Aminopeptidase MNP-1 triggers intestine protease production by activating daf-16 nuclear location to degrade pore-forming toxins in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are effective tools for pathogens infection. By disrupting epithelial barriers and killing immune cells, PFTs promotes the colonization and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms in their host. In turn, the host triggers defense responses, such as endocytosis, exocytosis, or autophagy. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria produce PFT, known as crystal proteins (Cry) which damage the intestinal cells of insects or nematodes, eventually killing them. In insects, aminopeptidase N (APN) has been shown to act as an important receptor for Cry toxins. Here, using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as model, an extensive screening of APN gene family was performed to analyze the potential role of these proteins in the mode of action of Cry5Ba against the nematode. We found that one APN, MNP-1, participate in the toxin defense response, since the mnp-1(ok2434) mutant showed a Cry5Ba hypersensitive phenotype. Gene expression analysis in mnp-1(ok2434) mutant revealed the involvement of two protease genes, F19C6.4 and R03G8.6, that participate in Cry5Ba degradation. Finally, analysis of the transduction pathway involved in F19C6.4 and R03G8.6 expression revealed that upon Cry5Ba exposure, the worms up regulated both protease genes through the activation of the FOXO transcription factor DAF-16, which was translocated into the nucleus. The nuclear location of DAF-16 was found to be dependent on mnp-1 under Cry5Ba treatment. Our work provides evidence of new host responses against PFTs produced by an enteric pathogenic bacterium, resulting in activation of host intestinal proteases that degrade the PFT in the intestine.

Biocontrol Potential of Bacteria Isolated from Vermicompost against Meloidogyne incognita on Tomato and Cucumber Crops

“…Trichoderma harzianum has been reported to be able to control root-knot nematode disease, and a protease produced by it plays an important role in the control of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incongnita) [37]. Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus can also produce one or several proteases or other secondary metabolites, which severely damage the eggshell [38][39][40]. Fallahzadeh et al [41] obtained a strain of Bacillus wiedmannii and reported that the control of root-knot nematodes depends mainly on producing highly active chitinase, which destroys the eggs and eggshells of J2.…”

“…The action mechanism of Bacillus in controlling plant root-knot nematodes is (1) to compete for nutrients and space; (2) to alter the action mode of root exudates and nematodes; (3) to produce toxic substances that are fatal for root-knot nematodes; and (4) to generate secondary metabolites that inhibit egg hatching and larval development [44]. Currently, Bacillus has been isolated and screened for the control of root-knot nematodes, including Bacillus thuringiensis [38], Bacillus amyloliquefaciens [45], Bacillus subtilis [46], Bacillus simplex [47], Bacillus firmus [48], Bacillus pumilus [49], Bacillus mycoides [50], and Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus cereus [9]. Peribacillus frigoritolerans is a multifunctional strain with the characteristics of preventing and controlling soil-borne diseases, promoting plant growth, and tolerating low temperature and saline-alkali environments [51].…”