The multiple strategies of an insect herbivore to overcome plant cyanogenic glucoside defence
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The multiple strategies of an insect herbivore to overcome plant cyanogenic glucoside defence. / Pentzold, Stefan; Zagrobelny, Mika; Roelsgaard, Pernille Sølvhøj; Møller, Birger Lindberg; Bak, Søren.
In: PLOS ONE, Vol. 9, No. 3, e91337, 2014.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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T1 - The multiple strategies of an insect herbivore to overcome plant cyanogenic glucoside defence
AU - Pentzold, Stefan
AU - Zagrobelny, Mika
AU - Roelsgaard, Pernille Sølvhøj
AU - Møller, Birger Lindberg
AU - Bak, Søren
N1 - OA
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Cyanogenic glucosides (CNglcs) are widespread plant defence compounds that release toxic hydrogen cyanide by plant bglucosidaseactivity after tissue damage. Specialised insect herbivores have evolved counter strategies and some sequesterCNglcs, but the underlying mechanisms to keep CNglcs intact during feeding and digestion are unknown. We show thatCNglc-sequestering Zygaena filipendulae larvae combine behavioural, morphological, physiological and biochemicalstrategies at different time points during feeding and digestion to avoid toxic hydrolysis of the CNglcs present in their Lotusfood plant, i.e. cyanogenesis. We found that a high feeding rate limits the time for plant b-glucosidases to hydrolyse CNglcs.Larvae performed leaf-snipping, a minimal disruptive feeding mode that prevents mixing of plant b-glucosidases andCNglcs. Saliva extracts did not inhibit plant cyanogenesis. However, a highly alkaline midgut lumen inhibited the activity ofingested plant b-glucosidases significantly. Moreover, insect b-glucosidases from the saliva and gut tissue did not hydrolysethe CNglcs present in Lotus. The strategies disclosed may also be used by other insect species to overcome CNglc-basedplant defence and to sequester these compounds intact.
AB - Cyanogenic glucosides (CNglcs) are widespread plant defence compounds that release toxic hydrogen cyanide by plant bglucosidaseactivity after tissue damage. Specialised insect herbivores have evolved counter strategies and some sequesterCNglcs, but the underlying mechanisms to keep CNglcs intact during feeding and digestion are unknown. We show thatCNglc-sequestering Zygaena filipendulae larvae combine behavioural, morphological, physiological and biochemicalstrategies at different time points during feeding and digestion to avoid toxic hydrolysis of the CNglcs present in their Lotusfood plant, i.e. cyanogenesis. We found that a high feeding rate limits the time for plant b-glucosidases to hydrolyse CNglcs.Larvae performed leaf-snipping, a minimal disruptive feeding mode that prevents mixing of plant b-glucosidases andCNglcs. Saliva extracts did not inhibit plant cyanogenesis. However, a highly alkaline midgut lumen inhibited the activity ofingested plant b-glucosidases significantly. Moreover, insect b-glucosidases from the saliva and gut tissue did not hydrolysethe CNglcs present in Lotus. The strategies disclosed may also be used by other insect species to overcome CNglc-basedplant defence and to sequester these compounds intact.
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0091337
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0091337
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 24625698
VL - 9
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 3
M1 - e91337
ER -
ID: 104719216