Short CommunicationUpregulation of coleoptericin transcription in Tenebrio molitor parasitized by Scleroderma guani

- Three coleoptericin genes were identified from T. molitor.
- The peptides shared structural features with coleopteran coleoptericins.
- They were upregulated by bacterial challenge and S. guani parasitization.

Three antibacterial peptide genes, coleoptericins A, B and C, were identified from the yellow meal worm beetle, Tenebrio molitor. Their cDNA sequences encoded 13.01, 13.13 and 14.16 kDa peptides, respectively. Their deduced amino acid sequences showed 16-34% identity with other coleopteran coleoptericins, containing over 20% glycine. These genes were essentially expressed in fat body and hemocytes, and at late-instar larval and pupal stages. Their transcripts were upregulated by bacterial challenge and Scleroderma guani parasitization. It suggests that triggered coleoptericin transcription is applied to prevent host potential infection during parasitization.