Properties of Tribolium gut chitin synthetase

An insect chitin synthetase (CS) is readily assayed using the microsomal fraction (～0.5 mg protein) from an homogenate of Tribolium castaneum larvae. This enzyme preparation is incubated at 22°C with uridine 5′-diphospho-N-acetyl[³H]glucosamine in 355 μl of 25 mM Tris-HCl buffer containing 10 mM MgCl₂, 17 mM N-acetylglucosamine, and 1 mM dithiothreitol. Other divalent cations and amino sugars are less effective activators or are inhibitory. T. castaneum CS is strongly inhibited by polyoxin D and uridine 5′-diphosphate. These activation and inhibition properties of Tribolium castaneum gut CS are similar to those of fungal CS. The polymerization product formed by the Tribolium enzyme is stable in alkali but hydrolyzed by chitinase. Enzymes of Tribolium confusum, Tribolium brevicornis, Tenebrio molitor, and Galleria mellonella are also active under the same conditions. These enzymes are from the gut and probably from the peritrophic membrane. Integumental CS activity is not detected under the indicated assay conditions.     

Inhibition of Tribolium gut chitin synthetase

The chitin synthetase (CS) of Tribolium castaneum gut is inhibited 50% by 0.02 μM nikkomycin and 4 μM polyoxin D, two pyrimidine nucleoside fungicides, in in vitro assays with 10-min preincubation of enzyme and inhibitor prior to substrate addition. Tribolium CS is also sensitive to inhibition by the pyrimidine nucleotides uridine and cytidine di- and triphosphates. Captan, a known inhibitor of insect chitin synthesis, and the related fungicides captafol and dichlofluanid are highly potent inhibitors of Tribolium CS. Moderately active CS inhibitors are the acaricide oxythioquinox and the herbicide barban. One phenylcarbamate insect growth reatardant, H-24108, is weakly active in inhibiting Tribolium gut CS, as are three of its analogs but not 26 others. Many triazines are not inhibitory including several herbicides and an azido derivative, CGA 19255, which is active in blocking insect growth and chitin synthesis. Although the benzoylphenyl urea insecticides diflubenzuron and SIR 8514 are potent in vivo inhibitors of the polymerization step in insect chitin synthesis, they do not affect T. castaneum gut CS activity in vitro and greatly stimulate Tribolium brevicornis gut CS activity in vivo. These studies and preliminary findings on an integumental enzyme indicate that CS of these tissues is not sensitive to the direct action of benzoylphenyl ureas. This leads to speculation that the benzoylphenyl ureas act either as CS inhibitors via active metabolites formed in the integument or as blocking agents by direct binding to non-CS sites important in chitin polymerization and fibrillogenesis.     

Properties and inhibition of Sclerotium rolfsii chitin synthetase

A chitin synthetase (CS) preparation was obtained from mycelium of the plant pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii and partially characterised. The CS activity was stimulated by N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and magnesium cations with an optimum temperature of 30°C and an optimum pH of 6.4. The enzyme required proteolytic activation and so apparently existed in a zymogenic form. The fungal CS was strongly inhibited by the nucleoside-peptide antibiotics polyoxin-D and nikkomycin, and weakly inhibited by the terpenoyl benzimidazole, 1-geranyl-2-methylbenzimidazole. It was insensitive to captan and to insecticidal benzoylphenyl ureas. Disrupted chitin formation caused by polyoxin-D showed as swollen hyphae containing numerous depressions. The antibiotic also reduced formation of sclerotia and the few that did form were large, irregular in shape and light coloured.     

Comparative inhibition of the juvenile hormone esterases from Trichoplusia ni,Tenebrio molitor, and Musca domestica

Twenty-seven compounds were screened as potential inhibitors of juvenile hormone esterases. Of these compounds O-ethyl-S-phenyl phosphoramidothiolate provided the best inhibition for the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), and the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L., while the juvenile hormone esterases of the house fly, Musca domestica L., were best inhibited by a juvenoid carbamate (1-(m-phenoxy-N-ethyl carbamate)-3,7-dimethyl-7-methoxy-2E-octene). The inhibition patterns of T. ni and T. molitor are similar, while those of M. domestica are relatively different. Further studies on the juvenile hormone and α-napthyl acetate esterases of T. ni showed that they could be differentially inhibited. Diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate and an alkyl trifluoromethyl ketone selectively inhibit the hydrolysis of α-naphthyl acetate and juvenile hormone, respectively, while O-ethyl-S-phenyl phosporamidothiolate inhibits both enzymes. The juvenile hormone esterases of T. ni also appear to be unique enzymes that are selective for juvenile-hormone-like molecules. The in vivo inhibition of T. ni juvenile hormone esterases by O-ethyl-S-phenyl phosphoramidothiolate slows the in vivo hydrolysis of juvenile hormone and results in delayed pupation and malformed larvae that resemble larval-pupal intermediates. Thus, the esterases involved in juvenile hormone metabolism appear to be important in juvenile hormone regulation.     

Substituted thiotrifluoropropanones as potent selective inhibitors of juvenile hormone esterase

A series of 27 substituted thio-1,1,1-trifluoropropanones was synthesized by reacting the corresponding thiol with 1,1,1-trifluoro-3-bromopropanone. The resulting sulfides were screened as inhibitors of hemolymph juvenile hormone esterase and α-naphthyl acetate esterase activity of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, electric eel acetylcholinesterase, bovine trypsin, and bovine α-chymotrypsin. The presence of the sulfide bond increased the inhibitory potency on all of the enzymes tested when compared with compounds lacking the sulfide. In general, the compounds proved to be poor inhibitors of chymotrypsin and moderate inhibitors of trypsin. By varying the substituent on the sulfide, good inhibitory activity was obtained on α-naphthyl acetate esterase, acetylcholinesterase, while some of the compounds proved to be extremely powerful inhibitors of juvenile hormone esterase. The most powerful inhibitor tested was 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanone, with an I₅₀ of 2.3 × 10^?9M on JH esterase. This compound showed a molar refractivity similar to that of the JH II backbone, was not toxic to T. ni, and was moderately toxic to mice, with a 48-hr LD₅₀ of >750 mg/kg. It effectively delayed pupation when applied to prewandering larvae of T. ni, as expected for a JH esterase inhibitor. Thus, some members of this series are promising for evaluating the role of JH esterase in insect development. The series also indicates that, by varying the substituent on the sulfide moiety, potent “transition-state” inhibitors can be developed for a wide variety of esterases and proteases.     

Actions of formamidines,local anesthetics,octopamine and related compounds upon the electrical activity of neurohaemal organs of the stick insect (Carausius morosus) and sense organs of fly larvae (Musca domestica; Calliphora erythrocephala)

The pesticides, chlordimeform and amitraz, and their metabolites, demethylchlordimeform, N¹-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-N-methylformamidine, and 2,4-dimethylformanilide, are effective at concentrations as low as 3 μM in raising the firing rate of endogenously active neurosecretory fibres in the isolated neurohaemal organs of Carausius morosus. Molecules such as bunamidine and cetrimide, with cationic detergent properties, produced sporadic bursting which did not elevate the overall firing rate to any great extent. Indeed, bunamidine could induce complete block of action potentials at concentrations as low as 30 μM. The local anesthetics, procaine, lidocaine, and benzocaine, do not induce block of activity at least up to a level of 1 mM. They have no effect at concentrations lower than 100 μM. Between 100 μM and 1 mM lidocaine and benzocaine produce a small increase in firing rate. Procaine produced a pronounced increase in the frequency of firing. The phenolic amines, octopamine, synephrine, and tyramine, markedly increased electrical activity. The catecholamines, dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline, by contrast, only produced a weak excitation. Neither α- nor β-adrenergic blocking agents were effective in antagonizing the electrical activity induced by chlordimeform or phenolic amines until relatively high concentrations of about 1 mM were used. Chlordimeform was able to induce high-frequency bursts from sense organs associated with the epidermis and body-wall musculature in larvae of Musca domestica and Calliphora erythocephala. Octopamine did not induce any similar bursting activity in these sense organs. These results are discussed in relationship to current views on the mode of action of the N-aryl amidines. It is concluded that the excitatory effects of these compounds upon neurohaemal organs and sense organs are more likely to result from a direct action upon voltage sensitive channels of the nerve membranes, rather than by an effect mediated by interactions with octopamine receptors.     

1-(2,6-disubstituted benzoyl)-3-phenylurea insecticides: Inhibitors of chitin synthesis

The mode of action has been investigated of the 1-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)-3-phenyl ureas, a new type of insecticide. A microautoradiographical study was made of the incorporation of glucose, tyrosine, and proline in endocuticle of fifth-instar larvae of Pieris brassicae L., both normal and treated with 1-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-urea (DU 19111). The results of this work clearly indicate that DU 19111 blocks the synthesis of cuticular chitin. The nature of this inhibition was investigated by comparison of the rates of incorporation of [¹⁴C]glucose into the ultimate chitin precursor, uridine diphosphate N-acetyl glucosamine (UDPAG), in both normal and DU 19111-treated Pieris larvae. It was found that these levels did not differ significantly.The finding that only in DU 19111-treated Pieris larvae were substantial amounts of labeled N-acetyl glucosamine present 1 hr after the injection of [¹⁴C]glucose is considered as a clue to the mechanism by which this insecticide inhibits chitin synthesis. Apparently the coupling of UDPAG to the chitin synthetase still proceeds, but the function of connecting N-acetyl glucosamine moieties to the chitin chain is disrupted.Tentative results with a structural analog of DU 19111 suggest that this compound induces accumulation of UDPAG, but not of N-acetyl glucosamine. This would imply that in the latter case the polycondensing enzyme is completely blocked.     

Effect of insecticide injection on pyruvate kinase of the insect Tenebrio molitor (Coleopteran)

In the present study, we report on the changes observed in the kinetic properties of pyruvate kinase (PK) from whole body homogenate in the three developmental stages of the insect Tenebrio molitor after insecticide or acetone injection, and after injury and 24 h starvation. The apparent K_m value of the enzyme towards phosphoenolpyruvate was higher in the pupae stage than in the rest developmental stages although the same enzyme type appears to be present throughout the life span of the insect as judged by its V_max and sensitivity towards ATP and Alanine. The highest specific activity, twice as high as that of larvae and pupae, was observed in adults. Starvation resulted to activation of the enzyme by increasing the K_m value in the two feeding stages, namely larvae and adult, while injury had the opposite effect. Acetone injection did not have any significant effect at any stage. Insecticide injection had varying effects, depending upon the developmental stage, the dose and the type of the insecticide. In larvae, low doses of methyl paraoxon and methyl parathion activated the enzyme but as the dose increased the K_m value returned to normal levels. Low dose of decamethrin activated the enzyme also but at high dose it caused a severe inactivation as judged by a fivefold increase of the observed K_m. In pupae, decamethrin had no effect, methyl parathion had similar effects to those observed in larvae, and methyl paraoxon caused activation of the enzyme at any dose given. In the adult stage none of the injected insecticides had any effect on the K_m value although V_max and specific activity were significantly altered.     

Trifluoromethylketones as possible transition state analog inhibitors of juvenile hormone esterase

A series of compounds containing the trifluoromethylketone group have been synthesized utilizing either a modified Grignard procedure or by reacting selected aliphatic bromides or tosylates with the Collman reagent [Na₂Fe(CO)₄]. When tested in vitro as inhibitors of crude juvenile hormone esterase from the hemolymph of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Noctuidae), the most active compounds were trifluoromethylketones possessing either a juvenoid-like structure or a straight aliphatic chain. The logarithm of the inhibitory potency of the aliphatic compounds was proportional to their chain length, up to 1,1,1-trifluorotetradecan-2-one (I₅₀ = 1 × 10^?7M). This powerful inhibition was found to be highly selective for JHE, reversible, competitive by Lineweaver-Burk analysis, and was characterized by high affinity of the inhibitor for the esterase (K_i = 3.2 × 10^?9M, K_m JH III = 2 × 10^?7M). Other trifluoromethylketones were shown to be inhibitors of T. ni α-naphthylacetate esterase and bovine trypsin. By analogy with the mechanism of trypsin action, trifluoromethylketones are probably potent inhibitors due to their resemblance to a tetrahedral transition state on the reaction coordinate to the acylated enzyme.     

不同基质传代白僵菌对桑天牛幼虫的侵染力与寄主血淋巴酚氧化酶活性的关系

以诱集自土壤中、对桑天牛Apriona germari幼虫具有较高致病性的球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana Bb00为出发菌株R0,经反复接种桑天牛幼虫分别获得菌株R1、R2、R3和R4,而通过反复在普通查氏培养基上传代分别获得菌株M1、M2、M3和M4。分别用R0、R2、R4和M2、M4接种桑天牛幼虫,发现在普通培养基上传代会导致菌株致病力降低,而通过桑天牛幼虫传代培养可提高菌株的致病力。桑天牛幼虫感染白僵菌后,其免疫互作使酚氧化酶活性先迅速上升,随后因菌株的适应性增强而开始下降。用菌株M2、M4接种桑天牛幼虫后,其血淋巴酚氧化酶活性比接种R2和R4的高。各菌株引起的桑天牛幼虫酚氧化酶活性出现高峰值的时间与其LT50值具有一定的相关性,反映了各菌株不同的侵染速度;同时各菌株引起的酚氧化酶活性高峰值也与其LC50值高度相关。说明桑天牛幼虫血淋巴中酚氧化酶活性与不同菌株对桑天牛幼虫的毒力具有一定的相关性,同时酚氧化酶活性也可作为反映菌株毒力的一个重要参考指标。     

The effects of dicofol on induction of hepatic microsomal metabolism in rats

In a comparative study, the induction effects of dicofol, technical Kelthane, and DDT on hepatic microsomal and cytosolic enzyme activities in rats were compared with those effects produced by phenobarbital (PhB) and β-naphthoflavone (BNF). Male rats (ca. 250 g) were injected (ip) for 4 consecutive days with 1.0 ml of vehicle containing either dicofol (1.5, 15.0, 29.5, or 59.0 mM, Kelthane (dicofol content equal to 29.5 or 59.0 mM), DDT (59.0 mM), or BNF (36.7 mM). Liver weights, microsomal protein, and cytochrome P-450 concentrations and microsomal and cytosolic enzyme specific activities were measured. Dicofol produced dose-related increases in all of the parameters measured except liver weight and cytosolic epoxide hydrolase activity. At a concentration of 59.0 mM, dicofol increased the concentrations of microsomal protein (1.7-fold) and cytochrome P-450 (2.9-fold), and the specific activities of cytochrome c reductase (1.6-fold), ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (2.3-fold), aminopyrine N-demethylase (3.0-fold), microsomal epoxide hydrolase (2.6-fold), and glutathione S-transferase (2.9-fold). The induction potency of dicofol was equivalent to Kelthane, DDT, and PhB at equimolar (59.0 mM) concentrations of chemical.     

Inhibition of chitin synthesis by two 1-(2,6-disubstituted benzoyl)-3-phenylurea insecticides. II

The knowledge of the biochemical mode of action of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea (diflubenzuron) is presented, explaining the insecticidal effect. Like its structural analog, 1-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea (Du 19111), it inhibits chitin synthesis in the cuticle of larvae. Virtually complete inhibition was demonstrable 15 min after the application of diflubenzuron. Neither diflubenzuron nor Du 19111 has any effect upon chitinase activity either in vivo or in vitro. The insecticidal effect upon the cuticle, therefore, must be explained as an inhibition of chitin synthesis and not as an activation of chitin degradation. In contrast to the action of Du 19111, no accumulation of N-acetylglucosamine occurs upon treatment of larvae with diflubenzuron. Similarities and differences in the mode of action of both compounds are discussed, together with other effects reported in the literature.     

Rosewood polyphenols alter phenoloxidase activity from the mantle of the marine bivalve mollusc, Modiolus demissus dillwyn

Phenoloxidase from the mantle of the marine bivalve Modiolus demissus Dillwyn slowly catalyzes the oxidation of the rosewood ingredient obtusastyrene (K_m 0.13 mM, V_max 0.30 mM/min/mg). However, in the presence of another rosewood ingredient, obtusaquinone, the oxidation rate is increased to a limiting maximal velocity of 11 mM obtusastyrene/min/mg, without a concommitant change in the K_m. The oxidation products of either the slow reaction or the obtusaquinone-enhanced reaction inhibit the catechol dehydrogenase function of phenoloxidase. The phenoloxidase-modifying properties of obtusaquinone and obtusastyrene may be related to the inhibition of shell formation in wood-boring bivalve larvae settling on rosewood.     

Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis δ-endotoxin: Evidence of neurotoxic action

The neurotoxic, cytolytic, and lethal properties of a 25-kDa protein isolated from the δ-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) were compared with those of the alkaline-dissolved whole extract of the δ-endotoxin and the cytolytic enzyme phospholipase A₂. In situ electrophysiological measurements of the ventral nerve cord of larval Trichoplusia ni treated at 15 and 25°C with various dosages of the three protein preparations showed that only the whole extract of the δ-endotoxin induced hyperexcitation. When the appearance of lactate dehydrogenase activity in the haemolymph of toxin-injected larvae was used to quantitate cell lysis, the cytolytic 25-kDa protein was found to be a potent cytotoxic factor like phospholipase A₂, whereas cytotoxicity of the whole δ-endotoxin extract was relatively low. Bioassays at 28, 17, and 9°C demonstrated a positive temperature correlation with mortality for the whole toxin extract, but showed inverse correlations for the two cytolytic materials. This and previous studies indicate that insect mortality is not solely due to the cytolytic activity of the Bti δ-endotoxin upon injection into T. ni. An unidentified neurotoxic factor(s) exists within the Bti δ-endotoxin which induces hyperexcited activity in the insect nervous system. This and/or other factors impart the δ-endotoxin with biological and physiological activities different from the isolated cytolytic component.     

Biological and biochemical aspects of the disruption of adult formation in Tribolium by a novel bis(thiocarbamate) R-31026 and the juvenoid R-20458

S,S-Di-isobutyl N ethylethylenebis(thiocarbamate) (R-31026) had a strong morphogenetic effect, acting by contact on the newly formed pupae of Tribolium confusum and Tribolium castaneum and thereby disrupting adult development. At a dietary concentration of 20 mg kg^?1, 95% of pupae of T. confusum produced pupa-adult intermediates; T. castaneum pupae were affected to a smaller extent. Topical application with 0.002 μg per 0–24-h-old pupa of T. confusum resulted in the formation of 88% malformed intermediates. The larvae brought into contact with R-31026 were not affected and pupated normally, hence the compound differs in its activity from that of a typical juvenile hormone compound. On the other hand, the pupal morphogenetic activity of R-31026 resembles that of the typical juvenoid compound 3-[5-(4-ethylphenoxy)-3-methylpent-3-enyl]-2,2-dimethyloxirane (R-20458). The progeny of the emerging adults from pupae treated with either R-20458 or R-31026 were strongly affected. The effective dosages were far below those required for pupal morphogenetic activity. Biochemical studies showed an increase in the soluble protein fraction during the pupal stage after treatment with either R-31026 or R-20458 indicating disturbances in protein build-up. The bis(thiocarbamate) R-31026 has more favourable practical properties than R-20458 for controlling agricultural insects, because it does not prolong the larval feeding stage.     

Biological activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Piper sarmentosum Roxb. (Piperaceae) and its chemical constituents on Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Hispidae)

The results showed that the essential oil from Piper sarmentosum has strong antifeedant and toxicity effects on Brontispa longissima. The best antifeedant and contact toxicity effects were observed in the 1st-2nd instar larvae. The essential oil also displayed a notable fumigation effect on the eggs and pupae of B. longissima. It took the control-treated insects 43.34 d to complete one generation, while the insects treated with 2000 mg/L essential oil needed 73.58 d. The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and 41 components were identified. Myristicin (65.22%) and trans-caryophyllene (13.89%) were the major components. Myristicin exhibited strong antifeedant and contact toxicity effects on both the 3rd instar larvae and the imagoes of B. longissima, when it showed a significant fumigation effect on the eggs and pupae of B. longissima. Another P. sarmentosum essential oil and myristicin all showed a strong inhibiting effect on the growth and development of B. longissima along with the activity of AChE, CarE, GSTs and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in B. longissima larvae.     

Inhibition of chitin biosynthesis by buprofezin analogs in relation to their activity controlling Nilaparvata lugens Stål

Buprofezin (Applaud, 2-tert-butylimino-3-isopropyl-5-phenyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazin-4-one) strongly inhibited the [³H]chitin synthesis from N-acetyl-d-[1-³H]glucosamine in the brown rice planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål. No inhibition was observed for [³H]-labeled protein biosynthesis from [5-³H]glucose or l-[3,5-³H]tyrosine but [³H]-labeled nucleic acid synthesis from [5-³H]glucose was weakly reduced by buprofezin. The lethal activity of buprofezin analogs related well to their inhibitory potency against chitin biosynthesis in N. lugens nymphs.     

The residual contact toxicity of bay sir 8514 toSpodoptera littoralis larvae

The contact effect of residues on glass of the chitin synthesis inhibitor BAY SIR 8514 againstSpodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae was investigated and probitlog dosage curves were established. The ED₅₀ for cumulative mortality up to the adult stage was 0.0017 g/m² for 100-mg and 0.004 g/m² for 200-mg larvae. The toxicity of BAY SIR 8514 through this route of administration was considerably higher than that of diflubenzuron found in previous work.     

The apparent in vivo neuromuscular effects of the δ-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis in mice and insects of four orders

Alkaline-dissolved crystal δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (serovar H 14) was injected into mice and seven species of insects representing the orders Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Diptera. High in vivo toxicity, at 1 to 5 ppm (μg toxin/g body wet wt), was observed with mice and some insects, including some that are not sensitive to the toxin when administered orally. Neuromuscular effects were observed when the toxin was injected directly into the body cavity of the test animals. Biochemical studies suggested that different protein fragments within the crystal δ-endotoxin may be responsible for the majority of the mosquito larvacidal activity and the neurotoxic symptoms observed in larvae of Trichoplusia ni.     

The importance of nerve terminal depolarization in pyrethroid poisoning of insects

The effects of several pyrethroids and DDT were examined on neuromuscular preparations from larvae of Musca domestica, Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi, and Trichoplusia ni, in order to determine the importance of the type I effect (repetitive firing) and the type II effect (increased miniature excitatory postsynaptic potential (mepsp) rate, indicating nerve terminal depolarization) in the poisoning process. α-Cyano pyrethroids were very potent in increasing mepsp rate, and although DDT and non-α-cyano compounds were more potent at inducing repetitive firing, all these compounds increased mepsp rate at higher concentrations. A variety of evidence showed that the mepsp rate-increasing activity could be an important factor in toxicity: among all of the compounds, there was a positive correlation between toxicity and mepsp rate-increasing activity; mepsp rate-increasing activity had a negative temperature dependence; nerves of kdr larvae in vitro were resistant to the mepsp rate-increasing activity, commensurate with resistance level; and finally, increased mepsp rate and neuromuscular block were observed in poisoned insects, associated with paralysis. Among type I compounds, repetitive firing activity was correlated negatively with toxicity, but positively with knockdown activity.