Michael Kanost, a university distinguished professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, together with his colleagues from Kansas State University, found that protein molecules in the blood of insects function as their immune systems by binding to the surfaces of pathogens to identify infections in their body.

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"For example, when a mosquito transmits a pathogen like malaria, the parasite that causes the disease spends part of its life in the mosquito's blood," Kanost said. "It is often recognized by a genetic mechanism in the mosquito's immune system, which kills the parasite.

He added that the process is crucial in fully comprehending how insects transmit diseases and how their immune systems interact with infectious agents so they can be disrupted.

A protein named beta-1,3-glucan recognition protein, or GRP, obtained from the blood of a caterpillar was studied by the researchers. The discovered that the GRP protein attached to the carbohydrate in the surface of the cell of fungi known as beta-1,3-glucan. The GRP molecules attached to the carbohydrate then aggregate to build a bigger complex of proteins.

The insect's immune response that helps in eliminating the pathogen in the blood then is triggered by other proteins from the blood that were attracted to the protein complex on the surface of the microorganism.

The results of the study may pave the way for new methods to contain the transmission of diseases from insects to animals and humans, as well as new techniques for biocontrol of insect pests in the agricultural industry. The study has also shed light on the evolution of the immune systems of organisms.

The research team included Ramaswamy Krishnamoorthi, an associate professor of biochemistry and biomolecular physics; Yasuaki Hiromasa, a former faculty member; Huaien Dai, a doctoral graduate; and Daisuke Takahashi, a research associate who conducted most of the experiments in Kanost's lab.

TagsInsects, Insect immune system, Pathogen, Insect blood, GRP, agriculture, Pest control, Locust, Grasshoper