Jaburetox-induced toxic effects on the hemocytes of Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

MOYETTA, NATALIA R.; BROLL, VALQUIRIA; PERIN, ANA PAULA A.; UBERTI, AUGUSTO F.; COSTE GRAHL, MATHEUS V.; STANISCUASKI, FERNANDA; CARLINI, CELIA R.; FRUTTERO, LEONARDO L.

COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

Año: 2017

1532-0456

aburetox is a recombinant peptide derived from a Canavalia ensiformis urease that presents toxic effects uponseveral species of insects, phytopathogenic fungi and yeasts of medical importance. So far, no toxicity of Jaburetoxto mammals has been shown. Previous reports have identified biochemical targets of this toxic peptide ininsect models, although its mechanism of action is not completely understood. In this work, we aimed to characterizethe effects of Jaburetox in hemolymphatic insect cells. For this purpose, the model insect and Chagas´disease vector Rhodnius prolixus was used. In vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that Jaburetox interacts witha subset of hemocytes and it can be found in various subcellular compartments. In insects injected with Jaburetoxthere was an increase in the gene expression of the enzymes UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase(UAP), chitin synthase and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Nevertheless, the expression of NOS protein, the enzymeactivities o