Jaburetox, a urease‐derived peptide: Effects on enzymatic pathways of the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea

PERIN, ANA P. A.; NORONHA, MILA S.; MOYETTA, NATALIA R.; COSTE GRAHL, MATHEUS V.; FRUTTERO, LEONARDO L.; STANISCUASKI, FERNANDA

ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY

WILEY-LISS, DIV JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Año: 2020 vol. 105

0739-4462

aburetox is a recombinant peptide derived from one of the Canavalia ensiformis urease isoforms. This peptide induces several toxic effects on insects of different orders, including interference on muscle contractility in cockroaches, modulation of UDP‐N‐acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities in the central nervous system of triatomines,as well as activation of the immune system in Rhodnius prolixus. When injected, the peptide is lethal for R. prolixus and Triatoma infestans. Here, we evaluated Jaburetox toxicity to Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches, exploring the effects on the central nervous system through the activities of UAP, NOS, acid phosphatases (ACP), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The results indicated that N. cinerea is not susceptible to the lethal effect of the peptide. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitro treatments with Jaburetox inhibited NOS activity, without modifying the protein levels. No alterations on ACP act