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Gut microbiota mediate caffeine detoxification in the primary insect pest of coffee

Author

Listed:
  • Javier A. Ceja-Navarro

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Fernando E. Vega

    (Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service)

  • Ulas Karaoz

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Zhao Hao

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Stefan Jenkins

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Hsiao Chien Lim

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Petr Kosina

    (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT))

  • Francisco Infante

    (El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR))

  • Trent R. Northen

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Eoin L. Brodie

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
    Policy and Management, University of California)

Abstract

The coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) is the most devastating insect pest of coffee worldwide with its infestations decreasing crop yield by up to 80%. Caffeine is an alkaloid that can be toxic to insects and is hypothesized to act as a defence mechanism to inhibit herbivory. Here we show that caffeine is degraded in the gut of H. hampei, and that experimental inactivation of the gut microbiota eliminates this activity. We demonstrate that gut microbiota in H. hampei specimens from seven major coffee-producing countries and laboratory-reared colonies share a core of microorganisms. Globally ubiquitous members of the gut microbiota, including prominent Pseudomonas species, subsist on caffeine as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Pseudomonas caffeine demethylase genes are expressed in vivo in the gut of H. hampei, and re-inoculation of antibiotic-treated insects with an isolated Pseudomonas strain reinstates caffeine-degradation ability confirming their key role.

Suggested Citation

  • Javier A. Ceja-Navarro & Fernando E. Vega & Ulas Karaoz & Zhao Hao & Stefan Jenkins & Hsiao Chien Lim & Petr Kosina & Francisco Infante & Trent R. Northen & Eoin L. Brodie, 2015. "Gut microbiota mediate caffeine detoxification in the primary insect pest of coffee," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms8618
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8618
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