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Polar tube structure and three polar tube proteins identified from Nosema pernyi

Yong Wang1, Yueyue Ma2, Deyi Wang2

  • 1College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Liaoning Engineering and Technology Research Center for Insect Resource, Shenyang 110866, PR China; Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
|November 1, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified three polar tube proteins (PTPs) in Nosema pernyi, a silkworm pathogen. PTP3 interacts with host immune proteins, offering insights into microsporidian infection mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Parasitology
  • Insect Pathology

Background:

  • Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that infect a wide range of hosts, including insects.
  • The infection process involves the ejection of a polar tube from the spore into a host cell.
  • Polar tube proteins (PTPs) are crucial for this infection mechanism, but their specific roles and interactions are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize polar tube proteins (PTPs) in Nosema pernyi, a pathogen of the Chinese oak silkworm (Antheraea pernyi).
  • To investigate the localization and potential interactions of these PTPs within the host cell.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to identify PTP genes.
  • Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was employed for protein identification and interaction analysis.
  • Immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence assays were utilized for protein localization.
  • Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to study protein-protein interactions.

Main Results:

  • Three PTPs were identified in Nosema pernyi.
  • Polar tube protein 3 (PTP3) was successfully localized to the polar tube structure.
  • LC-MS/MS and co-immunoprecipitation data suggested potential interactions between PTP3 and immune-related proteins in Antheraea pernyi.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first identification and characterization of PTPs in Nosema pernyi.
  • The findings highlight the potential role of PTP3 in host-parasite interactions, specifically involving the host's immune system.
  • Understanding these interactions can contribute to developing strategies for controlling microsporidian infections in silkworms.
Keywords:
Co-immunoprecipitationLC-MS/MSMicrosporidiaNosema pernyiPolar tube protein

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