Alkaloids and isoprenoids as defensive and signalling agents among insects

Meinwald, Jerrold

doi:10.1351/pac199062071325

Cited by 13 publications

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“…This insect can now tolerate cardiac glycosides; however, adaptations are even more advanced, since Danaus can actively sequester cardenolides and store them in its integument as acquired defence compounds against predators. A similar strategy has been observed for the sequestration of cardiac glycosides in aphids, bugs and Lepidoptera, for PAs in beetles and Lepidoptera (for reviews, see Meinwald, 1990;Brown and Trigo, 1995;Hartmann and Witte, 1995) and for QAs in aphids and moths (Wink, 1992). In the case of some arctiid moth, the acquired PAs serve as a precursor for pheromones, which are dissipated from coremata that are only developed if the larvae feed on PAs (Schneider et al, 1982).…”

Section: Animal Responses: Detoxification Mechanisms and Adaptationsmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…Quite a number of insect herbivores but only few vertebrates have adapted to the defence chemistry of a given host plant in a particularly close way (for overviews, see Blum, 1981;Meinwald, 1990;Harborne, 1993;Bernays and Chapman, 1994;Brown and Trigo, 1995;Hartmann and Witte, 1995;Braekman et al, 1998;Roberts and Wink, 1998;Eisner et al, 2005). As a first step in adaptation, these organisms must develop an insensitivity or tolerance against the dietary toxin.…”

Section: Animal Responses: Detoxification Mechanisms and Adaptationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Modes of Action of Defensive Secondary Metabolites

Wink

Schimmer

2010

Functions and Biotechnology of Plant Secondary Metabolites

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Secondary metabolites (SM) have been shaped by evolution for more than 500 million years. As a result, many of them have distinctive biochemical and pharmacological properties. The molecular modes of action of the main groups of SM are reviewed in this chapter. Details are given on interactions of SM with proteins that can induce conformational changes and thus a modification of their bioactivity. The fluidity and permeability of biomembranes constitute another important target, which is influenced by many lipophilic and amphiphilic SM. A number of SM can either alkylate or intercalate DNA, which can cause mutations and in consequence cancer or malformations. Many SM are cytotoxic because they interfere with biomembranes, proteins of the cytoskeleton or DNA; they often induce programmed cell death (apoptosis). A large number of SM, especially alkaloids modulate neuronal signal transduction by interfering with ion channels, ion pumps, neuroreceptors, choline esterase, monoamine oxidase and other enzymes related to signal transduction pathways. A typical feature of SM is their ability to modulate more than one molecular target; thus, additive and even synergistic activities can be expected.

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Section: Animal Responses: Detoxification Mechanisms and Adaptationsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Animal Responses: Detoxification Mechanisms and Adaptationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Modes of Action of Defensive Secondary Metabolites

Wink

Schimmer

2010

Functions and Biotechnology of Plant Secondary Metabolites

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“…This insect can now tolerate cardiac glycosides; however, adaptations are even more advanced, since Danaus can actively sequester cardenolides and store them in its integument as acquired defensive compounds against predators. A similar strategy has been observed for the sequestration of cardiac glycosides in aphids, bugs and Lepidoptera, for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in beetles and Lepidoptera (Meinwald, 1990;Hartmann and Witte, 1995) and for quinolizidine alkaloids in aphids and moths (Wink, 1992). In the case of some arctiid moths, the acquired pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) serve as precursors for pheromones, which are dissipated from coremata that are only developed if the larvae feed on PAs (Schneider, 1992).…”

Section: Animal Responses: Detoxification Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 56%

Secondary Metabolites: Deterring Herbivores

Wink

2010

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

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All plants produce and store secondary metabolites (SM), which are not important for primary or energy metabolism of a plant. However, SMs are not waste products, but important for the ecological fitness and survival of the plants producing them. Apparently, plants have evolved the production and storage of SM as a means to defend themselves against herbivores, bacteria, fungi, viruses as well as other competing plants. Most SM can interfere with basic molecular targets of animals or microbes and thus provide plants with an adequate protection against a multitude of enemies. Plants usually produce complex mixtures of SMs, which can work in an additive or even synergistic way. Some defence chemicals address a single target, such as a neurotransmitter receptor or ion channel, others have a broad activity spectrum and exhibit pleiotropic activities on several targets. Key concepts: Plants cannot run away when attacked by herbivores; they use defence chemicals to ward off enemies. Plants do not have an immune system to defend themselves against microbes hence use antimicrobial secondary metabolites instead. Plants produce and store complex mixtures of secondary metabolites with additive or even synergistic activities. Secondary metabolites are important for chemical defence but are also used to attract pollinating insects and fruit‐dispersing animals. The process of biosynthesis, transport and storage of SM is energetically costly. Some SM specifically interact with a particular molecular target in herbivores, whereas other SM are nonselective. Synthesis, transport and storage of SM are optimized in space and time to fulfil the ecological functions. Although some SMs are stored in a constitutive way, others are inducible and are only made in case of danger. Herbivores have evolved effective biochemical adaptations towards the defence chemistry of plants, involving cytochrome p450 enzymes and ABC transporters.

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“…Owen (1971) reported that danaine butterflies use withered and damaged plants and floral nectar as sources of alkaloids. D. chrysippus uses the pyrrolizidine alkaloids to protect itself from its predators and synthesizes the courtship pheromone; maternal and parental contributions of alkaloids play an important role to protect the most vulnerable stage, the egg (Meinwald 1990). This butterfly species and also D. plexippus when equipped with these alkaloids have been experimentally proved to be unpalatable to their predators by Edgar et al (1976).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the reproductive ecology of Suaeda maritima, S. monoica and S. nudiflora (Chenopodiaceae).

Raju

Kumar

2016

J. Threat. Taxa

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e n d r a K um a r 2 6 J u n e 2 0 1 6 | V o l . 8 | N o . 6 | P p . 8 8 5 6 0 -8 8 7 6 1 0 . 1 1 6 0 9 / j o t . 2 2 7 5 . 8 . 6 . 8 8 6 0 -8 8 7 6T h r e a t e n e d T a x a A l l a r fi c l e s p u b l fi s h e d fi n t h e J o u r n a l o ff T h r e a t e n e d T a x a a r e r e g fi s t e r e d u n d e r C r e a fi v e C omm o n s A t r fi b u fi o n 4 . 0 I n t e r n afi o n a l L fi c e n s e u n l e s s o t h e rw fi s e m e n fi o n e d . J o T T a l l ow s u n r e s t r fi c t e d u s e o ff a r fi c l e s fi n a n y m e d fi um , r e p r o d u c fi o n a n d d fi s t r fi b u fi o n b y p r o v fi d fi n g a d e q u a t e c r e d fi t t o t h e a u t h o r s a n d t h e s o u r c e o ff p u b l fi c a fi o n .O P E N A C C E S S P a r t n e r www . t h r e a t e n e d t a x a . o r g I S S N 0 9 7 4 -7 9 0 7 ( O n l fi n e ) | I S S N 0 9 7 4 -7 8 9 3 ( P r fi n t )T h e fi n t e r n a fi o n a l j o u r n a l o ff c o n s e r v a fi o n a n d t a x o n om y J o u r n a l o ff T h r e a t e n e d T a x a P u b l fi s h e r / H o s t F o r F o c u s , S c o p e , A fim s , P o l fi c fi e s a n d G u fi d e l fi n e s v fi s fi t h t p : / / t h r e a t e n e d t a x a . o r g / A b o u t _ J o T T . a s p F o r A r fi c l e S u bm fi s s fi o n G u fi d e l fi n e s v fi s fi t h t p : / / t h r e a t e n e d t a x a . o r g / S u bm fi s s fi o n _ G u fi d e l fi n e s . a s p F o r P o l fi c fi e s a g a fi n s t S c fi e n fi fi c M fi s c o n d u c t v fi s fi t h t p : / / t h r e a t e n e d t a x a . o r g / J o T T _ P o l fi c y _ a g a fi n s t _ S c fi e n fi fi c _M fi s c o n d u c t . a s p F o r r e p r fi n t s c o n t a c t < fi n ff o@ t h r e a t e n e d t a x a . o r g > Funding: Self-funded. Conflict of Interest:The authors declare no competing interests. Author Contribution: Both the authors contributed to a similar extent overall. Acknowledgements:We thank the Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, for providing necessary facilities to carry out this research work.On the reproductive ecology of Suaeda maritima, S. monoica and S. nudiflora (Chenopodiaceae) Abstract: Floral biology, sexual system, breeding system, pollinators, fruiting and seed dispersal aspects of three Suaeda species, S. maritima, S. monoica and S. nudiflora (Chenopodiaceae) were studied. The flowers of all the three species are hermaphroditic, dichogamous, strongly protogynous with a pistillage phase during the mature bud stage and staminate phase following anthesis, self-compatible exhibiting mixed breeding systems with special adaptation for cross-pollination; but both self-and cross-pollination are vector-dependent. In all, the flowers display a mix of anemophilous and entomophilous traits. Anemophily is effective in high salt marshes while water currents bring about pollination in low salt marshes; insects pollinate the flowers while collecting the forage from pistillate and staminate phase flowers. In these species, the whole plant breaks off and rolls on the floor while shedding its diaspores. Fruits with se...

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Alkaloids and isoprenoids as defensive and signalling agents among insects

Abstract: Abstract

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Molecular Modes of Action of Defensive Secondary Metabolites

Molecular Modes of Action of Defensive Secondary Metabolites

Secondary Metabolites: Deterring Herbivores

On the reproductive ecology of Suaeda maritima, S. monoica and S. nudiflora (Chenopodiaceae).

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