Effect of the urease-derived peptide Jaburetox on the central nervous system of Triatoma infestans (Insecta: Heteroptera)

GALVANI, G.L.; FRUTTERO, L.L.; CORONEL, M.F.; NOWICKI, S.; DEMARTINI, D.R.; DEFFERRARI, M.S.; POSTAL, M.; CANAVOSO, L.E.; CARLINI, C.R.; SETTEMBRINI, B.P.

BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2015 vol. 1850 p. 255 - 255

0304-4165

ACKGROUND: Triatoma infestans is the main vector of Chagas´disease in Southern Cone countries. In triatomines, symptoms suggesting neurotoxicity were observed after treatment with Jaburetox (Jbtx), the entomotoxic peptide obtained from jackbean urease. Here, we study its effect in the central nervous system (CNS) of this species. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, Western blots, immunoprecipitation, two-dimensional electrophoresis, tandem mass spectrometry and enzymatic assays were performed. RESULTS: Anti-Jbtx antibody labeled somata of the antennal lobe only in Jbtx-treated insects. Western blot assays of nervous tissue using the same antibody reacted with a 61kDa protein band only in peptide-injected insects. Combination of immunoprecipitation, two-dimensional electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry identified UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UDP-GlcNAcP) as a molecular target for Jbtx. The activity of UDP-GlcNAcP increased significantly in the CNS of Jbtx-treated insect