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Liu M, Ge R, Song L, Chen Y, Yan S, Bu C. The chitinase genes TuCht4 and TuCht10 are indispensable for molting and survival of Tetranychus urticae. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 171:104150. [PMID: 38871132 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104150] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Insect chitinases (Chts) play a crucial role in the molting process, enabling continuous growth through sequential developmental stages. Based on their high homology to insect Chts, TuCht1 (group II), TuCht4 (group I) and TuCht10 (group IV) were identified, and their roles during molting process were investigated. TuCht1 was mainly expressed in the deutonymphal stage, while TuCht4 was mainly expressed in the nymphal stage and the highest expression level of TuCht10 was observed in the larvae. Feeding RNAi assays have shown that group I TuCht4 and group Ⅳ TuCht10 are involved in mite molting. Suppression of TuCht4 or TuCht10 resulted in high mortality, molting abnormalities and the absence of distinct electron dense layers of chitinous horizontal laminae in the cuticle, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The nanocarrier mediated RNAi had significantly higher RNAi efficiency and caused higher mortality. The results of the present study suggest that chitinase genes TuCht4 and TuCht10 are potential targets for dietary RNAi, and demonstrates a nanocarrier-mediated delivery system to enhance the bioactivity of dsRNA, providing a potential technology for green pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Northern Urban Agriculture of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Bioscience and Resource Environment, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Rongchumu Ge
- Key Laboratory of Northern Urban Agriculture of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Bioscience and Resource Environment, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Lihong Song
- Key Laboratory of Northern Urban Agriculture of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Bioscience and Resource Environment, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Northern Urban Agriculture of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Bioscience and Resource Environment, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Shuo Yan
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Chunya Bu
- Key Laboratory of Northern Urban Agriculture of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Bioscience and Resource Environment, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.
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Zhang Y, Li H, Lan Q, Liu X, Wu H, Zhang J, Zhao X, Wang Y. Sinuous Is a Claudin Required for Locust Molt in Locusta migratoria. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:850. [PMID: 39062629 PMCID: PMC11275452 DOI: 10.3390/genes15070850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The epidermal cells of insects are polarized epithelial cells that play a pivotal role in the insect's molting process. Sinuous, a pivotal structural protein involved in the formation of septate junctions among epithelial cells, is essential for its physiological function. In this study, to determine whether sinuous participates in the regulation of insect molting, we identified the sinuous gene, Lmsinu, in Locusta migratoria, which encodes a protein belonging to the claudin family and shares 62.6% identity with Drosophila's sinuous protein. Lmsinu is expressed in multiple tissues, and its expression level in the integument significantly increases prior to molting. Knockdown of Lmsinu in L. migratoria results in larval mortality during molting. Furthermore, hematoxylin and eosin and chitin staining demonstrate that the downregulation of Lmsinu led to a prolonged degradation process of the old cuticle during the molting process. Electron microscopy analysis further revealed that knockdown of Lmsinu disrupts the formation of septate junctions among epidermal cells, which are a monolayer of polarized epithelial cells, which may hinder the functionality of epidermal cells during the process of molting. In summary, these findings suggest that Lmsinu plays a role in nymph molting by regulating the formation of septate junctions among epidermal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (Q.L.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (J.Z.); (X.Z.)
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Hongjing Li
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (Q.L.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (J.Z.); (X.Z.)
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Qiuyan Lan
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (Q.L.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (J.Z.); (X.Z.)
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (Q.L.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (J.Z.); (X.Z.)
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Haihua Wu
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (Q.L.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (J.Z.); (X.Z.)
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (Q.L.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (J.Z.); (X.Z.)
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhao
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (Q.L.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (J.Z.); (X.Z.)
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.); (H.L.); (Q.L.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (J.Z.); (X.Z.)
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
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Wu N, Lin Q, Shao F, Chen L, Zhang H, Chen K, Wu J, Wang G, Wang H, Yang Q. Insect cuticle-inspired design of sustainably sourced composite bioplastics with enhanced strength, toughness and stretch-strengthening behavior. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 333:121970. [PMID: 38494224 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.121970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Insect cuticles that are mainly made of chitin, chitosan and proteins provide insects with rigid, stretchable and robust skins to defend harsh external environment. The insect cuticle therefore provides inspiration for engineering biomaterials with outstanding mechanical properties but also sustainability and biocompatibility. We herein propose a design of high-performance and sustainable bioplastics via introducing CPAP3-A1, a major structural protein in insect cuticles, to specifically bind to chitosan. Simply mixing 10w/w% bioengineered CPAP3-A1 protein with chitosan enables the formation of plastics-like, sustainably sourced chitosan/CPAP3-A1 composites with significantly enhanced strength (∼90 MPa) and toughness (∼20 MJ m -3), outperforming previous chitosan-based composites and most synthetic petroleum-based plastics. Remarkably, these bioplastics exhibit a stretch-strengthening behavior similar to the training living muscles. Mechanistic investigation reveals that the introduction of CPAP3-A1 induce chitosan chains to assemble into a more coarsened fibrous network with increased crystallinity and reinforcement effect, but also enable energy dissipation via reversible chitosan-protein interactions. Further uniaxial stretch facilitates network re-orientation and increases chitosan crystallinity and mechanical anisotropy, thereby resulting in stretch-strengthening behavior. In general, this study provides an insect-cuticle inspired design of high-performance bioplastics that may serve as sustainable and bio-friendly materials for a wide range of engineering and biomedical application potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning 116024, China
| | - Qiaoxia Lin
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning 116024, China
| | - Fei Shao
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning 116024, China
| | - Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Haoyue Zhang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning 116024, China
| | - Kaiwen Chen
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning 116024, China
| | - Jinrong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Guirong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Huanan Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning 116024, China.
| | - Qing Yang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning 116024, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China.
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Rabadiya D, Behr M. The biology of insect chitinases and their roles at chitinous cuticles. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 165:104071. [PMID: 38184175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104071] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Chitin is one of the most prevalent biomaterials in the natural world. The chitin matrix formation and turnover involve several enzymes for chitin synthesis, maturation, and degradation. Sequencing of the Drosophila genome more than twenty years ago revealed that insect genomes contain a number of chitinases, but why insects need so many different chitinases was unclear. Here, we focus on insect GH18 family chitinases and discuss their participation in chitin matrix formation and degradation. We describe their variations in terms of temporal and spatial expression patterns, molecular function, and physiological consequences at chitinous cuticles. We further provide insight into the catalytic mechanisms by discussing chitinase protein domain structures, substrate binding, and enzymatic activities with respect to structural analysis of the enzymatic GH18 domain, substrate-binding cleft, and characteristic TIM-barrel structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhyeykumar Rabadiya
- Cell & Developmental Biology, Institute for Biology, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Behr
- Cell & Developmental Biology, Institute for Biology, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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Yu A, Beck M, Merzendorfer H, Yang Q. Advances in understanding insect chitin biosynthesis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 164:104058. [PMID: 38072083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104058] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Chitin, a natural polymer of N-acetylglucosamine chains, is a principal component of the apical extracellular matrix in arthropods. Chitin microfibrils serve as structural components of natural biocomposites present in the extracellular matrix of a variety of invertebrates including sponges, molluscs, nematodes, fungi and arthropods. In this review, we summarize the frontier advances of insect chitin synthesis. More specifically, we focus on the chitin synthase (CHS), which catalyzes the key biosynthesis step. CHS is also known as an attractive insecticidal target in that this enzyme is absent in mammals, birds or plants. As no insect chitin synthase structure have been reported so far, we review recent studies on glycosyltransferase domain structures derived from fungi and oomycetes, which are conserved in CHS from all species containing chitin. Auxiliary proteins, which coordinate with CHS in chitin biosynthesis and assembly, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailing Yu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Marius Beck
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany.
| | - Qing Yang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Wang Q, Yang L, Tian T, Sun Y, Dong H, Gong J, Hou Y. Proteomic Analysis of the Midgut Contents of Silkworm in the Pupal Stage. INSECTS 2023; 14:953. [PMID: 38132625 PMCID: PMC10743435 DOI: 10.3390/insects14120953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The silkworm Bombyx mori, a lepidopteran insect, possesses an 8-10-day pupal stage, during which significant changes occur in the midgut, where it first condenses into the yellow body, and then undergoes decomposition. To gain insights into this transformation process, proteomics was performed on Bombyx mori midgut contents on day 2 and day 7 after pupation. The results revealed the identification of 771 proteins with more than one unique peptide. An analysis using AgriGO demonstrated that these proteins were predominantly associated with catalytic activity. Among the identified proteins, a considerable number were found to be involved in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, nucleic acid degradation, and energy support. Additionally, variations in the levels of certain proteases were observed between the midgut contents on day 2 and day 7 after pupation. An in-depth analysis of the two-dimensional electrophoresis of the midgut contents on day 7 after pupation led to the identification of twelve protein spots with potential gelatinolytic activity. Among these, six proteases were identified through mass spectrometry, including the p37k protease, vitellin-degrading protease, chymotrypsin-2, etc. These proteases may be responsible for the digestion of the yellow body during the later stages of pupal development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yong Hou
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Q.W.); (L.Y.); (T.T.); (Y.S.); (H.D.); (J.G.)
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Ohnuma T, Tsujii J, Kataoka C, Yoshimoto T, Takeshita D, Lampela O, Juffer AH, Suginta W, Fukamizo T. Periplasmic chitooligosaccharide-binding protein requires a three-domain organization for substrate translocation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20558. [PMID: 37996461 PMCID: PMC10667598 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47253-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Periplasmic solute-binding proteins (SBPs) specific for chitooligosaccharides, (GlcNAc)n (n = 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6), are involved in the uptake of chitinous nutrients and the negative control of chitin signal transduction in Vibrios. Most translocation processes by SBPs across the inner membrane have been explained thus far by two-domain open/closed mechanism. Here we propose three-domain mechanism of the (GlcNAc)n translocation based on experiments using a recombinant VcCBP, SBP specific for (GlcNAc)n from Vibrio cholerae. X-ray crystal structures of unliganded or (GlcNAc)3-liganded VcCBP solved at 1.2-1.6 Å revealed three distinct domains, the Upper1, Upper2 and Lower domains for this protein. Molecular dynamics simulation indicated that the motions of the three domains are independent and that in the (GlcNAc)3-liganded state the Upper2/Lower interface fluctuated more intensively, compared to the Upper1/Lower interface. The Upper1/Lower interface bound two GlcNAc residues tightly, while the Upper2/Lower interface appeared to loosen and release the bound sugar molecule. The three-domain mechanism proposed here was fully supported by binding data obtained by thermal unfolding experiments and ITC, and may be applicable to other translocation systems involving SBPs belonging to the same cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Ohnuma
- Department of Advanced Bioscience, Kindai University, 3327-204 Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan.
- Agricultural Technology and Innovation Research Institute (ATIRI), Kindai University, 3327-204, Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan.
| | - Jun Tsujii
- Department of Advanced Bioscience, Kindai University, 3327-204 Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan
| | - Chikara Kataoka
- Department of Advanced Bioscience, Kindai University, 3327-204 Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan
| | - Teruki Yoshimoto
- Department of Advanced Bioscience, Kindai University, 3327-204 Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan
| | - Daijiro Takeshita
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba-Shi, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan
| | - Outi Lampela
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - André H Juffer
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O.Box 5000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Wipa Suginta
- School of Biomolecular Science & Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Wangchan Valley 555 Moo 1 Payupnai, Wangchan, Rayong, 21210, Thailand
| | - Tamo Fukamizo
- Department of Advanced Bioscience, Kindai University, 3327-204 Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan.
- School of Biomolecular Science & Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Wangchan Valley 555 Moo 1 Payupnai, Wangchan, Rayong, 21210, Thailand.
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Nakazato Y, Otaki JM. Live Detection of Intracellular Chitin in Butterfly Wing Epithelial Cells In Vivo Using Fluorescent Brightener 28: Implications for the Development of Scales and Color Patterns. INSECTS 2023; 14:753. [PMID: 37754721 PMCID: PMC10532232 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Chitin is the major component of the extracellular cuticle and plays multiple roles in insects. In butterflies, chitin builds wing scales for structural colors. Here, we show that intracellular chitin in live cells can be detected in vivo with fluorescent brightener 28 (FB28), focusing on wing epithelial cells of the small lycaenid butterfly Zizeeria maha immediately after pupation. A relatively small number of cells at the apical surface of the epithelium were strongly FB28-positive in the cytosol and seemed to have extensive ER-Golgi networks, which may be specialized chitin-secreting cells. Some cells had FB28-positive tadpole-tail-like or rod-like structures relative to the nucleus. We detected FB28-positive hexagonal intracellular objects and their associated structures extending toward the apical end of the cell, which may be developing scale bases and shafts. We also observed FB28-positive fibrous intracellular structures extending toward the basal end. Many cells were FB28-negative in the cytosol, which contained FB28-positive dots or discs. The present data are crucial to understanding the differentiation of the butterfly wing epithelium, including scale formation and color pattern determination. The use of FB28 in probing intracellular chitin in live cells may be applicable to other insect systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joji M. Otaki
- The BCPH Unit of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
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An S, Liu W, Fu J, Zhang Z, Zhang R. Molecular identification of the chitinase genes in Aedes albopictus and essential roles of AaCht10 in pupal-adult transition. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:120. [PMID: 37005671 PMCID: PMC10068161 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05733-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes albopictus is an increasingly serious threat in public health due to it is vector of multiple arboviruses that cause devastating human diseases, as well as its widening distribution in recent years. Insecticide resistance is a serious problem worldwide that limits the efficacy of chemical control strategies against Ae. albopictus. Chitinase genes have been widely recognized as attractive targets for the development of effective and environmentally safe insect management measures. METHODS Chitinase genes of Ae. albopictus were identified and characterized on the basis of bioinformatics search of the referenced genome. Gene characterizations and phylogenetic relationships of chitinase genes were investigated, and spatio-temporal expression pattern of each chitinase gene was evaluated using qRT-PCR. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to suppress the expression of AaCht10, and the roles of AaCht10 were verified based on phynotype observations, chitin content analysis and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain of epidermis and midgut. RESULTS Altogether, 14 chitinase-related genes (12 chitinase genes and 2 IDGFs) encoding 17 proteins were identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all these AaChts were classified into seven groups, and most of them were gathered into group IX. Only AaCht5-1, AaCht10 and AaCht18 contained both catalytic and chitin-binding domains. Different AaChts displayed development- and tissue-specific expression profiling. Suppression of the expression of AaCht10 resulted in abnormal molting, increased mortality, decreased chitin content and thinning epicuticle, procuticle and midgut wall of pupa. CONCLUSIONS Findings of the present study will aid in determining the biological functions of AaChts and also contribute to using AaChts as potential target for mosquito management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha An
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Wenjuan Liu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Jingwen Fu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Zhong Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China.
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117, China.
| | - Ruiling Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China.
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117, China.
- School of Laboratory Animal (Shandong Laboratory Animal Center), Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117, China.
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Zhong F, Yu L, Jiang X, Chen Y, Wang S, Chao L, Jiang Z, He B, Xu C, Wang S, Tang B, Duan H, Wu Y. Potential inhibitory effects of compounds ZK-PI-5 and ZK-PI-9 on trehalose and chitin metabolism in Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Front Physiol 2023; 14:1178996. [PMID: 37064912 PMCID: PMC10090375 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1178996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction:Spodoptera frugiperda is an omnivorous agricultural pest which is great dangerous for grain output.Methods: In order to investigate the effects of potential trehalase inhibitors, ZK-PI-5 and ZK-PI-9, on the growth and development of S. frugiperda, and to identify new avenues for S. frugiperda control, we measured the content of the trehalose, glucose, glycogen and chitin, enzyme activity, and gene expression levels in trehalose and chitin metabolism of S. frugiperda. Besides, their growth and development were also observed.Results: The results showed that ZK-PI-9 significantly reduced trehalase activity and ZK-PI-5 significantly reduced membraned-bound trehalase activity. Moreover, ZK-PI-5 inhibited the expression of SfTRE2, SfCHS2, and SfCHT, thus affecting the chitin metabolism. In addition, the mortality of S. frugiperda in pupal stage and eclosion stage increased significantly after treatment with ZK-PI-5 and ZK-PI-9, which affected their development stage and caused death phenotype (abnormal pupation and difficulty in breaking pupa).Discussion: These results have provided a theoretical basis for the application of trehalase inhibitors in the control of agricultural pests to promote future global grain yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhong
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liuhe Yu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Jiang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Chen
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sitong Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Chao
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyang Jiang
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Biner He
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Caidi Xu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shigui Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Tang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Tang, ; Hongxia Duan, ; Yan Wu,
| | - Hongxia Duan
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Tang, ; Hongxia Duan, ; Yan Wu,
| | - Yan Wu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, Department of Biology and Engineering of Environment, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Tang, ; Hongxia Duan, ; Yan Wu,
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11
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Sharma A, Arya SK, Singh J, Kapoor B, Bhatti JS, Suttee A, Singh G. Prospects of chitinase in sustainable farming and modern biotechnology: an update on recent progress and challenges. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2023:1-31. [PMID: 36856523 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2023.2183593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Chitinases are multifunctional biocatalysts for the pest control and useful in modern biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Chemical-based fungicides and insecticides have caused more severe effects on environment and human health. Many pathogenic fungal species and insects became resistant to the chemical pesticides. The resistant fungi emerged as a multidrug resistant also and less susceptible insects are not possible to control adequately. Chitinases have an immense potential to be exploited as a biopesticide against fungi and insects. The direct use of chitinase in liquid formulation or whole microbial enzyme producing cells, both act as antagonistically against the pests. Chitinase can disintegrate the fungal cell wall and insect integument that holds the chitin as a vital structural component. Moreover, chitinase is applied for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important chitooligosaccharides. Chitinase producing microbes have the huge potential to utilize against the waste management of sea food remains like shells of crustaceans. Chitinase is valuable for the synthesis of protoplasts from industrially important fungi, further it act as the biocontrol agent of malaria and dengue fever causing larvae of mosquitoes. Chitinases also have been successfully used in wine and single cell protein producing industries. Present review is illustrating the updated information on the state of the art of different applications of chitinases in agriculture and biotechnology industry. It also bestows the understanding to the readers about the areas of extensively studied and the field where there is still much left to be done.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anindita Sharma
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | | | - Jatinder Singh
- Department of Horticulture, SAGR, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | - Bhupinder Kapoor
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University Phagwara, Phagwara, India
| | - Jasvinder Singh Bhatti
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine School of Health Sciences, Central University of Punjab, India
| | - Ashish Suttee
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University Phagwara, India
| | - Gursharan Singh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
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12
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Li L, Wang YQ, Li GY, Song QS, Stanley D, Wei SJ, Zhu JY. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses of chitin metabolism enzymes in Tenebrio molitor. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 111:e21950. [PMID: 35809232 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21950] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Chitin is of great importance in the cuticle and inner cuticular linings of insects. Chitin synthases (CHSs), chitin deacetylases (CDAs), chitinases (CHTs), and β-N-acetylhexosaminidases (HEXs) are important enzymes required for chitin metabolism, and play essential roles in development and metamorphosis. Although chitin metabolism genes have been well characterized in limited insects, the information in the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, a model insect, is presently still unavailable. With the help of bioinformatics, we identified 54 genes that encode putative chitin metabolism enzymes, including 2 CHSs, 10 CDAs, 32 CHTs, and 10 HEXs in the genome of T. molitor. All these genes have the conserved domains and motifs of their corresponding protein family. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that CHS genes were divided into two groups. CDA genes were clustered into five groups. CHT genes were phylogenetically grouped into 11 clades, among which 1 in the endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidases group and the others were classified in the glycoside hydrolase family 18 groups. HEX genes were assorted into six groups. Developmental and tissue-specific expression profiling indicated that the identified chitin metabolism genes showed dynamical expression patterns concurrent with specific instar during molting period, suggesting their significant roles in molting and development. They were predominantly expressed in different tissues or body parts, implying their functional specialization and diversity. The results provide important information for further clarifying their biological functions using the yellow mealworm as an ideal experimental insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Yu-Qin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Guang-Ya Li
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Qi-Sheng Song
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - David Stanley
- USDA/ARS Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Shu-Jun Wei
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Ying Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
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13
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Kamal M, Tokmakjian L, Knox J, Mastrangelo P, Ji J, Cai H, Wojciechowski JW, Hughes MP, Takács K, Chu X, Pei J, Grolmusz V, Kotulska M, Forman-Kay JD, Roy PJ. A spatiotemporal reconstruction of the C. elegans pharyngeal cuticle reveals a structure rich in phase-separating proteins. eLife 2022; 11:e79396. [PMID: 36259463 PMCID: PMC9629831 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
How the cuticles of the roughly 4.5 million species of ecdysozoan animals are constructed is not well understood. Here, we systematically mine gene expression datasets to uncover the spatiotemporal blueprint for how the chitin-based pharyngeal cuticle of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is built. We demonstrate that the blueprint correctly predicts expression patterns and functional relevance to cuticle development. We find that as larvae prepare to molt, catabolic enzymes are upregulated and the genes that encode chitin synthase, chitin cross-linkers, and homologs of amyloid regulators subsequently peak in expression. Forty-eight percent of the gene products secreted during the molt are predicted to be intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), many of which belong to four distinct families whose transcripts are expressed in overlapping waves. These include the IDPAs, IDPBs, and IDPCs, which are introduced for the first time here. All four families have sequence properties that drive phase separation and we demonstrate phase separation for one exemplar in vitro. This systematic analysis represents the first blueprint for cuticle construction and highlights the massive contribution that phase-separating materials make to the structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muntasir Kamal
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Levon Tokmakjian
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Jessica Knox
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Peter Mastrangelo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Jingxiu Ji
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Hao Cai
- Molecular Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoCanada
| | - Jakub W Wojciechowski
- Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Department of Biomedical EngineeringWroclawPoland
| | - Michael P Hughes
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Kristóf Takács
- PIT Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Mathematics, Eötvös UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Xiaoquan Chu
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jianfeng Pei
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Vince Grolmusz
- PIT Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Mathematics, Eötvös UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Malgorzata Kotulska
- Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Department of Biomedical EngineeringWroclawPoland
| | - Julie Deborah Forman-Kay
- Molecular Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoCanada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Peter J Roy
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
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14
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Kaleem Ullah RM, Gökçe A, Bakhsh A, Salim M, Wu HY, Naqqash MN. Insights into the Use of Eco-Friendly Synergists in Resistance Management of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13090846. [PMID: 36135547 PMCID: PMC9500713 DOI: 10.3390/insects13090846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is the most notorious insect pest of potato globally. Injudicious use of insecticides for management of this pest has resulted in resistance to all major groups of insecticides along with many human, animal health, and environmental concerns. Additionally, the input cost of insecticide development/discovery is markedly increasing because each year thousands of chemicals are produced and tested for their insecticidal properties, requiring billions of dollars. For the management of resistance in insect pests, synergists can play a pivotal role by reducing the application dose of most insecticides. These eco-friendly synergists can be classified into two types: plant-based synergists and RNAi-based synergists. The use of plant-based and RNAi-based synergists in resistance management of insect pests can give promising results with lesser environmental side effects. This review summarizes the resistance status of CPB and discusses the potential advantage of plant-based and RNAi-based synergists for CPB resistance management. It will motivate researchers to further investigate the techniques of using plant- and RNAi-based synergists in combination with insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Muhammad Kaleem Ullah
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Science Education, Agricultural College of Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ayhan Gökçe
- Department of Plant Production & Technologies, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Niğ de Omer Halisdemir University, Niğde 51200, Turkey
| | - Allah Bakhsh
- Department of Plant Production & Technologies, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Niğ de Omer Halisdemir University, Niğde 51200, Turkey
| | - Muhammad Salim
- Department of Plant Production & Technologies, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Niğ de Omer Halisdemir University, Niğde 51200, Turkey
| | - Hai Yan Wu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Science Education, Agricultural College of Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Muhammad Nadir Naqqash
- Department of Plant Production & Technologies, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Niğ de Omer Halisdemir University, Niğde 51200, Turkey
- Institute of Plant Protection, MNS—University of Agriculture Multan Pakistan, Multan 60000, Pakistan
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15
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Jiang LH, Mu LL, Jin L, Anjum AA, Li GQ. Silencing uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase gene impairs larval development in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3894-3902. [PMID: 34523212 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) diphosphorylase (UAP) catalyzes the formation of UDP-GlcNAc, the precursor for the production of chitin in ectodermally derived epidermal cells and midgut, for GlcNAcylation of proteins and for generation of glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol anchors in all tissues in Drosophila melanogaster. RESULTS Here, we identified a putative HvUAP gene in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. Knockdown of HvUAP at the second-, third- and fourth-instar stages impaired larval development. Most resultant HvUAP hypomorphs showed arrested development at the third-, fourth-instar larval or prepupal stages, and became paralyzed, depending on the age when treated. Some HvUAP-silenced larvae had weak and soft scoli. A portion of HvUAP-depleted beetles formed misshapen pupae. No HvUAP RNA interference pupae successfully emerged as adults. Dissection and microscopic observation revealed that knockdown of HvUAP affected gut growth and food ingestion, reduced cuticle thickness, and negatively affected the formation of newly generated cuticle layers during ecdysis. Furthermore, HvUAP deficiency inhibited development of the tracheal respiratory system and thinned tracheal taenidia. CONCLUSION The phenotypical defects in HvUAP hypomorphs suggest that HvUAP is involved in the production of chitin. Moreover, our findings will enable the development of a double-stranded RNA-based pesticide to control H. vigintioctopunctata. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Hong Jiang
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in East China/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li-Li Mu
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in East China/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Jin
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in East China/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ahmad A Anjum
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in East China/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guo-Qing Li
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in East China/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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16
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Bai L, Liu L, Esquivel M, Tardy BL, Huan S, Niu X, Liu S, Yang G, Fan Y, Rojas OJ. Nanochitin: Chemistry, Structure, Assembly, and Applications. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11604-11674. [PMID: 35653785 PMCID: PMC9284562 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chitin, a fascinating biopolymer found in living organisms, fulfills current demands of availability, sustainability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, functionality, and renewability. A feature of chitin is its ability to structure into hierarchical assemblies, spanning the nano- and macroscales, imparting toughness and resistance (chemical, biological, among others) to multicomponent materials as well as adding adaptability, tunability, and versatility. Retaining the inherent structural characteristics of chitin and its colloidal features in dispersed media has been central to its use, considering it as a building block for the construction of emerging materials. Top-down chitin designs have been reported and differentiate from the traditional molecular-level, bottom-up synthesis and assembly for material development. Such topics are the focus of this Review, which also covers the origins and biological characteristics of chitin and their influence on the morphological and physical-chemical properties. We discuss recent achievements in the isolation, deconstruction, and fractionation of chitin nanostructures of varying axial aspects (nanofibrils and nanorods) along with methods for their modification and assembly into functional materials. We highlight the role of nanochitin in its native architecture and as a component of materials subjected to multiscale interactions, leading to highly dynamic and functional structures. We introduce the most recent advances in the applications of nanochitin-derived materials and industrialization efforts, following green manufacturing principles. Finally, we offer a critical perspective about the adoption of nanochitin in the context of advanced, sustainable materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Bai
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry
of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Liang Liu
- Jiangsu
Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest
Resources, Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass-Based Green Fuel and Chemicals,
College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing
Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, P.R. China
| | - Marianelly Esquivel
- Polymer
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National University of Costa Rica, Heredia 3000, Costa Rica
| | - Blaise L. Tardy
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Siqi Huan
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry
of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Xun Niu
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Shouxin Liu
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry
of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China
| | - Guihua Yang
- State
Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of
Sciences, Jinan 250353, China
| | - Yimin Fan
- Jiangsu
Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest
Resources, Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass-Based Green Fuel and Chemicals,
College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing
Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, P.R. China
| | - Orlando J. Rojas
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
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17
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Qu M, Guo X, Tian S, Yang Q, Kim M, Mun S, Noh MY, Kramer KJ, Muthukrishnan S, Arakane Y. AA15 lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase is required for efficient chitinous cuticle turnover during insect molting. Commun Biol 2022; 5:518. [PMID: 35641660 PMCID: PMC9156745 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03469-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) catalyze the oxidative cleavage of crystalline polysaccharides including chitin and cellulose. The discovery of a large assortment of LPMO-like proteins widely distributed in insect genomes suggests that they could be involved in assisting chitin degradation in the exoskeleton, tracheae and peritrophic matrix during development. However, the physiological functions of insect LPMO-like proteins are still undetermined. To investigate the functions of insect LPMO15 subgroup I-like proteins (LPMO15-1s), two evolutionarily distant species, Tribolium castaneum and Locusta migratoria, were chosen. Depletion by RNAi of T. castaneum TcLPMO15-1 caused molting arrest at all developmental stages, whereas depletion of the L. migratoria LmLPMO15-1, prevented only adult eclosion. In both species, LPMO15-1-deficient animals were unable to shed their exuviae and died. TEM analysis revealed failure of turnover of the chitinous cuticle, which is critical for completion of molting. Purified recombinant LPMO15-1-like protein from Ostrinia furnacalis (rOfLPMO15-1) exhibited oxidative cleavage activity and substrate preference for chitin. These results reveal the physiological importance of catalytically active LPMO15-1-like proteins from distant insect species and provide new insight into the enzymatic mechanism of cuticular chitin turnover during molting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingbo Qu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, 116024, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaoxi Guo
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, 116024, Dalian, China
| | - Shuang Tian
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, 116024, Dalian, China
| | - Qing Yang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, 116024, Dalian, China.
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 100193, Beijing, China.
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 518120, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Myeongjin Kim
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea
| | - Seulgi Mun
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea
| | - Mi Young Noh
- Department of Forest Resources, AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea
| | - Karl J Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea.
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18
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Siperstein A, Marzec S, Fritz ML, Holzapfel CM, Bradshaw WE, Armbruster PA, Meuti ME. Conserved molecular pathways underlying biting in two divergent mosquito genera. Evol Appl 2022; 15:878-890. [PMID: 35603026 PMCID: PMC9108309 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes transmit a wide variety of devastating pathogens when they bite vertebrate hosts and feed on their blood. However, three entire mosquito genera and many individual species in other genera have evolved a nonbiting life history in which blood is not required to produce eggs. Our long-term goal is to develop novel interventions that reduce or eliminate the biting behavior in vector mosquitoes. A previous study used biting and nonbiting populations of a nonvector mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii, as a model to uncover the transcriptional basis of the evolutionary transition from a biting to a nonbiting life history. Herein, we ask whether the molecular pathways that were differentially expressed due to differences in biting behavior in W. smithii are also differentially expressed between subspecies of Culex pipiens that are obligate biting (Culex pipiens pipiens) and facultatively nonbiting (Culex pipiens molestus). Results from RNAseq of adult heads show dramatic upregulation of transcripts in the ribosomal protein pathway in biting C. pipiens, recapitulating the results in W. smithii, and implicating the ancient and highly conserved ribosome as the intersection to understanding the evolutionary and physiological basis of blood feeding in mosquitoes. Biting Culex also strongly upregulate energy production pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation and the citric acid (TCA) cycle relative to nonbiters, a distinction that was not observed in W. smithii. Amino acid metabolism pathways were enriched for differentially expressed genes in biting versus nonbiting Culex. Relative to biters, nonbiting Culex upregulated sugar metabolism and transcripts contributing to reproductive allocation (vitellogenin and cathepsins). These results provide a foundation for developing strategies to determine the natural evolutionary transition between a biting and nonbiting life history in vector mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alden Siperstein
- Department of EntomologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Sarah Marzec
- Department of BiologyGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Megan L. Fritz
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | - Christina M. Holzapfel
- Laboratory of Evolutionary GeneticsInstitute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of OregonEugeneOregonUSA
| | - William E. Bradshaw
- Laboratory of Evolutionary GeneticsInstitute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of OregonEugeneOregonUSA
| | | | - Megan E. Meuti
- Department of EntomologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
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19
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Rangel F, Enes P, Gasco L, Gai F, Hausmann B, Berry D, Oliva-Teles A, Serra CR, Pereira FC. Differential Modulation of the European Sea Bass Gut Microbiota by Distinct Insect Meals. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:831034. [PMID: 35495644 PMCID: PMC9041418 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.831034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The aquaculture industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in animal food production. However, farming of carnivorous fish strongly relies on the use of wild fish-based meals, a practice that is environmentally and economically unsustainable. Insect-based diets constitute a strong candidate for fishmeal substitution, due to their high nutritional value and low environmental footprint. Nevertheless, data on the impact of insect meal (IM) on the gut microbiome of farmed fish are so far inconclusive, and very scarce in what concerns modulation of microbial-mediated functions. Here we use high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and quantitative PCR to evaluate the impact of different IMs on the composition and chitinolytic potential of the European sea bass gut digesta- and mucosa-associated communities. Our results show that insect-based diets of distinct origins differently impact the gut microbiota of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). We detected clear modulatory effects of IM on the gut microbiota, which were more pronounced in the digesta, where communities differed considerably among the diets tested. Major community shifts were associated with the use of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens, HM) and pupal exuviae (HEM) feeds and were characterized by an increase in the relative abundance of the Firmicutes families Bacillaceae, Enterococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae and the Actinobacteria family Actinomycetaceae, which all include taxa considered beneficial for fish health. Modulation of the digesta community by HEM was characterized by a sharp increase in Paenibacillus and a decrease of several Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteroidota members. In turn, a mealworm larvae-based diet (Tenebrio molitor, TM) had only a modest impact on microbiota composition. Further, using quantitative PCR, we demonstrate that shifts induced by HEM were accompanied by an increase in copy number of chitinase ChiA-encoding genes, predominantly originating from Paenibacillus species with effective chitinolytic activity. Our study reveals an HEM-driven increase in chitin-degrading taxa and associated chitinolytic activity, uncovering potential benefits of adopting exuviae-supplemented diets, a waste product of insect rearing, as a functional ingredient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Rangel
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Paula Enes
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Laura Gasco
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Francesco Gai
- Institute of Science of Food Production, National Research Council, Torino, Italy
| | - Bela Hausmann
- Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Berry
- Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aires Oliva-Teles
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Claudia R. Serra
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Fátima C. Pereira
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Dong J, Gao W, Li K, Hong Z, Tang L, Han L, Wang Z, Fan Z. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Psoralen-Based 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles as Potent Fungicide Candidates Targeting Pyruvate Kinase. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:3435-3446. [PMID: 35271258 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c07911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pyruvate kinase (PK) has been considered as a promising fungicide target discovered in our previous studies. Natural compounds are important sources for discovery and development of new pesticides. To continue our ongoing studies on the discovery of novel PK-targeted fungicides, a series of novel psoralen derivatives including a 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety were designed by a computer-aided pesticide molecular design method, synthesized, and evaluated for their fungicidal activity. The bioassay results indicated that compounds 11d, 11e, 11g, 11i, and 12a showed excellent in vitro fungicidal activity against Botrytis cinerea with EC50 values of 4.8, 3.3, 6.3, 5.4, and 3.9 μg/mL, respectively. They were more active than the corresponding positive control YZK-C22 [3-(4-methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-6-(trichloromethyl)-[1,2,4]-triazolo-[3,4-b][1,3,4]-thiadiazole] (with an EC50 value of 13.4 μg/mL). Compounds 11g and 11i displayed promising in vivo fungicidal activity against B. cinerea with 80 and 70% inhibition at a concentration of 200 μg/mL, respectively. They possessed much higher fungicidal activity than the positive control psoralen and comparable activity with the positive control pyrisoxazole. Enzymatic assays indicated that 11i showed good BcPK inhibition with an IC50 value of 39.6 μmol/L, comparable to the positive control YZK-C22 (32.4 μmol/L). Molecular docking provided a possible binding mode of 11i in the BcPK active site. Our studies suggested that the psoralen-based 1,3,4-oxadiazole 11i could be used as a new fungicidal lead targeting PK for further structural optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyue Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Wei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Kun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Zeyu Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Liangfu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Lijun Han
- College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Zhihong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Zhijin Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
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Improving Polysaccharide-Based Chitin/Chitosan-Aerogel Materials by Learning from Genetics and Molecular Biology. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15031041. [PMID: 35160985 PMCID: PMC8839503 DOI: 10.3390/ma15031041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Improved wound healing of burnt skin and skin lesions, as well as medical implants and replacement products, requires the support of synthetical matrices. Yet, producing synthetic biocompatible matrices that exhibit specialized flexibility, stability, and biodegradability is challenging. Synthetic chitin/chitosan matrices may provide the desired advantages for producing specialized grafts but must be modified to improve their properties. Synthetic chitin/chitosan hydrogel and aerogel techniques provide the advantages for improvement with a bioinspired view adapted from the natural molecular toolbox. To this end, animal genetics provide deep knowledge into which molecular key factors decisively influence the properties of natural chitin matrices. The genetically identified proteins and enzymes control chitin matrix assembly, architecture, and degradation. Combining synthetic chitin matrices with critical biological factors may point to the future direction with engineering materials of specific properties for biomedical applications such as burned skin or skin blistering and extensive lesions due to genetic diseases.
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22
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Jiang LH, Mu LL, Jin L, Anjum AA, Li GQ. RNAi for chitin synthase 1 rather than 2 causes growth delay and molting defect in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 178:104934. [PMID: 34446203 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2021.104934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Chitin synthase (CHS) plays a critical role in chitin synthesis and excretion. In most insects, CHSs have been segregated into 1 and 2 classes. CHS1 is responsible for chitin production in the ectodermally-derived epidermal cells. CHS2 is dedicated to chitin biosynthesis in the midgut peritrophic matrix (PM). Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is a serious pest of Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae plants. In this study, we identified HvCHS1 and HvCHS2. We found that HvCHS1 was abundantly transcribed in the larval tracheae and epidermis, whereas HvCHS2 was mainly expressed in the guts. Escherichia coli HT115 expressed double stranded RNAs targeting HvCHS1 and HvCHS2 (dsCHS1 and dsCHS2) were used to immerse potato foliage and the treated leaves were provided to the newly-molted fourth- and third-instar larvae. Ingestion of dsCHS1 by the fourth-instar larvae significantly diminished the target mRNA level and had slight influence on the expression of HvCHS2. In contrast, consumption of dsCHS2 significantly lowered the target mRNA level but triggered the transcription of HvCHS1. Knockdown of HvCHS1, rather than HvCHS2, arrested larval development and impaired larva-pupa-adult transition. A large proportion of HvCHS1 hypomorphs became stunting prepupae, deformed pupae or misshapen adults. Moreover, knockdown of HvCHS1 damaged gut integrity, decreased cuticle thickness, and delayed the formation of newly-generated cuticle layer during ecdysis. Furthermore, depletion of HvCHS1 inhibited the development of trachea system and thinned tracheal taenidia. Ingestion of dsCHS1 at the third-instar stage caused similar but severe negative effects. Our results demonstrated that HvCHS1 is responsible for chitin biosynthesis during ecdysis. Moreover, HvCHS1 is a potential amenable target gene and young larvae are more susceptible to dsRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Hong Jiang
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Li-Li Mu
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Lin Jin
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Ahmad Ali Anjum
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Guo-Qing Li
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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23
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Visootsat A, Nakamura A, Wang TW, Iino R. Combined Approach to Engineer a Highly Active Mutant of Processive Chitinase Hydrolyzing Crystalline Chitin. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:26807-26816. [PMID: 33111007 PMCID: PMC7581260 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c03911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Serratia marcescens chitinase A (SmChiA) processively hydrolyzes recalcitrant biomass crystalline chitin under mild conditions. Here, we combined multiple sequence alignment, site-saturation mutagenesis, and automated protein purification and activity measurement with liquid-handling robot to reduce the number of mutation trials and shorten the screening time for hydrolytic activity improvement of SmChiA. The amino acid residues, which are not conserved in the alignment and are close to the aromatic residues along the substrate-binding sites in the crystal structure, were selected for site-saturation mutagenesis. Using the previously identified highly active F232W/F396W mutant as a template, we identified the F232W/F396W/S538V mutant, which shows further improved hydrolytic activity just by trying eight different sites. Importantly, valine was not found in the multiple sequence alignment at Ser538 site of SmChiA. Our combined approach allows engineering of highly active enzyme mutants, which cannot be identified only by the introduction of predominant amino acid residues in the multiple sequence alignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akasit Visootsat
- Department
of Functional Molecular Science, School of Physical Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan
- Institute
for Molecular Science, National Institutes
of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Akihiko Nakamura
- Department
of Applied Life Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
| | | | - Ryota Iino
- Department
of Functional Molecular Science, School of Physical Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan
- Institute
for Molecular Science, National Institutes
of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
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24
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Wang S, Wang P. Functional redundancy of structural proteins of the peritrophic membrane in Trichoplusia ni. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 125:103456. [PMID: 32814147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The peritrophic membrane (or peritrophic matrix) (PM) in insects is formed by binding of PM proteins with multiple chitin binding domains (CBDs) to chitin fibrils. Multi-CBD chitin binding proteins (CBPs) and the insect intestinal mucin (IIM) are major PM structural proteins. To understand the biochemical and physiological role of IIM in structural formation and physiological function of the PM, Trichoplusia ni mutant strains lacking IIM were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis. The mutant T. ni larvae were confirmed to lack IIM, but PM formation was observed as in wild type larvae and lacking IIM in the PM did not result in changes of protease activities in the larval midgut. Larval growth and development of the mutant strains were similar to the wild type strain on artificial diet and cabbage leaves, but had a decreased survival in the 5th instar. The larvae of the mutant strains with the PM formed without IIM did not have a change of susceptibility to the infection of the baculovirus AcMNPV and the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) formulation Dipel, to the toxicity of the Bt toxins Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab and the chemical insecticide sodium aluminofluoride. Treatment of the mutant T. ni larvae with Calcofluor reduced the larval susceptibility to the toxicity of Bt Cry1Ac, as similarly observed in the wild type larvae. Overall, in the mutant T. ni larvae, the PM was formed without IIM and the lacking of IIM in the PM did not drastically impact the performance of larvae on diet or cabbage leaves under the laboratory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Wang
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY, 14456, USA; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY, 14456, USA.
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25
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High-multiplexed monitoring of protein biomarkers in the sentinel Gammarus fossarum by targeted scout-MRM assay, a new vision for ecotoxicoproteomics. J Proteomics 2020; 226:103901. [PMID: 32668291 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Ecotoxicoproteomics employs mass spectrometry-based approaches centered on proteins of sentinel organisms to assess for instance, chemical toxicity in fresh water. In this study, we combined proteogenomics experiments and a novel targeted proteomics approach free from retention time scheduling called Scout-MRM. This methodology will enable the measurement of simultaneously changes in the relative abundance of multiple proteins involved in key physiological processes and potentially impacted by contaminants in the freshwater sentinel Gammarus fossarum. The development and validation of the assay were performed to target 157 protein biomarkers of this non-model organism. We carefully chose and validated the transitions to monitor using conventional parameters (linearity, repeatability, LOD, LOQ). Finally, the potential of the methodology is illustrated by measuring 277-peptide-plex assay (831 transitions) in sentinel animals exposed in natura to different agricultural sites potentially exposed to pesticide contamination. Multivariate data analyses highlighted the modulation of several key proteins involved in feeding and molting. This multiplex-targeted proteomics assay paves the way for the discovery and the use of a large panel of novel protein biomarkers in emergent ecotoxicological models for environmental monitoring in the future. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The study contributed to the development of Scout-MRM for the high-throughput quantitation of a large panel of proteins in the Gammarus fossarum freshwater sentinel. Increasing the number of markers in ecotoxicoproteomics is of most interest to assess the impact of pollutants in freshwater organisms. The development and validation of the assay enabled the monitoring of a large panel of reporter peptides of exposed gammarids. To illustrate the applicability of the methodology, animals from different agricultural sites were analysed. The application of the assay highlighted the modulation of some biomarker proteins involved in key physiological pathways, such as molting, feeding and general stress response. Increasing multiplexing capabilities and field test will provide the development of diagnostic protein biomarkers for emergent ecotoxicological models in future environmental biomonitoring programs.
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26
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Rösner J, Wellmeyer B, Merzendorfer H. Tribolium castaneum: A Model for Investigating the Mode of Action of Insecticides and Mechanisms of Resistance. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:3554-3568. [PMID: 32400327 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200513113140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, is a worldwide insect pest of stored products, particularly food grains, and a powerful model organism for developmental, physiological and applied entomological research on coleopteran species. Among coleopterans, T. castaneum has the most fully sequenced and annotated genome and consequently provides the most advanced genetic model of a coleopteran pest. The beetle is also easy to culture and has a short generation time. Research on this beetle is further assisted by the availability of expressed sequence tags and transcriptomic data. Most importantly, it exhibits a very robust response to systemic RNA interference (RNAi), and a database of RNAi phenotypes (iBeetle) is available. Finally, classical transposonbased techniques together with CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene knockout and genome editing allow the creation of transgenic lines. As T. castaneum develops resistance rapidly to many classes of insecticides including organophosphates, methyl carbamates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids and insect growth regulators such as chitin synthesis inhibitors, it is further a suitable test system for studying resistance mechanisms. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in research focusing on the mode of action of insecticides and mechanisms of resistance identified using T. castaneum as a pest model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janin Rösner
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, 57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Wellmeyer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, 57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, 57068 Siegen, Germany
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Sun X, Zhang K, Qin S, Zhang G, Li M. Transcriptomic analysis at the first instar larval stage of nonmolting Bombyx mori mutant (a42). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 104:e21663. [PMID: 32073185 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21663] [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: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The life cycle of the holometabolous insect Bombyx mori (Linnaeus) consists of the embryo, larva, pupa, and adult stages with six larval molts. Ecdysone and juvenile hormones play important roles in the growth and development of the silkworms. The a42 silkworm mutant is recessive and homozygous lethal by exhibiting a dark-colored and small body size and fails to molt to second instar. We compared the gene expression of a42 mutants with normal individuals at the first larval molting stage to elucidate the physiological influence of the a42 mutation on the growth and development of silkworms. The transcriptomic sequencing results revealed that 1,411 genes are differentially expressed in a42 mutants, compared with wild-type control silkworms, in which 791 genes are upregulated and 620 genes are downregulated. Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) assigned to biological pathways, such as pentose and glucoronate interconversions, glycerolipid metabolism, folate biosynthesis, amino sugar, and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Two hydroxylases of phenylalanine hydroxylase (BmPAH) and tyrosine hydroxylase (BmTh) are upregulated in a42 mutants. The influence of a42 mutation on these DEGs reveals that melanin metabolism plays an important role during the molting process in silkworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kaixiang Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sheng Qin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guozheng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Muwang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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28
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Chen W, Yang Q. Development of Novel Pesticides Targeting Insect Chitinases: A Minireview and Perspective. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:4559-4565. [PMID: 32239934 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c00888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) is an enzyme to breakdown β-1,4-glycosidic bonds in chitin and chitooligosaccharides. The loss of chitinase enzymatic activity in insects results in severe exoskeleton defects and lethality at all developmental stages, indicating that insect chitinases can be promising pesticide targets. However, there are no pesticides known to target chitinases. This perspective will focus on the latest research progress of insect chitinases, paying special attention to crystal structures and chemical biology advances in the field. The physiological importance and unique structural features of insect chitinases may ensure the development of new pesticides through a novel acting mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection and Shenzhen Agricultural Genome Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection and Shenzhen Agricultural Genome Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning 116024, People's Republic of China
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