title: Inhibition of ecto-phosphatase activity in conidia reduces adhesion and virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae on the host insect Dysdercus peruvianus.
abstract: Metarhizium anisopliae is an entomopathogenic fungus with the ability to infect a broad range of arthropods, and have evolved distinct strategies for their attachment to hosts. Here, we describe the characterisation of ecto-phosphatase activity on the conidia surface of M. anisopliae and its relevance in the host interaction process. Ecto-phosphatase activity was linear for 60 min and during this time, was linear with the increase of cell density. The optimum pH was in the acidic range and some divalent metals, such as Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Zn(2+), inhibited ecto-phosphatase activity. The activity was also reduced by phosphatase inhibitors. Importantly, the inhibition of phosphatase activity in conidia reduced the adhesion to Dysdercus peruvianus (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) integument and, consequently and indirectly, M. anisopliae infection. The results herein presented show, for the first time, the importance of ecto-phosphatase activity in M. anisopliae conidia and provide the first evidence of its direct involvement in adhesion and host infection.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS, Bloco H, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cosentino-Gomes
authors.forename: Nathália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rocco-Machado
authors.forename: Lucélia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santi
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Broetto
authors.forename: Marilene H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Vainstein
authors.forename: José Roberto
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Meyer-Fernandes
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schrank
authors.forename: Walter O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Beys-da-Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D020062:Heteroptera / Q000382:microbiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D052981:Metarhizium / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000201:enzymology*; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases