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He Q, Wang S, Chen S, Chen J. Juvenile hormone signal transducer hairy inhibits Krüppel homolog1 expression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 726:150276. [PMID: 38908347 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150276] [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: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Hairy and Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1) are transcriptional repressors that act synergistically to mediate the gene-repressive action of juvenile hormone (JH). However, whether a regulatory relationship exists between Hairy and Kr-h1 remains unclear. In this study, an inhibitory effect of Hairy on Kr-h1 expression was found. Genetic studies in Drosophila have shown that the simultaneous overexpression of Hairy and Kr-h1 can rescue the defective phenotypes caused by the overexpression of a single factor. Reduced expression of Kr-h1 was observed in Hairy-overexpressing flies and cells, whereas the expression levels of Hairy were unaffected in cells with ectopic expression of Kr-h1. The inhibitory effect of Hairy on Kr-h1 expression was found to occur at the transcriptional level, as Hairy bound directly to the B-box within the Kr-h1 promoter via the bHLH motif and recruited the corepressors C-terminal binding protein (CtBP) and Groucho (Gro) through the PLSLV and WRPW motifs, respectively. Our findings revealed a regulatory relationship between two JH response factors, which advances our understanding of the molecular mechanism of JH signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu He
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China.
| | - Shunxin Wang
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Jinxia Chen
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
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2
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Benrabaa SAM, Chang SA, Chang ES, Mykles DL. Effects of molting on the expression of ecdysteroid responsive genes in the crustacean molting gland (Y-organ). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 355:114548. [PMID: 38761872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Ecdysteroid molting hormones coordinate arthropod growth and development. Binding of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) to ecdysteroid receptor EcR/RXR activates a cascade of nuclear receptor transcription factors that mediate tissue responses to hormone. Insect ecdysteroid responsive and Forkhead box class O (FOXO) transcription factor gene sequences were used to extract orthologs from blackback land crab (Gecarcinus lateralis) Y-organ (YO) transcriptome: Gl-Ecdysone Receptor (EcR), Gl-Broad Complex (Br-C), Gl-E74, Gl-Hormone Receptor 3 (HR3), Gl-Hormone Receptor 4 (HR4), Gl-FOXO, and Gl-Fushi tarazu factor-1 (Ftz-f1). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction quantified mRNA levels in tissues from intermolt animals and in YO of animals induced to molt by multiple limb autotomy (MLA) or eyestalk ablation (ESA). Gl-EcR, Gl-Retinoid X Receptor (RXR), Gl-Br-C, Gl-HR3, Gl-HR4, Gl-E74, Gl-E75, Gl-Ftz-f1, and Gl-FOXO were expressed in all 10 tissues, with Gl-Br-C, Gl-E74, Gl-E75, and Gl-HR4 mRNA levels in the YO lower than those in most of the other tissues. In MLA animals, molting had no effect on Gl-Br-C, Gl-E74, and Gl-Ftz-f1 mRNA levels and little effect on Gl-EcR, Gl-E75, and Gl-HR4 mRNA levels. Gl-HR3 and Gl-FOXO mRNA levels were increased during premolt stages, while Gl-RXR mRNA level was highest during intermolt and premolt stages and lowest at postmolt stage. In ESA animals, YO mRNA levels were not correlated with hemolymph ecdysteroid titers. ESA had no effect on Gl-EcR, Gl-E74, Gl-HR3, Gl-HR4, Gl-Ftz-f1, and Gl-FOXO mRNA levels, while Gl-RXR, Gl-Br-C, and Gl-E75 mRNA levels were decreased at 3 days post-ESA. These data suggest that transcriptional up-regulation of Gl-FOXO and Gl-HR3 contributes to increased YO ecdysteroidogenesis during premolt. By contrast, transcriptional regulation of ecdysteroid responsive genes and ecdysteroidogenesis were uncoupled in the YO of ESA animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sharon A Chang
- Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA
| | - Ernest S Chang
- Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA
| | - Donald L Mykles
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA.
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3
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Campli G, Volovych O, Kim K, Veldsman WP, Drage HB, Sheizaf I, Lynch S, Chipman AD, Daley AC, Robinson-Rechavi M, Waterhouse RM. The moulting arthropod: a complete genetic toolkit review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39039636 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Exoskeletons are a defining character of all arthropods that provide physical support for their segmented bodies and appendages as well as protection from the environment and predation. This ubiquitous yet evolutionarily variable feature has been instrumental in facilitating the adoption of a variety of lifestyles and the exploitation of ecological niches across all environments. Throughout the radiation that produced the more than one million described modern species, adaptability afforded by segmentation and exoskeletons has led to a diversity that is unrivalled amongst animals. However, because of the limited extensibility of exoskeleton chitin and cuticle components, they must be periodically shed and replaced with new larger ones, notably to accommodate the growing individuals encased within. Therefore, arthropods grow discontinuously by undergoing periodic moulting events, which follow a series of steps from the preparatory pre-moult phase to ecdysis itself and post-moult maturation of new exoskeletons. Each event represents a particularly vulnerable period in an arthropod's life cycle, so processes must be tightly regulated and meticulously executed to ensure successful transitions for normal growth and development. Decades of research in representative arthropods provide a foundation of understanding of the mechanisms involved. Building on this, studies continue to develop and test hypotheses on the presence and function of molecular components, including neuropeptides, hormones, and receptors, as well as the so-called early, late, and fate genes, across arthropod diversity. Here, we review the literature to develop a comprehensive overview of the status of accumulated knowledge of the genetic toolkit governing arthropod moulting. From biosynthesis and regulation of ecdysteroid and sesquiterpenoid hormones, to factors involved in hormonal stimulation responses and exoskeleton remodelling, we identify commonalities and differences, as well as highlighting major knowledge gaps, across arthropod groups. We examine the available evidence supporting current models of how components operate together to prepare for, execute, and recover from ecdysis, comparing reports from Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea, and Hexapoda. Evidence is generally highly taxonomically imbalanced, with most reports based on insect study systems. Biases are also evident in research on different moulting phases and processes, with the early triggers and late effectors generally being the least well explored. Our synthesis contrasts knowledge based on reported observations with reasonably plausible assumptions given current taxonomic sampling, and exposes weak assumptions or major gaps that need addressing. Encouragingly, advances in genomics are driving a diversification of tractable study systems by facilitating the cataloguing of putative genetic toolkits in previously under-explored taxa. Analysis of genome and transcriptome data supported by experimental investigations have validated the presence of an "ultra-conserved" core of arthropod genes involved in moulting processes. The molecular machinery has likely evolved with elaborations on this conserved pathway backbone, but more taxonomic exploration is needed to characterise lineage-specific changes and novelties. Furthermore, linking these to transformative innovations in moulting processes across Arthropoda remains hampered by knowledge gaps and hypotheses based on untested assumptions. Promisingly however, emerging from the synthesis is a framework that highlights research avenues from the underlying genetics to the dynamic molecular biology through to the complex physiology of moulting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Campli
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, Bâtiment Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Bâtiment Amphipôle, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Olga Volovych
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus - Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Kenneth Kim
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, Bâtiment Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Bâtiment Amphipôle, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Werner P Veldsman
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, Bâtiment Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Bâtiment Amphipôle, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Harriet B Drage
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Quartier UNIL-Mouline, Bâtiment Géopolis, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Idan Sheizaf
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus - Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Sinéad Lynch
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Quartier UNIL-Mouline, Bâtiment Géopolis, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Ariel D Chipman
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus - Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Allison C Daley
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Quartier UNIL-Mouline, Bâtiment Géopolis, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Marc Robinson-Rechavi
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, Bâtiment Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Bâtiment Amphipôle, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Robert M Waterhouse
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, Bâtiment Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Bâtiment Amphipôle, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
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Jindra M, Tumova S, Bittova L, Tuma R, Sedlak D. Agonist-dependent action of the juvenile hormone receptor. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024:101234. [PMID: 39025365 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Juvenile hormone (JH) signaling is effected at the gene regulatory level by receptors of the bHLH-PAS transcription factor family. The sesquiterpenoid hormones and their synthetic mimics are agonist ligands of a unique JH receptor (JHR) protein, methoprene-tolerant (MET). Upon binding an agonist to its PAS-B cavity, MET dissociates from a cytoplasmic chaperone complex including HSP83 and concomitantly switches to a bHLH-PAS partner taiman, forming a nuclear, transcriptionally active JHR heterodimer. This course of events resembles the vertebrate aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), activated by a plethora of endogenous and synthetic compounds. Like in AHR, the pliable PAS-B cavity of MET adjusts to diverse ligands and binds them through similar mechanisms. Despite recent progress, we only begin to discern agonist-induced conformational shifts within the PAS-B domain, with the ultimate goal to understand how these localized changes stimulate assembly of the active JHR complex, and thus fully grasp the mechanism of JHR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Jindra
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic.
| | - Sarka Tumova
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Bittova
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Tuma
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - David Sedlak
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
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He Q, Chen S, Hou T, Chen J. Juvenile hormone-induced microRNA miR-iab-8 regulates lipid homeostasis and metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39005109 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Metamorphosis plays an important role in the evolutionary success of insects. Accumulating evidence indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of processes associated with insect metamorphosis. However, the miRNAs coordinated with juvenile hormone (JH)-regulated metamorphosis remain poorly reported. In the present study, using high-throughput miRNA sequencing combined with Drosophila genetic approaches, we demonstrated that miR-iab-8, which primarily targets homeotic genes to modulate haltere-wing transformation and sterility was up-regulated by JH and involved in JH-mediated metamorphosis. Overexpression of miR-iab-8 in the fat body resulted in delayed development and failure of larval-pupal transition. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis results revealed that overexpression of miR-iab-8 caused severe energy metabolism defects especially the lipid metabolism, resulting in significantly reduced triacylglycerol (TG) content and glycerophospholipids but enhanced accumulation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). In line with this, Nile red staining demonstrated that during the third larval development, the TG content in the miR-iab-8 overexpression larvae was continuously decreased, which is opposite to the control. Additionally, the transcription levels of genes committed to TG synthesis and breakdown were found to be significantly increased and the expression of genes responsible for glycerophospholipids metabolism were also altered. Overall, we proposed that JH induced miR-iab-8 expression to perturb the lipid metabolism homeostasis especially the TG storage in the fat body, which in turn affected larval growth and metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu He
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Tianlan Hou
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Jinxia Chen
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
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6
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Silva CAO, Alves SDS, Rodrigues BDC, Fraga Egidio JA, Ribeiro L, Logullo C, Mury FB, Santos DDG, Portal T, Monteiro-de-Barros C, Roberto da Silva J, Nepomuceno-Silva JL, Nunes-da-Fonseca R. The mlpt smORF gene is essential for digestive physiology and molting during nymphal stages in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 172:104154. [PMID: 38972513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease affects around 8 million people globally, with Latin America bearing approximately 10,000 deaths each year. Combatting the disease relies heavily on vector control methods, necessitating the identification of new targets. Within insect genomes, genes harboring small open reading frames (smORFs - < 100 amino acids) present numerous potential candidates. In our investigation, we elucidate the pivotal role of the archetypal smORF-containing gene, mille-pattes/polished-rice/tarsalless (mlpt/pri/tal), in the post-embryonic development of the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus. Injection of double-stranded RNA targeting mlpt (dsmlpt) during nymphal stages yields a spectrum of phenotypes hindering post-embryonic growth. Notably, fourth or fifth stage nymphs subjected to dsmlpt do not undergo molting. These dsmlpt nymphs display heightened mRNA levels of JHAMT-like and EPOX-like, enzymes putatively involved in the juvenile hormone (JH) pathway, alongside increased expression of the transcription factor Kr-h1, indicating changes in the hormonal control. Histological examination reveals structural alterations in the hindgut and external cuticle of dsmlpt nymphs compared to control (dsGFP) counterparts. Furthermore, significant changes in the vector's digestive physiology were observed, with elevated hemozoin and glucose levels in the posterior midgut of dsmlpt nymphs. Importantly, dsmlpt nymphs exhibit impaired metacyclogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, underscoring the crucial role of proper gut organization in parasite differentiation. Thus, our findings constitute the first evidence of a smORF-containing gene's regulatory influence on vector physiology, parasitic cycle, and disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Azevedo Oliveira Silva
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda (LIBHM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sandy da Silveira Alves
- Laboratório Integrado de Biociências Translacionais (LIBT), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Bruno da Costa Rodrigues
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jonatha Anderson Fraga Egidio
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lupis Ribeiro
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos Logullo
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda (LIBHM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular - INCT-EM, Brazil
| | - Flavia Borges Mury
- Laboratório Integrado de Biociências Translacionais (LIBT), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular - INCT-EM, Brazil
| | - Daniele das Graças Santos
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Taynan Portal
- Laboratório Integrado de Biociências Translacionais (LIBT), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cintia Monteiro-de-Barros
- Laboratório Integrado de Biociências Translacionais (LIBT), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - José Roberto da Silva
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda (LIBHM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular - INCT-EM, Brazil
| | - José Luciano Nepomuceno-Silva
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda (LIBHM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Nunes-da-Fonseca
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular - INCT-EM, Brazil.
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Takahashi-Nakaguchi A, Horiuchi Y, Yamamoto M, Totsuka Y, Wakabayashi K. Pierisin, Cytotoxic and Apoptosis-Inducing DNA ADP-Ribosylating Protein in Cabbage Butterfly. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:270. [PMID: 38922164 PMCID: PMC11209040 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16060270] [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: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pierisin-1 was serendipitously discovered as a strong cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing protein from pupae of the cabbage butterfly Pieris rapae against cancer cell lines. This 98-kDa protein consists of the N-terminal region (27 kDa) and C-terminal region (71 kDa), and analysis of their biological function revealed that pierisin-1 binds to cell surface glycosphingolipids on the C-terminal side, is taken up into the cell, and is cleaved to N- and C-terminal portions, where the N-terminal portion mono-ADP-ribosylates the guanine base of DNA in the presence of NAD to induce cellular genetic mutation and apoptosis. Unlike other ADP-ribosyltransferases, pieisin-1 was first found to exhibit DNA mono-ADP-ribosylating activity and show anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo against various cancer cell lines. Pierisin-1 was most abundantly produced during the transition from the final larval stage to the pupal stage of the cabbage butterfly, and this production was regulated by ecdysteroid hormones. This suggests that pierisn-1 might play a pivotal role in the process of metamorphosis. Moreover, pierisin-1 could contribute as a defense factor against parasitization and microbial infections in the cabbage butterfly. Pierisin-like proteins in butterflies were shown to be present not only among the subtribe Pierina but also among the subtribes Aporiina and Appiadina, and pierisin-2, -3, and -4 were identified in these butterflies. Furthermore, DNA ADP-ribosylating activities were found in six different edible clams. Understanding of the biological nature of pierisin-1 with DNA mono-ADP-ribosylating activity could open up exciting avenues for research and potential therapeutic applications, making it a subject of great interest in the field of molecular biology and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu Horiuchi
- Aquatic Food Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute, Tokyo Innovation Center, Nissui Corporation, 1-32-3 Shichikoku, Hachioji City 192-0991, Japan
| | - Masafumi Yamamoto
- Central Institute for Experimental Medicine and Life Science, 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Yukari Totsuka
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan
| | - Keiji Wakabayashi
- Graduate Division of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
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8
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Erezyilmaz D. The genetic determination of alternate stages in polyphenic insects. Evol Dev 2024:e12485. [PMID: 38867484 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Molt-based transitions in form are a central feature of insect life that have enabled adaptation to diverse and changing environments. The endocrine regulation of these transitions is well established, but an understanding of their genetic regulation has only recently emerged from insect models. The pupal and adult stages of metamorphosing insects are determined by the stage specifying transcription factors broad-complex (br) and Ecdysone inducible protein 93 (E93), respectively. A probable larval determinant, chronologically inappropriate metamorphosis (chinmo), has just recently been characterized. Expression of these three transcription factors in the metamorphosing insects is regulated by juvenile hormone with ecdysteroid hormones, and by mutual repression between the stage-specific transcription factors. This review explores the hypothesis that variations in the onset, duration, and tissue-specific expression of chinmo, br, and E93 underlie other polyphenisms that have arisen throughout insects, including the castes of social insects, aquatic stages of mayflies, and the neoteny of endoparasites. The mechanisms that constrain how chinmo, br, and E93 expression may vary will also constrain the ways that insect life history may evolve. I find that four types of expression changes are associated with novel insect forms: (1) heterochronic shift in the turnover of expression, (2) expansion or contraction of expression, (3) tissue-specific expression, and (4) redeployment of stage-specific expression. While there is more to be learned about chinmo, br, and E93 function in diverse insect taxa, the studies outlined here show that insect stages are modular units in developmental time and a substrate for evolutionary forces to act upon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Erezyilmaz
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Centre for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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9
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Shen S, Zhang L, Zhang L. Population Density-Dependent Developmental Regulation in Migratory Locust. INSECTS 2024; 15:443. [PMID: 38921158 PMCID: PMC11203946 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Insect development is intricately governed by hormonal signaling pathways, yet the pivotal upstream regulator that potentiates hormone activation remains largely elusive. The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, exhibits population density-dependent phenotypic plasticity, encompassing traits such as flight capability, body coloration, and behavior. In this study, we elucidated a negative correlation between population density and ontogenetic development during the nymphal stage of locusts. We found that the level of density influences the developmental trajectory by modulating transcript abundance within the ecdysone signaling pathway, with knockdown of the prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) resulting in developmental delay. Transcriptomic analysis of locust brains across solitary and gregarious phases revealed significant differential expression of genes involved in various pathways, including protein synthesis, energy metabolism, hormonal regulation, and immunity. Notably, knockdown experiments targeting two energy regulators, adipokinetic hormone (AKH) and insulin-like polypeptide 1 (ilp1), failed to elicit changes in the developmental process in solitary locusts. However, knockdown of immunoglobulin (IG) significantly shortened the developmental time in higher-density populations. Collectively, our findings underscore the regulatory role of population density in determining developmental duration and suggest that an immune-related gene contributes to the observed differences in developmental patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sifan Shen
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Long Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Liwei Zhang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
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10
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Zhu S, Feng X, Liu Y, Jin D, Luo X, Fan Y. Expression of a viral ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase enhanced the insecticidal activity of the insect pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38837657 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria bassiana, hold promise as biological control agents against insect pests. However, the efficacy of these fungi can be hindered by insect immune responses. One strategy to enhance fungal virulence is to manipulate host immune by targeting key regulatory molecules like 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). RESULTS In this study, we engineered B. bassiana strains to constitutively express the enzyme ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (EGT), which inactivates 20E, a crucial insect molting hormone. The engineered strain Bb::EGT-1 exhibited robust expression of EGT, leading to a significant reduction in insect 20E levels upon infection. Moreover, infection with Bb::EGT-1 resulted in accelerated larval mortality. Immune responses analysis revealed repression of insect immune response genes and decreased phenoloxidase (PO) activity in larvae infected with Bb::EGT-1. Microbiome analysis indicated alterations in bacterial composition within infected insects, with increased abundance observed during infection with Bb::EGT-1. Additionally, the presence of bacteria hindered hyphal emergence from insect cadavers, suggesting a role for microbial competition in fungal dissemination. CONCLUSIONS Constitutive expression of EGT in B. bassiana enhances fungal virulence by reducing insect 20E levels, suppressing immune responses, and altering the insect microbiome. These findings highlighted the potential of engineered fungi as effective biocontrol agents against insect pests and provide insights into the complex interactions between entomopathogenic fungi, their hosts, and associated microbes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengan Zhu
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xueyao Feng
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Jin
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingyou Luo
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanhua Fan
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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11
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Lowe WH, Addis BR, Cochrane MM. Outbreeding reduces survival during metamorphosis in a headwater stream salamander. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17375. [PMID: 38699973 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17375] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Assessing direct fitness effects of individual genetic diversity is challenging due to the intensive and long-term data needed to quantify survival and reproduction in the wild. But resolving these effects is necessary to determine how inbreeding and outbreeding influence eco-evolutionary processes. We used 8 years of capture-recapture data and single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes for 1906 individuals to test for effects of individual heterozygosity on stage-specific survival probabilities in the salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus. The life cycle of G. porphyriticus includes an aquatic larval stage followed by metamorphosis into a semi-aquatic adult stage. In our study populations, the larval stage lasts 6-10 years, metamorphosis takes several months, and lifespan can reach 20 years. Previous studies showed that metamorphosis is a sensitive life stage, leading us to predict that fitness effects of individual heterozygosity would occur during metamorphosis. Consistent with this prediction, monthly probability of survival during metamorphosis declined with multi-locus heterozygosity (MLH), from 0.38 at the lowest MLH (0.10) to 0.06 at the highest MLH (0.38), a reduction of 84%. Body condition of larvae also declined significantly with increasing MLH. These relationships were consistent in the three study streams. With evidence of localised inbreeding within streams, these results suggest that outbreeding disrupts adaptations in pre-metamorphic and metamorphic individuals to environmental gradients along streams, adding to evidence that headwater streams are hotspots of microgeographic adaptation. Our results also underscore the importance of incorporating life history in analyses of the fitness effects of individual genetic diversity and suggest that metamorphosis and similar discrete life stage transitions may be critical periods of viability selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winsor H Lowe
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Brett R Addis
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Madaline M Cochrane
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
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12
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Musselman LP, Truong HG, DiAngelo JR. Transcriptional Control of Lipid Metabolism. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38782870 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2024_808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Transcriptional control of lipid metabolism uses a framework that parallels the control of lipid metabolism at the protein or enzyme level, via feedback and feed-forward mechanisms. Increasing the substrates for an enzyme often increases enzyme gene expression, for example. A paucity of product can likewise potentiate transcription or stability of the mRNA encoding the enzyme or enzymes needed to produce it. In addition, changes in second messengers or cellular energy charge can act as on/off switches for transcriptional regulators to control transcript (and protein) abundance. Insects use a wide range of DNA-binding transcription factors (TFs) that sense changes in the cell and its environment to produce the appropriate change in transcription at gene promoters. These TFs work together with histones, spliceosomes, and additional RNA processing factors to ultimately regulate lipid metabolism. In this chapter, we will first focus on the important TFs that control lipid metabolism in insects. Next, we will describe non-TF regulators of insect lipid metabolism such as enzymes that modify acetylation and methylation status, transcriptional coactivators, splicing factors, and microRNAs. To conclude, we consider future goals for studying the mechanisms underlying the control of lipid metabolism in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Palanker Musselman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Huy G Truong
- Division of Science, Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus, Reading, PA, USA
| | - Justin R DiAngelo
- Division of Science, Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus, Reading, PA, USA.
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13
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Anjum AA, Lin MJ, Jin L, Li GQ. A critical role for the nuclear protein Akirin in larval development in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38783592 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Akirin is a nuclear protein that controls development in vertebrates and invertebrates. The function of Akirin has not been assessed in any Coleopteran insects. We found that high levels of akirin transcripts in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, a serious Coleopteran potato defoliator (hereafter Hvakirin), were present at prepupal, pupal and adult stages, especially in larval foregut and fat body. RNA interference (RNAi) targeting Hvakirin impaired larval development. The Hvakirin RNAi larvae arrested development at the final larval instar stage. They remained as stunted larvae, gradually blackened and finally died. Moreover, the remodelling of gut and fat body was inhibited in the Hvakirin depleted larvae. Two layers of cuticles, old and newly formed, were noted in the dsegfp-injected animals. In contrast, only a layer of cuticle was found in the dsakirin-injected beetles, indicating the arrest of larval development. Furthermore, the expression of three transforming growth factor-β cascade genes (Hvsmox, Hvmyo and Hvbabo), a 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) receptor gene (HvEcR) and six 20E response genes (HvHR3, HvHR4, HvE75, HvBrC, HvE93 and Hvftz-f1) was significantly repressed, consistent with decreased 20E signalling. Conversely, the transcription of a juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis gene (Hvjhamt), a JH receptor gene (HvMet) and two JH response genes (HvKr-h1 and HvHairy) was greatly enhanced. Our findings suggest a critical role of Akirin in larval development in H. vigintioctopunctata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Ali Anjum
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meng-Jiao Lin
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Jin
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guo-Qing Li
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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14
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Flaven-Pouchon J, Froschauer C, Moussian B. Dynamics of cuticle-associated transcript profiles during moulting of the bed bug Cimexlectularius. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 168:104112. [PMID: 38513961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The bed bug Cimex lectularius is a worldwide human pest. The sequenced genome allows molecular analyses of all aspects of bed bug biology. The present work was conducted to contribute to bed bug cuticle biology. As in other insect species, the C. lectularius cuticle consists of the three horizontal layers procuticle, epicuticle and envelope. To analyse the genes needed for the establishment of the stratified cuticle, we studied the expression pattern of 42 key cuticle-related genes at the transition of the penultimate nymphal stage to adult animals when a new cuticle is formed. Based on gene expression dynamics, in simplified model, we distinguish two key events during cuticle renewal in C. lectularius. First, upon blood feeding, modulation of ecdysone signalling culminates in the transcriptional activation of the transcription factor Clec-Ftz-F1 that possibly controls the expression of 32 of the 42 genes tested. Second, timed expression of Clec-Ftz-F1 seems to depend also on the insulin signalling pathway as RNA interference against transcripts of the insulin receptor delays Clec-Ftz-F1 expression and stage transition. An important observation of our transcript survey is that genes needed for the construction of the three cuticle layers are largely expressed simultaneously. Based on these data, we hypothesise a considerable synchronous mechanism of layer formation rather than a strictly sequential one. Together, this work provides a basis for functional analyses of cuticle formation in C. lectularius.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Flaven-Pouchon
- Universität Tübingen, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, Genetik der Tiere, Tübingen, Germany
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15
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Geens B, Goossens S, Li J, Van de Peer Y, Vanden Broeck J. Untangling the gordian knot: The intertwining interactions between developmental hormone signaling and epigenetic mechanisms in insects. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 585:112178. [PMID: 38342134 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Hormones control developmental and physiological processes, often by regulating the expression of multiple genes simultaneously or sequentially. Crosstalk between hormones and epigenetics is pivotal to dynamically coordinate this process. Hormonal signals can guide the addition and removal of epigenetic marks, steering gene expression. Conversely, DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs can modulate regional chromatin structure and accessibility and regulate the expression of numerous (hormone-related) genes. Here, we provide a review of the interplay between the classical insect hormones, ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones, and epigenetics. We summarize the mode-of-action and roles of these hormones in post-embryonic development, and provide a general overview of epigenetic mechanisms. We then highlight recent advances on the interactions between these hormonal pathways and epigenetics, and their involvement in development. Furthermore, we give an overview of several 'omics techniques employed in the field. Finally, we discuss which questions remain unanswered and possible avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Geens
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Stijn Goossens
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Yves Van de Peer
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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16
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Khong H, Hattley KB, Suzuki Y. The BTB transcription factor, Abrupt, acts cooperatively with Chronologically inappropriate morphogenesis (Chinmo) to repress metamorphosis and promotes leg regeneration. Dev Biol 2024; 509:70-84. [PMID: 38373692 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.02.006] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Many insects undergo the process of metamorphosis when larval precursor cells begin to differentiate to create the adult body. The larval precursor cells retain stem cell-like properties and contribute to the regenerative ability of larval appendages. Here we demonstrate that two Broad-complex/Tramtrack/Bric-à-brac Zinc-finger (BTB) domain transcription factors, Chronologically inappropriate morphogenesis (Chinmo) and Abrupt (Ab), act cooperatively to repress metamorphosis in the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Knockdown of chinmo led to precocious development of pupal legs and antennae. We show that although topical application of juvenile hormone (JH) prevents the decrease in chinmo expression in the final instar, chinmo and JH act in distinct pathways. Another gene encoding the BTB domain transcription factor, Ab, was also necessary for the suppression of broad (br) expression in T. castaneum in a chinmo RNAi background, and simultaneous knockdown of ab and chinmo led to the precocious onset of metamorphosis. Furthermore, knockdown of ab led to the loss of regenerative potential of larval legs independently of br. In contrast, chinmo knockdown larvae exhibited pupal leg regeneration when a larval leg was ablated. Taken together, our results show that both ab and chinmo are necessary for the maintenance of the larval tissue identity and, apart from its role in repressing br, ab acts as a crucial regulator of larval leg regeneration. Our findings indicate that BTB domain proteins interact in a complex manner to regulate larval and pupal tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesper Khong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, 106 Central St., Wellesley, MA, 02481, USA
| | - Kayli B Hattley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, 106 Central St., Wellesley, MA, 02481, USA
| | - Yuichiro Suzuki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, 106 Central St., Wellesley, MA, 02481, USA.
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17
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Liu J, Zheng C, Duan Y. New comparative genomic evidence supporting the proteomic diversification role of A-to-I RNA editing in insects. Mol Genet Genomics 2024; 299:46. [PMID: 38642133 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-024-02141-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, resembling A-to-G mutation, confers adaptiveness by increasing proteomic diversity in a temporal-spatial manner. This evolutionary theory named "proteomic diversifying hypothesis" has only partially been tested in very few organisms like Drosophila melanogaster, mainly by observing the positive selection on nonsynonymous editing events. To find additional genome-wide evidences supporting this interesting assumption, we retrieved the genomes of four Drosophila species and collected 20 deep-sequenced transcriptomes of different developmental stages and neuron populations of D. melanogaster. We systematically profiled the RNA editomes in these samples and performed meticulous comparative genomic analyses. Further evidences were found to support the diversifying hypothesis. (1) None of the nonsynonymous editing sites in D. melanogaster had ancestral G-alleles, while the silent editing sites had an unignorable fraction of ancestral G-alleles; (2) Only very few nonsynonymous editing sites in D. melanogaster had corresponding G-alleles derived in the genomes of sibling species, and the fraction of such situation was significantly lower than that of silent editing sites; (3) The few nonsynonymous editing with corresponding G-alleles had significantly more variable editing levels (across samples) than other nonsynonymous editing sites in D. melanogaster. The proteomic diversifying nature of RNA editing in Drosophila excludes the restorative role which favors an ancestral G-allele. The few fixed G-alleles in sibling species might facilitate the adaptation to particular environment and the corresponding nonsynonymous editing in D. melanogaster would introduce stronger advantage of flexible proteomic diversification. With multi-Omics data, our study consolidates the nature of evolutionary significance of A-to-I RNA editing sites in model insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyao Liu
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Caiqing Zheng
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yuange Duan
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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18
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Tadano H, Kohno H, Takeuchi H, Kubo T. Unique spatially and temporary-regulated/sex-specific expression of a long ncRNA, Nb-1, suggesting its pleiotropic functions associated with honey bee lifecycle. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8701. [PMID: 38622193 PMCID: PMC11018616 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59494-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are social insects, and each colony member has unique morphological and physiological traits associated with their social tasks. Previously, we identified a long non-coding RNA from honey bees, termed Nb-1, whose expression in the brain decreases associated with the age-polyethism of workers and is detected in some neurosecretory cells and octopaminergic neurons, suggesting its role in the regulation of worker labor transition. Herein, we investigated its spatially and temporary-regulated/sex-specific expression. Nb-1 was expressed as an abundant maternal RNA during oogenesis and embryogenesis in both sexes. In addition, Nb-1 was expressed preferentially in the proliferating neuroblasts of the mushroom bodies (a higher-order center of the insect brain) in the pupal brains, suggesting its role in embryogenesis and mushroom body development. On the contrary, Nb-1 was expressed in a drone-specific manner in the pupal and adult retina, suggesting its role in the drone visual development and/or sense. Subcellular localization of Nb-1 in the brain during development differed depending on the cell type. Considering that Nb-1 is conserved only in Apidae, our findings suggest that Nb-1 potentially has pleiotropic functions in the expression of multiple developmental, behavioral, and physiological traits, which are closely associated with the honey bee lifecycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Tadano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kohno
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hideaki Takeuchi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Integrative Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8577, Japan
| | - Takeo Kubo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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19
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Li C, Nong W, Boncan DAT, So WL, Yip HY, Swale T, Jia Q, Vicentin IG, Chung G, Bendena WG, Ngo JCK, Chan TF, Lam HM, Hui JHL. Elucidating the ecophysiology of soybean pod-sucking stinkbug Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) based on de novo genome assembly and transcriptome analysis. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:327. [PMID: 38565997 PMCID: PMC10985886 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10232-2] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Food security is important for the ever-growing global population. Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., is cultivated worldwide providing a key source of food, protein and oil. Hence, it is imperative to maintain or to increase its yield under different conditions including challenges caused by abiotic and biotic stresses. In recent years, the soybean pod-sucking stinkbug Riptortus pedestris has emerged as an important agricultural insect pest in East, South and Southeast Asia. Here, we present a genomics resource for R. pedestris including its genome assembly, messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) transcriptomes at different developmental stages and from different organs. As insect hormone biosynthesis genes (genes involved in metamorphosis) and their regulators such as miRNAs are potential targets for pest control, we analyzed the sesquiterpenoid (juvenile) and ecdysteroid (molting) hormone biosynthesis pathway genes including their miRNAs and relevant neuropeptides. Temporal gene expression changes of these insect hormone biosynthesis pathways were observed at different developmental stages. Similarly, a diet-specific response in gene expression was also observed in both head and salivary glands. Furthermore, we observed that microRNAs (bantam, miR-14, miR-316, and miR-263) of R. pedestris fed with different types of soybeans were differentially expressed in the salivary glands indicating a diet-specific response. Interestingly, the opposite arms of miR-281 (-5p and -3p), a miRNA involved in regulating development, were predicted to target Hmgs genes of R. pedestris and soybean, respectively. These observations among others highlight stinkbug's responses as a function of its interaction with soybean. In brief, the results of this study not only present salient findings that could be of potential use in pest management and mitigation but also provide an invaluable resource for R. pedestris as an insect model to facilitate studies on plant-pest interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chade Li
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shat-in, HKSAR, China
| | - Wenyan Nong
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shat-in, HKSAR, China
| | - Delbert Almerick T Boncan
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
| | - Wai Lok So
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shat-in, HKSAR, China
| | - Ho Yin Yip
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shat-in, HKSAR, China
| | | | - Qi Jia
- Key Laboratory for Genetics Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education/College of Crop Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, PR China
| | - Ignacio G Vicentin
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria, Avenida Rivadavia, Ciudad de Buenos, 1439, Argentina
| | - Gyuhwa Chung
- Department of Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, 59626, Korea
| | - William G Bendena
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Jacky C K Ngo
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
| | - Ting Fung Chan
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
- Institute of Environment, Institute of Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
| | - Hon-Ming Lam
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
- Institute of Environment, Institute of Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
| | - Jerome H L Hui
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shat-in, HKSAR, China.
- Institute of Environment, Institute of Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
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20
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Vommaro ML, Donato S, Caputo S, Agostino RG, Montali A, Tettamanti G, Giglio A. Anatomical changes of Tenebrio molitor and Tribolium castaneum during complete metamorphosis. Cell Tissue Res 2024; 396:19-40. [PMID: 38409390 PMCID: PMC10997553 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-024-03877-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
In holometabolous insects, extensive reorganisation of tissues and cells occurs at the pupal stage. The remodelling of the external exoskeleton and internal organs that intervenes during metamorphosis has been traditionally studied in many insect species based on histological or ultrastructural methods. This study demonstrates the use of synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast micro-computed tomography as a powerful, non-destructive tool for in situ morphological observation of anatomical structures at the pupal stage in two Tenebrionid beetles, i.e. Tribolium castaneum and Tenebrio molitor, known as important pests, as well as emerging and promising models in experimental biology. Virtual sections and three-dimensional reconstructions were performed on both males and females at early, intermediate, and late pupal stage. The dataset allowed us to observe the remodelling of the gut and nervous system as well as the shaping of the female and male reproductive system at different pupal ages in both mealworm and red flour beetles. Moreover, we observed that the timing and duration pattern of organ development varied between the species analysed, likely related to the species-specific adaptations of the pre-imaginal stages to environmental conditions, which ultimately affect their life cycle. This research provides new knowledge on the morphological modifications that occur during the pupal stage of holometabolous insects and provides a baseline set of information on beetle metamorphosis that may support future research in forensics, physiology, and ecology as well as an image atlas for educational purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luigia Vommaro
- University of Calabria, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, Rende, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- University of Calabria, Department of Physics and STAR research infrastructure, Rende, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Division of Frascati, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Caputo
- University of Calabria, Department of Environmental Engineering, Rende, Italy
| | - Raffaele G Agostino
- University of Calabria, Department of Physics and STAR research infrastructure, Rende, Italy
| | - Aurora Montali
- University of Insubria, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Varese, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tettamanti
- University of Insubria, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Varese, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-environmental Technology (BAT Center), University of Napoli Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Anita Giglio
- University of Calabria, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, Rende, Italy.
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21
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Wang Q, Smid HM, Dicke M, Haverkamp A. The olfactory system of Pieris brassicae caterpillars: from receptors to glomeruli. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:469-488. [PMID: 38105530 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The olfactory system of adult lepidopterans is among the best described neuronal circuits. However, comparatively little is known about the organization of the olfactory system in the larval stage of these insects. Here, we explore the expression of olfactory receptors and the organization of olfactory sensory neurons in caterpillars of Pieris brassicae, a significant pest species in Europe and a well-studied species for its chemical ecology. To describe the larval olfactory system in this species, we first analyzed the head transcriptome of third-instar larvae (L3) and identified 16 odorant receptors (ORs) including the OR coreceptor (Orco), 13 ionotropic receptors (IRs), and 8 gustatory receptors (GRs). We then quantified the expression of these 16 ORs in different life stages, using qPCR, and found that the majority of ORs had significantly higher expression in the L4 stage than in the L3 and L5 stages, indicating that the larval olfactory system is not static throughout caterpillar development. Using an Orco-specific antibody, we identified all olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) expressing the Orco protein in L3, L4, and L5 caterpillars and found a total of 34 Orco-positive ORNs, distributed among three sensilla on the antenna. The number of Orco-positive ORNs did not differ among the three larval instars. Finally, we used retrograde axon tracing of the antennal nerve and identified a mean of 15 glomeruli in the larval antennal center (LAC), suggesting that the caterpillar olfactory system follows a similar design as the adult olfactory system, although with a lower numerical redundancy. Taken together, our results provide a detailed analysis of the larval olfactory neurons in P. brassicae, highlighting both the differences as well as the commonalities with the adult olfactory system. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the development of the olfactory system in insects and its life-stage-specific adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans M Smid
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel Dicke
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander Haverkamp
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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22
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He Q, Fan X, Wang S, Chen S, Chen J. Juvenile hormone inhibits adult cuticle formation in Drosophila melanogaster through Kr-h1/Dnmt2-mediated DNA methylation of Acp65A promoter. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:124-135. [PMID: 37916965 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation of imaginal epidermal cells of Drosophila melanogaster to form adult cuticles occurs at approximately 40-93 h after puparium formation. Juvenile hormone (JH) given at pupariation results in formation of a second pupal cuticle in the abdomen instead of the adult cuticle. Although the adult cuticle gene Acp65A has been reported to be down-regulated following JH treatment, the regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Here, we found that the JH primary response gene Krüppel homologue 1 (Kr-h1) plays a vital role in the repression of adult cuticle formation through the mediation of JH action. Overexpression of Kr-h1 mimicked-while knocking down of Kr-h1 attenuated-the inhibitory action of JH on the formation of the adult abdominal cuticle. Further, we found that Kr-h1 inhibited the transcription of Acp65A by directly binding to the consensus Kr-h1 binding site (KBS) within the Acp65A promoter region. Moreover, the DNA methyltransferase Dnmt2 was shown to interact with Kr-h1, combined with the KBS to promote the DNA methylation of sequences around the KBS, in turn inhibiting the transcription of Acp65A. This study advances our understanding of the molecular basis of the "status quo" action of JH on the Drosophila adult metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu He
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Xiaochun Fan
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Shunxin Wang
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Jinxia Chen
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
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23
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Yoshioka J, Ito Y, Fukao K. Morphogenesis of a chiral liquid crystalline droplet with topological reconnection and Lehmann rotation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7597. [PMID: 38556534 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58054-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Morphogenesis is a hierarchical phenomenon that produces various macroscopic structures in living organisms, with high reproducibility. This study demonstrates that such structural formation can also be observed in a chiral liquid crystalline droplet under a temperature gradient. Through specific control of the temperature change process, we were able to switch the final structure obtained as a result of the formation via the appearance and reconnection of loop defects in the transient state during structure formation. Simultaneously, the existence of the gradient resulted in a characteristic rotational phenomenon called Lehmann rotation, which was prominently induced in the transient state. By demonstrating three-dimensional measurements of the flow field, we revealed the existence of Marangoni convection in the state. Consequently, it is indicated that the convection results in high-speed Lehmann rotation and large structural deformation with topological changes, thereby playing a significant role in the structure formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yoshioka
- Department of Physical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan.
| | - Yuki Ito
- Department of Physical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Koji Fukao
- Department of Physical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
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24
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Zhang Y, Li H, Liu X, Li H, Lan Q, Wu H, Wang Y, Zhang J, Zhao X. Nuclear Receptor FTZ-F1 Controls Locust Molt by Regulating the Molting Process of Locusta migratoria. INSECTS 2024; 15:237. [PMID: 38667367 PMCID: PMC11050008 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Fushi-tarazu factor 1 (FTZ-F1) is a class of transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily and an important molting regulator in insects; however, its detailed function in the molting process of Locusta migratoria is still unclear. This study identified two FTZ-F1 transcripts (LmFTZ-F1-X1 and LmFTZ-F1-X2) in L. migratoria. The classical domains of FTZ-F1 were present in their protein sequences and distinguished based on their variable N-terminal domains. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that LmFTZ-F1-X1 and LmFTZ-F1-X2 were highly expressed in the integument. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to explore the function of LmFTZ-F1s in the molting of the third-instar nymph. Separate LmFTZ-F1-X1 or LmFTZ-F1-X2 silencing did not affect the normal development of third-instar nymphs; however, the simultaneous RNAi of LmFTZ-F1-X1 and LmFTZ-F1-X2 caused the nymphs to be trapped in the third instar stage and finally die. Furthermore, the hematoxylin-eosin and chitin staining of the cuticle showed that the new cuticles were thickened after silencing the LmFTZ-F1s compared to the controls. RNA-seq analysis showed that genes encoding four cuticle proteins, two chitin synthesis enzymes, and cytochrome P450 303a1 were differentially expressed between dsGFP- and dsLmFTZ-F1s-injected groups. Taken together, LmFTZ-F1-X1 and LmFTZ-F1-X2 are involved in the ecdysis of locusts, possibly by regulating the expression of genes involved in cuticle formation, chitin synthesis, and other key molting processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Hongjing Li
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Hongli Li
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Qiuyan Lan
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Haihua Wu
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhao
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
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25
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Domazet-Lošo M, Široki T, Šimičević K, Domazet-Lošo T. Macroevolutionary dynamics of gene family gain and loss along multicellular eukaryotic lineages. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2663. [PMID: 38531970 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47017-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The gain and loss of genes fluctuate over evolutionary time in major eukaryotic clades. However, the full profile of these macroevolutionary trajectories is still missing. To give a more inclusive view on the changes in genome complexity across the tree of life, here we recovered the evolutionary dynamics of gene family gain and loss ranging from the ancestor of cellular organisms to 352 eukaryotic species. We show that in all considered lineages the gene family content follows a common evolutionary pattern, where the number of gene families reaches the highest value at a major evolutionary and ecological transition, and then gradually decreases towards extant organisms. This supports theoretical predictions and suggests that the genome complexity is often decoupled from commonly perceived organismal complexity. We conclude that simplification by gene family loss is a dominant force in Phanerozoic genomes of various lineages, probably underpinned by intense ecological specializations and functional outsourcing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Domazet-Lošo
- Department of Applied Computing, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, Unska 3, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Tin Široki
- Department of Applied Computing, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, Unska 3, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Korina Šimičević
- Department of Applied Computing, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, Unska 3, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Domazet-Lošo
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
- School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 242, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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26
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Zhang XS, Wei L, Zhang W, Zhang FX, Li L, Li L, Wen Y, Zhang JH, Liu S, Yuan D, Liu Y, Ren C, Li S. ERK-activated CK-2 triggers blastema formation during appendage regeneration. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk8331. [PMID: 38507478 PMCID: PMC10954200 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk8331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Appendage regeneration relies on the formation of blastema, a heterogeneous cellular structure formed at the injury site. However, little is known about the early injury-activated signaling pathways that trigger blastema formation during appendage regeneration. Here, we provide compelling evidence that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-activated casein kinase 2 (CK-2), which has not been previously implicated in appendage regeneration, triggers blastema formation during leg regeneration in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. After amputation, CK-2 undergoes rapid activation through ERK-induced phosphorylation within blastema cells. RNAi knockdown of CK-2 severely impairs blastema formation by repressing cell proliferation through down-regulating mitosis-related genes. Evolutionarily, the regenerative role of CK-2 is conserved in zebrafish caudal fin regeneration via promoting blastema cell proliferation. Together, we find and demonstrate that the ERK-activated CK-2 triggers blastema formation in both cockroach and zebrafish, helping explore initiation factors during appendage regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Shuai Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Lin Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Fei-Xue Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Lin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Liang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yejie Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Jia-Hui Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Suning Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514779, China
| | - Dongwei Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514779, China
| | - Yanmei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Chonghua Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514779, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514779, China
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27
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Sullivan LF, Barker MS, Felix PC, Vuong RQ, White BH. Neuromodulation and the toolkit for behavioural evolution: can ecdysis shed light on an old problem? FEBS J 2024; 291:1049-1079. [PMID: 36223183 PMCID: PMC10166064 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16650] [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: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The geneticist Thomas Dobzhansky famously declared: 'Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution'. A key evolutionary adaptation of Metazoa is directed movement, which has been elaborated into a spectacularly varied number of behaviours in animal clades. The mechanisms by which animal behaviours have evolved, however, remain unresolved. This is due, in part, to the indirect control of behaviour by the genome, which provides the components for both building and operating the brain circuits that generate behaviour. These brain circuits are adapted to respond flexibly to environmental contingencies and physiological needs and can change as a function of experience. The resulting plasticity of behavioural expression makes it difficult to characterize homologous elements of behaviour and to track their evolution. Here, we evaluate progress in identifying the genetic substrates of behavioural evolution and suggest that examining adaptive changes in neuromodulatory signalling may be a particularly productive focus for future studies. We propose that the behavioural sequences used by ecdysozoans to moult are an attractive model for studying the role of neuromodulation in behavioural evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Sullivan
- Section on Neural Function, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Matthew S Barker
- Section on Neural Function, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Princess C Felix
- Section on Neural Function, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard Q Vuong
- Section on Neural Function, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin H White
- Section on Neural Function, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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28
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Pinto TJDS, Martínez-Guitarte JL, Amaral Dias M, Montagner CC, Espindola ELG, Muñiz-González AB. Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of the Insecticide Fipronil Modulated Molecular Response in Chironomus riparius. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:405-417. [PMID: 38018734 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Pesticides employed worldwide for crop protection easily reach aquatic systems, which act as the main reservoirs, and become a risk factor for aquatic fauna. Fipronil is a broad-spectrum insecticide acting on the insect nervous system; however, other effects and systems unrelated to this mechanism could be affected in non-target organisms. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the impact of fipronil on the suborganismal response (gene expression and enzymatic activity) of Chironomus riparius larvae as a model organism in ecotoxicology. To this end, short-term toxicity tests were carried out with fourth-instar larvae exposed to 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 µg L-1 of fipronil for 24 and 96 h. Messenger RNA levels of 42 genes related to diverse metabolic pathways were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, complemented with catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities. Few effects were observed at 24 h; however, after longer exposure (96 h), genes involved in the endocrine, detoxification, stress, and immune response pathways were altered. Moreover, fipronil at 96 h increased CAT and GST activity at 0.01 µg L-1 and AChE at the highest concentrations. The results demonstrate that even low environmentally relevant fipronil concentrations can modulate the molecular response of several cellular pathways in C. riparius after short-term exposure. These results bring new information about the underlying response of fipronil and its mode of action on a key aquatic invertebrate. Despite no effects on mortality, strong modulation at the suborganismal level emphasizes the advantage of biomarkers as early damage responses and the harmful impact of this pesticide on freshwater organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:405-417. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thandy Junio da Silva Pinto
- PPG-SEA and NEEA/CRHEA/SHS, São Carlos Engineering School, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Amaral Dias
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cassiana Carolina Montagner
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ana-Belén Muñiz-González
- Department of Physics, Mathematics, and Fluids, National Distance Education University, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Environment and Planning & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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29
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Guo Z, Bai Y, Zhang X, Guo L, Zhu L, Sun D, Sun K, Xu X, Yang X, Xie W, Wang S, Wu Q, Crickmore N, Zhou X, Zhang Y. RNA m 6 A Methylation Suppresses Insect Juvenile Hormone Degradation to Minimize Fitness Costs in Response to A Pathogenic Attack. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307650. [PMID: 38087901 PMCID: PMC10853702 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Bioinsecticides and transgenic crops based on the bacterial pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can effectively control diverse agricultural insect pests, nevertheless, the evolution of resistance without obvious fitness costs has seriously eroded the sustainable use of these Bt products. Recently, it has been discovered that an increased titer of juvenile hormone (JH) favors an insect host (Plutella xylostella) to enhance fitness whilst resisting the Bt pathogen, however, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of the increased JH titer are obscure. Here, the involvement of N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) RNA modification in modulating the availability of JH in this process is defined. Specifically, it is found that two m6 A methyltransferase subunit genes, PxMettl3 and PxMettl14, repress the expression of a key JH-degrading enzyme JH esterase (JHE) to induce an increased JH titer, mitigating the fitness costs associated with a robust defense against the Bt pathogen. This study identifies an as-yet uncharacterized m6 A-mediated epigenetic regulator of insect hormones for maintaining fitness during pathogen defense and unveils an emerging Bt resistance-related m6 A methylation atlas in insects, which further expands the functional landscape of m6 A modification and showcases the pivotal role of epigenetic regulation in host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Yang Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Le Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Liuhong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Dan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Kaiyue Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Xudan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Xin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Wen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Shaoli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Qingjun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Neil Crickmore
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of SussexBrightonBN1 9QGUK
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentucky40546‐0091USA
| | - Youjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
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30
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Xu X, Pu S, Jiang M, Hu X, Wang Q, Yu J, Chu J, Wei G, Wang L. Knockout of nuclear receptor HR38 gene impairs pupal-adult development in silkworm Bombyx mori. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:29-40. [PMID: 37738573 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are ligand-regulated transcription factors that play important role in regulating insect metamorphosis through the ecdysone signalling pathway. In this study, we investigated the nuclear receptor HR38 gene in Bombyx mori (BmHR38), belonging to the NR4A subfamily. BmHR38 mRNA was highly expressed in the head and epidermis at the pupal stage. The expression of the BmHR38 gene was influenced by different doses of 20E at different times. A BmHR38 deletion mutant silkworm was generated using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 system. Compared with the wild-type B. mori, the BmHR38 deletion mutant resulted in abnormal development during the pupal stage, leading to either failed eclosion or the formation of abnormal adult wings. After silencing of BmHR38 in the pupal stage, the phenotype of pupa or moth had no significant change, but it did result in reduced egg production. The mRNA levels of USP, E75 and E74 were significantly increased, while the transcript levels of FTZ-F1 were suppressed after RNA interference. Furthermore, interference with BmHR38 also inhibited the expressions of chitin metabolism genes, including Chs1, Chs2, Chi, Chi-h and CDA. Our results suggest that BmHR38 is essential for pupal development and pupa-adult metamorphosis in B. mori by regulating the expression of NRs and chitin metabolism genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Xu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Shangkun Pu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Mouzhen Jiang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Hu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Jianghong Chu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Guoqing Wei
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
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Morrow H, Mirth CK. Timing Drosophila development through steroid hormone action. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 84:102148. [PMID: 38271845 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102148] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Specifically timed pulses of the moulting hormone ecdysone are necessary for developmental progression in insects, guiding development through important milestones such as larval moults, pupation and metamorphosis. It also coordinates the acquisition of cell identities, known as cell patterning, and growth in a tissue-specific manner. In the absence of ecdysone, the ecdysone receptor heterodimer Ecdysone Receptor and Ultraspiracle represses expression of target primary response genes, which become de-repressed as the ecdysone titre rises. However, ecdysone signalling elicits both repressive and activating responses in a temporal and tissue-specific manner. To understand how ecdysone achieves such specificity, this review explores the layers of gene regulation involved in stage-appropriate ecdysone responses in Drosophila fruit flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Morrow
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3000, Australia.
| | - Christen K Mirth
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3000, Australia
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32
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Sun K, Ray S, Gupta N, Aldworth Z, Stopfer M. Olfactory system structure and function in newly hatched and adult locusts. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2608. [PMID: 38297144 PMCID: PMC10830560 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52879-7] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
An important question in neuroscience is how sensory systems change as animals grow and interact with the environment. Exploring sensory systems in animals as they develop can reveal how networks of neurons process information as the neurons themselves grow and the needs of the animal change. Here we compared the structure and function of peripheral parts of the olfactory pathway in newly hatched and adult locusts. We found that populations of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in hatchlings and adults responded with similar tunings to a panel of odors. The morphologies of local neurons (LNs) and projection neurons (PNs) in the antennal lobes (ALs) were very similar in both age groups, though they were smaller in hatchlings, they were proportional to overall brain size. The odor evoked responses of LNs and PNs were also very similar in both age groups, characterized by complex patterns of activity including oscillatory synchronization. Notably, in hatchlings, spontaneous and odor-evoked firing rates of PNs were lower, and LFP oscillations were lower in frequency, than in the adult. Hatchlings have smaller antennae with fewer OSNs; removing antennal segments from adults also reduced LFP oscillation frequency. Thus, consistent with earlier computational models, the developmental increase in frequency is due to increasing intensity of input to the oscillation circuitry. Overall, our results show that locusts hatch with a fully formed olfactory system that structurally and functionally matches that of the adult, despite its small size and lack of prior experience with olfactory stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Sun
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Subhasis Ray
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Plaksha University, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab, India
| | - Nitin Gupta
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, 208016, India
| | - Zane Aldworth
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Stopfer
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Qi Z, Etebari K, Nouzova M, Noriega FG, Asgari S. Differential gene expression and microRNA profile in corpora allata-corpora cardiaca of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with weak juvenile hormone signalling. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:113. [PMID: 38273232 PMCID: PMC10811912 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10007-9] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The corpora allata-corpora cardiaca (CA-CC) is an endocrine gland complex that regulates mosquito development and reproduction through the synthesis of juvenile hormone (JH). Epoxidase (Epox) is a key enzyme in the production of JH. We recently utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to establish an epoxidase-deficient (epox-/-) Aedes aegypti line. The CA from epox-/- mutants do not synthesize epoxidated JH III but methyl farneosate (MF), a weak agonist of the JH receptor, and therefore have reduced JH signalling. Illumina sequencing was used to examine the differences in gene expression between the CA-CC from wild type (WT) and epox-/- adult female mosquitoes. From 18,034 identified genes, 317 were significantly differentially expressed. These genes are involved in many biological processes, including the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, energy metabolism, and nutritional uptake. In addition, the same CA-CC samples were also used to examine the microRNA (miRNA) profiles of epox-/- and WT mosquitoes. A total of 197 miRNAs were detected, 24 of which were differentially regulated in epox-/- mutants. miRNA binding sites for these particular miRNAs were identified using an in silico approach; they target a total of 101 differentially expressed genes. Our results suggest that a lack of epoxidase, besides affecting JH synthesis, results in the diminishing of JH signalling that have significant effects on Ae. aegypti CA-CC transcriptome profiles, as well as its miRNA repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Qi
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kayvan Etebari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Marcela Nouzova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Fernando G Noriega
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Parasitology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Bataillé L, Lebreton G, Boukhatmi H, Vincent A. Insights and perspectives on the enigmatic alary muscles of arthropods. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1337708. [PMID: 38288343 PMCID: PMC10822924 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1337708] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Three types of muscles, cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscles are classically distinguished in eubilaterian animals. The skeletal, striated muscles are innervated multinucleated syncytia, which, together with bones and tendons, carry out voluntary and reflex body movements. Alary muscles (AMs) are another type of striated syncytial muscles, which connect the exoskeleton to the heart in adult arthropods and were proposed to control hemolymph flux. Developmental studies in Drosophila showed that larval AMs are specified in embryos under control of conserved myogenic transcription factors and interact with excretory, respiratory and hematopoietic tissues in addition to the heart. They also revealed the existence of thoracic AMs (TARMs) connecting to specific gut regions. Their asymmetric attachment sites, deformation properties in crawling larvae and ablation-induced phenotypes, suggest that AMs and TARMs could play both architectural and signalling functions. During metamorphosis, and heart remodelling, some AMs trans-differentiate into another type of muscles. Remaining critical questions include the enigmatic modes and roles of AM innervation, mechanical properties of AMs and TARMS and their evolutionary origin. The purpose of this review is to consolidate facts and hypotheses surrounding AMs/TARMs and underscore the need for further detailed investigation into these atypical muscles.
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35
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Christensen SM, Srinivas SN, McFrederick QS, Danforth BN, Buchmann SL, Vannette RL. Symbiotic bacteria and fungi proliferate in diapause and may enhance overwintering survival in a solitary bee. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae089. [PMID: 38767866 PMCID: PMC11177884 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Host-microbe interactions underlie the development and fitness of many macroorganisms, including bees. Whereas many social bees benefit from vertically transmitted gut bacteria, current data suggests that solitary bees, which comprise the vast majority of species diversity within bees, lack a highly specialized gut microbiome. Here, we examine the composition and abundance of bacteria and fungi throughout the complete life cycle of the ground-nesting solitary bee Anthophora bomboides standfordiana. In contrast to expectations, immature bee stages maintain a distinct core microbiome consisting of Actinobacterial genera (Streptomyces, Nocardiodes) and the fungus Moniliella spathulata. Dormant (diapausing) larval bees hosted the most abundant and distinctive bacteria and fungi, attaining 33 and 52 times their initial copy number, respectively. We tested two adaptive hypotheses regarding microbial functions for diapausing bees. First, using isolated bacteria and fungi, we found that Streptomyces from brood cells inhibited the growth of multiple pathogenic filamentous fungi, suggesting a role in pathogen protection during overwintering, when bees face high pathogen pressure. Second, sugar alcohol composition changed in tandem with major changes in fungal abundance, suggesting links with bee cold tolerance or overwintering biology. We find that A. bomboides hosts a conserved core microbiome that may provide key fitness advantages through larval development and diapause, which raises the question of how this microbiome is maintained and faithfully transmitted between generations. Our results suggest that focus on microbiomes of mature or active insect developmental stages may overlook stage-specific symbionts and microbial fitness contributions during host dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn M Christensen
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Sriram N Srinivas
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Quinn S McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, United States
| | - Bryan N Danforth
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Stephen L Buchmann
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, United States
| | - Rachel L Vannette
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
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36
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Manthey C, Johnston PR, Nakagawa S, Rolff J. Complete metamorphosis and microbiota turnover in insects. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:6543-6551. [PMID: 36039743 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The insects constitute the majority of animal diversity. Most insects are holometabolous: during complete metamorphosis their bodies are radically reorganized. This reorganization poses a significant challenge to the gut microbiota, as the gut is replaced during pupation, a process that does not occur in hemimetabolous insects. In holometabolous hosts, it offers the opportunity to decouple the gut microbiota between the larval and adult life stages resulting in high beta diversity whilst limiting alpha diversity. Here, we studied 18 different herbivorous insect species from five orders of holometabolous and three orders of hemimetabolous insects. Comparing larval and adult specimens, we find a much higher beta-diversity and hence microbiota turnover in holometabolous insects compared to hemimetabolous insects. Alpha diversity did not differ between holo- and hemimetabolous insects nor between developmental stages within these groups. Our results support the idea that pupation offers the opportunity to change the gut microbiota and hence might facilitate ecological niche shifts. This possible effect of niche shift facilitation could explain a selective advantage of the evolution of complete metamorphosis, which is a defining trait of the most speciose insect taxon, the holometabola.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Manthey
- Institut für Biologie, Evolutionary Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul R Johnston
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jens Rolff
- Institut für Biologie, Evolutionary Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
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37
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Gong ZX, Cheng FP, Xu JN, Yan WY, Wang ZL. The Juvenile-Hormone-Responsive Factor AmKr-h1 Regulates Caste Differentiation in Honey Bees. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1657. [PMID: 38002339 PMCID: PMC10669509 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111657] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are typical model organisms for the study of caste differentiation, and the juvenile hormone (JH) is a crucial link in the regulatory network of caste differentiation in honey bees. To investigate the mechanism of JH-mediated caste differentiation, we analyzed the effect of the JH response gene AmKr-h1 on this process. We observed that AmKr-h1 expression levels were significantly higher in queen larvae than in worker larvae at the 48 h, 84 h, and 120 h larval stages, and were regulated by JH. Inhibiting AmKr-h1 expression in honey bee larvae using RNAi could lead to the development of larvae toward workers. We also analyzed the transcriptome changes in honey bee larvae after AmKr-h1 RNAi and identified 191 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 682 differentially expressed alternative splicing events (DEASEs); of these, many were related to honey bee caste differentiation. Our results indicate that AmKr-h1 regulates caste differentiation in honey bees by acting as a JH-responsive gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Xian Gong
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (Z.-X.G.); (F.-P.C.); (J.-N.X.); (W.-Y.Y.)
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Fu-Ping Cheng
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (Z.-X.G.); (F.-P.C.); (J.-N.X.); (W.-Y.Y.)
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Jia-Ning Xu
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (Z.-X.G.); (F.-P.C.); (J.-N.X.); (W.-Y.Y.)
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Wei-Yu Yan
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (Z.-X.G.); (F.-P.C.); (J.-N.X.); (W.-Y.Y.)
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Zi-Long Wang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (Z.-X.G.); (F.-P.C.); (J.-N.X.); (W.-Y.Y.)
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China
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Yan J, Kim CH, Chesser L, Ramirez JL, Stone CM. Nutritional stress compromises mosquito fitness and antiviral immunity, while enhancing dengue virus infection susceptibility. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1123. [PMID: 37932414 PMCID: PMC10628303 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05516-4] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Diet-induced nutritional stress can influence pathogen transmission potential in mosquitoes by impacting life history traits, infection susceptibility, and immunity. To investigate these effects, we manipulate mosquito diets at larval and adult stages, creating two nutritional levels (low and normal), and expose adults to dengue virus (DENV). We observe that egg number is reduced by nutritional stress at both stages and viral exposure separately and jointly, while the likelihood of laying eggs is exclusively influenced by adult nutritional stress. Adult nutritional stress alone shortens survival, while any pairwise combination between both-stage stress and viral exposure have a synergistic effect. Additionally, adult nutritional stress increases susceptibility to DENV infection, while larval nutritional stress likely has a similar effect operating via smaller body size. Furthermore, adult nutritional stress negatively impacts viral titers in infected mosquitoes; however, some survive and show increased titers over time. The immune response to DENV infection is overall suppressed by larval and adult nutritional stress, with specific genes related to Toll, JAK-STAT, and Imd immune signaling pathways, and antimicrobial peptides being downregulated. Our findings underscore the importance of nutritional stress in shaping mosquito traits, infection outcomes, and immune responses, all of which impact the vectorial capacity for DENV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayue Yan
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA.
| | - Chang-Hyun Kim
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Leta Chesser
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Jose L Ramirez
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Crop Bioprotection Research Unit, Peoria, IL, USA
| | - Chris M Stone
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
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Zhang R, Liu W, Fu J, Zhang Z. MicroRNA-989 controls Aedes albopictus pupal-adult transition process by influencing cuticle chitin metabolism in pupae. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:397. [PMID: 37919799 PMCID: PMC10623821 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05976-x] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes albopictus is a vector of numerous devastating arboviruses and places heavy burdens on global public health. Chitin is one of the important components of cuticles and targeting chitin metabolism is a promising strategy for preventing mosquito dispersal and mosquito-borne diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in various physiological processes of insects. METHODS A previous analysis suggested that the microRNA miR-989 is potentially involved in chitin metabolism in Ae. albopictus pupae. In the present study, we found that the expression level of miR-989 was significantly overexpressed after injection of agomir. A dual-luciferase assay was used to determine the direct target of miR-989. Survival rate, eclosion rate and malformation rate were statistically analyzed to evaluate the potential effect of miR-989. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and chitin staining were used to evaluate the microstructural changes in the cuticles of Ae. albopictus pupae. RESULTS Overexpression of miR-989 resulted in a significantly reduced survival rate and eclosion rate of pupae and an elevated malformation rate of adults. The results suggested that miR-989 acted as a regulator of chitin metabolism in Ae. albopictus pupae by affecting the transcript levels of the Ae. albopictus genes encoding chitin synthase 1 (AaCHS1) and chitinase 10 (AaCht10). The altered expression levels of the two chitin metabolism-related enzymes (CHS1 and Cht10, respectively) caused the structural changes in cuticles and further affected the pupal-adult transition process of Ae. albopictus. XM_029863591.1 was proven to be the target gene of miR-989 and displayed similar effects on pupae as miR-989. CONCLUSIONS The microRNA miR-989 was found to be essential for chitin metabolism in old and new cuticles of Ae. albopictus pupae. The results of the current study suggested that miR-989 could be used as a potential target to control Ae. albopictus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiling Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China.
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, China.
- School of Laboratory Animal (Shandong Laboratory Animal Center), Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, China.
| | - Wenjuan Liu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Jingwen Fu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Zhong Zhang
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, China.
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40
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Zhou Y, Zhou L, Li Q, Zhu X, Yu Z, Ke H, Chen Q, Ren B. Transcriptome analysis and identification of genes related to environmental adaptation of Grylloprimevala jilina Zhou & Ren 2023. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10717. [PMID: 38020696 PMCID: PMC10659822 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10717] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Grylloprimevala jilina is a true cave insect living in the dark areas of caves. It has the characteristics of sparse skin pigmentation, degeneration of the compound eyes and monocular eyes, and obvious preference for high-humidity and low-temperature environments. Given the highly specialized, rare, and limited distribution, G. jilina is considered an endangered species and also a first-level national protected insect in China. Cave creatures often undergo dramatic morphological changes in their sensory systems to adapt to the cave environment. Most previous studies mainly focused on morphological adaptive changes in cave insects, and only a few studied the changes at the gene level. In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis of G. jilina and constructed phylogenetic trees of genes that are related to environmental adaptation, including chemosensory, visual-related, reproduction-related, temperature adaptation-related, and winged morph differentiation-related genes. Besides, the expression levels of environmental adaption-related genes in different tissues, including antennae, heads, thoraxes, abdomens, legs, and tails, were analyzed. The results showed the loss of chemosensory genes and vision-related genes, the conservation of reproduction-related genes and temperature adaptation-related genes, and the conservation of wing-related genes despite the loss of wings, and the results were consistent with other cave insects. The identification and expression study of genes possibly related to the environmental adaptability in G. jilina provided basic data for the protection of this endangered species and increased knowledge about insect evolution in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhou
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and UtilizationNortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOENortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Lin Zhou
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and UtilizationNortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOENortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
- Istitude of Plant Protection Jilim Academy of Agricultural Science/Jilin Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology/Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northeast ChinaMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AreasGongzhlingChina
| | - Qiuyao Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and UtilizationNortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOENortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and UtilizationNortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOENortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Zhongbo Yu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and UtilizationNortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOENortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Haoqin Ke
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and UtilizationNortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOENortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Qi Chen
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and UtilizationNortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOENortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Bingzhong Ren
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and UtilizationNortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOENortheast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
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Fan ST, Wu MZ, Liu C, Li HH, Huang SH, Zheng ZJ, Ye XY, Tan JF, Zhu GH. Azadirachtin Inhibits Nuclear Receptor HR3 in the Prothoracic Gland to Block Larval Ecdysis in the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:15497-15505. [PMID: 37843053 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Azadirachtin has been used to control agricultural pests for a long time; however, the molecular mechanism of azadirachtin on lepidopterans is still not clear. In this study, the fourth instar larvae of fall armyworm were fed with azadirachtin, and then the ecdysis was blocked in the fourth instar larval stage (L4). The prothoracic glands (PGs) of the treated larvae were dissected for RNA sequencing to determine the effect of azadirachtin on ecdysis inhibition. Interestingly, one of the PG-enriched genes, the nuclear hormone receptor 3 (HR3), was decreased after azadirachtin treatment, which plays a critical role in the 20-hydroxyecdysone action during ecdysis. To deepen the understanding of azadirachtin on ecdysis, the HR3 was knocked out by using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, while the HR3 mutants displayed embryonic lethal phenotype; thus, the stage-specific function of HR3 during larval molting was not enabled to unfold. Hence, the siRNA was injected into the 24 h L4 larvae to knock down HR3. After 96 h, the injected larvae were blocked in the old cuticle during ecdysis which is consistent with the azadirachtin-treated larvae. Taken together, we envisioned that the inhibition of ecdysis in the fall armyworm after the azadirachtin treatment is due to an interference with the expression of HR3 in PG, resulting in larval mortality. The results in this study specified the understanding of azadirachtin on insect ecdysis and the function of HR3 in lepidopteran in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Ting Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Mian-Zhi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Chang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Hua-Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Shang-Huan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zi-Jing Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xi-Yu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Jin-Fang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Guan-Heng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
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Oishi S, Moriyama M, Mizutani M, Futahashi R, Fukatsu T. Regulation and remodeling of microbial symbiosis in insect metamorphosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304879120. [PMID: 37769258 PMCID: PMC10556603 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304879120] [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: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Many insects are dependent on microbial mutualists, which are often harbored in specialized symbiotic organs. Upon metamorphosis, insect organs are drastically reorganized. What mechanism regulates the remodeling of the symbiotic organ upon metamorphosis? How does it affect the microbial symbiont therein? Here, we addressed these fundamental issues of symbiosis by experimentally manipulating insect metamorphosis. The stinkbug Plautia stali possesses a midgut symbiotic organ wherein an essential bacterial symbiont resides. By RNAi of master regulator genes for metamorphosis, Kr-h1 over nymphal traits and E93 over adult traits, we generated precocious adults and supernumerary nymphs of P. stali, thereby disentangling the effects of metamorphosis, growth level, developmental stage, and other factors on the symbiotic system. Upon metamorphosis, the symbiotic organ of P. stali was transformed from nymph type to adult type. The supernumerary nymphs and the precocious adults, respectively, developed nymph-type and adult-type symbiotic organs not only morphologically but also transcriptomically, uncovering that metamorphic remodeling of the symbiotic organ is under the control of the MEKRE93 pathway. Transcriptomic, cytological, and biochemical analyses unveiled that the structural and transcriptomic remodeling of the symbiotic organ toward adult emergence underpins its functional extension to food digestion in addition to the original role of symbiont retention for essential nutrient production. Notably, we found that the symbiotic bacteria in the adult-type symbiotic organ up-regulated genes for production of sulfur-containing essential amino acids, methionine and cysteine, that are rich in eggs and sperm, uncovering adult-specific symbiont functioning for host reproduction and highlighting intricate host-symbiont interactions associated with insect metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayumi Oishi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 113-0033Tokyo, Japan
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 305-8566Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Minoru Moriyama
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 305-8566Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Masaki Mizutani
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 305-8566Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ryo Futahashi
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 305-8566Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takema Fukatsu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 113-0033Tokyo, Japan
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 305-8566Tsukuba, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 305-8572Tsukuba, Japan
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Wani AR, Chowdhury B, Luong J, Chaya GM, Patel K, Isaacman-Beck J, Shafer O, Kayser MS, Syed MH. Stem cell-specific ecdysone signaling regulates the development and function of a Drosophila sleep homeostat. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.29.560022. [PMID: 37873323 PMCID: PMC10592846 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.29.560022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Complex behaviors arise from neural circuits that are assembled from diverse cell types. Sleep is a conserved and essential behavior, yet little is known regarding how the nervous system generates neuron types of the sleep-wake circuit. Here, we focus on the specification of Drosophila sleep-promoting neurons-long-field tangential input neurons that project to the dorsal layers of the fan-shaped body neuropil in the central complex (CX). We use lineage analysis and genetic birth dating to identify two bilateral Type II neural stem cells that generate these dorsal fan-shaped body (dFB) neurons. We show that adult dFB neurons express Ecdysone-induced protein E93, and loss of Ecdysone signaling or E93 in Type II NSCs results in the misspecification of the adult dFB neurons. Finally, we show that E93 knockdown in Type II NSCs affects adult sleep behavior. Our results provide insight into how extrinsic hormonal signaling acts on NSCs to generate neuronal diversity required for adult sleep behavior. These findings suggest that some adult sleep disorders might derive from defects in stem cell-specific temporal neurodevelopmental programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil R Wani
- Neural Diversity Lab, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 219 Yale Blvd Ne, 87131 Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Budhaditya Chowdhury
- The Advanced Science Research Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Jenny Luong
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gonzalo Morales Chaya
- Neural Diversity Lab, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 219 Yale Blvd Ne, 87131 Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Krishna Patel
- Neural Diversity Lab, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 219 Yale Blvd Ne, 87131 Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Orie Shafer
- The Advanced Science Research Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Matthew S. Kayser
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Chronobiology Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mubarak Hussain Syed
- Neural Diversity Lab, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 219 Yale Blvd Ne, 87131 Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Zhang Y, Ai H, Wang Y, Zhang P, Du L, Wang J, Wang S, Gao H, Li B. A pattern recognition receptor C-type lectin TcCTL14 contributes to immune response and development in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:1363-1377. [PMID: 36518010 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Evidence is accumulating that pattern recognition receptor (PRR) C-type lectins (CTL) play essential roles in recognition of pathogens. TcCTL14 (accession no. TC00871) contains the most domains among all CTL of Tribolium castaneum. Yet the biological function of TcCTL14 remains unclear. In this study, TcCTL14 exhibiting typical motif and domain of CTL was cloned from T. castaneum. The expression pattern analysis showed that TcCTL14 was highly expressed in late pupae and central nervous system, and was upregulated after treatment with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Analysis of binding affinity revealed that recombinant TcCTL14 not only could bind to lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan in a dose-dependent fashion, but possibly could bind to and agglutinate different bacteria in a Ca2+ -dependent fashion. Knockdown of TcCTL14 before injection with bacteria led to the downregulation of nuclear factor-κB transcription factors of Toll/IMD and 4 antimicrobial peptides. Knockdown of TcCTL14 also caused suppressed metamorphosis, reduced fecundity, and delayed embryogenesis of T. castaneum. Further observation discovered that knockdown of TcCTL14 inhibited the development of ovaries and embryos. The detection of signaling pathways revealed that TcCTL14 may be involved in metamorphosis and fecundity by impacting 20-hydroxyecdysone and vitellogenin, respectively. Overall, these results indicate that TcCTL14 may contribute to immune response by agglutination or regulating the expression of antimicrobial peptides by the Toll/IMD pathway, and is required for T. castaneum development including metamorphosis, fecundity, and embryogenesis. These findings will improve the functional cognition of PRR CTL in insects and provide the new strategy for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huayi Ai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yihan Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liheng Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiatao Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Suisui Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Han Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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Chen Y, Li H, Yi TC, Shen J, Zhang J. Notch Signaling in Insect Development: A Simple Pathway with Diverse Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14028. [PMID: 37762331 PMCID: PMC10530718 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814028] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway which functions between adjacent cells to establish their distinct identities. Despite operating in a simple mechanism, Notch signaling plays remarkably diverse roles in development to regulate cell fate determination, organ growth and tissue patterning. While initially discovered and characterized in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster, recent studies across various insect species have revealed the broad involvement of Notch signaling in shaping insect tissues. This review focuses on providing a comprehensive picture regarding the roles of the Notch pathway in insect development. The roles of Notch in the formation and patterning of the insect embryo, wing, leg, ovary and several specific structures, as well as in physiological responses, are summarized. These results are discussed within the developmental context, aiming to deepen our understanding of the diversified functions of the Notch signaling pathway in different insect species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.C.)
| | - Haomiao Li
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.C.)
| | - Tian-Ci Yi
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.C.)
| | - Junzheng Zhang
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.C.)
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Leyria J, Guarneri AA, Lorenzo MG, Nouzova M, Noriega FG, Benrabaa SAM, Fernandez-Lima F, Valadares Tose L, Orchard I, Lange AB. Effects of mating on female reproductive physiology in the insect model, Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of the causative parasite of Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011640. [PMID: 37729234 PMCID: PMC10545099 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011640] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-sucking hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus is one of the main vectors of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that affects several million people worldwide. Consuming a blood meal and mating are events with a high epidemiological impact since after each meal, mated females can lay fertile eggs that result in hundreds of offspring. Thus, a better knowledge of the control of R. prolixus reproductive capacity may provide targets for developing novel strategies to control vector populations, thereby reducing vector-host contacts and disease transmission. Here, we have used a combination of gene transcript expression analysis, biochemical assays, hormone measurements and studies of locomotory activity to investigate how mating influences egg development and egg laying rates in R. prolixus females. The results demonstrate that a blood meal increases egg production capacity and leads to earlier egg laying in mated females compared to virgins. Virgin females, however, have increased survival rate over mated females. Circulating juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysteroid titers are increased in mated females, a process mainly driven through an upregulation of the transcripts for their biosynthetic enzymes in the corpus allatum and ovaries, respectively. Mated females display weaker locomotory activity compared to virgin females, mainly during the photophase. In essence, this study shows how reproductive output and behaviour are profoundly influenced by mating, highlighting molecular, biochemical, endocrine and behavioral features differentially expressed in mated and virgin R. prolixus females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | | | - Marcelo G. Lorenzo
- Instituto René Rachou, Avenida Augusto de Lima, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología (INBIOTEC-CONICET), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela Nouzova
- Biology Center of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Fernando G. Noriega
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Parasitology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Francisco Fernandez-Lima
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lilian Valadares Tose
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | - Angela B. Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
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Smykal V, Chodakova L, Hejnikova M, Briedikova K, Wu BCH, Vaneckova H, Chen P, Janovska A, Kyjakova P, Vacha M, Dolezel D. Steroid receptor coactivator TAIMAN is a new modulator of insect circadian clock. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010924. [PMID: 37683015 PMCID: PMC10511111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
TAIMAN (TAI), the only insect ortholog of mammalian Steroid Receptor Coactivators (SRCs), is a critical modulator of ecdysone and juvenile hormone (JH) signaling pathways, which govern insect development and reproduction. The modulatory effect is mediated by JH-dependent TAI's heterodimerization with JH receptor Methoprene-tolerant and association with the Ecdysone Receptor complex. Insect hormones regulate insect physiology and development in concert with abiotic cues, such as photo- and thermoperiod. Here we tested the effects of JH and ecdysone signaling on the circadian clock by a combination of microsurgical operations, application of hormones and hormone mimics, and gene knockdowns in the linden bug Pyrrhocoris apterus males. Silencing taiman by each of three non-overlapping double-strand RNA fragments dramatically slowed the free-running period (FRP) to 27-29 hours, contrasting to 24 hours in controls. To further corroborate TAIMAN's clock modulatory function in the insect circadian clock, we performed taiman knockdown in the cockroach Blattella germanica. Although Blattella and Pyrrhocoris lineages separated ~380 mya, B. germanica taiman silencing slowed the FRP by more than 2 hours, suggesting a conserved TAI clock function in (at least) some insect groups. Interestingly, the pace of the linden bug circadian clock was neither changed by blocking JH and ecdysone synthesis, by application of the hormones or their mimics nor by the knockdown of corresponding hormone receptors. Our results promote TAI as a new circadian clock modulator, a role described for the first time in insects. We speculate that TAI participation in the clock is congruent with the mammalian SRC-2 role in orchestrating metabolism and circadian rhythms, and that TAI/SRCs might be conserved components of the circadian clock in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vlastimil Smykal
- Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Chodakova
- Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Hejnikova
- Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Bulah Chia-Hsiang Wu
- Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Vaneckova
- Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ping Chen
- Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Janovska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Kyjakova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Vacha
- Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Dolezel
- Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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Zheng Z, Liu S, Lin Z, Aweya JJ, Zheng Z, Zhao Y, Chen X, Li S, Zhang Y. Kruppel homolog 1 modulates ROS production and antimicrobial peptides expression in shrimp hemocytes during infection by the Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain that causes AHPND. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1246181. [PMID: 37711612 PMCID: PMC10497957 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1246181] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Shrimp aquaculture has been seriously affected by acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), caused by a strain of Vibrio parahaemolyticus that carries the Pir toxin plasmids (V. parahaemolyticus (AHPND)). In this study, the transcription factor, Kruppel homolog 1-like of Peneaus vannamei (PvKr-h1), was significantly induced in shrimp hemocytes after V. parahaemolyticus (AHPND) challenge, suggesting that PvKr-h1 is involved in shrimp immune response. Knockdown of PvKr-h1 followed by V. parahaemolyticus (AHPND) challenge increased bacterial abundance in shrimp hemolymph coupled with high shrimp mortality. Moreover, transcriptome and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that PvKr-h1 silencing followed by V. parahaemolyticus (AHPND) challenge dysregulated the expression of several antioxidant-related enzyme genes, such as Cu-Zu SOD, GPX, and GST, and antimicrobial peptide genes, i.e., CRUs and PENs, and reduced ROS activity and nuclear translocation of Relish. These data reveal that PvKr-h1 regulates shrimps' immune response to V. parahaemolyticus (AHPND) infection by suppressing antioxidant-related enzymes, enhancing ROS production and promoting nuclei import of PvRelish to stimulate antimicrobial peptide genes expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Zheng
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Department of Reproductive Medicine, Luohu Clinical College of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Shangjie Liu
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Department of Reproductive Medicine, Luohu Clinical College of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Zhongyang Lin
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Jude Juventus Aweya
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
- College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zhihong Zheng
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Yongzhen Zhao
- Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Nanning, China
| | - Xiuli Chen
- Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Nanning, China
| | - Shengkang Li
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Yueling Zhang
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
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Lyu B, Li J, Niemeyer B, Stanley D, Song Q. Identification and characterization of ecdysis-related neuropeptides in the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1256618. [PMID: 37693356 PMCID: PMC10490126 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1256618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is an important ectoparasite known for transmitting diseases to humans and animals. Ecdysis-related neuropeptides (ERNs) control behaviors crucial for arthropods to shed exoskeletons. However, ERN identification and characterization in A. americanum remain incomplete. Methods We investigated ERNs in A. americanum, assessing their evolutionary relationships, protein properties, and functions. Phylogeny, sequence alignment, and domain structures of ERNs were analyzed. ERN functionality was explored using enrichment analysis, and developmental and tissue-specific ERN expression profiles were examined using qPCR and RNAi experiments. Results and discussion The study shows that ERN catalogs (i.e., eclosion hormone, corazonin, and bursicon) are found in most arachnids, and these ERNs in A. americanum have high evolutionary relatedness with other tick species. Protein modeling analysis indicates that ERNs primarily consist of secondary structures and protein stabilizing forces (i.e., hydrophobic clusters, hydrogen bond networks, and salt bridges). Gene functional analysis shows that ENRs are involved in many ecdysis-related functions, including ecdysis-triggering hormone activity, neuropeptide signaling pathway, and corazonin receptor binding. Bursicon proteins have functions in chitin binding and G protein-coupled receptor activity and strong interactions with leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5. ERNs were expressed in higher levels in newly molted adults and synganglia. RNAi-mediated knockdown of burs α and burs β expression led to a significant decrease in the expression of an antimicrobial peptide, defensin, suggesting they might act in signaling or regulatory pathways that control the expression of immune-related genes. Arthropods are vulnerable immediately after molting because new cuticles are soft and susceptible to injury and pathogen infections. Bursicon homodimers act in prophylactic immunity during this vulnerable period by increasing the synthesis of transcripts encoding antimicrobial peptides to protect them from microbial invasion. Collectively, the expression pattern and characterization of ERNs in this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the physiological processes in A. americanum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Lyu
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Jingjing Li
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Brigid Niemeyer
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - David Stanley
- Biological Control of Insect Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Station (USDA/ARS), Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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Chen Z, Zhang A, Xu X, Ding L, Zhang X, Qian C, Zhu B. Toll-interacting protein participates in immunity and development of the lepidopteran insect Antheraea pernyi. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:497-507. [PMID: 37278204 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Toll-interacting protein (Tollip) participates in multiple biological processes. However, the biological functions of Tollip proteins in insects remain to be further explored. Here, the genomic sequence of tollip gene from Antheraea pernyi (named Ap-Tollip) was identified with a length of 15,060 bp, including eight exons and seven introns. The predicted Ap-Tollip protein contained conserved C2 and CUE domains and was highly homologous to those tollips from invertebrates. Ap-Tollip was highly expressed in fat body compared with other determined tissues. As far as the developmental stages were concerned, the highest expression level was found at the 14th day in eggs or the 3rd day of the 1st instar. Ap-Tollip was also obviously regulated by lipopolysaccharide, polycytidylic acid or 20E in different tissues. In addition, the interaction between Ap-Tollip and ubiquitin was confirmed by western blotting and pull-down assay. RNAi of Ap-Tollip significantly affected the expression levels of apoptosis and autophagy-related genes. These results indicated that Ap-Tollip was involved in immunity and development of A. pernyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Awei Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xuan Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Lu Ding
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiaojiao Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Cen Qian
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Baojian Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
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