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PubMed2004

Structure determination of an organometallic 1-(diazenylaryl)ethanol: a novel toxin subclass from the web of the spider Nephila clavipes.

A novel chemical subclass of toxin, [1-(3-diazenylphenyl)ethanol]iron, was identified among the compounds present in the web of the spider Nephila clavipes. This type of compound is not common among natural products, mainly in spider-venom toxins; it was shown to be a potent paralytic and/or lethal toxin applied by the spider over its web to ensure prey capture only by topical application. The structure was elucidated by means of ESI mass spectrometry, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution (HR) mass spectrometry, and ICP spectrometry. The structure of [1-(3-diazenylphenyl)ethanol]iron and the study of its insecticidal action may be used as a starting point for the development of new drugs for pest control in agriculture.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Comparative metabolism of alpha- and beta-peptides in the insect Heliothis virescens and in plant cells of black Mexican sweet maize.

The tripeptide H-Val-Ala-Leu-OH and the N-Ac-tetrapeptide amide Ac-Thr-Lys-Trp-Phe-NH2, and their beta-peptidic counterparts H-beta(3)hVal-beta(3)hAla-beta(3)hLeu-OH and Ac-beta(3)hThr-(S)beta(2)hLys-beta(3)hTrp-beta(3)hPhe-NH2, respectively, have been injected into Heliothis virescens larvae and added to cell cultures of black mexican sweet maize. The body liquids of the larvae and the supernatant of the plant cell cultures were sampled 0, 2, 3, 6, 17, and/or 24 h after application and analyzed by LC/MS. While the two alpha-peptides were degraded rapidly in these environments, the concentration of the beta-peptides was found to decrease very slowly. Thus, ca. 60% of the original amount of the beta-tetrapeptide was detected in the liquids of the insect after 24 h. The plant cells did not seem to make use of the beta-peptides at all, whereas, the alpha-tripeptide completely disappeared from the supernatant after 3 h. Thus, we have demonstrated, for the first time, the high stability of beta-peptides against degradation and metabolism in an insect and a plant. Especially remarkable is the persistence of the beta-tetrapeptide with its functionalised and, thus, 'metabolisable' side chains of Thr, Lys, Trp, and Phe in the insect larvae, which are known to have a high level of activity of oxidizing enzymes. The results described here match those of ADME investigations with radioactively labeled beta-peptides in rats, where essentially complete stability has been observed, while environmental microorganisms have been found to biodegrade beta-peptides, albeit slowly. Possible implications of these findings for biomedical and pest-control applications are proposed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Structure determination of a tetrahydro-beta-carboline of arthropod origin: a novel alkaloid-toxin subclass from the web of spider Nephila clavipes.

The orb-web spiders are polyphagous animals in which the web plays a very important role in the capture of preys; oily droplets usually cover the capture-web of the spider Nephila clavipes and seem to be of great importance for prey capture. The knowledge of the chemical composition of these droplets is necessary to understand the function of this adhesive material in web mechanics and prey capture. A novel subclass of spider toxins, tetrahydro-beta-carboline, was identified among the weaponry of compounds present inside of oily droplets. This type of alkaloid is not common among the natural compounds of spider toxins. Apparently, when the prey arthropods get caught by the spider web, their bodies are covered with many adhesive oily droplets, which disrupt delivering the tetrahydro-beta-carboline to the direct contact with the prey integument. Toxicity assays demonstrated a potent lethal effect of the alkaloid toxin to the spider preys; topical applications of the tetrahydro-beta-carboline at first caused clear signs of neurotoxicity, followed by the death of preys. The structure of the major component, a tetrahydro-beta-carboline, among the alkaloid toxins was elucidated by means of UV spectrophotometry, ESI mass spectrometry, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The structure of the natural toxin was determined as 1-(2-guanidinoethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-hydroxymethyl)-beta-carboline; the investigation of the pharmacological properties and neurotoxic actions of this compound may be used in the future as reference for the development of new drugs to be applied at level of pest control in agriculture.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1991

Genotoxicity of the fungicide dichlofluanid in seven assays.

Seven different endpoints for detection of genotoxicity have been used to demonstrate the DNA-altering properties of Dichlofluanid, a fungicide commonly used in viticulture pest control. Each endpoint (DNA synthesis inhibition test, alkaline viscosimetry, umu-test, alkaline filter elution, FADU-test, 32P-postlabeling, and electron microscopy) shows clear evidence of genotoxicity. These data indicate that application of the fungicide dichlofluanid may be mutagenic and/or carcinogenic for exposed humans.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1992

Systematics, distribution, and host specificity of grass endophytes.

Clavicipitaceous endophytes (Ascomycetes) are distributed worldwide in many grasses and sedges forming a perennial and often mutualistic association with their hosts. Most endophytes appear to produce alkaloid toxins in infected plants. The high frequency of infection in many grasses and in certain grassland communities may indicate a selective advantage of infected over non-infected host plants due to their toxic effects on grazing animals and insects. Field observations and artificial inoculations of seedlings have demonstrated a high degree of specificity of most endophytes to their host plant, particularly in asexual, seed-borne endophytes. Specific isozyme genotypes found on several host species suggest that host-specific physiological races may occur. Knowledge of host range and host specificity is vital for potential applications of endophytes in pest control.

Acremonium↗
PubMed2006

Farmer perceptions and pesticide use practices in vegetable production in Ghana.

As an initial part of a programme aimed at promoting safe and sound agricultural practices in Ghana, a study was made of farmers' perceptions of pesticides for use and application in vegetable production, using a small survey of 137 farmers who applied pesticides. Field surveys, interviews, questionnaires and analytical games were used to obtain information on the type, scope and extent of use of pesticides, farmers' knowledge of pesticides, and their perceptions about the chemicals' potential for harm. Data from this sample of farmers were used to describe the status of use of pesticides in vegetable cultivation in Ghana. Using chi2 tests, associations between farmers' age and possible pesticide poisoning symptoms, their farm size and method of spraying pesticides, and their perception of pesticide hazard and its perceived effectiveness against pests were also examined. The survey showed that knapsack sprayers were the most widely used type of equipment for spraying pesticides. However, on large-scale vegetable farms of 6-10 acres, motorised sprayers were also used. Various inappropriate practices in the handling and use of pesticides caused possible poisoning symptoms among those farmers who generally did not wear protective clothing. Younger farmers (<45 years of age) were the most vulnerable group, probably because they did more spraying than older farmers (>45 years of age). Farmers did not necessarily associate hazardous pesticides with better pest control. The introduction of well-targeted training programmes for farmers on the need for and safe use of pesticides is advocated.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Disruption of responses to pheromone by (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone, an analogue of the pheromone, in the cabbage armyworm Mamestra brassicae.

The effects of (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11-16:TFMK) a fluorinated pheromone analogue, on the responses to sex pheromone of the male cabbage armyworm, Mamestra brassicae, have been investigated in an actograph and by electroantennography (EAG). In spite of its structural proximity with the natural pheromone, Z11-16:TFMK was poorly active in EAG, and not active on male behaviour. When permeated in the air, Z11-16:TFMK reversibly inhibited the electroantennographic responses to (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac), the main component of the sex pheromone. In the actograph, the latency of the activation was increased and the intensity of the behavioural activity of males in response to Z11-16:Ac was significantly reduced in the presence of Z11-16:TFMK. These results, along with others previously reported by us, provide new pointers to the possible use of Z11-16:TFMK in pest-control strategies.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Growing vegetables in developing countries for local urban populations and export markets: problems confronting small-scale producers.

Vegetables attract high applications of pesticides, and farmers in developing countries use many acutely toxic insecticides to control pests on these crops. With the liberalisation of agricultural markets in developing countries, the number of small-scale farmers growing vegetables for both domestic and export markets is increasing. Demand for supplies of year-round and exotic fruit and vegetables has grown in industrialised countries, but with rising quality standards and traceability requirements it is difficult for small-scale farmers to benefit from this lucrative non-traditional agricultural export trade. The demand is high for vegetables in the expanding cities in developing countries, and farmers in peri-urban areas, or rural areas with good access to the cities, are in a position to find a growing market for their produce. Poor storage facilities will often mean that farmers are forced to sell at peak times when prices are low. Farmers rarely have access to training in pesticide use, and have only limited or no access to advice on the complicated management of pesticides. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN is concerned about high levels of poor quality and adulterated pesticides on sale in developing countries. Surveys repeatedly show that without training, farmers are unable to make good crop decisions: recognition of pests and their predators is generally low, leading to decisions to spray to kill any insect; knowledge of product selection, application rates and timing is poor; different products are often combined in the belief that the effect will be greater; re-entry periods after spraying and essential harvest intervals are not known; and without knowledge of alternatives, farmers will often assume that the only solution to pest problems is to spray more frequently. From a consumer's point of view, few developing countries are able to monitor pesticide residues, particularly for produce grown for home consumption: most countries do not have laboratories for even simple residue testing. Changes in European Maximum Residue Limits means that export crops will be rejected if they contain residues at the Limit of Detection of pesticides not registered in Europe. Season-long field level training in Integrated Pest Management can help farmers to become better decision-makers, and to greatly reduce pesticide use while reducing risks to their own health and environment, producing safer products for consumers, maintaining yields, and increasing incomes.

Agriculture↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Research on plant-parasitic nematode biology conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service.

The recent de-registration of several chemical nematicides and the impending loss of methyl bromide from the pest-control market necessitate the development of new methods for controlling nematode-induced crop damage. One approach for developing novel target-specific controls is by exploiting fundamental differences between the biological processes of nematodes and their host plants. Researchers of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the US Department of Agriculture are actively exploring these differences. Research accomplishments include the discovery of heat shock protein genes possibly involved in developmental arrest of the soybean cyst nematode, the identification of neuropeptides and female-specific proteins in the soybean cyst nematode, the disruption of nematode reproduction with inhibitors of nematode sterol metabolism, the development of novel morphological and molecular (heat shock protein genes and the D3 segment of large subunit ribosomal DNA) features useful for nematode identification and classification, and the elucidation of the population genetics of potato cyst nematode pathotypes. In addition, several ARS researchers are investigating biological determinants of nematode response to management strategies utilized in agricultural fields. These collective efforts should lead to new chemical and non-chemical alternatives to conventional nematode control strategies.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Fipronil modulation of GABAA receptor single-channel currents.

Fipronil is the first phenylpyrazole insecticide introduced for pest control. Although fipronil is known to inhibit GABA receptors, the detailed mechanism of action remains to be seen. In order to elucidate the mechanism of fipronil interaction with the mammalian GABAA system, single-channel patch clamp experiments were performed using rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. The amplitude of main conductance state (27pS) current was not significantly altered by co-application of 10 microM fipronil and 10 microM GABA. The histograms of open time distribution were fitted to a sum of three exponential functions. After application of 10 microM fipronil, the proportion of the fastest component increased slightly and that of the slowest component decreased slightly. Thus, the mean open time was decreased from 11.4 ms to 7.8 ms by fipronil. The histograms of closed time distribution were fitted to a sum of four exponential functions. Fipronil 10 microM prolonged the slowest time constant resulting in a prolongation of the mean closed time from 29.7 ms to 52.8 ms. Thus, the frequency of channel openings was reduced. Thus, the fipronil suppression of GABA-induced whole-cell currents is caused in part by decreases in the channel open time and the frequency of channel openings.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Toxicokinetics of 14C-endosulfan in male Sprague-Dawley rats following oral administration of single or repeated doses.

Endosulfan (ES), an organochlorine (OC) insecticide that belongs to the cyclodiene group, is one of the most commonly used pesticides to control pests in vegetables, cotton, and fruits. The toxicokinetics of 14C-endosulfan following oral administration of a single dose of 5 mg/kg body weight was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Three rats were sacrificed 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 8 h after dosing. 14C-endosulfan radioactivity was detected in all tissues at each time point. In a separate experiment urine and feces were collected for 96 h. The total radioactivity recovered in the excreta for 4 days was 106.8% +/- 26.2%, with fecal elimination the major route of elimination route (94.4% +/- 21.4%). The cumulative excretion in the urine for 4 days was 12.4% +/- 4.8%. Radioactivity 8 h after administration was highest in gastrointestinal (GI) tract tissue (20.28 +/- 16.35 mg ES eq./L) and lowest in muscle (0.18 +/- 0.06 mg ES eq./L). The toxicokinetic parameters obtained from 14C-endosulfan-derived radioactivity in blood were distribution half-life (T1/2 x) = 31 min and terminal elimination half-life (T1/2 y) = 193 h. Blood concentration reached its maximum (Cmax) of 0.36 +/- 0.08 mg ES eq./L 2 h after the oral dose. Endosulfan was rapidly absorbed into the GI tract in rats, with an absorption rate constant (ka) of 3.07 h(-1).

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2006

Development of an in vitro blood-brain barrier model to study the effects of endosulfan on the permeability of tight junctions and a comparative study of the cytotoxic effects of endosulfan on rat and human glial and neuronal cell cultures.

Endosulfan, an organochlorine (OC) insecticide that belongs to the cyclodiene group, is one of the most commonly used pesticides to control pests in vegetables, cotton, and fruits. Porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells were used to develop a model to study the effects of endosulfan on the permeability of tight junctions in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). BBB permeability, measured as transendothelial electrical resistance, decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner when treated with alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, or endosulfan sulfate. Cytotoxicity testing revealed that the three endosulfans did not cause cell death at concentrations of 10 microM and below. The ratio of the average permeability of the filter-grown endothelial cell monolayer to 14C-endosulfan (Pe) going from the outer to the inner compartments with that going from the inner to the outer compartments was approximately 1:1.2-2.1 after exposure to concentrations of 0.01-10 microM. alpha-Endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate had cytotoxic effects on rat glial (C6) and neuronal (PC12) cell cultures as well as on human glial (CCF-STTG1) and neuronal (NT2) cell cultures. The effects of alpha-endosulfan were highly selective, with a wide range of LC50 values found in the different cultures, ranging from 11.2 microM for CCF-STTG1 cells to 48.0 microM for PC12 cells. In contrast, selective neurotoxicity was not so manifest in glial and neuronal cell cultures after exposure to endosulfan sulfate, as LC50 values were in the range of 10.4-21.6 microM. CCF-STTG1 cells were more sensitive to alpha-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate, whereas NT2 cells were more sensitive to beta-endosulfan.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for endosulfan in the male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Endosulfan, an organochlorine (OC) insecticide belonging to the cyclodiene group, is one of the most commonly used pesticides to control pests in vegetables, cotton, and fruits. To date, no physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model has been located for endosulfan in animal species and humans. The estimation by a mathematical model is essential since information on humans can scarcely be obtained experimentally. The PBPK model was constructed based on the pharmacokinetic data of our experiment following single oral administration of (14)C-Endosulfan to male Sprague-Dawley rats. The model was parameterized by using reference physiological parameter values and partition coefficients that were determined in the experiment and optimized by manual adjustment until the best visual fit of the simulations with the experimental data were observed. The model was verified by simulating the disposition of (14)C-Endosulfan in vivo after single and multiple oral dosages and comparing simulated results with experimental results. The model was further verified by using experimental data retrieved from the literature. The present model could reasonably predict target tissue dosimetries in rats. Simulation with three-time repeated administration of (14)C-Endosulfan and experimental data retrieved from the literature by the constructed model fitted fairly well with the experimental results; thus suggesting that the newly developed PBPK model was developed. Sensitivity analyses were used to determine those input parameters with the greatest influence on endosulfan tissue concentrations.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Carboxy-terminal truncation of oryzacystatin II by oryzacystatin-insensitive insect digestive proteinases.

The biochemical interactions between digestive proteinases of the Coleoptera pest black vine weevil (Otiorynchus sulcatus) and two plant cysteine proteinase inhibitors, oryzacystatin I (OCI) and oryzacystatin II (OCII), were assessed using gelatin-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, OCI-affinity chromatography, and recombinant forms of the two plant inhibitors. The insect proteinases were resolved in gelatin-containing polyacrylamide gels as five major bands, only three of them being totally or partially inactivated by OCI and OCII. The maximal inhibitory effect of both OCs at pH 5.0 was estimated at 40% and the inhibition was stable with time despite the presence of OC-insensitive proteases, indicating the stability of the OCI and OCII effects. After removing OC-sensitive proteinases from the insect crude extract by OCI-affinity chromatography, the effects of the insect cystatin-insensitive proteases on the structural integrity of the free OCs were analyzed. While OCI remained stable, OCII was subjected to limited proteolysis leading to its gradual transformation into a approximately 10.5-kDa unstable intermediate, OCIIi. As shown by the degradation pattern of a glutathione S-transferase (GST)/OCII fusion protein, the appearance of OCIIi resulted from the C-terminal truncation of OCII. Either free or linked to GST, OCIIi was as active against papain and human cathepsin H as OCII, and the initial specificities of the inhibitor for these two cysteine proteinases were conserved after cleavage. Although these observations indicate the high conformational stability of OCII near its active (inhibitory) site, they also suggest a general conformational destabilization of this inhibitor following its initial cleavage, subsequently leading to its complete hydrolysis. This apparent susceptibility of OCII to proteolytic cleavage by the insect proteinases could have major implications when planning the use of this plant cystatin for insect pest control.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Determining the binding capability of the mouse major urinary proteins using 2-naphthol as a fluorescent probe.

The mouse major urinary proteins (MUPs) are an ensemble of isoforms secreted by adult male mice and involved in sexual olfactory communication. MUPs belong to the lipocalin superfamily, whose conserved structure is a beta-barrel made of eight antiparallel beta-strands forming a hydrophobic pocket that accommodates small organic molecules. A detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanism associated to the binding of those molecules can guide protein engineering to devise mutated proteins where the ligand specificity, binding affinity, and release rate can be modulated. Proteins with such peculiar properties may have interesting biotechnological applications for pest control, as well as in food and cosmetic industries. In this work, we demonstrate that the fluorescent molecule 2-naphthol binds to the natural ligand's binding site of MUPs with high affinity. In addition, we show that 2-naphthol binds to MUPs in its protonated form, that its fluorescence is blue-shifted, and the quantum yield is increased, thus confirming the high hydrophobicity of the protein pocket and the absence of proton acceptors inside the binding site. At large the results presented, besides demonstrating that the use of 2-naphthol provides a convenient and quick method for testing MUPs binding activity and to ascertain the quality of the protein preparation, suggest that MUPs can represent an interesting system for studying the photophysical characteristics of fluorescent molecules in a highly hydrophobic environment.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes from two groups of workers occupationally exposed to pesticides in Syria.

The cytogenetic effects of pesticides used for hygienic purposes or pest control of crops were studied in two groups of highly chronic or acutely exposed workers (sprayers and dealers) in Damascus, Syria, using the peripheral human lymphocyte system and analyzing chromosomal aberrations. In general, the effects were small, but in the hygiene pesticide-sprayer group that was tested at the beginning, middle, and end of the spraying season, an increase in chromatid breaks was observed and at the end of spraying season it reached threefold the mean chromatid breaks of control group. The group composed of dealers and of people working in quality control of pesticides, which was studied once, showed a number of chromatid breaks similar to that of the sprayer group at the end of spraying season.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Heteroflocculation of Sulfate Polystyrene Latex and Anticarsia gemmatalis Nucleopolyhedrovirus as a Model System for Studying Sunlight Protection.

Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) is a baculovirus widely used as a pest control agent. Data on field persistence of this microbial insecticide reveal that sunlight is the most destructive of the environmental factors. The introduction of a physical barrier to protect the baculovirus from sunlight has been proposed. In the present work we report on the coating of a baculovirus surface with a uniform layer of smaller particles. The coating was carried out at pH 3, a condition where the baculovirus surface becomes positively charged and can be covered by sulfate polystyrene latex particles. The heteroflocculation was assessed by isotherm measurements and scanning electron microscopy. High-affinity isotherms were obtained for the two sizes of latex used, and the number of latex particles bound per baculovirus was not affected when pH was changed back to neutral range (5<pH<7). Two cycles of centrifugation and washing with deionized water did not wash the sulfate polystyrene from the polyhedron surface. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Protection from ultraviolet irradiation by melanin of mosquitocidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis.

A process for production, isolation, and purification of melanin produced by the fermentation of Streptomyces lividans 66 harboring a recombinant plasmid pIJ702-bearing tyrosinase gene has been developed. The efficacy of melanin in the protection of mosquito larvacidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis against uv light has been studied. Results obtained by the live cell counts and the bioassay of residual mosquitocidal activity of B. thuringiensis var. israelensis after exposure to uv radiation showed that melanin is an excellent photoprotective agent.

Aedes↗