Effects of the peptide mycotoxin destruxin E on insect haemocytes and on dynamics and efficiency of the multicellular immune reaction.

Destruxins (DTXs) are cyclic peptide toxins secreted by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae. The effects of DTX E, the most active compound of this family on haemocytes, the immunocompetent insect cells, and on the dynamics and efficacy of the multicellular defense of insect hosts have been investigated.