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ISSN 1027-2852 (Electronic)
ISSN 0864-4551 (Print)

2018, Number 2

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Biotecnol Apl 2018; 35 (2)

First report on the involvement of sulfated N-glycans and protein content of Hylesia metabus urticating setae in lepidopterism and the insect’s possible mechanisms of defense

Cabrera G, González LJ, Lundberg U, Salazar V, Struwe W, Harvey D, Montesino R, Portela M, Vonasek E, Antoine L, Tambara Y, Herrera M, Domon B, Durán R, Rodríguez-Ulloa A, del Valle MM, Rincón M, León E, González-Hernández A, Machado W, Palomares S, Espinosa LA, Ramos Y, Triguero A, Besada V

Language: English
References: 14
Page: 2501-2503
PDF size: 291.84 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Hylesia metabus moth inhabits swampy areas of the Orinoco river delta, and in other regions of South America. The adult female contains urticating abdominal setae that upon contact with the skin causes severe dermatitis syndrome known as “lepidopterism”, also associated to inflammation, focal hemorrhages, insomnia, restlessness, and febrile state. During matting flights, the adult females of H. metabus release large amount of setae reachig highly distant geographic areas. Also, the positive phototropism of the moth causes them to strike against the light sources increasing the probability of its contact with humans. In this work, information was provided on the structural identification of some of the H. metabus toxin protein and oligosaccharide components responsible for the clinical symptoms of lepidopterism. Five proteases were identified, two of which are N-glycosylated with neutral bi-antennary oligosaccharides, agalactosylated and fucosylated, and also sulfated, this last modification not previously reported in insects. It was demonstrated that the proteolytic activity of one of the proteases is related to the erosion of the blood vessels and the focal hemorrhages characteristic of lepidopterism, providing the first report on N-sulfation in insects and their causal role in the clinical setting in humans. The results have potential applications for rational drug design and pest control. In addition, methodological contributions were included for the differentiation between sulfated and phosphorylated N-glycans. This work received the Annual Award of the Cuban Academy of Sciences for the year 2017.


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