Salivary glands in workers of Ruptitermes spp. (Blattaria, Isoptera, Termitidae, Apicotermitinae): a morphological and preoteomic approach

Autor(es)

Costa-Leonardo, Ana Maria ^{[1, 2]} ; da Silva, Iago Bueno ^[1] ; Janei, Vanelize ^[1] ; Poiani, Silvana Beani ^[2] ; dos Santos-Pinto, Jose Roberto Aparecido ^[2] ; Esteves, Franciele Grego ^[2] ; Palma, Mario Sergio ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Dept Biol Geral & Aplicada, Lab Cupins, UNESP, Campus Rio Claro, Ave 24A, 1515, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Ctr Estudos Insetos Sociais CEIS, UNESP, Campus Rio Claro, Ave 24A, 1515, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Cell and Tissue Research; v. 385, n. 3, p. 603-621, SEP 2021.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

Salivary glands are omnipresent in termites and occur in all developmental stages and castes. They function to produce, store, and secrete compounds, ranging from a feeding function to defensive mechanisms. Here, we provide a complete morphological overview of the salivary glands in the soldierless species Ruptitermes reconditus and R. xanthochiton, and the first proteomic profile of the salivary glands in a Neotropical Apicotermitinae representative, R. reconditus. Salivary glands from both species were composed of several acini, roughly spherical structures composed of two types of central cells (type I and II) and peripheral parietal cells, as well as transporting ducts and two salivary reservoirs. Central cells were richly supplied with electron-lucent secretory vesicles and rough endoplasmic reticulum, a feature of protein-secreting cells. Parietal cells of Ruptitermes spp. had conspicuous characteristics such as electron-lucent secretory vesicles surrounded by mitochondria and well-developed microvilli. Moreover, different individuals showed variation in the secretory cycle of salivary acini, which may be related to polyethism. Ultrastructural analysis evidenced a high synthesis of secretion and also the occurrence of lysosomes and autophagic structures in central cells. Proteomic analysis of the salivary glands revealed 483 proteins divided into functional groups, highlighting toxins/defensins and compounds related to alarm communication and colony asepsis. Soldierless termites are quite successful, especially due to morphological adaptations of the workers, including unknown modifications of exocrine glands. Thus, according to our morphological and proteomic findings, we discuss the potential roles of the salivary gland secretion in different social aspects of the sampled species. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/10373-0 - Perfilagem peptidômica e caracterização estrutural-funcional das vesículas lipídicas presentes na teia da aranha Nephila clavipes
• Beneficiário: Franciele Grego Esteves
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 16/16212-5 - Proteopeptídeos naturais da fauna, flora e microbiota brasileira como potenciais modelos para o desenvolvimento racional de novos fármacos de uso terapêutico: isolamento, elucidação estrutural, síntese química e ensaios de atividade funcional
• Beneficiário: Mario Sergio Palma
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Temático