Termites and other pests are challenged by microbial invaders like bacteria and fungi. So, why can’t our enemies’ enemies be our friends?

Ram Sasisekharan and his colleagues from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology looked to some termite immune molecules, particularly a gram negative bacteria binding protein tGNBP-2 that is used by the wood chewers to fend off infections, for a way to create new pesticides.

tGNBP-2 recognizes carbohydrates associated with infectious microbes, and also cleaves the structure, alerting the immune system to the pathogen. Termites have the protein in their cells, but also secrete it and infuse their nests with it. The researchers found a modified glucose molecule that can bind to an active pocket of tGNBP-2 and deactivated it. This molecule, D-δ-gluconolactone (GDL) made termites more susceptible to subsequent infection with the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in lab tests. The insects were also more susceptible to opportunistic infections.

See all the gory coverage at The Scientist, The Telegraph and in National Geographic News.

Kudos to The Scientist (full disclosure: they are my former employers), for getting some needed words of caution from a pathologist/entomologist who has experience in pest control.

Image: Turning Termite from Anauxite under creative commons.