Parasitoid Jewel Wasp Mounts Multipronged Neurochemical Attack to Hijack a Host Brain.

The parasitoid emerald jewel wasp induces a compliant state of hypokinesia in its host, the American cockroach through direct envenomation of the central nervous system (CNS). To elucidate the biochemical strategy underlying venom-induced hypokinesia, we subjected the venom apparatus and milked venom to RNAseq and proteomics analyses to construct a comprehensive "venome," consisting of 264 proteins. Abundant in the venome are enzymes endogenous to the host brain, including M13 family metalloproteases, phospholipases, adenosine deaminase, hyaluronidase, and neuropeptide precursors.