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

PERIN, A.P.A; COSTE GRAHL, M.V.; PERIN, A.P.A; COSTE GRAHL, M.V.; NORONHA, M.S; FRUTTERO, L.L; NORONHA, M.S; FRUTTERO, L.L; MOYETTA, N.R.; STANISÇUASKI, F.; MOYETTA, N.R.; STANISÇUASKI, F.

ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY

WILEY-LISS, DIV JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Lugar: New York; Año: 2020 vol. 105

0739-4462

Jaburetox is a recombinant peptide derived from one ofthe Canavalia ensiformis urease isoforms. This peptideinduces several toxic effects on insects of different orders,including interference on muscle contractility incockroaches, modulation of UDP‐N‐acetylglucosaminepyrophosphorylase (UAP) and nitric oxide synthase(NOS) activities in the central nervous system of triatomines,as well as activation of the immune system inRhodnius prolixus. When injected, the peptide is lethal forR. prolixus and Triatoma infestans. Here, we evaluatedJaburetox toxicity to Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches,exploring the effects on the central nervous systemthrough the activities of UAP, NOS, acid phosphatases(ACP), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The results indicatedthat N. cinerea is not susceptible to the lethaleffect of the peptide. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitrotreatments with Jaburetox inhibited NOS activity, withoutmodifying the protein levels. No alterations on ACPactivity were observed. In addition, the enzyme activityof UAP only had its activity affected at 18 hr after injection.The peptide increased the AChE activity, suggestinga mechanism involved in overcoming thetoxic effects. In conclusion, our findings indicate thatJaburetox affects the nitrinergic signaling as well as theAChE and UAP activities and establishes N. cinereaas a Jaburetox‐resistant model for future comparativestudies.