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A Comprehensive Review on the Roles of Metals Mediating Insect-Microbial Pathogen Interactions

Subhanullah Khan1, Minglin Lang1,2

  • 1CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.

Metabolites
|July 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Metals like iron and copper are vital for insect-microbe interactions, influencing insect immunity and pathogen transmission. Understanding metal regulation is key to controlling plant diseases spread by insects carrying microbes.

Area of Science:

  • * Ecology and Environmental Science
  • * Insect-Microbe Interactions
  • * Biogeochemistry

Background:

  • * Insects and microbial pathogens are ubiquitous, forming complex ecological relationships.
  • * These interactions are significantly influenced by metal availability and regulation.
  • * Metals are essential for insect physiology, immunity, and pathogen defense.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To review the critical role of metals in insect-pathogen interactions.
  • * To summarize metal significance in insect physiology, immunity, and inter-species competition.
  • * To explore metal acquisition, storage, and regulation mechanisms in insects and microbes.

Main Methods:

  • * Comprehensive literature review of molecular and biochemical studies.
  • * Analysis of genetic and genomic data related to metal metabolism.
  • * Synthesis of findings on metal roles in insect-pathogen-plant systems.

Main Results:

  • * Metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, Mo, Ni) are integral to insect immune responses and pathogen resistance.
  • * Insects actively regulate metal concentrations to combat microbial infections.
  • * Insects act as vectors for plant pathogens, with metal availability influencing this role.

Conclusions:

  • * Targeting metal-dependent insect-microbe interactions can control pathogen transmission.
  • * Understanding metal dynamics is crucial for managing insect-borne plant diseases.
  • * Further research into metal regulation mechanisms will provide novel control strategies.
Keywords:
acquisitionimmune responseinsectsmetalsmicrobial pathogenspest controlphysiologyregulationstoragetoxicityvirulence

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