Glutathione S-transferases in the adaptation to plant secondary metabolites in the Myzus persicae aphid.

Glutathione S-transferases (GST) in insects play an important role in the detoxification of many substances including allelochemicals from plants. Induction of GST activity in Myzus persicae in response to secondary metabolites from Brassica plants was determined using different host plant species and confirmed using artificial diet with pure allelochemicals added. The 2,4-dinitro-1-iodobenzene (DNIB) was found to be a useful substrate for identifying particular GSTs in insects. GSTs from M. persicae were purified using different affinity chromatography columns and related kinetic parameters were calculated. GST isoenzymes were characterised using electrophoretic methods. Although SDS-PAGE results indicated similarity among the purified enzymes from each affinity column, biochemical studies indicated significant differences in kinetic parameters. Finally, the GST pattern of M. persicae was discussed in terms of insect adaptation to the presence of plant secondary substances such as the glucosinolates and the isothiocyanates, from Brassicaceae host plants.

Purification and characterization of glutathione S-transferases from two syrphid flies (Syrphus ribesii and Myathropa florae).

Glutathione S-transferases (GST) play an important role in the detoxification of many substances including organic pollutants and plant secondary metabolites. We compared the GST of two syrphid species, the aphidophagous Syrphus ribesii and the saprophagous Myathropa florea to assess the relation between feeding type and GST patterns. Differences between the GST of the hoverfly species were observed after purification by affinity chromatography, SDS-PAGE and kinetic studies. While the specific activities of the purified enzymes were different, the purification yields were similar. The variation in specific activities was related to the presence of different isoenzymes in both syrphid species by SDS-PAGE. While two bands of 24 and 32 kDa were observed for M. florea, one more band of 26 kDa was present in S. ribesii. When a range of substrate and glutathione concentrations was tested, differences in Km and Vmax between the glutathione S-transferases from both hoverfly species were also observed. These results are discussed in terms of adaptations to the feeding habit and the habitat of the two syrphid species.

Aphid prey suitability as environmental effect on Adalia bipunctata reproduction.

Secondary plant metabolites (allelochemicals) play a major role in plant-insect interactions. Glucosinolates (GLS) and their degradation products from Brassica species are attractants and feeding stimulants for Brassicaceae specialist insects but are generally repellent and toxic for generalist herbivores. The impact of these compounds on crucifer specialist insects are well known but their effect on generalist predators is still not well documented. Prey host plant influence on reproduction of an aphidophagous beneficial, the two spot ladybird, was determined using the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae reared on a crucifer plant, namely Brassica napus containing low GLS levels. As ladybird developmental and reproductive parameters were already shown to be strongly affected by the allelochemical presence in its preys, the unsuitable aphid and host plant combination was only momentary used to feed the A. bipunctata adults. A strong impact of the diet was observed on the beetle fecundity and the emerging offspring. Changing B. brassicae aphid to a suitable prey slowly improved the temporary negative effect of the former diet. These results enhance the food environmental effect and the importance of tritrophic relations in pest management strategies by predators. Indeed, more than the choice of the beneficial species, the prey host plant has a major influence on the potential efficacy of biological agent to control herbivore species such as aphids.