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Photorhabdus is a genus of bioluminescent, gram-negative bacilli which lives symbiotically within entomopathogenic nematodes, hence the name ''photo'' (which means light-producing) and ''rhabdus'' (rod-shape) 〔 〕 . ''Photorhabdus'' is known to be pathogenic to a wide range of insects and has been used as biopesticide in agriculture. ==Life cycle== ''Photorhabdus'' species facilitate the reproduction of entomopathogenic nematodes by infecting and killing susceptible insect larvae. 〔 〕 entomopathogenic nematodes are normally found in soil. Nematodes infect larval hosts by piercing the larval cuticle. When the nematode enters an insect larvae, ''Photorhabdus'' species are released by the nematodes and will produce a range of toxins, killing the host within 48 hours. ''Photorhabdus'' species feed on the cadaver of the insect and the process converts the cadaver into a nutrient source for the nematode. Mature nematodes leave the depleted body of the insect and search for new hosts to infect. During stationary phase growth inside insect larvae, ''Photorhabdus'' species synthesize a molecule called 3,5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene (ST). It is proposed that 3,5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene (ST) acts as an antibiotic and protects ''Photorhabdus'' species from competition from other microorganisms, and also helps circumvent the insect's immune system. 〔 ''Photorhabdus'' species are essential endosymbionts for Heterorhabditis nematodes. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Photorhabdus」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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