1
|
Gajda Ł, Daszkowska-Golec A, Świątek P. Trophic Position of the White Worm ( Enchytraeus albidus) in the Context of Digestive Enzyme Genes Revealed by Transcriptomics Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4685. [PMID: 38731903 PMCID: PMC11083476 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094685] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
To assess the impact of Enchytraeidae (potworms) on the functioning of the decomposer system, knowledge of the feeding preferences of enchytraeid species is required. Different food preferences can be explained by variations in enzymatic activities among different enchytraeid species, as there are no significant differences in the morphology or anatomy of their alimentary tracts. However, it is crucial to distinguish between the contribution of microbial enzymes and the animal's digestive capacity. Here, we computationally analyzed the endogenous digestive enzyme genes in Enchytraeus albidus. The analysis was based on RNA-Seq of COI-monohaplotype culture (PL-A strain) specimens, utilizing transcriptome profiling to determine the trophic position of the species. We also corroborated the results obtained using transcriptomics data from genetically heterogeneous freeze-tolerant strains. Our results revealed that E. albidus expresses a wide range of glycosidases, including GH9 cellulases and a specific digestive SH3b-domain-containing i-type lysozyme, previously described in the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Therefore, E. albidus combines traits of both primary decomposers (primary saprophytophages) and secondary decomposers (sapro-microphytophages/microbivores) and can be defined as an intermediate decomposer. Based on assemblies of publicly available RNA-Seq reads, we found close homologs for these cellulases and i-type lysozymes in various clitellate taxa, including Crassiclitellata and Enchytraeidae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Piotr Świątek
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, 9 Bankowa St., 40-007 Katowice, Poland; (Ł.G.); (A.D.-G.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Park BJ, Yoon YB, Park SC, Shin GS, Kwak HJ, Lee DH, Choi MY, Kim JW, Cho SJ. Multiple toll-like receptors (TLRs) display differential bacterial and ligand specificity in the earthworm, Eisenia andrei. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 201:108010. [PMID: 37865158 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.108010] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs), an ancient and well-conserved group of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), recognize conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns. TLRs consist of three domains: the extracellular N-terminal domain, containing one or more leucine-rich repeats (LRRs), responsible for the recognizing and binding of antigens; the type-I transmembrane domain; and the intracellular domain known as the Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain required for the downstream signaling pathway. We identified six new full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences, Ean-TLR1/2/3/4/5/6. The deduced amino acid sequences indicate that Ean-TLRs consist of one signal peptide, one LRR N-terminal domain (Ean-TLR4/5), varying numbers of LRRs, one (Ean-TLR1/2/3/4/5) or two (Ean-TLR6) LRR C-terminal domains, one type-I transmembrane domain, and a TIR domain. In addition, a TIR domain alignment revealed that three conserved motifs, designated as Box 1, Box 2, and Box 3, contain essential amino acid residues for downstream signaling activity. Phylogenetic analysis of earthworm TLRs generated two separate evolutionary branches representing single (sccTLR) and multiple (mccTLR) cysteine cluster TLRs. Ean-TLR1/2/3/4 (sccTLR type) and Ean-TLR6 (mccTLR type) were clustered with corresponding types of previously reported earthworm TLRs as well as TLRs from Clitellata and Polychaete. As PRRs, earthworm TLRs should be capable of sensing a diverse range of pathogens. Except for Ean-TLR3, which was not responsive to any bacteria, earthworm TLR expression was significantly induced by Gram-positive but not Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, it is likely that earthworms can differentiate between different species of Gram-positive bacteria via their TLR responses. The ligand specificity of earthworm TLRs suggests that their pathogenic ligand recognition is likely to be as specific and diverse as the mammalian TLR pathogen-sensing system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beom Jun Park
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Bin Yoon
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Cheol Park
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Geun-Seup Shin
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jin Kwak
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Dong Ho Lee
- College of General Education, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Young Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Woong Kim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung-Jin Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 28644, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Park BJ, Yoon YB, Park SC, Lee DH, Shin C, Kwak HJ, Kim JW, Cho SJ. Peptidoglycan recognition proteins from the earthworm, Eisenia andrei: Differential inducibility and tissue-specific expression. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 135:104483. [PMID: 35760219 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104483] [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: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Several pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) involved in innate immunity have been identified and characterized in earthworms. Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are highly conserved PRRs that activate effector pathways such as prophenoloxidase cascade and Toll-like receptor pathway. In addition, PGRPs function as an enzyme, N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine amidase (NAMLAA), to directly hydrolyze peptidoglycan. We identified four full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences, Ean-PGRP1/2/3/4, in Eisenia andrei, an earthworm. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses indicate that earthworm PGRP orthologs resemble short PGRP member proteins. The subcellular localizations of four Ean-PGRPs lacking the transmembrane domain are predicted to be extracellular or cytoplasmic. All Ean-PGRPs contain a highly conserved PGRP domain with a conserved Zn2+ binding site including a tyrosine residue essential for active amidase activity. Three highly conserved amino-acid residues (His, Trp, and Thr) necessary for amidase activity are also present, indicating that the Ean-PGRPs can be predicted to have amidase activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Ean-PGRP genes are differentially induced by certain bacterial species, suggesting that the innate immune system of earthworms is likely to be somewhat specific rather than entirely non-specific. Tissue expression patterns indicate that Ean-PGRP mRNAs are primarily expressed in the immune-competent tissues and that their expression is tissue-specific according to Ean-PGRP types, particularly for Ean-PGRP1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beom Jun Park
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
| | - Yoo Bin Yoon
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
| | - Soon Cheol Park
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
| | - Dong Ho Lee
- Da Vinci College of General Education, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
| | - Chuog Shin
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju, 26493, South Korea
| | - Hee-Jin Kwak
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Jung-Woong Kim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, South Korea.
| | - Sung-Jin Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk, 28644, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Köktürk M, Atalar MN, Odunkıran A, Bulut M, Alwazeer D. Evaluation of the hydrogen-rich water alleviation potential on mercury toxicity in earthworms using ATR-FTIR and LC-ESI-MS/MS spectroscopy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:19642-19656. [PMID: 34718956 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17230-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The toxic effects of mercury in earthworms and the potential alleviation effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) using ATR-FTIR and LC-MS analysis methods were investigated. Different concentrations of mercury chloride (H1: 5 µg/mL, H2: 10 µg/mL, H3: 20 µg/mL, H4: 40 µg/mL, and C1: control) and mercury chloride prepared in hydrogen-rich water (H5: 5 µg/mL, H6: 10 µg/mL, H7: 20 µg/mL, H8: 40 µg/mL, and C2: control) were injected into earthworms. The changes and reductions in some bands representing proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides (3280 cm-1, 2922 cm-1, 2855 cm-1, 1170 cm-1, and 1047 cm-1) showed that protective effects could occur in groups prepared with hydrogen-rich water. In the FTIR results, it was found that these bands in the H3 group were more affected and decreased by the influence of mercury on earthworms than the H7 group prepared with hydrogen. LC-MS analysis showed that the changes in some ions of the highest dose groups (H4 and H8) were different, and mercury caused oxidative DNA damage in earthworms. When the high-level application groups of mercury, i.e., H4 and H8 were compared with the controls, the ion exchange ([M + H] + ; m/z 283.1) representing the 8-Oxo-dG level in earthworms was higher in the H4 group than the H8 group. This reveals that HRW exhibited the potential ability to alleviate the toxic effects of mercury; however, a longer period of HRW treatment may be necessary to distinguish an obvious effect. The ATR-FTIR spectroscopy provided a rapid and precise method for monitoring the changes in biological tissues caused by a toxic compound at the molecular level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mine Köktürk
- Department of Organic Agriculture Management, College of Applied Sciences, Igdir University, 76000, Igdir, Turkey
- Research Laboratory Application and Research Center (ALUM), Iğdır University, 76000, Iğdır, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Nuri Atalar
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetic, Faculty of Health Sciences, Iğdır University, 76000, Iğdır, Turkey
| | - Arzu Odunkıran
- Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Services, Igdir University, 76000, Igdir, Turkey
| | - Menekşe Bulut
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Iğdır University, 76000, Iğdır, Turkey
- Research Center for Redox Applications in Foods (RCRAF), Iğdır University, 76000, Iğdır, Turkey
- Innovative Food Technologies Development, Application and Research Center, Igdir University, 76000, Iğdır, Turkey
| | - Duried Alwazeer
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetic, Faculty of Health Sciences, Iğdır University, 76000, Iğdır, Turkey.
- Research Center for Redox Applications in Foods (RCRAF), Iğdır University, 76000, Iğdır, Turkey.
- Innovative Food Technologies Development, Application and Research Center, Igdir University, 76000, Iğdır, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Park BJ, Yoon YB, Lee DH, Shin C, Juakali L, Cho SJ, Park SC. Transcriptional upregulation of multiple earthworm chitinase genes following bacterial challenge suggests their implications in innate immunity. Genes Genomics 2021; 43:1497-1502. [PMID: 34762288 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-021-01183-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chitinase is a multi-functional enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of β-1,4-linkages between N-acetylglucosamines (GlcNAc) in chitin. Recent studies imply that earthworm chitinase is implicated in self-defense immunity against chitin-containing pathogens. However, a direct relationship of earthworm chitinase with innate immunity has not yet been established. OBJECTIVE In this study, earthworm (Eisenia andrei) chitinase expression was examined following bacterial challenge by Bacillus subtilis. METHODS RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to quantitatively evaluate mRNA expression changes in response to bacterial stimulation. RESULTS Multiple chitinase-related mRNAs were found to be upregulated, among which EaChi3, EaChi4, and EaChi2 were upregulated by approximately eightfold, eightfold, and 2.5-fold, respectively. This strongly suggested that earthworm chitinases may act as inducible humoral effectors in earthworm innate immunity. The primary structures of all three chitinases contained an N-terminal glycol_18 domain with two chitin-binding and chitin-catalyzing domains, and a C-terminal proline, glycine, serine, threonine (PGST)-rich domain. In addition, EaChi2 had a chitin-binding peritrophin-A domain at the end of the C-terminus with 5 cysteine residues possibly contributing two intradomain disulfide bonds. Multiple sequence alignment of the catalytic domain centers of glycol_18 domain displayed highly conserved chitin-binding and chitin-catalyzing domains in which three essential amino acid residues (D, D, E) for catalyzing activity are well conserved except EaChi4. The critical glutamic acid (E) residue was substituted for glutamine (Q) in EaChi4 indicating that it is devoid of catalytic activity. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report providing direct evidence that multiple earthworm chitinases are bacteria-responsive, strongly suggesting that earthworm chitinases are inducible humoral effectors in earthworm innate immunity. In addition, our results possibly suggest that earthworm EaChi4 may function as a pattern recognition molecule modulating the downstream immune pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beom Jun Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Bin Yoon
- Department of Life Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Ho Lee
- Da Vinci College of General Education, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Chuog Shin
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju, 26493, Republic of Korea
| | - Louis Juakali
- Department EGRA, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Sung-Jin Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soon Cheol Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Effect of earthworm Eisenia fetida epidermal mucus on the vitality and pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13915. [PMID: 34230511 PMCID: PMC8260715 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92694-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Beauveria bassiana is one of the most widely studied and used entomopathogenic fungus as biopesticide. In the biological control of pests, B. bassiana will persist in the soil after application, and will inevitably contact with earthworms, especially the epigeic earthworm species. So, what are the effects of earthworm and its epidermal mucus on the activity of B. bassiana? We employed the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida, B. bassiana TST05 strain, and the insect Atrijuglans hetaohei mature larvae to study the impact of earthworm epidermal mucus on the vitality and pathogenicity of B. bassiana to insect. Methods included scanning electron microscope observation, detection of spore germination, fungal extracellular enzyme activity, and infection testing to A. hetaohei. The results showed that the B. bassiana spores may attach to the cuticle of E. fetida but they could be covered by the epidermal mucus and became rough and shrunken. After treatment with the epidermal mucus, the spore germination and extracellular enzymes of B. bassiana was significantly inhibited. Inoculation of A. hetaohei larvae with a mixture of B. bassiana and mucus showed that the mucus could reduce the pathogenicity of B. bassiana to the insect, resulting in a slower disease course and lower mortality. It was concluded that the epidermal mucus of the earthworm E. fetida can inhibit the activity of B. bassiana, as well as the infectivity and pathogenicity of fungus to target insects. However, after treatment with epidermal mucus the surviving B. bassiana still had certain infectivity to insects. This is of great significance for the application of B. bassiana in biological control of pests.
Collapse
|