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PARASITOID VENOM INDUCES METABOLIC CASCADES IN FLY HOSTS
Mrinalini1, Aisha L Siebert2, Jeremy Wright3
1Biology Department, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627 USA.
Metabolomics : Official Journal of the Metabolomic Society
|November 22, 2016
Summary
Parasitoid wasp venom dramatically alters host fly metabolism, activating specific pathways like sorbitol biosynthesis while arresting others. This targeted manipulation keeps hosts alive, offering insights into metabolic regulation and potential biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Insect toxicology
- Metabolomics
- Parasitoid biology
Background:
- Parasitoid wasps use venom to control host insects for offspring development.
- The jewel wasp (Nasonia vitripennis) is a model organism with a complex venom proteome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the temporal metabolic effects of Nasonia vitripennis venom on its host, Sarcophaga bullata.
- To understand how venom manipulates host physiology and metabolism.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput analysis of 249 metabolites in Sarcophaga bullata pupae over five days post-venom injection.
- Comparative analysis of venom effects against other metabolic stressors.
Main Results:
- Venom selectively targets metabolic processes, not causing a complete arrest.
- Activation of sorbitol biosynthesis, shift to anaerobic metabolism, blocked TCA cycle, arrested chitin synthesis, elevated amino acids, and potential phospholipid degradation.
- Venom's metabolic signature is distinct from cold, diapause, and hypoxia.
Conclusions:
- Nasonia venom profoundly alters host metabolism, maintaining host viability.
- The venom's effect on the sorbitol pathway offers a model for diabetes research.
- Parasitoid venoms are a source of bioactive molecules with biomedical potential.
