 2005;Parkinson and Weaver, 1999;Strand and Pech, 1995;Zhang et al, 2006).…”