Insect Science (2017) 24, 2-16

Rui-Juan Wang, Zhe Lin, Hong Jiang, Jiancheng Li, Tusar T. Saha, Ziyun Lu, Zhiqiang Lu and Zhen Zou (2017)
Comparative analysis of peptidoglycan recognition proteins in endoparasitoid wasp Microplitis mediator
Insect Science 24 (1), 2-16
Abstract: Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are a family of innate immune receptors that specifically recognize peptidoglycans (PGNs) on the surface of a number of pathogens. Here, we have identified and characterized six PGRPs from endoparasitoid wasp, Microplitis mediator (MmePGRPs). To understand the roles of PGRPs in parasitoid wasps, we analyzed their evolutionary relationship and orthology, expression profiles during different developmental stages, and transcriptional expression following infection with Gram-positive and -negative bacteria and a fungus. MmePGRP-S1 was significantly induced in response to pathogenic infection. This prompted us to evaluate the effects of RNA interference mediated gene specific knockdown of MmePGRP-S1. The knockdown of MmePGRP-S1 (iMmePGRP-S1) dramatically affected wasps' survival following challenge by Micrococcus luteus, indicating the involvement of this particular PGRP in immune responses against Gram-positive bacteria. This action is likely to be mediated by the Toll pathway, but the mechanism remains to be determined. MmePGRP-S1 does not play a significant role in anti-fungal immunity as indicated by the survival rate of iMmePGRP-S1 wasps. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of PGRPs in the economically important hymenopteran species M. mediator.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Jiancheng Li

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Mythimna separata
Microplitis mediator (parasitoid)	Mythimna separata