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Wang C, Chung FY, Lin CC, Katzke J, Economo EP, Billen J. Morphology of the metapleural gland and its associated novel atrial cone gland in Strumigenys ants. Micron 2023; 171:103463. [PMID: 37182305 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2023.103463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The metapleural gland is a unique feature of the ant phenotype, but diversity in its anatomy and function across the ants is not well documented or understood. We studied the morphology of the metapleural gland in 20 mainly Oriental Strumigenys species using histology, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and micro-CT. The gland is formed by a cluster of class-3 cells, their secretion is transported through a bundle of ducts into the sclerotized atrium and is guided along a series of parallel cuticular ridges towards the atrial opening. Among the examined species, queens have more gland cells than conspecific workers, while the examined males do not have the gland. The social parasite S. mutica has the most developed metapleural gland. In addition, we describe a novel class-1 atrial cone gland which is associated with the metapleural gland. The epithelium of this cone gland forms an invagination into the ventral atrium of the metapleural gland. The cuticular cone may be lacking in some Afrotropical and Neotropical species, although these may still contain the epithelial gland. The functional and evolutionary drivers of morphological variation in the exocrine system across species form interesting questions for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Wang
- KU Leuven, Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59, box 2466, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Fu-Ya Chung
- National Changhua University of Education, Department of Biology, Changhua 50007, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chung-Chi Lin
- National Changhua University of Education, Department of Biology, Changhua 50007, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Julian Katzke
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Evan P Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Johan Billen
- KU Leuven, Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59, box 2466, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Guimarães DO, Ferro M, Santos TS, Costa TR, Yoneyama KAG, Rodrigues VDM, Henrique-Silva F, Rodrigues RS. Transcriptomic and biochemical analysis from the venom gland of the neotropical ant Odontomachus chelifer. Toxicon 2023; 223:107006. [PMID: 36572114 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.107006] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The genus Odontomachus is widely distributed in neotropical areas throughout Central and South America. It is a stinging ant that subdues its prey (insects) by injecting them a cocktail of toxic molecules (venom). Ant venoms are generally composed of formic acid, alkaloids, hydrocarbons, amines, peptides, and proteins. Odontomachus chelifer is an ant that inhabits neotropical regions from Mexico to Argentina. Unlike the venom of other animals such as scorpions, spiders and snakes, this ant venom has seldom been analyzed comprehensively, and their compositions are not yet completely known. In the present study, we performed a partial investigation of enzymatic and functional activities of O. chelifer ant venom, and we provide a global insight on the transcripts expressed in the venom gland to better understand their properties. The crude venom showed phospholipase A2 and antiparasitic activities. RNA sequencing (Illumina platform) of the venom gland of O. chelifer generated 61, 422, 898 reads and de novo assembly Trinity generated 50,220 contigs. BUSCO analysis against Arthropoda_db10 showed that 92.89% of the BUSCO groups have complete gene representation (single-copy or duplicated), while 4.05% are only partially recovered, and 3.06% are missing. The 30 most expressed genes in O. chelifer venom gland transcriptome included important transcripts involved in venom function such as U-poneritoxin (01)-Om1a-like (pilosulin), chitinase 2, venom allergen 3, chymotrypsin 1 and 2 and glutathione S-transferase. Analysis of the molecular function revealed that the largest number of transcripts were related to catalytic activity, including phospholipases. These data emphasize the potential of O. chelifer venom for prospection of molecules with biotechnological application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Oliveira Guimarães
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Milene Ferro
- Department of General and Applied Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Thamires Silva Santos
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Tassia Rafaela Costa
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Kelly Aparecida Geraldo Yoneyama
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Veridiana de Melo Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Flávio Henrique-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, São Carlos, 13565-905, SP, Brazil.
| | - Renata Santos Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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da Silva M, Noll FB, Billen J. Histology and ultrastructure of glands associated with the sting apparatus of the swarm-founding wasp Protopolybia exigua (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2022; 68:101166. [PMID: 35525205 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2022.101166] [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: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Social insects present a great diversity of exocrine glands, which are linked to fundamental roles of social life, and their morphological characterization represents the first step toward the knowledge of their function. We here describe the exocrine glands present in the sting apparatus of queens and workers of the wasp Protopolybia exigua. Histological analysis of serial sections under light microscopy revealed a glandular epithelium in the spiracular plate, the quadrate plate, and the gonostyli, while the last two in addition also contain clusters of class-3 cells. A big cluster of class-3 cells was also found in the oblong plate of some workers and queens. These findings reveal that a variety of glands, in addition to the common venom gland and Dufour gland, are present in association with the sting apparatus, of which three glands are novel reports for the exocrine repertoire of social insects. The position of the glands suggests a role in lubrication to provide mobility of the sting and venom ejection and/or participation in alarm behavior, while a function related to reproduction is also possible. The peculiar characteristics displayed by swarm-founding wasps are linked with exocrine gland secretions, making their investigation in Epiponini wasps a vast and interesting field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie da Silva
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Depto. Ciências Biológicas, Cristóvão Colombo 2265, 15054-000, São José Do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Fernando Barbosa Noll
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Depto. Ciências Biológicas, Cristóvão Colombo 2265, 15054-000, São José Do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Johan Billen
- KU Leuven, Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2466, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Lieberman ZE, Billen J, Kamp T, Boudinot BE. The ant abdomen: the skeletomuscular and soft tissue anatomy of
Amblyopone australis
workers (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J Morphol 2022; 283:693-770. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ziv Ellis Lieberman
- Department of Entomology and Nematology University of California Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, U. S. A. 95616
| | - Johan Billen
- Zoological Institute, University of Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2466, B‐3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Thomas Kamp
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann‐von‐Helmholtz‐Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein‐Leopoldshafen Germany
- Laboratory for Applications of Synchrotron Radiation (LAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstraße 12 Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Brendon Elias Boudinot
- Friedrich‐Schiller‐Universität Jena, Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsforschung, Entomologie Gruppe, Erbertstraße 1 07743 Jena Germany
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Billen J, Lin CC, Esteves FA. Novel exocrine glands in the foreleg coxae of Discothyrea ants. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2020; 59:100981. [PMID: 32818808 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.100981] [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: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Workers, queens and males of all examined Discothyrea species of the 'sauteri group', that have laterally expanded frontal lobes and well-developed antennal scrobes, are characterized by two hairy areas on the outer surface of their procoxae. Histological and ultrastructural examination of Discothyrea sauterirevealed that each of these areas is associated with a novel exocrine gland: the proximal procoxal gland is formed by a cluster of 15 round secretory cells of 34 μm with numerous mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus.Their ducts have a diameter of 0.5-1 μm.The distal procoxal gland contains 50 secretory cells of 22 μm with numerous vacuoles and lamellar inclusions, and narrow ducts with a diameter of only 0.15-0.2 μm.The differences in ultrastructural appearance and duct diameter indicate that both glands produce a different but probably pheromonal secretion. The function of these novel procoxal glands could not yet be determined, although observation of D.sauteri workers and queens shows that they make frequent and peculiar leg movements, in which the foreleg basitarsus rubs over the coxal hairy areas. The foreleg basitarsus then rubs the ipsilateral hindleg basitarsus and antenna. As a last step of the sequence, the hindleg basitarsus strokes the gaster.In addition to the occurrence of these novel procoxal glands, histological examination of D. sauteri also revealed the presence of yet another novel but smaller procoxal base gland. Ants of the 'testacea group', that have less developed frontal lobes and no antennal scrobes, do not have procoxal hairy areas, although a distinct sculpturation with small pores may occur in the corresponding areas. The related Proceratium japonicum, that has a similar lifestyle as Discothyrea, does not have any of the procoxal glands and does not display the peculiar leg movements as reported for D. sauteri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Billen
- Zoological Institute, University of Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2466, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Chung-Chi Lin
- Department of Biology, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, 50007, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Flavia A Esteves
- California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr., San Francisco, CA, 94941, USA
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Andrade TT, Gonçalves WG, Serrão JE, Martins LCB. Morphology of the mandibular gland of the ant Paraponera clavata (Hymenoptera: Paraponerinae). Microsc Res Tech 2019; 82:941-948. [PMID: 30901503 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The ant Paraponera clavata (Fabricius, 1775) is the only extant species of Paraponerinae and is widely distributed in Brazilian forests. Aspects of its biology are documented extensively in the literature; however, knowledge of P. clavata internal morphology, specifically of exocrine glands, is restricted to the venom apparatus. The objective of this study was to describe the mandibular gland morphology of P. clavata workers. The mandibular gland is composed of a reservoir connected to a cluster of Type III secretory cells with cytoplasm rich in mitochondria and lipid droplets, similar to that of other ants. Notably, the glandular secretion is rich in protein and has a solid aspect. This is the first morphological description of the mandibular gland of P. clavata. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This study presents the morphological description of the mandibular gland of Paraponera clavata (Hymenoptera: Paraponerinae). Singular characteristics of the gland are described: the glandular secretion is rich in protein and has a solid aspect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thito Thomston Andrade
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade, Ambiente e Saúde, Departamento de Biologia e Química, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil
| | | | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luiza Carla Barbosa Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade, Ambiente e Saúde, Departamento de Biologia e Química, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil
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Billen J, Ito F. Novel thoracic glands in the ant Myopias hollandi. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2018; 47:229-237. [PMID: 29698688 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Besides the common labial and metapleural glands, four novel exocrine glands are described in the thorax of both workers and queens of the ponerine ant Myopias hollandi. From anterior to posterior, these glands were designated as the propleural pit gland, the posterolateral pronotal gland, the anterolateral propodeal gland and the metasternal process gland. They all correspond with class-3 glands, that are made up of bicellular units that each comprise a secretory cell and a duct cell. In the propleural pit gland, the ducts are characterized by a gradually widening diameter, while in the three other glands the ducts show a portion which displays a balloon-like expansion, that on semithin sections stains very dark. For none of these novel glands the function is known as yet, although ultrastructural examination indicates that they produce a non-proteinaceous and therefore possibly pheromonal secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Billen
- KU Leuven, Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Fuminori Ito
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Ikenobe, 761-0795 Miki, Japan
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Silva MF, Mota CM, Miranda VDS, Cunha ADO, Silva MC, Naves KSC, de Oliveira F, Silva DADO, Mineo TWP, Santiago FM. Biological and Enzymatic Characterization of Proteases from Crude Venom of the Ant Odontomachus bauri. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:5114-28. [PMID: 26633501 PMCID: PMC4690119 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hymenoptera venoms constitute an interesting source of natural toxins that may lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents. The present study investigated the enzymatic and biological characteristics of the crude venom of the ant Odontomachus bauri. Its crude venom presents several protein bands, with higher staining for six proteins with gelatinolytic activity (17, 20, 26, 29, 43 and 48 kDa). The crude venom showed high proteolytic activity on azocasein at optimal pH 8.0 and 37 °C. In the presence of protease inhibitors as aprotinin, leupeptin and EDTA, the azocaseinolytic activity was reduced by 45%, 29% and 9%, respectively, suggesting that the enzymes present in the crude venom belong to the three classes of proteases, with the serine proteases in greater intensity. The crude venom degraded the fibrinogen α-chain faster than the β-chain, while the fibrinogen γ-chain remained unchanged. In biological assays, O. bauri venom showed hemolytic and coagulant activity in vitro, and defibrinating activity in vivo. In addition, the venom showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as well as antiparasitic activity on Toxoplasma gondii infection in vitro. In that sense, this study sheds perspectives for pharmacological applications of O. bauri venom enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Ferreira Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Caroline Martins Mota
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Vanessa dos Santos Miranda
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Amanda de Oliveira Cunha
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Maraísa Cristina Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Karinne Spirandelli Carvalho Naves
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Fábio de Oliveira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Biophysics, Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia 38400-902, Brazil.
- National Institute in Science and Technology in Nanobiopharmaceutics (NanoBiofar), Belo Horizonte-MG 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Deise Aparecida de Oliveira Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Tiago Wilson Patriarca Mineo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Maria Santiago
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia 38400-902, Brazil.
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