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Vommaro ML, Donato S, Caputo S, Agostino RG, Montali A, Tettamanti G, Giglio A. Anatomical changes of Tenebrio molitor and Tribolium castaneum during complete metamorphosis. Cell Tissue Res 2024; 396:19-40. [PMID: 38409390 PMCID: PMC10997553 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-024-03877-8] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
In holometabolous insects, extensive reorganisation of tissues and cells occurs at the pupal stage. The remodelling of the external exoskeleton and internal organs that intervenes during metamorphosis has been traditionally studied in many insect species based on histological or ultrastructural methods. This study demonstrates the use of synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast micro-computed tomography as a powerful, non-destructive tool for in situ morphological observation of anatomical structures at the pupal stage in two Tenebrionid beetles, i.e. Tribolium castaneum and Tenebrio molitor, known as important pests, as well as emerging and promising models in experimental biology. Virtual sections and three-dimensional reconstructions were performed on both males and females at early, intermediate, and late pupal stage. The dataset allowed us to observe the remodelling of the gut and nervous system as well as the shaping of the female and male reproductive system at different pupal ages in both mealworm and red flour beetles. Moreover, we observed that the timing and duration pattern of organ development varied between the species analysed, likely related to the species-specific adaptations of the pre-imaginal stages to environmental conditions, which ultimately affect their life cycle. This research provides new knowledge on the morphological modifications that occur during the pupal stage of holometabolous insects and provides a baseline set of information on beetle metamorphosis that may support future research in forensics, physiology, and ecology as well as an image atlas for educational purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luigia Vommaro
- University of Calabria, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, Rende, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- University of Calabria, Department of Physics and STAR research infrastructure, Rende, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Division of Frascati, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Caputo
- University of Calabria, Department of Environmental Engineering, Rende, Italy
| | - Raffaele G Agostino
- University of Calabria, Department of Physics and STAR research infrastructure, Rende, Italy
| | - Aurora Montali
- University of Insubria, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Varese, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tettamanti
- University of Insubria, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Varese, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-environmental Technology (BAT Center), University of Napoli Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Anita Giglio
- University of Calabria, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, Rende, Italy.
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2
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Halberg KV, Denholm B. Mechanisms of Systemic Osmoregulation in Insects. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 69:415-438. [PMID: 37758224 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-040323-021222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Water is essential to life. Terrestrial insects lose water by evaporation from the body surface and respiratory surfaces, as well as in the excretory products, posing a challenge made more acute by their high surface-to-volume ratio. These losses must be kept to a minimum and be offset by water gained from other sources. By contrast, insects such as the blood-sucking bug Rhodnius prolixus consume up to 10 times their body weight in a single blood meal, necessitating rapid expulsion of excess water and ions. How do insects manage their ion and water budgets? A century of study has revealed a great deal about the organ systems that insects use to maintain their ion and water balance and their regulation. Traditionally, a taxonomically wide range of species were studied, whereas more recent research has focused on model organisms to leverage the power of the molecular genetic approach. Key advances in new technologies have become available for a wider range of species in the past decade. We document how these approaches have already begun to inform our understanding of the diversity and conservation of insect systemic osmoregulation. We advocate that these technologies be combined with traditional approaches to study a broader range of nonmodel species to gain a comprehensive overview of the mechanism underpinning systemic osmoregulation in the most species-rich group of animals on earth, the insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Veland Halberg
- Section for Cell and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Barry Denholm
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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3
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Vommaro ML, Donato S, Lo LK, Brandmayr P, Giglio A. Anatomical study of the red flour beetle using synchrotron radiation X-ray phase-contrast micro-tomography. J Anat 2023; 242:510-524. [PMID: 36417320 PMCID: PMC9919503 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13796] [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: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast microtomography (SR-PhC micro-CT) is well established, fast and non-destructive imaging technique for data acquisition that is currently being used to obtain new insights into insect anatomy and function in physiological, morphological and phylogenetic studies. In this study, we described in situ the internal organs of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst 1797, a widespread pest of cereals and stored food causing serious damage to the human economy. Two-dimensional virtual sections and volumetric reconstructions of the nervous, alimentary and reproductive systems were carried out in both sexes. The results provided a comprehensive overview of the morphological characteristics of this species, such as the different maturation stages of ovarioles and the realistic location, size and shape of internal organs. Given the great interest in this model species in experimental biology and forensic entomology, complete knowledge of the general anatomy is required for future functional applications in pest control and experimental studies. In addition, this study confirms SR-PhC micro-CT as a powerful and innovative tool in entomology, particularly suitable for small species and chitinized structures that are difficult to analyse using conventional dissection and histological methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luigia Vommaro
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.,Division of Frascati, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Rome, Italy
| | - Lai Ka Lo
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology Group, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Pietro Brandmayr
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Anita Giglio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
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4
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Chafino S, Martín D, Franch-Marro X. Activation of EGFR signaling by Tc-Vein and Tc-Spitz regulates the metamorphic transition in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18807. [PMID: 34552169 PMCID: PMC8458297 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98334-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal development relies on a sequence of specific stages that allow the formation of adult structures with a determined size. In general, juvenile stages are dedicated mainly to growth, whereas last stages are devoted predominantly to the maturation of adult structures. In holometabolous insects, metamorphosis marks the end of the growth period as the animals stops feeding and initiate the final differentiation of the tissues. This transition is controlled by the steroid hormone ecdysone produced in the prothoracic gland. In Drosophila melanogaster different signals have been shown to regulate the production of ecdysone, such as PTTH/Torso, TGFß and Egfr signaling. However, to which extent the roles of these signals are conserved remains unknown. Here, we study the role of Egfr signaling in post-embryonic development of the basal holometabolous beetle Tribolium castaneum. We show that Tc-Egfr and Tc-pointed are required to induced a proper larval-pupal transition through the control of the expression of ecdysone biosynthetic genes. Furthermore, we identified an additional Tc-Egfr ligand in the Tribolium genome, the neuregulin-like protein Tc-Vein (Tc-Vn), which contributes to induce larval-pupal transition together with Tc-Spitz (Tc-Spi). Interestingly, we found that in addition to the redundant role in the control of pupa formation, each ligand possesses different functions in organ morphogenesis. Whereas Tc-Spi acts as the main ligand in urogomphi and gin traps, Tc-Vn is required in wings and elytra. Altogether, our findings show that in Tribolium, post-embryonic Tc-Egfr signaling activation depends on the presence of two ligands and that its role in metamorphic transition is conserved in holometabolous insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Chafino
- grid.507636.10000 0004 0424 5398Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE, CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig de la Barceloneta 37, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia Spain
| | - David Martín
- grid.507636.10000 0004 0424 5398Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE, CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig de la Barceloneta 37, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia Spain
| | - Xavier Franch-Marro
- grid.507636.10000 0004 0424 5398Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE, CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig de la Barceloneta 37, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia Spain
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5
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POLAT I. Morphology and Ultrastructure of the Nymphal Malpighian Tubules of Conocephalus fuscus fuscus (Fabricius, 1793) (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae). GAZI UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.35378/gujs.795850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Koch EL, Guillaume F. Additive and mostly adaptive plastic responses of gene expression to multiple stress in Tribolium castaneum. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008768. [PMID: 32379753 PMCID: PMC7238888 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression is known to be highly responsive to the environment and important for adjustment of metabolism but there is also growing evidence that differences in gene regulation contribute to species divergence and differences among locally adapted populations. However, most studies so far investigated populations when divergence had already occurred. Selection acting on expression levels at the onset of adaptation to an environmental change has not been characterized. Understanding the mechanisms is further complicated by the fact that environmental change is often multivariate, meaning that organisms are exposed to multiple stressors simultaneously with potentially interactive effects. Here we use a novel approach by combining fitness and whole-transcriptome data in a large-scale experiment to investigate responses to drought, heat and their combination in Tribolium castaneum. We found that fitness was reduced by both stressors and their combined effect was almost additive. Expression data showed that stressor responses were acting independently and did not interfere physiologically. Since we measured expression and fitness within the same individuals, we were able to estimate selection on gene expression levels. We found that variation in fitness can be attributed to gene expression variation and that selection pressures were environment dependent and opposite between control and stress conditions. We could further show that plastic responses of expression were largely adaptive, i.e. in the direction that should increase fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva L. Koch
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University
of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Animal and Plant Science, University of Sheffield, Western
Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Frédéric Guillaume
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University
of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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7
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Herndon N, Shelton J, Gerischer L, Ioannidis P, Ninova M, Dönitz J, Waterhouse RM, Liang C, Damm C, Siemanowski J, Kitzmann P, Ulrich J, Dippel S, Oberhofer G, Hu Y, Schwirz J, Schacht M, Lehmann S, Montino A, Posnien N, Gurska D, Horn T, Seibert J, Vargas Jentzsch IM, Panfilio KA, Li J, Wimmer EA, Stappert D, Roth S, Schröder R, Park Y, Schoppmeier M, Chung HR, Klingler M, Kittelmann S, Friedrich M, Chen R, Altincicek B, Vilcinskas A, Zdobnov E, Griffiths-Jones S, Ronshaugen M, Stanke M, Brown SJ, Bucher G. Enhanced genome assembly and a new official gene set for Tribolium castaneum. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:47. [PMID: 31937263 PMCID: PMC6961396 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6394-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum has emerged as an important model organism for the study of gene function in development and physiology, for ecological and evolutionary genomics, for pest control and a plethora of other topics. RNA interference (RNAi), transgenesis and genome editing are well established and the resources for genome-wide RNAi screening have become available in this model. All these techniques depend on a high quality genome assembly and precise gene models. However, the first version of the genome assembly was generated by Sanger sequencing, and with a small set of RNA sequence data limiting annotation quality. Results Here, we present an improved genome assembly (Tcas5.2) and an enhanced genome annotation resulting in a new official gene set (OGS3) for Tribolium castaneum, which significantly increase the quality of the genomic resources. By adding large-distance jumping library DNA sequencing to join scaffolds and fill small gaps, the gaps in the genome assembly were reduced and the N50 increased to 4753kbp. The precision of the gene models was enhanced by the use of a large body of RNA-Seq reads of different life history stages and tissue types, leading to the discovery of 1452 novel gene sequences. We also added new features such as alternative splicing, well defined UTRs and microRNA target predictions. For quality control, 399 gene models were evaluated by manual inspection. The current gene set was submitted to Genbank and accepted as a RefSeq genome by NCBI. Conclusions The new genome assembly (Tcas5.2) and the official gene set (OGS3) provide enhanced genomic resources for genetic work in Tribolium castaneum. The much improved information on transcription start sites supports transgenic and gene editing approaches. Further, novel types of information such as splice variants and microRNA target genes open additional possibilities for analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolae Herndon
- Department of Computer Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Jennifer Shelton
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Lizzy Gerischer
- Institut für Mathematik und Informatik, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Panos Ioannidis
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Ninova
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Jürgen Dönitz
- Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robert M Waterhouse
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Chun Liang
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Carsten Damm
- Institut für Informatik, Fakultät für Mathematik und Informatik, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstr. 7, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Janna Siemanowski
- Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Kitzmann
- Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Ulrich
- Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Dippel
- Göttinger Graduiertenschule fur Neurowissenschaften Biophysik und Molekulare Biowissenschaften, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Georg Oberhofer
- Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yonggang Hu
- Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Schwirz
- Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Magdalena Schacht
- Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Lehmann
- Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alice Montino
- Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nico Posnien
- Department of Developmental Biology, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniela Gurska
- Institute for Zoology: Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thorsten Horn
- Institute for Zoology: Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan Seibert
- Institute for Zoology: Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Iris M Vargas Jentzsch
- Institute for Zoology: Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kristen A Panfilio
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Jianwei Li
- Department Developmental Biology, GZMB, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ernst A Wimmer
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dominik Stappert
- Institute of Zoology: Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Weg 47b, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Siegfried Roth
- Institute of Zoology: Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Weg 47b, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Reinhard Schröder
- Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3, 18059, Rostock, Germany
| | - Yoonseong Park
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Michael Schoppmeier
- Department of Biology, Divison of Developmental Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ho-Ryun Chung
- Department of Computational Molecular Biology, Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnenstraße 63-73, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Klingler
- Department of Biology, Division of Developmental Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kittelmann
- Oxford Brookes University, Centre for Functional Genomics, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Markus Friedrich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Boran Altincicek
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES-Phytomedicine), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Evgeny Zdobnov
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sam Griffiths-Jones
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Matthew Ronshaugen
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Mario Stanke
- Institut für Mathematik und Informatik, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Sue J Brown
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
| | - Gregor Bucher
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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Rösner J, Merzendorfer H. Transcriptional plasticity of different ABC transporter genes from Tribolium castaneum contributes to diflubenzuron resistance. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 116:103282. [PMID: 31740345 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of insecticide resistance challenges the sustainability of pest control and several studies have shown that ABC transporters contribute to this process. ABC transporters are known to transport a large range of chemically diverse molecules across cellular membranes, and therefore the identification of ABC transporters involved in insecticide resistance is difficult. Here, we describe a comprehensive strategy for the identification of whole sets of ABC transporters involved in insecticide resistance using the pest beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Tc) as a model. We analyzed the expression of ABCA to ABCC genes in different tissues and developmental stages using larvae that were sensitive or resistant to diflubenzuron (DFB). The mRNA levels of several ABC genes expressed in excretory or metabolic tissues such as midgut, Malpighian tubules or fat body were markedly upregulated in response to DFB. Next, we monitored mortality in the presence of the ABC inhibitor verapamil, and found that it causes sensitization to DFB. We furthermore established a competitive assay for the elimination of DFB, based on Texas Red (TR) fluorescence. We monitored TR elimination in larvae that were treated with DFB or different ABC inhibitors, and combinations of them. TR elimination was decreased significantly in the presence of DFB, verapamil and the ABCC inhibitor MK-571. The effect was synergized when DFB and verapamil were both present suggesting that the transport of TR and DFB involves overlapping sets of ABC transporters. Finally, we silenced the expression of DFB-responding ABC genes by RNA interference and then followed the survival rates after DFB exposure. Mortality increased particularly when specific ABCA and ABCC genes were silenced. Taken together, we were able to show that different ABC transporters expressed in metabolic and excretory tissues contribute to the elimination of DFB. Up- or down-regulation of gene expression occurs within a few days already at very low DFB concentrations. These results suggests that transcriptional plasticity of several ABC genes allows adaptation of the efflux capacity in different tissues to eliminate insecticides and/or their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janin Rösner
- 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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9
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Hu X, Steimel JP, Kapka-Kitzman DM, Davis-Vogel C, Richtman NM, Mathis JP, Nelson ME, Lu AL, Wu G. Molecular characterization of the insecticidal activity of double-stranded RNA targeting the smooth septate junction of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210491. [PMID: 30629687 PMCID: PMC6328145 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The western corn rootworm (WCR, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) gene, dvssj1, is a putative homolog of the Drosophila melanogaster gene, snakeskin (ssk). This gene encodes a membrane protein associated with the smooth septate junction (SSJ) which is required for the proper barrier function of the epithelial lining of insect intestines. Disruption of DVSSJ integrity by RNAi technique has been shown previously to be an effective approach for corn rootworm control, by apparent suppression of production of DVSSJ1 protein leading to growth inhibition and mortality. To understand the mechanism that leads to the death of WCR larvae by dvssj1 double-stranded RNA, we examined the molecular characteristics associated with SSJ functions during larval development. Dvssj1 dsRNA diet feeding results in dose-dependent suppression of mRNA and protein; this impairs SSJ formation and barrier function of the midgut and results in larval mortality. These findings suggest that the malfunctioning of the SSJ complex in midgut triggered by dvssj1 silencing is the principal cause of WCR death. This study also illustrates that dvssj1 is a midgut-specific gene in WCR and its functions are consistent with biological functions described for ssk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Hu
- DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail: (XH); (MEN)
| | | | | | | | | | - John P. Mathis
- DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Mark E. Nelson
- DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail: (XH); (MEN)
| | - Albert L. Lu
- DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Gusui Wu
- DuPont Pioneer, Hayward, California, United States of America
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10
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Janssen R, Andersson E, Betnér E, Bijl S, Fowler W, Höök L, Leyhr J, Mannelqvist A, Panara V, Smith K, Tiemann S. Embryonic expression patterns and phylogenetic analysis of panarthropod sox genes: insight into nervous system development, segmentation and gonadogenesis. BMC Evol Biol 2018; 18:88. [PMID: 29884143 PMCID: PMC5994082 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1196-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sox (Sry-related high-mobility-group box) genes represent important factors in animal development. Relatively little, however, is known about the embryonic expression patterns and thus possible function(s) of Sox genes during ontogenesis in panarthropods (Arthropoda+Tardigrada+Onychophora). To date, studies have been restricted exclusively to higher insects, including the model system Drosophila melanogaster, with no comprehensive data available for any other arthropod group, or any tardigrade or onychophoran. RESULTS This study provides a phylogenetic analysis of panarthropod Sox genes and presents the first comprehensive analysis of embryonic expression patterns in the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Hexapoda), the pill millipede Glomeris marginata (Myriapoda), and the velvet worm, Euperipatoides kanangrensis (Onychophora). 24 Sox genes were identified and investigated: 7 in Euperipatoides, 8 in Glomeris, and 9 in Tribolium. Each species possesses at least one ortholog of each of the five expected Sox gene families, B, C, D, E, and F, many of which are differentially expressed during ontogenesis. CONCLUSION Sox gene expression (and potentially function) is highly conserved in arthropods and their closest relatives, the onychophorans. Sox B, C and D class genes appear to be crucial for nervous system development, while the Sox B genes Dichaete (D) and Sox21b likely play an additional conserved role in panarthropod segmentation. The Sox B gene Sox21a likely has a conserved function in foregut and Malpighian tubule development, at least in Hexapoda. The data further suggest that Sox D and E genes are involved in mesoderm differentiation, and that Sox E genes are involved in gonadal development. The new data expand our knowledge about the expression and implied function of Sox genes to Mandibulata (Myriapoda+Pancrustacea) and Panarthropoda (Arthropoda+Onychophora).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Janssen
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emil Andersson
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ellinor Betnér
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sifra Bijl
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Will Fowler
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Höök
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jake Leyhr
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alexander Mannelqvist
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Virginia Panara
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kate Smith
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sydney Tiemann
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
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11
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Yao XX, Meng QW, Li GQ. RNA interference-mediated functional characterization of aquaporin genes in Tribolium castaneum. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 27:234-246. [PMID: 29235691 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
An obvious challenge faced by most terrestrial insects is maintaining water homeostasis in an arid environment. Current research suggests aquaporins may be evolved to meet the challenge. However, up to now, this suggestion has not been verified in any insect that feeds upon solid food with mandibulate mouthparts. In the present paper, nine putative aquaporin genes [Tribolium castaneum big brain, T. castaneum Drosophila integral protein (TcDrip), T. castaneum Pyrocoelia rufa integral protein (TcPrip), T. castaneum aquaporin 12-like, T. castaneum entomoglyceroporin 1 (TcEglp1), TcEglp2, TcEglp3, TcEglp4 and TcEglp5] were identified in T. castaneum. The transcripts of the nine genes were easily detectable in the foregut, midgut, hindgut-Malpighian tubule complex, fat body and carcass (except gut and fat body). Amongst them TcDrip, TcPrip, TcEglp1, TcEglp3 and TcEglp5 were highly transcribed in the hindgut-Malpighian tubule complex; TcEglp4 was abundantly expressed in both the fat body and hindgut-Malpighian tubule complex. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of TcEglp3 caused a grey larval cuticle, in contrast to a smooth and bright cuticle in control larvae. Approximately 40% of the TcEglp3 RNAi larvae had their hindguts protruding from the anus; their fresh wet faeces were attached to the hindgut. Another 20% of these treated larvae did not defaecate normally; wet brown faeces were adhered to the anal area. As a result, the larval growth was inhibited and about 60% larval lethality occurred. Silencing of TcEglp4 or TcDrip exhibited similar but weaker defective phenotypes as those of the TcEglp3-silenced larvae. Therefore, Eglp3, Eglp4 and Drip may contribute to the conductance of water in the alimentary canal and Malpighian tubules in T. castaneum.
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Affiliation(s)
- X-X Yao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Crop Pest Management in Eastern China (Agricultural Ministry of China), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Q-W Meng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Crop Pest Management in Eastern China (Agricultural Ministry of China), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - G-Q Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Crop Pest Management in Eastern China (Agricultural Ministry of China), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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12
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Gonçalves WG, Fernandes KM, Santana WC, Martins GF, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE. Post-embryonic development of the Malpighian tubules in Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera) workers: morphology, remodeling, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. PROTOPLASMA 2018; 255:585-599. [PMID: 28988368 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-017-1171-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The honeybee Apis mellifera has ecological and economic importance; however, it experiences a population decline, perhaps due to exposure to toxic compounds, which are excreted by Malpighian tubules. During metamorphosis of A. mellifera, the Malpighian tubules degenerate and are formed de novo. The objective of this work was to verify the cellular events of the Malpighian tubule renewal in the metamorphosis, which are the gradual steps of cell remodeling, determining different cell types and their roles in the excretory activity in A. mellifera. Immunofluorescence and ultrastructural analyses showed that the cells of the larval Malpighian tubules degenerate by apoptosis and autophagy, and the new Malpighian tubules are formed by cell proliferation. The ultrastructure of the cells in the Malpighian tubules suggest that cellular remodeling only occurs from dark-brown-eyed pupae, indicating the onset of excretion activity in pupal Malpighian tubules. In adult forager workers, two cell types occur in the Malpighian tubules, one with ultrastructural features (abundance of mitochondria, vacuoles, microvilli, and narrow basal labyrinth) for primary urine production and another cell type with dilated basal labyrinth, long microvilli, and absence of spherocrystals, which suggest a role in primary urine re-absorpotion. This study suggests that during the metamorphosis, Malpighian tubules are non-functional until the light-brown-eyed pupae, indicating that A. mellifera may be more vulnerable to toxic compounds at early pupal stages. In addition, cell ultrastructure suggests that the Malpighian tubules may be functional from dark-brown-eyed pupae and acquire greater complexity in the forager worker bee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wagner Gonzaga Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Kenner Morais Fernandes
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Weyder Cristiano Santana
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Ferreira Martins
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - José Cola Zanuncio
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
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13
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Stappert D, Frey N, von Levetzow C, Roth S. Genome-wide identification of Tribolium dorsoventral patterning genes. Development 2016; 143:2443-54. [PMID: 27287803 DOI: 10.1242/dev.130641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The gene regulatory network controlling dorsoventral axis formation in insects has undergone drastic evolutionary changes. In Drosophila, a stable long-range gradient of Toll signalling specifies ventral cell fates and restricts BMP signalling to the dorsal half of the embryo. In Tribolium, however, Toll signalling is transient and only indirectly controls BMP signalling. In order to gain unbiased insights into the Tribolium network, we performed comparative transcriptome analyses of embryos with various dorsoventral pattering defects produced by parental RNAi for Toll and BMP signalling components. We also included embryos lacking the mesoderm (produced by Tc-twist RNAi) and characterized similarities and differences between Drosophila and Tribolium twist loss-of-function phenotypes. Using stringent conditions, we identified over 750 differentially expressed genes and analysed a subset with altered expression in more than one knockdown condition. We found new genes with localized expression and showed that conserved genes frequently possess earlier and stronger phenotypes than their Drosophila orthologues. For example, the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) protein Tartan, which has only a minor influence on nervous system development in Drosophila, is essential for early neurogenesis in Tribolium and the Tc-zinc-finger homeodomain protein 1 (Tc-zfh1), the orthologue of which plays a minor role in Drosophila muscle development, is essential for maintaining early Tc-twist expression, indicating an important function for mesoderm specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Stappert
- Institute of Developmental Biology, Biocenter, Zuelpicher Str. 47b, University of Cologne, Cologne 50674, Germany
| | - Nadine Frey
- Institute of Developmental Biology, Biocenter, Zuelpicher Str. 47b, University of Cologne, Cologne 50674, Germany
| | - Cornelia von Levetzow
- Centrum für Integrierte Onkologie (CIO) Köln Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, Köln 50937, Germany
| | - Siegfried Roth
- Institute of Developmental Biology, Biocenter, Zuelpicher Str. 47b, University of Cologne, Cologne 50674, Germany
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14
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Ruiz-Sanchez E, O'Donnell MJ. The insect excretory system as a target for novel pest control strategies. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2015; 11:14-20. [PMID: 28285757 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The insect excretory system plays essential roles in osmoregulation, ionoregulation and toxin elimination. Understanding the mechanisms of fluid and ion transport by the epithelial cells of the excretory system provides a foundation for development of novel pest management strategies. In the present review, we focus on two such strategies: first, impairment of osmoregulation by manipulation of diuretic or antidiuretic signaling pathways and second, interference with toxin elimination by inhibition of toxin transport systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esau Ruiz-Sanchez
- Instituto Tecnologico de Conkal, Km. 16.3, Ex-Carretera Merida-Motul, Conkal , Yucatan C.P. 97345, Mexico
| | - Michael J O'Donnell
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
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15
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Tracing the evolutionary origins of insect renal function. Nat Commun 2015; 6:6800. [PMID: 25896425 PMCID: PMC4410669 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge on neuropeptide receptor systems is integral to understanding animal physiology. Yet, obtaining general insight into neuropeptide signalling in a clade as biodiverse as the insects is problematic. Here we apply fluorescent analogues of three key insect neuropeptides to map renal tissue architecture across systematically chosen representatives of the major insect Orders, to provide an unprecedented overview of insect renal function and control. In endopterygote insects, such as Drosophila, two distinct transporting cell types receive separate neuropeptide signals, whereas in the ancestral exopterygotes, a single, general cell type mediates all signals. Intriguingly, the largest insect Order Coleoptera (beetles) has evolved a unique approach, in which only a small fraction of cells are targets for neuropeptide action. In addition to demonstrating a universal utility of this technology, our results reveal not only a generality of signalling by the evolutionarily ancient neuropeptide families but also a clear functional separation of the types of cells that mediate the signal. The evolution of neuropeptide signalling in insects is poorly understood. Here the authors map renal tissue architecture in the major insect Orders, and show that while the ancient neuropeptide families are involved in signalling in nearly all species, there is functional variation in the cell types that mediate the signal.
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