Biosynthesis of iridoid sex pheromones in aphids

Iridoid monoterpenes, widely distributed in plants and insects, have many ecological functions. While the biosynthesis of iridoids has been extensively studied in plants, little is known about how insects synthesize these natural products. Here, we elucidated the biosynthesis of the iridoids cis-trans-nepetalactol and cis-trans-nepetalactone in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), where they act as sex pheromones. The exclusive production of iridoids in hind legs of sexual female aphids allowed us to identify iridoid genes by searching for genes specifically expressed in this tissue. Biochemical characterization of candidate enzymes revealed that the iridoid pathway in aphids proceeds through the same sequence of intermediates as described for plants. The six identified aphid enzymes are unrelated to their counterparts in plants, conclusively demonstrating an independent evolution of the entire iridoid pathway in plants and insects. In contrast to the plant pathway, at least three of the aphid iridoid enzymes are likely membrane bound. We demonstrated that a lipid environment facilitates the cyclization of a reactive enol intermediate to the iridoid cyclopentanoid-pyran scaffold in vitro, suggesting that membranes are an essential component of the aphid iridoid pathway. Altogether, our discovery of this complex insect metabolic pathway establishes the genetic and biochemical basis for the formation of iridoid sex pheromones in aphids, and this discovery also serves as a foundation for understanding the convergent evolution of complex metabolic pathways between kingdoms.

Iridoids are a class of atypical bicyclic monoterpenoids that are widely distributed in flowering plants, but, notably, are also found in several insect orders, including Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Hemiptera (1). Iridoids therefore present an opportunity to compare and contrast the chemical logic of natural product biosynthesis between plants and insects.In plants, iridoids largely act as defensive metabolites or biosynthetic intermediates for other natural products (e.g., monoterpenoid indole alkaloids and isoquinoline alkaloids). The pathway leading to the cyclopentanoid-pyran (iridoid) scaffold was first elucidated in the plant Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) (2–6) and more recently in the two mint species Nepeta mussinii and Nepeta cataria (7–9). Iridoid biosynthesis in plants starts with the condensation of the universal terpene precursors isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) to form geranyl diphosphate (GPP), followed by hydrolysis to geraniol (Fig. 1A). Both reactions take place in the plastids and are catalyzed by trans-isoprenyl diphosphate synthase (IDS) and geraniol synthase (GES), respectively. Hydroxylation of geraniol by geraniol-8-hydroxylase (G8H) leads to 8-hydroxygeraniol, which is further oxidized in two consecutive reaction steps by 8-hydroxygeraniol oxidase (HGO) to 8-oxogeranial. This dialdehyde is then converted to the iridoid nepetalactol by a two-step reduction–cyclization sequence that involves the formation of a highly reactive 8-oxocitronellyl enol/enolate intermediate. Initially, reduction and cyclization of 8-oxogeranial were thought to be controlled by a single enzyme, iridoid synthase (ISY) (3), though later studies showed that ISY likely catalyzes only the NADPH-dependent reduction of 8-oxogeranial to the 8-oxocitronellyl enol/enolate intermediate (8). This intermediate can nonenzymatically cyclize, or, alternatively, the stereoselective cyclization of this intermediate to nepetalactol is enzymatically mediated by nepetalactol-related short-chain dehydrogenase (NEPS) or by major latex protein-like (MLPL) enzymes (8, 9). In C. roseus, nepetalactol is further metabolized to secologanin, which serves as a precursor for the formation of monoterpene indole alkaloids in this plant (10). In Nepeta, a NEPS protein oxidizes nepetalactol to nepetalactone (8), with both the alcohol and lactone released as volatiles.Open in a separate windowFig. 1.The formation of iridoids in plants and aphids. (A) Labeling studies suggest that the biosynthesis of iridoids in the pea aphid A. pisum mimics the biosynthetic pathway in iridoid-producing plants. IPP, isopentenyl diphosphate; DMAPP, dimethylallyl diphosphate; GPP, geranyl diphosphate; IDS, isoprenyl diphosphate synthase; GES, geranyl diphosphate synthase; G8H, geraniol 8-hydroxylase; HGO, 8-hydroxygeraniol oxidoreductase; ISY, iridoid synthase; NEPO, nepetalactol oxidase. (B) Relative expression of mevalonate and putative nepetalactone pathway genes in hind legs and front legs of different sexual stages of A. pisum. Relative expression data are based on RPKM values obtained by RNAseq. f-hl, hind legs of sexual females; f-fl, front legs of sexual females; af-hl, hind legs of asexual females; m-hl, hind legs of males.Insects utilize iridoids as both defense compounds and volatile pheromones, but in terms of biosynthesis, comparatively little is understood about insect-derived iridoids. Biosynthetic insights have been obtained from studies on larvae of chrysomelid leaf beetles, which accumulate the iridoid-related monocyclic dialdehydes chrysomelidial and plagiodial (11). Feeding experiments with isotopically labeled precursors and the discovery of some of the enzymes involved in chrysomelidial formation demonstrated that leaf beetles produce these compounds by a series of chemical reactions similar to those that occur in plants (12–15). Although the enzymatic basis for this pathway has not been completely established, the fact that the known enzymes are unrelated to their counterparts in plants suggests independent evolution of the pathway occurred (14).Cis-trans-nepetalactol and cis-trans-nepetalactone are the major iridoids produced by catnip (N. mussinii) and catmint (N. cataria) (16). These molecules are responsible for the euphoric effect these plants have on cats, but their ecological function is unclear, though they may play roles in mediating interactions with insects (17). Interestingly, cis-trans-nepetalactol and cis-trans-nepetalactone occur also in aphids, which produce these compounds as volatile sex pheromones (18, 19). The pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, for example, has been reported to biosynthesize (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-cis-trans-nepetalactol and (4aS,7S,7aR)-cis-trans-nepetalactone in glandular structures on the hind legs of sexual female aphids, from where they are released to attract male conspecifics (18, 20). Recent studies with isotopically labeled iridoid precursors suggest that the iridoid pathway in aphids follows the reaction sequence described for plants (21). However, the underlying enzymatic machinery of this pathway is completely unknown.Here, we report the elucidation of the entire iridoid pathway in the pea aphid A. pisum. By searching for genes expressed exclusively in hind legs of sexual female aphids, the site of iridoid production, we could rapidly identify all six biosynthetic genes/enzymes responsible for the conversion of IPP and DMAPP to cis-trans-nepetalactone. The discovery of the insect nepetalactone pathway in its entirety now allows a comparison of the chemical solutions that have evolved for nepetalactone biosynthesis in plants and animals. Although the chemical steps from GPP to nepetalactone are the same in both Nepeta and pea aphids, the enzymes of these pathways have clearly evolved independently.     

Attitude towards pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for hereditary cancer

The use of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for hereditary cancer is subject to on-going debate, particularly among professionals. This study evaluates the attitude towards PGD and attitude-associated characteristics of those concerned: family members with a hereditary cancer predisposition. Forty-eight Von Hippel-Lindau and 18 Li–Fraumeni Syndrome families were identified via the 9 family cancer clinics in the Netherlands. In total, 216 high risk family members and partners were approached, of whom 179 (83%) completed a self-report questionnaire. Of the high risk family members, 35% expressed a positive attitude towards PGD. Those with a current desire to have children were significantly more likely to have a positive attitude: 48% would consider the use of PGD. No other sociodemographic, medical or psychosocial variables were associated significantly with a positive attitude. The most frequently reported advantage of PGD is the avoidance of a possible pregnancy termination. Uncertainty about late effects was the most frequently reported disadvantage. These results indicate that approximately half of those contemplating a future pregnancy would consider the use of PGD. The actual uptake, however, is expected to be lower. There is no indication that psychosocial factors affect interest in PGD.     

Sialendoscopy plus laser lithotripsy in sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland in 64 patients: A simple and safe procedure

ObjectiveTo demonstrate the safety and efficiency of holmium laser-assisted lithotripsy during sialendoscopy of the submandibular gland using a retrospective, interventional consecutive case series.MethodsWe performed 374 sialendoscopies between 2008 and 2015 and evaluated all patients regarding clinical symptoms, clinical findings, therapy and outcome. We performed 109 procedures of holmium laser-assisted lithotripsy in 64 patients whose sialoliths measured 5 mm or more in diameter. In addition to retrospective case note reviews, we performed telephone interviews of all patients in January 2017.ResultsWe performed 374 consecutive submandibular gland sialendoscopy procedures in 276 patients between 2008 to 2015. Sialolithiasis had either previously been diagnosed, or symptoms highly suggestive of sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland presented in 197 patients.Holmium laser-assisted Laser lithotripsy was performed in 109 cases (64.9%). Smaller mobile concrement was removed directly either by forceps or wire basket, or following marsupialisation of the submandibular duct. This was the case in 88 patients (29.1%). Three patients (0.8%) required surgical removal of the submandibular gland due to early abscess. The majority of patients (n = 374 procedures; 90.1%) remained symptom-free after two or more years following intervention. In the remaining procedures (n = 37 procedures; 9.9%), patients reported discreet postprandial problems but did not seek medical attention. In total, we managed to preserve the submandibular gland and avoid open surgery in 99% of patients through endoscopic management of submandibular concrement and duct stenosis.ConclusionHolmium laser-assisted lithotripsy is a simple, safe, and effective procedure for treating patients with sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland. Removal of the gland is rarely required, and removing the gland without prior sialendoscopy is no longer recommended. It should be offered to all patients with submandibular gland sialolithiasis, or such patients should be referred to the appropriate centre for sialendoscopy before submandibulectomy is considered.     

Paediatric diagnostic reference levels for common radiological examinations using the European guidelines

Objective:The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility to determine regional diagnostic reference levels (RDRLs) for paediatric conventional and CT examinations using the European guidelines and to compare RDRLs derived from weight and age groups, respectively.Methods:Data were collected from 31 hospitals in 4 countries, for 7 examination types for a total of 2978 patients. RDRLs were derived for each weight and age group, respectively, when the total number of patients exceeded 15.Results:It was possible to derive RDRLs for most, but not all, weight-based and age-based groups for the seven examinations. The result using weight-based and age-based groups differed substantially. The RDRLs were lower than or equal to the European and recently published national DRLs.Conclusion:It is feasible to derive RDRLs. However, a thorough review of the clinical indications and methodologies has to be performed previous to data collection. This study does not support the notion that DRLs derived using age and weight groups are exchangeable.Advances in knowledge:Paediatric DRLs should be derived using weight-based groups with access to the actual weight of the patients. DRLs developed using weight differ markedly from those developed with the use of age. There is still a need to harmonize the method to derive solid DRLs for paediatric radiological examinations.     

Patient-reported burden of intensified surveillance and surgery in high-risk individuals under pancreatic cancer surveillance

Familial Cancer - In high-risk individuals participating in a pancreatic cancer surveillance program, worrisome features warrant for intensified surveillance or, occasionally, surgery. Our...     

Hemagglutinin Subtype Specificity and Mechanisms of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Genesis

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses (HPAIVs) arise from low pathogenic precursors following spillover from wild waterfowl into poultry populations. The main virulence determinant of HPAIVs is the presence of a multi-basic cleavage site (MBCS) in the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein. The MBCS allows for HA cleavage and, consequently, activation by ubiquitous proteases, which results in systemic dissemination in terrestrial poultry. Since 1959, 51 independent MBCS acquisition events have been documented, virtually all in HA from the H5 and H7 subtypes. In the present article, data from natural LPAIV to HPAIV conversions and experimental in vitro and in vivo studies were reviewed in order to compile recent advances in understanding HA cleavage efficiency, protease usage, and MBCS acquisition mechanisms. Finally, recent hypotheses that might explain the unique predisposition of the H5 and H7 HA sequences to obtain an MBCS in nature are discussed.