Genetic sequencing, ecological and chemical aspects of Bacillus sp. isolated from the larval stage of stingless bee Scaptotrigona depilis

• Grant number: 14/23532-0
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2015
• Effective date (End): February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal researcher: Mônica Tallarico Pupo
• Grantee: Camila Raquel Paludo
• Supervisor abroad: Jon Clardy
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Harvard University, Boston, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 12/22487-6 - Chemical and biological study of natural products of microorganisms associated with stingless bee species Scaptotrigona depilis, BP.DR

Abstract

Studies show that understanding relationships of mutualism and parasitism involving the microbial community associated with insects can provide natural products with novel chemical structures and pharmacological potential. The microbial community involved with stingless bees remains unknown, such as in the case of Scaptotrigona depilis. In an ongoing PhD project it was found a high presence of Bacillus strains in the pollen of S. depilis. In addition, another Bacillus strain was isolated from the gut of larvae of S. depilis. Antimicrobial screening showed the high activity of Bacillus strains against human and insect pathogens. Since ribosomal DNA of Bacillus was found in fossils more than 20 million years in age of an extinct stingless bee, it is proposed that an ancient symbiotic relationship may exist between bees and bacteria of the genus Bacillus. To understand the ecological role of this micro-organism, the sandwich doctorate will be developed in partnership with renowned researchers from Harvard Medical School, Prof. Dr. Jon Clardy, who is a pioneer in these studies. The genome of this bacterium will be sequenced and its biosynthetic potential will be studied and compared with chemical investigations previously carried out in Brazil. To stimulate biosynthetic pathways that may be silenced, co-cultivation techniques will be carry out with the fungus Monascus ruber, isolated from S. depilis brood cells, and the extracts and their constituents will be investigated chemically and biologically. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PALUDO, CAMILA RAQUEL; PISHCHANY, GLEB; ANDRADE-DOMINGUEZ, ANDRES; SILVA-JUNIOR, EDUARDO AFONSO; MENEZES, CRISTIANO; NASCIMENTO, FABIO SANTOS; CURRIE, CAMERON R.; KOLTER, ROBERTO; CLARDY, JON; PUPO, MONICA TALLARICO. Microbial community modulates growth of symbiotic fungus required for stingless bee metamorphosis. PLoS One, v. 14, n. 7 JUL 25 2019. Web of Science Citations: 0.

PALUDO, CAMILA R.; MENEZES, CRISTIANO; SILVA-JUNIOR, EDUARDO A.; VOLLET-NETO, AYRTON; ANDRADE-DOMINGUEZ, ANDRES; PISHCHANY, GLEB; KHADEMPOUR, LILY; DO NASCIMENTO, FABIO S.; CURRIE, CAMERON R.; KOLTER, ROBERTO; CLARDY, JON; PUPO, MONICA T. Stingless Bee Larvae Require Fungal Steroid to Pupate. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 8, JAN 18 2018. Web of Science Citations: 10.

PALUDO, CAMILA R.; RUZZINI, EANTONIO C.; SILVA-JUNIOR, EDUARDO A.; PISHCHANY, GLEB; CURRIE, CAMERON R.; NASCIMENTO, FABIO S.; KOLTER, ROBERTO G.; CLARDY, JON; PUPO, MONICA T. Whole-Genome Sequence of Bacillus sp. SDLI1, Isolated from the Social Bee Scaptotrigona depilis. MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS, v. 4, n. 2 MAR-APR 2016. Web of Science Citations: 2.