Ecdysone receptors and their biological actions

A Membrane Transporter Is Required for Steroid Hormone Uptake in Drosophila

Steroid hormones are a group of lipophilic hormones that are believed to enter cells by simple diffusion to regulate diverse physiological processes through intracellular nuclear receptors. Here, we challenge this model in Drosophila by demonstrating that Ecdysone Importer (EcI), a membrane transporter identified from two independent genetic screens, is involved in cellular uptake of the steroid hormone ecdysone. EcI encodes an organic anion transporting polypeptide of the evolutionarily conserved solute carrier organic anion superfamily. In vivo, EcI loss of function causes phenotypes indistinguishable from ecdysone- or ecdysone receptor (EcR)-deficient animals, and EcI knockdown inhibits cellular uptake of ecdysone. Furthermore, EcI regulates ecdysone signaling in a cell-autonomous manner and is both necessary and sufficient for inducing ecdysone-dependent gene expression in culture cells expressing EcR. Altogether, our results challenge the simple diffusion model for cellular uptake of ecdysone and may have wide implications for basic and medical aspects of steroid hormone studies.

Protecting and Diversifying the Germline

Gametogenesis represents the most dramatic cellular differentiation pathways in both female and male flies. At the genome level, meiosis ensures that diploid germ cells become haploid gametes. At the epigenome level, extensive changes are required to turn on and shut off gene expression in a precise spatiotemporally controlled manner. Research applying conventional molecular genetics and cell biology, in combination with rapidly advancing genomic tools have helped us to investigate (1) how germ cells maintain lineage specificity throughout their adult reproductive lifetime; (2) what molecular mechanisms ensure proper oogenesis and spermatogenesis, as well as protect genome integrity of the germline; (3) how signaling pathways contribute to germline-soma communication; and (4) if such communication is important. In this chapter, we highlight recent discoveries that have improved our understanding of these questions. On the other hand, restarting a new life cycle upon fertilization is a unique challenge faced by gametes, raising questions that involve intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Therefore, we also discuss new developments that link changes during gametogenesis to early embryonic development-a rapidly growing field that promises to bring more understanding to some fundamental questions regarding metazoan development.

The genome-wide transcriptional regulatory landscape of ecdysone in the silkworm

BACKGROUND

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, a typical representative of metamorphic insects, is of great agricultural and economic importance. The steroid hormone ecdysone (20-hydroxyecdysone, 20E) is the central regulator of insect developmental transitions, and its nuclear receptors are crucial for numerous biological processes, including reproduction, metabolism, and immunity. However, genome-wide DNA regulatory elements and the ecdysone receptor (EcR) that control these programs of gene expression are not well defined.

RESULTS

In this study, we investigated the alterations in three types of histone modification in silkworm embryonic cells treated with 20E by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). We identified enhancers using histone modifications and derived genome-wide ecdysone-dependent enhancer activity maps in the silkworm. We found enhancers enriched for monomethylation of histone H3 Lys4 (H3K4me1) that showed dynamic changes in acetylation of histone H3 Lys27 (H3K27ac) after 20E treatment and functioned to regulate the transcription of specific genes. EcR regulated transcription by binding not only to proximal promoters but also to the distal enhancers of target genes. Moreover, only 52.65% EcR peaks contained ecdysone response element (EcRE) motif, suggesting that EcR regulates the expression of target genes not only by binding directly to EcRE, but also by binding with other transcription factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide novel insights into the complex regulatory landscape of hormone-responsive cell activity and a basis for understanding the complex transcriptional regulatory processes of ecdysone.

Expression profile changes of cytochrome P450 genes between thiamethoxam susceptible and resistant strains of Aphis gossypii Glover

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases represent a key detoxification mechanism in neonicotinoids resistance in Aphis gossypii Glover. Synergism analysis has indicates that P450s are involved in thiamethoxam resistance. In this study, expression changes in the transcripts of P450 genes were determined in thiamethoxam-susceptible and thiamethoxam-resistant strains. Nine P450 genes in CYP3 clade were significantly overexpressed in the resistant strain (especially CYP6CY14, which was increased 17.67-fold) compared with the susceptible strain. Transcripts of ecdysone synthesis-related P450 genes, including CYP302A1, CYP306A1, CYP307A1 and CYP315A1, were up-regulated in the resistant strain, which may accelerate molting hormone production. The ecdysone response genes (ecdysone receptor (EcR), ultra-spiracle (USP) and Broad-complex protein (Br-C)) were overexpressed in the resistant strain. RNA interference (RNAi) targeting CYP6CY14 significantly increased the sensitivity of the resistant aphid to thiamethoxam. The results of the present study indicate the possible involvement of these P450 genes in thiamethoxam resistance. Our findings may facilitate further work to validate the roles of these P450s in thiamethoxam resistance based on heterologous expression, and show that screening the expression changes in P450 genes can reveal the impact of thiamethoxam on ecdysone synthesis-related P450 genes. These results are useful for understanding the mechanism of thiamethoxam resistance and will contribute to the management of insecticide-resistant cotton aphids in China.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) from Y-organs of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)

Existing data indicate that a Ca²⁺ signal stimulates ecdysteroid hormone production by crustacean molting glands (Y-organs). Ca²⁺ signaling is dependent on a tightly regulated Ca²⁺ gradient, with intracellular free Ca²⁺ maintained at a low basal level (typically sub-micromolar). This is achieved through the action of proteins intrinsic to the plasma membrane and the membranes of organelles. One such protein, the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase (SERCA), pumps Ca²⁺ from cytosol to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. As a step toward understanding Ca²⁺-mediated regulation of ecdysteroidogenesis, we have begun investigating Ca²⁺ transport proteins in Y-organs. In studies reported here, we used a PCR-based strategy to clone from Y-organs of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) a cDNA encoding a putative SERCA protein. The cloned Cas-SERCA cDNA (3806 bp) includes a 3057-bp open reading frame that encodes a 1019-residue protein (Cas-SERCA). The conceptually translated protein has a predicted molecular mass of 111.42 × 10³ and contains all signature domains of an authentic SERCA, including ten transmembrane domains and a phosphorylation site at aspartate 351. A homology model of Cas-SERCA closely resembles models of related SERCA proteins. Phylogenetic analysis shows Cas-SERCA clusters with SERCA proteins from other arthropods. An assessment of tissue distribution indicates the Cas-SERCA transcript is widely distributed across tissues. Studies using quantitative PCR showed Cas-SERCA transcript abundance increased significantly in Y-organs activated by eyestalk ablation, a pattern consistent with the hypothesis that Cas-SERCA functions to maintain Ca²⁺ homeostasis in Y-organs.

Cucurbitacin B acts a potential insect growth regulator by antagonizing 20-hydroxyecdysone activity

BACKGROUND

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E), a crucial insect steroid hormone, can bind to its cognate nuclear receptor composed of ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP) to activate expression of 20E-response genes, enabling subsequent metamorphosis. In this study, we tried to find out which steroid-like compounds can block insect metamorphosis effectively and provide useful information for biopesticide study. For this purpose, we screened 126 steroid-like compounds for possible 20E antagonists using a dual-luciferase reporter assay with Drosophila melanogaster Kc and Bombyx mori Bm12 cells.

RESULTS

Among 126 steroid-like compounds, three cucurbitacins (CucB, D and E) were identified as 20E antagonists in both Kc and Bm12 cells. Notably, CucB caused significant molting defects and mortality in both B. mori and D. melanogaster larvae, and dramatically hindered larval growth of Helicoverpa armigera by its anti-feeding activity.

CONCLUSION

In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrate that CucB acts as a potential insect growth regulator by antagonizing 20E activity and thus blocking molting and metamorphosis induced by 20E signaling. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

An Ecdysone Receptor-based Singular Gene Switch for Deliberate Expression of Transgene with Robustness, Reversibility, and Negligible Leakiness

Precise control of transgene expression is desirable in biological and clinical studies. However, because the binary feature of currently employed gene switches requires the transfer of two therapeutic expression units concurrently into a single cell, the practical application of the system for gene therapy is limited. To simplify the transgene expression system, we generated a gene switch designated as pEUI(+) encompassing a complete set of transgene expression modules in a single vector. Comprising of the GAL4 DNA-binding domain and modified EcR (GvEcR), a minimal VP16 activation domain fused with a GAL4 DNA-binding domain, as well as a modified Drosophila ecdysone receptor (EcR), the newly developed singular gene switch is highly responsive to the administration of a chemical inducer in a time- and dosage-dependent manner. The pEUI(+) vector is a potentially powerful tool for improving the control of transgene expression in both biological research and pre-clinical studies. Here, we present a detailed protocol for modulation of a transient and stable transgene expression using pEUI(+) vector by the treatment of tebufenozide (Teb). Additionally, we share important guidelines for the use of Teb as a chemical inducer.

Ecotoxicity of the nonsteroidal ecdysone mimic RH-5849 to Daphnia magna

The nonsteroidal ecdysone mimic 1,2-dibenzoyl-1-tert-butylhydrazine (RH-5849), a novel insect growth regulator, is mainly registered for use in rice fields. So far, its toxicity and ecological risks towards aquatic cladoceran invertebrates remain unclear. In this study, RH-5849 was evaluated for its acute and 21-day chronic toxicity towards Daphnia magna. The viability, morphology, growth, and reproduction of D. magna were observed to establish a concentration-toxicity relationship associated with the RH-5849 exposure. In addition, the relationship between the changes of physiological and biochemical indices and the chronic indices was analyzed in order to find potential early warning indicators in D. magna to the chronic risk of RH-5849 exposure. The results showed that the 48-h EC₅₀ of acute immobilization and EC₅₀ of 21-day survival of RH-5849 on D. magna were 45.3 and 1.34 mg/L, respectively. Chronic exposure to RH-5849 mainly affected the reproductive parameters of D. magna and the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) and the EC₅₀ were 0.050 and 0.5423 mg/L, respectively. The number of offspring per female reduced significantly after 21-day exposure to 0.10 mg/L of RH-5849. The morphological changes, manifested in head width and body length, the length of the helmet or apical spine, and the curvature and transparency of the body, were observed in RH-5849-treated groups. Moreover, it was found that the alkaline phosphatase activity in D. magna after 5-7-day exposure was positively correlated with the number of offspring per female after 21 days. These results indicate the potential risk of RH-5849 towards aquatic crustaceans should be taken into consideration when applied to rice fields.

Ecdysone-responsive microRNA-252-5p controls the cell cycle by targeting Abi in Drosophila

The steroid hormone ecdysone has a central role in the developmental transitions of insects through its control of responsive protein-coding and microRNA (miRNA) gene expression. However, the complete regulatory network controlling the expression of these genes remains to be elucidated. In this study, we performed cross-linking immunoprecipitation coupled with deep sequencing of endogenous Argonaute 1 (Ago1) protein, the core effector of the miRNA pathway, in Drosophila S2 cells. We found that regulatory interactions between miRNAs and their cognate targets were substantially altered by Ago1 in response to ecdysone signaling. Additionally, during the larva-to-adult metamorphosis, miR-252-5p was up-regulated via the canonical ecdysone-signaling pathway. Moreover, we provide evidence that miR-252-5p targets Abelson interacting protein ( Abi) to decrease the protein levels of cyclins A and B, controlling the cell cycle. Overall, our data suggest a potential role for the ecdysone/miR-252-5p/Abi regulatory axis partly in cell-cycle control during metamorphosis in Drosophila.-Lim, D.-H., Lee, S., Han, J. Y., Choi, M.-S., Hong, J.-S., Seong, Y., Kwon, Y.-S., Lee, Y. S. Ecdysone-responsive microR-252-5p controls the cell cycle by targeting Abi in Drosophila.

Adult-specific insulin-producing neurons in Drosophila melanogaster

Holometabolous insects undergo metamorphosis to reorganize their behavioral and morphological features into adult-specific ones. In the central nervous system (CNS), some larval neurons undergo programmed cell death, whereas others go through remodeling of axonal and dendritic arbors to support functions of re-established adult organs. Although there are multiple neuropeptides that have stage-specific roles in holometabolous insects, the reorganization pattern of the entire neuropeptidergic system through metamorphosis still remains largely unclear. In this study, we conducted a mapping and lineage tracing of peptidergic neurons in the larval and adult CNS by using Drosophila genetic tools. We found that Diuretic hormone 44-producing median neurosecretory cells start expressing Insulin-like peptide 2 in the pharate adult stage. This neuronal cluster projects to the corpora cardiaca and dorsal vessel in both larval and adult stages, and also innervates an adult-specific structure in the digestive tract, the crop. We propose that the adult-specific insulin-producing cells may regulate functions of the digestive system in a stage-specific manner. Our study provides a neuroanatomical basis for understanding remodeling of the neuropeptidergic system during insect development and evolution.

MicroRNA-14 regulates larval development time in Bombyx mori

MicroRNAs (miRNA) regulate multiple physiological processes including development and metamorphosis in insects. In the current study, we demonstrate that a conserved invertebrate miRNA-14 (miR-14) plays an important role in ecdysteroid regulated development in the silkworm Bombyx mori, a lepidopteran model insect. Ubiquitous transgenic overexpression of miR-14 using the GAL4/UAS system resulted in delayed silkworm larval development and smaller body size of larva and pupa with decrease in ecdysteriod titers. On the contrary, miR-14 disruption using the transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 system led to a precocious wandering stage with increase in ecdysteriod titers. We identified that the hormone receptor E75 (E75) and the ecdysone receptor isoform B (ECR-B), which both serve as essential mediators in the ecdysone signaling pathway, as putative target genes of miR-14 by in silico target prediction. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed the binding of miR-14 to the 3'UTRs of E75 and ECR-B in a mammalian HEK293T cell line. Furthermore, transcription levels of E75 and ECR-B were significantly affected in both miR-14 overexpression and knockout transgenic animals. Taken together, our data suggested that the canonical invertebrate miR-14 is a general regulator in maintaining ecdysone homeostasis for normal development and metamorphosis in B. mori.

Antagonistic actions of juvenile hormone and 20-hydroxyecdysone within the ring gland determine developmental transitions in Drosophila

In vertebrates, steroid hormones regulate developmental transition from juveniles to adults. Insect steroid hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), coordinates with juvenile hormone (JH) to regulate metamorphosis; however, the precise cross-talk mechanism is not well understood. Here, we report that JH and 20E antagonize each other’s biosynthesis in a major endocrine organ of Drosophila larvae: JH suppresses ecdysone biosynthesis and inhibits metamorphosis, whereas 20E suppresses JH biosynthesis and promotes metamorphosis. These data answer a long-standing question on how the mutual antagonism between the two major insect hormones regulates metamorphosis and may help to understand the hormonal regulation of developmental transition in mammals.

In both vertebrates and insects, developmental transition from the juvenile stage to adulthood is regulated by steroid hormones. In insects, the steroid hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), elicits metamorphosis, thus promoting this transition, while the sesquiterpenoid juvenile hormone (JH) antagonizes 20E signaling to prevent precocious metamorphosis during the larval stages. However, not much is known about the mechanisms involved in cross-talk between these two hormones. In this study, we discovered that in the ring gland (RG) of Drosophila larvae, JH and 20E control each other’s biosynthesis. JH induces expression of a Krüppel-like transcription factor gene Kr-h1 in the prothoracic gland (PG), a portion of the RG that produces the 20E precursor ecdysone. By reducing both steroidogenesis autoregulation and PG size, high levels of Kr-h1 in the PG inhibit ecdysteriod biosynthesis, thus maintaining juvenile status. JH biosynthesis is prevented by 20E in the corpus allatum, the other portion of the RG that produces JH, to ensure the occurrence of metamorphosis. Hence, antagonistic actions of JH and 20E within the RG determine developmental transitions in Drosophila. Our study proposes a mechanism of cross-talk between the two major hormones in the regulation of insect metamorphosis.

Juvenile hormone and 20-hydroxyecdysone coordinately control the developmental timing of matrix metalloproteinase-induced fat body cell dissociation

Tissue remodeling is a crucial process in animal development and disease progression. Coordinately controlled by the two main insect hormones, juvenile hormone (JH) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), tissues are remodeled context-specifically during insect metamorphosis. We previously discovered that two matrix metalloproteinases (Mmps) cooperatively induce fat body cell dissociation in Drosophila However, the molecular events involved in this Mmp-mediated dissociation are unclear. Here we report that JH and 20E coordinately and precisely control the developmental timing of Mmp-induced fat body cell dissociation. We found that during the larval-prepupal transition, the anti-metamorphic factor Kr-h1 transduces JH signaling, which directly inhibited Mmp expression and activated expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (timp) and thereby suppressed Mmp-induced fat body cell dissociation. We also noted that upon a decline in the JH titer, a prepupal peak of 20E suppresses Mmp-induced fat body cell dissociation through the 20E primary-response genes, E75 and Blimp-1, which inhibited expression of the nuclear receptor and competence factor βftz-F1 Moreover, upon a decline in the 20E titer, βftz-F1 expression was induced by the 20E early-late response gene DHR3, and then βftz-F1 directly activated Mmp expression and inhibited timp expression, causing Mmp-induced fat body cell dissociation during 6-12 h after puparium formation. In conclusion, coordinated signaling via JH and 20E finely tunes the developmental timing of Mmp-induced fat body cell dissociation. Our findings shed critical light on hormonal regulation of insect metamorphosis.

Differentiation of lepidoptera scale cells from epidermal stem cells followed by ecdysone-regulated DNA duplication and scale secreting

Integuments are the first line to protect insects from physical damage and pathogenic infection. In lepidopteran insects, they undergo distinct morphology changes such as scale formation during metamorphosis. However, we know little about integument development and scale formation during this stage. Here, we use the silkworm, Bombyx mori, as a model and show that stem cells in the integument of each segment, but not intersegmental membrane, divide into two scale precursor cells during the spinning stage. In young pupae, the scale precursor cell divides again. One of the daughter cells becomes a mature scale-secreting cell that undergoes several rounds of DNA duplication and the other daughter cell undergoes apoptosis later on. This scale precursor cell division is crucial to the development and differentiation of scale-secreting cells because scale production can be blocked after treatment with the cell division inhibitor paclitaxel. Subsequently, the growth of scale-secreting cells is under the control of 20-hydroxyecdysone but not juvenile hormone since injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone inhibited scale formation. Further work demonstrated that 20-hydroxyecdysone injection inhibits DNA duplication in scale-secreting cells while the expression of scale-forming gene ASH1 was down-regulated by BR-C Z2. Therefore, this research demonstrates that the scale cells of the silkworm develops through stem cell division prior to pupation and then another wave of cell division differentiates these cells into scale secreting cells soon after entrance into the pupal stage. Additionally, DNA duplication and scale production in the scale-secreting cells were found to be under the regulation of 20-hydroxyecdysone.

Complex cis-regulatory landscape of the insulin receptor gene underlies the broad expression of a central signaling regulator

Insulin signaling plays key roles in development, growth and metabolism through dynamic control of glucose uptake, global protein translation and transcriptional regulation. Altered levels of insulin signaling are known to play key roles in development and disease, yet the molecular basis of such differential signaling remains obscure. Expression of the insulin receptor (InR) gene itself appears to play an important role, but the nature of the molecular wiring controlling InR transcription has not been elucidated. We characterized the regulatory elements driving Drosophila InR expression and found that the generally broad expression of this gene is belied by complex individual switch elements, the dynamic regulation of which reflects direct and indirect contributions of FOXO, EcR, Rbf and additional transcription factors through redundant elements dispersed throughout ∼40 kb of non-coding regions. The control of InR transcription in response to nutritional and tissue-specific inputs represents an integration of multiple cis-regulatory elements, the structure and function of which may have been sculpted by evolutionary selection to provide a highly tailored set of signaling responses on developmental and tissue-specific levels.

Toxicity of organic UV-filters to the aquatic midge Chironomus riparius

Despite the frequent detection of organic ultraviolet-filters (UV-filters) in freshwater sediments, there is a lack of ecotoxicological data undermining a correct risk assessment for these emerging contaminants. The present study assessed the effects of three of the most commonly used UV-filters (benzophenone-3 - BP3; 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor - 4-MBC and octocrylene - OC) on Chironomus riparius life history and biochemical responses. Standard ecotoxicological assays confirmed that all compounds impaired growth of C. riparius larvae and induced developmental effects such as delayed emergence and a reduction of imagoes weight. Concerning the biochemical responses analysed no evidences of oxidative damage in lipids or neurotoxicity (tested assessing acetylcholinesterase activity) were observed for any of the tested compounds. However, 4-MBC exposure induced a decrease in catalase activity and an increase in glutathione-S-transferase activity at 14.13mg/Kg while OC exposure caused an increase in total glutathione levels at 0.23 and 18.23mg/Kg. Exposure to all UV-filters tested, increased energy consumption on C. riparius with significant differences above 1.00mg/Kg for BP3, 0.09mg/Kg for 4-MBC and 2.13mg/Kg for OC. These results suggest that environmental relevant concentrations of UV-filters can cause deleterious effects to aquatic benthic species, such as C. riparius, and call for further research concerning effects of organic UV-filters on natural invertebrate communities and ecosystem functioning.

C-type lectin interacting with β-integrin enhances hemocytic encapsulation in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera

The encapsulation reaction in invertebrates is analogous to granuloma formation in vertebrates, and this reaction is severely compromised when ecdysone signaling is blocked. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the encapsulation reaction and its regulation by ecdysone remains obscure. In our previous study, we found that the C-type lectin HaCTL3, from the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera, is involved in anti-bacterial immune response, acting as a pattern recognition receptor (PRR). In the current study, we demonstrate that HaCTL3 is involved in defense against parasites and directly binds to the surface of nematodes. Our in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that HaCTL3 enhances hemocytic encapsulation and melanization, whereas H. armigera β-integrin (Haβ-integrin), located on the surface of hemocytes, participates in encapsulation. Additionally, co-immunoprecipitation experiments reveal HaCTL3 interacts with Haβ-integrin, and knockdown of Haβ-integrin leads to reduced encapsulation of HaCTL3-coated beads. These results indicate that Haβ-integrin serves as a hemocytic receptor of HaCTL3 during the encapsulation reaction. Furthermore, we demonstrate that 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) treatment dramatically induces the expression of HaCTL3, and knockdown of the 20E receptor (EcR)/ultraspiracle (USP), abrogates this response. Overall, this study provides the first evidence of the presence of a hemocytic receptor (Haβ-integrin), that interacts with the PRR HaCTL3 to facilitate encapsulation reaction in insects and demonstrates the regulation of this process by the steroid hormone ecdysone.

20-Hydroxyecdysone activates PGRP-SA mediated immune response in Locusta migratoria

20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) has been implicated in regulating the immune response in insects. Conflicting conclusions on 20E regulating immunity have been reported in model holometabolous species. However, in hemimetabolous insects, the role of 20E as an immune-suppressor or activator and the mechanism remains unclear. The migratory locust Locusta migratoria is a representative member of hemimetabolous insects. Here, digital gene expression (DGE) profiles of Locusta migratoria treated with 20E were analyzed. Pattern recognition receptors [peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP-SA), PGRP-LE, and gram-negative binding protein (GNBP3)] and antimicrobial peptides (defensin, diptericin, and i-type lysozyme) were significantly induced by 20E in fat body. These immune-related genes significantly increased their mRNA levels during the high-20E stage. Antibacterial activities in plasma were enhanced after 20E injection and during the high-20E developmental stage. Conversely, when 20E signal was suppressed by RNAi of EcR (ecdysone receptor), the expression levels of these genes and antibacterial activities failed to be increased by 20E injection and during the high-20E developmental stage, and the mortality increased after being infected by entomogenous fungus. The knockdown of PGRP-SA inhibited the expression level of defensin, diptericin and i-type lysozyme in fat body and reduced antibacterial activities in plasma. 20E injection could not significantly induce the expression of antimicrobial peptides after RNAi of PGRP-SA. These results demonstrated that 20E enhanced the immune response by activating PGRP-SA in L. migratoria.

Identification of ecdysteroid receptor-mediated signaling pathways in the hepatopancreas of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

The hepatopancreas of crustaceans plays an important role in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, digestion of food, and biogenesis. In this study, the hepatopancreas transcriptome from the red crayfish Procambarus clarkii was characterized for the first time using high-throughput sequencing, producing approximately 41.4 million reads were obtained. After de novo assembly, 57,363 unigenes with an average length of 725bp were identified, Gene Ontology analysis categorized 22,580 as being involved in biological processes, among which metabolic process and cellular process groups were the most highly enriched. A total of 8034 unigenes were assigned to 223 metabolic pathways following mapping against the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) database. Ecdysteroid receptor (EcR)-mediated signaling pathways were investigated using digital gene expression (DGE) analysis following RNA interference targeting the EcR. A total of 529 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 322 downregulated and 207 upregulated unigenes. Of these, 445 (84.12%) were annotated successfully by alignment with known sequences, many of which were related to catalytic activity and binding functional categories. Using KEGG enrichment analysis, 183 DEGs were clustered into 78 pathways, and six significantly enriched pathways were predicted. The expression patterns of candidate genes identified by real-time PCR were consistent with the DGE results.

Steroid Hormones and the Physiological Regulation of Tissue-Resident Stem Cells: Lessons from the Drosophila Ovary

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Stem cells respond to local paracrine signals; more recently, however, systemic hormones have also emerged as key regulators of stem cells. This review explores the role of steroid hormones in stem cells, using the Drosophila germline stem cell as a centerpiece for discussion.

RECENT FINDINGS

Stem cells sense and respond directly and indirectly to steroid hormones, which regulate diverse sets of target genes via interactions with nuclear hormone receptors. Hormone-regulated networks likely integrate the actions of multiple systemic signals to adjust the activity of stem cell lineages in response to changes in physiological status.

SUMMARY

Hormones are inextricably linked to animal physiology, and can control stem cells and their local niches. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of hormone signaling in stem cells is essential for our understanding of the fundamental underpinnings of stem cell biology, and for informing new therapeutic interventions against cancers or for regenerative medicine.

WITHDRAWN: C-type lectin interacting with β-integrin enhances hemocytic encapsulation in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the editor and publisher. The publisher regrets that an error occurred which led to the premature publication of this paper. This error bears no reflection on the article or its authors. The publisher apologizes to the authors and the readers for this unfortunate error. The article was subsequently accepted and published and can be viewed here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.05.005 The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

Ecdysone signaling underlies the pea aphid transgenerational wing polyphenism

The wing polyphenism of pea aphids is a compelling laboratory model with which to study the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity. In this polyphenism, environmental stressors such as high aphid density cause asexual, viviparous adult female aphids to alter the developmental fate of their embryos from wingless to winged morphs. This polyphenism is transgenerational, in that the pea aphid mother experiences the environmental signals, but it is her offspring that are affected. Previous research suggested that the steroid hormone ecdysone may play a role in this polyphenism. Here, we analyzed ecdysone-related gene expression patterns and found that they were consistent with a down-regulation of the ecdysone pathway being involved in the production of winged offspring. We therefore predicted that reduced ecdysone signaling would result in more winged offspring. Experimental injections of ecdysone or its analog resulted in a decreased production of winged offspring. Conversely, interfering with ecdysone signaling using an ecdysone receptor antagonist or knocking down the ecdysone receptor gene with RNAi resulted in an increased production of winged offspring. Our results are therefore consistent with the idea that ecdysone plays a causative role in the regulation of the proportion of winged offspring produced in response to crowding in this polyphenism. Our results also show that an environmentally regulated maternal hormone can mediate phenotype production in the next generation, as well as provide significant insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the functioning of transgenerational phenotypic plasticity.

Transcriptional deregulation of genetic biomarkers in Chironomus riparius larvae exposed to ecologically relevant concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant used worldwide as a plasticizer and solvent in many formulations. Based on available toxicological data, it has been classified as toxic for reproduction and as an endocrine disruptor. Despite this, ecotoxicological studies in aquatic wildlife organisms are still scarce. In the present work, the toxic molecular alterations caused by DEHP in aquatic larvae of the midge Chironomus riparius have been studied, by analyzing the transcriptional activity of genes related to some vital cellular pathways, such as the ribosomal machinery (rpL4, rpL13), the cell stress response (hsc70, hsp70, hsp40, hsp27), the ecdysone hormone pathway (EcR), the energy metabolism (GAPDH), and detoxication processes (CYP4G). Environmentally relevant concentrations (10-3 to 105 μg/L) and exposure conditions (24 to 96 h) have been tested, as well as the toxic effects after DEHP withdrawal. Although the compound caused no mortality, significant changes were detected in almost all the studied biomarkers: e.g. strong repression of hsp70; general inhibition of EcR; GAPDH activity loss in long exposures; among others. Our data show a general transcriptional downregulation that could be associated with an adaptive response to cell damage. Besides, the activity of the compound as an ecdysone antagonist and its delayed effects over almost all the biomarkers analyzed are described as novel toxic targets in insects.

Identification of the binding domains and key amino acids for the interaction of the transcription factors BmPOUM2 and BmAbd-A in Bombyx mori

The transcription factor BmPOUM2 interacted with another transcription factor BmAbd-A to regulate the expression of the wing cuticle protein gene BmWCP4 in Bombyx mori. In this study, the binding domains and amino acids for the interaction between BmPOUM2 and BmAbd-A were reported. Two isoforms of BmPOUM2 were identified. The short isoform (BmPOUM2-S) lacks a 114-amino acid sequence containing a POU-homeodomain and a nuclear localization signal peptide (NLS), as compared to the full-length isoform (BmPOUM2). Both BmPOUM2 and BmPOUM2-S proteins bound to the BmAbd-A through the POU-specific domain. When the six amino acids (Lys166, Gly173, Gln176, Ser192, Glu200 and Asn208) that are highly conserved in POU family genes were mutated, BmPOUM2 did not bind to BmAbd-A. BmAbd-A interacted with BmPOUM2 by the homeobox domain or the LCR2 (low complexity region) domain. When seven amino acids (Phe156/248, His158/250, Ala175/263, Cys180/265, Glu190/268, Trp196/274 and Val214/289) that are shared in the homeobox and LCR2 domains were mutated, BmAbd-A did not bind to BmPOUM2. Overexpression of either BmPOUM2 or BmAbd-A or both increased the activity of BmWCP4 promoter in CHO cells. ChIP assay and EMSA showed that BmAbd-A protein bound to the Hox cis-regulatory element in the BmWCP4 promoter, while the BmPOUM2 bound to the nearby POU CRE. A model for the interaction and action of BmPOUM2 and BmAbd-A in regulation of the BmWCP4 expression is proposed.

Steroid signaling in mature follicles is important for Drosophila ovulation

Although ecdysteroid signaling regulates multiple steps in oogenesis, it is not known whether it regulates Drosophila ovulation, a process involving a matrix metalloproteinase-dependent follicle rupture. In this study, we demonstrated that ecdysteroid signaling is operating in mature follicle cells to control ovulation. Moreover, knocking down shade (shd), encoding the monooxygenase that converts ecdysone (E) to the more active 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), specifically in mature follicle cells, blocked follicle rupture, which was rescued by ectopic expression of shd or exogenous 20E. In addition, disruption of the Ecdysone receptor (EcR) in mature follicle cells mimicked shd-knockdown defects, which were reversed by ectopic expression of EcR.B2 but not by EcR.A or EcR.B1 isoforms. Furthermore, we showed that ecdysteroid signaling is essential for the proper activation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (Mmp2) for follicle rupture. Our data strongly suggest that 20E produced in follicle cells before ovulation activates EcR.B2 to prime mature follicles to be responsive to neuronal ovulatory stimuli, thus providing mechanistic insights into steroid signaling in Drosophila ovulation.

Lipids in Insect Oocytes: From the Storage Pathways to Their Multiple Functions

In insect physiology, the mechanisms involved in the buildup and regulation of yolk proteins in developing oocytes have been thoroughly researched during the last three decades. Comparatively, the study of lipid metabolism in oocytes had received less attention. The importance of this issue lies in the fact that lipids make up to 40% of the dry weight of an insect egg, being the most important supply of energy for the developing embryo. Since the oocyte has a very limited capacity to synthesize lipids de novo, most of the lipids in the mature eggs arise from the circulation. The main lipid carriers in the insect circulatory system are the lipoproteins lipophorin and vitellogenin. In some species, the endocytosis of lipophorin and vitellogenin may account for about 10% of the lipids present in mature eggs. Thus, most of the lipids are transferred by a lipophorin-mediated pathway, in which the lipoprotein unloads its lipid cargo at the surface of oocytes without internalization. This chapter recapitulates the current status on lipid storage and its utilization in insect oocytes and discusses the participation of key factors including lipoproteins, transfer proteins, lipolytic enzymes, and dynamic organelles such as lipid droplets. The new findings in the field of lipophorin receptors are presented in the context of lipid accumulation during egg maturation, and the roles of lipids beyond energy source are summarized from the perspective of oogenesis and embryogenesis. Finally, prospective and fruitful areas of future research are suggested.

Combgap Promotes Ovarian Niche Development and Chromatin Association of EcR-Binding Regions in BR-C

The development of niches for tissue-specific stem cells is an important aspect of stem cell biology. Determination of niche size and niche numbers during organogenesis involves precise control of gene expression. How this is achieved in the context of a complex chromatin landscape is largely unknown. Here we show that the nuclear protein Combgap (Cg) supports correct ovarian niche formation in Drosophila by controlling ecdysone-Receptor (EcR)- mediated transcription and long-range chromatin contacts in the broad locus (BR-C). Both cg and BR-C promote ovarian growth and the development of niches for germ line stem cells. BR-C levels were lower when Combgap was either reduced or over-expressed, indicating an intricate regulation of the BR-C locus by Combgap. Polytene chromosome stains showed that Cg co-localizes with EcR, the major regulator of BR-C, at the BR-C locus and that EcR binding to chromatin was sensitive to changes in Cg levels. Proximity ligation assay indicated that the two proteins could reside in the same complex. Finally, chromatin conformation analysis revealed that EcR-bound regions within BR-C, which span ~30 KBs, contacted each other. Significantly, these contacts were stabilized in an ecdysone- and Combgap-dependent manner. Together, these results highlight Combgap as a novel regulator of chromatin structure that promotes transcription of ecdysone target genes and ovarian niche formation.

Germ line stem cells (GSCs) supply either eggs or sperm throughout the life- time of many organisms, including mammals. For their function, GSCs require input from somatic niche cells. Understanding how niches form during development is an important initial step in understanding how stem cell units form, and by extension, how they may regenerate. In this work we describe a new function for the chromatin binding protein Combgap in ovarian niche formation of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Combgap is required for the correct expression of another factor, BR-C, in somatic ovarian cells. BR-C is one of the central target genes of the steroid hormone ecdysone, and its expression is controlled by the ecdysone receptor (EcR). Interestingly, EcR-enriched regions within the BR-C locus are engaged in long-range contacts that are stabilized by ecdysone in a Combgap-depended manner. We also found that EcR binding to chromatin depends on WT levels of Combgap. BR-C regulates GSC unit establishment, intestinal stem cells, immune responses, and many other processes. Understanding Combgaps’ function in shaping the BR-C chromatin landscape is a first step towards better appreciation of how this important locus is controlled, and the general machinery coupling gene expression to 3D chromatin structure.

Gut immunity in Lepidopteran insects

Lepidopteran insects constitute one of the largest fractions of animals on earth, but are considered pests in their relationship with man. Key to the success of this order of insects is its ability to digest food and absorb nutrition, which takes place in the midgut. Because environmental microorganisms can easily enter Lepidopteran guts during feeding, the innate immune response guards against pathogenic bacteria, virus and microsporidia that can be devoured with food. Gut immune responses are complicated by both resident gut microbiota and the surrounding peritrophic membrane and are distinct from immune responses in the body cavity, which depend on the function of the fat body and hemocytes. Due to their relevance to agricultural production, studies of Lepidopteran insect midgut and immunity are receiving more attention, and here we summarize gut structures and functions, and discuss how these confer immunity against different microorganisms. It is expected that increased knowledge of Lepidopteran gut immunity may be utilized for pest biological control in the future.

Potential Direct Regulators of the Drosophila yellow Gene Identified by Yeast One-Hybrid and RNAi Screens

The regulation of gene expression controls development, and changes in this regulation often contribute to phenotypic evolution. Drosophila pigmentation is a model system for studying evolutionary changes in gene regulation, with differences in expression of pigmentation genes such as yellow that correlate with divergent pigment patterns among species shown to be caused by changes in cis- and trans-regulation. Currently, much more is known about the cis-regulatory component of divergent yellow expression than the trans-regulatory component, in part because very few trans-acting regulators of yellow expression have been identified. This study aims to improve our understanding of the trans-acting control of yellow expression by combining yeast-one-hybrid and RNAi screens for transcription factors binding to yellow cis-regulatory sequences and affecting abdominal pigmentation in adults, respectively. Of the 670 transcription factors included in the yeast-one-hybrid screen, 45 showed evidence of binding to one or more sequence fragments tested from the 5′ intergenic and intronic yellow sequences from D. melanogaster, D. pseudoobscura, and D. willistoni, suggesting that they might be direct regulators of yellow expression. Of the 670 transcription factors included in the yeast-one-hybrid screen, plus another TF previously shown to be genetically upstream of yellow, 125 were also tested using RNAi, and 32 showed altered abdominal pigmentation. Nine transcription factors were identified in both screens, including four nuclear receptors related to ecdysone signaling (Hr78, Hr38, Hr46, and Eip78C). This finding suggests that yellow expression might be directly controlled by nuclear receptors influenced by ecdysone during early pupal development when adult pigmentation is forming.

Fluorescence Imaging of Posterior Spiracles from Second and Third Instars of Forensically Important Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Forensic Sci 2016;61:1578-1587. [PMID: 27706817 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13189]

Entomological protocols for aging blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae to estimate the time of colonization (TOC) are commonly used to assist in death investigations. While the methodologies for analyzing fly larvae differ, most rely on light microscopy, genetic analysis, or, more rarely, electron microscopy. This pilot study sought to improve resolution of larval stage in the forensically important blowfly Chrysomya rufifacies using high-content fluorescence microscopy and biochemical measures of developmental marker proteins. We established fixation and mounting protocols, defined a set of measurable morphometric criteria and captured developmental transitions of 2nd instar to 3rd instar using both fluorescence microscopy and anti-ecdysone receptor Western blot analysis. The data show that these instars can be distinguished on the basis of robust, nonbleaching, autofluorescence of larval posterior spiracles. High-content imaging techniques using confocal microscopy, combined with morphometric and biochemical techniques, may therefore aid forensic entomologists in estimating TOC.

Ecdysone Receptor-based Singular Gene Switches for Regulated Transgene Expression in Cells and Adult Rodent Tissues

Controlled gene expression is an indispensable technique in biomedical research. Here, we report a convenient, straightforward, and reliable way to induce expression of a gene of interest with negligible background expression compared to the most widely used tetracycline (Tet)-regulated system. Exploiting a Drosophila ecdysone receptor (EcR)-based gene regulatory system, we generated nonviral and adenoviral singular vectors designated as pEUI(+) and pENTR-EUI, respectively, which contain all the required elements to guarantee regulated transgene expression (GAL4-miniVP16-EcR, termed GvEcR hereafter, and 10 tandem repeats of an upstream activation sequence promoter followed by a multiple cloning site). Through the transient and stable transfection of mammalian cell lines with reporter genes, we validated that tebufenozide, an ecdysone agonist, reversibly induced gene expression, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with negligible background expression. In addition, we created an adenovirus derived from the pENTR-EUI vector that readily infected not only cultured cells but also rodent tissues and was sensitive to tebufenozide treatment for regulated transgene expression. These results suggest that EcR-based singular gene regulatory switches would be convenient tools for the induction of gene expression in cells and tissues in a tightly controlled fashion.

Variability in the number of abdominal leucokinergic neurons in adult Drosophila melanogaster

Developmental plasticity allows individuals with the same genotype to show different phenotypes in response to environmental changes. An example of this is how neuronal diversity is protected at the expense of neuronal number under sustained undernourishment during the development of the Drosophila optic lobe. In the development of the Drosophila central nervous system, neuroblasts go through two phases of neurogenesis separated by a period of mitotic quiescence. Although during embryonic development much evidence indicates that both cell number and the cell fates generated by each neuroblast are very precisely controlled in a cell autonomous manner, after quiescence extrinsic factors control the reactivation of neuroblast proliferation in a fashion that has not yet been elucidated. Moreover, there is very little information about whether environmental changes affect lineage progression during postembryonic neurogenesis. Using as a model system the pattern of abdominal leucokinergic neurons (ABLKs), we have analyzed how changes in a set of environmental factors affect the number of ABLKs generated during postembryonic neurogenesis. We describe the variability in ABLK number between individuals and between hemiganglia of the same individual and, by genetic analysis, we identify the bithorax-complex genes and the ecdysone hormone as critical factors in these differences. We also explore the possible adaptive roles involved in this process. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:639-660, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Genetic Mosaic Screen Reveals Ecdysone-Responsive Genes Regulating Drosophila Oogenesis

Multiple aspects of Drosophila oogenesis, including germline stem cell activity, germ cell differentiation, and follicle survival, are regulated by the steroid hormone ecdysone. While the transcriptional targets of ecdysone signaling during development have been studied extensively, targets in the ovary remain largely unknown. Early studies of salivary gland polytene chromosomes led to a model in which ecdysone stimulates a hierarchical transcriptional cascade, wherein a core group of ecdysone-sensitive transcription factors induce tissue-specific responses by activating secondary branches of transcriptional targets. More recently, genome-wide approaches have identified hundreds of putative ecdysone-responsive targets. Determining whether these putative targets represent bona fide targets in vivo, however, requires that they be tested via traditional mutant analysis in a cell-type specific fashion. To investigate the molecular mechanisms whereby ecdysone signaling regulates oogenesis, we used genetic mosaic analysis to screen putative ecdysone-responsive genes for novel roles in the control of the earliest steps of oogenesis. We identified a cohort of genes required for stem cell maintenance, stem and progenitor cell proliferation, and follicle encapsulation, growth, and survival. These genes encode transcription factors, chromatin modulators, and factors required for RNA transport, stability, and ribosome biogenesis, suggesting that ecdysone might control a wide range of molecular processes during oogenesis. Our results suggest that, although ecdysone target genes are known to have cell type-specific roles, many ecdysone response genes that control larval or pupal cell types at developmental transitions are used reiteratively in the adult ovary. These results provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms by which ecdysone signaling controls oogenesis, laying new ground for future studies.

Multiprotein bridging factor 2 regulates the expression of the fibroin heavy chain gene by interacting with Bmdimmed in the silkworm Bombyx mori

Multiprotein bridging factor 2 (MBF2) was first isolated from the posterior silk gland of Bombyx mori. However, its function in B. mori is still unknown. Herein, MBF2 transcripts were detected mainly in the posterior silk gland and Malpighian tubules of B. mori larvae via a quantitative PCR analysis. An analysis of temporal expression patterns showed that the expression pattern of MBF2 was the opposite of that of the fibroin heavy chain (fibH) gene, as its expression was high during the fourth-instar moulting stage, decreased gradually during the fifth-instar feeding stage and disappeared at the end of the fifth-instar phase. Furthermore, bimolecular fluorescent complementation and Far-Western blot assays showed that MBF2 interacted with the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Bmdimmed. Dual luciferase reporter assays showed that MBF2 down-regulated the promoter activity of fibH and inhibited the effect of Bmdimmed (Bmdimm) on fibH expression. MBF2 expression was induced in silk glands after treatment with 20-hydroxyecdysone in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that MBF2 is a transcriptional repressor that is involved in controlling the regulation of the fibH gene in the posterior silk gland by interacting with Bmdimm.

Early developmental stages of Ascaris lumbricoides featured by high-resolution mass spectrometry

Ascaris lumbricoides is responsible for a highly disseminated helminth parasitic disease, ascariosis, a relevant parasitosis that responds for great financial burden on the public health system of developing countries. In this work, metabolic fingerprinting using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was employed to identify marker molecules from A. lumbricoides in different development stages. We have identified nine biomarkers, such as pheromones and steroidal prohormones in early stages, among other molecules in late development stages, making up four molecules for fertilized eggs, four marker molecules for first larvae (L1) and one marker molecule for third larvae (L3). Therefore, our findings indicate that this approach is suitable for biochemical characterization of A. lumbricoides development stages. Moreover, the straightforward analytical method employed, with almost no sample preparation from a complex matrix (feces) using high-resolution mass spectrometry, suggests that it is possible to seek for an easier and faster way to study animal molding processes.

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) Primary Response Gene E75 Isoforms Mediate Steroidogenesis Autoregulation and Regulate Developmental Timing in Bombyx

The temporal control mechanisms that precisely control animal development remain largely elusive. The timing of major developmental transitions in insects, including molting and metamorphosis, is coordinated by the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). 20E involves feedback loops to maintain pulses of ecdysteroid biosynthesis leading to its upsurge, whereas the underpinning molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Using the silkworm Bombyx mori as a model, we demonstrated that E75, the 20E primary response gene, mediates a regulatory loop between ecdysteroid biosynthesis and 20E signaling. E75 isoforms A and C directly bind to retinoic acid receptor-related response elements in Halloween gene promoter regions to induce gene expression thus promoting ecdysteroid biosynthesis and developmental transition, whereas isoform B antagonizes the transcriptional activity of isoform A/C through physical interaction. As the expression of E75 isoforms is differentially induced by 20E, the E75-mediated regulatory loop represents a fine autoregulation of steroidogenesis, which contributes to the precise control of developmental timing.

Comparative analysis of the integument transcriptomes of the black dilute mutant and the wild-type silkworm Bombyx mori

The insect cuticle is a critical protective shell that is composed predominantly of chitin and various cuticular proteins and pigments. Indeed, insects often change their surface pigment patterns in response to selective pressures, such as threats from predators, sexual selection and environmental changes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the construction of the epidermis and its pigmentation patterns are not fully understood. Among Lepidoptera, the silkworm is a favorable model for color pattern research. The black dilute (bd) mutant of silkworm is the result of a spontaneous mutation; the larval body color is notably melanized. We performed integument transcriptome sequencing of the wild-type strain Dazao and the mutant strains +/bd and bd/bd. In these experiments, during an early stage of the fourth molt, a stage at which approximately 51% of genes were expressed genome wide (RPKM ≥1) in each strain. A total of 254 novel transcripts were characterized using Cuffcompare and BLAST analyses. Comparison of the transcriptome data revealed 28 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that may contribute to bd larval melanism, including 15 cuticular protein genes that were remarkably highly expressed in the bd/bd mutant. We suggest that these significantly up-regulated cuticular proteins may promote melanism in silkworm larvae.

Mutation of a Cuticle Protein Gene, BmCPG10, Is Responsible for Silkworm Non-Moulting in the 2nd Instar Mutant

In the silkworm, metamorphosis and moulting are regulated by ecdysone hormone and juvenile hormone. The subject in the present study is a silkworm mutant that does not moult in the 2^nd instar (nm2). Genetic analysis indicated that the nm2 mutation is controlled by a recessive gene and is homozygous lethal. Based on positional cloning, nm2 was located in a region approximately 275 kb on the 5^th linkage group by eleven SSR polymorphism markers. In this specific range, according to the transcriptional expression of thirteen genes and cloning, the relative expression level of the BmCPG10 gene that encodes a cuticle protein was lower than the expression level of the wild-type gene. Moreover, this gene’s structure differs from that of the wild-type gene: there is a deletion of 217 bp in its open reading frame, which resulted in a change in the protein it encoded. The BmCPG10 mRNA was detectable throughout silkworm development from the egg to the moth. This mRNA was low in the pre-moulting and moulting stages of each instar but was high in the gluttonous stage and in newly exuviated larvae. The BmCPG10 mRNA showed high expression levels in the epidermis, head and trachea, while the expression levels were low in the midgut, Malpighian tubule, prothoracic gland, haemolymph and ventral nerve cord. The ecdysone titre was determined by ELISA, and the results demonstrated that the ecdysone titre of nm2 larvae was lower than that of the wild-type larvae. The nm2 mutant could be rescued by feeding 20-hydroxyecdysone, cholesterol and 7—dehydrocholesterol (7dC), but the rescued nm2 only developed to the 4^th instar and subsequently died. The moulting time of silkworms could be delayed by BmCPG10 RNAi. Thus, we speculated that the mutation of BmCPG10 was responsible for the silkworm mutant that did not moult in the 2^nd instar.

Genome-wide identification and developmental expression profiling of long noncoding RNAs during Drosophila metamorphosis

An increasing number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been discovered with the recent advances in RNA-sequencing technologies. lncRNAs play key roles across diverse biological processes, and are involved in developmental regulation. However, knowledge about how the genome-wide expression of lncRNAs is developmentally regulated is still limited. We here performed a whole-genome identification of lncRNAs followed by a global expression profiling of these lncRNAs during development in Drosophila melanogaster. We combined bioinformatic prediction of lncRNAs with stringent filtering of protein-coding transcripts and experimental validation to define a high-confidence set of Drosophila lncRNAs. We identified 1,077 lncRNAs in the given transcriptomes that contain 43,967 transcripts; among these, 646 lncRNAs are novel. In vivo expression profiling of these lncRNAs in 27 developmental processes revealed that the expression of lncRNAs is highly temporally restricted relative to that of protein-coding genes. Remarkably, 21% and 42% lncRNAs were significantly upregulated at late embryonic and larval stage, the critical time for developmental transition. The results highlight the developmental specificity of lncRNA expression, and reflect the regulatory significance of a large subclass of lncRNAs for the onset of metamorphosis. The systematic annotation and expression analysis of lncRNAs during Drosophila development form the foundation for future functional exploration.

20-hydroxyecdysone mediates fat body arylphorin regulation during development of rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica

Arylphorin hexamerins are one of the major insect storage proteins involved in diverse functions during metamorphosis. However, their regulation during development is not elucidated so far. In the present study, we documented 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)-mediated regulation of arylphorin expression in the fat body of the stored grain pest, Corcyra cephalonica. Based on the differential developmental expression and 20E-induced transcriptional as well as translational level alterations of arylphorin, we isolated the 5' upstream region of the gene to analyze regulatory motifs. Promoter motif analysis revealed the presence of ecdysone response element (ERE). Transient transfection studies showed the functionality of the ERE. Enzyme mobility shift experiments with radiolabelled, cold and mutated probes indicate ERE-nuclear factor binding. This study is the first to report transcriptional regulation of arylphorins by 20E in lepdopteran insect species.

20-hydroxyecdysone activates Forkhead box O to promote proteolysis during Helicoverpa armigera molting

Insulin inhibits transcription factor forkhead box O (FoxO) activity, and the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) activates FoxO; however, the mechanism is unclear. We hypothesized that 20E upregulates phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase (PTEN) expression to activate FoxO, thereby promoting proteolysis during molting in the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera. FoxO expression is increased during molting and metamorphosis. The knockdown of FoxO in fifth instar larvae results in larval molting failure. 20E induces FoxO non-phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Insulin, via Akt, induces FoxO phosphorylation and cytoplasm localization. 20E represses insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation and FoxO phosphorylation. 20E, via ecdysone receptor B1 (EcRB1) and the ultraspiracle protein (USP1), upregulates PTEN expression, which represses Akt phosphorylation, thereby repressing FoxO phosphorylation. The non-phosphorylated FoxO enters the nucleus and attaches to a FoxO binding element in the upstream region of the Broad isoform 7 (BrZ7) gene to regulate BrZ7 transcription under 20E induction. 20E upregulates FoxO expression via EcRB1 and USP1. FoxO regulation of BrZ7 expression regulates CarboxypeptidaseA expression for final proteolysis during insect molting. Hence, 20E activates FoxO via upregulating PTEN expression to counteract insulin activity and promote proteolysis.

BmBR-C Z4 is an upstream regulatory factor of BmPOUM2 controlling the pupal specific expression of BmWCP4 in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)-induced expression of the wing disc cuticle protein gene BmWCP4 was mediated by the transcription factor BmPOUM2, which binds to the cis-response elements (CREs) of BmWCP4 gene in Bombyx mori. In this study we report the regulation of BmPOUM2. RT-PCR analysis indicated that in response to 20E, BmPOUM2 was expressed at higher levels in the wing discs during the pre-pupal and mid-pupal stages than other stages and the expression pattern of BmBR-C Z1, BmBR-C Z2 and BmBR-C Z4 was in tandem with the expression of BmPOUM2. BmBR-C Z4 was induced by 20E in the wing discs, whereas BmBR-C Z1 and BmBR-C Z2 were not. Three potential BR-C Z4 cis-response elements (CREs) were identified in the promoter region of BmPOUM2. The expression of BmPOUM2 mRNA and protein was increased by the over-expression of BmBR-C Z4 in BmN cells, which acted at the promoter of BmPOUM2. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and the luciferase activity analysis under the control of wild-type and mutants of the BR-C Z4 CREs suggested that BmBR-C Z4 protein bound to the predicted BRC-Z4 CRE C (-684 ∼ -660). Taken together the data suggest that BmBR-C Z4 is a direct upstream regulator of BmPOUM2 and regulates the pupal-specific expression of BmWCP4 through BmPOUM2.

Ecdysone-Related Biomarkers of Toxicity in the Model Organism Chironomus riparius: Stage and Sex-Dependent Variations in Gene Expression Profiles

Despite being considered a model organism in toxicity studies, particularly in assessing the environmental impact of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and other chemicals, the molecular basis of development is largely unknown in Chironomus riparius. We have characterized the expression patterns of important genes involved in the ecdysone pathway from embryos to pupa, but specially during the different phases of C. riparius fourth larval instar, according to the development of genital and thoracic imaginal discs. Real-Time PCR was used to analyze: EcR and usp, two genes encoding the two dimerizing partners of the functional ecdysone receptor; E74, an early response gene induced by ecdysteroids; vg (vitellogenin), an effector gene; hsp70 and hsc70, two heat-shock genes involved in the correct folding of the ecdysone receptor; and rpL13, as a part of the ribosomal machinery. Our results show for the first time stage and sex-dependent variations in ecdysone-responsive genes, specially during the late larval stage of C. riparius. The induction in the expression of EcR and usp during the VII-VIII phase of the fourth instar is concomitant with a coordinated response in the activity of the other genes analyzed, suggesting the moment where larvae prepare for pupation. This work is particularly relevant given that most of the analyzed genes have been proposed previously in this species as sensitive biomarkers for the toxicological evaluation of aquatic ecosystems. Identifying the natural regulation of these molecular endpoints throughout the Chironomus development will contribute to a more in-depth and accurate evaluation of the disrupting effects of EDCs in ecotoxicological studies.