The metabolic ability of swallowtails results in the production of bioactive substances from plant components
Miho Nakano, Takuma Sakamoto, Yoshiyuki Itoh, Yoshikazu Kitano, Kaori Tsukakoshi, Hidemasa Bono, Hiroko Tabunoki, Dave Mangindaan, Dave Mangindaan, Dave Mangindaan
TL;DR
Swallowtail larvae can transform plant components into bioactive substances, which may have cancer-fighting and anti-amyloid properties.
Contribution
The study reveals how swallowtail larvae metabolize plant compounds into bioactive molecules with potential therapeutic applications.
Findings
Gene expression of metabolic enzymes varies between the midgut and fat bodies of swallowtail larvae.
Larval frass contains chlorophyll catabolites that inhibit pancreatic cancer cell viability and amyloid aggregation.
Pyropheophorbide-a induces morphological changes in cancer cells and reduces their viability.
Abstract
Host plant selection may depend on the metabolic system in herbivorous insects. Although oligophagous insects take up specific host plant components, how host plant components and their biological activities are altered through their metabolic systems remains unknown. Here, by examining gene expression of metabolic enzymes and components in the larval frass, we investigated the metabolic ability of Papilio memnon larvae fed with Citrus x paradisi (grapefruit) against host plant components. The gene expression levels of some metabolic enzymes were fluctuated between the larval midgut and the larval fat bodies. Furthermore, the chloroform extract from the larval frass, but not that from grapefruit leaves, inhibited cell viability of human pancreatic cancer cell line, MIA PaCa2. Finally, we identified two chlorophyll catabolites, pheophorbide-a and pyropheophorbide-a, in the larval frass…
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Taxonomy
TopicsInsect-Plant Interactions and Control · Insect Pest Control Strategies · Mosquito-borne diseases and control