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Omokungbe B, Centurión A, Stiehler S, Morr A, Vilcinskas A, Steinbrink A, Hardes K. Gene silencing in the aedine cell lines C6/36 and U4.4 using long double-stranded RNA. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:255. [PMID: 38863029 PMCID: PMC11167938 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06340-3] [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: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi) is a target-specific gene silencing method that can be used to determine gene functions and investigate host-pathogen interactions, as well as facilitating the development of ecofriendly pesticides. Commercially available transfection reagents (TRs) can improve the efficacy of RNAi. However, we currently lack a product and protocol for the transfection of insect cell lines with long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). METHODS We used agarose gel electrophoresis to determine the capacity of eight TRs to form complexes with long dsRNA. A CellTiter-Glo assay was then used to assess the cytotoxicity of the resulting lipoplexes. We also measured the cellular uptake of dsRNA by fluorescence microscopy using the fluorophore Cy3 as a label. Finally, we analyzed the TRs based on their transfection efficacy and compared the RNAi responses of Aedes albopictus C6/36 and U4.4 cells by knocking down an mCherry reporter Semliki Forest virus in both cell lines. RESULTS The TRs from Biontex (K4, Metafectene Pro, and Metafectene SI+) showed the best complexing capacity and the lowest dsRNA:TR ratio needed for complete complex formation. Only HiPerFect was unable to complex the dsRNA completely, even at a ratio of 1:9. Most of the complexes containing mCherry-dsRNA were nontoxic at 2 ng/µL, but Lipofectamine 2000 was toxic at 1 ng/µL in U4.4 cells and at 2 ng/µL in C6/36 cells. The transfection of U4.4 cells with mCherry-dsRNA/TR complexes achieved significant knockdown of the virus reporter. Comparison of the RNAi response in C6/36 and U4.4 cells suggested that C6/36 cells lack the antiviral RNAi response because there was no significant knockdown of the virus reporter in any of the treatments. CONCLUSIONS C6/36 cells have an impaired RNAi response as previously reported. This investigation provides valuable information for future RNAi experiments by showing how to mitigate the adverse effects attributed to TRs. This will facilitate the judicious selection of TRs and transfection conditions conducive to RNAi research in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodunrin Omokungbe
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Alejandra Centurión
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Stiehler
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Antonia Morr
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Antje Steinbrink
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
- BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research "ASCRIBE", Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
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Niu X, Jiang J, Sun Y, Hull JJ, Ma W, Hua H, Lin Y. Knockdown of MAPK p38-linked genes increases the susceptibility of Chilo suppressalis larvae to various transgenic Bt rice lines. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:130815. [PMID: 38537847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130815] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins have provided exceptional control of agricultural insect pests, however, over reliance on the proteins would potentially contribute to the development of field tolerance. Developing new sustainable insect pest control methods that target the mechanisms underlying Bt tolerance can potentially support the Bt control paradigm while also providing insights into basic insect physiology. The MAPK p38 pathway is strongly associated with Bt tolerance in Chilo suppressalis, a major pest of rice. To gain insights into how this pathway impacts tolerance, high-throughput screening of C. suppressalis larval midguts initially identified eight novel target genes. Increased larval sensitivity to the transgenic cry1Ca rice strain T1C-19 was observed following RNA interference-mediated knockdown of four of the genes, Cscnc, Csgcp, Cszfp26 and CsZMYM1. Similar enhanced sensitivity to the TT51 (expressing Cry1Ab/1Ac) and T2A-1 (expressing Cry2Aa) transgenic rice lines occurred when Cszfp26 and CsZMYM1 were knocked down. All four target genes are downstream of the MAPK p38 pathway but do not participate in negative feedback loop of the pathway. These results implicate Cscnc, Csgcp, Cszfp and CsZMYM1 in the C. suppressalis transgenic cry1Ca rice tolerance mechanism regulated by MAPK p38. These findings further enhance our understanding of the MAPK p38-dependent molecular mechanisms underlying Bt tolerance in C. suppressalis and open new avenues of tolerance management to develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xurong Niu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Jialiang Jiang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Yajie Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - J Joe Hull
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Hongxia Hua
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
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3
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Wang Y, Yao Y, Zhang Y, Qian X, Guo D, Coates BS. A chromosome-level genome assembly of the soybean pod borer: insights into larval transcriptional response to transgenic soybean expressing the pesticidal Cry1Ac protein. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:355. [PMID: 38594617 PMCID: PMC11005160 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10216-2] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetically modified (GM) crop plants with transgenic expression of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) pesticidal proteins are used to manage feeding damage by pest insects. The durability of this technology is threatened by the selection for resistance in pest populations. The molecular mechanism(s) involved in insect physiological response or evolution of resistance to Bt is not fully understood. RESULTS To investigate the response of a susceptible target insect to Bt, the soybean pod borer, Leguminivora glycinivorella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), was exposed to soybean, Glycine max, expressing Cry1Ac pesticidal protein or the non-transgenic parental cultivar. Assessment of larval changes in gene expression was facilitated by a third-generation sequenced and scaffolded chromosome-level assembly of the L. glycinivorella genome (657.4 Mb; 27 autosomes + Z chromosome), and subsequent structural annotation of 18,197 RefSeq gene models encoding 23,735 putative mRNA transcripts. Exposure of L. glycinivorella larvae to transgenic Cry1Ac G. max resulted in prediction of significant differential gene expression for 204 gene models (64 up- and 140 down-regulated) and differential splicing among isoforms for 10 genes compared to unexposed cohorts. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) included putative peritrophic membrane constituents, orthologs of Bt receptor-encoding genes previously linked or associated with Bt resistance, and those involved in stress responses. Putative functional Gene Ontology (GO) annotations assigned to DEGs were significantly enriched for 36 categories at GO level 2, respectively. Most significantly enriched cellular component (CC), biological process (BP), and molecular function (MF) categories corresponded to vacuolar and microbody, transport and metabolic processes, and binding and reductase activities. The DEGs in enriched GO categories were biased for those that were down-regulated (≥ 0.783), with only MF categories GTPase and iron binding activities were bias for up-regulation genes. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insights into pathways and processes involved larval response to Bt intoxication, which may inform future unbiased investigations into mechanisms of resistance that show no evidence of alteration in midgut receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangzhou Wang
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Yao Yao
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Yunyue Zhang
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Xueyan Qian
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Dongquan Guo
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China.
| | - Brad S Coates
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Corn Insects & Crop Genetics Research Unit, 532 Science II, 2310 Pammel Dr., Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
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Li S, Xu F, Zhang Y, Gao Z, Han Z, Feng C. Identification and characteristic analysis of an extracellular signal-regulated kinase from Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 115:e22077. [PMID: 38288489 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22077] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, a critical genetic determinant, controls diverse physiological functions, including innate immunity, development, and stress response. In the current study, a full-length cDNA (1592bp) encoding the ERK gene (OfERK) was cloned from Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée (GenBank accession number: MF797866). The open reading frame of the OfERK gene encoded 364 amino acids and shared 96.43%-98.08% amino acid identities with other insect mitogen-activated protein kinases. For spatiotemporal analysis of the expression pattern, OfERK exhibited a significant peak expression on the 3rd day of the pupa stage and showed the highest expression in hemocytes specifically. Indirect immunofluorescence assays and immuno-electron microscopy revealed a wide distribution of the OfERK protein in hemocytes and epidermis. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the Bt Cry1Ab-activated toxin significantly induces the expression of OfERK. Other genes related to immune response, development, and stress response exhibited dynamic changes in expression after Cry1Ab oral treatment. The expression of OfERK was downregulated through RNA interference, and the correlation of its expression with other related genes was verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our study provides valuable insights into the regulatory mechanism of ERK in insects for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhong Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yiqiang Zhang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zupeng Gao
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhaoyang Han
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Congjing Feng
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Ashraf MZ, Mogilicherla K, Sellamuthu G, Siino V, Levander F, Roy A. Comparative gut proteomics study revealing adaptive physiology of Eurasian spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1157455. [PMID: 38078109 PMCID: PMC10703158 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1157455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The bark beetle, Ips typographus (L.), is a major pest of Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.), causing enormous economic losses globally. The adult stage of the I. typographus has a complex life cycle (callow and sclerotized); the callow beetles feed ferociously, whereas sclerotized male beetles are more aggressive and pioneers in establishing new colonies. We conducted a comparative proteomics study to understand male and female digestion and detoxification processes in callow and sclerotized beetles. Proteome profiling was performed using high-throughput liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of >3000 proteins were identified from the bark beetle gut, and among them, 539 were differentially abundant (fold change ±2, FDR <0.05) between callow and sclerotized beetles. The differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) mainly engage with binding, catalytic activity, anatomical activity, hydrolase activity, metabolic process, and carbohydrate metabolism, and hence may be crucial for growth, digestion, detoxification, and signalling. We validated selected DAPs with RT-qPCR. Gut enzymes such as NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CYC), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and esterase (EST) play a crucial role in the I. typographus for detoxification and digesting of host allelochemicals. We conducted enzyme activity assays with them and observed a positive correlation of CYC and GST activities with the proteomic results, whereas EST activity was not fully correlated. Furthermore, our investigation revealed that callow beetles had an upregulation of proteins associated with juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis and chitin metabolism, whereas sclerotized beetles exhibited an upregulation of proteins linked to fatty acid metabolism and the TCA cycle. These distinctive patterns of protein regulation in metabolic and functional processes are specific to each developmental stage, underscoring the adaptive responses of I. typographicus in overcoming conifer defences and facilitating their survival. Taken together, it is the first gut proteomic study comparing males and females of callow and sclerotized I. typographus, shedding light on the adaptive ecology at the molecular level. Furthermore, the information about bark beetle handling of nutritionally limiting and defence-rich spruce phloem diet can be utilized to formulate RNAi-mediated beetle management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zubair Ashraf
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Kanakachari Mogilicherla
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Gothandapani Sellamuthu
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Valentina Siino
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Levander
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden (NBIS), Science for Life Laboratory, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Amit Roy
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
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Wu Y, Weng Z, Yan H, Yao Z, Li Z, Sun Y, Ma K, Hull JJ, Zhang D, Ma W, Hua H, Lin Y. The microRNA-7322-5p/p38/Hsp19 axis modulates Chilo suppressalis cell-defences against Cry1Ca: an effective target for a stacked transgenic rice approach. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1827-1838. [PMID: 37353991 PMCID: PMC10440986 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14095] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-secreted crystal (Cry) toxins form oligomeric pores in host cell membranes and are a common element in generating insect-resistant transgenic crops. Although Cry toxin function has been well documented, cellular defences against pore-formation have not been as well developed. Elucidation of the processes underlying this defence, however, could contribute to the development of enhanced Bt crops. Here, we demonstrate that Cry1Ca-mediated downregulation of microRNA-7322-5p (miR-7322-5p), which binds to the 3' untranslated region of p38, negatively regulates the susceptibility of Chilo suppressalis to Cry1Ca. Moreover, Cry1Ca exposure enhanced phosphorylation of Hsp19, and hsp19 downregulation increased susceptibility to Cry1Ca. Further, Hsp19 phosphorylation occurs downstream of p38, and pull-down assays confirmed the interactions between Hsp19 and Cry1Ca, suggesting that activation of Hsp19 by the miR-7322-5p/p38/Hsp19 pathway promotes Cry1Ca sequestration. To assess the efficacy of targeting this pathway in planta, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting C. suppressalis p38 (dsp38) was introduced into a previously generated cry1Ca-expressing rice line (1CH1-2) to yield a single-copy cry1Ca/dsp38 rice line (p38-rice). Feeding on this rice line triggered a significant reduction in C. suppressalis p38 expression and the line was more resistant to C. suppressalis than 1CH1-2 in both short term (7-day) and continuous feeding bioassays as well as field trials. These findings provide new insights into invertebrate epithelium cellular defences and demonstrate a potential new pyramiding strategy for Bt crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Zijin Weng
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Haixia Yan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Zhuotian Yao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Zhenzhen Li
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Yajie Sun
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Kangsheng Ma
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - J. Joe Hull
- U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Department of AgricultureU.S. Agricultural Research ServiceMaricopaArizonaUSA
| | - Delin Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Hongxia Hua
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
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Vogel E, Santos D, Huygens C, Peeters P, Van den Brande S, Wynant N, Vanden Broeck J. The Study of Cell-Penetrating Peptides to Deliver dsRNA and siRNA by Feeding in the Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria. INSECTS 2023; 14:597. [PMID: 37504603 PMCID: PMC10380834 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
RNA(i) interference is a gene silencing mechanism triggered by double-stranded (ds)RNA, which promises to contribute to species-specific insect pest control strategies. The first step toward the application of RNAi as an insecticide is to enable efficient gene silencing upon dsRNA oral delivery. The desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria is a devastating agricultural pest. While this species is responsive to dsRNA delivered by intra-hemocoelic injection, it is refractory to orally delivered dsRNA. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of five cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) to bind long dsRNA and protect it from the locust midgut environment. We then selected the CPP EB1 for further in vivo studies. EB1:dsRNA complexes failed to induce RNAi by feeding. Interestingly, we observed that intra-hemocoelic injection of small-interfering (si)RNAs does not result in a silencing response, but that this response can be obtained by injecting EB1:siRNA complexes. EB1 also protected siRNAs from midgut degradation activity. However, EB1:siRNA complexes failed as well in triggering RNAi when fed. Our findings highlight the complexity of the dsRNA/siRNA-triggered RNAi in this species and emphasize the multifactorial nature of the RNAi response in insects. Our study also stresses the importance of in vivo studies when it comes to dsRNA/siRNA delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Vogel
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dulce Santos
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cissy Huygens
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paulien Peeters
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stijn Van den Brande
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Niels Wynant
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Müller R, Bálint M, Hardes K, Hollert H, Klimpel S, Knorr E, Kochmann J, Lee KZ, Mehring M, Pauls SU, Smets G, Steinbrink A, Vilcinskas A. RNA interference to combat the Asian tiger mosquito in Europe: A pathway from design of an innovative vector control tool to its application. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 66:108167. [PMID: 37164239 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is currently spreading across Europe, facilitated by climate change and global transportation. It is a vector of arboviruses causing human diseases such as chikungunya, dengue hemorrhagic fever and Zika fever. For the majority of these diseases, no vaccines or therapeutics are available. Options for the control of Ae. albopictus are limited by European regulations introduced to protect biodiversity by restricting or phasing out the use of pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or products of genome editing. Alternative solutions are thus urgently needed to avoid a future scenario in which Europe faces a choice between prioritizing human health or biodiversity when it comes to Aedes-vectored pathogens. To ensure regulatory compliance and public acceptance, these solutions should preferably not be based on chemicals or GMOs and must be cost-efficient and specific. The present review aims to synthesize available evidence on RNAi-based mosquito vector control and its potential for application in the European Union. The recent literature has identified some potential target sites in Ae. albopictus and formulations for delivery. However, we found little information concerning non-target effects on the environment or human health, on social aspects, regulatory frameworks, or on management perspectives. We propose optimal designs for RNAi-based vector control tools against Ae. albopictus (target product profiles), discuss their efficacy and reflect on potential risks to environmental health and the importance of societal aspects. The roadmap from design to application will provide readers with a comprehensive perspective on the application of emerging RNAi-based vector control tools for the suppression of Ae. albopictus populations with special focus on Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Müller
- Unit Entomology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 9, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Miklós Bálint
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research "ASCRIBE", Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Department Media-related Toxicity, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sven Klimpel
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Integrative Parasitology and Zoophysiology, Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eileen Knorr
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Judith Kochmann
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kwang-Zin Lee
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Marion Mehring
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; ISOE - Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Hamburger Allee 45, 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Steffen U Pauls
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Greet Smets
- Perseus BV, Kortrijksesteenweg 127 B1, B-9830 Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium
| | - Antje Steinbrink
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
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Muita BK, Baxter SW. Temporal Exposure to Bt Insecticide Causes Oxidative Stress in Larval Midgut Tissue. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15050323. [PMID: 37235357 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050323] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) three-domain Cry toxins are highly successful biological pesticides; however, the mechanism through which they cause death to targeted larval midgut cells is not fully understood. Herein, we challenged transgenic Bt-susceptible Drosophila melanogaster larvae with moderate doses of activated Cry1Ac toxin and assessed the midgut tissues after one, three, and five hours using transmission electron microscopy and transcriptome sequencing. Larvae treated with Cry1Ac showed dramatic changes to their midgut morphology, including shortened microvilli, enlarged vacuoles, thickened peritrophic membranes, and swelling of the basal labyrinth, suggesting water influx. Transcriptome analysis showed that innate immune responses were repressed, genes involved with cell death pathways were largely unchanged, and mitochondria-related genes were strongly upregulated following toxin exposure. Defective mitochondria produced after toxin exposure were likely to contribute to significant levels of oxidative stress, which represent a common physiological response to a range of toxic chemicals. Significant reductions in both mitochondrial aconitase activity and ATP levels in the midgut tissue supported a rapid increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) following exposure to Cry1Ac. Overall, these findings support the role of water influx, midgut cell swelling, and ROS activity in response to moderate concentrations of Cry1Ac.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biko K Muita
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Simon W Baxter
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
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10
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Prabu S, Jing D, Jurat-Fuentes JL, Wang Z, He K. Hemocyte response to treatment of susceptible and resistant Asian corn borer ( Ostrinia furnacalis) larvae with Cry1F toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1022445. [PMID: 36466886 PMCID: PMC9714555 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1022445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Midgut receptors have been recognized as the major mechanism of resistance to Cry proteins in lepidopteran larvae, while there is a dearth of data on the role of hemocyte's response to Cry intoxication and resistance development. We aimed at investigating the role of circulating hemocytes in the intoxication of Cry1F toxin in larvae from susceptible (ACB-BtS) and resistant (ACB-FR) strains of the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis. Transcriptome and proteome profiling identified genes and proteins involved in immune-related (tetraspanin and C-type lectins) and detoxification pathways as significantly up-regulated in the hemocytes of Cry1F treated ACB-FR. High-throughput in vitro assays revealed the binding affinity of Cry1F with the tetraspanin and C-type lectin family proteins. We found significant activation of MAPKinase (ERK 1/2, p38α, and JNK 1/2) in the hemocytes of Cry1F treated ACB-FR. In testing plausible crosstalk between a tetraspanin (CD63) and downstream MAPK signaling, we knocked down CD63 expression by RNAi and detected an alteration in JNK 1/2 level but a significant increase in susceptibility of ACB-FR larvae to Cry1F toxin. Information from this study advances a change in knowledge on the cellular immune response to Cry intoxication and its potential role in resistance in a lepidopteran pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivaprasath Prabu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dapeng Jing
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Zhenying Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kanglai He
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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11
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A Caenorhabditis elegans nck-1 and filamentous actin-regulating protein pathway mediates a key cellular defense against bacterial pore-forming proteins. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010656. [PMID: 36374839 PMCID: PMC9704757 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pore-forming proteins (PFPs) comprise the largest single class of bacterial protein virulence factors and are expressed by many human and animal bacterial pathogens. Cells that are attacked by these virulence factors activate epithelial intrinsic cellular defenses (or INCEDs) to prevent the attendant cellular damage, cellular dysfunction, osmotic lysis, and organismal death. Several conserved PFP INCEDs have been identified using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the nematicidal PFP Cry5B, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Here we demonstrate that the gene nck-1, which has homologs from Drosophila to humans and links cell signaling with localized F-actin polymerization, is required for INCED against small-pore PFPs in C. elegans. Reduction/loss of nck-1 function results in C. elegans hypersensitivity to PFP attack, a hallmark of a gene required for INCEDs against PFPs. This requirement for nck-1-mediated INCED functions cell-autonomously in the intestine and is specific to PFPs but not to other tested stresses. Genetic interaction experiments indicate that nck-1-mediated INCED against PFP attack is independent of the major MAPK PFP INCED pathways. Proteomics and cell biological and genetic studies further indicate that nck-1 functions with F-actin cytoskeleton modifying genes like arp2/3, erm-1, and dbn-1 and that nck-1/arp2/3 promote pore repair at the membrane surface and protect against PFP attack independent of p38 MAPK. Consistent with these findings, PFP attack causes significant changes in the amount of actin cytoskeletal proteins and in total amounts of F-actin in the target tissue, the intestine. nck-1 mutant animals appear to have lower F-actin levels than wild-type C. elegans. Studies on nck-1 and other F-actin regulating proteins have uncovered a new and important role of this pathway and the actin cytoskeleton in PFP INCED and protecting an intestinal epithelium in vivo against PFP attack.
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12
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Xie Y, Xu C, Gao M, Zhang X, Lu L, Hu X, Chen W, Jurat-Fuentes JL, Zhu Q, Liu Y, Lin M, Zhong J, Liu X. Docking-based generation of antibodies mimicking Cry1A/1B protein binding sites as potential insecticidal agents against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:4593-4606. [PMID: 34092019 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Broad use of insecticidal Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis in biopesticides and transgenic crops has resulted in cases of practical field resistance, highlighting the need for novel approaches to insect control. Previously we described an anti-Cry1Ab idiotypic-antibody (B12-scFv) displaying toxicity against rice leafroller (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) larvae, supporting the potential of antibodies for pest control. The goal of the present study was to generate insecticidal antibodies against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae. RESULTS Four genetically engineered antibodies (GEAbs) were designed in silico from B12-scFv using three-dimensional (3D) structure and docking predictions to alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as a Cry1Ac receptor in P. xylostella. Among these GEAbs, the GEAb-dVL antibody consisting of two light chains had overlapping binding sites with Cry1A and Cry1B proteins and displayed high binding affinity to P. xylostella midgut brush border membrane (BBM) proteins. Proteins in BBM identified by pull-down assays as binding to GEAb-dVL included an ABC transporter and V-ATPase subunit A protein. Despite lacking the α-helical structures in Cry1A that are responsible for pore formation, ingestion of GEAb-dVL disrupted the P. xylostella larval midgut epithelium and resulted in toxicity. Apoptotic genes were activated in gut cells upon treatment with GEAb-dVL . CONCLUSION This study describes the first insecticidal GEAb targeting P. xylostella by mimicking Cry proteins. Data support that GEAb-dVL toxicity is associated to activation of intracellular cell death pathways, in contrast to pore-formation associated toxicity of Cry proteins. This work provides a foundation for the design of novel insecticidal antibodies for insect control. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Xie
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Chongxin Xu
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Meijing Gao
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Lina Lu
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodan Hu
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Wei Chen
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Juan L Jurat-Fuentes
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Qing Zhu
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Manman Lin
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Jianfeng Zhong
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Xianjin Liu
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, P. R. China
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13
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Guo Z, Kang S, Wu Q, Wang S, Crickmore N, Zhou X, Bravo A, Soberón M, Zhang Y. The regulation landscape of MAPK signaling cascade for thwarting Bacillus thuringiensis infection in an insect host. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009917. [PMID: 34495986 PMCID: PMC8452011 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions are central components of ecological networks where the MAPK signaling pathways act as central hubs of these complex interactions. We have previously shown that an insect hormone modulated MAPK signaling cascade participates as a general switch to trans-regulate differential expression of diverse midgut genes in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) to cope with the insecticidal action of Cry1Ac toxin, produced by the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The relationship between topology and functions of this four-tiered phosphorylation signaling cascade, however, is an uncharted territory. Here, we carried out a genome-wide characterization of all the MAPK orthologs in P. xylostella to define their phylogenetic relationships and to confirm their evolutionary conserved modules. Results from quantitative phosphoproteomic analyses, combined with functional validations studies using specific inhibitors and dsRNAs lead us to establish a MAPK "road map", where p38 and ERK MAPK signaling pathways, in large part, mount a resistance response against Bt toxins through regulating the differential expression of multiple Cry toxin receptors and their non-receptor paralogs in P. xylostella midgut. These data not only advance our understanding of host-pathogen interactions in agricultural pests, but also inform the future development of biopesticides that could suppress Cry resistance phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojiang Guo
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (ZG); (YZ)
| | - Shi Kang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingjun Wu
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shaoli Wang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Neil Crickmore
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Mario Soberón
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (ZG); (YZ)
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14
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Bacterial Toxins Active against Mosquitoes: Mode of Action and Resistance. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13080523. [PMID: 34437394 PMCID: PMC8402332 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Larvicides based on the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis svar. israelensis (Bti) and Lysinibacillus sphaericus are effective and environmentally safe compounds for the control of dipteran insects of medical importance. They produce crystals that display specific and potent insecticidal activity against larvae. Bti crystals are composed of multiple protoxins: three from the three-domain Cry type family, which bind to different cell receptors in the midgut, and one cytolytic (Cyt1Aa) protoxin that can insert itself into the cell membrane and act as surrogate receptor of the Cry toxins. Together, those toxins display a complex mode of action that shows a low risk of resistance selection. L. sphaericus crystals contain one major binary toxin that display an outstanding persistence in field conditions, which is superior to Bti. However, the action of the Bin toxin based on its interaction with a single receptor is vulnerable for resistance selection in insects. In this review we present the most recent data on the mode of action and synergism of these toxins, resistance issues, and examples of their use worldwide. Data reported in recent years improved our understanding of the mechanism of action of these toxins, showed that their combined use can enhance their activity and counteract resistance, and reinforced their relevance for mosquito control programs in the future years.
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15
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Arshad F, Sharma A, Lu C, Gulia-Nuss M. RNAi by Soaking Aedes aegypti Pupae in dsRNA. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12070634. [PMID: 34357293 PMCID: PMC8307132 DOI: 10.3390/insects12070634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Even after decades of control interventions, mosquito-borne diseases still pose a huge threat to humans. Understanding gene functions is important for discovering new targets for mosquito and mosquito-borne disease control. One of the well-established and widely used methods for understanding gene function is RNA-interference (RNAi). The use of RNAi is, however, restricted mostly to adult mosquitoes. A few studies have shown its applicability in mosquito larvae, and just one in pupae. The current double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery methods for RNAi are labor-intensive and require microinjections into mosquitoes (adults, larvae, or pupae). In this study, we present a simple, fast, and less labor-intensive technique for RNAi in the pupal stage by soaking pupae in water containing dsRNA. This method will be useful in studying genes expressed in immature life stages of the mosquitoes and will hopefully open new avenues for identifying mosquito control targets in early life stages. Abstract RNA-interference (RNAi) is a standard technique for functional genomics in adult mosquitoes. However, RNAi in immature, aquatic mosquito stages has been challenging. Several studies have shown successful larval RNAi, usually in combination with a carrier molecule. Except for one study in malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, none of the previous studies has explored RNAi in mosquito pupae. Even in the study that used RNAi in pupae, double stranded RNA (dsRNA) was introduced by microinjection. Here, we describe a successful method by soaking pupae in water containing dsRNA without any carrier or osmotic challenge. The knockdown persisted into adulthood. We expect that this simple procedure will be useful in the functional analysis of genes that highly express in pupae or newly emerged adults.
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Wei J, Yao X, Yang S, Liu S, Zhou S, Cen J, Liu X, Du M, Tang Q, An S. Suppression of Calcineurin Enhances the Toxicity of Cry1Ac to Helicoverpa armigera. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:634619. [PMID: 33643268 PMCID: PMC7904703 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.634619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal proteins has rapidly evolved with the expansion of the planting area of transgenic Bt crops. Pyramiding RNA interference (RNAi) and Bt in crops is urgently needed to counter the rapid increase in pest resistance. The ideal “pyramid” strategy simultaneously targets different action pathways that exert synergetic effects on each other. Here, we identified a dephosphatase, namely, Helicoverpa armigera calcineurin (HaCAN), which might enhance the insecticidal activity of Cry1Ac against Helicoverpa armigera by regulating immune gene expression via dephosphatase activity, but not by acting as a receptor. Notably, blocking enzyme activity or knocking down endogenous HaCAN significantly promoted the enhancement in Cry1Ac toxicity to insect larvae and cells. Correspondingly, the increase in HaCAN activity reduced the cytotoxicity of Cry1Ac as shown by the heterologous expression of HaCAN. Our results provide a probable that HaCAN is an important candidate gene for pyramiding RNAi and Cry1Ac crops to control cotton bollworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jizhen Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xue Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shaokai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shuai Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Junjuan Cen
- Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Qixian, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xiaoguang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengfang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qingbo Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shiheng An
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
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17
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Pinos D, Andrés-Garrido A, Ferré J, Hernández-Martínez P. Response Mechanisms of Invertebrates to Bacillus thuringiensis and Its Pesticidal Proteins. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2021; 85:e00007-20. [PMID: 33504654 PMCID: PMC8549848 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00007-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive use of chemical insecticides adversely affects both environment and human health. One of the most popular biological pest control alternatives is bioinsecticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis This entomopathogenic bacterium produces different protein types which are toxic to several insect, mite, and nematode species. Currently, insecticidal proteins belonging to the Cry and Vip3 groups are widely used to control insect pests both in formulated sprays and in transgenic crops. However, the benefits of B. thuringiensis-based products are threatened by insect resistance evolution. Numerous studies have highlighted that mutations in genes coding for surrogate receptors are responsible for conferring resistance to B. thuringiensis Nevertheless, other mechanisms may also contribute to the reduction of the effectiveness of B. thuringiensis-based products for managing insect pests and even to the acquisition of resistance. Here, we review the relevant literature reporting how invertebrates (mainly insects and Caenorhabditis elegans) respond to exposure to B. thuringiensis as either whole bacteria, spores, and/or its pesticidal proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pinos
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Ascensión Andrés-Garrido
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Juan Ferré
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Patricia Hernández-Martínez
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
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18
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Yang Y, Huang X, Yuan W, Xiang Y, Guo X, Wei W, Soberón M, Bravo A, Liu K. Bacillus thuringiensis cry toxin triggers autophagy activity that may enhance cell death. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 171:104728. [PMID: 33357550 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although it is well known that Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins kill insect pest by disrupting midgut cells of susceptible larvae through their pore formation activity, it is not clear what intracellular events are triggered after pore formation on the cell membrane of the target cells. Here we analyzed the role of Cry toxins on autophagy activation using several cell lines as models as well as in Helicoverpa armigera larvae. The selected insect cell lines (Hi5, Sl-HP and Sf9) were susceptible to activated Cry1Ca toxin, but only Sl-HP cells were also susceptible to activated Cry1Ac toxin. In contrast, the mammalian cell line 293 T was not susceptible to Cry1Ac or to Cry1Ca. Results show that Cry toxins induced autophagy only in the susceptible cell lines as shown by the analysis of the changes in the ratio of Atg8-PE to Atg8 and by formation of autophagosome dots containing Atg8-PE. The Cry1Ac enhanced autophagy in the midgut tissue of H. armigera larvae. Silencing expression of specific genes by RNAi assays confirmed that the autophagy induced by activated Cry toxins was dependent on AMPK and JNK pathways. Finally, inhibition of autophagy in the cell lines by specific inhibitors or RNAi assays resulted in delayed cell death triggered by Cry toxins, suggesting that the increased autophagy activity observed after toxin intoxication may contribute to cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongbo Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiaoying Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wanli Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yang Xiang
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xueqin Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wei Wei
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Mario Soberón
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Kaiyu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China,.
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19
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Gurusamy D, Mogilicherla K, Shukla JN, Palli SR. Lipids help double-stranded RNA in endosomal escape and improve RNA interference in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 104:e21678. [PMID: 32297364 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a valuable method for understanding the gene function and holds great potential for insect pest management. While RNAi is efficient and systemic in coleopteran insects, RNAi is inefficient in lepidopteran insects. In this study, we explored the possibility of improving RNAi in the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda cells by formulating dsRNA with Cellfectin II (CFII) transfection reagent. The CFII formulated dsRNA was protected from degradation by endonucleases present in Sf9 cells conditioned medium, hemolymph and midgut lumen contents collected from the FAW larvae. Lipid formulated dsRNA also showed reduced accumulation in the endosomes of Sf9 cells and FAW tissues. Exposing Sf9 cells and tissues to CFII formulated dsRNA caused a significant knockdown of endogenous genes. CFII formulated dsIAP fed to FAW larvae induced knockdown of iap gene, growth retardation and mortality. Processing of dsRNA into siRNA was detected in Sf9 cells and Spodoptera frugiperda larvae treated with CFII conjugated 32 P-UTP labeled dsGFP. Overall, the present study concluded that delivering dsRNA formulated with CFII transfection reagent helps dsRNA escapes from the endosomal accumulation and improved RNAi efficiency in the FAW cells and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhandapani Gurusamy
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546, USA
| | | | - Jayendra Nath Shukla
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546, USA
| | - Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546, USA
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20
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Munawar K, Alahmed AM, Khalil SMS. Delivery Methods for RNAi in Mosquito Larvae. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2020; 20:5877674. [PMID: 32725159 PMCID: PMC7387866 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-transmitted diseases pose a threat for a great portion of the world population. Chemical insecticides are the main tool for mosquito control. Heavy dependence on chemicals created several problems such as resistance development in many mosquito species, environmental effects, and human health issues. Other tools for mosquito control were developed and used in some parts of the world. Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) is a reverse genetic mechanism that was recently introduced as a new tool for pest control. Regarding mosquito, RNAi was used to study gene function and to discover genes that can be used as targets for control purposes. Several delivery methods are used to induce RNAi in mosquito larvae. Some methods such as injection and soaking are used routinely in RNAi research but have no application in the field. Other methods such as nanoparticles and microbes have some characteristics that make them good candidates for field application. In this report, we will focus on delivery methods for RNAi in mosquito larvae and will give examples for each method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashif Munawar
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Azzam M Alahmed
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sayed M S Khalil
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
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21
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MAPK-directed activation of the whitefly transcription factor CREB leads to P450-mediated imidacloprid resistance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:10246-10253. [PMID: 32327610 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1913603117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of insect resistance to pesticides poses a continuing threat to agriculture and human health. While much is known about the proximate molecular and biochemical mechanisms that confer resistance, far less is known about the regulation of the specific genes/gene families involved, particularly by trans-acting factors such as signal-regulated transcription factors. Here we resolve in fine detail the trans-regulation of CYP6CM1, a cytochrome P450 that confers resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, by the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-directed activation of the transcription factor cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB). Reporter gene assays were used to identify the putative promoter of CYP6CM1, but no consistent polymorphisms were observed in the promoter of a resistant strain of B. tabaci (imidacloprid-resistant, IMR), which overexpresses this gene, compared to a susceptible strain (imidacloprid-susceptible, IMS). Investigation of potential trans-acting factors using in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that the bZIP transcription factor CREB directly regulates CYP6CM1 expression by binding to a cAMP-response element (CRE)-like site in the promoter of this gene. CREB is overexpressed in the IMR strain, and inhibitor, luciferase, and RNA interference assays revealed that a signaling pathway of MAPKs mediates the activation of CREB, and thus the increased expression of CYP6CM1, by phosphorylation-mediated signal transduction. Collectively, these results provide mechanistic insights into the regulation of xenobiotic responses in insects and implicate both the MAPK-signaling pathway and a transcription factor in the development of pesticide resistance.
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22
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Wang M, Zhang S, Shi Y, Yang Y, Wu Y. Global gene expression changes induced by knockout of a protease gene cluster in Helicoverpa armigera with CRISPR/Cas9. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 122:104023. [PMID: 32061647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2020.104023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most serious agricultural insect pests of global importance. It is highly polyphagous and depends on digestive serine proteases to degrade proteins to peptides and to amino acids. H. armigera has evolved adaptive ability to compensate for the inhibition of plant defensive protease inhibitors (PIs) in its diet by overproduction of digestive enzymes. As far as we know, compensation for deletion of serine protease genes has not yet been studied in any herbivorous insect. In this study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out a cluster of 18 trypsin-like genes in H. armigera. Compared with the wild type SCD strain, activities of the total proteases, trypsins and chymotrypsins were not significantly changed in the gene cluster knockout strain (Tryp-KO). RNA-seq data showed 1492 upregulated and 461 downregulated DEGs in Try-KO. GO function classification and KEGG pathway analyses revealed these differentially expressed genes were enriched for terms related to binding, catalytic activity, metabolic process and signal transduction. In regard to serine protease genes, 35 were upregulated and 12 downregulated in Tryp-KO strain. Our study indicated that H. armigera can compensate for the deleted protease genes by overexpression of other trypsin and chymotrypsin genes in order to maintain its genetic and metabolic robustness. It also suggests that genetic perturbations created by genome editing tools can induce global gene expression changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Shuangshuang Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Yu Shi
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Yihua Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Yidong Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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23
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Liu J, Wang L, Zhou G, Gao S, Sun T, Liu J, Gao B. Midgut transcriptome analysis of Clostera anachoreta treated with lethal and sublethal Cry1Ac protoxin. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 103:e21638. [PMID: 31702074 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Clostera anachoreta is one of the important Lepidoptera insect pests in forestry, especially in poplars woods in China, Europe, Japan, and India, and so forth, and also the target insect of Cry1Ac toxin and Bt plants. Six genes, HSC70, GNB2L/RACK1, PNLIP, BI1-like, arylphorin type 2, and PKM were found in this study, and they might be associated with the response to the Cry1Ac toxin, found by analyzing the transcriptome data. And the PI3K-Akt pathway was highly enriched in differentially expressed unigenes and linked to several crucial pathways, including the B-cell receptor signaling pathway, toll-like receptor pathway, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. They might be involved in the recovery stage of the damaged midgut during the response to sublethal doses of Cry1Ac toxin. This is the first study conducted to specifically investigate C. anachoreta response to Cry toxin stress using large-scale sequencing technologies, and the results highlighted some important genes and pathways that could be involved in Btcry1Ac resistance development or could serve as targets for biologically based control mechanisms of this insect pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Ecological Laboratory, Forestry College, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Liucheng Wang
- Ecological Laboratory, Forestry College, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Guona Zhou
- Ecological Laboratory, Forestry College, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Suhong Gao
- Ecological Laboratory, Forestry College, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Changli, China
| | - Tianhua Sun
- Ecological Laboratory, Forestry College, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Junxia Liu
- Ecological Laboratory, Forestry College, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Baojia Gao
- Ecological Laboratory, Forestry College, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
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24
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Negri A, Ferrari M, Nodari R, Coppa E, Mastrantonio V, Zanzani S, Porretta D, Bandi C, Urbanelli S, Epis S. Gene silencing through RNAi and antisense Vivo-Morpholino increases the efficacy of pyrethroids on larvae of Anopheles stephensi. Malar J 2019; 18:294. [PMID: 31462239 PMCID: PMC6712854 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2925-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Insecticides are still at the core of insect pest and vector control programmes. Several lines of evidence indicate that ABC transporters are involved in detoxification processes against insecticides, including permethrin and other pyrethroids. In particular, the ABCG4 gene, a member of the G subfamily, has consistently been shown to be up-regulated in response to insecticide treatments in the mosquito malaria vector Anopheles stephensi (both adults and larvae). Methods To verify the actual involvement of this transmembrane protein in the detoxification process of permethrin, bioassays on larvae of An. stephensi, combining the insecticide with a siRNA, specifically designed for the inhibition of ABCG4 gene expression were performed. Administration to larvae of the same siRNA, labeled with a fluorescent molecule, was effected to investigate the systemic distribution of the inhibitory RNA into the larval bodies. Based on siRNA results, similar experiments using antisense Vivo-Morpholinos (Vivo-MOs) were effected. These molecules, compared to siRNA, are expected to guarantee a higher stability in environmental conditions and in the insect gut, and present thus a higher potential for future in-field applications. Results Bioassays using two different concentrations of siRNA, associated with permethrin, led to an increase of larval mortality, compared with results with permethrin alone. These outcomes confirm that ABCG4 transporter plays a role in the detoxification process against the selected insecticide. Moreover, after fluorescent labelling, it was shown the systemic dissemination of siRNA in different body districts of An. stephensi larvae, which suggest a potential systemic effect of the molecule. At the same time, results of Vivo-MO experiments were congruent with those obtained using siRNA, thus confirming the potential of ABCG4 inhibition as a strategy to increase permethrin susceptibility in mosquitoes. For the first time, Vivo-MOs were administered in water to larvae, with evidence for a biological effect. Conclusions Targeting ABCG4 gene for silencing through both techniques resulted in an increased pyrethroid efficacy. These results open the way toward the possibility to exploit ABCG4 inhibition in the context of integrated programmes for the control An. stephensi mosquitoes and malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Negri
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria/Italian Malaria Network, Via del Giochetto, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Ferrari
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78227-5301, USA
| | - Riccardo Nodari
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria/Italian Malaria Network, Via del Giochetto, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Edoardo Coppa
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Mastrantonio
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine-DIMEVET, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Porretta
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria/Italian Malaria Network, Via del Giochetto, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sandra Urbanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy. .,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria/Italian Malaria Network, Via del Giochetto, 06126, Perugia, Italy.
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25
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Ghodke AB, Good RT, Golz JF, Russell DA, Edwards O, Robin C. Extracellular endonucleases in the midgut of Myzus persicae may limit the efficacy of orally delivered RNAi. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11898. [PMID: 31417162 PMCID: PMC6695413 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47357-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Myzus persicae is a major pest of many crops including canola and Brassica vegetables, partly because it vectors plant viruses. Previously it has been reported that double-stranded RNA delivered to aphids by injection, artificial diet or transgenic plants has knocked down target genes and caused phenotypic effects. While these studies suggest that RNA interference (RNAi) might be used to suppress aphid populations, none have shown effects sufficient for field control. The current study analyses the efficacy of dsRNA directed against previously reported gene-targets on Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) strains. No silencing effect was observed when dsRNA was delivered in artificial diet with or without transfection reagents. dsRNA produced in planta also failed to induce significant RNAi in M. persicae. Transcriptome analyses of the midgut suggested other potential targets including the Ferritin heavy chain transcripts, but they also could not be knocked down with dsRNA. Here we show that dsRNA is rapidly degraded by midgut secretions of Myzus persicae. Analysis of the transcriptome of the M. persicae midgut revealed that an ortholog of RNases from other insects was abundant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amol Bharat Ghodke
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robert Trygve Good
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John F Golz
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Derek A Russell
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Charles Robin
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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26
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Brito C, Cabanes D, Sarmento Mesquita F, Sousa S. Mechanisms protecting host cells against bacterial pore-forming toxins. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:1319-1339. [PMID: 30591958 PMCID: PMC6420883 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2992-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are key virulence determinants produced and secreted by a variety of human bacterial pathogens. They disrupt the plasma membrane (PM) by generating stable protein pores, which allow uncontrolled exchanges between the extracellular and intracellular milieus, dramatically disturbing cellular homeostasis. In recent years, many advances were made regarding the characterization of conserved repair mechanisms that allow eukaryotic cells to recover from mechanical disruption of the PM membrane. However, the specificities of the cell recovery pathways that protect host cells against PFT-induced damage remain remarkably elusive. During bacterial infections, the coordinated action of such cell recovery processes defines the outcome of infected cells and is, thus, critical for our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis. Here, we review the cellular pathways reported to be involved in the response to bacterial PFTs and discuss their impact in single-cell recovery and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Brito
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, IBMC, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Programa Doutoral em Biologia Molecular e Celular (MCbiology), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Didier Cabanes
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, IBMC, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Sarmento Mesquita
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, IBMC, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Science, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Sandra Sousa
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, IBMC, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.
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27
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Vogel E, Santos D, Mingels L, Verdonckt TW, Broeck JV. RNA Interference in Insects: Protecting Beneficials and Controlling Pests. Front Physiol 2019; 9:1912. [PMID: 30687124 PMCID: PMC6336832 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects constitute the largest and most diverse group of animals on Earth with an equally diverse virome. The main antiviral immune system of these animals is the post-transcriptional gene-silencing mechanism known as RNA(i) interference. Furthermore, this process can be artificially triggered via delivery of gene-specific double-stranded RNA molecules, leading to specific endogenous gene silencing. This is called RNAi technology and has important applications in several fields. In this paper, we review RNAi mechanisms in insects as well as the potential of RNAi technology to contribute to species-specific insecticidal strategies. Regarding this aspect, we cover the range of strategies considered and investigated so far, as well as their limitations and the most promising approaches to overcome them. Additionally, we discuss patterns of viral infection, specifically persistent and acute insect viral infections. In the latter case, we focus on infections affecting economically relevant species. Within this scope, we review the use of insect-specific viruses as bio-insecticides. Last, we discuss RNAi-based strategies to protect beneficial insects from harmful viral infections and their potential practical application. As a whole, this manuscript stresses the impact of insect viruses and RNAi technology in human life, highlighting clear lines of investigation within an exciting and promising field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Vogel
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dulce Santos
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lina Mingels
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas-Wolf Verdonckt
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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28
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Transcriptomic Analysis of Aedes aegypti in Response to Mosquitocidal Bacillus thuringiensis LLP29 Toxin. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12650. [PMID: 30140020 PMCID: PMC6107635 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30741-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, Aedes aegypti is one of the most dangerous mosquitoes that plays a crucial role as a vector for human diseases, such as yellow fever, dengue, and chikungunya. To identify (1) transcriptomic basis of midgut (2) key genes that are involved in the toxicity process by a comparative transcriptomic analysis between the control and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin (LLP29 proteins)-treated groups. Next-generation sequencing technology was used to sequence the midgut transcriptome of A. aegypti. A total of 17130 unigenes, including 574 new unigenes, were identified containing 16358 (95.49%) unigenes that were functionally annotated. According to differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, 557 DEGs were annotated, including 226 upregulated and 231 downregulated unigenes in the Bt toxin-treated group. A total of 442 DEGs were functionally annotated; among these, 33 were specific to multidrug resistance, 6 were immune-system-related (Lectin, Defensin, Lysozyme), 28 were related to putative proteases, 7 were lipase-related, 8 were related to phosphatases, and 30 were related to other transporters. In addition, the relative expression of 28 DEGs was further confirmed through quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. The results provide a transcriptomic basis for the identification and functional authentication of DEGs in A. aegypti.
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29
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Wang J, Lin G, Batool K, Zhang S, Chen M, Xu J, Wu J, Jin L, Gelbic I, Xu L, Zhang L, Guan X. Alimentary Tract Transcriptome Analysis of the Tea Geometrid, Ectropis oblique (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 111:1411-1419. [PMID: 29546335 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toy010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ectropis oblique Prout (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is one of the main pests that damages the tea crop in Southeast Asia. To understand the molecular mechanisms of its feeding biology, transcriptomes of the alimentary tract (AT) and of the body minus the AT of E. oblique were successfully sequenced and analyzed in this study. A total of 36,950 unigenes from de novo sequences were assembled. After analysis using six annotation databases (e.g., Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome, and NCBI nr), a series of putative genes were found for this insect species that were related to digestion, detoxification, the immune system, and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) receptors. From this series of genes, 21 were randomly selected to verify the relative expression levels of transcripts using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. These results will provide an invaluable genomic resource for future studies on the molecular mechanisms of E. oblique, which will be useful in developing biological control strategies for this pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Guifang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Khadija Batool
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuaiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingfeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Ivan Gelbic
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Science, Branišovská, Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
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30
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Delivery of lethal dsRNAs in insect diets by branched amphiphilic peptide capsules. J Control Release 2018; 273:139-146. [PMID: 29407675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Development of new and specific insect pest management methods is critical for overcoming pesticide resistance and collateral off-target killings. Gene silencing by feeding dsRNA to insects shows promise in this area. Here we described the use of a peptide nano-material, branched amphiphilic peptide capsules (BAPCs), that facilitates cellular uptake of dsRNA by insects through feeding. The insect diets included dsRNA with and without complexation with BAPCs. The selected insect species come from two different orders with different feeding mechanisms: Tribolium castaneum and Acyrthosiphon pisum. The gene transcripts tested (BiP and Armet) are part of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and suppressing their translation resulted in lethality. For Acyrthosiphon pisum, ingestion of BiP-dsRNA associated with BAPCs led to the premature death of the aphids (t1/2=4-5days) compared to ingestion of the same amounts of free BiP-dsRNA (t1/2=11-12days). Tribolium castaneum was effectively killed using a combination of BiP-dsRNA and Armet-dsRNA complexed with BAPCs; most dying as larvae or during eclosion (~75%). Feeding dsRNA alone resulted in fewer deaths (~30%). The results show that complexation of dsRNA with BAPCs enhanced the oral delivery of dsRNA over dsRNA alone.
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Soberón M, Portugal L, Garcia-Gómez BI, Sánchez J, Onofre J, Gómez I, Pacheco S, Bravo A. Cell lines as models for the study of Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 93:66-78. [PMID: 29269111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell lines have been use extensively for the study of the mode of action of different pore forming toxins produced by different bacterial species. Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins are not the exception and their mechanism of action has been analyzed in different cell lines. Here we review the data obtained with different cell lines, including those that are naturally susceptible to the three domain Cry toxins (3d-Cry) and other non-susceptible cell lines that have been transformed with 3d-Cry toxin binding molecules cloned from the susceptible insects. The effects on Cry toxin action after expressing different insect gut proteins, such as glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol (GPI) anchored proteins (like alkaline phosphatase (ALP) aminopeptidase (APN)), or trans-membrane proteins (like cadherin (CAD) or ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 2 (ABCC2) transporter) in cell lines showed that, with few exceptions, expression of GPI-anchored proteins do not correlated with increased susceptibility to the toxin, while the expression of CAD or ABCC2 proteins correlated with induced susceptibility to Cry toxins in the transformed cells lines. Also, that the co-expression of CAD and ABCC2 transporter induced a synergistic effect in the toxicity of 3d-Cry toxins. Overall the data show that in susceptible cell lines, the 3d-Cry toxins induce pore formation that correlates with toxicity. However, the intracellular responses remain controversial since it was shown that the same 3d-Cry toxin in different cell lines activated different responses such as adenylate cyclase-PKA death response or apoptosis. Parasporins are Cry toxins that are toxic to cancer cell lines that have structural similarities with the insecticidal Cry toxins. They belong to the 3d-Cry toxin or to MTX-like Cry toxin families but also show important differences with the insecticidal Cry proteins. Some parasporins are pore-forming toxins, and some activate apoptosis. In this review we summarized the results of the different studies about the Cry toxins mode of action using cultured cell lines and discuss their relation with the studies performed in insect larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Soberón
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Leivi Portugal
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Blanca-Ines Garcia-Gómez
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Jorge Sánchez
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Janette Onofre
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Isabel Gómez
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Sabino Pacheco
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
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32
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Changes in gene expression and apoptotic response in Spodoptera exigua larvae exposed to sublethal concentrations of Vip3 insecticidal proteins. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16245. [PMID: 29176692 PMCID: PMC5701239 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16406-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The insecticidal Vip3 proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), along with the classical Bt Cry proteins, are currently used in Bt-crops to control insect pests, since they do not share the same mode of action. Here we characterized the response of Spodoptera exigua larvae after Vip3 challenge. The expression profile of 47 genes was analyzed in larvae challenged with three concentrations of Vip3Ca. Results showed that the up-regulated genes were mainly involved in immune response, whereas the down-regulated genes were mainly involved in the digestion process. Other mechanisms of cellular response to the damage such as apoptosis were analyzed. For this analysis, sections from the midguts were examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. The nuclei of the midgut epithelial cells were stained at the highest concentration of the Vip3Ca protein and at lower concentrations of Vip3Aa in agreement with the different potency of the two proteins. In addition, apoptosis was also examined by the analysis of the expression of five caspase genes. The present study shows that exposure of S. exigua larvae to sublethal concentrations of Vip3 proteins activates different insect response pathways which trigger the regulation of some genes, APN shedding, and apoptotic cell death.
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Castagnola A, Jackson J, Perera OP, Oppert C, Eda S, Jurat-Fuentes JL. Alpha-arylphorin is a mitogen in the Heliothis virescens midgut cell secretome upon Cry1Ac intoxication. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3886. [PMID: 29018619 PMCID: PMC5629956 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Insecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) target cells in the midgut epithelium of susceptible larvae. While the mode of action of Cry toxins has been extensively investigated, the midgut response to Cry intoxication and its regulation are not well characterized. In this work, we describe the secreted proteome (secretome) of primary mature midgut cell cultures from Heliothis virescens larvae after exposure to Cry1Ac toxin compared to control buffer treatment. The Cry1Ac-induced secretome caused higher proliferation and differentiation and an overall reduction in total cell mortality over time in primary H. virescens midgut stem cell cultures when compared to treatment with control buffer secretome. Differential proteomics identified four proteins with significant differences in abundance comparing Cry1Ac-treated and control secretomes. The most significant difference detected in the Cry1Ac secretome was an arylphorin subunit alpha protein not detected in the control secretome. Feeding of purified alpha-arylphorin to H. virescens larvae resulted in midgut hyperplasia and significantly reduced susceptibility to Cry1Ac toxin compared to controls. These data identify alpha-arylphorin as a protein with a new putative role in the midgut regeneration process in response to Cry1Ac intoxication and possibly pathogen/abiotic stress, identifying alpha-arylphorin as a potential gene to target with insecticidal gene silencing for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anais Castagnola
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America.,Current affiliation: ManTech International Corporation, Herndon, VA, United States of America
| | - Jerreme Jackson
- Genome Science and Technology Program, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America.,Current affiliation: Oklahoma State University, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Stillwater, OK, United States of America
| | - Omaththage P Perera
- Southern Insect Management Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS, USA
| | - Cris Oppert
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America.,Current affiliation: Bayer CropScience, Morrisville, NC, United States of America
| | - Shigetoshi Eda
- Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
| | - Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America.,Genome Science and Technology Program, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
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Li J, Ma Y, Yuan W, Xiao Y, Liu C, Wang J, Peng J, Peng R, Soberón M, Bravo A, Yang Y, Liu K. FOXA transcriptional factor modulates insect susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin by regulating the expression of toxin-receptor ABCC2 and ABCC3 genes. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 88:1-11. [PMID: 28736301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cry toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are insecticidal proteins widely used in insect control. Recently, it was shown that ATP-binding cassette transporter proteins (ABC) such as ABCC2, ABCC3, ABCG1 and ABCA2 are implicated in the insecticidal action of Cry toxins as putative receptors. However, the transcriptional regulators involved in the expression of ABC transporter genes remain unknown. Sequence analysis of promoter regions of ABCC2 gene from Helicoverpa armigera and ABCC3 gene from Spodoptera litura Sl-HP cultured cells, revealed the potential participation of Forkhead box protein A (FOXA), a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes through remodeling chromatin. To determine if FOXA was involved in regulating expression of ABCC2 and ABCC3 genes, the expression of FOXA, ABCC2 and ABCC3 was compared in Sl-HP cells that are sensitive to Cry1Ac toxin with those in S. frugiperda Sf9 cells that are not sensitive to the toxin. Expression levels of those genes were significantly higher in Sl-HP than in Sf9 cells. Transient expression of FOXA in Sf9 cells activated ABCC2 and ABCC3 transcription, which directly correlated with enhanced Cry1Ac-susceptibility in these cells. Silencing of FOXA gene expression by RNAi in H. armigera larvae resulted in a decreased expression of ABCC2 and ABCC3 without affecting expression of other Cry toxin receptor genes such as alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase or cadherin. Silencing of FOXA gene expression also resulted in a Cry1Ac-tolerant phenotype since lower mortality and higher pupation rate were observed in diet containing Cry1Ac protoxin in comparison with the control group. These results demonstrate that FOXA up-regulates expression of the Cry1Ac-toxin receptor ABCC2 and ABCC3 genes, and that lower FOXA expression correlates with tolerance to Cry toxin in cell lines and in lepidopteran larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghuai Li
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Yuemin Ma
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Wanli Yuan
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Yutao Xiao
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Chenxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Jianxin Peng
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Rong Peng
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Mario Soberón
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Yongbo Yang
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Kaiyu Liu
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China.
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Qiu L, Zhang B, Liu L, Wang X, Lei C, Lin Y, Zhao J, Ma W. The Role of p38 MAPK, JNK, and ERK in Antibacterial Responses of Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 110:1460-1464. [PMID: 28459996 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tox126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are conserved signal transduction pathways and broadly responsible for bacterial infection from yeast to mammals, and virus, fungi, and bacteria, specifically Bacillus thuringiensis, to insects. But little is known about the MAPK pathways in antibacterial responses in Chilo suppressalis (Walker), an important lepidopteran pest of rice. In this study, we used the bacteria of Bacillus thuringiensis, Escherichia coli, and Staphyloccocus aureus to infect C. suppressalis larvae, and the responses of MAPK pathways were analyzed. The results showed that E. coli infection induced the up-regulated expression of Csp38 and CsERK1 at 24 h postinfection (pi). Meanwhile, injection of B. thuringiensis and S. aureus resulted in strong activation of CsJNK phosphorylation at 3 h pi. These results suggest that MAPK signaling pathways play important functional roles in antibacterial responses in C. suppressalis larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Qiu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Boyao Zhang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lang Liu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chaoliang Lei
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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36
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Knockdown of the MAPK p38 pathway increases the susceptibility of Chilo suppressalis larvae to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ca toxin. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43964. [PMID: 28262736 PMCID: PMC5338291 DOI: 10.1038/srep43964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces a wide range of toxins that are effective against a number of insect pests. Identifying the mechanisms responsible for resistance to Bt toxin will improve both our ability to control important insect pests and our understanding of bacterial toxicology. In this study, we investigated the role of MAPK pathways in resistance against Cry1Ca toxin in Chilo suppressalis, an important lepidopteran pest of rice crops. We first cloned the full-length of C. suppressalis mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38, ERK1, and ERK2, and a partial sequence of JNK (hereafter Csp38, CsERK1, CsERK2 and CsJNK). We could then measure the up-regulation of these MAPK genes in larvae at different times after ingestion of Cry1Ca toxin. Using RNA interference to knockdown Csp38, CsJNK, CsERK1 and CsERK2 showed that only knockdown of Csp38 significantly increased the mortality of larvae to Cry1Ca toxin ingested in either an artificial diet, or after feeding on transgenic rice expressed Cry1Ca. These results suggest that MAPK p38 is responsible for the resistance of C. suppressalis larvae to Bt Cry1Ca toxin.
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Airs PM, Bartholomay LC. RNA Interference for Mosquito and Mosquito-Borne Disease Control. INSECTS 2017; 8:E4. [PMID: 28067782 PMCID: PMC5371932 DOI: 10.3390/insects8010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool to silence endogenous mosquito and mosquito-borne pathogen genes in vivo. As the number of studies utilizing RNAi in basic research grows, so too does the arsenal of physiological targets that can be developed into products that interrupt mosquito life cycles and behaviors and, thereby, relieve the burden of mosquitoes on human health and well-being. As this technology becomes more viable for use in beneficial and pest insect management in agricultural settings, it is exciting to consider its role in public health entomology. Existing and burgeoning strategies for insecticide delivery could be adapted to function as RNAi trigger delivery systems and thereby expedite transformation of RNAi from the lab to the field for mosquito control. Taken together, development of RNAi-based vector and pathogen management techniques & strategies are within reach. That said, tools for successful RNAi design, studies exploring RNAi in the context of vector control, and studies demonstrating field efficacy of RNAi trigger delivery have yet to be honed and/or developed for mosquito control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Airs
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Lyric C Bartholomay
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Portugal L, Muñóz-Garay C, Martínez de Castro DL, Soberón M, Bravo A. Toxicity of Cry1A toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis to CF1 cells does not involve activation of adenylate cyclase/PKA signaling pathway. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 80:21-31. [PMID: 27867074 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria produce Cry toxins that are able to kill insect pests. Different models explaining the mode of action of these toxins have been proposed. The pore formation model proposes that the toxin creates pores in the membrane of the larval midgut cells after interaction with different receptors such as cadherin, aminopeptidase N and alkaline phosphatase and that this pore formation activity is responsible for the toxicity of these proteins. The alternative model proposes that interaction with cadherin receptor triggers an intracellular cascade response involving protein G, adenylate cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA). In addition, it was shown that Cry toxins induce a defense response in the larvae involving the activation of mitogen-activated kinases such as MAPK p38 in different insect orders. Here we analyzed the mechanism of action of Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins and a collection of mutants from these toxins in the insect cell line CF1 from Choristoneura fumiferana, that is naturally sensitive to these toxins. Our results show that both toxins induced permeability of K+ ions into the cells. The initial response after intoxication with Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins involves the activation of a defense response that involves the phosphorylation of MAPK p38. Analysis of activation of PKA and AC activities indicated that the signal transduction involving PKA, AC and cAMP was not activated during Cry1Ab or Cry1Ac intoxication. In contrast we show that Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac activate apoptosis. These data indicate that Cry toxins can induce an apoptotic death response not related with AC/PKA activation. Since Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins affected K+ ion permeability into the cells, and that mutant toxins affected in pore formation are not toxic to CF1, we propose that pore formation activity of the toxins is responsible of triggering cell death response in CF1cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leivi Portugal
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250 Morelos, Mexico
| | - Carlos Muñóz-Garay
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250 Morelos, Mexico
| | - Diana L Martínez de Castro
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250 Morelos, Mexico
| | - Mario Soberón
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250 Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250 Morelos, Mexico.
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Sparagano OAE. Transcription Factors as a Target for Vaccination Against Ticks and Mites. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2016; 107:275-282. [PMID: 28215226 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Ticks and mites are well-known ectoparasites as potential vectors for numerous bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Many being blood feeders add to physiological deterioration, morbidity, and mortality of their vertebrate hosts. To control them, transcription factors have been identified and studied in their role to sustain such arthropod pests. This paper summarizes some of the work done on those factors involved during blood feeding, reproduction, or when interacting with their pathogens and symbiont populations. Any transcription factor supporting the equilibrium developed by the ticks/mites could become a potential target for new control methods to prevent some of their key physiological functions.
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Castagnola A, Jurat-Fuentes JL. Intestinal regeneration as an insect resistance mechanism to entomopathogenic bacteria. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2016; 15:104-10. [PMID: 27436739 PMCID: PMC4957658 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The intestinal epithelium of insects is exposed to xenobiotics and entomopathogens during the feeding developmental stages. In these conditions, an effective enterocyte turnover mechanism is highly desirable to maintain integrity of the gut epithelial wall. As in other insects, the gut of lepidopteran larvae have stem cells that are capable of proliferation, which occurs during molting and pathogenic episodes. While much is known on the regulation of gut stem cell division during molting, there is a current knowledge gap on the molecular regulation of gut healing processes after entomopathogen exposure. Relevant information on this subject is emerging from studies of the response to exposure to insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as model intoxicants. In this work we discuss currently available data on the molecular cues involved in gut stem cell proliferation, insect gut healing, and the implications of enhanced healing as a potential mechanism of resistance against Bt toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Castagnola
- Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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Stalinski R, Laporte F, Després L, Tetreau G. Alkaline phosphatases are involved in the response ofAedes aegyptilarvae to intoxication withBacillus thuringiensissubsp.israelensis Cry toxins. Environ Microbiol 2016; 18:1022-36. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Renaud Stalinski
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine LECA UMR5553; Université Grenoble Alpes; F-38000 Grenoble France
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine LECA UMR5553; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; F-38000 Grenoble France
| | - Frédéric Laporte
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine LECA UMR5553; Université Grenoble Alpes; F-38000 Grenoble France
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine LECA UMR5553; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; F-38000 Grenoble France
| | - Laurence Després
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine LECA UMR5553; Université Grenoble Alpes; F-38000 Grenoble France
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine LECA UMR5553; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; F-38000 Grenoble France
| | - Guillaume Tetreau
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine LECA UMR5553; Université Grenoble Alpes; F-38000 Grenoble France
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine LECA UMR5553; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; F-38000 Grenoble France
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42
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Canton PE, Cancino-Rodezno A, Gill SS, Soberón M, Bravo A. Transcriptional cellular responses in midgut tissue of Aedes aegypti larvae following intoxication with Cry11Aa toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:1042. [PMID: 26645277 PMCID: PMC4673840 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2240-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although much is known about the mechanism of action of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins, the target tissue cellular responses to toxin activity is less understood. Previous transcriptomic studies indicated that significant changes in gene expression occurred during intoxication. However, most of these studies were done in organisms without a sequenced and annotated reference genome. A reference genome and transcriptome is available for the mosquito Aedes aegypti, and its importance as a disease vector has positioned its biological control as a primary health concern. Through RNA sequencing we sought to determine the transcriptional changes observed during intoxication by Cry11Aa in A. aegypti and to analyze possible defense and recovery mechanisms engaged after toxin ingestion. Results In this work the changes in the transcriptome of 4th instar A. aegypti larvae exposed to Cry11Aa toxin for 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h were analyzed. A total of 1060 differentially expressed genes after toxin ingestion were identified with two bioconductoR packages: DESeq2 and EdgeR. The most important transcriptional changes were observed after 9 or 12 h of toxin exposure. GO enrichment analysis of molecular function and biological process were performed as well as Interpro protein functional domains and pBLAST analyses. Up regulated processes include vesicular trafficking, small GTPase signaling, MAPK pathways, and lipid metabolism. In contrast, down regulated functions are related to transmembrane transport, detoxification mechanisms, cell proliferation and metabolism enzymes. Validation with RT-qPCR showed large agreement with Cry11Aa intoxication since these changes were not observed with untreated larvae or larvae treated with non-toxic Cry11Aa mutants, indicating that a fully functional pore forming Cry toxin is required for the observed transcriptional responses. Conclusions This study presents the first transcriptome of Cry intoxication response in a fully sequenced insect, and reveals possible conserved cellular processes that enable larvae to contend with Cry intoxication in the disease vector A. aegypti. We found some similarities of the mosquito responses to Cry11Aa toxin with previously observed responses to other Cry toxins in different insect orders and in nematodes suggesting a conserved response to pore forming toxins. Surprisingly some of these responses also correlate with transcriptional changes observed in Bti-resistant and Cry11Aa-resistant mosquito larvae. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2240-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Emiliano Canton
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Angeles Cancino-Rodezno
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Distrito Federal, 04510, Mexico
| | - Sarjeet S Gill
- Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Mario Soberón
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
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Ayra-Pardo C, Raymond B, Gulzar A, Rodríguez-Cabrera L, Morán-Bertot I, Crickmore N, Wright DJ. Novel genetic factors involved in resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis in Plutella xylostella. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 24:589-600. [PMID: 26335439 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The widespread and sustainable exploitation of the entomopathogen Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in pest control is threatened by the evolution of resistance. Although resistance is often associated with loss of binding of the Bt toxins to the insect midgut cells, other factors have been implicated. Here we used suppressive subtractive hybridization and gene expression suppression to identify additional molecular components involved in Bt-resistance in Plutella xylostella. We isolated transcripts from genes that were differentially expressed in the midgut of larvae from a resistant population, following ingestion of a Bt kurstaki HD1 strain-based commercial formulation (DiPel), and compared with a genetically similar susceptible population. Quantitative real-time polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed the differential basal expression of a subset of these genes. Gene expression suppression of three of these genes (P. xylostella cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit associated protein 1-like 1, stromal cell-derived factor 2-like 1 and hatching enzyme-like 1) significantly increased the pathogenicity of HD1 to the resistant population. In an attempt to link the multitude of factors reportedly influencing resistance to Bt with the well-characterized loss of toxin binding, we also considered Bt-resistance models in P. xylostella and other insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ayra-Pardo
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana, Cuba
| | - B Raymond
- Division of Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, UK
| | - A Gulzar
- Division of Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, UK
| | - L Rodríguez-Cabrera
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana, Cuba
| | - I Morán-Bertot
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana, Cuba
| | - N Crickmore
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - D J Wright
- Division of Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, UK
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Rebijith KB, Asokan R, Hande HR, Kumar NKK, Krishna V, Vinutha J, Bakthavatsalam N. RNA Interference of Odorant-Binding Protein 2 (OBP2) of the Cotton Aphid, Aphis gossypii (Glover), Resulted in Altered Electrophysiological Responses. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2015; 178:251-66. [DOI: 10.1007/s12010-015-1869-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Wang B, Pakpour N, Napoli E, Drexler A, Glennon EKK, Surachetpong W, Cheung K, Aguirre A, Klyver JM, Lewis EE, Eigenheer R, Phinney BS, Giulivi C, Luckhart S. Anopheles stephensi p38 MAPK signaling regulates innate immunity and bioenergetics during Plasmodium falciparum infection. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:424. [PMID: 26283222 PMCID: PMC4539710 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1016-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fruit flies and mammals protect themselves against infection by mounting immune and metabolic responses that must be balanced against the metabolic needs of the pathogens. In this context, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent signaling is critical to regulating both innate immunity and metabolism during infection. Accordingly, we asked to what extent the Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi utilizes p38 MAPK signaling during infection with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Methods A. stephensi p38 MAPK (AsP38 MAPK) was identified and patterns of signaling in vitro and in vivo (midgut) were analyzed using phospho-specific antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. Functional effects of AsP38 MAPK inhibition were assessed using P. falciparum infection, quantitative real-time PCR, assays for reactive oxygen species and survivorship under oxidative stress, proteomics, and biochemical analyses. Results The genome of A. stephensi encodes a single p38 MAPK that is activated in the midgut in response to parasite infection. Inhibition of AsP38 MAPK signaling significantly reduced P. falciparum sporogonic development. This phenotype was associated with AsP38 MAPK regulation of mitochondrial physiology and stress responses in the midgut epithelium, a tissue critical for parasite development. Specifically, inhibition of AsP38 MAPK resulted in reduction in mosquito protein synthesis machinery, a shift in glucose metabolism, reduced mitochondrial metabolism, enhanced production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, induction of an array of anti-parasite effector genes, and decreased resistance to oxidative stress-mediated damage. Hence, P. falciparum-induced activation of AsP38 MAPK in the midgut facilitates parasite infection through a combination of reduced anti-parasite immune defenses and enhanced host protein synthesis and bioenergetics to minimize the impact of infection on the host and to maximize parasite survival, and ultimately, transmission. Conclusions These observations suggest that, as in mammals, innate immunity and mitochondrial responses are integrated in mosquitoes and that AsP38 MAPK-dependent signaling facilitates mosquito survival during parasite infection, a fact that may attest to the relatively longer evolutionary relationship of these parasites with their invertebrate compared to their vertebrate hosts. On a practical level, improved understanding of the balances and trade-offs between resistance and metabolism could be leveraged to generate fit, resistant mosquitoes for malaria control. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1016-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, 3437 Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Nazzy Pakpour
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, 3437 Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Eleonora Napoli
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Anna Drexler
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, 3437 Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Elizabeth K K Glennon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, 3437 Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Win Surachetpong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, 3437 Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Kong Cheung
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, 3437 Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Alejandro Aguirre
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, 3437 Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - John M Klyver
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, 3437 Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Edwin E Lewis
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Richard Eigenheer
- Genome and Biomedical Sciences Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Brett S Phinney
- Genome and Biomedical Sciences Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Cecilia Giulivi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA. .,Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Shirley Luckhart
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, 3437 Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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Chavez C, Recio-Tótoro B, Flores-Escobar B, Lanz-Mendoza H, Sanchez J, Soberón M, Bravo A. Nitric oxide participates in the toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab toxin to kill Manduca sexta larvae. Peptides 2015; 68:134-9. [PMID: 25063056 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) produced by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme is a reactive oxygen molecule widely considered as important participant in the immune system of different organisms to confront microbial infections. In insects the NO molecule has also been implicated in immune response against microbial pathogens. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an insect-pathogenic bacterium that produces insecticidal proteins such as Cry toxins. These proteins kill insects because they form pores in the larval-midgut cells. Here we show that intoxication of Manduca sexta larvae with Cry1Ab activates expression of NOS with a corresponding increase in NO. This effect is not observed with a non-toxic mutant toxin Cry1Ab-E129K that is affected in pore formation. The increased production of NO triggered by intoxication with LC50 dose of Cry1Ab toxin is not associated with higher expression of antimicrobial peptides. NO participates in Cry1Ab toxicity since inhibition of NOS by selective l-NAME inhibitor prevented NO production and resulted in reduced mortality of the larvae. The fact that mortality was not completely abolished by L-NAME indicates that other processes participate in toxin action and induction of NO production upon Cry1Ab toxin administration accounts only for a part of the toxicity of this protein to M. sexta larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Chavez
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Benito Recio-Tótoro
- Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62100, Mexico; Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Biviana Flores-Escobar
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Humberto Lanz-Mendoza
- Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62100, Mexico.
| | - Jorge Sanchez
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Mario Soberón
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
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MAPK signaling pathway alters expression of midgut ALP and ABCC genes and causes resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin in diamondback moth. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005124. [PMID: 25875245 PMCID: PMC4395465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Insecticidal crystal toxins derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely used as biopesticide sprays or expressed in transgenic crops to control insect pests. However, large-scale use of Bt has led to field-evolved resistance in several lepidopteran pests. Resistance to Bt Cry1Ac toxin in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), was previously mapped to a multigenic resistance locus (BtR-1). Here, we assembled the 3.15 Mb BtR-1 locus and found high-level resistance to Cry1Ac and Bt biopesticide in four independent P. xylostella strains were all associated with differential expression of a midgut membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase (ALP) outside this locus and a suite of ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily C (ABCC) genes inside this locus. The interplay between these resistance genes is controlled by a previously uncharacterized trans-regulatory mechanism via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Molecular, biochemical, and functional analyses have established ALP as a functional Cry1Ac receptor. Phenotypic association experiments revealed that the recessive Cry1Ac resistance was tightly linked to down-regulation of ALP, ABCC2 and ABCC3, whereas it was not linked to up-regulation of ABCC1. Silencing of ABCC2 and ABCC3 in susceptible larvae reduced their susceptibility to Cry1Ac but did not affect the expression of ALP, whereas suppression of MAP4K4, a constitutively transcriptionally-activated MAPK upstream gene within the BtR-1 locus, led to a transient recovery of gene expression thereby restoring the susceptibility in resistant larvae. These results highlight a crucial role for ALP and ABCC genes in field-evolved resistance to Cry1Ac and reveal a novel trans-regulatory signaling mechanism responsible for modulating the expression of these pivotal genes in P. xylostella. Biopesticide and transgenic crops based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry toxins are widely used worldwide, yet the development of field resistance seriously threatens their sustainability. Unraveling these resistance mechanisms are of great importance for delaying insect field resistance evolution. The diamondback moth was the first insect to evolve field resistance to Bt biopesticides and it is an excellent model for the study of Bt resistance mechanisms. In this work, we present strong empirical evidence supporting that (1) field-evolved resistance to Bt in P. xylostella is tightly associated with differential expression of a membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and a suite of ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily C (ABCC) genes, and (2) a constitutively transcriptionally-activated upstream gene (MAP4K4) in the MAPK signaling pathway is responsible for this trans-regulatory signaling mechanism. These findings identify key resistance genes and provide the first comprehensive mechanistic description responsible for the field-evolved Bt resistance in P. xylostella. Given that expression alterations of multiple receptor genes result in Bt resistance in many other insects, it can now be tested to determine whether the previously unidentified trans-regulatory mechanism characterized in this study is also involved in these cases.
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Asokan R, Rebijith KB, Roopa HK, Kumar NKK. Non-Invasive Delivery of dsGST Is Lethal to the Sweet Potato Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (G.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2014; 175:2288-99. [DOI: 10.1007/s12010-014-1437-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Han B, Fang Y, Feng M, Lu X, Huo X, Meng L, Wu B, Li J. In-depth phosphoproteomic analysis of royal jelly derived from western and eastern honeybee species. J Proteome Res 2014; 13:5928-43. [PMID: 25265229 DOI: 10.1021/pr500843j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The proteins in royal jelly (RJ) play a pivotal role in the nutrition, immune defense, and cast determination of honeybee larvae and have a wide range of pharmacological and health-promoting functions for humans as well. Although the importance of post-translational modifications (PTMs) in protein function is known, investigation of protein phosphorylation of RJ proteins is still very limited. To this end, two complementary phosphopeptide enrichment materials (Ti(4+)-IMAC and TiO2) and high-sensitivity mass spectrometry were applied to establish a detailed phosphoproteome map and to qualitatively and quantitatively compare the phosphoproteomes of RJ produced by Apis mellifera ligustica (Aml) and Apis cerana cerana (Acc). In total, 16 phosphoproteins carrying 67 phosphorylation sites were identified in RJ derived from western bees, and nine proteins phosphorylated on 71 sites were found in RJ produced by eastern honeybees. Of which, eight phosphorylated proteins were common to both RJ samples, and the same motif ([S-x-E]) was extracted, suggesting that the function of major RJ proteins as nutrients and immune agents is evolutionary preserved in both of these honeybee species. All eight overlapping phosphoproteins showed significantly higher abundance in Acc-RJ than in Aml-RJ, and the phosphorylation of Jelleine-II (an antimicrobial peptide, TPFKLSLHL) at S(6) in Acc-RJ had stronger antimicrobial properties than that at T(1) in Aml-RJ even though the overall antimicrobial activity of Jelleine-II was found to decrease after phosphorylation. The differences in phosphosites, peptide abundance, and antimicrobial activity of the phosphorylated RJ proteins indicate that the two major honeybee species employ distinct phosphorylation strategies that align with their different biological characteristics shaped by evolution. The phosphorylation of RJ proteins are potentially driven by the activity of extracellular serine/threonine protein kinase FAM20C-like protein (FAM20C-like) through the [S-x-E] motif, which is supported by evidence that mRNA and protein expression of FAM20C-like protein kinase are both found in the highest level in the hypopharyngeal gland of nurse bees. Our data represent the first comprehensive RJ phosphorylation atlas, recording patterns of phosphorylated RJ protein abundance and antibacterial activity of some RJ proteins in two major managed honeybee species. These data constitute a firm basis for future research to better understand the biological roles of each RJ protein for honeybee biology and human health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Han
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science , Beijing 100093, China
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Wu RCC, Cho WL. Cloning and characterization of microbial activated Aedes aegypti MEK4 (AaMEK4): influences of noncatalytic domains on enzymatic activity. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 23:644-655. [PMID: 25039995 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases are known to be involved in a number of signal transduction cascades. Both the stress-activated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 pathways have been shown to correlate with the insect immune response to microbial infection. MAP kinase kinase 4 (MEK4) is an upstream kinase of JNK and p38 kinase. The cDNA of AaMEK4 was cloned and characterized. AaMEK4 was activated by microbial lysates of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and yeast. The conserved lysine (K112 ) and the putative phosphorylation sites (S238 and T242 ) were shown to be important for kinase activity by site-directed mutagenesis. A common MAPK docking site (MAPK_dsA) was found and in addition, a new nearby docking site, MAPK_dsB, was identified in the N-terminal noncatalytic domain of AaMEK4. MAPK_dsB was shown to be a unique element in the MEK4 family. In this study, both MAPK_dsA and _dsB were demonstrated to be important to AaMEK4 enzymatic activity for the downstream protein kinase, Aap38.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C-C Wu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
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