Proteomic analysis of Glossina pallidipes salivary gland hypertrophy virus virions for immune intervention in tsetse fly colonies

Many species of tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) can be infected by a virus that causes salivary gland hypertrophy (SGH). The viruses isolated from Glossina pallidipes (GpSGHV) and Musca somestica (MdSGHV) have recently been sequenced. Tsetse flies with SGH have a reduced fecundity and fertility which cause a serious problem for mass rearing in the frame of sterile insect technique (SIT) programs to control and eradicate tsetse populations in the wild. A potential intervention strategy to mitigate viral infections in fly colonies is neutralizing of the GpSGHV infection with specific antibodies against virion proteins. Two major GpSGHV virion proteins of about 130 kDa and 50 kDa, respectively, were identified by Western analysis using polyclonal rabbit antibody raised against whole GpSHGV virions. The proteome of GpSGHV, containing the antigens responsible for the immune-response, was investigated by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and 61 virion proteins were identified by comparison with the genome sequence. Specific antibodies were produced in rabbits against seven candidate proteins including the ORF10 / C-terminal fragment, ORF47 and ORF96 as well as proteins involved in peroral infectivity PIF-1 (ORF102), PIF-2 (ORF53), PIF-3 (ORF76) and P74 (ORF1). Antiserum against ORF10 specifically reacted to the 130 kDa protein in a Western blot analysis and to the envelope of GpSGHV using immunogold-EM. This result suggests that immune intervention of viral infections in colonies of G. pallidipes is a realistic optio

Application du concept de raffinage végétal au safran du Quercy (Crocus sativus) pour la valorisation intégrée des potentiels aromatiques et colorants

La caractérisation des composés volatils des stigmates a permis une meilleure connaissance de l'arôme du safran. La typicité du safran du Quercy a été démontrée. Le safran frais libère majoritairement du linalool. Une teneur en eau résiduelle élevée induit des hauts taux d'HTCC et de safranal (note "épicée"), la dégradation de la couleur et la synthèse de l'acide 3-méthylbutanoïque (note "animale"). Le potentiel moléculaire des bulbes, des feuilles et des fleurs a été évalué afin de proposer de nouvelles valorisations. Les bulbes possèdent une teneur élevée en amidon et leur fraction lipidique est riche en acides gras oméga 6. Les concrètes de fleurs et de feuilles donnent des notes "miellées" (2-phényléthanol) et "vertes". Les caroténoïdes présents dans ces organes sont des xanthophylles en C40H5604 et en C40H5602, estérifiées par des acides gras dans le cas des fleurs. L'extraction des molécules aromatiques et colorantes a été réalisée avec succès à l'échelle pilote. ABSTRACT : The characterization of stigmas volatiles has allowed gaining further insight into the aroma of saffron. The specificity of saffron from the Quercy area has been demonstrated. The main volatile compound of fresh stigmas is linalool. High moisture content induces an increase of HTCC and safranal (spicy note), a loss of colour and the formation of 3-methylbutanoic acid (animal note). The molecular potential of bulbs, leaves and flowers has been evaluated to suggest novel utilisation strategies for the by-products of saffron cultivation. Bulbs contain a high amount of starch and their lipid fraction is rich in omega 6 fatty acids. Concretes from flowers and leaves give "honey" (2-phenylethanol) and "green" notes. Carotenoïds from flowers and leaves were identified as C40H56O4 and C40H56O2 xanthophylls, esterified by fatty acids in the case of flowers. The extraction of aromatic and colouring molecules has been successfully tested at pilot scale

Deformed wing virus is not related to honey bees' aggressiveness

Guards of Cyprian honey bee colonies, Apis mellifera cypria, display a great defensive behaviour against hornets' attacks. The deformed wing virus (DWV) and the kakugo virus (KV) genomes are very similar, but unlike KV, the presence of DWV is not related to honey bees' aggressiveness. This discrepancy is further discussed

Localization of deformed wing virus infection in queen and drone Apis mellifera L

The distribution of deformed wing virus infection within the honey bee reproductive castes (queens, drones) was investigated by in situ hybridization and immunohistology from paraffin embedded sections. Digoxygenin or CY5.5 fluorochrome end-labelled nucleotide probes hybridizing to the 3' portion of the DWV genome were used to identify DWV RNA, while a monospecific antibody to the DWV-VP1 structural protein was used to identify viral proteins and particles. The histological data were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR of dissected organs. Results showed that DWV infection is not restricted to the digestive tract of the bee but spread in the whole body, including queen ovaries, queen fat body and drone seminal vesicles