Human-aided dispersal and population bottlenecks facilitate parasitism escape in the most invasive mosquito species.

During biological invasion process, species encounter new environments and partially escape some ecological constraints they faced in their native range, while they face new ones. The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is one of the most iconic invasive species introduced in every inhabited continent due to international trade. It has also been shown to be infected by a prevalent yet disregarded microbial entomoparasite Ascogregarina taiwanensis. In this study, we aimed at deciphering the factors that shape the global dynamics of A. taiwanensis infection in natural A. albopictus populations. We showed that A. albopictus populations are highly colonized by several parasite genotypes but recently introduced ones are escaping it. We further performed experiments based on the invasion process to explain such pattern. To that end, we hypothesized that (i) mosquito passive dispersal (i.e. human-aided egg transportation) may affect the parasite infectiveness, (ii) founder effects (i.e. population establishment by a small number of mosquitoes) may influence the parasite dynamics, and (iii) unparasitized mosquitoes are more prompt to found new populations through active flight dispersal. The two first hypotheses were supported as we showed that parasite infection decreases over time when dry eggs are stored and that experimental increase in mosquitoes' density improves the parasite horizontal transmission to larvae. Surprisingly, parasitized mosquitoes tend to be more active than their unparasitized relatives. Finally, this study highlights the importance of global trade as a driver of biological invasion of the most invasive arthropod vector species.

Mosquito sex and mycobiota contribute to fructose metabolism in the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus.

BACKGROUND: Plant floral nectars contain natural sugars such as fructose, which are a primary energy resource for adult mosquitoes. Despite the importance of carbohydrates for mosquito metabolism, a limited knowledge is available about the pathways involved in sugar assimilation by mosquitoes and their associated microbiota. To this end, we used 13C-metabolomic and stable isotope probing approaches coupled to high-throughput sequencing to reveal fructose-related mosquito metabolic pathways and the dynamics of the active gut microbiota following fructose ingestion. RESULTS: Our results revealed significant differences in metabolic pathways between males and females, highlighting different modes of central carbon metabolism regulation. Competitive and synergistic interactions of diverse fungal taxa were identified within the active mycobiota following fructose ingestion. In addition, we identified potential cross-feeding interactions between this. Interestingly, there is a strong correlation between several active fungal taxa and the presence of fructose-derived metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our results provide novel insights into mosquito carbohydrate metabolism and demonstrate that dietary fructose as it relates to mosquito sex is an important determinant of mosquito metabolism; our results also further highlight the key role of active mycobiota interactions in regulating the process of fructose assimilation in mosquitoes. This study opens new avenues for future research on mosquito-microbiota trophic interactions related to plant nectar-derived sugars. Video abstract.

Microorganisms Associated with Mosquito Oviposition Sites: Implications for Habitat Selection and Insect Life Histories.

Mosquitoes are considered one of the most important threats worldwide due to their ability to vector pathogens. They are responsible for the transmission of major pathogens such as malaria, dengue, zika, or chikungunya. Due to the lack of treatments or prophylaxis against many of the transmitted pathogens and an increasing prevalence of mosquito resistance to insecticides and drugs available, alternative strategies are now being explored. Some of these involve the use of microorganisms as promising agent to limit the fitness of mosquitoes, attract or repel them, and decrease the replication and transmission of pathogenic agents. In recent years, the importance of microorganisms colonizing the habitat of mosquitoes has particularly been investigated since they appeared to play major roles in their development and diseases transmission. In this issue, we will synthesize researches investigating how microorganisms present within water habitats may influence breeding site selection and oviposition strategies of gravid mosquito females. We will also highlight the impact of such microbes on the fate of females' progeny during their immature stages with a specific focus on egg hatching, development rate, and larvae or pupae survival.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Genotoxique and Antigenotoxic Potentials of Phlomis Bovei De Noé Aerial Parts.

In the present work, chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Phlomis bovei de Noé an endemic species from Algeria, led to the isolation and identification of seven known compounds including five flavones glycosides: Chrysoeriol 7-O-(3''-(E et Z)-p-coumaroyl)-ß-glucoside (1), terniflorin (apigenin-7-O-(6''-E-p-coumaroyl)glucoside) (3), apigenin-7-O-(6''-(5'''-methoxy-coumaryl) glucoside (4), apigenin 7-O-(3″-p-coumaryl)glucoside (5), hispidulin-7-O-glucuronide (6) and two cinnamic acid derivatives: p-coumaric acid methyl ester (E et Z) (2), chlorogenic acid (7). Compound 4 is described for the first time in the species bovei de Noé, the genus Phlomis and the Lamiaceae family. Structures elucidation was performed by comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses, mass spectrometry and by comparison with literature data. Some pure compounds and extracts have been evaluated for their antioxidant activities through different methods: DPPH and ABTS assays as well as CUPRAC assay. Genotoxic and antigenotoxic activities of pure compounds were also evaluated in-vitro on Escherichia coli PQ37 cells by the SOS Chromotest.

Feedback Regulation of N Fixation in Frankia-Alnus Symbiosis Through Amino Acids Profiling in Field and Greenhouse Nodules.

Symbiosis established between actinorhizal plants and Frankia spp., which are nitrogen-fixing actinobacteria, promotes nodule organogenesis, the site of metabolic exchange. The present study aimed to identify amino acid markers involved in Frankia-Alnus interactions by comparing nodules and associated roots from field and greenhouse samples. Our results revealed a high level of citrulline in all samples, followed by arginine (Arg), aspartate (Asp), glutamate (Glu), γ-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA), and alanine (Ala). Interestingly, the field metabolome approach highlighted more contrasted amino acid patterns between nodules and roots compared with greenhouse samples. Indeed, 12 amino acids had a mean relative abundance significantly different between field nodule and root samples, against only four amino acids in greenhouse samples, underlining the importance of developing "ecometabolome" approaches. In order to monitor the effects on Frankia cells (respiration and nitrogen fixation activities) of amino acid with an abundance pattern evocative of a role in symbiosis, in-vitro assays were performed by supplementing them in nitrogen-free cultures. Amino acids had three types of effects: i) those used by Frankia as nitrogen source (Glu, Gln, Asp), ii) amino acids stimulating both nitrogen fixation and respiration (e.g., Cit, GABA, Ala, valine, Asn), and iii) amino acids triggering a toxic effect (Arg, histidine). In this paper, a N-metabolic model was proposed to discuss how the host plant and bacteria modulate amino acids contents in nodules, leading to a fine regulation sustaining high bacterial nitrogen fixation.

Who is eating fructose within the Aedes albopictus gut microbiota?

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is a major public health concern because of its invasive success and its ability to transmit pathogens. Given the low availability of treatments against mosquito-borne diseases, vector control remains the most suitable strategy. The methods used thus far are becoming less effective, but recent strategies have emerged from the study of mosquito-associated microorganisms. Although the role of the microbiota in insect biology does not require further proof, much remains to be deciphered in mosquitoes, especially the contribution of the microbiota to host nutrient metabolism. Mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, composed of mostly fructose. We used stable isotope probing to identify bacteria and fungi assimilating fructose within the gut of Ae. albopictus. Mosquitoes were fed a 13 C-labelled fructose solution for 24 h. Differences in the active microbial community according to the sex of mosquitoes were highlighted. The bacterium Lelliottia and the fungi Cladosporium and Aspergillus dominated the active microbiota in males, whereas the bacterium Ampullimonas and the yeast Cyberlindnera were the most active in females. This study is the first to investigate trophic interactions between Ae. albopictus and its microbiota, thus underscoring the importance of the microbial component in nectar feeding in mosquitoes.

Antioxidant compounds from Algerian Convolvulus tricolor (Convolvulaceae) seed husks.

Seed husk extracts of Convolvulus tricolor L. (Convolvulaceae) afforded six compounds, identified for the first time from this plant: isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1), isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-D-(6"-acetyl)-galactopyranoside (2), isorhamnetin 3-O-robinobioside (3), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4), gentisic acid 5-O-glucoside (5), and scopoletin (6). Separation of compounds was carried out by CC and CPC. Structural elucidations were performed by HPLC-UV-DAD, HPLC-ESI/MS (negative mode) and NMR.

Paradoxical effects of polyphenolic compounds from Clusiaceae on angiogenesis.

Clusiaceae plants display high contents of xanthones and coumarins, the effects of which on endothelium, more particularly on angiogenesis, have not been assessed yet. We screened the capacity of six molecules from Clusiaceae--belonging to xanthones, coumarins and acid chromanes classes--to induce endothelium-dependent relaxation on mice aortic rings. Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production was assessed in endothelial cell line using electron paramagnetic resonance technique. Then, the capacity of these molecules to induce capillary-like structures of endothelial cells was assessed. Cellular processes implicated in angiogenesis (adhesion, migration and proliferation) and Western blot analyses were then investigated. Among the tested molecules, isocalolongic acid (IA) and 2-deprenylrheediaxanthone (DRX) induced an endothelium-dependent relaxation of the aorta associated with an increase of NO production in endothelial cells. Using in vitro and ex vivo angiogenesis assays, it was shown that IA treatment promoted the formation of capillary-like network. In contrast, DRX prevented the ability of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to increase the formation of capillary-like network. IA increased endothelial cell proliferation while DRX decreased all cellular processes of angiogenesis. Western blot analysis showed that IA increased VEGF expression whereas DRX decreased ICAM-1 expression. Altogether, these data allowed identifying isolated molecules from Clusiaceae that exhibit a potential activity towards the modulation of endothelium-dependent relaxation involving NO release. Interestingly, they also highlighted paradoxical effects of the two compounds on cellular angiogenic processes, IA being pro-angiogenic and DRX anti-angiogenic.

Lectin genes in the Frankia alni genome.

Frankia alni strain ACN14a's genome was scanned for the presence of determinants involved in interactions with its host plant, Alnus spp. One such determinant type is lectin, proteins that bind specifically to sugar motifs. The genome of F. alni was found to contain 7 such lectin-coding genes, five of which were of the ricinB-type. The proteins coded by these genes contain either only the lectin domain, or also a heat shock protein or a serine-threonine kinase domain upstream. These lectins were found to have several homologs in Streptomyces spp., and a few in other bacterial genomes among which none in Frankia EAN1pec and CcI3 and two in strain EUN1f. One of these F. alni genes, FRAAL0616, was cloned in E. coli, fused with a reporter gene yielding a fusion protein that was found to bind to both root hairs and to bacterial hyphae. This protein was also found to modify the dynamics of nodule formation in A. glutinosa, resulting in a higher number of nodules per root. Its role could thus be to permit binding of microbial cells to root hairs and help symbiosis to occur under conditions of low Frankia cell counts such as in pioneer situations.

Antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties of compounds isolated from Marrubium deserti de Noé.

In our continual course toward the valorization of traditionally used endemic flora through the analysis of its chemobiodiversity, the phytochemical analysis of aerial parts of Marrubium deserti de Noé was undertaken. Dichloromethane and methanol extracts led to the isolation of terpenoid derivatives among which two were new labdane diterpenes named marrulibacetal A and desertine, respectively. Six of them were known compounds (a mixture of the isomers cyllenin A and 15-epi-cyllenin A, marrubiin, marrulactone, marrulibacetal and ß-stigmasterol) and seven known phenolic compounds were also isolated: apigenin and several 7-O-substituted derivatives (apigenin-7-O-ß-neohesperidoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, terniflorin and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide) together with two phenylethanoid glucosides (acteoside and forsythoside B). The structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by MS and a series of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. Some pure compounds have been evaluated for their antioxidant activities through different methods: DPPH and ABTS assays as well as CUPRAC assay. Genotoxic and antigenotoxic activities of extracts and pure compounds were also evaluated in vitro on Escherichia coli PQ37 cells by the SOS Chromotest. Some of the isolated compounds like phenylethanoid derivatives showed stronger antioxidant capacity than trolox and were also able to significantly inhibit ß-galactosidase induction caused by the mutagen agent nitrofurantoin.

Structure elucidation and NMR assignments of two new triterpenoids from the stems of Paragonia pyramidata (Bignoniaceae).

Phytochemical investigation of dichloromethane (DCM) extract from the stems of Paragonia pyramidata var. pyramidata L. Rich. (Bur.) resulted in the isolation and characterization of two new triterpenoids 3ß,19ß-dihydroxylup-12, 20(29)-diene-28-oic acid (1) and 3ß,19ß-dihydroxylup-12-en-28-oic acid (2), three known triterpenoids lupeol (3), spinosic acid A (4) and oleanolic acid (5), together with four known steroids (20R)-22E-24-ethylcholesta-4,22-dien-3-one (6), (20R)-24-ethylcholest-4-en-3-one (7), stigmasterol (8) and ß-sitosterol (9). HREIMS, GC-MS and NMR experiments including HSQC, HMBC, COSY and NOESY were used for the determination of the structures and NMR spectral assignments. This is the first report about the chemical constituents for this plant.

The determinants of the actinorhizal symbiosis.

The actinorhizal symbiosis is a major contributor to the global nitrogen budget, playing a dominant role in ecological successions following disturbances. The mechanisms involved are still poorly known but there emerges the vision that on the plant side, the kinases that transmit the symbiotic signal are conserved with those involved in the transmission of the Rhizobium Nod signal in legumes. However, on the microbial side, complementation with Frankia DNA of Rhizobium nod mutants failed to permit identification of symbiotic genes. Furthermore, analysis of three Frankia genomes failed to permit identification of canonical nod genes and revealed symbiosis-associated genes such as nif, hup, suf and shc to be spread around the genomes. The present review explores some recently published approaches aimed at identifying bacterial symbiotic determinants.

Antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities and chemical profiles of Polygonum sachalinensis F.Schmidt ex Maxim (Polygonaceae).

Polygonum sachalinensis is a widespread invasive plant in Europe. Chemical profiles of its different organs were studied by HPLC-UV-ESI/MS. Seven major constituents quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, lapathoside D, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, lapathoside C, hydropiperoside, and vanicoside B were isolated and identified. The free radical-scavenging, alpha/beta-glucosidase, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of crude MeOH extracts and isolated compounds were studied. The structure-activity relationships were discussed. The chemical profiles revealed flavonoids and phenylpropanoids are the major compounds of all the organs of this plant. Quercetin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, lapathoside D, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, lapathoside C and hydropiperoside were isolated from this species for the first time. In the alpha-glucosidase bioassay, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside, lapathoside D and N-trans-feruloyltyramine demonstrated stronger activities than the positive reference acarbose. The trend in scavenging power showed no relation to enzyme inhibition in the test models.

Rapid separation of three glucosylated resveratrol analogues from the invasive plant Polygonum cuspidatum by high-speed countercurrent chromatography.

Three glucosylated resveratrol analogues (piceid, piceatannol glucoside, resveratroloside) were successfully isolated from the crude MeOH extract of the invasive plant species Polygonum cuspidatum by semi-preparative high-speed countercurrent chromatography with a two-phase solvent system composed of cyclohexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (1:5:1:5, v/v/v/v). Piceid (23 mg), resveratroloside (17 mg), piceatannol glucoside (15 mg) of purities over 80% were isolated from 500 mg crude MeOH extract in one step. Subsequent passage over a SPE column was used to quickly bring their purities to over 90%. The purities were determined by HPLC analysis and their structures were elucidated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR), HMBC, ESI-MS and HR-MS.

Antioxidant phenylethanoid glycosides and a neolignan from Jacaranda caucana.

Extracts from several plants of the family Bignoniaceae from Panama were submitted to a rapid DPPH TLC test for the detection of radical-scavenging activity. The MeOH extract of the stems of Jacaranda caucana, a tree that grows from Costa Rica to Colombia, was selected due to its interesting activity and the lack of phytochemical studies on the polar extract. This extract was partitioned between ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The EtOAc fraction afforded two new phenylethanoid glycosides (1, 2), along with protocatechuic acid, acteoside, and jionoside D. Further purifications yielded isoacteoside and martynoside. The BuOH fraction afforded a new rhamnosyl derivative of sisymbrifolin (8), a neolignan. The structures were determined by means of spectrometric methods, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and MS analysis.

Antioxidant C-glucosylxanthones from the leaves of Arrabidaea patellifera.

Chemical investigation of the methanol extract from the leaves of Arrabidaea patellifera, a Bignoniaceae from Panama, afforded mangiferin, isomangiferin, and six new derivatives (3'-O-p-hydroxybenzoylmangiferin, 3'-O-trans-coumaroylmangiferin, 6'-O-trans-coumaroylmangiferin, 3'-O-trans-cinnamoylmangiferin, 3'-O-trans-caffeoylmangiferin, and 3'-O-benzoylmangiferin). All these compounds had antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities, and four of them were relatively active in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum. The structures were determined by spectrometric and chemical methods, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and MS analysis.

Antileishmanial polyphenols from Garcinia vieillardii.

Seven xanthones, the new vieillardiixanthones B and C (1) and (7), pancixanthones A (2), B (3), 1,6-dihydroxyxanthone (6), pyranojacareubin and 5,6-O-dimethyl-2-deprenylrheediaxanthone together with two benzophenones, clusiachromene (4) and 3-geranyl-2,4,6-trihydroxybenzophenone (5) were isolated from the stem bark of the neocaledonian Garcinia vieillardii. 2, 5 and 6 showed a significant antileishmanial activity against the promastigote forms of Leishmania mexicana and L. infantum and against the amastigote forms of L. infantum.

Iridoid glycosides from the stems of Pithecoctenium crucigerum (Bignoniaceae).

Sixteen crude extracts from six Panamanian plants of the family Bignoniaceae were submitted to rapid TLC tests against DPPH and acetylcholinesterase. Pithecoctenium crucigerum (L.) A.H. Gentry, which showed interesting activity against DPPH, has been studied. The chemical investigation of the methanol extract from the stems afforded the iridoid glycoside theviridoside and three derivatives (6'-O-cyclopropanoyltheviridoside, 10-O-hydroxybenzoyltheviridoside and 10-O-vanilloyltheviridoside), along with five known phenylethanoid glycosides (verbascoside, isoverbascoside, forsythoside B, jionoside D and leucosceptoside B). These last compounds were all active against DPPH. The structures were determined by means of spectrometric and chemical methods, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and MS analysis.

Limonoid orthoacetates and antiprotozoal compounds from the roots of Pseudocedrela kotschyi.

The dicholoromethane extract of Pseudocedrela kotschyi root demonstrated marked antileishmanial properties in preliminary screening of extracts from 21 species commonly used in Malian traditional medicine. Phytochemical investigation of the active extract yielded three novel phragmalin-type limonoid orthoacetates (1-3), named kotschyins A-C, and the known compounds 7-deacetylgedunin (4) and 7-deacetyl-7-oxogedunin (5). The structures of 1-3 were elucidated by analytical methods including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy together with MS spectroscopy. The relative configurations of 1-3 were assigned on the basis of NOE correlations. The extract and the isolated compounds were tested for their antiprotozoal activities against Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Plasmodium falciparum as well as for cytotoxicity toward the L-6 cell line. The crude extract and the two gedunin derivatives exhibited good in vitro activity against all of these parasites.

New and bioactive aromatic compounds from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides.

In the course of a study of medicinal plants from Mali, the root bark of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lam. (Rutaceae) was investigated. The root bark of this plant is used as a toothbrush by West African people. Phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lam. (Rutaceae) led to the isolation of different biologically active compounds. The separation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors was performed by centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC). The fractions were monitored by direct TLC bioautographic assays. The bio-guided isolation led to the isolation of a new peroxide derivative. In addition, LC/UV/MS analysis performed on the crude MeOH extract allowed on-line identification of some known compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by classical spectroscopic methods including UV, NMR, MS and HR-MS.