Interactions Between a Parasitic Wasp and its Insect Host: A Molecular Study of Wasp Virus, Parasite Protein and Host Hemocytes

9514583劳伦斯：当寄生黄蜂的雌蜂在加勒比海果蝇Anastrepha suspense(宿主)的幼虫中产卵时，它们还会将一种病毒引入宿主的血液中。此外，被寄生的幼虫在寄生后2天内血液中出现一种新的蛋白质，而未被寄生的幼虫体内没有这种蛋白质。PI表明，随着病毒开始感染新的宿主细胞，宿主血液中这种蛋白质的水平也会增加。此外，被感染的宿主细胞聚集在一起，不像未被寄生的果蝇的细胞那样形成保护性的防御胶囊。因此，寄生虫卵和幼虫逃脱宿主的包裹，寄生虫以果蝇为代价发展。因此，该寄生虫是一种很好的生防剂。PI建议确定这种蛋白质是否是病毒的基因产物，以及它是否增强了病毒的传染性。PI还将确定蛋白质和病毒对宿主细胞通信和防御系统的影响。由于加勒比果蝇及其近亲地中海果蝇是柑橘和其他农作物的主要害虫，该研究所的基础研究将为蛋白质和/或病毒作为工具破坏和控制果蝇发育的潜力提供重要的见解。此外，PI的发现将阐明细胞膜碳水化合物(糖)在细胞-细胞识别和防御中是否重要。这些发现还将有助于确定可能增强和/或抑制细胞聚集(肿瘤形成)的因素(糖)。***

9514583 Lawrence When females of the parasitic wasp Diachasmimorpha longicaudata lay their eggs in larvae of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspense (host) they also introduce a virus into the blood of the host. In addition, a new protein appears in the blood of the parasitized larvae within 2 days after parasitization but is absent from unparasitized individuals. The PI has shown that the level of this protein increases in the host's blood at the same time as the virus begins to infect new host cells. In addition, infected host cells round up and do not form protective defense capsules as do cells from unparasitized fruit flies. Consequently, the parasite eggs and larvae escape encapsulation by the host and the parasite develops at the expense of the fruit fly. Thus, this parasite is an excellent biological control agent. The PI proposes to determine whether the protein is a gene product of the virus and whether it enhances virus infectivity. The PI will also identify the effects of both protein and virus on the cellular communication and defense system of the host. Since the Caribbean fruit fly and its close relatives like the Mediterranean fruit fly are major pests of citrus and other agricultural crops, the PI's basic studies will provide significant insights into the potential of protein and/or virus as tools in fruit fly developmental disruption and control. Additionally, the PI's findings will shed light on whether membrane carbohydrates (sugars) are important in cell-cell recognition and defense. The findings will also help to identify possible factors (sugars) that enhance and/or suppress cell aggregation (tumor formation). ***