Wolbachia Has Two Different Localization Patterns in Whitefly Bemisia tabaci AsiaII7 Species.

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a cosmopolitan insect species complex that harbors the obligate primary symbiont Portiera aleyrodidarum and several facultative secondary symbionts including Wolbachia, which have diverse influences on the host biology. Here, for the first time, we revealed two different localization patterns of Wolbachia present in the immature and adult stages of B. tabaci AsiaII7 cryptic species.

Status of insecticide resistance and selection for imidacloprid resistance in the ladybird beetle Propylaea japonica (Thunberg).

Field populations or strains of Propylaea japonica collected from four places in southern China (Guangzhou, Nanning, Guilin, and Yuxi) were tested for susceptibility to four insecticides (abamectin, imidacloprid, beta-cypermethrin, and chlorpyrifos) by the Petri-dish Potter tower method and compared with an insecticide-susceptible strain. Concentrations that proved lethal for 50% of the tested individuals (LC50) were estimated by probit analysis, and resistance factors (RF) were calculated at the LC50 level, which ranged from 1.6 to 10.

Vascular-targeted TNFα improves tumor blood vessel function and enhances antitumor immunity and chemotherapy in colorectal cancer.

Delivery and penetration of chemotherapeutic drugs into neoplasm through the tumor vasculature are essential mechanisms to enhance the efficiency of chemotherapy. "Vascular targeting" strategy focuses on promoting the infiltration of chemotherapeutic drugs into neoplastic tissues. In this study, we achieved a targeted therapy by coupling tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) with TCP-1, a novel vascular-targeting peptide, in an orthotopic colorectal cancer model in mice.

The intracellular bacterium Wolbachia uses parasitoid wasps as phoretic vectors for efficient horizontal transmission.

Facultative bacterial endosymbionts are associated with many arthropods and are primarily transmitted vertically from mother to offspring. However, phylogenetic affiliations suggest that horizontal transmission must also occur. Such horizontal transfer can have important biological and agricultural consequences when endosymbionts increase host fitness.

De novo sequencing-based transcriptome and digital gene expression analysis reveals insecticide resistance-relevant genes in Propylaea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptea: Coccinellidae).

The ladybird Propylaea japonica (Thunberg) is one of most important natural enemies of aphids in China. This species is threatened by the extensive use of insecticides but genomics-based information on the molecular mechanisms underlying insecticide resistance is limited. Hence, we analyzed the transcriptome and expression profile data of P.

Host suitability comparison between the MEAM1 and AsiaII 1 cryptic species of Bemisia tabaci in cotton-growing zones of Pakistan.

Background: Bemisia tabaci is a cryptic species complex. In Pakistan, members of the complex, MEAM1 and AsiaII 1, are the predominant species infesting cotton. The biology of the two on cotton, collard, cucumber and tomato was studied.

Effects of destruxins on free calcium and hydrogen ions in insect hemocytes.

Destruxins, cyclohexadepsipeptidic mycotoxins isolated from the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, inhibit innate insect immunity. However, their mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, the effects of destruxins on changes in free calcium and hydrogen ions in the hemocytes of Exolontha serrulata, Bombyx mori and the Spodoptera litura SL-1 cell line were detected using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM).

Molecular characterization of a short peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP-S) from Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis) and its role in triggering proPO activity.

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are non-specific immune molecules of insects, and vertebrates etc., but are not present in plants and nematodes. In the current experiment, a PGRP DNA sequence (2,910 bp containing four exons) was identified from genomic DNA library of Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, and a full-length cDNA programming PGRP was cloned (designed as OfPGRP-S) with an open reading frame of 579 bp, having 192 amino acid.

Evidence for horizontal transmission of secondary endosymbionts in the Bemisia tabaci cryptic species complex.

Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a globally distributed pest composed of at least 34 morphologically indistinguishable cryptic species. At least seven species of endosymbiont have been found infecting some or all members of the complex. The origin(s) of the associations between specific endosymbionts and their whitefly hosts is unknown.

Inactivation of Wolbachia reveals its biological roles in whitefly host.

Background: The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is cryptic species complex composed of numerous species. Individual species from the complex harbor a diversity of bacterial endosymbionts including Wolbachia. However, while Wolbachia is known to have a number of different roles, its role in B.

The genus Shirozuella Sasaji (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae, Shirozuellini) from the Chinese mainland.

The genus Shirozuella Sasaji, 1967 from the Chinese mainland is reviewed. Eight species are recognized, including four new species: Shirozuella motuoensissp. n.

Protective effects of cathelicidin-encoding Lactococcus lactis in murine ulcerative colitis.

Background And Aim: Intrarectal administration of mouse cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (mCRAMP) reduced intestinal inflammation in mice. In the current study, we examined whether mCRAMP-transformed Lactococcus lactis given orally attained similar protective effects.

Method: mCRAMP was produced and secreted from the transformed L.

A review of the genus Serangium Blackburn (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) from China.

The genus Serangium Blackburn from China is reviewed. The genus Catanella Miyatake is removed from synonymy with Serangium. Serangium baculum Xiao is transferred to Catanella, as Catanella baculum (Xiao), comb.

Indomethacin and SC236 enhance the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells via inhibiting P-glycoprotein and MRP1 expression.

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic drug widely used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma but its efficacy is restricted by multidrug resistance. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-selective inhibitors exhibit anti-cancer properties as well as abilities to overcome drug resistance. In the present study, indomethacin (a NSAID) and SC236 (a COX-2-selective inhibitor) enhanced the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 and its drug-resistant sub-line R-HepG2.

Genetic identity of the Bemisia tabaci species complex and association with high cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) incidence in Pakistan.

Background: The cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is a cryptic species complex, and members of the complex have become serious pests in Pakistan because of their feeding and their ability to transmit cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV). Here, an analysis was made of the identity of B. tabaci collected from cotton and a range of non-cotton hosts in the cotton-growing zones in Punjab and Sindh, the main cotton-producing provinces of Pakistan, using a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene.

A novel peptide specifically targeting the vasculature of orthotopic colorectal cancer for imaging detection and drug delivery.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the fourth most frequent cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Ligand-mediated diagnosis and targeted therapy would have vital clinical applications in cancer treatment. In this study, an orthotopic model of colorectal cancer was established in mice.

Cathelicidins in inflammation and tissue repair: Potential therapeutic applications for gastrointestinal disorders.

Cathelicidins, a family of host defense peptides, are highly expressed during infection, inflammation and wound healing. These peptides not only have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, but also modulate inflammation by altering cytokine response and chemoattraction of inflammatory cells in diseased tissues. In this connection, a mouse cathelicidin has been demonstrated to prevent inflammation in the colon through enhancing mucus production and reducing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Prevalence of endosymbionts in Bemisia tabaci populations and their in vivo sensitivity to antibiotics.

Bemisia tabaci can harbor both primary and secondary endosymbionts, and the specific endosymbionts can differ among different B. tabaci biotypes. This study determined (1) the prevalence of the primary endosymbiont Portiera aleyrodidarum and secondary endosymbionts Arsenophonus and Wolbachia in two invasive biotypes (B and Q) and one indigenous biotype (Cv) in China and (2) the in vivo effect of three antibiotics (tetracycline, ampicillin trihydrate, and rifampicin) against the endosymbionts; if an antibiotic substantially inhibits an endosymbiont, it could be used to determine the effect of that endosymbiont on B.

Macroautophagy and ERK phosphorylation counteract the antiproliferative effect of proteasome inhibitor in gastric cancer cells.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system and macroautophagy are two complementary pathways for protein degradation. Emerging evidence suggests that proteasome inhibition might be a promising approach for the treatment of cancer. In this study, we show that proteasome inhibitor MG-132 suppressed gastric cancer cell proliferation and induced macroautophagy.

Antitumor activity of endogenous mFlt4 displayed on a T4 phage nanoparticle surface.

Aim: Flt4 plays a key role in promoting tumor metastasis by stimulating solid tumor lymphangiogenesis. In this study, mouse Flt4 (mFlt4) was displayed on T4 phage in order to explore the feasibility of breaking immune tolerance to "self-antigens" and to evaluate the phage's antitumor activity.

Methods: A T4 phage nanometer particle expressing mFlt4 on the surface was constructed for evaluation as a recombinant vaccine.

cDNA cloning and recombinant expression of the general odorant binding protein II from Spodoptera litura.

A cDNA encoding the general odorant binding protein II (GOBP II) was isolated from the antennae of Spodoptera litura (SlGOBP II, GenBank Accession No. EU086371) by homologous cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Sequencing and structural analyses revealed that the open reading frame (ORF) of SlGOBP II was 489 bp, encoding 162 amino acids with a predicted MW of 18.

Toxicities of destruxins against Bemisia tabaci and its natural enemy, Serangium japonicum.

The bioactivities of destruxins against whitefly, Bemisia tabaci and its natural enemy, ladybird beetle Serangium japonicum were evaluated. Destruxins A and B (DA and DB) showed insignificant ovicidal, oviposition deterrent and systemic insecticidal activities to B. tabaci; however, DA and DB had certain contact virulence to its nymphs.

High-level expression of active recombinant ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase of Drosophila melanogaster in Pichia pastoris.

Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolases (UCHs) are implicated in the proteolytic processing of polymeric ubiquitin. The high specificity for the recognition site makes UCHs useful enzymes for in vitro cleavage of ubiquitin fusion proteins. In this work, an active C-terminal His-tagged UCH from Drosophila melanogaster (DmUCH) was produced as a secretory form in a recombinant strain of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.