Actinobacteria as mutualists: general healthcare for insects?

Kaltenpoth, Martin (2009) Actinobacteria as mutualists: general healthcare for insects? TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY, 17 (12). pp. 529-535. ISSN 0966-842X, 1878-4380

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Abstract

Mutualistic microorganisms are well known to play a key role in providing nutrients for successful growth and reproduction in many insects. Several recent studies indicate that they can be equally important for the protection of the host and its nutritional resources against pathogen attack. In particular, different actinobacteria have been found to defend ants, beetles and wasps against detrimental microorganisms by producing antibiotics. The extraordinary abilities of actinobacteria to exploit a wide variety of carbon and nitrogen sources and their extensive repertoire of secondary metabolites probably predispose this group to engage in protective symbioses. Defensive mutualisms with actinobacteria might constitute a general and widespread theme in the ecology and evolution of arthropods, and the study of the secondary metabolites involved promises to uncover novel drug candidates for human medicine.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: FUNGUS-GROWING ANTS; LEAF-CUTTING ANTS; SYMBIOTIC BACTERIA; RHODNIUS-PROLIXUS; NATURAL-PRODUCTS; CORIOBACTERIUM-GLOMERANS; ACTINOMYCETE BACTERIA; FILAMENTOUS BACTERIA; GENOME SEQUENCE; STREPTOMYCES
Subjects: 500 Science > 590 Zoological sciences
Divisions: Biology, Preclinical Medicine > Institut für Zoologie
Depositing User: Petra Gürster
Date Deposited: 29 Nov 2022 09:48
Last Modified: 29 Nov 2022 09:48
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/28097

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