Biology subjects

Vilcinskas, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Vilcinskas, A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2021

Genomic and chemical decryption of the Bacteroidetes phylum for its potential to biosynthesize natural products

With progress in genome sequencing and data sharing, 1000s of bacterial genomes are publicly available. Genome mining - using bioinformatics tools in terms of biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) identification, analysis and rating - has become a key technology to explore the capabilities for natural product (NP) biosynthesis. Comprehensively, analyzing the genetic potential of the phylum Bacteroidetes revealed Chitinophaga as the most talented genus in terms of BGC abundance and diversity. Guided by the computational predictions, we conducted a metabolomics and bioactivity driven NP discovery program on 25 Chitinophaga strains. High numbers of peerless strain-specific metabolite buckets confirmed the upfront predicted biosynthetic potential and revealed a tremendous uncharted chemical space. Sourcing this dataset, we isolated the new iron chelating nonribosomally-synthesized cyclic tetradeca- and pentadecalipodepsipeptide antibiotics chitinopeptins with activity against Candida, produced by C. eiseniae DSM 22224 and C. flava KCTC 62435, respectively. TeaserCombination of omics-technologies revealed taxonomical hotspots for specialized metabolites within Bacteroidetes.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Predation drives specialized host plant associations in preadapted milkweed bugs (Heteroptera: Lygaeinae)

Host plant specialization across herbivorous insects varies dramatically, but the underlying evolutionary mechanisms are little-known. The milkweed bugs (Heteroptera: Lygaeinae) are ancestrally associated with plants of the Apocynaceae from which they commonly sequester cardiac glycosides for defense, facilitated by resistant Na+/K+-ATPases and adaptations for transport, storage and discharge of toxins. Here, we show that three Lygaeinae species independently colonized four novel non-apocynaceous hosts, convergently producing cardiac glycosides. A fourth species shifted to a new source of toxins by tolerating and sequestering alkaloids from meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale, Colchicaceae). Across three species tested, feeding on seeds containing toxins did not improve growth, but sequestration mediated protection against predatory lacewing larvae and birds. We conclude that physiological preadaptations and convergent phytochemistry facilitated novel specialized host associations. Therefore, selection by predators on sequestration of defenses, rather than the exploitation of novel dietary resources, can lead to obligatory specialized host associations in generalist insects.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2020

An economic dilemma between weapon systems may explain an arachno-atypical venom in wasp spiders (Argiope bruennichi)

Spiders use venom to subdue their prey, but little is known about the diversity of venoms in different spider families. Given the limited data available for orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) we selected the wasp spider Argiope bruennichi for detailed analysis. Our strategy combined a transcriptomics pipeline based on multiple assemblies with a dual proteomics workflow involving parallel mass spectrometry techniques and electrophoretic profiling. We found that the remarkably simple venom of A. bruennichi has an atypical composition compared to other spider venoms, prominently featuring members of the CAP superfamily and other, mostly high-molecular-weight proteins. We also detected a subset of potentially novel toxins similar to neuropeptides. We discuss the potential function of these proteins in the context of the unique hunting behavior of wasp spiders, which rely mostly on silk to trap their prey. We propose that the simplicity of the venom evolved to solve an economic dilemma between two competing yet metabolically expensive weapon systems. This study emphasizes the importance of cutting-edge methods to encompass smaller lineages of venomous species that have yet to be characterized in detail, allowing us to understand the biology of their venom systems and to mine this prolific resource for translational research.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.View Full Text

zoology↗