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Asano T. Multicopper oxidase-2 mediated cuticle formation: Its contribution to evolution and success of insects as terrestrial organisms. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 168:104111. [PMID: 38508343 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The insect cuticle is a non-cellular matrix composed of polysaccharide chitins and proteins. The cuticle covers most of the body surface, including the trachea, foregut, and hindgut, and it is the body structure that separates the intraluminal environment from the external environment. The cuticle is essential to sustain their lives, both as a physical barrier to maintain homeostasis and as an exoskeleton that mechanically supports body shape and movement. Previously, we proposed a theory about the possibility that the cuticle-forming system contributes to the "evolution and success of insects." The main points of our theory are that 1) insects evolved an insect-specific system of cuticle formation and 2) the presence of this system may have provided insects with a competitive advantage in the early land ecosystems. The key to this theory is that insects utilize molecular oxygen abundant in the atmosphere, which differs from closely related crustaceans that form their cuticles with calcium ions. With newly obtained knowledge, this review revisits the significance of the insect-specific system for insects to adapt to terrestrial environments and also discusses the long-standing question in entomology as to why, despite their great success in terrestrial environments, they poorly adapt to marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsunaki Asano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan, Minami-osawa 1-1, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan.
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Wang P, Cui Q, Wang X, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Huang X, Jiang S, Jiang M, Bi L, Li B, Wei W, Pan Z. The inhibition of ecdysone signal pathway was the key of pyriproxyfen poisoning for silkworm, Bombyx mori. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 189:105307. [PMID: 36549814 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Pyriproxyfen is a juvenile hormone-like pesticide. Once intake occurs, it leads to a series of poisoning characters consequences in silkworm, Bombyx mori (ID: 7091, Lepidoptera), such as non- cocooning, non-pupation, production of low-active eggs, and extended stages. However, the poisoning mechanism is still unclear. Here, silkworms were fed mulberry leaves soaked with different pyriproxyfen concentrations, and the heads were dissected for transcriptome analysis, while the hemolymph was used for determinations of ecdysone and juvenile hormone titers. As a result, after conjoint analysis of 3 feeding groups and a control group, 555 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained, which were mainly involved in hormone metabolism, glycometabolism and protein metabolism. Meanwhile, 119 genes were significantly correlated with the pyriproxyfen concentrations, and they were mainly involved in drug metabolism and glycometabolism. The ecdysone titers in several feeding groups were significantly lower than those of the control group, while juvenile hormone was not detected in all groups, including the control and feeding groups. Correspondingly, due to activation of the juvenile hormone signaling pathway by pyriproxyfen, key genes in the ecdysone synthesis pathway were downregulated, and a large number of downstream genes were up- or downregulated. In addition, nearly all genes in the detoxification pathway were upregulated. These results suggested that, affected by the juvenile hormone signaling pathway, ecdysone titers decreased and further affected a series of downstream processes, and this was the key reason for pyriproxyfen poisoning in silkworm, B. mori, which could lay a foundation for the study of pyriproxyfen resistance in silkworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingyang Wang
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China.
| | - Qiuying Cui
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China
| | - Xia Wang
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China
| | - Yanwei Liu
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China
| | - Yuli Zhang
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China
| | - Xuhua Huang
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China
| | - Shidong Jiang
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China
| | - Mangui Jiang
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China
| | - Lihui Bi
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China
| | - Biao Li
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China
| | - Wei Wei
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China
| | - Zhixin Pan
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Research Academy of Sericultural Science, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, PR China.
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Li J, Li F, Gao H, Zhang Y, Liu Z. Characterization of cuticular proteins in CPR family in the wolf spider, Pardosa pseudoannulata, and the response of one subfamily genes to environmental stresses. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 150:103859. [PMID: 36265807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cuticular protein (CP) plays an essential role in the construction and function of exoskeleton in arthropods. CPR family, CP with Rebers and Riddiford (R&R) Consensus, is the largest CP family in insects, but it lacks systematic research in non-insect arthropods. In this study, we explored CPRs in the wolf spider, Pardosa pseudoannulata, a predator to many insect pests. We totally identified 152 CPRs in P. pseudoannulata genome, which were divided into two subgroups based on R&R Consensus sequences, with 12 CPRs in RR-1 and 140 in RR-2. All RR-2 members presented a novel Consensus with 34 amino acids, G-x(8)-G-x(6)-Y-x-A-x(3)-G-x(7)-N-E-x-G, which was a common characteristic for RR-2 CPRs in chelicerates. Transcriptome data was used to document the expression patterns of CPR genes in different tissues and ecdysis processes. The specific expressions were found for part CPR genes, such as five RR-2 genes that were specifically expressed in male genital bulbs and eleven RR-1 genes that were highly expressed in the integument. Due to the limited number and integument-specific expression of RR-1 genes, we further analyzed their responses to different environmental stresses at the transcriptional level. Except for PapsCPR11, ten RR-1 genes responded to at least one environmental stress, among with the expression of PapsCPR12 was significantly changed by three stresses (dryness, low temperature and imidacloprid treatments). Silencing PapsCPR12 increased the tolerance of P. pseudoannulata to imidacloprid. Overall, the results presented novel Consensus characteristics of CPRs in P. pseudoannulata, which was helpful for the identification and evolution analysis of CPRs in non-insect arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Haoli Gao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yixi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zewen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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Wang ZL, Pan HB, Li MY, Wu W, Yu XP. Comprehensive insights into host-pathogen interaction between brown planthopper and a fungal entomopathogen by dual RNA sequencing. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:4903-4914. [PMID: 34171165 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brown planthopper (BPH) is one of the most destructive pests of rice, causing tremendous yield and economic losses every year. The fungal entomopathogen Metarhizium anisopliae was previously proved to have great potential for BPH biocontrol. Genome-wide insight into the insect-fungus interaction is crucial for genetic improvement of M. anisopliae to enhance its virulence to BPH but still has been poorly explored. RESULTS Using dual RNA-seq approach, we present here a global view of host and fungal gene expressions in BPH adults during the fungal infection. The results revealed that BPH could initiate strong defense responses against the fungal attack by upregulating the expressions of a large number of genes, including genes involved in cuticle formation, immune response, cell detoxification and biomacromolecule metabolism. Correspondingly, the fungal entomopathogen could induce a series of genes to infect and modulate BPH, including genes involved in fungal penetration, invasive growth, stress resistance and virulence. Three host defense-related genes (NlPCE4, NlPOD1 and NlCYP4DE1) were chosen for further function analysis. RNAi-mediated knockdown of NlPCE4 caused a significant decrease in BPH survival, but no obvious effects on the survival rates were detected by the suppression of NlPOD1 and NlCYP4DE1. Combination of dsRNA injection and fungal infection could significantly enhance the BPH-killing speed, as synergistic mortalities were observed in co-treatments of RNAi and M. anisopliae infection. CONCLUSION Our study provides a comprehensive insight into molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction between BPH and M. anisopliae and contributes to future development of new efficient biocontrol strategies for BPH biocontrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Liang Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hai-Bo Pan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mu-Yu Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Yu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Zhejiang, China
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Chen EH, Hou QL. Identification and expression analysis of cuticular protein genes in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 178:104943. [PMID: 34446209 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2021.104943] [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: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Structural cuticular proteins (CPs) are major components of the insect cuticle, and they play critical roles in insect development and insecticide resistance. Here, a total of 196 CP genes were successfully annotated in the Plutella xylostella genome. On the basis of motif analysis, these CPs were classified into 10 different families, including 122 CPR, 12 CPAP1, 8 CPAP3, 9 CPLCP, 2 Tweedle, 1 CPF, 1 CPFL, 1 CPCFC, 17 CPG and 2 18 aa proteins, and the remaining 21 unclassified CPs were classed as cuticular proteins hypothetical (CPH). A phylogenetic analysis of CPs from different insects revealed species-specific clades of RR-1 and RR-2 genes, suggesting that CP gene duplication might occur independently among insect taxa, while we also found that some other CPs (such as CPAP1 and CPAP3) had a closer relationship based on their conserved domain architecture. Using available RNAseq libraries, the expression profiles of the CPs were analyzed over the four developmental stages of the insect (i.e., egg, larva, pupa, and adult), revealing stage-specific expression patterns for the CPs. In a chlorpyrifos resistant strain, 18 CP genes were found to be more than two-fold upregulated compared to the susceptible control strain, and qRT-PCR analysis showed that these CP genes were overexpressed after exposure to chlorpyrifos, suggesting a potential role in the molecular mechanism of insecticide resistance in P. xylostella. This study provides the tools and molecular basis to study the role of CPs in the post-embryonal development and the mechanisms of insecticide resistance of P. xylostella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Er-Hu Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Qiu-Li Hou
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China.
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Transcriptome Analysis Provides Insights into the Mechanism of Astaxanthin Enrichment in a Mutant of the Ridgetail White Prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050618. [PMID: 33919403 PMCID: PMC8143343 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A mutant of the ridgetail white prawn, which exhibited rare orange-red body color with a higher level of free astaxanthin (ASTX) concentration than that in the wild-type prawn, was obtained in our lab. In order to understand the underlying mechanism for the existence of a high level of free astaxanthin, transcriptome analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the mutant and wild-type prawns. A total of 78,224 unigenes were obtained, and 1863 were identified as DEGs, in which 902 unigenes showed higher expression levels, while 961 unigenes presented lower expression levels in the mutant in comparison with the wild-type prawns. Based on Gene Ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, as well as further investigation of annotated DEGs, we found that the biological processes related to astaxanthin binding, transport, and metabolism presented significant differences between the mutant and the wild-type prawns. Some genes related to these processes, including crustacyanin, apolipoprotein D (ApoD), cathepsin, and cuticle proteins, were identified as DEGs between the two types of prawns. These data may provide important information for us to understand the molecular mechanism of the existence of a high level of free astaxanthin in the prawn.
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Chen EH, Duan JY, Song W, Wang DX, Tang PA. RNA-seq Analysis Reveals Mitochondrial and Cuticular Protein Genes Are Associated with Phosphine Resistance in the Rusty Grain Beetle (Coleoptera:Laemophloeidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 114:440-453. [PMID: 33346362 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaa273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), is a serious pest of stored grain, which has developed high levels of resistance to phosphine. In this study, five geographically distant populations of C. ferrugineus had been collected in China, specifically in granaries where phosphine fumigant is used for pest control, and they showed a high resistance ratio up to 1,907 (LC50 = 21.0 mg/liter). Then, a reference transcriptome was constructed to use as a basis for investigating the molecular mechanisms of phosphine resistance in this species, which consisted of 47,006 unigenes with a mean length of 1,090. Subsequently, the RNA-Seq analysis of individuals from the most susceptible and resistant populations led to the identification of 54 genes that are differentially expressed. GO and KEGG analysis demonstrated that genes associated with mitochondrial and respiration functions were significantly enriched. Also, the 'structural constituent of cuticle' term was annotated in the GO enrichment analysis and further qRT-PCR confirmed that the expression levels of nine cuticular protein genes were significantly increased in the resistant population. In conclusion, we present here a transcriptome-wide overview of gene expression changes between resistant and susceptible populations of C. ferrugineus, and this in turn documents that mitochondria and cuticular protein genes may play together a crucial role in phosphine resistance. Further gene function analysis should enable the provision of advice to expedite resistance management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Er-Hu Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jin-Yan Duan
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Song
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dian-Xuan Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Grain Storage Security, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Pei-An Tang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Synergistic Effect of Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma asperellum to Induce Maize ( Zea mays L.) Defense against the Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) and Larval Immune Response. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218215. [PMID: 33153030 PMCID: PMC7663379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ostrinia furnacalis, is the major pest of maize causing significant yield losses. So far, many approaches have been used to increase the virulence of entomopathogenic fungal isolates. The current study is an attempt to estimate synergistic effect of Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma asperellum in order to explore larval immune response through RNA sequencing and differentially expression analysis. In vivo synergism was examined in seven proportions (B. bassiana: T. asperellum = 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1) and in the in vitro case, two inoculation methods were applied: seed coating and soil drenching. Results revealed significant decrease in plant damage and high larval mortality in fungal treatments. Fungal isolates mediated the plant defense by increasing proline, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and protease activities. Seed coating method was proved to be the most effective in case of maize endophytic colonization. In total, 59 immune-related differentially expressed genes DEGs were identified including, cytochrome P450, heat shock protein, ABC transporter, cadherin, peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP), cuticlular protein, etc. Further, transcriptomic response was confirmed by qRT-PCR. Our results concluded that, coculture of B. bassiana and T. asperellum has the synergistic potential to suppress the immune response of O. furnacalis and can be used as sustainable approach to induce plant resistance through activation of defense-related enzymes.
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Asano T, Seto Y, Hashimoto K, Kurushima H. Mini-review an insect-specific system for terrestrialization: Laccase-mediated cuticle formation. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 108:61-70. [PMID: 30904465 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Insects are often regarded as the most successful group of animals in the terrestrial environment. Their success can be represented by their huge biomass and large impact on ecosystems. Among the factors suggested to be responsible for their success, we focus on the possibility that the cuticle might have affected the process of insects' evolution. The cuticle of insects, like that of other arthropods, is composed mainly of chitin and structural cuticle proteins. However, insects seem to have evolved a specific system for cuticle formation. Oxidation reaction of catecholamines catalyzed by a copper enzyme, laccase, is the key step in the metabolic pathway for hardening of the insect cuticle. Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that laccase functioning in cuticle sclerotization has evolved only in insects. In this review, we discuss a theory on how the insect-specific "laccase" function has been advantageous for establishing their current ecological position as terrestrial animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsunaki Asano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan.
| | - Yosuke Seto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Kosei Hashimoto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kurushima
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
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Liu X, Zhang J, Zhu KY. Chitin in Arthropods: Biosynthesis, Modification, and Metabolism. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1142:169-207. [PMID: 31102247 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-7318-3_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chitin is a structural constituent of extracellular matrices including the cuticle of the exoskeleton and the peritrophic matrix (PM) of the midgut in arthropods. Chitin chains are synthesized through multiple biochemical reactions, organized in several hierarchical levels and associated with various proteins that give their unique physicochemical characteristics of the cuticle and PM. Because, arthropod growth and morphogenesis are dependent on the capability of remodeling chitin-containing structures, chitin biosynthesis and degradation are highly regulated, allowing ecdysis and regeneration of the cuticle and PM. Over the past 20 years, much progress has been made in understanding the physiological functions of chitinous matrices. In this chapter, we mainly discussed the biochemical processes of chitin biosynthesis, modification and degradation, and various enzymes involved in these processes. We also discussed cuticular proteins and PM proteins, which largely determine the physicochemical properties of the cuticle and PM. Although rapid advances in genomics, proteomics, RNA interference, and other technologies have considerably facilitated our research in chitin biosynthesis, modification, and metabolism in recent years, many aspects of these processes are still partially understood. Further research is needed in understanding how the structural organization of chitin synthase in plasma membrane accommodate chitin biosynthesis, transport of chitin chain across the plasma membrane, and release of the chitin chain from the enzyme. Other research is also needed in elucidating the roles of chitin deacetylases in chitin organization and the mechanism controlling the formation of different types of chitin in arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojian Liu
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China.
| | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
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Lu JB, Luo XM, Zhang XY, Pan PL, Zhang CX. An ungrouped cuticular protein is essential for normal endocuticle formation in the brown planthopper. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 100:1-9. [PMID: 29885440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.06.001] [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: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Using transcriptome analysis of tissues of the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, we identified a gene tentatively designated NlCP21.92 that was expressed at high levels in the integument. Spatiotemporal expression profiling with quantitative PCR and Western blotting verified its integument-specific expression and showed periodic expression during molting. The open reading frame was GC-rich and encoded a hydrophobic polypeptide. The polypeptide contained AAPA/V repeat motifs and other sequence features similar to several reported cuticular proteins but lacked an R&R consensus and other chitin-binding domains. Double-stranded RNA-mediated RNA interference of the NlCP21.92 resulted in abnormal and lethal morphological phenotypes, and transmission electron microscopy revealed the corresponding ultrastructural defects. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the NlCP21.92 protein was primarily located in the procuticle. Our results suggest that NlCP21.92 is a novel ungrouped cuticular protein essential for normal endocuticle formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Bao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xu-Mei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiao-Ya Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Peng-Lu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chuan-Xi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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12
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Qiao H, Fu H, Xiong Y, Jiang S, Zhang W, Sun S, Jin S, Gong Y, Wang Y, Shan D, Li F, Wu Y. Molecular insights into reproduction regulation of female Oriental River prawns Macrobrachium nipponense through comparative transcriptomic analysis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12161. [PMID: 28939826 PMCID: PMC5610250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10439-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, is an important commercial aquaculture resource in China. During breeding season, short ovary maturation cycles of female prawns cause multi-generation reunions in ponds and affect the growth of females representing individual miniaturization (known as autumn -propagation). These reproductive characteristics pose problems for in large - scale farming. To date, the molecular mechanisms of reproduction regulation of M. nipponense remain unclear. To address this issue, we performed transcriptome sequencing and gene expression analyses of eyestalk and cerebral ganglia of female M. nipponense during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Differentially expressed gene enrichment analysis results revealed several important reproduction related terms and signaling pathways, such as "photoreceptor activity", "structural constituent of cuticle" and "G-protein coupled receptor activity". The following six key genes from the transcriptome were predicted to mediate environmental factors regulating reproduction of M. nipponense: neuroparsin, neuropeptide F II, orcokinin II, crustacean cardioactive peptide, pigment-dispersing hormone 3 and tachykinin. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of reproduction of oriental river prawns. Further detailed functional analyses of the candidate reproduction regulation related neuropeptides are needed to shed light on the mechanisms of reproduction of crustacean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, China
| | - Hongtuo Fu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, China.
| | - Yiwei Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, China
| | - Sufei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, China
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, China
| | - Shengming Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, China
| | - Shubo Jin
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, China
| | - Yongsheng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, China
| | - Yabing Wang
- Wuxi Fishery College Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081, China
| | - Dongyan Shan
- College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Fei Li
- Wuxi Fishery College Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, China
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13
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Wang P, Bi S, Wu F, Xu P, Shen X, Zhao Q. Differentially expressed genes in the head of the 2nd instar pre-molting larvae of the nm2 mutant of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180160. [PMID: 28727825 PMCID: PMC5519023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Molting is an important physiological process in the larval stage of Bombyx mori and is controlled by various hormones and peptides. The silkworm mutant that exhibits the phenotype of non-molting in the 2nd instar (nm2) is incapable of molting in the 2nd instar and dies after seven or more days. The ecdysone titer in the nm2 mutant is lower than that in the wildtype, and the mutant can be rescued by feeding with 20E and cholesterol. The results of positional cloning indicated that structural alteration of BmCPG10 is responsible for the phenotype of the nm2 mutant. To explore the possible relationship between BmCPG10 and the ecdysone titer as well as the genes affected by BmCPG10, digital gene expression (DGE) profile analysis was conducted in the nm2 mutant, with the wildtype strain C603 serving as the control. The results revealed 1727 differentially expressed genes, among which 651 genes were upregulated and 1076 were downregulated in nm2. BLASTGO analysis showed that these differentially expressed genes were involved in various biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions. KEGG analysis indicated an enrichment of these differentially expressed genes in 240 pathways, including metabolic pathways, pancreatic secretion, protein digestion and absorption, fat digestion and absorption and glycerolipid metabolism. To verify the accuracy of the DGE results, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed, focusing on key genes in several related pathways, and the results were highly consistent with the DGE results. Our findings indicated significant differences in cuticular protein genes, ecdysone biosynthesis genes and ecdysone-related nuclear receptors genes, but no significant difference in juvenile hormone and chitin biosynthesis genes was detected. Our research findings lay the foundation for further research on the formation mechanism of the nm2 mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingyang Wang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang Jiangsu, China
| | - Simin Bi
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang Jiangsu, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Industrial Crops Institute, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Pingzhen Xu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang Jiangsu, China
| | - Xingjia Shen
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiaoling Zhao
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang Jiangsu, China
- * E-mail:
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14
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Identification of Immunity-Related Genes in Dialeurodes citri against Entomopathogenic Fungus Lecanicillium attenuatum by RNA-Seq Analysis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162659. [PMID: 27644092 PMCID: PMC5028029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dialeurodes citri is a major pest in citrus producing areas, and large-scale outbreaks have occurred increasingly often in recent years. Lecanicillium attenuatum is an important entomopathogenic fungus that can parasitize and kill D. citri. We separated the fungus from corpses of D. citri larvae. However, the sound immune defense system of pests makes infection by an entomopathogenic fungus difficult. Here we used RNA sequencing technology (RNA-Seq) to build a transcriptome database for D. citri and performed digital gene expression profiling to screen genes that act in the immune defense of D. citri larvae infected with a pathogenic fungus. De novo assembly generated 84,733 unigenes with mean length of 772 nt. All unigenes were searched against GO, Nr, Swiss-Prot, COG, and KEGG databases and a total of 28,190 (33.3%) unigenes were annotated. We identified 129 immunity-related unigenes in transcriptome database that were related to pattern recognition receptors, information transduction factors and response factors. From the digital gene expression profile, we identified 441 unigenes that were differentially expressed in D. citri infected with L. attenuatum. Through calculated Log2Ratio values, we identified genes for which fold changes in expression were obvious, including cuticle protein, vitellogenin, cathepsin, prophenoloxidase, clip-domain serine protease, lysozyme, and others. Subsequent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis verified the results. The identified genes may serve as target genes for microbial control of D. citri.
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15
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Asano T, Taoka M, Yamauchi Y, Craig Everroad R, Seto Y, Isobe T, Kamo M, Chosa N. Re-examination of a α-chymotrypsin-solubilized laccase in the pupal cuticle of the silkworm, Bombyx mori: Insights into the regulation system for laccase activation during the ecdysis process. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 55:61-69. [PMID: 25460512 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The laccase in the pupal cuticle of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, is thought to accumulate as an inactive precursor that can be activated stage-dependently. In this study we isolated an 81-kDa laccase from cuticular extract of B. mori that was prepared by digestion of the pupal cuticles with α-chymotrypsin. The mass spectrometric analysis of the purified protein indicates that this 81-kDa laccase is a product of the Bombyx laccase2 gene. The purified 81-kDa laccase (α-chymotrypsin-solubilized Bombyx laccase2: Bm-clac2) has an N-terminal sequence of RNPADS that corresponds to Arg146 to Ser151 of the deduced protein sequence of Bmlaccase2 cDNA, indicating that Bm-clac2 lacks the N-terminal part upstream from residue Arg146. Bm-clac2 shows enzymatic activity, but its specific activity is increased around 17-fold after treatment with trypsin, which involves cleavage of peptide bonds at the C-terminal region. We also found that the activity of Bm-clac2 is increased in the presence of isopropanol. In previous reports, proteolytic processing has been hypothesized as a system for laccase activation in vivo, but the present result implies that this type of processing is not the only way to convert Bm-clac2 to the high-activity enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsunaki Asano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minamiosawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.
| | - Masato Taoka
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minamiosawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Yoshio Yamauchi
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minamiosawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - R Craig Everroad
- Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | - Yosuke Seto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minamiosawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Isobe
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minamiosawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Masaharu Kamo
- Division of Cellular Biosignal Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Yahaba, Iwate 028-3694, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Chosa
- Division of Cellular Biosignal Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Yahaba, Iwate 028-3694, Japan
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16
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Souza-Ferreira PS, Moreira MF, Atella GC, Oliveira-Carvalho AL, Eizemberg R, Majerowicz D, Melo ACA, Zingali RB, Masuda H. Molecular characterization of Rhodnius prolixus' embryonic cuticle. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 51:89-100. [PMID: 24418313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The embryonic cuticle (EC) of Rhodnius prolixus envelopes the entire body of the embryo during hatching and provides physical protection, allowing the embryo to pass through a narrow chorionic border. Most of the knowledge about the EC of insects is derived from studies on ultrastructure and secretion processes during embryonic development, and little is known about the molecular composition of this structure. We performed a comprehensive molecular characterization of the major components extracted from the EC of R. prolixus, and we discuss the role of the different molecules that were identified during the eclosion process. The results showed that, similar to the post-embryonic cuticles of insects, the EC of R. prolixus is primarily composed of carbohydrates (57%), lipids (19%), and proteins (8%). Considering only the carbohydrates, chitin is by far the major component (approximately 70%), and it is found primarily along the body of the EC. It is scarce or absent in its prolongations, which are composed of glycosaminoglycans. In addition to chitin, we also identified amino (15%), neutral (12%) and acidic (3%) carbohydrates in the EC of R. prolixus. In addition carbohydrates, we also identified neutral lipids (64.12%) and phospholipids (35.88%). Proteomic analysis detected 68 proteins (55 were identified and 13 are hypothetical proteins) using the sequences in the R. prolixus genome (http://www.vectorbase.org). Among these proteins, 8 out of 15 are associated with cuticle metabolism. These proteins are unequivocally cuticle proteins, and they have been described in other insects. Approximately 35% of the total proteins identified were classified as having a structural function. Chitin-binding protein, amino peptidase, amino acid oxidase, oxidoreductase, catalase and peroxidase are all proteins associated with cuticle metabolism. Proteins known to be cuticle constituents may be related to the function of the EC in assisting the insect during eclosion. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the global molecular composition of an EC in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula S Souza-Ferreira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mônica F Moreira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Geórgia C Atella
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia Oliveira-Carvalho
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Roberto Eizemberg
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Escola de Educação Física e Desportos, 21941-599 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana C A Melo
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Russolina B Zingali
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Hatisaburo Masuda
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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17
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Gong L, Chen X, Liu C, Jin F, Hu Q. Gene expression profile of Bombyx mori hemocyte under the stress of destruxin A. PLoS One 2014; 9:e96170. [PMID: 24801594 PMCID: PMC4011735 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Destruxin A (DA) is a cyclo-peptidic mycotoxin from the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. To uncover potential genes associated with its molecular mechanisms, a digital gene expression (DGE) profiling analysis was used to compare differentially expressed genes in the hemocytes of silkworm larvae treated with DA. Ten DGE libraries were constructed, sequenced, and assembled, and the unigenes with least 2.0-fold difference were further analyzed. The numbers of up-regulated genes were 10, 20, 18, 74 and 8, as well as the numbers of down-regulated genes were 0, 1, 8, 13 and 3 at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h post treatment, respectively. Totally, the expression of 132 genes were significantly changed, among them, 1, 3 and 12 genes were continually up-regulated at 4, 3 and 2 different time points, respectively, while 1 gene was either up or down-regulated continually at 2 different time points. Furthermore, 68 genes were assigned to one or multiple gene ontology (GO) terms and 89 genes were assigned to specific Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Orthology. In-depth analysis identified that these genes putatively involved in insecticide resistance, cell apoptosis, and innate immune defense. Finally, twenty differentially expressed genes were randomly chosen and validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Our studies provide insights into the toxic effect of this microbial insecticide on silkworm's hemocytes, and are helpful to better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of DA as a biological insecticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Gong
- College of Natural Resource and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiurun Chen
- College of Natural Resource and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenglan Liu
- College of Natural Resource and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengliang Jin
- College of Natural Resource and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiongbo Hu
- College of Natural Resource and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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