The insect microbiome is a vast source of bioactive small molecules

Author(s)

Grundmann, Carlismari Oliveira ; Guzman, Juan ; Vilcinskas, Andreas ; Pupo, Monica Tallarico

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NATURAL PRODUCT REPORTS; v. 41, n. 6, p. 33-pg., 2024-02-27.

Abstract

Covering: September 1964 to June 2023Bacteria and fungi living in symbiosis with insects have been studied over the last sixty years and found to be important sources of bioactive natural products. Not only classic producers of secondary metabolites such as Streptomyces and other members of the phylum Actinobacteria but also numerous bacteria from the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and an impressive array of fungi (usually pathogenic) serve as the source of a structurally diverse number of small molecules with important biological activities including antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antiparasitic and specific enzyme inhibitors. The insect niche is often the exclusive provider of microbes producing unique types of biologically active compounds such as gerumycins, pederin, dinactin, and formicamycins. However, numerous insects still have not been described taxonomically, and in most cases, the study of their microbiota is completely unexplored. In this review, we present a comprehensive survey of 553 natural products produced by microorganisms isolated from insects by collating and classifying all the data according to the type of compound (rather than the insect or microbial source). The analysis of the correlations among the metadata related to insects, microbial partners, and their produced compounds provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics between insects and their symbionts as well as the impact of their metabolites on these relationships. Herein, we focus on the chemical structure, biosynthesis, and biological activities of the most relevant compounds. Bacteria and fungi living in symbiosis with insects have been studied over the last sixty years and found to be important sources of bioactive natural products. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/06430-0 - Combining modern methods of mass spectrometry and genome mining for the analysis of interactions between symbiotic microorganisms from Trachymyrmex colonies
• Grantee: Carlismari Oliveira Grundmann
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 13/50954-0 - Novel therapeutic agents from the bacterial symbionts of Brazilian invertebrates
• Grantee: Mônica Tallarico Pupo
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/07600-3 - CIBFar - Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery
• Grantee: Glaucius Oliva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC