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Brenman-Suttner D, Zayed A. An integrative genomic toolkit for studying the genetic, evolutionary, and molecular underpinnings of eusociality in insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 65:101231. [PMID: 38977215 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
While genomic resources for social insects have vastly increased over the past two decades, we are still far from understanding the genetic and molecular basis of eusociality. Here, we briefly review three scientific advancements that, when integrated, can be highly synergistic for advancing our knowledge of the genetics and evolution of eusocial traits. Population genomics provides a natural way to quantify the strength of natural selection on coding and regulatory sequences, highlighting genes that have undergone adaptive evolution during the evolution or maintenance of eusociality. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) can be used to characterize the complex genetic architecture underlying eusocial traits and identify candidate causal variants. Concurrently, CRISPR/Cas9 enables the precise manipulation of gene function to both validate genotype-phenotype associations and study the molecular biology underlying interesting traits. While each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, which we discuss herein, we argue that their combination will ultimately help us better understand the genetics and evolution of eusocial behavior. Specifically, by triangulating across these three different approaches, researchers can directly identify and study loci that have a causal association with key phenotypes and have evidence of positive selection over the relevant timescales associated with the evolution and maintenance of eusociality in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amro Zayed
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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2
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Reich S, Loschko T, Jung J, Nestel S, Sommer RJ, Werner MS. Developmental transcriptomics in Pristionchus reveals the logic of a plasticity gene regulatory network. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.12.612712. [PMID: 39345445 PMCID: PMC11429705 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.12.612712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Developmental plasticity enables the production of alternative phenotypes in response to different environmental conditions. While significant advances in understanding the ecological and evolutionary implications of plasticity have been made, understanding its genetic basis has lagged. However, a decade of genetic screens in the model nematode Pristionchus pacificus has culminated in 30 genes which affect mouth-form plasticity. We also recently reported the critical window of environmental sensitivity, and therefore have clear expectations for when differential gene expression should matter. Here, we collated previous data into a gene-regulatory network (GRN), and performed developmental transcriptomics across different environmental conditions, genetic backgrounds, and mouth-form mutants to assess the regulatory logic of plasticity. We found that only two genes in the GRN (eud-1 and seud-1/sult-1) are sensitive to the environment during the critical window. Interestingly, the time points of their sensitivity differ, suggesting that they act as sequential checkpoints. We also observed temporal constraint upon the transcriptional effects of mutating the GRN and revealed unexpected feedback between mouth-form genes. Surprisingly, expression of seud-1/sult-1, but not eud-1, correlated with mouth form biases across different strains and species. Finally, a comprehensive analysis of all samples identified metabolism as a shared pathway for regulating mouth-form plasticity. These data are presented in a Shiny app to facilitate gene-expression comparisons across development in up to 14 different conditions. Collectively, our results suggest that mouth-form plasticity evolved a constrained, two-tiered logic to integrate environmental information leading up to the final developmental decision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley Reich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Tobias Loschko
- Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology; Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julie Jung
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Samantha Nestel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Ralf J. Sommer
- Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology; Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael S. Werner
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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3
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Dittmann MA, Buczkowski G, Scharf M, Harpur BA. Comparative transcriptomics and phylostratigraphy of Argentine ant odorant receptors. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307604. [PMID: 39226298 PMCID: PMC11371221 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Nestmate recognition in ants is regulated through the detection of cuticular hydrocarbons by odorant receptors (ORs) in the antennae. These ORs are crucial for maintaining colony cohesion that allows invasive ant species to dominate colonized environments. In the invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, ORs regulating nestmate recognition are thought to be present in a clade of nine-exon odorant receptors, but the identity of the specific genes remains unknown. We sought to narrow down the list of candidate genes using transcriptomics and phylostratigraphy. Comparative transcriptomic analyses were conducted on the antennae, head, thorax, and legs of Argentine ant workers. We have identified a set of twenty-one nine-exon odorant receptors enriched in the antennae compared to the other tissues, allowing for downstream verification of whether they can detect Argentine ant cuticular hydrocarbons. Further investigation of these ORs could allow us to further understand the mechanisms underlying nestmate recognition and colony cohesion in ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew A. Dittmann
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | - Grzegorz Buczkowski
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | - Michael Scharf
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Brock A. Harpur
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
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4
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Gautam S, McKenzie S, Katzke J, Hita Garcia F, Yamamoto S, Economo EP. Evolution of odorant receptor repertoires across Hymenoptera is not linked to the evolution of eusociality. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20241280. [PMID: 39317325 PMCID: PMC11421905 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.1280] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Communication is essential for social organisms. In eusocial insects, olfaction facilitates communication and recognition between nestmates. The study of certain model organisms has led to the hypothesis that odorant receptors are expanded in eusocial Hymenoptera. This has become a widely mentioned idea in the literature, albeit with conflicting reports, and has not been tested with a broad comparative analysis. Here we combined existing genomic and new neuroanatomical data, including from an approximately 100 Myr old fossil ant, across a phylogenetically broad sample of hymenopteran lineages. We find no evidence that variation in the size and evolutionary tempo of odorant receptor repertoires is related to eusociality. Post hoc exploration of our data hinted at loss of flight as a possible factor shaping some of the variation in OR repertoires in Hymenoptera. Nevertheless, our analyses revealed a complex pattern of evolutionary variation, and raise new questions about the ecological, behavioural and social factors that shape olfactory abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubham Gautam
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son , Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | | | - Julian Katzke
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son , Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Francisco Hita Garcia
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son , Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
- Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery, Museum für Naturkunde Invalidenstraße , Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Shûhei Yamamoto
- Hokkaido University Museum, Hokkaido University, Kita 10, Nishi 8, Kita-ku , Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Evan P Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son , Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
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5
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Zhang S, Li M, Zhao Y, Niu Y, Liu C, Tao J, Zong S. Silencing the odorant co-receptor (Orco) in Anoplophora glabripennis disrupts responses to pheromones and host volatiles. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 203:105968. [PMID: 39084809 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105968] [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: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Insects rely primarily on a robust and precise olfactory recognition system to detect chemicals and environmental signals. Olfaction is mediated mainly by various odorant receptors (ORs) expressed on olfactory neurons. The odorant co-receptor (Orco) is a highly conserved and obligatory subunit of ORs, and its combination with conventional ORs to form ligand-gated ion channel heterodimeric complexes plays a crucial role in odor recognition. Anoplophora glabripennis Is a major quarantinable pest that affects broadleaved tree species worldwide. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) and ORs have been identified in the A. glabripennis genome and the binding properties of some OBPs and their cognate ligands have been clarified. The role of the OR-mediated recognition pathway, however, remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we cloned and sequenced the full-length Orco gene sequence of A. glabripennis and performed structural characterization of the protein. We found that AglaOrco has high sequence homology with Orco from other orders of insects, and that it is highly conserved. Spatio-temporal differential expression analysis revealed that AglaOrco is highly expressed in adult antennae, and that expression at the sexually mature stage is significantly higher than at other developmental stages. There was no significant difference in expression between sexes. Silence AglaOrco using RNAi revealed that expression levels of AglaOrco mRNA fell significantly in both males and females at 72 h post-injection of 5 μg of dsOrco, with no obvious effect on expression of most other olfactory-related genes; however, some were up-or downregulated. For example, silenced Orco-expressing males and females showed a significant reduction in antennal potential responses to the odorants 3-carene, Ocimene, and 4-heptyloxy-1-butanol. Overall, the data suggest that AglaOrco plays an important role in mediating olfactory perception in A. glabripennis, and also identifies potential target genes for environmentally friendly pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sainan Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Meng Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yuxuan Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yiming Niu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jing Tao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Shixiang Zong
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
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Frank DD, Kronauer DJC. The Budding Neuroscience of Ant Social Behavior. Annu Rev Neurosci 2024; 47:167-185. [PMID: 38603564 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-083023-102101] [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] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Ant physiology has been fashioned by 100 million years of social evolution. Ants perform many sophisticated social and collective behaviors yet possess nervous systems similar in schematic and scale to that of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a popular solitary model organism. Ants are thus attractive complementary subjects to investigate adaptations pertaining to complex social behaviors that are absent in flies. Despite research interest in ant behavior and the neurobiological foundations of sociality more broadly, our understanding of the ant nervous system is incomplete. Recent technical advances have enabled cutting-edge investigations of the nervous system in a fashion that is less dependent on model choice, opening the door for mechanistic social insect neuroscience. In this review, we revisit important aspects of what is known about the ant nervous system and behavior, and we look forward to how functional circuit neuroscience in ants will help us understand what distinguishes solitary animals from highly social ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic D Frank
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; ,
| | - Daniel J C Kronauer
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; ,
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7
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Zhao J, Chen AQ, Ryu J, del Mármol J. Structural basis of odor sensing by insect heteromeric odorant receptors. Science 2024; 384:1460-1467. [PMID: 38870275 PMCID: PMC11235583 DOI: 10.1126/science.adn6384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Most insects, including human-targeting mosquitoes, detect odors through odorant-activated ion channel complexes consisting of a divergent odorant-binding subunit (OR) and a conserved co-receptor subunit (Orco). As a basis for understanding how odorants activate these heteromeric receptors, we report here cryo-electron microscopy structures of two different heteromeric odorant receptor complexes containing ORs from disease-vector mosquitos Aedes aegypti or Anopheles gambiae. These structures reveal an unexpected stoichiometry of one OR to three Orco subunits. Comparison of structures in odorant-bound and unbound states indicates that odorant binding to the sole OR subunit is sufficient to open the channel pore, suggesting a mechanism of OR activation and a conceptual framework for understanding evolution of insect odorant receptor sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zhao
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School; Boston, 02115, USA
| | - Andy Q. Chen
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School; Boston, 02115, USA
| | - Jaewook Ryu
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School; Boston, 02115, USA
| | - Josefina del Mármol
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School; Boston, 02115, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Boston, 02115, USA
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8
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Sieriebriennikov B, Sieber KR, Kolumba O, Mlejnek J, Jafari S, Yan H. Orco-dependent survival of odorant receptor neurons in ants. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk9000. [PMID: 38848359 PMCID: PMC11160473 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk9000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Olfaction is essential for complex social behavior in insects. To discriminate complex social cues, ants evolved an expanded number of odorant receptor (Or) genes. Mutations in the obligate odorant co-receptor gene orco lead to the loss of ~80% of the antennal lobe glomeruli in the jumping ant Harpegnathos saltator. However, the cellular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate massive apoptosis of odorant receptor neurons (ORNs) in the mid to late stages of pupal development, possibly due to ER stress in the absence of Orco. Further bulk and single-nucleus transcriptome analysis shows that, although most orco-expressing ORNs die in orco mutants, a small proportion of them survive: They express ionotropic receptor (Ir) genes that form IR complexes. In addition, we found that some Or genes are expressed in mechanosensory neurons and nonneuronal cells, possibly due to leaky regulation from nearby non-Or genes. Our findings provide a comprehensive overview of ORN development and Or expression in H. saltator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Sieriebriennikov
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kayli R. Sieber
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Center for Smell and Taste, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Olena Kolumba
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jakub Mlejnek
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Shadi Jafari
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Hua Yan
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Center for Smell and Taste, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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9
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Liu W, Li Q. Single-cell transcriptomics dissecting the development and evolution of nervous system in insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 63:101201. [PMID: 38608931 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Insects can display a vast repertoire of complex and adaptive behaviors crucial for survival and reproduction. Yet, how the neural circuits underlying insect behaviors are assembled throughout development and remodeled during evolution remains largely obscure. The advent of single-cell transcriptomics has opened new paths to illuminate these historically intractable questions. Insect behavior is governed by its brain, whose functional complexity is realized through operations across multiple levels, from the molecular and cellular to the circuit and organ. Single-cell transcriptomics enables dissecting brain functions across all these levels and allows tracking regulatory dynamics throughout development and under perturbation. In this review, we mainly focus on the achievements of single-cell transcriptomics in dissecting the molecular and cellular architectures of nervous systems in representative insects, then discuss its applications in tracking the developmental trajectory and functional evolution of insect brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Information, Kunming, China.
| | - Qiye Li
- BGI Research, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI Research, Wuhan 430074, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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10
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Long T, Mohapatra P, Ballou S, Menuz K. Odorant receptor co-receptors affect expression of tuning receptors in Drosophila. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1390557. [PMID: 38832356 PMCID: PMC11145718 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1390557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects detect odorants using two large families of heteromeric receptors, the Odorant Receptors (ORs) and Ionotropic Receptors (IRs). Most OR and IR genes encode odorant-binding "tuning" subunits, whereas four (Orco, Ir8a, Ir25a, and Ir76b) encode co-receptor subunits required for receptor function. Olfactory neurons are thought to degenerate in the absence of Orco in ants and bees, and limited data suggest this may happen to some olfactory neurons in Drosophila fruit flies as well. Here, we thoroughly examined the role of co-receptors on olfactory neuron survival in Drosophila. Leveraging knowledge that olfactory neuron classes are defined by the expression of different tuning receptors, we used tuning receptor expression in antennal transcriptomes as a proxy for the survival of distinct olfactory neuron classes. Consistent with olfactory neuron degeneration, expression of many OR-family tuning receptors is decreased in Orco mutants relative to controls, and transcript loss is progressive with age. The effects of Orco are highly receptor-dependent, with expression of some receptor transcripts nearly eliminated and others unaffected. Surprisingly, further studies revealed that olfactory neuron classes with reduced tuning receptor expression generally survive in Orco mutant flies. Furthermore, there is little apoptosis or neuronal loss in the antenna of these flies. We went on to investigate the effects of IR family co-receptor mutants using similar approaches and found that expression of IR tuning receptors is decreased in the absence of Ir8a and Ir25a, but not Ir76b. As in Orco mutants, Ir8a-dependent olfactory neurons mostly endure despite near-absent expression of associated tuning receptors. Finally, we used differential expression analysis to identify other antennal genes whose expression is changed in IR and OR co-receptor mutants. Taken together, our data indicate that odorant co-receptors are necessary for maintaining expression of many tuning receptors at the mRNA level. Further, most Drosophila olfactory neurons persist in OR and IR co-receptor mutants, suggesting that the impact of co-receptors on neuronal survival may vary across insect species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Long
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Pratyajit Mohapatra
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Sydney Ballou
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Karen Menuz
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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11
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Pyenson BC, Rehan SM. Gene regulation supporting sociality shared across lineages and variation in complexity. Genome 2024; 67:99-108. [PMID: 38096504 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2023-0054] [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] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Across evolutionary lineages, insects vary in social complexity, from those that exhibit extended parental care to those with elaborate divisions of labor. Here, we synthesize the sociogenomic resources from hundreds of species to describe common gene regulatory mechanisms in insects that regulate social organization across phylogeny and levels of social complexity. Different social phenotypes expressed by insects can be linked to the organization of co-expressing gene networks and features of the epigenetic landscape. Insect sociality also stems from processes like the emergence of parental care and the decoupling of ancestral genetic programs. One underexplored avenue is how variation in a group's social environment affects the gene expression of individuals. Additionally, an experimental reduction of gene expression would demonstrate how the activity of specific genes contributes to insect social phenotypes. While tissue specificity provides greater localization of the gene expression underlying social complexity, emerging transcriptomic analysis of insect brains at the cellular level provides even greater resolution to understand the molecular basis of social insect evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra M Rehan
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
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12
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Li F, Tian J, Di Z, Qu C, Fu Y, Yang S, Luo C. Orco mediates olfactory behavior and oviposition in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 199:105773. [PMID: 38458680 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Chemical signals play a central role in mediating insect feeding and reproductive behavior, and serve as the primary drivers of the insect-plant interactions. The detection of chemical signals, particularly host plant volatiles, relies heavily on the insect's complex olfactory system. The Bemisia tabaci cryptic species complex is a group of globally important whitefly pests of agricultural and ornamental crops that have a wide range of host plants, but the molecular mechanism of their host plant recognition is not yet clear. In this study, the odorant coreceptor gene of the Whitefly MEAM1 cryptic species (BtOrco) was cloned. The coding sequence of BtOrco was 1413 bp in length, with seven transmembrane structural domains, and it was expressed primarily in the heads of both male and female adult whiteflies, rather than in other tissues. Knockdown of BtOrco using transgenic plant-mediated RNAi technology significantly inhibited the foraging behavior of whiteflies. This inhibition was manifested as a reduced percentage of whiteflies responding to the host plant and a prolonged foraging period. Moreover, there was a substantial suppression of egg-laying activity among adult female whiteflies. These results indicate that BtOrco has the potential to be used as a target for the design of novel active compounds for the development of environmentally friendly whitefly control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengqi Li
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, PR China
| | - Jiahui Tian
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, PR China
| | - Zhongjuan Di
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, PR China
| | - Cheng Qu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, PR China
| | - Yuejun Fu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Shiyong Yang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.
| | - Chen Luo
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, PR China.
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13
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Brahma A, Frank DD, Pastor PDH, Piekarski PK, Wang W, Luo JD, Carroll TS, Kronauer DJC. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of odorant receptor choice in ants. Curr Biol 2023; 33:5456-5466.e5. [PMID: 38070504 PMCID: PMC11025690 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.11.025] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Insects and mammals have independently evolved odorant receptor genes that are arranged in large genomic tandem arrays. In mammals, each olfactory sensory neuron chooses to express a single receptor in a stochastic process that includes substantial chromatin rearrangements. Here, we show that ants, which have the largest odorant receptor repertoires among insects, employ a different mechanism to regulate gene expression from tandem arrays. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we found that ant olfactory sensory neurons choose different transcription start sites along an array but then produce mRNA from many downstream genes. This can result in transcripts from dozens of receptors being present in a single nucleus. Such rampant receptor co-expression at first seems difficult to reconcile with the narrow tuning of the ant olfactory system. However, RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that only mRNA from the most upstream transcribed odorant receptor seems to reach the cytoplasm where it can be translated into protein, whereas mRNA from downstream receptors gets sequestered in the nucleus. This implies that, despite the extensive co-expression of odorant receptor genes, each olfactory sensory neuron ultimately only produces one or very few functional receptors. Evolution has thus found different molecular solutions in insects and mammals to the convergent challenge of selecting small subsets of receptors from large odorant receptor repertoires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anindita Brahma
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Dominic D Frank
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - P Daniel H Pastor
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Patrick K Piekarski
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ji-Dung Luo
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Thomas S Carroll
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel J C Kronauer
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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14
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Pacalon J, Audic G, Magnat J, Philip M, Golebiowski J, Moreau CJ, Topin J. Elucidation of the structural basis for ligand binding and translocation in conserved insect odorant receptor co-receptors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8182. [PMID: 38081900 PMCID: PMC10713630 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44058-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In numerous insects, the olfactory receptor family forms a unique class of heteromeric cation channels. Recent progress in resolving the odorant receptor structures offers unprecedented opportunities for deciphering their molecular mechanisms of ligand recognition. Unexpectedly, these structures in apo or ligand-bound states did not reveal the pathway taken by the ligands between the extracellular space and the deep internal cavities. By combining molecular modeling with electrophysiological recordings, we identified amino acids involved in the dynamic entry pathway and the binding of VUAA1 to Drosophila melanogaster's odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco). Our results provide evidence for the exact location of the agonist binding site and a detailed and original mechanism of ligand translocation controlled by a network of conserved residues. These findings would explain the particularly high selectivity of Orcos for their ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody Pacalon
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR7272, CNRS, Nice, France
| | | | | | - Manon Philip
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | - Jérôme Golebiowski
- Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, 333, Techno JungAng, Daero, HyeongPoong Myeon, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Jérémie Topin
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR7272, CNRS, Nice, France.
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15
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Wu JN, Cai CX, Liu WB, Ai D, Cao S, Wang B, Wang GR. Mutagenesis of Odorant Receptor Coreceptor Orco Reveals the Odorant-Detected Behavior of the Predator Eupeodes corollae. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17284. [PMID: 38139113 PMCID: PMC10744098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417284] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The successful mating of the hoverfly and the search for prey aphids are of great significance for biological control and are usually mediated by chemical cues. The odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) genes play a crucial role in the process of insect odor perception. However, the function of Orco in the mating and prey-seeking behaviors of the hoverfly remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we characterized the Orco gene from the hoverfly, Eupeodes corollae, a natural enemy insect. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 technique to knock out the Orco gene of E. corollae, and the EcorOrco-/- homozygous mutant was verified by the genotype analysis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that the antennal ORN of EcorOrco-/- mutant lack Orco staining. Electroantennogram (EAG) results showed that the adult mutant almost lost the electrophysiological response to 15 odorants from three types. The two-way choice assay and the glass Y-tube olfactometer indicated that both the larvae and adults of hoverflies lost their behavioral preference to the aphid alarm pheromone (E)-β-farnesene (EBF). In addition, the mating assay results showed a significant decrease in the mating rate of males following the knock out of the EcorOrco gene. Although the mating of females was not affected, the amount of eggs being laid and the hatching rate of the eggs were significantly reduced. These results indicated that the EcorOrco gene was not only involved in the detection of semiochemicals in hoverflies but also plays a pivotal role in the development of eggs. In conclusion, our results expand the comprehension of the chemoreceptive mechanisms in the hoverflies and offers valuable insights for the advancement of more sophisticated pest management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Nan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.-N.W.); (C.-X.C.); (W.-B.L.); (D.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Chen-Xi Cai
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.-N.W.); (C.-X.C.); (W.-B.L.); (D.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Wen-Biao Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.-N.W.); (C.-X.C.); (W.-B.L.); (D.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Dong Ai
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.-N.W.); (C.-X.C.); (W.-B.L.); (D.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Song Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.-N.W.); (C.-X.C.); (W.-B.L.); (D.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Bing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.-N.W.); (C.-X.C.); (W.-B.L.); (D.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Gui-Rong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.-N.W.); (C.-X.C.); (W.-B.L.); (D.A.); (S.C.)
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
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16
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Zhang C, Tang B, Tan H, Wang X, Dai W. The Orco gene involved in recognition of host plant volatiles and sex pheromone in the chive maggot Bradysia odoriphaga. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 197:105709. [PMID: 38072517 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The insect olfactory recognition system plays a crucial role in the feeding and reproductive behaviors of insects. The odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco), as an obligatory chaperone, is critical for odorant recognition by way of forming heteromeric complexes with conventional odorant receptors (ORs). To investigate the biological functions of Orco in perceiving host plant volatiles and sex pheromone, the Orco gene was identified from the chive maggot Bradysia odoriphaga transcriptome data. Multiple sequence alignment reveals that BodoOrco exhibits an extremely high sequence identity with Orcos from other dipteran insects. The expression of BodoOrco is significantly higher in adults than in larvae and pupae, and the BodoOrco gene is primarily expressed in the antennae of both sexes. Furthermore, the Y-tube assay indicated that knockdown of BodoOrco leads to significant reductions in B. odoriphaga adults' response to all tested host plant volatiles. The dsOrco-treated unmated male adults show less attraction to unmated females and responded slowly compared with dsGFP control group. These results indicated that BodoOrco is involved in recognition of sex pheromone and host plant volatiles in B. odoriphaga and has the potential to be used as a target for the design of novel active compounds for developing ecofriendly pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunni Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Bowen Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haoyu Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xinxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
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17
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Couto A, Marty S, Dawson EH, d'Ettorre P, Sandoz JC, Montgomery SH. Evolution of the neuronal substrate for kin recognition in social Hymenoptera. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:2226-2242. [PMID: 37528574 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13003] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
In evolutionary terms, life is about reproduction. Yet, in some species, individuals forgo their own reproduction to support the reproductive efforts of others. Social insect colonies for example, can contain up to a million workers that actively cooperate in tasks such as foraging, brood care and nest defence, but do not produce offspring. In such societies the division of labour is pronounced, and reproduction is restricted to just one or a few individuals, most notably the queen(s). This extreme eusocial organisation exists in only a few mammals, crustaceans and insects, but strikingly, it evolved independently up to nine times in the order Hymenoptera (including ants, bees and wasps). Transitions from a solitary lifestyle to an organised society can occur through natural selection when helpers obtain a fitness benefit from cooperating with kin, owing to the indirect transmission of genes through siblings. However, this process, called kin selection, is vulnerable to parasitism and opportunistic behaviours from unrelated individuals. An ability to distinguish kin from non-kin, and to respond accordingly, could therefore critically facilitate the evolution of eusociality and the maintenance of non-reproductive workers. The question of how the hymenopteran brain has adapted to support this function is therefore a fundamental issue in evolutionary neuroethology. Early neuroanatomical investigations proposed that social Hymenoptera have expanded integrative brain areas due to selection for increased cognitive capabilities in the context of processing social information. Later studies challenged this assumption and instead pointed to an intimate link between higher social organisation and the existence of developed sensory structures involved in recognition and communication. In particular, chemical signalling of social identity, known to be mediated through cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), may have evolved hand in hand with a specialised chemosensory system in Hymenoptera. Here, we compile the current knowledge on this recognition system, from emitted identity signals, to the molecular and neuronal basis of chemical detection, with particular emphasis on its evolutionary history. Finally, we ask whether the evolution of social behaviour in Hymenoptera could have driven the expansion of their complex olfactory system, or whether the early origin and conservation of an olfactory subsystem dedicated to social recognition could explain the abundance of eusocial species in this insect order. Answering this question will require further comparative studies to provide a comprehensive view on lineage-specific adaptations in the olfactory pathway of Hymenoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Couto
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
- Evolution, Genomes, Behaviour and Ecology (UMR 9191), IDEEV, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, 12 route 128, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91190, France
| | - Simon Marty
- Evolution, Genomes, Behaviour and Ecology (UMR 9191), IDEEV, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, 12 route 128, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91190, France
| | - Erika H Dawson
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology, UR 4443 (LEEC), Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, 99 avenue J.-B. Clément, Villetaneuse, 93430, France
| | - Patrizia d'Ettorre
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology, UR 4443 (LEEC), Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, 99 avenue J.-B. Clément, Villetaneuse, 93430, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 103 Boulevard Saint-Michel, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Sandoz
- Evolution, Genomes, Behaviour and Ecology (UMR 9191), IDEEV, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, 12 route 128, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91190, France
| | - Stephen H Montgomery
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
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18
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Hou L, Wang N, Sun T, Wang X. Neuropeptide regulations on behavioral plasticity in social insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 60:101119. [PMID: 37741615 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Social insects demonstrate remarkable behavioral flexibility in response to complex external and social environments. One of the most striking examples of this adaptability is the context-dependent division of labor among workers of bees and ants. Neuropeptides, the brain's most diverse group of messenger molecules, play an essential role in modulating this phenotypic plasticity related to labor division in social insects. Integrated omics research and mass spectrometry imaging technology have greatly accelerated the identification and spatiotemporal analysis of neuropeptides. Moreover, key roles of several neuropeptides in age- and caste-dependent behavioral plasticity have been uncovered. This review summarizes recent advances in the characterization, expression, distribution, and functions of neuropeptides in controlling behavioral plasticity in social insects, particularly bees and ants. The article concludes with a discussion of future directions and challenges in understanding the regulation of social behavior by neuropeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; CAS Centre for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Nanying Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Tianle Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; CAS Centre for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xianhui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; CAS Centre for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
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19
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Kleinheinz D, D’Onofrio C, Carraher C, Bozdogan A, Ramach U, Schuster B, Geiß M, Valtiner M, Knoll W, Andersson J. Activity of Single Insect Olfactory Receptors Triggered by Airborne Compounds Recorded in Self-Assembled Tethered Lipid Bilayer Nanoarchitectures. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:46655-46667. [PMID: 37753951 PMCID: PMC10571041 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c09304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins are among the most difficult to study as they are embedded in the cellular membrane, a complex and fragile environment with limited experimental accessibility. To study membrane proteins outside of these environments, model systems are required that replicate the fundamental properties of the cellular membrane without its complexity. We show here a self-assembled lipid bilayer nanoarchitecture on a solid support that is stable for several days at room temperature and allows the measurement of insect olfactory receptors at the single-channel level. Using an odorant binding protein, we capture airborne ligands and transfer them to an olfactory receptor from Drosophila melanogaster (OR22a) complex embedded in the lipid membrane, reproducing the complete olfaction process in which a ligand is captured from air and transported across an aqueous reservoir by an odorant binding protein and finally triggers a ligand-gated ion channel embedded in a lipid bilayer, providing direct evidence for ligand capture and olfactory receptor triggering facilitated by odorant binding proteins. This model system presents a significantly more user-friendly and robust platform to exploit the extraordinary sensitivity of insect olfaction for biosensing. At the same time, the platform offers a new opportunity for label-free studies of the olfactory signaling pathways of insects, which still have many unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kleinheinz
- Austrian
Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 4, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Chiara D’Onofrio
- Austrian
Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 4, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Colm Carraher
- The
New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research, 120 Mount Albert Road, Sandringham, Auckland 1025, New Zealand
| | - Anil Bozdogan
- Austrian
Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 4, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Ulrich Ramach
- Technische
Universität Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10/134, Wien 1040, Austria
- CEST
Kompetenzzentrum für Oberflächentechnologie, Viktor Kaplan-Straße 2, Wiener Neustadt 2700, Austria
| | - Bernhard Schuster
- Department
of Bionanosciences, Institute of Synthetic Bioarchitectures, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
(BOKU), Muthgasse 11, Vienna 1190, Austria
| | - Manuela Geiß
- Software
Competence Center Hagenberg GmbH, Softwarepark 32a, Hagenberg 4232, Austria
| | - Markus Valtiner
- Technische
Universität Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10/134, Wien 1040, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Knoll
- Austrian
Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 4, Vienna 1210, Austria
- Danube
Private University, Steiner
Landstraße 124, Krems an der Donau 3500, Austria
| | - Jakob Andersson
- Austrian
Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 4, Vienna 1210, Austria
- Technische
Universität Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10/134, Wien 1040, Austria
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20
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Caminer MA, Libbrecht R, Majoe M, Ho DV, Baumann P, Foitzik S. Task-specific odorant receptor expression in worker antennae indicates that sensory filters regulate division of labor in ants. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1004. [PMID: 37783732 PMCID: PMC10545721 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05273-4] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Division of labor (DOL) is a characteristic trait of insect societies, where tasks are generally performed by specialized individuals. Inside workers focus on brood or nest care, while others take risks by foraging outside. Theory proposes that workers have different thresholds to perform certain tasks when confronted with task-related stimuli, leading to specialization and consequently DOL. Workers are presumed to vary in their response to task-related cues rather than in how they perceive such information. Here, we test the hypothesis that DOL instead stems from workers varying in their efficiency to detect stimuli of specific tasks. We use transcriptomics to measure mRNA expression levels in the antennae and brain of nurses and foragers of the ant Temnothorax longispinosus. We find seven times as many genes to be differentially expressed between behavioral phenotypes in the antennae compared to the brain. Moreover, half of all odorant receptors are differentially expressed, with an overrepresentation of the 9-exon gene family upregulated in the antennae of nurses. Nurses and foragers thus apparently differ in the perception of their olfactory environment and task-related signals. Our study supports the hypothesis that antennal sensory filters predispose workers to specialize in specific tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel A Caminer
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Romain Libbrecht
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR 7261, CNRS, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Megha Majoe
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - David V Ho
- Institute of Developmental and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Peter Baumann
- Institute of Developmental and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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21
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Opachaloemphan C, Carmona-Aldana F, Yan H. Caste Transition and Reversion in Harpegnathos saltator Ant Colonies. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4770. [PMID: 37638295 PMCID: PMC10450750 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Living organisms possess the ability to respond to environmental cues and adapt their behaviors and physiologies for survival. Eusocial insects, such as ants, bees, wasps, and termites, have evolved advanced sociality: living together in colonies where individuals innately develop into reproductive and non-reproductive castes. These castes exhibit remarkably distinct behaviors and physiologies that support their specialized roles in the colony. Among ant species, Harpegnathos saltator females stand out with their highly plastic caste phenotypes that can be easily manipulated in a laboratory environment. In this protocol, we provide detailed instructions on how to generate H. saltator ant colonies, define castes based on behavioral and physiological phenotypes, and experimentally induce caste switches, including the transition from a non-reproductive worker to a reproductive gamergate and vice versa (known as reversion). The unusual features of H. saltator make it a valuable tool to investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity in eusocial organisms. Key features H. saltator is one of few ant species showing remarkable caste plasticity with striking phenotypic changes, being a useful subject for studying behavioral plasticity. Caste switches in H. saltator can be easily manipulated in a controlled laboratory environment by controlling the presence of reproductive females in a colony. The relatively large size of H. saltator females allows researchers to dissect various tissues of interest and conduct detailed phenotypic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Comzit Opachaloemphan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Francisco Carmona-Aldana
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Hua Yan
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Smell and Taste, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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22
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Liu P, Guo J, Wei H, Feng L, Gao Z, Zhang T. Genome-wide identification of candidate chemosensory receptors in the bean bug Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) and the functional verification of its odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) in recognizing aggregation pheromone. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1224009. [PMID: 37520822 PMCID: PMC10375722 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1224009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A sophisticated and sensitive olfactory system plays a vital role in the survival and reproduction of insects. Chemosensory receptors are indispensable for the molecular recognition and discrimination of semiochemicals. Riptortus pedestris is a notorious pest of legume plants, resulting in yield losses and quality decreases in soybeans. It is well accepted that R. pedestris highly relies on its olfactory system in detecting aggregation pheromones, host volatiles, and pesticides; however, little research focused on its chemosensory receptors. In the present study, we identified 237 odorant receptors (ORs), 42 gustatory receptors (GRs), and 31 ionotropic receptors (IRs) from the reported genome of R. pedestris, and analyzed their phylogenetic relationship with other hemipteran species. Through the results of RNA-seq and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), we found that RpedORs displayed different expression levels in the antennae of R. pedestris at different development stages. To further verify the function of odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco), an obligate and unique insect OR, we silenced RpedOrco by RNA interference (RNAi) method. The results showed that silencing RpedOrco could significantly impair the response to aggregation pheromone in R. pedestris, indicating that RpedOrco plays an essential role in odorant detection. Our results can provide the theoretical foundations for revealing the olfactory recognition mechanism of R. pedestris and help explore and develop novel olfactory-based agents against this pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panjing Liu
- Key Laboratory of IPM on Crops in Northern Region of North China, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Integrated Pest Management Center of Hebei Province, Baoding, China
| | - Jianglong Guo
- Key Laboratory of IPM on Crops in Northern Region of North China, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Integrated Pest Management Center of Hebei Province, Baoding, China
| | - Hongyi Wei
- Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Likai Feng
- Institute of Plant Protection, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Zhanlin Gao
- Key Laboratory of IPM on Crops in Northern Region of North China, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Integrated Pest Management Center of Hebei Province, Baoding, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of IPM on Crops in Northern Region of North China, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Integrated Pest Management Center of Hebei Province, Baoding, China
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23
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Hart T, Frank DD, Lopes LE, Olivos-Cisneros L, Lacy KD, Trible W, Ritger A, Valdés-Rodríguez S, Kronauer DJC. Sparse and stereotyped encoding implicates a core glomerulus for ant alarm behavior. Cell 2023; 186:3079-3094.e17. [PMID: 37321218 PMCID: PMC10334690 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ants communicate via large arrays of pheromones and possess expanded, highly complex olfactory systems, with antennal lobes in the brain comprising up to ∼500 glomeruli. This expansion implies that odors could activate hundreds of glomeruli, which would pose challenges for higher-order processing. To study this problem, we generated transgenic ants expressing the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP in olfactory sensory neurons. Using two-photon imaging, we mapped complete glomerular responses to four ant alarm pheromones. Alarm pheromones robustly activated ≤6 glomeruli, and activity maps for the three pheromones inducing panic alarm in our study species converged on a single glomerulus. These results demonstrate that, rather than using broadly tuned combinatorial encoding, ants employ precise, narrowly tuned, and stereotyped representations of alarm pheromones. The identification of a central sensory hub glomerulus for alarm behavior suggests that a simple neural architecture is sufficient to translate pheromone perception into behavioral outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Hart
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Dominic D Frank
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lindsey E Lopes
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Leonora Olivos-Cisneros
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kip D Lacy
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Waring Trible
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellowship Program, Harvard University, 52 Oxford Street, NW Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Amelia Ritger
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Marine Science Research Building, Bldg. 520, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Stephany Valdés-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel J C Kronauer
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Laursen WJ, Busby R, Sarkissian T, Chang EC, Garrity PA. DMKPs provide a generalizable strategy for studying genes required for reproduction or viability in nontraditional model organisms. Genetics 2023; 224:iyad057. [PMID: 37036394 PMCID: PMC10213491 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad057] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing has expanded the range of animals amenable to targeted genetic analysis. This has accelerated research in animals not traditionally studied using molecular genetics. However, studying genes essential for reproduction or survival in such animals remains challenging, as they lack the tools that aid genetic analysis in traditional genetic model organisms. We recently introduced the use of distinguishably marked knock-in pairs (DMKPs) as a strategy for rapid and reliable genotyping in such species. Here we show that DMKPs also facilitate the maintenance and study of mutations that cannot be maintained in a homozygous state, a group which includes recessive lethal and sterile mutations. Using DMKPs, we disrupt the zero population growth locus in Drosophila melanogaster and in the dengue vector mosquito Aedes aegypti. In both species, DMKPs enable the maintenance of zero population growth mutant strains and the reliable recovery of zero population growth mutant animals. Male and female gonad development is disrupted in fly and mosquito zero population growth mutants, rendering both sexes sterile. In Ae. aegypti, zero population growth mutant males remain capable of inducing a mating refractory period in wild-type females and of competing with wild-type males for mates, properties compatible with zero population growth serving as a target in mosquito population suppression strategies. DMKP is readily generalizable to other species amenable to CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene targeting, and should facilitate the study of sterile and lethal mutations in multiple organisms not traditionally studied using molecular genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem J Laursen
- Department of Biology and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Rachel Busby
- Department of Biology and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Tatevik Sarkissian
- Department of Biology and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Elaine C Chang
- Department of Biology and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Paul A Garrity
- Department of Biology and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
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25
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Wang Q, Dicke M, Haverkamp A. Sympatric Pieris butterfly species exhibit a high conservation of chemoreceptors. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1155405. [PMID: 37252192 PMCID: PMC10210156 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1155405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory processes have often been argued to play a central role in the selection of ecological niches and in the formation of new species. Butterflies are among the best studied animal groups with regards to their evolutionary and behavioral ecology and thereby offer an attractive system to investigate the role of chemosensory genes in sympatric speciation. We focus on two Pieris butterflies with overlapping host-plant ranges: P. brassicae and P. rapae. Host-plant choice in lepidopterans is largely based on their olfactory and gustatory senses. Although the chemosensory responses of the two species have been well characterized at the behavioral and physiological levels, little is known about their chemoreceptor genes. Here, we compared the chemosensory genes of P. brassicae and P. rapae to investigate whether differences in these genes might have contributed to their evolutionary separation. We identified a total of 130 and 122 chemoreceptor genes in the P. brassicae genome and antennal transcriptome, respectively. Similarly, 133 and 124 chemoreceptors were identified in the P. rapae genome and antennal transcriptome. We found some chemoreceptors being differentially expressed in the antennal transcriptomes of the two species. The motifs and gene structures of chemoreceptors were compared between the two species. We show that paralogs share conserved motifs and orthologs have similar gene structures. Our study therefore found surprisingly few differences in the numbers, sequence identities and gene structures between the two species, indicating that the ecological differences between these two butterflies might be more related to a quantitative shift in the expression of orthologous genes than to the evolution of novel receptors as has been found in other insects. Our molecular data supplement the wealth of behavioral and ecological studies on these two species and will thereby help to better understand the role of chemoreceptor genes in the evolution of lepidopterans.
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26
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Muratore IB, Garnier S. Ontogeny of collective behaviour. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220065. [PMID: 36802780 PMCID: PMC9939274 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
During their lifetime, superorganisms, like unitary organisms, undergo transformations that change the machinery of their collective behaviour. Here, we suggest that these transformations are largely understudied and propose that more systematic research into the ontogeny of collective behaviours is needed if we hope to better understand the link between proximate behavioural mechanisms and the development of collective adaptive functions. In particular, certain social insects engage in self-assemblage, forming dynamic and physically connected architectures with striking similarities to developing multicellular organisms, making them good model systems for ontogenetic studies of collective behaviour. However, exhaustive time series and three-dimensional data are required to thoroughly characterize the different life stages of the collective structures and the transitions between these stages. The well-established fields of embryology and developmental biology offer practical tools and theoretical frameworks that could speed up the acquisition of new knowledge about the formation, development, maturity and dissolution of social insect self-assemblages and, by extension, other superorganismal behaviours. We hope that this review will encourage an expansion of the ontogenetic perspective in the field of collective behaviour and, in particular, in self-assemblage research, which has far-reaching applications in robotics, computer science and regenerative medicine. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Collective behaviour through time'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Garnier
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
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27
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Konu M, Kulmuni J, Viljakainen L. Genetic modification of the ant Lasius niger using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 32:11-25. [PMID: 36030521 PMCID: PMC10087202 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 has become one of the most prominent gene editing tools available and it has been utilized in various organisms from bacteria to fungi, plants, and animals. In this study, we developed a CRISPR-Cas9 protocol for the black garden ant Lasius niger, a common and easily available study species for lab and field experiments. To create indel mutations using CRISPR-Cas9 in L. niger, we targeted three different locations in a well-studied eye pigmentation gene cinnabar, generating several mutations that disrupt the ommochrome biosynthesis pathway and result in the lack of the pigment and therefore, abnormal eye coloration in adult workers. We also developed a protocol to collect L. niger eggs, inject them with CRISPR-Cas9 construct, and rear the eggs into mature adult workers with the assistance of nursing workers. We demonstrated for the first time in L. niger that CRISPR-Cas9 is an excellent tool to create targeted mutations for this species. Our protocol can be referred to when developing similar studies for other species of ants and eusocial insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauno Konu
- Ecology and Genetics Research UnitUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Jonna Kulmuni
- Organismal and Evolutionary Research ProgrammeUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
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28
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Jiang D, Lu X, Zhang L, Tang F. Enhancement of Pathogen Toxicity by Feeding Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder Sonicated Bacteria Expressing Double-Stranded RNA That Interferes with Olfaction. INSECTS 2023; 14:140. [PMID: 36835709 PMCID: PMC9965219 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder is a serious pest in China, and the odorant receptor co-receptor gene RcOrco plays a crucial role in olfaction. However, the function of RcOrco in the resistance of termites to entomopathogens has not been reported. We constructed dsRcOrco-HT115 engineered bacteria based on the RcOrco sequence from the full-length transcriptome data of R. chinensis. The engineered bacteria expressed dsRNA of RcOrco. Sonication was used to inactivate the dsRNA-HT115 strain and obtain a large amount of dsRcOrco. The dsRcOrco produced using this method overcame the problem that genetically engineered bacteria could not be applied directly and improved its effectiveness against termites. Bioassays using the dsRcOrco generated using this method showed that dsRcOrco significantly increased the toxicity of the bacterial and fungal pathogens to R. chinensis. The present study showed, for the first time, the function of Orco in termite resistance to pathogens, and the results provide a theoretical basis for the development and application of termite RNA biopesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dabao Jiang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Xiaoyu Lu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Fang Tang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
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29
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Ning X, Huang C, Dong C, Jin J, Qiao X, Guo J, Qian W, Cao F, Wan F. RNAi verifications on olfactory defects of an essential biocontrol agent Agasicles hygrophila (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) regarding mating and host allocation. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1104962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alligator weed Alternanthera philoxeroides is a perennial, worldwide pernicious weed. The beetle Agasicles hygrophila is considered to be a classical biological agent used to control A. philoxeroides. In the insect peripheral olfactory system, the odorant receptor co-receptor (ORco) plays an important function in the perception of odors in insects. However, the function of ORco in the mating and host-finding behaviors of A. hygrophila remains unclear. In this study, we characterized the odorant receptor co-receptor of A. hygrophila (AhygOrco). Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT–PCR) showed that AhygOrco was predominantly expressed in the antennae of both male and female adults, and the difference between male and female antennae was not significant. The RNA interference (RNAi) results showed that compared to the control, the injection of AhygOrco dsRNA strongly reduced the expression of AhygOrco by 90% in male beetles and 89% in female beetles. The mate-seeking and feeding behavior of AhygOrco-silenced beetles were significantly inhibited. Male adults were significantly less successful in finding a mate compared to the control group. Furthermore, host allocation abilities toward A. philoxeroides of both adults were significantly repressed. These results indicated that AhygOrco is associated with A. hygrophila feeding and mate-seeking and that inhibition of AhygOrco expression is one of the causes of reduced host and mate recognition in A. hygrophila. Meanwhile, the study provides support for exploring gene functions based on RNAi.
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30
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Piqueret B, Sandoz JC, d’Ettorre P. The neglected potential of invertebrates in detecting disease via olfaction. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.960757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Agents that cause disease alter the cell metabolism of their hosts. Cells with an altered metabolism produce particular profiles of biomolecules, which are different from those of healthy cells. Such differences may be detected by olfaction. Historically, physicians used olfactory cues to diagnose sickness by smelling the breath or the urine of patients. However, other species have been shown to possess excellent olfactory abilities. Dogs, for instance, have been frequently used as biodetectors of human diseases, including cancer, viral and bacterial infections. Other mammalian species, such as rats, have been trained to perform similar tasks, but their disease detection abilities remain poorly explored. Here, we focus on the overlooked potential of invertebrate species and we review the current literature on olfactory detection of diseases by these animals. We discuss the possible advantages of exploring further the abilities of invertebrates as detection tools for human disease.
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31
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Ferguson ST, Bakis I, Edwards ND, Zwiebel LJ. Olfactory sensitivity differentiates morphologically distinct worker castes in Camponotus floridanus. BMC Biol 2023; 21:3. [PMID: 36617574 PMCID: PMC9827628 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01505-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Camponotus floridanus ant colonies are comprised of a single reproductive queen and thousands of sterile female offspring that consist of two morphologically distinct castes: smaller minors and larger majors. Minors perform most of the tasks within the colony, including brood care and food collection, whereas majors have fewer clear roles and have been hypothesized to act as a specialized solider caste associated with colony defense. The allocation of workers to these different tasks depends, in part, on the detection and processing of local information including pheromones and other chemical blends such as cuticular hydrocarbons. However, the role peripheral olfactory sensitivity plays in establishing and maintaining morphologically distinct worker castes and their associated behaviors remains largely unexplored. RESULTS We examined the electrophysiological responses to general odorants, cuticular extracts, and a trail pheromone in adult minor and major C. floridanus workers, revealing that the repertoire of social behaviors is positively correlated with olfactory sensitivity. Minors in particular display primarily excitatory responses to olfactory stimuli, whereas major workers primarily manifest suppressed, sub-solvent responses. The notable exception to this paradigm is that both minors and majors display robust, dose-dependent excitatory responses to conspecific, non-nestmate cuticular extracts. Moreover, while both minors and majors actively aggress non-nestmate foes, the larger and physiologically distinct majors display significantly enhanced capabilities to rapidly subdue and kill their adversaries. CONCLUSIONS Our studies reveal the behavioral repertoire of minors and majors aligns with profound shifts in peripheral olfactory sensitivity and odor coding. The data reported here support the hypothesis that minors are multipotential workers with broad excitatory sensitivity, and majors are dedicated soldiers with a highly specialized olfactory system for distinguishing non-nestmate foes. Overall, we conclude that C. floridanus majors do indeed represent a physiologically and behaviorally specialized soldier caste in which caste-specific olfactory sensitivity plays an important role in task allocation and the regulation of social behavior in ant colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. T. Ferguson
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
| | - I. Bakis
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
| | - N. D. Edwards
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
| | - L. J. Zwiebel
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
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32
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Sun H, Bu LA, Su SC, Guo D, Gao CF, Wu SF. Knockout of the odorant receptor co-receptor, orco, impairs feeding, mating and egg-laying behavior in the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 152:103889. [PMID: 36493964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The olfactory transduction system of insects is involved in multiple behavioral processes such as foraging, mating, and egg-laying behavior. In the insect olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) is an obligatory component that is required for dimerization with odorant receptors (ORs) to form a ligand-gated ion channel complex. The ORs/Orco heteromeric complex plays a crucial role in insect olfaction. To explore the function of OR-mediated olfaction in the physiological behavior of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, we applied CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to mutate its Orco gene and constructed a homozygous mutant strain of Orco (Orco-/-) by genetic crosses. Electroantennogram (EAG) analysis showed that the responses of Orco-/- male moths to two universal sex pheromones, Z9-14: Ac and Z7-12: Ac, were abolished. We found that Orco-/- males cannot successfully mate with female moths. An oviposition preference assay confirmed that Orco-/- female moths had a reduced preference for the optimal host plant maize. A larval feeding assay revealed that the time for Orco-/- larvae to locate the food source was significantly longer than in the wild-type. Overall, in the absence of Orco, the OR-dependent olfactory behavior was impaired in both larval and adult stages. Our results confirm that Orco is essential for multiple behavioral processes related to olfaction in the fall armyworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Sun
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ling-Ao Bu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shao-Cong Su
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Di Guo
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cong-Fen Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shun-Fan Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China.
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Jiao J, Zhu R, Ren L, Tao J, Luo Y. Identification and expression profile analysis of chemosensory genes in pine needle gall midge, Thecodiplosis japonensis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Front Physiol 2023; 14:1123479. [PMID: 36875036 PMCID: PMC9978445 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1123479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects have highly specialized and sensitive olfactory systems involving several chemosensory genes to locate their mates and hosts or escape from predators. Pine needle gall midge, Thecodiplosis japonensis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), has invaded China since 2016 and caused serious damage. Till now, there is no environmentally friendly measure to control this gall midge. Screening molecules with high affinity to target odorant-binding protein to develop highly efficient attractants is a potential pest management method. However, the chemosensory genes in T. japonensis are still unclear. We identified 67 chemosensory-related genes in the transcriptomes of antennae, including 26 OBPs, 2 CSPs, 17 ORs, 3 SNMPs, 6 GRs, and 13 IRs, using high throughput sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of these six chemosensory gene families among Dipteran was performed to classify and predict the functions. The expression profiles of OBPs, CSPs and ORs were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. 16 of the 26 OBPs were biased expressed in antennae. TjapORco and TjapOR5 were highly expressed in the antenna of unmated male and female adults. The functions of related OBPs and ORs genes were also discussed. These results provide a basis for the functional research on chemosensory genes at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipeng Jiao
- Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Ren
- Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.,Sino-French Joint Laboratory for Invasive Forest Pests in Eurasia, Beijing Forestry University/French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), Beijing, China
| | - Jing Tao
- Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.,Sino-French Joint Laboratory for Invasive Forest Pests in Eurasia, Beijing Forestry University/French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), Beijing, China
| | - Youqing Luo
- Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.,Sino-French Joint Laboratory for Invasive Forest Pests in Eurasia, Beijing Forestry University/French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), Beijing, China
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Abstract
Among the many wonders of nature, the sense of smell of the fly Drosophila melanogaster might seem, at first glance, of esoteric interest. Nevertheless, for over a century, the 'nose' of this insect has been an extraordinary system to explore questions in animal behaviour, ecology and evolution, neuroscience, physiology and molecular genetics. The insights gained are relevant for our understanding of the sensory biology of vertebrates, including humans, and other insect species, encompassing those detrimental to human health. Here, I present an overview of our current knowledge of D. melanogaster olfaction, from molecules to behaviours, with an emphasis on the historical motivations of studies and illustration of how technical innovations have enabled advances. I also highlight some of the pressing and long-term questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Benton
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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35
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Chen HH, Dewer Y, Wang Y, Tan SQ, Liu XL, Shi WP. Interference with orco gene expression affects host recognition in Diorhabda tarsalis. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1069391. [PMID: 36605899 PMCID: PMC9808408 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1069391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Diorhabda tarsalis Weise is an important insect pest of the Chinese licorice Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Behavior of the beetle, including host location, oviposition site selection, self-defense, and aggregation, were regulated by plant volatiles or insect pheromones. Aim: In this study, Identification of ORs and function research on orco were carried out, these could lead to the development of understand for olfaction mechanism in D. tarsalis. Methods: ORs were identified by PacBio RS II platform to sequence the antennas of adult D. tarsalis, the function of orco was explored by dsRNA interference. Results: 29 odorant receptor candidate genes of D. tarsalis were obtained, which code for 130-479 amino acids. Phylogenetic trees of olfactory receptors were constructed with 243 ORs from eight Coleoptera species. DtarORco, DtarOR7 and DtarOR26 are specifically expressed in the antenna, and the expression levels were significantly higher than other DtarORs in antenna, there were no differential expression between male and female beetles. An odorant coreceptor gene (DtarORco) has characteristics of an odorant receptor family member, the encoded mature protein has a predicted molecular weight of 53.898 kDa, dsRNA L4440 expression vectors were constructed and successfully transformed into ribonuclease III-deficient Escherichia coli strain HT115 DE3. After interference treatment, the relative expression level of DtarORco in D. tarsalis antennae significantly decreased and electrophysiological responses to host localization odor signals significantly decreased. At the same time, beetles lost the ability to locate hosts. Discussion: The research on its mechanism of olfaction may lead to the development of new control measures that are environmentally friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Hao Chen
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management Chinese Medicinal Herbs Research Center and College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China,Institute of Plant Protection, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan, China
| | - Youssef Dewer
- Phytotoxicity Research Department, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan, China
| | - Shu-Qian Tan
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management Chinese Medicinal Herbs Research Center and College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Li Liu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan, China
| | - Wang-Peng Shi
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management Chinese Medicinal Herbs Research Center and College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Wang-Peng Shi,
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36
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Gellert HR, Halley DC, Sieb ZJ, Smith JC, Pask GM. Microstructures at the distal tip of ant chemosensory sensilla. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19328. [PMID: 36369461 PMCID: PMC9652420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21507-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants and other eusocial insects emit and receive chemical signals to communicate important information within the colony. In ants, nestmate recognition, task allocation, and reproductive distribution of labor are largely mediated through the detection of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) that cover the exoskeleton. With their large size and limited volatility, these CHCs are believed to be primarily detected through direct contact with the antennae during behavioral interactions. Here we first use scanning electron microscopy to investigate the unique morphological features of CHC-sensitive basiconic sensilla of two ant species, the black carpenter ant Camponotus pennsylvanicus and the Indian jumping ant Harpegnathos saltator. These basiconic sensilla possess an abundance of small pores typical of most insect olfactory sensilla, but also have a large concave depression at the terminal end. Basiconic sensilla are enriched at the distal segments of the antennae in both species, which aligns with their proposed role in contact chemosensation of CHCs. A survey of these sensilla across additional ant species shows varied microstructures at their tips, but each possess surface textures that would also increase sensory surface area. These unique ant chemosensory sensilla represent yet another example of how specialized structures have evolved to serve the functional requirements of eusocial communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R Gellert
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA
| | - Daphné C Halley
- Program in Environmental Studies, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA
| | - Zackary J Sieb
- Program in Neuroscience, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA
| | - Jody C Smith
- Sciences Technical Support Services, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA
| | - Gregory M Pask
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA.
- Program in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA.
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Xu L, Jiang HB, Tang KY, Yan Y, Schetelig MF, Wang JJ. CRISPR-mediated mutagenesis of the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) gene disrupts olfaction-mediated behaviors in Bactrocera dorsalis. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1275-1286. [PMID: 34986270 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction plays an essential role in insect behavior such as host location, foraging, mating, and oviposition. The odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) is an obligatory odorant receptor and indispensable in odor perception. Here, we characterized the Orco gene from the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), a notorious agriculture pest. The olfactory deficiency mutants were generated by editing the BdorOrco gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Electroantennograms (EAG) and olfactory preference assays confirmed that BdorOrco-/- mutant flies had reduced perception of methyl eugenol, β-caryophyllene, and ethyl acetate. Oviposition bioassays showed that the eggs laid by BdorOrco-/- females mediated by benzothiazole and 1-octen-3-ol were significantly decreased. In addition, BdorOrco-/- mutant flies took a significantly longer time to locate the food source compared with wild type (WT) flies. Altogether, our data indicated that Orco is essential for multiple physiological processes in B. dorsalis, and it expands our understanding of the function of insect Orco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xu
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong-Bo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kai-Yue Tang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Yan
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marc F Schetelig
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Fan XB, Mo BT, Li GC, Huang LQ, Guo H, Gong XL, Wang CZ. Mutagenesis of the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) reveals severe olfactory defects in the crop pest moth Helicoverpa armigera. BMC Biol 2022; 20:214. [PMID: 36175945 PMCID: PMC9524114 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01411-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Odorant receptors (ORs) as odorant-gated ion channels play a crucial role in insect olfaction. They are formed by a heteromultimeric complex of the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) and a ligand-selective Or. Other types of olfactory receptor proteins, such as ionotropic receptors (IRs) and some gustatory receptors (GRs), are also involved in the olfactory system of insects. Orco as an obligatory subunit of ORs is highly conserved, providing an opportunity to systematically evaluate OR-dependent olfactory responses. RESULTS Herein, we successfully established a homozygous mutant (Orco-/-) of Helicoverpa armigera, a notorious crop pest, using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technique. We then compared the olfactory response characteristics of wild type (WT) and Orco-/- adults and larvae. Orco-/- males were infertile, while Orco-/- females were fertile. The lifespan of Orco-/- females was longer than that of WT females. The expressions of most Ors, Irs, and other olfaction-related genes in adult antennae of Orco-/- moths were not obviously affected, but some of them were up- or down-regulated. In addition, there was no change in the neuroanatomical phenotype of Orco-/- moths at the level of the antennal lobe (including the macroglomerular complex region of the male). Using EAG and SSR techniques, we discovered that electrophysiological responses of Orco-/- moths to sex pheromone components and many host plant odorants were absent. The upwind flight behaviors toward sex pheromones of Orco-/- males were severely reduced in a wind tunnel experiment. The oviposition selectivity of Orco-/- females to the host plant (green pepper) has completely disappeared, and the chemotaxis toward green pepper was also lost in Orco-/- larvae. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that OR-mediated olfaction is essential for pheromone communication, oviposition selection, and larval chemotaxis of H. armigera, suggesting a strategy in which mate searching and host-seeking behaviors of moth pests could be disrupted by inhibiting or silencing Orco expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Bin Fan
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bao-Tong Mo
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guo-Cheng Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling-Qiao Huang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Guo
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin-Lin Gong
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chen-Zhu Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Sieriebriennikov B. Complementary brains. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:1060-1061. [PMID: 35711064 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01805-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Sieriebriennikov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
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Mier P, Fontaine JF, Stoldt M, Libbrecht R, Martelli C, Foitzik S, Andrade-Navarro MA. Annotation and Analysis of 3902 Odorant Receptor Protein Sequences from 21 Insect Species Provide Insights into the Evolution of Odorant Receptor Gene Families in Solitary and Social Insects. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050919. [PMID: 35627304 PMCID: PMC9141868 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene family of insect olfactory receptors (ORs) has expanded greatly over the course of evolution. ORs enable insects to detect volatile chemicals and therefore play an important role in social interactions, enemy and prey recognition, and foraging. The sequences of several thousand ORs are known, but their specific function or their ligands have only been identified for very few of them. To advance the functional characterization of ORs, we have assembled, curated, and aligned the sequences of 3902 ORs from 21 insect species, which we provide as an annotated online resource. Using functionally characterized proteins from the fly Drosophila melanogaster, the mosquito Anopheles gambiae and the ant Harpegnathos saltator, we identified amino acid positions that best predict response to ligands. We examined the conservation of these predicted relevant residues in all OR subfamilies; the results showed that the subfamilies that expanded strongly in social insects had a high degree of conservation in their binding sites. This suggests that the ORs of social insect families are typically finely tuned and exhibit sensitivity to very similar odorants. Our novel approach provides a powerful tool to exploit functional information from a limited number of genes to study the functional evolution of large gene families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Mier
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (J.-F.F.); (M.S.); (R.L.); (S.F.); (M.A.A.-N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jean-Fred Fontaine
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (J.-F.F.); (M.S.); (R.L.); (S.F.); (M.A.A.-N.)
| | - Marah Stoldt
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (J.-F.F.); (M.S.); (R.L.); (S.F.); (M.A.A.-N.)
| | - Romain Libbrecht
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (J.-F.F.); (M.S.); (R.L.); (S.F.); (M.A.A.-N.)
| | - Carlotta Martelli
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology (iDN), Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (J.-F.F.); (M.S.); (R.L.); (S.F.); (M.A.A.-N.)
| | - Miguel A. Andrade-Navarro
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (J.-F.F.); (M.S.); (R.L.); (S.F.); (M.A.A.-N.)
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Castillo P, Husseneder C, Sun Q. Molecular characterization and expression variation of the odorant receptor co-receptor in the Formosan subterranean termite. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267841. [PMID: 35482814 PMCID: PMC9049313 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Subterranean termites live in underground colonies with a division of labor among castes (i.e., queens and kings, workers, and soldiers). The function of social colonies relies on sophisticated chemical communication. Olfaction, the sense of smell from food, pathogens, and colony members, plays an important role in their social life. Olfactory plasticity in insects can be induced by long- and short-term environmental perturbations, allowing adaptive responses to the chemical environment according to their physiological and behavioral state. However, there is a paucity of information on the molecular basis of olfaction in termites. In this study, we identified an ortholog encoding the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) in the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, and examined its expression variation across developmental stages and in response to social conditions. We found that C. formosanus Orco showed conserved sequence and structure compared with other insects. Spatial and temporal analyses showed that the Orco gene was primarily expressed in the antennae, and it was expressed in eggs and all postembryonic developmental stages. The antennal expression of Orco was upregulated in alates (winged reproductives) compared with workers and soldiers. Further, the expression of Orco decreased in workers after starvation for seven days, but it was not affected by the absence of soldiers or different group sizes. Our study reveals the molecular characteristics of Orco in a termite, and the results suggest a link between olfactory sensitivity and nutritional status. Further studies are warranted to better understand the role of Orco in olfactory plasticity and behavioral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Castillo
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Claudia Husseneder
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Qian Sun
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Task D, Lin CC, Vulpe A, Afify A, Ballou S, Brbic M, Schlegel P, Raji J, Jefferis GSXE, Li H, Menuz K, Potter CJ. Chemoreceptor co-expression in Drosophila melanogaster olfactory neurons. eLife 2022; 11:e72599. [PMID: 35442190 PMCID: PMC9020824 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster olfactory neurons have long been thought to express only one chemosensory receptor gene family. There are two main olfactory receptor gene families in Drosophila, the odorant receptors (ORs) and the ionotropic receptors (IRs). The dozens of odorant-binding receptors in each family require at least one co-receptor gene in order to function: Orco for ORs, and Ir25a, Ir8a, and Ir76b for IRs. Using a new genetic knock-in strategy, we targeted the four co-receptors representing the main chemosensory families in D. melanogaster (Orco, Ir8a, Ir76b, Ir25a). Co-receptor knock-in expression patterns were verified as accurate representations of endogenous expression. We find extensive overlap in expression among the different co-receptors. As defined by innervation into antennal lobe glomeruli, Ir25a is broadly expressed in 88% of all olfactory sensory neuron classes and is co-expressed in 82% of Orco+ neuron classes, including all neuron classes in the maxillary palp. Orco, Ir8a, and Ir76b expression patterns are also more expansive than previously assumed. Single sensillum recordings from Orco-expressing Ir25a mutant antennal and palpal neurons identify changes in olfactory responses. We also find co-expression of Orco and Ir25a in Drosophila sechellia and Anopheles coluzzii olfactory neurons. These results suggest that co-expression of chemosensory receptors is common in insect olfactory neurons. Together, our data present the first comprehensive map of chemosensory co-receptor expression and reveal their unexpected widespread co-expression in the fly olfactory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darya Task
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Chun-Chieh Lin
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
- Mortimer B. Zuckermann Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Alina Vulpe
- Physiology & Neurobiology Department, University of ConnecticutMansfieldUnited States
| | - Ali Afify
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Sydney Ballou
- Physiology & Neurobiology Department, University of ConnecticutMansfieldUnited States
| | - Maria Brbic
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Philipp Schlegel
- Drosophila Connectomics Group, Department of Zoology, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Joshua Raji
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Gregory SXE Jefferis
- Drosophila Connectomics Group, Department of Zoology, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologyCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Hongjie Li
- Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Karen Menuz
- Physiology & Neurobiology Department, University of ConnecticutMansfieldUnited States
| | - Christopher J Potter
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
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Multimodal Information Processing and Associative Learning in the Insect Brain. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040332. [PMID: 35447774 PMCID: PMC9033018 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Insect behaviors are a great indicator of evolution and provide useful information about the complexity of organisms. The realistic sensory scene of an environment is complex and replete with multisensory inputs, making the study of sensory integration that leads to behavior highly relevant. We summarize the recent findings on multimodal sensory integration and the behaviors that originate from them in our review. Abstract The study of sensory systems in insects has a long-spanning history of almost an entire century. Olfaction, vision, and gustation are thoroughly researched in several robust insect models and new discoveries are made every day on the more elusive thermo- and mechano-sensory systems. Few specialized senses such as hygro- and magneto-reception are also identified in some insects. In light of recent advancements in the scientific investigation of insect behavior, it is not only important to study sensory modalities individually, but also as a combination of multimodal inputs. This is of particular significance, as a combinatorial approach to study sensory behaviors mimics the real-time environment of an insect with a wide spectrum of information available to it. As a fascinating field that is recently gaining new insight, multimodal integration in insects serves as a fundamental basis to understand complex insect behaviors including, but not limited to navigation, foraging, learning, and memory. In this review, we have summarized various studies that investigated sensory integration across modalities, with emphasis on three insect models (honeybees, ants and flies), their behaviors, and the corresponding neuronal underpinnings.
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Abouheif E. My road to the ants: A model clade for eco-evo-devo. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 147:231-290. [PMID: 35337451 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This chapter is the story of how I pioneered ants as a system for studying eco-evo-devo, a field that integrates developmental biology with ecology and evolutionary biology. One aim of eco-evo-devo is to understand how the interactions between genes and their environments during development facilitates the origin and evolution of novel phenotypes. In a series of six parts, I review some of the key discoveries from my lab on how novel worker caste systems in ants--soldiers and supersoldiers--originated and evolved. I also discuss some of the ideas that emerged from these discoveries, including the role that polyphenisms, hidden developmental potentials, and rudimentary organs play in facilitating developmental and evolutionary change. As superorganisms, I argue that ants are uniquely positioned to reveal types of variation that are often difficult to observe in nature. In doing so, they have the potential to transform our view of biology and provide new perspectives in medicine, agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. With my story I hope to inspire the next generation of biologists to continue exploring the unknown regions of phenotypic space to solve some of our most pressing societal challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Abouheif
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Koutroumpa F, Monsempès C, Anton S, François MC, Montagné N, Jacquin-Joly E. Pheromone Receptor Knock-Out Affects Pheromone Detection and Brain Structure in a Moth. Biomolecules 2022; 12:341. [PMID: 35327533 PMCID: PMC8945201 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex pheromone receptors are crucial in insects for mate finding and contribute to species premating isolation. Many pheromone receptors have been functionally characterized, especially in moths, but loss of function studies are rare. Notably, the potential role of pheromone receptors in the development of the macroglomeruli in the antennal lobe (the brain structures processing pheromone signals) is not known. Here, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to knock-out the receptor for the major component of the sex pheromone of the noctuid moth Spodoptera littoralis, and investigated the resulting effects on electrophysiological responses of peripheral pheromone-sensitive neurons and on the structure of the macroglomeruli. We show that the inactivation of the receptor specifically affected the responses of the corresponding antennal neurons did not impact the number of macroglomeruli in the antennal lobe but reduced the size of the macroglomerulus processing input from neurons tuned to the main pheromone component. We suggest that this mutant neuroanatomical phenotype results from a lack of neuronal activity due to the absence of the pheromone receptor and potentially reduced neural connectivity between peripheral and antennal lobe neurons. This is the first evidence of the role of a moth pheromone receptor in macroglomerulus development and extends our knowledge of the different functions odorant receptors can have in insect neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fotini Koutroumpa
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, INRAE, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Université de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France; (F.K.); (C.M.); (M.-C.F.); (N.M.)
- INRAE, Université de Tours, ISP, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Christelle Monsempès
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, INRAE, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Université de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France; (F.K.); (C.M.); (M.-C.F.); (N.M.)
| | - Sylvia Anton
- Institute for Genetics, Environment and Plant Protection, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université Rennes 1, 49045 Angers, France;
| | - Marie-Christine François
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, INRAE, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Université de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France; (F.K.); (C.M.); (M.-C.F.); (N.M.)
| | - Nicolas Montagné
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, INRAE, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Université de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France; (F.K.); (C.M.); (M.-C.F.); (N.M.)
| | - Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, INRAE, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Université de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France; (F.K.); (C.M.); (M.-C.F.); (N.M.)
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Han WK, Yang YL, Si YX, Wei ZQ, Liu SR, Liu XL, Yan Q, Dong SL. Involvement of GOBP2 in the perception of a sex pheromone component in both larval and adult Spodoptera litura revealed using CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 141:103719. [PMID: 34999200 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
General odorant-binding proteins (GOBPs) are long considered responsible for the perception of plant odorants. In this study with the important noctuid pest Spodoptera litura, we functionally characterized that GOBP2 is also involved in the perception of sex pheromone components using in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 technique. First, the GOBP2 sgRNA and Cas9 protein were injected into the newly laid insect eggs, resulting in a 35.6% target mutagenesis in G0 moths. Then, the homozygous GOBP2 knockout strain (GOBP2-/-) was obtained after the screening of three generations. The knockout male and female moths displayed a significant reduction in EAG responses to the sex pheromone components, and the knockout females also displayed a significant reduction to plant odorants. In the behavioral assay of food choice, GOBP2-/- larvae lost the preference to artificial diet added with the major sex pheromone component Z9, E11-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9, E11-14:Ac), whereas the WT larvae highly preferred the pheromone diet. Y-tube olfactometer assay and direct pheromone stimulation assay showed that GOBP2-/- male adults reduced significantly than WT males in percentages of choice, hair pencil displaying and mating attempt to Z9, E11-14:Ac. In the oviposition test, GOBP2-/- females showed significantly reduced preference for the soybean plants compared to the WT females. Our study demonstrated that GOBP2 plays an important role in perceiving sex pheromones in adult and larval stages, providing new insight into sex pheromone perception and a potential target for sex pheromone-based behavioral regulation in the pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Kang Han
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Disease and Pests, Ministry of Education/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, 210095, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi-Lin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Disease and Pests, Ministry of Education/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, 210095, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Xiao Si
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Disease and Pests, Ministry of Education/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, 210095, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Disease and Pests, Ministry of Education/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, 210095, Nanjing, China
| | - Si-Ruo Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Disease and Pests, Ministry of Education/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, 210095, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Long Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Disease and Pests, Ministry of Education/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, 210095, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Yan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Disease and Pests, Ministry of Education/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, 210095, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuang-Lin Dong
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Disease and Pests, Ministry of Education/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, 210095, Nanjing, China.
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47
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Pulliainen U, Morandin C, Bos N, Sundström L, Schultner E. Social environment affects sensory gene expression in ant larvae. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 31:1-9. [PMID: 34418191 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Social insects depend on communication to regulate social behaviour. This also applies to their larvae, which are commonly exposed to social interactions and can react to social stimulation. However, how social insect larvae sense their environment is not known. Using RNAseq, we characterized expression of sensory-related genes in larvae of the ant Formica fusca, upon exposure to two social environments: isolation without contact to other individuals, and stimulation via the presence of other developing individuals. Expression of key sensory-related genes was higher following social stimulation, and larvae expressed many of the same sensory-related genes as adult ants and larvae of other insects, including genes belonging to the major insect chemosensory gene families. Our study provides first insights into the molecular changes associated with social information perception in social insect larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Pulliainen
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - C Morandin
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - N Bos
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L Sundström
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - E Schultner
- Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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48
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Jongepier E, Séguret A, Labutin A, Feldmeyer B, Gstöttl C, Foitzik S, Heinze J, Bornberg-Bauer E. Convergent Loss of Chemoreceptors across Independent Origins of Slave-Making in Ants. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:msab305. [PMID: 34668533 PMCID: PMC8760941 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of an obligate parasitic lifestyle often leads to the reduction of morphological and physiological traits, which may be accompanied by loss of genes and functions. Slave-making ants are social parasites that exploit the work force of closely related ant species for social behaviors such as brood care and foraging. Recent divergence between these social parasites and their hosts enables comparative studies of gene family evolution. We sequenced the genomes of eight ant species, representing three independent origins of ant slavery. During the evolution of eusociality, chemoreceptor genes multiplied due to the importance of chemical communication in insect societies. We investigated the evolutionary fate of these chemoreceptors and found that slave-making ant genomes harbored only half as many gustatory receptors as their hosts', potentially mirroring the outsourcing of foraging tasks to host workers. In addition, parasites had fewer odorant receptors and their loss shows striking patterns of convergence across independent origins of parasitism, in particular in orthologs often implicated in sociality like the 9-exon odorant receptors. These convergent losses represent a rare case of convergent molecular evolution at the level of individual genes. Thus, evolution can operate in a way that is both repeatable and reversible when independent ant lineages lose important social traits during the transition to a parasitic lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien Jongepier
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Westfälische Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alice Séguret
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Westfälische Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany
| | - Anton Labutin
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Westfälische Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany
| | - Barbara Feldmeyer
- Molecular Ecology Group, Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Claudia Gstöttl
- Institute for Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jürgen Heinze
- Institute for Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Erich Bornberg-Bauer
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Westfälische Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany
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49
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Functional incorporation of the insect odorant receptor coreceptor in tethered lipid bilayer nanoarchitectures. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 203:114024. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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50
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Manoj F, Tai LW, Wang KSM, Kuhlman TE. Targeted insertion of large genetic payloads using cas directed LINE-1 reverse transcriptase. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23625. [PMID: 34880381 PMCID: PMC8654924 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03130-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A difficult genome editing goal is the site-specific insertion of large genetic constructs. Here we describe the GENEWRITE system, where site-specific targetable activity of Cas endonucleases is coupled with the reverse transcriptase activity of the ORF2p protein of the human retrotransposon LINE-1. This is accomplished by providing two RNAs: a guide RNA targeting Cas endonuclease activity and an appropriately designed payload RNA encoding the desired insertion. Using E. coli as a simple platform for development and deployment, we show that with proper payload design and co-expression of helper proteins, GENEWRITE can enable insertion of large genetic payloads to precise locations, although with off-target effects, using the described approach. Based upon these results, we describe a potential strategy for implementation of GENEWRITE in more complex systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femila Manoj
- Microbiology Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Laura W Tai
- Department of Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Katelyn Sun Mi Wang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Thomas E Kuhlman
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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