Rapid and dfferential evolution of the venom composition of a parasitoid wasp depending on the host strain
Résumé
Abstract: Parasitoid wasps rely primarily on venom to suppress the immune response and regulate
the physiology of their host. Intraspecific variability of venom protein composition has been
documented in some species, but its evolutionary potential is poorly understood. We performed an
experimental evolution initiated with the crosses of two lines of Leptopilina boulardi of different
venom composition to generate variability and create new combinations of venom factors. The
offspring were maintained for 10 generations on two strains of Drosophila melanogaster differing in
resistance/susceptibility to the parental parasitoid lines. The venom composition of individuals was
characterized by a semi-automatic analysis of 1D SDS-PAGE electrophoresis protein profiles whose
accuracy was checked by Western blot analysis of well-characterized venom proteins. Results made
evident a rapid and differential evolution of the venom composition on both hosts and showed that
the proteins beneficial on one host can be costly on the other. Overall, we demonstrated the capacity
of rapid evolution of the venom composition in parasitoid wasps, important regulators of arthropod
populations, suggesting a potential for adaptation to new hosts. Our approach also proved relevant
in identifying, among the diversity of venom proteins, those possibly involved in parasitism success
and whose role deserves to be deepened.
Origine : Accord explicite pour ce dépôt
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