Exploration of lignocellulolytic enzymes on the surface of bacterial cell walls in the gut of termites using monoclonal antibodies

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14900
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Insect science
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: TOKUDA Gaku 琉球大学, 熱帯生物圏研究センター, 教授 (90322750)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 松浦 優 琉球大学, 熱帯生物圏研究センター, 助教 (80723824)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): FUJISHIMA Masahiro 山口大学, 創成科学研究科, 教授 (40127783)
• Research Collaborator: MIKAELYAN Aram Vanderbilt University, PD ; BRUNE Andreas Max Planck Institute, 教授
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 昆虫 / 酵素 / 寄生・共生 / 木質分解 / キシラナーゼ / スピロヘータ / モノクローナル抗体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we attempted to identify bacteria that produce major lignocellulolytic enzymes in the hindgut of higher termites, with the aid of production of monoclonal antibodies against proteins on the surface of bacterial community associated with wood particles using the wood-feeding termite, Nasutitermes takasagoensis. We successfully obtained 15 different monoclonal antibodies, while the screening against the predominantly expressed xylanase in the wood fiber-associated bacterial community identified one monoclonal antibody cross-reacting the xylanase. Indirect fluorescence microscopy using epifluorescence and confocal laser-scanning microscopes indicated that this antibody recognized the entire cell surface of some helical bacteria associated with the wood-fibers in the hindgut. These antibodies are among valuable property for future studies on bacterial symbiosis in termites.

Free Research Field

昆虫科学