Stanisław Knutelski

Prof. Stanisław Knutelski

Jagiellonian University, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 January 2021 in Biomolecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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SKStanisław Knutelski
Stanisław Knutelski
MAMona Awad
Mona Awad
NŁNatalia Łukasz
Natalia Łukasz
MBMichal Bukowski
Michal Bukowski
JŚJustyna Śmiałek-Bartyzel
Justyna Śmiałek-Bartyzel
PMPawel Mak
Pawel Mak
Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, 1791, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a destructive pest of palms, rapidly extending its native geographical range and causing large economic losses worldwide. The present work describes isolation, identification, and bioinformatic analysis of antibacterial proteins and peptides from the immunized hemolymph of this beetle. In total, 17 different bactericidal or bacteriostatic compounds were isolated via a series of high-pressure liquid chromatography steps, and their partial amino acid sequences were determined by N-terminal sequencing or by mass spectrometry. The bioinformatic analysis of the results facilitated identification and description of corresponding nucleotide coding sequences for each peptide and protein, based on the recently published R. ferrugineus transcriptome database. The identified compounds are represented by several well-known bactericidal factors: two peptides similar to defensins, one cecropin-A1-like peptide, and one attacin-B-like protein. Interestingly, we have also identified some unexpected compounds comprising five isoforms of pheromone-binding proteins as well as seven isoforms of odorant-binding proteins. The particular role of these factors in insect response to bacterial infection needs further investigation.