Structure–function analysis of PGRP‐S1 from the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata

Abstract Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are well known for their abilities to recognize or hydrolyze peptidoglycan (PGN), one of the major bacterial cell wall components. However, much less is known about their antifungal activities. PGRP‐S1 was previously identified from a crop pest, Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). PGRP‐S1 showed bacteriolytic activities against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. In this study, tissue expression analysis showed that PGRP‐S1 was mainly expressed in the midgut of naïve larvae. The induction analysis showed that it was significantly induced in the larval midgut 12 h post the injection of Beauveria bassiana conidia. To identify the key residues that are related to its microbicidal activities, the structure of PGPR‐S1 was predicted for structural comparison and molecular docking analysis. Six residues (H61, H62, Y97, H171, T175, and C179) were mutated to Ala individually by site‐directed mutagenesis. The recombinant wild‐type (WT) and mutant proteins were expressed and purified. The recombinant proteins bound to different polysaccharides, PGNs, and bacteria. H61A, Y97A, H171A, and C179A lost amidase activity. Accordingly, antibacterial assay and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that only H62A and T175A retained bacteriolytic activities. The germination of B. bassiana conidia was significantly inhibited by WT, H61A, Y97A, T175A, and C179A mutants. Electron microscopy showed that some conidia became ruptured after treatment. The growth of hyphae was inhibited by the WT, H61A, H62A, and T175A. In summary, our data showed that different residues of PGRP‐S1 are involved in the antibacterial and antifungal activities.