A RhoGAP venom protein from Microplitis mediator suppresses the cellular response of its host Helicoverpa armigera

Female parasitoid wasps normally inject virulence factors together with eggs into their host to counter host immunity defenses. A newly identified RhoGAP protein in the venom of Microplitis mediator compromises the cellular immunity of its host, Helicoverpa armigera. RhoGAP1 proteins entered H. armigera hemocytes, and the host cellular cytoskeleton was disrupted. Depletion of MmGAP1 by injection of dsRNA or antibody increased the wasp egg encapsulation rate. An immunoprecipitation assay of overexpressed MmGAP1 protein in a Helicoverpa cell line showed that MmGAP1 interacts with many cellular cytoskeleton associated proteins as well as Rho GTPases. A yeast two-hybrid and a pull-down assay demonstrated that MmGAP1 interacts with H. armigera RhoA and Cdc42. These results show that the RhoGAP protein in M. mediator can destroy the H. armigera hemocyte cellular cytoskeleton, restrain host cellular immune defense, and increase the probability of successful parasitism.