Eicosanoids influence insect susceptibility to nucleopolyhedroviruses

Area of Science:

• Insect pathology
• Biochemistry
• Virology

Background:

• Eicosanoids, including prostaglandins and lipoxygenase products, are signaling molecules involved in various physiological processes.
• Insect antiviral defenses are crucial for controlling pathogen infections in insect populations.
• Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) are significant pathogens of lepidopteran insects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether pharmaceutical inhibitors of eicosanoid biosynthesis alter the susceptibility of Spodoptera exigua, Helicoverpa zea, and Spodoptera frugiperda to their respective NPVs.
• To determine if eicosanoids play a role in insect antiviral defenses.

Main Methods:

• Nine pharmaceutical inhibitors of eicosanoid biosynthesis were tested.
• Inhibitors were applied to beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).
• Insect susceptibility to their respective NPVs was assessed after inhibitor treatment.

Main Results:

• Six inhibitors increased beet armyworm susceptibility to NPV.
• Seven inhibitors increased fall armyworm susceptibility to NPV.
• Only one inhibitor increased corn earworm susceptibility to NPV, with indomethacin showing a concentration-dependent effect.

Conclusions:

• Eicosanoid biosynthesis inhibitors can enhance insect susceptibility to NPVs.
• Eicosanoids, including prostaglandins and lipoxygenase products, are inferred to be involved in insect antiviral defenses.
• These findings suggest potential strategies for manipulating insect-pathogen interactions.