Artificial Cuticule : Hemipteran stylet and its microbial surface interactions modeled by cuticle-biomimetic polymer assemblage – ArtiCute

Vector biology is an essential field within global health. For plant pathogens and their arthropod vectors, a major mode of transmission involves a very early but specific interaction with peculiar cuticular surfaces of the vector. These mechanisms nevertheless remain poorly understood but those of a few viral/bacterial models; they might involve either protein receptors of the stylet acrostyle (virus), or cibarial µterritories (bacteria). A reliable platform for in vitro interaction with native chitin-protein assemblies is currently lacking, and this is the subject of the ANR ArtiCute (Artificial Biomimetic Cuticles). These protein arrays should eventually allow a medium throughput screening of candidate proteins downstream of genomic annotations and quick a priori or experimental sorting. Validation work will concern our 2 hemipteran models and their viral (CaMV & TuMV) or bacterial (Dickeya dadantii & Serratia symbiotica) partners, as well as potential interaction blocking agents.