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- Title
The Function of Termicin from Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) in the Defense against Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Beauveria bassiana (Bb) Infection.
- Authors
Li, Xiaogang; Wang, Mingyu; Feng, Kai; Sun, Hao; Tang, Fang
- Abstract
Simple Summary: Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) is a termite species recognized for its capacity to cause substantial harm to trees and buildings. Termites have co-evolved with pathogenic bacteria, leading to the emergence of a robust innate defense mechanism. Termicin, an antimicrobial peptide, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding termites against external threats. This study has successfully devised a method for the rapid production of inactivated dsRNA-HT115, thereby augmenting the efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Beauveria bassiana (Bb) against termites. Additionally, it lays the groundwork for a novel approach to termite control. Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) is a subterranean termite species known for causing severe damage to trees and structures such as dams. During the synergistic evolution of O. formosanus with pathogenic bacteria, the termite has developed a robust innate immunity. Termicin is a crucial antimicrobial peptide in termites, significantly contributing to the defense against external infections. Building upon the successful construction and expression of the dsRNA-HT115 engineering strains of dsOftermicin1 and dsOftermicin2 in our laboratory, this work employs the ultrasonic breaking method to establish an inactivated dsOftermicins-HT115 technological system capable of producing a substantial quantity of dsRNA. This approach also addresses the limitation of transgenic strains which cannot be directly applied. Treatment of O. formosanus with dsOftermicins produced by this method could enhance the virulence of both Bt and Bb to the termites. This study laid the theoretical groundwork for the development of novel termite immunosuppressants and for the advancement and application of termite biological control strategies.
- Subjects
BACILLUS thuringiensis; ANTIMICROBIAL peptides; BEAUVERIA bassiana; TERMITE control; PATHOGENIC bacteria; TERMITES; DAM failures
- Publication
Insects (2075-4450), 2024, Vol 15, Issue 5, p360
- ISSN
2075-4450
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/insects15050360