title: The effect of fungal ribosome inactivating proteins upon feeding choice in C. freemani, and indications of a mutualistic relationship with A. restrictus. Environmental mycology.
abstract: Carpophilus freemani beetles' feeding on the fungus Aspergillus nidulans was substantially inhibited when A. nidulans was transformed and induced to secrete the ribosome inactivating protein, restrictocin (genetic source: Aspergillus restrictus). No inhibition of feeding was observed when A. nidulans was transformed and induced to produce an inactive form of restrictocin with a single amino-acid substitution in the active site. Similarly, there was no inhibition of feeding upon transgenic strains when the production of restrictocin was not induced. Feeding inhibition of C. freemani by restrictocin requires that the ribonuclease be active and is not due to other characteristics of the protein or the transgenic host fungus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin Medical School, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison 53792, USA. Tbrandho@facstaff.wisc.edu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brandhorst
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Dowd
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Kenealy
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D001233:Aspergillus nidulans / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D030781:Organisms, Genetically Modified; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
chemical_list: C081947:ASPF1 protein, Aspergillus fumigatus; D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D005656:Fungal Proteins; C036196:MITF protein, Aspergillus restrictus; D012260:Ribonucleases