Protein tyrosine phosphatase-induced hyperactivity is a conserved strategy of a subset of baculoviruses to manipulate lepidopteran host behavior.
Many parasites manipulate host behavior to increase the probability of transmission. To date, direct evidence for parasitic genes underlying such behavioral manipulations is scarce. Here we show that the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) induces hyperactive behavior in Spodoptera exigua larvae at three days after infection. Furthermore, we identify the viral protein tyrosine phosphatase (ptp) gene as a key player in the induction of hyperactivity in larvae, and show that mutating the catalytic site of the encoded phosphatase enzyme prevents this induced behavior. Phylogenetic inference points at a lepidopteran origin of the ptp gene and shows that this gene is well-conserved in a group of related baculoviruses. Our study suggests that ptp-induced behavioral manipulation is an evolutionarily conserved strategy of this group of baculoviruses to enhance virus transmission, and represents an example of the extended phenotype concept. Overall, these data provide a firm base for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind baculovirus-induced insect behavior.
Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Stineke
S
van Houte
Vera I D
VI
Ros
Tom G
TG
Mastenbroek
Nadia J
NJ
Vendrig
Kelli
K
Hoover
Jeroen
J
Spitzen
Monique M
MM
van Oers
D000818:Animals; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology*; D009154:Mutation; D010802:Phylogeny; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D014764:Viral Proteins; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases