Interaction between the membrane protein of a pathogen and insect microfilament complex determines insect-vector specificity

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Mar 14;103(11):4252-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0508668103. Epub 2006 Mar 6.

Abstract

Many insect-transmissible pathogens are transmitted by specific insect species and not by others, even if they are closely related. The molecular mechanisms underlying such strict pathogen-insect specificity are poorly understood. Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris, OY strain, line W (OY), is a phytopathogenic bacterium transmitted from plant to plant by sap-feeding insect vectors (leafhoppers). Our study focused on an abundant cell-surface membrane protein of the phytoplasma named antigenic membrane protein (Amp), which is not homologous with any reported functional protein. Immunofluorescence microscopy of the phytoplasma-infected insect showed that OY phytoplasma was localized to the microfilaments of the visceral smooth muscle surrounding the insect's intestinal tract. The affinity column assay showed that Amp forms a complex with three insect proteins: actin, myosin heavy chain, and myosin light chain. Amp-microfilament complexes were detected in all OY-transmitting leafhopper species, but not in the non-OY-transmitting leafhoppers, suggesting that the formation of the Amp-microfilament complex is correlated with the phytoplasma-transmitting capability of leafhoppers. Although several studies have reported interactions between pathogens and mammalian microfilaments, this is an example of host-specific interactions between a bacterial surface protein and a host microfilament in insect cells. Our data also suggest that the utilization of a host microfilament may be a universal system for pathogenic bacteria infecting mammals or insects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / microbiology
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Genes, Insect
  • Hemiptera / metabolism
  • Hemiptera / microbiology
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Insect Vectors / metabolism
  • Insect Vectors / microbiology*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Myosins / metabolism
  • Phytoplasma / metabolism
  • Phytoplasma / pathogenicity*
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology
  • Species Specificity
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Substances

  • Actins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Insect Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Myosins