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Zeng MZ, Zhou W, Wen SS, Wu H, Zhang Q, Fu KY, Guo WC, Shi JF. Identification and Functional Insights of Knickkopf Genes in the Larval Cuticle of Leptinotarsa decemlineata. INSECTS 2024; 15:623. [PMID: 39194827 DOI: 10.3390/insects15080623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is a major pest of potato crops. While Knickkopf (Knk) genes are essential for insect cuticle formation, their roles in pests like L. decemlineata remain unclear. This study aims to identify and characterize Knk genes in L. decemlineata and explore their functions in larval development and cuticle integrity. We used genomic and transcriptomic databases to identify LdKnk-family genes, validated through RT-PCR and RACE. Gene expression was analyzed at various developmental stages and tissues using qRT-PCR. RNA interference (RNAi) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to determine the functional roles of these genes. Four LdKnk-family genes were identified. Spatio-temporal expression analysis indicated significant gene expression during larval molting and pupal stages, especially in the epidermis. RNAi experiments showed that silencing LdKnk and LdKnk3-5' led to reduced larval weight, cuticle thinning, and increased mortality, while LdKnk3-FL knockdown caused abnormal cuticle thickening and molting disruptions. LdKnk2 knockdown increased epicuticle and endocuticle thickness without visible phenotypic changes. The study highlights the essential roles of LdKnk-family genes in maintaining cuticle structure and integrity, suggesting their potential as targets for RNAi-based pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mu-Zi Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, College of Sericulture, Textile, and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, College of Sericulture, Textile, and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Shan-Shan Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, College of Sericulture, Textile, and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, College of Sericulture, Textile, and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, College of Sericulture, Textile, and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Kai-Yun Fu
- Institute of Plant Protection Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Oasis, Ministry of Agriculture/Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety, Urumqi 830091, China
| | - Wen-Chao Guo
- Institute of Plant Protection Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Oasis, Ministry of Agriculture/Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety, Urumqi 830091, China
| | - Ji-Feng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, College of Sericulture, Textile, and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Yu RR, Zhang R, Liu WM, Zhao XM, Zhu KY, Moussian B, Zhang JZ. The DOMON domain protein LmKnk contributes to correct chitin content, pore canal formation and lipid deposition in the cuticle of Locusta migratoria during moulting. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 31:127-138. [PMID: 34738680 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Insects prevent uncontrolled penetration of water and xenobiotics by producing an impermeable cuticle. The major component of the cuticle is chitin that adopts a crystalline structure thereby contributing to cuticle stability. Our understanding of the contribution of chitin to the cuticle barrier function is limited. Here, we studied the role of the DOMON domain protein Knickkopf (LmKnk) that is involved in chitin organization and cuticle permeability in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria. We show that LmKnk localizes to the chitin layer in the newly produced cuticle. Injection of double-stranded RNA targeting LmKnk (dsLmKnk) in locust nymphs caused failure of moulting to the next stage. Histological experiments revealed that apolysis, i.e., the detachment of the old cuticle from the body surface, was normal; however, the newly synthesized cuticle was thinner than the cuticle of the control insects. Indeed, chitin content dropped after suppression of LmKnk expression. As seen by transmission electron microscopy, crystalline chitin organization was lost in dsLmKnk-treated insects. In addition, the structure of pore canals, which are lipid transporting routes in the cuticle, was abnormal. Consistently, their content was reduced and, probably by consequence, lipid deposition on the cuticle was decreased after injection of dsLmKnk. Suppression of LmKnk transcript levels rendered L. migratoria more susceptible to each of four selected insecticides including malathion, chlorpyrifos, carbaryl and deltamethrin. Overall, our data show that LmKnk is needed for correct chitin amounts and organization, and their changes ultimately affect cuticular permeability in L. migratoria.
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Affiliation(s)
- R R Yu
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Biology, Taiyuan Normal University, Jinzhong, China
| | - R Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- College of Life Science, Datong University, Datong, China
| | - W M Liu
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - X M Zhao
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - K Y Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - B Moussian
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose, Parc Valrose, Nice, France
| | - J Z Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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Wang Y, Gao L, Moussian B. Drosophila, Chitin and Insect Pest Management. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 26:3546-3553. [PMID: 32693764 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200721002354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Insects are a great menace in agriculture and vectors of human diseases. Hence, controlling insect populations is an important issue worldwide. A common strategy to control insects is the application of insecticides. However, insecticides entail three major problems. First, insecticides are chemicals that stress ecosystems and may even be harmful to humans. Second, insecticides are often unspecific and also eradicate beneficial insect species like the honeybee. Third, insects are able to develop resistance to insecticides. Therefore, the efficient generation of new potent insecticides and their intelligent delivery are the major tasks in agriculture. In addition, acceptance or refusal in society is a major issue that has to be considered in the application of a pest management strategy. In this paper, we unify two issues: 1) we illustrate that our molecular knowledge of the chitin synthesis and organization pathways may offer new opportunities to design novel insecticides that are environmentally harmless at the same time being specific to a pest species; and 2) we advocate that the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster may serve as an excellent model of insect to study the effects of insecticides at the genetic, molecular and histology level in order to better understand their mode of action and to optimize their impact. Especially, chitin synthesis and organization proteins and enzymes are excellently dissected in the fruit fly, providing a rich source for new insecticide targets. Thus, D. melanogaster offers a cheap, efficient and fast assay system to address agricultural questions, as has been demonstrated to be the case in bio-medical research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Lujuan Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology (Ifiz), University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Zhang R, Zhao X, Liu X, Zhang X, Yu R, Ma E, Moussian B, Zhu K, Zhang J. Effect of RNAi-mediated silencing of two Knickkopf family genes (LmKnk2 and LmKnk3) on cuticle formation and insecticide susceptibility in Locusta migratoria. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:2907-2917. [PMID: 32358831 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knickkopf (Knk) proteins play crucial roles in the formation of insect cuticle. Recent studies in the holometabolous insect red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) have shown that three Knk genes encoding TcKnk, TcKnk2 and TcKnk3 play different but essential roles at different developmental stages and in different tissues. However, the functions of Knk genes had not been fully explored in hemimetabolous insects such as the migratory locust Locusta migratoria. RESULTS We identified three transcripts of LmKnk-like genes LmKnk2 and LmKnk3 with the full-length cDNA sequences, which were named as LmKnk2, LmKnk3-FL and LmKnk3-5'. These three transcripts were highly expressed before molting and mainly expressed in the integument. Among these genes, silencing only LmKnk3-5' by RNA interference (RNAi) caused molting defects and high mortality of the locusts. Injection of dsLmKnk3-5' dramatically decreased chitin content, but did not affect cuticle laminar ultra-structures in the integument. After the knockdown of LmKnk3-5' transcript, lipid deposition on the cuticle surface was impeded, and locusts exhibited increased susceptibility to each of four insecticides in three different classes. However, no visible phenotypic changes were observed after LmKnk2 or LmKnk3-FL was silenced by RNAi. CONCLUSION We demonstrate that LmKnk3-5' is essential for cuticle formation in L. migratoria. This contrasts the findings that the cognate protein in T. castaneum TcKnk3-5' is dispensable for cuticle formation and survival. Hence, we provide some evidence that the function of Knk-type proteins may be species-specific. We therefore think that LmKnk3-5' may be a good target for the application of RNAi-based technologies for species-specific insect pest management. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhao
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaojian Liu
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xueyao Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Rongrong Yu
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Enbo Ma
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose, Nice, France
| | - KunYan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology and College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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Li K, Zhang X, Zuo Y, Liu W, Zhang J, Moussian B. Timed Knickkopf function is essential for wing cuticle formation in Drosophila melanogaster. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 89:1-10. [PMID: 28821399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The insect cuticle is an extracellular matrix that consists of the polysaccharide chitin, proteins, lipids and organic molecules that are arranged in distinct horizontal layers. In Drosophila melanogaster, these layers are not formed sequentially, but, at least partially, at the same time. Timing of the underlying molecular mechanisms is conceivably crucial for cuticle formation. To study this issue, we determined the time period during which the function of Knickkopf (Knk), a key factor of chitin organization, is required for wing cuticle differentiation in D. melanogaster. Although knk is expressed throughout metamorphosis, we demonstrate that its expression 30 h prior and 48 h after pupariation is essential for correct wing cuticle formation. In other words, expression beyond this period is futile. Importantly, manipulation of Knk expression during this time causes wing bending suggesting an effect of Knk amounts on the physical properties of the wing cuticle. Manipulation of Knk expression also interferes with the structure and function of the cuticle surface. First, we show that the shape of surface nano-structures depends on the expression levels of knk. Second, we find that cuticle impermeability is compromised in wings with reduced knk expression. In summary, despite the extended supply of Knk during metamorphosis, controlled amounts of Knk are important for correct wing cuticle differentiation and function in a concise period of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixia Li
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China; College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Xubo Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Ying Zuo
- Scientific Instrument Center, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Weimin Liu
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China.
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Institute of Biology Valrose, University of Nice, France & Applied Zoology, TU Dresden, Germany.
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Sobala LF, Adler PN. The Gene Expression Program for the Formation of Wing Cuticle in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006100. [PMID: 27232182 PMCID: PMC4883753 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The cuticular exoskeleton of insects and other arthropods is a remarkably versatile material with a complex multilayer structure. We made use of the ability to isolate cuticle synthesizing cells in relatively pure form by dissecting pupal wings and we used RNAseq to identify genes expressed during the formation of the adult wing cuticle. We observed dramatic changes in gene expression during cuticle deposition, and combined with transmission electron microscopy, we were able to identify candidate genes for the deposition of the different cuticular layers. Among genes of interest that dramatically change their expression during the cuticle deposition program are ones that encode cuticle proteins, ZP domain proteins, cuticle modifying proteins and transcription factors, as well as genes of unknown function. A striking finding is that mutations in a number of genes that are expressed almost exclusively during the deposition of the envelope (the thin outermost layer that is deposited first) result in gross defects in the procuticle (the thick chitinous layer that is deposited last). An attractive hypothesis to explain this is that the deposition of the different cuticle layers is not independent with the envelope instructing the formation of later layers. Alternatively, some of the genes expressed during the deposition of the envelope could form a platform that is essential for the deposition of all cuticle layers. Insects and other arthropods are an extremely successful group of animals. A unique and key feature of their lifestyle is their chitin containing cuticular exoskeleton, a complex layered material, which remains rather poorly understood for so prominent of a biological material. We have characterized the gene expression pattern of wing epithelial cells over the period of cuticle formation and also carried out transmission electron microscopy, which allows us to identify genes that likely play a role in the formation of different cuticle layers. Functional studies suggest that the deposition of the earliest layer influences the deposition of the later ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz F. Sobala
- Biology Department and Cell Biology Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Paul N. Adler
- Biology Department and Cell Biology Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Costa A, Barbaro MR, Sicilia F, Preger V, Krieger-Liszkay A, Sparla F, De Lorenzo G, Trost P. AIR12, a b-type cytochrome of the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis thaliana is a negative regulator of resistance against Botrytis cinerea. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2015; 233:32-43. [PMID: 25711811 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Revised: 12/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/03/2015] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
AIR12 (Auxin Induced in Root culture) is a single gene of Arabidopsis that codes for a mono-heme cytochrome b. Recombinant AIR12 from Arabidopsis accepted electrons from ascorbate or superoxide, and donated electrons to either monodehydroascorbate or oxygen. AIR12 was found associated in vivo to the plasma membrane. Though linked to the membrane by a glycophosphatidylinositol anchor, AIR12 is a hydrophilic and glycosylated protein predicted to be fully exposed to the apoplast. The expression pattern of AIR12 in Arabidopsis is developmentally regulated and correlated to sites of controlled cell separation (e.g. micropilar endosperm during germination, epidermal cells surrounding the emerging lateral root) and cells around wounds. Arabidopsis (Landsberg erecta-0) mutants with altered levels of AIR12 did not show any obvious phenotype. However, AIR12-overexpressing plants accumulated ROS (superoxide, hydrogen peroxide) and lipid peroxides in leaves, indicating that AIR12 may alter the redox state of the apoplast under particular conditions. On the other hand, AIR12-knock out plants displayed a strongly decreased susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea infection, which in turn induced AIR12 expression in susceptible wild type plants. Altogether, the results suggest that AIR12 plays a role in the regulation of the apoplastic redox state and in the response to necrotrophic pathogens. Possible relationships between these functions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Costa
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università di Milano, Via G. Celoria 24, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Barbaro
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie (FABIT), Università di Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Sicilia
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologia "C. Darwin," Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Valeria Preger
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie (FABIT), Università di Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anja Krieger-Liszkay
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) Saclay, Institut de Biologie et Technologie de Saclay, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 8221, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Francesca Sparla
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie (FABIT), Università di Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia De Lorenzo
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologia "C. Darwin," Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy.
| | - Paolo Trost
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie (FABIT), Università di Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Chaudhari SS, Moussian B, Specht CA, Arakane Y, Kramer KJ, Beeman RW, Muthukrishnan S. Functional specialization among members of Knickkopf family of proteins in insect cuticle organization. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004537. [PMID: 25144557 PMCID: PMC4140639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Our recent study on the functional analysis of the Knickkopf protein from T. castaneum (TcKnk), indicated a novel role for this protein in protection of chitin from degradation by chitinases. Knk is also required for the laminar organization of chitin in the procuticle. During a bioinformatics search using this protein sequence as the query, we discovered the existence of a small family of three Knk-like genes (including the prototypical TcKnk) in the T. castaneum genome as well as in all insects with completed genome assemblies. The two additional Knk-like genes have been named TcKnk2 and TcKnk3. Further complexity arises as a result of alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation of transcripts of TcKnk3, leading to the production of three transcripts (and by inference, three proteins) from this gene. These transcripts are named TcKnk3-Full Length (TcKnk3-FL), TcKnk3-5' and TcKnk3-3'. All three Knk-family genes appear to have essential and non-redundant functions. RNAi for TcKnk led to developmental arrest at every molt, while down-regulation of either TcKnk2 or one of the three TcKnk3 transcripts (TcKnk3-3') resulted in specific molting arrest only at the pharate adult stage. All three Knk genes appear to influence the total chitin content at the pharate adult stage, but to variable extents. While TcKnk contributes mostly to the stability and laminar organization of chitin in the elytral and body wall procuticles, proteins encoded by TcKnk2 and TcKnk3-3' transcripts appear to be required for the integrity of the body wall denticles and tracheal taenidia, but not the elytral and body wall procuticles. Thus, the three members of the Knk-family of proteins perform different essential functions in cuticle formation at different developmental stages and in different parts of the insect anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujata S Chaudhari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Department of Animal Genetics, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Charles A Specht
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Division of Plant Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Karl J Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Richard W Beeman
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
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