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Koo J, Palli SR. Recent advances in understanding of the mechanisms of RNA interference in insects. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38957135 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
We highlight the recent 5 years of research that contributed to our understanding of the mechanisms of RNA interference (RNAi) in insects. Since its first discovery, RNAi has contributed enormously as a reverse genetic tool for functional genomic studies. RNAi is also being used in therapeutics, as well as agricultural crop and livestock production and protection. Yet, for the wider application of RNAi, improvement of its potency and delivery technologies is needed. A mechanistic understanding of every step of RNAi, from cellular uptake of RNAi trigger molecules to targeted mRNA degradation, is key for developing an efficient strategy to improve RNAi technology. Insects provide an excellent model for studying the mechanism of RNAi due to species-specific variations in RNAi efficiency. This allows us to perform comparative studies in insect species with different RNAi sensitivity. Understanding the mechanisms of RNAi in different insects can lead to the development of better strategies to improve RNAi and its application to manage agriculturally and medically important insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmo Koo
- Department of Entomology, Gatton-Martin College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, Gatton-Martin College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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2
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Tabara M, Harada M, Kuriyama K, Sakamoto T, Takeda A, Fukuhara T, Tabunoki H. Biochemical characterization of Bombyx mori Dicer-2 that dices double-stranded RNAs into 20-nt small RNA. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 116:e22118. [PMID: 38713637 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22118] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
We detected enzymatic activity that generates 20-nucleotide (nt) RNA from double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) in crude extracts prepared from various silkworm (Bombyx mori) organs. The result using knocked-down cultured cells indicated that this dicing activity originated from B. mori Dicer-2 (BmDcr2). Biochemical analyses revealed that BmDcr2 preferentially cleaves 5'-phosphorylated dsRNAs at the 20-nt site-counted from the 5'-phosphorylated end-and required ATP and magnesium ions for the dicing reaction. This is the first report of the biochemical characterization of Dicer-2 in lepidopteran insects. This enzymatic property of BmDcr2 in vitro is consistent with the in vivo small interfering RNA profile in virus-infected silkworm cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Midori Tabara
- Ritsumeikan-Global Innovation Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
| | - Mayuko Harada
- Department of Biological Production, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kuriyama
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuma Sakamoto
- Department of Biological Production, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takeda
- Ritsumeikan-Global Innovation Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Fukuhara
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Tabunoki
- Department of Biological Production, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
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3
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Airs PM, Kudrna KE, Lubinski B, Phanse Y, Bartholomay LC. A Comparative Analysis of RNAi Trigger Uptake and Distribution in Mosquito Vectors of Disease. INSECTS 2023; 14:556. [PMID: 37367372 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
In mosquitoes, the utilization of RNAi for functional genetics is widespread, usually mediated through introduced double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) with sequence identity to a gene of interest. However, RNAi in mosquitoes is often hampered by inconsistencies in target gene knockdown between experimental setups. While the core RNAi pathway is known to function in most mosquito strains, the uptake and biodistribution of dsRNAs across different mosquito species and life stages have yet to be extensively explored as a source of variation in RNAi experiments. To better understand mosquito-RNAi dynamics, the biodistribution of a dsRNA to a heterologous gene, LacZ (iLacZ), was tracked following various routes of exposure in the larval and adult stages of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex pipiens. iLacZ was largely limited to the gut lumen when exposed per os, or to the cuticle when topically applied, but spread through the hemocoel when injected. Uptake of dsRNA was noted in a subset of cells including: hemocytes, pericardial cells of the dorsal vessel, ovarian follicles, and ganglia of the ventral nerve cord. These cell types are all known to undergo phagocytosis, pinocytosis, or both, and as such may actively take up RNAi triggers. In Ae. aegypti, iLacZ was detected for up to one week post exposure by Northern blotting, but uptake and degradation drastically differed across tissues. The results presented here reveal that the uptake of RNAi triggers is distinct and specific to the cell type in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Airs
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Katherine E Kudrna
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Bailey Lubinski
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Yashdeep Phanse
- 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
- Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Kolliopoulou A, Kontogiannatos D, Mazurek AJ, Prifti I, Christopoulou VM, Labropoulou V, Swevers L. Analysis of luciferase dsRNA production during baculovirus infection of Hi5 cells: RNA hairpins expressed by very late promoters do not trigger gene silencing. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 2:959077. [PMID: 38468767 PMCID: PMC10926400 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2022.959077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) has become an important platform for the expression of recombinant proteins and is especially useful for the production of large protein complexes such as virus-like particles (VLPs). An important application for VLPs is their use as vehicles for targeted delivery of drugs or toxins which requires the development of methods for efficient loading with the intended cargo. Our research intends to employ the BEVS for the production of VLPs for the delivery of insecticidal dsRNA molecules to targeted insect pests (as "dsRNA-VLPs"). A convenient strategy would be the co-expression of long dsRNAs with viral capsid proteins and their simultaneous encapsulation during VLP assembly but the capacity of the BEVS for the production of long dsRNA has not been assessed so far. In this study, the efficiency of production of long RNA hairpins targeting the luciferase gene ("dsLuc") by the polyhedrin promoter during baculovirus infection was evaluated. However, RNAi reporter assays could not detect significant amounts of dsLuc in Hi5 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus, even in the presence of co-expressed dsRNA-binding protein B2-GFP or the employment of the MS2-MCP system. Nevertheless, dot blot analyses using anti-dsRNA antibody revealed that baculovirus-mediated expression of B2-GFP resulted in significant increases in dsRNA levels in infected cells that may correspond to hybridized complementary viral transcripts. Using B2-GFP as a genetically encoded sensor, dsRNA foci were detected in the nuclei that partially co-localized with DAPI staining, consistent with their localization at the virogenic stroma. Co-localization experiments with the baculovirus proteins vp39, Ac93, ODV-E25 and gp64 indicated limited overlap between B2-GFP and the ring zone compartment where assembly of nucleocapsids and virions occurs. Stability experiments showed that exogenous dsRNA is resistant to degradation in extracts of non-infected and infected Hi5 cells and it is proposed that strong unwinding activity at the virogenic stroma in the infected nuclei may neutralize the annealing of complementary RNA strands and block the production of long dsRNAs. Because the strong stability of exogenous dsRNA, transfection can be explored as an alternative method for delivery of cargo for dsRNA-VLPs during their assembly in baculovirus-infected Hi5 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Kontogiannatos
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Aleksander Józef Mazurek
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Izabela Prifti
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki-Maria Christopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Labropoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
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Santos D, Verdonckt TW, Mingels L, Van den Brande S, Geens B, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Kolliopoulou A, Swevers L, Wynant N, Vanden Broeck J. PIWI Proteins Play an Antiviral Role in Lepidopteran Cell Lines. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071442. [PMID: 35891422 PMCID: PMC9321812 DOI: 10.3390/v14071442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect antiviral immunity primarily relies on RNAi mechanisms. While a key role of small interfering (si)RNAs and AGO proteins has been well established in this regard, the situation for PIWI proteins and PIWI-interacting (pi)RNAs is not as clear. In the present study, we investigate whether PIWI proteins and viral piRNAs are involved in the immunity against single-stranded RNA viruses in lepidopteran cells, where two PIWIs are identified (Siwi and Ago3). Via loss- and gain-of-function studies in Bombyx mori BmN4 cells and in Trichoplusia ni High Five cells, we demonstrated an antiviral role of Siwi and Ago3. However, small RNA analysis suggests that viral piRNAs can be absent in these lepidopteran cells. Together with the current literature, our results support a functional diversification of PIWI proteins in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Santos
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (T.-W.V.); (L.M.); (S.V.d.B.); (B.G.); (N.W.); (J.V.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Thomas-Wolf Verdonckt
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (T.-W.V.); (L.M.); (S.V.d.B.); (B.G.); (N.W.); (J.V.B.)
| | - Lina Mingels
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (T.-W.V.); (L.M.); (S.V.d.B.); (B.G.); (N.W.); (J.V.B.)
| | - Stijn Van den Brande
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (T.-W.V.); (L.M.); (S.V.d.B.); (B.G.); (N.W.); (J.V.B.)
| | - Bart Geens
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (T.-W.V.); (L.M.); (S.V.d.B.); (B.G.); (N.W.); (J.V.B.)
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Gent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Gent, Belgium;
| | - Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, 153 10 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (L.S.)
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, 153 10 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (L.S.)
| | - Niels Wynant
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (T.-W.V.); (L.M.); (S.V.d.B.); (B.G.); (N.W.); (J.V.B.)
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (T.-W.V.); (L.M.); (S.V.d.B.); (B.G.); (N.W.); (J.V.B.)
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Molecular Characterizations and Functional Analyses of LmR2D2 in the Locusta migratoria siRNA Pathway. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12090812. [PMID: 34564252 PMCID: PMC8468669 DOI: 10.3390/insects12090812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with a length of 21~23 nucleotides (nt) and present in almost all eukaryotes. The formation of siRNA is a highly conserved post-transcriptional gene-silencing mechanism mediated by key proteins, including Dicer2, Argonaute2 (Ago2) and R2D2. R2D2 has been identified as a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding protein and reported as an integral component of the siRNA pathway in Drosophila. However, the involvement of R2D2 in the siRNA pathway of Locusta migratoria is still unknown. In the present study, we identified an LmR2D2 gene from the transcriptome of L. migratoria. It consists of a 954-bp open reading frame that encodes a protein of 318 amino acid residues. Further sequence analysis revealed that LmR2D2 possesses two tandem dsRNA-binding domains (dsRBD) at the N-terminus. Analysis of the developmental expression profile of LmR2D2 indicated that its transcript level was stable in third-instar nymphs of L. migratoria, whereas the tissue-dependent expression profile exhibited high levels of expression of LmR2D2 in the testis and ovary. When LmR2D2 was silenced by RNAi, the RNAi efficiency against Lmβ-tubulin as a marker gene was significantly diminished, as indicated by the 37.7% increased Lmβ-tubulin transcript level. Additionally, the prokaryotic expression system was used to obtain the LmR2D2 supernatant protein. By incubating the LmR2D2 protein with biotin-dsRNA, we found that LmR2D2 can bind to dsRNA in vitro, which supports our conclusion that LmR2D2 plays an essential role in the siRNA pathway of L. migratoria.
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Bao W, Li A, Zhang Y, Diao P, Zhao Q, Yan T, Zhou Z, Duan H, Li X, Wuriyanghan H. Improvement of host-induced gene silencing efficiency via polycistronic-tRNA-amiR expression for multiple target genes and characterization of RNAi mechanism in Mythimna separata. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:1370-1385. [PMID: 33484609 PMCID: PMC8313139 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) emerged as a new strategy for pest control. However, RNAi efficiency is reported to be low in Lepidoptera, which are composed of many important crop pests. To address this, we generated transgenic plants to develop HIGS effects in a maize pest, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), by targeting chitinase encoding genes. More importantly, we developed an artificial microRNA (amiR) based PTA (polycistronic-tRNA-amiR) system for silencing multiple target genes. Compared with hpRNA (hairpin RNA), transgenic expression of a PTA cassette including an amiR for the gut-specific dsRNA nuclease gene MsREase, resulted in improved knockdown efficiency and caused more pronounced developmental abnormalities in recipient insects. When target gene siRNAs were analysed after HIGS and direct dsRNA/siRNA feeding, common features such as sense polarity and siRNA hotspot regions were observed, however, they differed in siRNA transitivity and major 20-24nt siRNA species. Core RNAi genes were identified in M. separata, and biochemical activities of MsAGO2, MsSID1 and MsDcr2 were confirmed by EMSA (electrophoretic mobility shift assay) and dsRNA cleavage assays, respectively. Taken together, we provide compelling evidence for the existence of the RNAi mechanism in M. separata by analysis of both siRNA signatures and RNAi machinery components, and the PTA system could potentially be useful for future RNAi control of lepidopteran pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Bao
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop BiotechnologyMinistry of EducationSchool of Life SciencesInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Aoga Li
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop BiotechnologyMinistry of EducationSchool of Life SciencesInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop BiotechnologyMinistry of EducationSchool of Life SciencesInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Pengfei Diao
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop BiotechnologyMinistry of EducationSchool of Life SciencesInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Qiqi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop BiotechnologyMinistry of EducationSchool of Life SciencesInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Ting Yan
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop BiotechnologyMinistry of EducationSchool of Life SciencesInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Zikai Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop BiotechnologyMinistry of EducationSchool of Life SciencesInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Huimin Duan
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop BiotechnologyMinistry of EducationSchool of Life SciencesInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Xugang Li
- Sino‐German Joint Research Center on Agricultural BiologyState Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life SciencesShandong Agricultural UniversityTai'anChina
| | - Hada Wuriyanghan
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop BiotechnologyMinistry of EducationSchool of Life SciencesInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
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Feng M, Kolliopoulou A, Zhou YH, Fei SG, Xia JM, Swevers L, Sun JC. The piRNA response to BmNPV infection in the silkworm fat body and midgut. INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:662-679. [PMID: 32367653 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a DNA virus that causes huge losses to the silkworm industry but the piRNA responses during BmNPV infection in the silkworm remain uninvestigated. Here, silkworm piRNA profiles of uninfected and BmNPV-infected fat body and midgut were determined by high-through sequencing in the early stages of BmNPV infection. A total of 2675 and 3396 genome-derived piRNAs were identified from fat body and midgut, respectively. These genome-derived piRNAs mainly originated from unannotated instead of transposon regions in the silkworm genome. In total, 572 piRNAs were associated with 280 putative target genes in fat body and 805 piRNAs with 380 target genes in midgut. Compared to uninfected tissues, 322 and 129 piRNAs were significantly upregulated in BmNPV-infected fat body and midgut, respectively. In addition, 276 and 117 piRNAs were significantly downregulated. Moreover, differentially expressed (DE) piRNAs during BmNPV infection differed significantly between fat body and midgut. Putative DE piRNA-targeted genes were associated with "response to stimulus" and "environmental information processing" in fat body after infection with BmNPV, which may indicate an active piRNA response to BmNPV infection in fat body. This study may lay the foundation for future research of the potential roles of the piRNA pathway and specific piRNAs in BmNPV pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, Athens, Greece
| | - Yao-Hong Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Gang Fei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Ming Xia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, Athens, Greece
| | - Jing-Chen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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9
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Awais MM, Shakeel M, Sun J. MicroRNA-Mediated Host-Pathogen Interactions Between Bombyx mori and Viruses. Front Physiol 2021; 12:672205. [PMID: 34025458 PMCID: PMC8137832 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.672205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs of about 22 nucleotides, have been reported to regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and are involved in several biological processes such as immunity, development, metabolism, and host-pathogen interactions. Apart from miRNAs encoded by the host, miRNAs produced by pathogens also regulate host genes to facilitate virus replication and evasion of the host defense responses. In recent years, accumulated studies suggest that viral infections alter the host miRNAs expression profile, and both cellular and viral miRNAs may play vital roles in host-pathogen interactions. Bombyx mori, one of the critical lepidopteran model species, is an economically important insect for silk production. The mechanism of interaction between B. mori and its pathogens and their regulation by miRNAs has been extensively studied. Therefore, in this review, we aim to highlight the recent information and understanding of the virus-encoding miRNAs and their functions in modulating viral and host (B. mori) genes. Additionally, the response of B. mori derived miRNAs to viral infection is also discussed. A detailed critical view about miRNAs’ regulatory roles in B. mori-virus interactions will help us understand molecular networks and develop a sustainable antiviral strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mian Muhammad Awais
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Sub-Tropical Sericulture and Mulberry Resources Protection and Safety Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Shakeel
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guandong Province, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Sub-Tropical Sericulture and Mulberry Resources Protection and Safety Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Gao L, Wang Y, Fan Y, Abbas M, Ma E, Cooper AMW, Silver K, Zhu KY, Zhang J. Multiple Argonaute family genes contribute to the siRNA-mediated RNAi pathway in Locusta migratoria. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 170:104700. [PMID: 32980067 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104700] [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: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Argonautes (Ago) are important core proteins in RNA interference (RNAi) pathways of eukaryotic cells. Generally, it is thought that Ago1, Ago2 and Ago3 are involved in the miRNA (microRNA), siRNA (small interfering RNA) and piRNA (Piwi-interacting RNA)-mediated RNAi pathways, respectively. As a main component of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), Ago2 plays an indispensable role in using siRNA to recognize and cut target messenger RNAs resulting in suppression of transcript levels, but the contributions of Ago1 and Ago3 to the siRNA-mediated RNAi pathway remain to be explored in many insect species. In this study, we investigated the contributions of four Ago genes (named LmAgo1, LmAgo2a and LmAgo2b and LmAgo3) to RNAi efficiency in Locusta migratoria by using both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Our results showed that suppression of each of the Ago genes significantly impaired RNAi efficiency when targeting Lmβ-tubulin transcripts, resulting in recovery of 48, 43.3, 61.4 or 26% of Lmβ-tubulin transcripts following RNAi-mediated suppression of LmAgo1, LmAgo2a, LmAgo2b, and LmAgo3, respectively. Furthermore, overexpression of LmAgo1, LmAgo2a, LmAgo2b, or LmAgo3 in a PAc5.1-V5/HisB vector and co-transfection with psicheck2 fluorescence vector in S2 cells reduced luciferase fluorescence by 38.3, 58.9, 53.3 or 55.6%, respectively. Taken together, our results showed that LmAgo1, LmAgo2a, LmAgo2b, and LmAgo3 each make significant contributions to RNAi efficiency in L. migratoria and suggest that the involvement of all four enzymes could be one of the major factors supporting robust RNAi responses observed in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Gao
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China; College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Yunhe Fan
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Mureed Abbas
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Enbo Ma
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Anastasia M W Cooper
- Department of Entomology, 123 Waters Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Kristopher Silver
- Department of Entomology, 123 Waters Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, 123 Waters Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China.
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11
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You L, Zhang F, Huang S, Merchant A, Zhou X, Li Z. Over-expression of RNA interference (RNAi) core machinery improves susceptibility to RNAi in silkworm larvae. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 29:353-362. [PMID: 32086963 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi), one of the strategies that organisms use to defend against invading viruses, is an important tool for functional genomic analysis. In insects, the efficacy of RNAi varies amongst taxa. Lepidopteran insects are, in large part, recalcitrant to RNAi. The overall goal of this study is to overcome such insensitivity in lepidopterans to RNAi. We hypothesize that over-expression of core RNAi machinery enzymes can improve RNAi efficacy in traditionally recalcitrant species. A transgenic Bombyx mori strain, Baculovirus Immediate-Early Gene, ie1, promoter driven expression of silkworm Dicer2 coding sequence (IE1-BmDicer2), which over-expresses BmDicer2, was generated by piggyBac transposon-mediated transgenesis. Two indexes, the ratio of animals that showed a silencing phenotype and the duration of silencing, were used to evaluate silencing efficiency. Significant knockdown of target gene expression was observed at 48 h postinjection at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Furthermore, we coexpressed B. mori Argonaute 2 BmAgo2)and BmDicer 2 and found that 22% of the animals (n = 18) showed an obvious silencing effect even at 72 h, suggesting that coexpression of these two RNAi core machinery enzymes further increased the susceptibility of B. mori to injected double-stranded RNAs. This study offers a new strategy for functional genomics research in RNAi-refractory insect taxa in general and for lepidopterans in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- L You
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - F Zhang
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - S Huang
- Agricultrual and Medical Biotechnology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - A Merchant
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - X Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Z Li
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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12
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Yoon JS, Tian HG, McMullen JG, Chung SH, Douglas AE. Candidate genetic determinants of intraspecific variation in pea aphid susceptibility to RNA interference. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 123:103408. [PMID: 32446747 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) plays a key role in insect defense against viruses and transposable elements, and it is being applied as an experimental tool and for insect pest control. However, RNAi efficiency is highly variable for some insects, notably the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. In this study, we used natural variation in RNAi susceptibility of pea aphids to identify genes that influence RNAi efficiency. Susceptibility to orally-delivered dsRNA against the gut aquaporin gene AQP1 (ds-AQP1) varied widely across a panel of 83 pea aphid genotypes, from zero to total mortality. Genome-wide association between aphid performance on ds-AQP1 supplemented diet and aphid genetic variants yielded 103 significantly associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including variants in 55 genes, at the 10-4 probability cut-off. When ds-AQP1 was co-administered with dsRNA against six candidate genes, aphid mortality was reduced for three (50%) genes: the orthologs of the Drosophila genes trachealess (CG42865), headcase (CG15532) and a gene coding a peritrophin-A domain (CG8192), indicating that these genes function to promote RNAi efficiency against AQP1 in the pea aphid. Aphid susceptibility (quantified as mortality) to ds-AQP1 was correlated with RNAi against a further gene, snakeskin with essential gut function unrelated to AQP1, for some but not all aphid genotypes tested, suggesting that the determinants of RNAi efficiency may be partly gene-specific. This study demonstrates high levels of natural variation in susceptibility to RNAi and demonstrates the value of harnessing this variation to identify genes influencing RNAi efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- June-Sun Yoon
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853, USA
| | - Hong-Gang Tian
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853, USA
| | - John G McMullen
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853, USA
| | - Seung Ho Chung
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853, USA
| | - Angela E Douglas
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853, USA; Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853, USA.
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13
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Edwards CH, Christie CR, Masotti A, Celluzzi A, Caporali A, Campbell EM. Dendrimer-coated carbon nanotubes deliver dsRNA and increase the efficacy of gene knockdown in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12422. [PMID: 32709999 PMCID: PMC7381663 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69068-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, the use of dendrimer-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a delivery vehicle for dsRNA was assessed in Tribolium castaneum. Exposure to low dosages of polyamidoamine dendrimer carbon nanotubes (PAMAM-CNTs) did not affect T. castaneum larval mortality. Expression of key apoptotic factors, Dronc (Tc12580), Dredd (Tcn-like, Tc014026) and Buffy, (Tcinhib apop1), which can act as toxicity indicators, were not altered in T. castaneum larvae following injection of PAMAM-CNTs. The level of knockdown of two target genes, α-tubulin and mitochondrial RNA polymerase (mtpol), were significantly increased when larvae were injected with double-stranded RNA bound to CNTs (PAMAM-CNT-dsRNA), compared to those injected with target dsRNA alone. PAMAM-CNTs were visualised in cellular vacuoles and in the cell nucleus. Increase occurrence of a blistered wing phenotype was found in a subset of PAMAM-CNT-dsRNAαtub injected larvae, relative to the level seen in larvae injected with naked dsRNAαtub alone. These results suggest that the use of functionalised CNTs for dsRNA delivery could increase the efficacy of RNA interference in insect pest species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Craig R Christie
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Andrea Masotti
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Caporali
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ewan M Campbell
- Centre for Genome Enabled Biology and Medicine, University of Aberdeen, 23 St. Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3RY, UK.
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14
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Stolyarenko AD. Nuclear Argonaute Piwi Gene Mutation Affects rRNA by Inducing rRNA Fragment Accumulation, Antisense Expression, and Defective Processing in Drosophila Ovaries. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21031119. [PMID: 32046213 PMCID: PMC7037970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila key nuclear piRNA silencing pathway protein Piwi of the Argonaute family has been classically studied as a factor controlling transposable elements and fertility. Piwi has been shown to concentrate in the nucleolus for reasons largely unknown. Ribosomal RNA is the main component of the nucleolus. In this work the effect of a piwi mutation on rRNA is described. This work led to three important conclusions: A mutation in piwi induces antisense 5S rRNA expression, a processing defect of 2S rRNA orthologous to the 3′-end of eukaryotic 5.8S rRNA, and accumulation of fragments of all five rRNAs in Drosophilamelanogaster ovaries. Hypotheses to explain these phenomena are proposed, possibly involving the interaction of the components of the piRNA pathway with the RNA surveillance machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia D Stolyarenko
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., Moscow 123182, Russia
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15
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Inhibition of dicer activity in lepidopteran and dipteran cells by baculovirus-mediated expression of Flock House virus B2. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14494. [PMID: 31601846 PMCID: PMC6787241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50851-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior studies have suggested that insect DNA viruses are negatively affected by dicer-2-mediated RNA interference (RNAi). To examine this further, we utilized an in vitro assay to measure dicer activity in lepidopteran and dipteran cells, combined with baculoviruses expressing the RNAi suppressor B2 from Flock House virus or Aedes aegypti dicer-2 (Aedicer-2) using a constitutive heat shock promoter. Addition of cell lysates containing baculovirus-expressed B2 to lysates from dipteran (S2, Aag2) or lepidopteran (Sf9) cells inhibited endogenous dicer activity in a dose-dependent manner, while expression of Aedicer-2 restored siRNA production in Ae. albopictus C6/36 cells, which are dicer-2 defective. However, B2 expression from the constitutive heat shock promoter had no impact on baculovirus replication or virulence in cell lines or larvae that were either highly permissive (Trichoplusia ni) or less susceptible (Spodoptera frugiperda) to infection. We determined that this constitutive level of B2 expression had little to no ability to suppress dicer activity in cell lysates, but higher expression of B2, following heat shock treatment, inhibited dicer activity in all cells tested. Thus, we cannot rule out the possibility that optimized expression of B2 or other RNAi suppressors may increase baculovirus replication and expression of heterologous proteins by baculoviruses.
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16
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Kolliopoulou A, Santos D, Taning CNT, Wynant N, Vanden Broeck J, Smagghe G, Swevers L. PIWI pathway against viruses in insects. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2019; 10:e1555. [PMID: 31183996 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are an animal-specific class of small non-coding RNAs that are generated via a biogenesis pathway distinct from small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). There are variations in piRNA biogenesis that depend on several factors, such as the cell type (germline or soma), the organism, and the purpose for which they are being produced, such as transposon-targeting, viral-targeting, or gene-derived piRNAs. Interestingly, the genes involved in the PIWI/piRNA pathway are more rapidly evolving compared with other RNA interference (RNAi) genes. In this review, the role of the piRNA pathway in the antiviral response is reviewed based on recent findings in insect models such as Drosophila, mosquitoes, midges and the silkworm, Bombyx mori. We extensively discuss the special features that characterize host-virus piRNA responses with respect to the proteins and the genes involved, the viral piRNAs' sequence characteristics, the target strand orientation biases as well as the viral piRNA target hotspots across the viral genomes. This article is categorized under: Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Biogenesis of Effector Small RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Dulce Santos
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Niels Wynant
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
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17
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Wang L, Cappelle K, Santos D, Vanden Broeck J, Smagghe G, Swevers L. Short-term persistence precedes pathogenic infection: Infection kinetics of cricket paralysis virus in silkworm-derived Bm5 cells. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 115:1-11. [PMID: 30905610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Next generation sequencing has revealed the widespread occurrence of persistent virus infections in insects but little is known regarding to what extent persistent infections can affect cellular physiology and how they might contribute to the development of disease. In contrast to the pathogenic infections occurring in Drosophila S2 cells, it was observed that Cricket Paralysis virus (CrPV; Dicistroviridae) causes persistent infections in 9 lepidopteran and 2 coleopteran cell lines. The status of the persistent infection was subsequently investigated in more detail using silkworm-derived Bm5 cells, where the infection eventually becomes pathogenic after 3-4 weeks. The short-term persistence period in Bm5 cells is characterized by low levels of viral replication and virion production as well as by the production of viral siRNAs. However, during this period cellular physiology also becomes altered since the cells become susceptible to infection by the nodavirus Flock House virus (FHV). Pathogenicity and widespread mortality at 4 weeks is preceded by a large increase in virion production and the transcriptional activation of immune-related genes encoding RNAi factors and transcription factors in the Toll, Imd and Jak-STAT pathways. During the infection of Bm5 cells, the infective properties of CrPV are not altered, indicating changes in the physiology of the host cells during the transition from short-term persistence to pathogenicity. The in vitro system of Bm5 cells persistently infected with CrPV can therefore be presented as an easily accessible model to study the nature of persistent virus infections and the processes that trigger the transition to pathogenicity, for instance through the application of different "omics" approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics). The different factors that can cause the transition from persistence to pathogenicity in the Bm5-CrPV infection model are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoluo Wang
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Kaat Cappelle
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Dulce Santos
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.
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18
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Transcriptional response of immune-related genes after endogenous expression of VP1 and exogenous exposure to VP1-based VLPs and CPV virions in lepidopteran cell lines. Mol Genet Genomics 2019; 294:887-899. [DOI: 10.1007/s00438-019-01551-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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19
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Ding BY, Yang L, Peng YY, Chang TY, Ye C, Shang F, Niu J, Wang JJ. RNA-sequencing of a citrus bud-feeder, Podagricomela weisei (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), reveals xenobiotic metabolism/core RNAi machinery-associated genes and conserved miRNAs. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2019; 29:339-350. [PMID: 30682656 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The citrus leaf-mining beetle, Podagricomela weisei Heikertinger, is an important citrus pest that ingests the mesophyll and new shoots. The mechanism underlying the xenobiotic metabolism of P. weisei is not well understood, in part because of a lack of available genomic and transcriptomic data, which has hampered the development of novel pest management approaches [e.g., RNA interference (RNAi)]. In this study, we completed the deep sequencing of the P. weisei transcriptome to identify factors potentially involved in xenobiotic metabolism and the core RNAi machinery. The sequencing of the P. weisei transcriptome generated >27 million clean reads, ultimately yielding 90,410 unigenes with an N50 of 1065 bp. The unigenes were used as queries to search the Nr database, which revealed that 21,847 unigenes were homologous to known genes in various species. Transcripts encoding genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism were identified, including genes encoding cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450, 47 unigenes), glutathione S-transferase (GST, 12 unigenes), esterase (EST, 25 unigenes), and the ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC transporter, 32 unigenes). A parallel sequencing of small RNAs detected 30 conserved miRNAs, with the most abundant being Pwe-miR-1-3p, with an expression level reaching 517,996 reads in the prepared library, followed by Pwe-miR-8-3p (149,402 reads). Genes encoding components of the miRNA, siRNA, and piRNA pathways were also identified, and the results indicated that P. weisei possesses only one of each gene in all three pathways. In summary, this is the first detailed analysis of the transcriptome and small RNAs of P. weisei. The datasets presented herein may form the basis for future molecular characterizations of P. weisei as well as the development of enhanced pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Yue Ding
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Li Yang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Peng
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Teng-Yu Chang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Chao Ye
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Feng Shang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Jinzhi Niu
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
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20
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Swevers L, Liu J, Smagghe G. Defense Mechanisms against Viral Infection in Drosophila: RNAi and Non-RNAi. Viruses 2018; 10:E230. [PMID: 29723993 PMCID: PMC5977223 DOI: 10.3390/v10050230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNAi is considered a major antiviral defense mechanism in insects, but its relative importance as compared to other antiviral pathways has not been evaluated comprehensively. Here, it is attempted to give an overview of the antiviral defense mechanisms in Drosophila that involve both RNAi and non-RNAi. While RNAi is considered important in most viral infections, many other pathways can exist that confer antiviral resistance. It is noted that very few direct recognition mechanisms of virus infections have been identified in Drosophila and that the activation of immune pathways may be accomplished indirectly through cell damage incurred by viral replication. In several cases, protection against viral infection can be obtained in RNAi mutants by non-RNAi mechanisms, confirming the variability of the RNAi defense mechanism according to the type of infection and the physiological status of the host. This analysis is aimed at more systematically investigating the relative contribution of RNAi in the antiviral response and more specifically, to ask whether RNAi efficiency is affected when other defense mechanisms predominate. While Drosophila can function as a useful model, this issue may be more critical for economically important insects that are either controlled (agricultural pests and vectors of diseases) or protected from parasite infection (beneficial insects as bees) by RNAi products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Swevers
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications, NCSR "Demokritos", 15341 Athens, Greece.
| | - Jisheng Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, China.
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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21
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Hameed MS, Wang Z, Vasseur L, Yang G. Molecular Characterization and the Function of Argonaute3 in RNAi Pathway of Plutella xylostella. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041249. [PMID: 29677157 PMCID: PMC5979473 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 04/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Argonaute (Ago) protein family plays a key role in the RNA interference (RNAi) process in different insects including Lepidopteran. However, the role of Ago proteins in the RNAi pathway of Plutella xylostella is still unknown. We cloned an Argonaute3 gene in P. xylostella (PxAgo3) with the complete coding sequence of 2832 bp. The encoded protein had 935 amino acids with an expected molecular weight of 108.9 kDa and an isoelectric point of 9.29. It contained a PAZ (PIWI/Argonaute/Zwile) domain and PIWI (P-element-induced whimpy testes) domain. PxAgo3 was classified into the Piwi subfamily of Ago proteins with a high similarity of 93.0% with Bombyx mori Ago3 (BmAgo3). The suppression of PxAgo3 by dsPxAgo3 was observed 3 h after treatment and was maintained until 24 h. Knockdown of PxAgo3 decreased the suppression level of PxActin by dsPxActin in P. xylostella cells, while overexpression of PxAgo3 increased the RNAi efficiency. Our results suggest that PxAgo3 play a key role in the double stranded RNA (dsRNA)-regulated RNAi pathway in P. xylostella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Salman Hameed
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Zhengbing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticides and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Liette Vasseur
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada.
| | - Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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22
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Santos D, Wynant N, Van den Brande S, Verdonckt TW, Mingels L, Peeters P, Kolliopoulou A, Swevers L, Vanden Broeck J. Insights into RNAi-based antiviral immunity in Lepidoptera: acute and persistent infections in Bombyx mori and Trichoplusia ni cell lines. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2423. [PMID: 29403066 PMCID: PMC5799340 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20848-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The control of viral infections in insects is a current issue of major concern and RNA interference (RNAi) is considered the main antiviral immune response in this group of animals. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of key RNAi factors can help to protect insect cells against viral infections. In particular, we show that overexpression of Dicer2 and Argonaute2 in lepidopteran cells leads to improved defense against the acute infection of the Cricket Paralysis Virus (CrPV). We also demonstrate an important role of RNAi in the control of persistent viral infections, as the one caused by the Macula-like Latent Virus (MLV). Specifically, a direct interaction between Argonaute2 and virus-specific small RNAs is shown. Yet, while knocking down Dicer2 and Argonaute2 resulted in higher transcript levels of the persistently infecting MLV in the lepidopteran cells under investigation, overexpression of these proteins could not further reduce these levels. Taken together, our data provide deep insight into the RNAi-based interactions between insects and their viruses. In addition, our results suggest the potential use of an RNAi gain-of-function approach as an alternative strategy to obtain reduced viral-induced mortality in Lepidoptera, an insect order that encompasses multiple species of relevant economic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Santos
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, box 02465, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Niels Wynant
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, box 02465, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stijn Van den Brande
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, box 02465, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas-Wolf Verdonckt
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, box 02465, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lina Mingels
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, box 02465, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paulien Peeters
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, box 02465, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Group, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", 153 10, Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, Athens, Greece
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Group, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", 153 10, Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, Athens, Greece
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, box 02465, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Kolliopoulou A, Taning CNT, Smagghe G, Swevers L. Viral Delivery of dsRNA for Control of Insect Agricultural Pests and Vectors of Human Disease: Prospects and Challenges. Front Physiol 2017; 8:399. [PMID: 28659820 PMCID: PMC5469917 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RNAi is applied as a new and safe method for pest control in agriculture but efficiency and specificity of delivery of dsRNA trigger remains a critical issue. Various agents have been proposed to augment dsRNA delivery, such as engineered micro-organisms and synthetic nanoparticles, but the use of viruses has received relatively little attention. Here we present a critical view of the potential of the use of recombinant viruses for efficient and specific delivery of dsRNA. First of all, it requires the availability of plasmid-based reverse genetics systems for virus production, of which an overview is presented. For RNA viruses, their application seems to be straightforward since dsRNA is produced as an intermediate molecule during viral replication, but DNA viruses also have potential through the production of RNA hairpins after transcription. However, application of recombinant virus for dsRNA delivery may not be straightforward in many cases, since viruses can encode RNAi suppressors, and virus-induced silencing effects can be determined by the properties of the encoded RNAi suppressor. An alternative is virus-like particles that retain the efficiency and specificity determinants of natural virions but have encapsidated non-replicating RNA. Finally, the use of viruses raises important safety issues which need to be addressed before application can proceed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR “Demokritos,”Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - Clauvis N. T. Taning
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent UniversityGhent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent UniversityGhent, Belgium
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR “Demokritos,”Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
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24
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Paces J, Nic M, Novotny T, Svoboda P. Literature review of baseline information to support the risk assessment of RNAi‐based GM plants. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [PMCID: PMC7163844 DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2017.en-1246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Paces
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IMG)
| | | | | | - Petr Svoboda
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IMG)
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25
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Sugahara R, Tanaka S, Jouraku A, Shiotsuki T. Geographic variation in RNAi sensitivity in the migratory locust. Gene 2016; 605:5-11. [PMID: 28034629 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The RNA interference (RNAi) technology has been widely used in basic and applied research. It is known that RNAi works in some species but not in others, although the cause for this difference remains unclear. Here, we present inter- and intra-populational variations in RNAi sensitivity in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria, and provide information on the genetic background of such variations. In the four strains analyzed, originating from different Japanese localities, most individuals from two of the strains were sensitive to injections of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) against the corazonin (CRZ) and ecdysone receptor genes, whereas those from the other two strains were resistant. Selection for individuals sensitive to dsCRZ produced a dramatic increase in the RNAi sensitivity in the following generations, although phenotypes also varied in the selected line, suggesting that several genes might control RNAi sensitivity. Reciprocal crosses between a sensitive and a resistant strain suggested that the resistant phenotype is dominant. The expression levels of nine RNAi-associated genes known for other organisms were not correlated with the variation in RNAi sensitivity observed in L. migratoria. Variations in RNAi sensitivity as the ones observed in this study should be considered when using RNAi in basic and applied research as well as in pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Sugahara
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 1-2 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan.
| | - Seiji Tanaka
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 1-2 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Akiya Jouraku
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 1-2 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Takahiro Shiotsuki
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 1-2 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
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26
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Yoon JS, Shukla JN, Gong ZJ, Mogilicherla K, Palli SR. RNA interference in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata: Identification of key contributors. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 78:78-88. [PMID: 27687845 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a useful reverse genetics tool for investigation of gene function as well as for practical applications in many fields including medicine and agriculture. RNAi works very well in coleopteran insects including the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata. We used a cell line (Lepd-SL1) developed from CPB to identify genes that play key roles in RNAi. We screened 50 genes with potential functions in RNAi by exposing Lepd-SL1 cells to dsRNA targeting one of the potential RNAi pathway genes followed by incubation with dsRNA targeting inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP, silencing of this gene induces apoptosis). Out of 50 genes tested, silencing of 29 genes showed an effect on RNAi. Silencing of five genes (Argonaute-1, Argonaute-2a, Argonaute-2b, Aubergine and V-ATPase 16 kDa subunit 1, Vha16) blocked RNAi suggesting that these genes are essential for functioning of RNAi in Lepd-SL1 cells. Interestingly, Argonaute-1 and Aubergine which are known to function in miRNA and piRNA pathways respectively are also critical to siRNA pathway. Using 32P labeled dsRNA, we showed that these miRNA and piRNA Argonautes but not Argonaute-2 are required for processing of dsRNA to siRNA. Transfection of pIZT/V5 constructs containing these five genes into Sf9 cells (the cells where RNAi does not work well) showed that expression of all genes tested, except the Argonaute-2a, improved RNAi in these cells. Results from Vha16 gene silencing and bafilomycin-A1 treatment suggest that endosomal escape plays an important role in dsRNA-mediated RNAi in Lepd-SL1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- June-Sun Yoon
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | | | - Zhong Jun Gong
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | | | - Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
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Xu J, Wang XF, Chen P, Liu FT, Zheng SC, Ye H, Mo MH. RNA Interference in Moths: Mechanisms, Applications, and Progress. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:E88. [PMID: 27775569 PMCID: PMC5083927 DOI: 10.3390/genes7100088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The vast majority of lepidopterans, about 90%, are moths. Some moths, particularly their caterpillars, are major agricultural and forestry pests in many parts of the world. However, some other members of moths, such as the silkworm Bombyx mori, are famous for their economic value. Fire et al. in 1998 initially found that exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can silence the homolog endogenous mRNA in organisms, which is called RNA interference (RNAi). Soon after, the RNAi technique proved to be very promising not only in gene function determination but also in pest control. However, later studies demonstrate that performing RNAi in moths is not as straightforward as shown in other insect taxa. Nevertheless, since 2007, especially after 2010, an increasing number of reports have been published that describe successful RNAi experiments in different moth species either on gene function analysis or on pest management exploration. So far, more than 100 peer-reviewed papers have reported successful RNAi experiments in moths, covering 10 families and 25 species. By using classic and novel dsRNA delivery methods, these studies effectively silence the expression of various target genes and determine their function in larval development, reproduction, immunology, resistance against chemicals, and other biological processes. In addition, a number of laboratory and field trials have demonstrated that RNAi is also a potential strategy for moth pest management. In this review, therefore, we summarize and discuss the mechanisms and applications of the RNAi technique in moths by focusing on recent progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
- Institute of Plant Protection, Yunnan Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Xia-Fei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Peng Chen
- Institute of Plant Protection, Yunnan Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Fang-Tao Liu
- School of Physical Education, Wenshan Institute, Wenshan 663000, China.
| | - Shuai-Chao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Hui Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Ming-He Mo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
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Swevers L, Ioannidis K, Kolovou M, Zografidis A, Labropoulou V, Santos D, Wynant N, Broeck JV, Wang L, Cappelle K, Smagghe G. Persistent RNA virus infection of lepidopteran cell lines: Interactions with the RNAi machinery. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 93-94:81-93. [PMID: 27595655 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
RNAi is broadly used as a technique for specific gene silencing in insects but few studies have investigated the factors that can affect its efficiency. Viral infections have the potential to interfere with RNAi through their production of viral suppressors of RNAi (VSRs) and the production of viral small RNAs that can saturate and inactivate the RNAi machinery. In this study, the impact of persistent infection of the RNA viruses Flock house virus (FHV) and Macula-like virus (MLV) on RNAi efficiency was investigated in selected lepidopteran cell lines. Lepidopteran cell lines were found to be readily infected by both viruses without any apparent pathogenic effects, with the exception of Bombyx-derived Bm5 and BmN4 cells, which could not be infected by FHV. Because Sf21 cells were free from both FHV and MLV and Hi5-SF were free from FHV and only contained low levels of MLV, they were tested to evaluate the impact of the presence of the virus. Two types of RNAi reporter assays however did not detect a significant interference with gene silencing in infected Sf21 and Hi5-SF cells when compared to virus-free cells. In Hi5 cells, the presence of FHV could be easily cleared through the expression of an RNA hairpin that targets its VSR gene, confirming that the RNAi mechanism was not inhibited. Sequencing indicated that the B2 RNAi inhibitor gene of FHV and a putative VSR gene from MLV were intact in persistently infected cell lines, indicating that protection against RNAi remains essential for virus survival. It is proposed that infection levels of persistent viruses in the cell lines are too low to have an impact on RNAi efficiency in the lepidopteran cell lines and that encoded VSRs act locally at the sites of viral replication (mitochondrial membranes) without affecting the rest of the cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, Athens, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos Ioannidis
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, Athens, Greece
| | - Marianna Kolovou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, Athens, Greece
| | - Aris Zografidis
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Labropoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, Athens, Greece
| | - Dulce Santos
- Department of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Niels Wynant
- Department of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Department of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luoluo Wang
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kaat Cappelle
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Zhu L, Tatsuke T, Xu J, Li Z, Mon H, Lee JM, Kusakabe T. Loqs depends on R2D2 to localize in D2 body-like granules and functions in RNAi pathways in silkworm cells. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 64:78-90. [PMID: 26184783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The phenomenon of RNA interference (RNAi) has been found in various organisms. However, the proteins implicated in RNAi pathway in different species show distinct roles. Knowledge on the underlying mechanism of lepidopteron RNAi is quite lacking such as the roles of Loquacious (Loqs) and R2D2, the dsRNA-binding proteins in silkworm RNAi pathway. Here, we report that Loqs and R2D2 protein depletion affected efficiency of dsRNA-mediated RNAi pathway. Besides, Loqs was found to co-localize with Dicer2 to some specific cytoplasmic foci, which were looked like D2-bodies marked by R2D2 and Dicer2 in Fly cells, thereby calling the foci as D2 body-like granules. Using RNAi methods, Loqs was found to be the key protein in these granules, although R2D2 determined the localization of Loqs in D2 body-like granules. Interestingly, in the R2D2-depeted silkworm cells, the formation of processing bodies, another cytoplasmic foci, was affected. These data indicated R2D2 regulated these two kinds of cytoplasmic foci. Domain deletion analysis demonstrated that dsRBD 1 and 2 were required for Loqs in D2 body-like granules and dsRBD 2 and 3 were required for Loqs to interact with R2D2 and Ago1, respectively. Altogether, our observations provide important information for further study on D2 body-like granules, the newly found cytoplasmic foci in silkworm cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhu
- Laboratory of Silkworm Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Tsuneyuki Tatsuke
- Laboratory of Silkworm Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Jian Xu
- Laboratory of Silkworm Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Zhiqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China
| | - Hiroaki Mon
- Laboratory of Silkworm Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Jae Man Lee
- Laboratory of Silkworm Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kusakabe
- Laboratory of Silkworm Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan.
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30
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Kolliopoulou A, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Stravopodis DJ, Deforce D, Swevers L, Smagghe G. Transcriptome analysis of Bombyx mori larval midgut during persistent and pathogenic cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus infection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121447. [PMID: 25816294 PMCID: PMC4376736 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many insects can be persistently infected with viruses but do not show any obvious adverse effects with respect to physiology, development or reproduction. Here, Bombyx mori strain Daizo, persistently infected with cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV), was used to study the host's transcriptional response after pathogenic infection with the same virus in midgut tissue of larvae persistently and pathogenically infected as 2nd and 4th instars. Next generation sequencing revealed that from 13,769 expressed genes, 167 were upregulated and 141 downregulated in both larval instars following pathogenic infection. Several genes that could possibly be involved in B. mori immune response against BmCPV or that may be induced by the virus in order to increase infectivity were identified, whereas classification of differentially expressed transcripts (confirmed by qRT-PCR) resulted in gene categories related to physical barriers, immune responses, proteolytic/metabolic enzymes, heat-shock proteins, hormonal signaling and uncharacterized proteins. Comparison of our data with the available literature (pathogenic infection of persistently vs. non-persistently infected larvae) unveiled various similarities of response in both cases, which suggests that pre-existing persistent infection does not affect in a major way the transcriptome response against pathogenic infection. To investigate the possible host's RNAi response against BmCPV challenge, the differential expression of RNAi-related genes and the accumulation of viral small RNAs (vsRNAs) were studied. During pathogenic infection, siRNA-like traces like the 2-fold up-regulation of the core RNAi genes Ago-2 and Dcr-2 as well as a peak of 20 nt small RNAs were observed. Interestingly, vsRNAs of the same size were detected at lower rates in persistently infected larvae. Collectively, our data provide an initial assessment of the relative significance of persistent infection of silkworm larvae on the host response following pathogenic infection with CPV, while they also highlight the relative importance of RNAi as an antiviral mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dimitrios J. Stravopodis
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Abstract
Plant protease inhibitors (PIs) are natural plant defense proteins that inhibit proteases of invading insect herbivores. However, their anti-insect efficacy is determined not only by their potency toward a vulnerable insect system but also by the response of the insect to such a challenge. Through the long history of coevolution with their host plants, insects have developed sophisticated mechanisms to circumvent antinutritional effects of dietary challenges. Their response takes the form of changes in gene expression and the protein repertoire in cells lining the alimentary tract, the first line of defense. Research in insect digestive proteases has revealed the crucial roles they play in insect adaptation to plant PIs and has brought about a new appreciation of how phytophagous insects employ this group of molecules in both protein digestion and counterdefense. This review provides researchers in related fields an up-to-date summary of recent advances.
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Li Z, Zeng B, Ling L, Xu J, You L, Aslam AFM, Tan A, Huang Y. Enhancement of larval RNAi efficiency by over-expressing Argonaute2 in Bombyx mori. Int J Biol Sci 2015; 11:176-85. [PMID: 25561900 PMCID: PMC4279093 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.10235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference has been described as a powerful genetic tool for gene functional analysis and a promising approach for pest management. However, RNAi efficiency varies significantly among insect species due to distinct RNAi machineries. Lepidopteran insects include a large number of pests as well as model insects, such as the silkworm, Bombyx mori. However, only limited success of in vivo RNAi has been reported in lepidoptera, particularly during the larval stages when the worms feed the most and do the most harm to the host plant. Enhancing the efficiency of larval RNAi in lepidoptera is urgently needed to develop RNAi-based pest management strategies. In the present study, we investigate the function of the conserved RNAi core factor, Argonaute2 (Ago2), in mediating B. mori RNAi efficiency. We demonstrate that introducing BmAgo2 dsRNA inhibits the RNAi response in both BmN cells and embryos. Furthermore, we establish several transgenic silkworm lines to assess the roles of BmAgo2 in larval RNAi. Over-expressing BmAgo2 significantly facilitated both dsRNA-mediated larval RNAi when targeting DsRed using dsRNA injection and shRNA-mediated larval RNAi when targeting BmBlos2 using transgenic shRNA expression. Our results show that BmAgo2 is involved in RNAi in B. mori and provides a promising approach for improving larval RNAi efficiency in B. mori and in lepidopteran insects in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqian Li
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China. ; 2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Baosheng Zeng
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China. ; 2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lin Ling
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jun Xu
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China. ; 2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lang You
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Abu F M Aslam
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Anjiang Tan
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yongping Huang
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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33
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Zhao C, Alvarez Gonzales MA, Poland TM, Mittapalli O. Core RNAi machinery and gene knockdown in the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 72:70-78. [PMID: 25541004 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2014.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The RNA interference (RNAi) technology has been widely used in insect functional genomics research and provides an alternative approach for insect pest management. To understand whether the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), an invasive and destructive coleopteran insect pest of ash tree (Fraxinus spp.), possesses a strong RNAi machinery that is capable of degrading target mRNA as a response to exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) induction, we identified three RNAi pathway core component genes, Dicer-2, Argonaute-2 and R2D2, from the A. planipennis genome sequence. Characterization of these core components revealed that they contain conserved domains essential for the proteins to function in the RNAi pathway. Phylogenetic analyses showed that they are closely related to homologs derived from other coleopteran species. We also delivered the dsRNA fragment of AplaScrB-2, a β-fructofuranosidase-encoding gene horizontally acquired by A. planipennis as we reported previously, into A. planipennis adults through microinjection. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis on the dsRNA-treated beetles demonstrated a significantly decreased gene expression level of AplaScrB-2 appearing on day 2 and lasting until at least day 6. This study is the first record of RNAi applied in A. planipennis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyang Zhao
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Miguel A Alvarez Gonzales
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Therese M Poland
- U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Omprakash Mittapalli
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691, USA.
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34
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Kolliopoulou A, Swevers L. Recent progress in RNAi research in Lepidoptera: intracellular machinery, antiviral immune response and prospects for insect pest control. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2014; 6:28-34. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2014.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Revised: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
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Liu J, Kolliopoulou A, Smagghe G, Swevers L. Modulation of the transcriptional response of innate immune and RNAi genes upon exposure to dsRNA and LPS in silkmoth-derived Bm5 cells overexpressing BmToll9-1 receptor. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2014; 66:10-19. [PMID: 24831177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2014.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Injection or feeding of dsRNA is commonly used to induce specific gene silencing by RNAi in insects but very little research has been carried out to investigate non-specific effects on gene expression of dsRNA as pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP). This study focuses on the potential role of the BmToll9-1 receptor to modulate the transcriptional response of innate immune and RNAi genes to dsRNA and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which was used for comparison. To study this role, we took advantage of the silkmoth-derived Bm5 cell line, which does not express BmToll9-1 endogenously, and engineered a transformed cell line that permanently expresses BmToll9-1. Quantitative mRNA expression studies showed that BmToll9-1 can significantly alter the transcriptional response to dsRNA and LPS: (1) BmToll9-1 promotes the transcriptional response of Dicer2, encoding a key component of the RNAi machinery, and, to a lesser extent, that of transcription factors in the Jak-STAT and Toll pathways; and (2) BmToll9-1 represses the transcriptional induction of the IMD and Jak-STAT pathway genes, as well as the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) effector genes, by LPS. Thus, BmToll9-1 was identified as a modulator of innate immune and RNAi machinery gene expression that could be related to its preferential expression in the larval gut, the major barrier of pathogen entry. While BmToll9-1 was found to modulate RNAi-related gene expression, a reporter-based RNAi assay established no evidence for a direct interaction of BmToll9-1 with the intracellular RNAi machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisheng Liu
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.
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Swevers L, Kolliopoulou A, Li Z, Daskalaki M, Verret F, Kalantidis K, Smagghe G, Sun J. Transfection of BmCPV genomic dsRNA in silkmoth-derived Bm5 cells: stability and interactions with the core RNAi machinery. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2014; 64:21-9. [PMID: 24636911 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2014.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
While several studies have been conducted to investigate the stability of dsRNA in the extracellular medium (hemolymph, gut content, saliva), little is known regarding the persistence of dsRNA once it has been introduced into the cell. Here, we investigate the stability of Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) genomic dsRNA fragments after transfection into Bombyx-derived Bm5 cells. Using RT-PCR as a detection method, we found that dsRNA could persist for long periods (up to 8 days) in the intracellular environment. While the BmCPV genomic dsRNA was processed by the RNAi machinery, its presence had no effects on other RNAi processes, such as the silencing of a luciferase reporter by dsLuc. We also found that transfection of BmCPV genomic dsRNA could not establish a viral infection in the Bm5 cells, even when co-transfections were carried out with dsRNAs targeting Dicer and Argonaute genes, suggesting that the neutralization by RNAi does not play a role in the establishment of an in vitro culture system. The mechanism of the dsRNA stability in Bm5 cells is discussed, as well as the implications for the establishment for an in vitro culture system for BmCPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", P. Grigoriou & Neapoleos Str, Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, 153 42 Athens, Greece.
| | - Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", P. Grigoriou & Neapoleos Str, Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, 153 42 Athens, Greece
| | - Zheng Li
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Subtropical Sericulture and Mulberry Resources Protection and Safety, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Maria Daskalaki
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, 700 13 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Frederic Verret
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, 700 13 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Kriton Kalantidis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, 700 13 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Subtropical Sericulture and Mulberry Resources Protection and Safety, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.
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Swevers L, Huvenne H, Menschaert G, Kontogiannatos D, Kourti A, Pauchet Y, ffrench-Constant R, Smagghe G. Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera) gut transcriptome analysis: expression of RNA interference-related genes. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 22:668-684. [PMID: 24580832 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In the search for new methods of pest control, the potential of RNA interference (RNAi) is being explored. Because the gut is the first barrier for the uptake of double-stranded (ds)RNA, pyrosequencing of the gut transcriptome is a powerful tool for obtaining the necessary sequences for specific dsRNA-mediated pest control. In the present study, a dataset representing the gut transcriptome of the Colorado potato beetle (CPB; Leptinotarsa decemlineata) was generated and analysed for the presence of RNAi-related genes. Almost all selected genes that were implicated in silencing efficiency at different levels in the RNAi pathway (core machinery, associated intracellular factors, dsRNA uptake, antiviral RNAi, nucleases), which uses different types of small RNA (small interfering RNA, microRNA and piwi-RNA), were expressed in the CPB gut. Although the database is of lower quality, the majority of the RNAi genes are also found to be present in the gut transcriptome of the tobacco hornworm [TH; Manduca sexta (19 out of 35 genes analysed)]. The high quality of the CPB transcriptome database will lay the foundation for future gene expression and functional studies regarding the gut and RNAi.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, NCSR 'Demokritos', Institute of Biosciences & Applications, Athens, Greece
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Swevers L, Vanden Broeck J, Smagghe G. The possible impact of persistent virus infection on the function of the RNAi machinery in insects: a hypothesis. Front Physiol 2013; 4:319. [PMID: 24204347 PMCID: PMC3817476 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RNAi experiments in insects are characterized by great variability in efficiency; for instance beetles and locusts are very amenable to dsRNA-mediated gene silencing, while other insect groups, most notably lepidopterans, are more refractory to RNAi. Several factors can be forwarded that could affect the efficiency of RNAi, such as the composition and function of the intracellular RNAi machinery, the mechanism of dsRNA uptake, the presence of dsRNA- and siRNA-degrading enzymes and non-specific activation of the innate immune response. In this essay, we investigate the evidence whether persistent infection with RNA viruses could be a major factor that affects the response to exogenous dsRNA in insects. The occurrence of RNA viruses in different insect groups will be discussed, as well as several mechanisms by which viruses could interfere with the process of RNAi. Finally, the impact of RNA virus infection on the design of dsRNA-based insect control strategies will be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos," Athens, Greece
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Reynolds JA, Clark J, Diakoff SJ, Denlinger DL. Transcriptional evidence for small RNA regulation of pupal diapause in the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 43:982-9. [PMID: 23933212 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2013.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Revised: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular basis of diapause, a phenotypically plastic, alternative developmental pathway, is key to predicting the seasonal distribution of economically and medically important insect species. Small regulatory RNAs, including piwi-related RNAs, small-interfering RNAs, and miRNAs, represent one type of epigenetic process that can alter the phenotype of organisms independent of changes in genome sequence. We hypothesize that small RNAs regulate pupal diapause and a maternal block of diapause in the flesh fly Sarcophaga bullata. We assessed the relative abundance of eight genes related to small RNA biogenesis and function using qRT-PCR in pre-diapause and diapause stages compared to their non-diapause counterparts. Elevated mRNA expression of piwi and spindle-E, as well as argonaute2 and r2d2, in photosensitive 1st instar larvae reared in diapause-inducing conditions indicate involvement of the piwi-associated RNA and small-interfering RNA pathways, respectively, in programming the switch from direct development to a developmental pathway that includes diapause. Two genes, related to the microRNA pathway, argonaute1 and loquacious, are upregulated during pupal diapause, suggesting a role for this pathway in maintaining diapause. Substantial reduction in transcript abundance of small RNA-related genes in photosensitive 1st instar larvae from mothers with a diapause history compared to those from mothers with no diapause history also suggest a role for small RNA pathways in regulating a diapause maternal effect in S. bullata. Together, the results point to a role for small RNAs in regulating the developmental trajectory in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Reynolds
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, 300 Aronoff Laboratory, 318 W 12th Ave., Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Ecology, Evolutionary and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, 300 Aronoff Laboratory, 318 W 12th Ave., Columbus, OH, USA.
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