Teratocytes and their functions in parasitoids

Abstract

Some endoparasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) produce teratocytes, which are a type of cell that is released into host insects when wasp eggs hatch. In this short review I first summarize the different taxa of wasps that produce teratocytes, the embryonic origin of these cells, and key features of teratocyte growth. Then I discuss the known or hypothesized functions of teratocytes, and the range of teratocyte gene products that have been identified including recent transcriptome and proteome data.