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Ruhland F, Gabant G, Toussaint T, Nemcic M, Cadène M, Lucas C. Reproductives signature revealed by protein profiling and behavioral bioassays in termite. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7070. [PMID: 37127756 PMCID: PMC10151321 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33252-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins are known to be social interaction signals in many species in the animal kingdom. Common mediators in mammals and aquatic species, they have seldom been identified as such in insects' behaviors. Yet, they could represent an important component to support social signals in social insects, as the numerous physical contacts between individuals would tend to favor the use of contact compounds in their interactions. However, their role in social interactions is largely unexplored: are they rare or simply underestimated? In this preliminary study, we show that, in the termite Reticulitermes flavipes, polar extracts from reproductives trigger body-shaking of workers (a vibratory behavior involved in reproductives recognition) while extracts from workers do not. Molecular profiling of these cuticular extracts using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry reveals higher protein diversity in reproductives than in workers and a sex-specific composition exclusive to reproductives. While the effects observed with extracts are not as strong as with live termites, these results open up the intriguing possibility that social signaling may not be limited to cuticular hydrocarbons or other non-polar, volatile chemicals as classically accepted. Our results suggest that polar compounds, in particular some of the Cuticular Protein Compounds (CPCs) shown here by MALDI to be specific to reproductives, could play a significant role in insect societies. While this study is preliminary and further comprehensive molecular characterization is needed to correlate the body-shaking triggering effects with a given set of polar compounds, this exploratory study opens new perspectives for understanding the role of polar compounds such as proteins in caste discrimination, fertility signaling, or interspecific insect communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Ruhland
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte (UMR7261), CNRS - University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Guillaume Gabant
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire (UPR 4301), CNRS - University of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Timothée Toussaint
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte (UMR7261), CNRS - University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Matej Nemcic
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire (UPR 4301), CNRS - University of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Martine Cadène
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire (UPR 4301), CNRS - University of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Christophe Lucas
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte (UMR7261), CNRS - University of Tours, Tours, France.
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2
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Dolejšová K, Křivánek J, Štáfková J, Horáček N, Havlíčková J, Roy V, Kalinová B, Roy A, Kyjaková P, Hanus R. Identification of a queen primer pheromone in higher termites. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1165. [PMID: 36323794 PMCID: PMC9630296 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04163-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
It is long established that queens of social insects, including termites, maintain their reproductive dominance with queen primer pheromones (QPPs). Yet, the QPP chemistry has only been elucidated in a single species of lower termites. By contrast, the most diversified termite family Termitidae (higher termites), comprising over 70% of termite species, has so far resisted all attempts at QPP identification. Here, we show that the queen- and egg-specific sesquiterpene (3R,6E)-nerolidol acts as the QPP in the higher termite Embiratermes neotenicus. This species has a polygynous breeding system, in which the primary queen is replaced by multiple neotenic queens of parthenogenetic origin. We demonstrate that (3R,6E)-nerolidol suppresses the development of these parthenogenetic queens and thus mimics the presence of mature queen(s). It acts as an airborne signal and may be used to optimize the number of queens, thus being the key regulatory element in the special breeding system of E. neotenicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klára Dolejšová
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Křivánek
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Štáfková
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Natan Horáček
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Havlíčková
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Virginie Roy
- Université Paris Est Créteil, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, iEES Paris, Créteil, France
| | | | - Amit Roy
- Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Kyjaková
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Hanus
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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3
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Zimmer RK, Ferrier GA, Zimmer CA. Chemosensory Exploitation and Predator-Prey Arms Races. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.752327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thousands of armed predatory species, distributed widely across the metazoan tree-of-life, consume only hard-shell or exoskeleton-bearing organisms (called “durophagy”). Prey armor clearly has evolved in response to selection by predators, but there is little evidence of the contrary, counter-adaptation by predators. Evolved consumer responses to prey, in general, might be more readily expressed in ways other than morphological traits, including via sensory cues. Here, we explored the chemosensory basis for durophagy in a model predator-prey system, and identified intimate associations between durophagous predators and their shelled prey. Barnacles (Balanus glandula and Semibalanus cariosus) bear hard shells and secrete, respectively, a 199 or 201 kDa glycoprotein ortholog (named “MULTIFUNCin”), with expression limited to the body armor (epidermis, cuticle, and live shell). To test for effects of MULTIFUNCin on predators, we constructed faux prey to mimic meaningful physical and chemical characteristics of live barnacles. In separate experiments, each consumer species was presented MULTIFUNCin, purified from either B. glandula or S. cariosus, at a typical armor concentration. All six predatory species (sea star, Pisaster ochraceus; whelks, Acanthinucella spirata, Nucella emarginata, N. ostrina, N. canaliculata, and N. lamellosa) attacked and ate MULTIFUNCin-infused faux prey significantly more than controls. Akin to barnacles, secretion of glycoprotein-rich extracellular matrices is common among armored prey species—from marine sponges to terrestrial vertebrates. Our results, therefore, suggest that chemosensory exploitation of glycoproteins could be widespread, with notable consequences for life on land and in the sea.
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4
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Mitaka Y, Akino T. A Review of Termite Pheromones: Multifaceted, Context-Dependent, and Rational Chemical Communications. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.595614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Termite colonies, composed of large numbers of siblings, develop an important caste-based division of labor; individuals in these societies interact via intra- or intercaste chemical communications. For more than 50 years, termites have been known to use a variety of pheromones to perform tasks necessary for maintenance of their societies, similar to eusocial hymenopterans. Although trail-following pheromones have been chemically identified in various termites, other types of pheromones have not been elucidated chemically or functionally. In the past decade, however, chemical compositions and biological functions have been successfully identified for several types of termite pheromones; accordingly, the details of the underlying pheromone communications have been gradually revealed. In this review, we summarize both the functions of all termite pheromones identified so far and the chemical interactions among termites and other organisms. Subsequently, we argue how termites developed their sophisticated pheromone communication. We hypothesize that termites have diverted defensive and antimicrobial substances to pheromones associated in caste recognition and caste-specific roles. Furthermore, termites have repeatedly used a pre-existing pheromone or have added supplementary compounds to it in accordance with the social context, leading to multifunctionalization of pre-existing pheromones and emergence of new pheromones. These two mechanisms may enable termites to transmit various context-dependent information with a small number of chemicals, thus resulting in formation of coordinated, complex, and rational chemical communication systems.
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5
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Sun Q, Hampton JD, Merchant A, Haynes KF, Zhou X. Cooperative policing behaviour regulates reproductive division of labour in a termite. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200780. [PMID: 32517622 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive conflicts are common in insect societies where helping castes retain reproductive potential. One of the mechanisms regulating these conflicts is policing, a coercive behaviour that reduces direct reproduction by other individuals. In eusocial Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps), workers or the queen act aggressively towards fertile workers, or destroy their eggs. In many termite species (order Blattodea), upon the death of the primary queen and king, workers and nymphs can differentiate into neotenic reproductives and inherit the breeding position. During this process, competition among neotenics is inevitable, but how this conflict is resolved remains unclear. Here, we report a policing behaviour that regulates reproductive division of labour in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. Our results demonstrate that the policing behaviour is a cooperative effort performed sequentially by successful neotenics and workers. A neotenic reproductive initiates the attack of the fellow neotenic by biting and displays alarm behaviour. Workers are then recruited to cannibalize the injured neotenic. Furthermore, the initiation of policing is age-dependent, with older reproductives attacking younger ones, thereby inheriting the reproductive position. This study provides empirical evidence of policing behaviour in termites, which represents a convergent trait shared between eusocial Hymenoptera and Blattodea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Sun
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.,Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA
| | - Jordan D Hampton
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA
| | - Austin Merchant
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA
| | - Kenneth F Haynes
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA
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6
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Havlíčková J, Dolejšová K, Tichý M, Vrkoslav V, Kalinová B, Kyjaková P, Hanus R. (3R,6E)-nerolidol, a fertility-related volatile secreted by the queens of higher termites (Termitidae: Syntermitinae). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 74:251-264. [PMID: 30920958 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2018-0197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The queens of advanced social insects maintain their reproductive monopoly by using exocrine chemicals. The chemistry of these "queen pheromones" in termites is poorly known. We show that primary queens of four higher termites from the subfamily Syntermitinae (Embiratermes neotenicus, Silvestritermes heyeri, Labiotermes labralis, and Cyrilliotermes angulariceps) emit significant amounts of the sesquiterpene alcohol (E)-nerolidol. It is the dominant analyte in queen body washes; it is present on the surface of eggs, but absent in kings, workers, and soldiers. In E. neotenicus, it is also produced by replacement neotenic queens, in quantities correlated with their fertility. Using newly synthesised (3R,6E)-nerolidol, we demonstrate that the queens of this species produce only the (R) enantiomer. It is distributed over the surface of their abdomen, in internal tissues, and in the haemolymph, as well as in the headspace of the queens. Both (R) and (S) enantiomers are perceived by the antennae of E. neotenicus workers. The naturally occurring (R) enantiomer elicited a significantly larger antennal response, but it did not show any behavioural effect. In spite of technical difficulties encountered in long-term experiments with the studied species, (3R,6E)-nerolidol remains among eventual candidates for the role in queen fertility signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Havlíčková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Dolejšová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Tichý
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Vrkoslav
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Blanka Kalinová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Kyjaková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Hanus
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
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7
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Li Z, Wei Y, Sun L, An X, Dhiloo KH, Wang Q, Xiao Y, Khashaveh A, Gu S, Zhang Y. Mouthparts enriched odorant binding protein AfasOBP11 plays a role in the gustatory perception of Adelphocoris fasciaticollis. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 117:103915. [PMID: 31336105 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.103915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Insect odorant binding proteins (OBPs), one of the most important groups of odor carriers, are believed to play essential roles in chemoreception. In the present study, we focused on AfasOBP11 in Adelphocoris fasciaticollis. Expression profiles showed that AfasOBP11 was mainly expressed in the mouthparts of A. fasciaticollis. Additionally, two types of sensilla, sensilla trichodeum and sensilla basiconicum, were found on the mouthparts of bugs. Moreover, anti-AfasOBP11 antiserum strongly labeled the sensilla basiconica. In fluorescence binding assays, recombinant AfasOBP11 displayed much stronger binding abilities to non-volatile secondary metabolite compounds than to volatile odors, suggesting a role of AfasOBP11 in taste sensing. To further investigate the biological functions of AfasOBP11, the feeding behavior of wild-type, dsGFP-injected and dsAfasOBP11-injected bugs was evaluated by performing electrical penetration graph (EPG) tests. After RNA interference of target AfasOBP11, A. fasciaticollis bugs spent a longer time and pierced more frequently on the artificial diet containing 2.0% gossypol, indicating that RNAi treated bugs reduced sensitivity to gossypol. Our findings suggest that AfasOBP11 may play a vital role in chemoreception of A. fasciaticollis, especially in gustatory perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibo Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yu Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Liang Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Tea Quality and Safety Control, Key Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Breeding of Special Economic Animals and Plants, Ministry of Agriculture, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Xingkui An
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Khalid Hussain Dhiloo
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Department of Entomology, Faculty of Crop Protection, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan
| | - Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Adel Khashaveh
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shaohua Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
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8
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Ye C, Li J, Ran Y, Rasheed H, Xing L, Su X. The nest fungus of the lower termite Reticulitermes labralis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3384. [PMID: 30833643 PMCID: PMC6399267 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40229-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fitness-determining interactions with fungi have often been considered a by-product of social evolution in insects. In higher termites, the mutualistic association between the basidiomycete genus Termitomyces and Macrotermitinae is well known. However, whether and how lower termites use fungi is unclear. Here, we found a large amount of brown sclerotium-forming fungi in egg piles of the lower termite Reticulitermes labralis and identified the sclerotia as Fibulorhizoctonia sp. There was a significant difference in morphology between the sclerotia and the termite eggs. The workers of R. labralis and R. chinensis actively gathered the sclerotia into the egg piles within their nests, whereas the workers of R. aculabialis did not gather sclerotia outside their nests. None of the sclerotia in the egg piles germinated in the presence of workers. However, the sclerotia germinated in the absence of workers, and then the hyphae killed the termite eggs. The data from cellulase activity demonstrated that Fibulorhizoctonia sp. was able to exhaustively digest cellulose into glucose.We confirmed for the first time that the workers carrying the sclerotia into the piles of eggs is not due to mistaking the sclerotia for their eggs and that the workers of R. labralis may be able to select favourite fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxu Ye
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Northwest University), Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.,College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuehua Ran
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Humaira Rasheed
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lianxi Xing
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Northwest University), Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.,College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaohong Su
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Northwest University), Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China. .,Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi'an, China. .,College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.
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9
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Gössinger E. Chemistry of the Secondary Metabolites of Termites. PROGRESS IN THE CHEMISTRY OF ORGANIC NATURAL PRODUCTS 2019; 109:1-384. [PMID: 31637529 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-12858-6_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Isolation, structure determination, synthesis, and biochemistry of the low-molecular-weight compounds of the secretion of exocrine glands of termites are described, with an emphasis on pheromones and defensive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edda Gössinger
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- , Mistelbach, Austria.
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10
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Machara A, Křivánek J, Dolejšová K, Havlíčková J, Bednárová L, Hanus R, Majer P, Kyjaková P. Identification and Enantiodivergent Synthesis of (5 Z,9 S)-Tetradec-5-en-9-olide, a Queen-Specific Volatile of the Termite Silvestritermes minutus. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2018; 81:2266-2274. [PMID: 30299957 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The queens of social insects differ from sterile colony members in many aspects of their physiology. Besides adaptations linked with their specialization for reproduction and extended lifespan, the queens also invest in the maintenance of their reproductive dominance by producing exocrine chemicals signaling their presence to the nestmates. The knowledge of the chemistry of queen-specific cues in termites is scarce. In addition to the contact recognition based on cuticular hydrocarbons, long-range signals mediated by volatiles are expected to participate in queen signaling, especially in populous colonies of higher termites (Termitidae). In queens of the higher termite Silvestritermes minutus (Syntermitinae), we have detected a previously undescribed volatile. It is present in important quantities on the body surface and in the headspace, ovaries, and body cavity. MS and GC-FTIR data analyses led us to propose the structure of the compound to be a macrolide 10-pentyl-3,4,5,8,9,10-hexahydro-2 H-oxecin-2-one. We performed enantiodivergent syntheses of two possible enantiomers starting from enantiopure ( S)-glycidyl tosylate. The synthetic sequence involved macrolide-closing metathesis quenched with a ruthenium scavenging agent. The absolute and relative configuration of the compound was assigned to be (5 Z,9 S)-tetradec-5-en-9-olide. Identification and preparation of the compound allow for investigation of its biological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Machara
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS , Flemingovo n. 542/2 , 166 10 , Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Jan Křivánek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS , Flemingovo n. 542/2 , 166 10 , Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Klára Dolejšová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS , Flemingovo n. 542/2 , 166 10 , Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Jana Havlíčková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS , Flemingovo n. 542/2 , 166 10 , Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Bednárová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS , Flemingovo n. 542/2 , 166 10 , Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Robert Hanus
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS , Flemingovo n. 542/2 , 166 10 , Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS , Flemingovo n. 542/2 , 166 10 , Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Kyjaková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS , Flemingovo n. 542/2 , 166 10 , Prague 6 , Czech Republic
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11
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Korb J. Chemical Fertility Signaling in Termites: Idiosyncrasies and Commonalities in Comparison with Ants. J Chem Ecol 2018; 44:818-826. [PMID: 29616376 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-018-0952-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Termites evolved eusociality independently from social Hymenoptera. As a common trait, reproductive monopoly is maintained through chemical communication. The queen (and in termites also a king) prevents workers from reproduction by conveying their reproductive status. In termites all soldiers are sterile, but workers' potential to reproduce differs between species. It ranges from totipotency in wood-dwelling lower termites where workers are a transient stage from which all other castes develop, to sterile workers in some higher termites. Intermediate are species in which workers can develop into replacement sexuals within the nest but not into winged sexuals. I summarize the patchy picture about fertility signaling that we currently have for termites, pointing also to potential conflicts over reproduction that differ from those in social Hymenoptera. Recent findings imply that, similar to many social Hymenoptera, wood-dwelling termites that live in confined nests use long-chain cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) as fertility signals. Yet other compounds are important as well, comprising proteinaceous secretions and especially volatiles. For a subterranean termite, two volatiles have been identified as primer pheromones that prevent reproductive differentiation of workers. It requires more data to test whether wood-dwelling termites use CHCs, while species with larger colonies and less confined nests use volatiles, or whether all species rely on multicomponent signals. Ultimately, we need more effort to model and test potential conflicts over reproduction between queens, kings and workers. Here results from social Hymenoptera cannot be transferred to termites as the latter are diploid and commonly inbred. This review illustrates promising future research avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Korb
- Evolutionary Biology & Ecology, University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 1, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany.
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12
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Matsuura K, Mizumoto N, Kobayashi K, Nozaki T, Fujita T, Yashiro T, Fuchikawa T, Mitaka Y, Vargo EL. A Genomic Imprinting Model of Termite Caste Determination: Not Genetic but Epigenetic Inheritance Influences Offspring Caste Fate. Am Nat 2018; 191:677-690. [PMID: 29750562 DOI: 10.1086/697238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Eusocial insects exhibit the most striking example of phenotypic plasticity. There has been a long controversy over the factors determining caste development of individuals in social insects. Here we demonstrate that parental phenotypes influence the social status of offspring not through genetic inheritance but through genomic imprinting in termites. Our extensive field survey and genetic analysis of the termite Reticulitermes speratus show that its breeding system is inconsistent with a genetic caste determination model. We therefore developed a genomic imprinting model, in which queen- and king-specific epigenetic marks antagonistically influence sexual development of offspring. The model accounts for all known empirical data on caste differentiation of R. speratus and other related species. By conducting colony-founding experiments and additively incorporating relevant socio-environmental factors into our genomic imprinting model, we show the relative importance of genomic imprinting and environmental factors in caste determination. The idea of epigenetic inheritance of sexual phenotypes solves the puzzle of why parthenogenetically produced daughters carrying only maternal chromosomes exclusively develop into queens and why parental phenotypes (nymph- or worker-derived reproductives) strongly influence caste differentiation of offspring. According to our model, the worker caste is seen as a "neuter" caste whose sexual development is suppressed due to counterbalanced maternal and paternal imprinting and opens new avenues for understanding the evolution of caste systems in social insects.
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Mitaka Y, Mori N, Matsuura K. Multi-functional roles of a soldier-specific volatile as a worker arrestant, primer pheromone and an antimicrobial agent in a termite. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:20171134. [PMID: 28747483 PMCID: PMC5543234 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Division of labour in eusocial insects is characterized by efficient communication systems based on pheromones. Among such insects, termites have evolved specialized sterile defenders, called soldiers. Because they are incapable of feeding themselves, it has been suggested that soldiers are sustained by workers and emit the pheromone arresting workers. However, such a soldier pheromone has not been identified in any termite species, and the details of the soldier-worker interaction remain to be explored. Here, we identified a soldier-specific volatile sesquiterpene as a worker arrestant, which also acts as a primer pheromone regulating soldier differentiation and fungistatic agent in a termite Reticulitermes speratus Chemical analyses revealed that (-)-β-elemene is the major component of soldier extract, and its authentic standard exhibited arrestant activity to workers and inhibited the differentiation from workers to soldiers. This compound also showed fungistatic activity against entomopathogenic fungi. These suggest that (-)-β-elemene secreted by soldiers acts not only as a worker arrestant but also as one component of inhibitory primer pheromone and an anti-pathogenic agent. Our study provides novel evidence supporting the multi-functionality of termite soldier pheromone and provides new insights into the role of soldiers and the evolutionary mechanisms of pheromone compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Mitaka
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Naoki Mori
- Laboratory of Chemical Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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14
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Villar G, Grozinger CM. Primer effects of the honeybee, Apis mellifera, queen pheromone 9-ODA on drones. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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15
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Shorter JR, Dembeck LM, Everett LJ, Morozova TV, Arya GH, Turlapati L, St Armour GE, Schal C, Mackay TFC, Anholt RRH. Obp56h Modulates Mating Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2016; 6:3335-3342. [PMID: 27558663 PMCID: PMC5068952 DOI: 10.1534/g3.116.034595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Social interactions in insects are driven by conspecific chemical signals that are detected via olfactory and gustatory neurons. Odorant binding proteins (Obps) transport volatile odorants to chemosensory receptors, but their effects on behaviors remain poorly characterized. Here, we report that RNAi knockdown of Obp56h gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster enhances mating behavior by reducing courtship latency. The change in mating behavior that results from inhibition of Obp56h expression is accompanied by significant alterations in cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) composition, including reduction in 5-tricosene (5-T), an inhibitory sex pheromone produced by males that increases copulation latency during courtship. Whole genome RNA sequencing confirms that expression of Obp56h is virtually abolished in Drosophila heads. Inhibition of Obp56h expression also affects expression of other chemoreception genes, including upregulation of lush in both sexes and Obp83ef in females, and reduction in expression of Obp19b and Or19b in males. In addition, several genes associated with lipid metabolism, which underlies the production of cuticular hydrocarbons, show altered transcript abundances. Our data show that modulation of mating behavior through reduction of Obp56h is accompanied by altered cuticular hydrocarbon profiles and implicate 5-T as a possible ligand for Obp56h.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Shorter
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Lauren M Dembeck
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Logan J Everett
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Tatiana V Morozova
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Gunjan H Arya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Lavanya Turlapati
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Genevieve E St Armour
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Coby Schal
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Trudy F C Mackay
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Robert R H Anholt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
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16
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Korb J. Genes Underlying Reproductive Division of Labor in Termites, with Comparisons to Social Hymenoptera. Front Ecol Evol 2016. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2016.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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17
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Oi CA, Van Oystaeyen A, Caliari Oliveira R, Millar JG, Verstrepen KJ, van Zweden JS, Wenseleers T. Dual effect of wasp queen pheromone in regulating insect sociality. Curr Biol 2015; 25:1638-40. [PMID: 25959967 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Eusocial insects exhibit a remarkable reproductive division of labor between queens and largely sterile workers [1, 2]. Recently, it was shown that queens of diverse groups of social insects employ specific, evolutionarily conserved cuticular hydrocarbons to signal their presence and inhibit worker reproduction [3]. Workers also recognize and discriminate between eggs laid by the queen and those laid by workers, with the latter being destroyed by workers in a process known as "policing" [4, 5]. Worker policing represents a classic example of a conflict-reducing mechanism, in which the reproductive monopoly of the queen is maintained through the selective destruction of worker-laid eggs [5, 6]. However, the exact signals used in worker policing have thus far remained elusive [5, 7]. Here, we show that in the common wasp, Vespula vulgaris, the pheromone that signals egg maternity and enables the workers to selectively destroy worker-laid eggs is in fact the same as one of the sterility-inducing queen signals that we identified earlier [3]. These results imply that queen pheromones regulate insect sociality in two distinct and complementary ways, i.e., by signaling the queen's presence and inhibiting worker reproduction, and by facilitating the recognition and policing of worker-laid eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia A Oi
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Annette Van Oystaeyen
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ricardo Caliari Oliveira
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jocelyn G Millar
- Department of Entomology and Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Kevin J Verstrepen
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; CMPG Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle S van Zweden
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Wenseleers
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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18
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Oi CA, van Zweden JS, Oliveira RC, Van Oystaeyen A, Nascimento FS, Wenseleers T. The origin and evolution of social insect queen pheromones: Novel hypotheses and outstanding problems. Bioessays 2015; 37:808-21. [PMID: 25916998 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201400180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Queen pheromones, which signal the presence of a fertile queen and induce daughter workers to remain sterile, are considered to play a key role in regulating the reproductive division of labor of insect societies. Although queen pheromones were long thought to be highly taxon-specific, recent studies have shown that structurally related long-chain hydrocarbons act as conserved queen signals across several independently evolved lineages of social insects. These results imply that social insect queen pheromones are very ancient and likely derived from an ancestral signalling system that was already present in their common solitary ancestors. Based on these new insights, we here review the literature and speculate on what signal precursors social insect queen pheromones may have evolved from. Furthermore, we provide compelling evidence that these pheromones should best be seen as honest signals of fertility as opposed to suppressive agents that chemically sterilize the workers against their own best interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia A Oi
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Socioecology & Social Evolution, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle S van Zweden
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Socioecology & Social Evolution, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ricardo C Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Socioecology & Social Evolution, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annette Van Oystaeyen
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Socioecology & Social Evolution, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fabio S Nascimento
- Departamento de Biologia da Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tom Wenseleers
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Socioecology & Social Evolution, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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21
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Holman L. Bumblebee size polymorphism and worker response to queen pheromone. PeerJ 2014; 2:e604. [PMID: 25289189 PMCID: PMC4184022 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Queen pheromones are chemical signals produced by reproductive individuals in social insect colonies. In many species they are key to the maintenance of reproductive division of labor, with workers beginning to reproduce individually once the queen pheromone disappears. Recently, a queen pheromone that negatively affects worker fecundity was discovered in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, presenting an exciting opportunity for comparisons with analogous queen pheromones in independently-evolved eusocial lineages such as honey bees, ants, wasps and termites. I set out to replicate this discovery and verify its reproducibility. Using blind, controlled experiments, I found that n-pentacosane (C25) does indeed negatively affect worker ovary development. Moreover, the pheromone affects both large and small workers, and applies to workers from large, mature colonies as well as young colonies. Given that C25 is readily available and that bumblebees are popular study organisms, I hope that this replication will encourage other researchers to tackle the many research questions enabled by the discovery of a queen pheromone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Holman
- Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions, Division of Ecology, Evolution & Genetics, Research School of Biology, Australian National University , Canberra, ACT , Australia
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22
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Sun L, Xiao HJ, Gu SH, Zhou JJ, Guo YY, Liu ZW, Zhang YJ. The antenna-specific odorant-binding protein AlinOBP13 of the alfalfa plant bug Adelphocoris lineolatus is expressed specifically in basiconic sensilla and has high binding affinity to terpenoids. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 23:417-434. [PMID: 24576076 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are crucial in the olfactory pathway of insects. In the present study, the antenna-enriched OBP AlinOBP13 was investigated because of its potential contribution to the peripheral olfactory perception in the alfalfa plant bug Adelphocoris lineolatus. The results of quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR showed that the transcript level of AlinOBP13 was higher in the adult stage than in the nymph stages. The transcript levels of AlinOBP13 in the male and female antennae significantly increased after 4 and 8 h of starvation, respectively. Fine ultrastructures of different types of chemosensilla in both female and male antennae were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemical labelling. The results revealed that the anti-AlinOBP13 antiserum strongly and specifically labelled short basiconic sensilla; this antiserum was restricted to the inner lumen and the cavities below the sensillum base of the sensilla. By contrast, multiporous sensilla trichodea, medium long sensilla basiconica, and aporous sensilla chaetica were not labelled. The present study is the first to report an OBP showing specific expression in the short basiconic sensilla of a member of the Hemipteran species. The results of a fluorescence displacement binding assay indicated that recombinant AlinOBP13 showed a more specific binding preference to terpenoids than to sex pheromones and other classes of chemicals. This binding ability was dramatically affected by pH; higher binding affinities were displayed at pH 10.0 than at pH 7.4 and 5.0. In addition, the results of dose-dependent electroantennogram recordings from the antennae showed that both female and male adult bugs responded to the terpenoids tested, suggesting an apparent physiological relevance of AlinOBP13 in A. lineolatus chemoreception. The results of this study suggest that AlinOBP13 functions as a specific carrier of terpenoids and provide insights into the mechanism of A. lineolatus in response to green volatiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Sun
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 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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23
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Hayashi Y, Shigenobu S, Watanabe D, Toga K, Saiki R, Shimada K, Bourguignon T, Lo N, Hojo M, Maekawa K, Miura T. Construction and characterization of normalized cDNA libraries by 454 pyrosequencing and estimation of DNA methylation levels in three distantly related termite species. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76678. [PMID: 24098800 PMCID: PMC3787108 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In termites, division of labor among castes, categories of individuals that perform specialized tasks, increases colony-level productivity and is the key to their ecological success. Although molecular studies on caste polymorphism have been performed in termites, we are far from a comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis of this phenomenon. To facilitate future molecular studies, we aimed to construct expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries covering wide ranges of gene repertoires in three representative termite species, Hodotermopsis sjostedti, Reticulitermes speratus and Nasutitermes takasagoensis. We generated normalized cDNA libraries from whole bodies, except for guts containing microbes, of almost all castes, sexes and developmental stages and sequenced them with the 454 GS FLX titanium system. We obtained >1.2 million quality-filtered reads yielding >400 million bases for each of the three species. Isotigs, which are analogous to individual transcripts, and singletons were produced by assembling the reads and annotated using public databases. Genes related to juvenile hormone, which plays crucial roles in caste differentiation of termites, were identified from the EST libraries by BLAST search. To explore the potential for DNA methylation, which plays an important role in caste differentiation of honeybees, tBLASTn searches for DNA methyltransferases (dnmt1, dnmt2 and dnmt3) and methyl-CpG binding domain (mbd) were performed against the EST libraries. All four of these genes were found in the H. sjostedti library, while all except dnmt3 were found in R. speratus and N. takasagoensis. The ratio of the observed to the expected CpG content (CpG O/E), which is a proxy for DNA methylation level, was calculated for the coding sequences predicted from the isotigs and singletons. In all of the three species, the majority of coding sequences showed depletion of CpG O/E (less than 1), and the distributions of CpG O/E were bimodal, suggesting the presence of DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinobu Hayashi
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- NIBB Core Research Facilities, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Dai Watanabe
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kouhei Toga
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryota Saiki
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Ishikawa Museum of Natural History, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Thomas Bourguignon
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nathan Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Masaru Hojo
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Kiyoto Maekawa
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Toru Miura
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Ant Interactions with Soil Organisms and Associated Semiochemicals. J Chem Ecol 2012; 38:728-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-012-0140-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2012] [Revised: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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