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Shi J, Jin H, Wang F, Stanley DW, Wang H, Fang Q, Ye G. The larval saliva of an endoparasitic wasp, Pteromalus puparum, suppresses host immunity. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 141:104425. [PMID: 35878702 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the lengthy co-evolution between insects and their animal or plant hosts, insects have evolved a wide range of salivary strategies to help evade host defenses. Although there is a very large literature on saliva of herbivorous and hematophagous insects, little attention has been focused on the saliva of parasitoid wasps. Some parasitoid species are natural enemies that effectively regulate insect population sizes in nature that they are applied for biological control of agricultural pests. Here, we demonstrate the influence of the endoparasitoid, Pteromalus puparum, larval saliva on the cellular and humoral immunity of its host. Larval saliva increases mortality of hemocytes, and inhibits hemocyte spreading, a specific cellular immune action. We report that high saliva concentrations inhibit host cellular encapsulation of foreign invaders. The larval saliva also inhibits melanization in host hemolymph. The saliva inhibits the growth of some bacterial species, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro. This may promote larvae fitness by protecting them from infections. Insight into such functions of parasitic wasp saliva provides a new insight into host-parasitoid relationships and possibly leads to new agricultural pest management technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hongxia Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - David W Stanley
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory USDA/Agricultural Research Service, 1503 S. Providence Road, Columbia, MO 65203, USA
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Landscape Architecture Technology, Shanghai Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, 658 Zhongshan Second Road, Shanghai 201699, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Wang XY, Cai DZ, Li X, Bai SF, Yan FM. Identification and Physicochemical Properties of the Novel Hemolysin(s) From Oral Secretions of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2021; 21:12. [PMID: 34750634 PMCID: PMC8575691 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieab082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hemolysins cause the lysis of invading organisms, representing major humoral immunity used by invertebrates. Hemolysins have been discovered in hemolymph of Helicoverpa armigera larvae as immune factors. As oral immunity is great important to clear general pathogens, we presumed that hemolysins may be present in oral secretions (OS). To confirm this hypothesis, we conducted four testing methods to identify hemolysin(s) in larval OS of H. armigera, and analyzed physicochemical properties of the hemolysin in comparison with hemolytic melittin of Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) venom. We found hemolysin(s) from OS of H. armigera for the first time, and further identified in other lepidopteran herbivores. It could be precipitated by ammonium sulfate, which demonstrates that the hemolytic factor is proteinaceous. Labial gland showed significantly higher hemolytic activity than gut tissues, suggesting that hemolysin of OS is mainly derived from saliva secreted by labial glands. Physicochemical properties of hemolysin in caterpillar's OS were different from bee venom. It was noteworthy that hemolytic activity of OS was only partially inhibited even at 100°C. Hemolytic activity of OS was not inhibited by nine tested carbohydrates contrary to bee venom melittin. Moreover, effects of metal ions on hemolytic activity were different between OS and bee venom. We conclude that there is at least a novel hemolysin in OS of herbivorous insects with proposed antibacterial function, and its hemolytic mechanism may be different from melittin. Our study enriches understanding of the potential role of hemolysins in insect immunity and provides useful data to the field of herbivorous insect-pathogen research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong-Ya Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
| | - Dong-Zhang Cai
- Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, National Nature Reserve Administration of Henan Jigongshan Mountain, Xinyang, Henan, 464000, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
| | - Su-Fen Bai
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
| | - Feng-Ming Yan
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
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Huang HJ, Ye ZX, Lu G, Zhang CX, Chen JP, Li JM. Identification of salivary proteins in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci by transcriptomic and LC-MS/MS analyses. INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:1369-1381. [PMID: 32757245 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a notorious agricultural pest of many crops worldwide. Although it is thought that B. tabaci secretes saliva into the host plant to counter plant defenses, knowledge on the whitefly salivary proteome is limited. Here, we characterized the gene/protein repertoires of B. tabaci salivary glands and secreted saliva by transcriptomic and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy analyses. A total of 698 salivary gland-enriched unigenes and 171 salivary proteins were identified. Comparative analysis between the B. tabaci salivary proteins and those of different arthropod species revealed numerous similarities in proteins associated with binding, hydrolysis, and oxidation-reduction, which demonstrates a degree of conservation across herbivorous saliva. There were 74 proteins only identified in B. tabaci saliva, of which 34 were B. tabaci-specific. In addition, 13 salivary proteins, of which 11 were B. tabaci-specific, were differentially regulated when B. tabaci fed on different hosts. Our results provide a good resource for future functional studies of whitefly salivary effectors, and might be useful in pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Jian Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Zhuang-Xin Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Gang Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Chuan-Xi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Jian-Ping Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Jun-Min Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
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Huang HJ, Yan XT, Wei ZY, Wang YZ, Chen JP, Li JM, Sun ZT, Zhang CX. Identification of Riptortus pedestris Salivary Proteins and Their Roles in Inducing Plant Defenses. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10080753. [PMID: 34439985 PMCID: PMC8389542 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The bean bug, Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) is a notorious pest of soybean crops in Asia. During the feeding process, the bug secretes a mixture of salivary components, which play critical roles in the insect–plant interactions. In the present study, a total of 136 salivary proteins were identified by transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. Among them, five proteins (RpSP10.3, RpSP13.4, RpSP13.8, RpSP17.8, and RpSP10.2) were capable of inducing cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, and hormone signal changes, indicating the potential roles of these proteins in eliciting plant defenses. Our results provide a good resource for future functional studies of bug salivary effectors and might be useful in pest management. Abstract The bean bug, Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius), is one of the most important soybean pests. It damages soybean leaves and pods with its piercing-sucking mouthparts, causing staygreen-like syndromes in the infested crops. During the feeding process, R. pedestris secretes a mixture of salivary proteins, which play critical roles in the insect–plant interactions and may be responsible for staygreen-like syndromes. The present study aimed to identify the major salivary proteins in R. pedestris saliva by transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, and to screen the proteins that potentially induced plant defense responses. Altogether, 136 salivary proteins were identified, and a majority of them were involved in hydrolase and binding. Additionally, R. pedestris saliva contained abundant bug-specific proteins with unknown function. Transient expression of salivary proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves identified that RpSP10.3, RpSP13.4, RpSP13.8, RpSP17.8, and RpSP10.2 were capable of inducing cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, and hormone signal changes, indicating the potential roles of these proteins in eliciting plant defenses. Our results will shed more light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the plant–insect interactions and are useful for pest management.
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Abstract
Although nectar is consumed, primarily as a supplemental food, by a broad range of insects spanning at least five orders, it is processed and stored by only a small number of species, most of which are bees and wasps in the superfamily Apoidea. Within this group, Apis mellifera has evolved remarkable adaptations facilitating nectar processing and storage; in doing so, this species utilizes the end product, honey, for diverse functions with few if any equivalents in other phytophagous insects. Honey and its phytochemical constituents, some of which likely derive from propolis, have functional significance in protecting honey bees against microbial pathogens, toxins, and cold stress, as well as in regulating development and adult longevity. The distinctive properties of A. mellifera honey appear to have arisen in multiple ways, including genome modification; partnerships with microbial symbionts; and evolution of specialized behaviors, including foraging for substances other than nectar. That honey making by A. mellifera involves incorporation of exogenous material other than nectar, as well as endogenous products such as antimicrobial peptides and royal jelly, suggests that regarding honey as little more than a source of carbohydrates for bees is a concept in need of revision.
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Affiliation(s)
- May R Berenbaum
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA;
| | - Bernarda Calla
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA;
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Heliconius Butterflies Host Characteristic and Phylogenetically Structured Adult-Stage Microbiomes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.02007-20. [PMID: 33008816 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02007-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are diverse and ecologically important, yet we know little about how they interact with microbes as adults. Due to metamorphosis, the form and function of their adult-stage microbiomes might be very different from those of microbiomes in the larval stage (caterpillars). We studied adult-stage microbiomes of Heliconius and closely related passion-vine butterflies (Heliconiini), which are an important model system in evolutionary biology. To characterize the structure and dynamics of heliconiine microbiomes, we used field collections of wild butterflies, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, quantitative PCR, and shotgun metagenomics. We found that Heliconius butterflies harbor simple and abundant bacterial communities that are moderately consistent among conspecific individuals and over time. Heliconiine microbiomes also exhibited a strong signal of the host phylogeny, with a major distinction between Heliconius and other butterflies. These patterns were largely driven by differing relative abundances of bacterial phylotypes shared among host species and genera, as opposed to the presence or absence of host-specific phylotypes. We suggest that the phylogenetic structure in heliconiine microbiomes arises from conserved host traits that differentially filter microbes from the environment. While the relative importance of different traits remains unclear, our data indicate that pollen feeding (unique to Heliconius) is not a primary driver. Using shotgun metagenomics, we also discovered trypanosomatids and microsporidia to be prevalent in butterfly guts, raising the possibility of antagonistic interactions between eukaryotic parasites and colocalized gut bacteria. Our discovery of characteristic and phylogenetically structured microbiomes provides a foundation for tests of adult-stage microbiome function, a poorly understood aspect of lepidopteran biology.IMPORTANCE Many insects host microbiomes with important ecological functions. However, the prevalence of this phenomenon is unclear because in many insect taxa, microbiomes have been studied in only part of the life cycle, if at all. A prominent example is butterflies and moths, in which the composition and functional role of adult-stage microbiomes are largely unknown. We comprehensively characterized microbiomes in adult passion-vine butterflies. Butterfly-associated bacterial communities are generally abundant in guts, consistent within populations, and composed of taxa widely shared among hosts. More closely related butterflies harbor more similar microbiomes, with the most dramatic shift in microbiome composition occurring in tandem with a suite of ecological and life history traits unique to the genus Heliconius Butterflies are also frequently infected with previously undescribed eukaryotic parasites, which may interact with bacteria in important ways. These findings advance our understanding of butterfly biology and insect-microbe interactions generally.
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Young FJ, Montgomery SH. Pollen feeding in Heliconius butterflies: the singular evolution of an adaptive suite. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201304. [PMID: 33171092 PMCID: PMC7735275 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Major evolutionary transitions can be triggered by behavioural novelty, and are often associated with 'adaptive suites', which involve shifts in multiple co-adapted traits subject to complex interactions. Heliconius butterflies represent one such example, actively feeding on pollen, a behaviour unique among butterflies. Pollen feeding permits a prolonged reproductive lifespan, and co-occurs with a constellation of behavioural, neuroanatomical, life history, morphological and physiological traits that are absent in closely related, non-pollen-feeding genera. As a highly tractable system, supported by considerable ecological and genomic data, Heliconius are an excellent model for investigating how behavioural innovation can trigger a cascade of adaptive shifts in multiple diverse, but interrelated, traits. Here, we synthesize current knowledge of pollen feeding in Heliconius, and explore potential interactions between associated, putatively adaptive, traits. Currently, no physiological, morphological or molecular innovation has been explicitly linked to the origin of pollen feeding, and several hypothesized links between different aspects of Heliconius biology remain poorly tested. However, resolving these uncertainties will contribute to our understanding of how behavioural innovations evolve and subsequently alter the evolutionary trajectories of diverse traits impacting resource acquisition, life history, senescence and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fletcher J. Young
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
- School of Biological Science, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol UBS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Stephen H. Montgomery
- School of Biological Science, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol UBS8 1TQ, UK
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Ramos-Pérez VI, Castellanos I, Robinson-Fuentes VA, Macías-Ordóñez R, Mendoza-Cuenca L. Sex-related interannual plasticity in wing morphological design in Heliconius charithonia enhances flight metabolic performance. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239620. [PMID: 33125377 PMCID: PMC7598497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Flight morphological variations and its consequences on animal performance are common in winged insects. In the butterfly Heliconius charithonia, sex-related differences in the wing morphological design have been described resulting in differences in foraging behavior, daily flight distances and flight aerodynamics. It has been suggested that these differences should be reflected in the metabolic capacities and energetic budgets associated with flight in both sexes. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between wing morphological variation and metabolic performance, flight aerodynamics and energetic reserves in females and males of Heliconius charithonia over two years. The results confirm the presence of wing shape sexual dimorphism, but also show an unexpected sex-related annual variation in wing shape, mirrored in the metabolic condition (resting metabolic rate) of individuals. However, contrary to expectation, intersexual variations in wing shape are not related to differences between the sexes in terms of flight aerodynamics, flight metabolic rates, or energetic reserves (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins). Our results indicate a considerable plasticity in H. charithonia wing shape, which we suggest is determined by a trade-off between environmental pressures and reproductive restriction of each sex, maintaining an optimum flight design. Finally, similarities in metabolic rates between young and older males and females in both years may be a consequence of the ability of Heliconius species to feed on pollen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Velia I Ramos-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Ecología de la Conducta, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México.,Laboratorio Nacional de Análisis y Síntesis Ecológica, ENES, UNAM, Morelia, México
| | - Ignacio Castellanos
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, México
| | - Virginia A Robinson-Fuentes
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas y Biológicas "Dr. Ignacio Chávez", Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | | | - Luis Mendoza-Cuenca
- Laboratorio de Ecología de la Conducta, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México.,Laboratorio Nacional de Análisis y Síntesis Ecológica, ENES, UNAM, Morelia, México
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Gai T, Tong X, Han M, Li C, Fang C, Zou Y, Hu H, Xiang H, Xiang Z, Lu C, Dai F. Cocoonase is indispensable for Lepidoptera insects breaking the sealed cocoon. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009004. [PMID: 32986696 PMCID: PMC7544147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many insects spin cocoons to protect the pupae from unfavorable environments and predators. After emerging from the pupa, the moths must escape from the sealed cocoons. Previous works identified cocoonase as the active enzyme loosening the cocoon to form an escape-hatch. Here, using bioinformatics tools, we show that cocoonase is specific to Lepidoptera and that it probably existed before the occurrence of lepidopteran insects spinning cocoons. Despite differences in cocooning behavior, we further show that cocoonase evolved by purification selection in Lepidoptera and that the selection is more intense in lepidopteran insects spinning sealed cocoons. Experimentally, we applied gene editing techniques to the silkworm Bombyx mori, which spins a dense and sealed cocoon, as a model of lepidopteran insects spinning sealed cocoons. We knocked out cocoonase using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The adults of homozygous knock-out mutants were completely formed and viable but stayed trapped and died naturally in the cocoon. This is the first experimental and phenotypic evidence that cocoonase is the determining factor for breaking the cocoon. This work led to a novel silkworm strain yielding permanently intact cocoons and provides a new strategy for controlling the pests that form cocoons. Spinning and cocooning are the instincts of many insects, providing a shelter to the residing pupae to resist adverse factors. After the metamorphosis of pupa into adult, the adult must break open the cocoon to emerge, which is called decocooning. We have bioinformatically identified that cocoonase is specific to Lepidoptera, and demonstrated that it is the determining factor for breaking the sealed cocoon experimentally for the first time. This work led to a novel silkworm strain yielding permanently intact cocoons and provides a new strategy for controlling the pests that form cocoons and for breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoling Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail: (XT); (FD)
| | - Minjin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunlin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunyan Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yunlong Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Xiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhonghuai Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fangyin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail: (XT); (FD)
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Li F, Zhao X, Li M, He K, Huang C, Zhou Y, Li Z, Walters JR. Insect genomes: progress and challenges. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 28:739-758. [PMID: 31120160 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In the wake of constant improvements in sequencing technologies, numerous insect genomes have been sequenced. Currently, 1219 insect genome-sequencing projects have been registered with the National Center for Biotechnology Information, including 401 that have genome assemblies and 155 with an official gene set of annotated protein-coding genes. Comparative genomics analysis showed that the expansion or contraction of gene families was associated with well-studied physiological traits such as immune system, metabolic detoxification, parasitism and polyphagy in insects. Here, we summarize the progress of insect genome sequencing, with an emphasis on how this impacts research on pest control. We begin with a brief introduction to the basic concepts of genome assembly, annotation and metrics for evaluating the quality of draft assemblies. We then provide an overview of genome information for numerous insect species, highlighting examples from prominent model organisms, agricultural pests and disease vectors. We also introduce the major insect genome databases. The increasing availability of insect genomic resources is beneficial for developing alternative pest control methods. However, many opportunities remain for developing data-mining tools that make maximal use of the available insect genome resources. Although rapid progress has been achieved, many challenges remain in the field of insect genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - X Zhao
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - M Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - K He
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - C Huang
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Y Zhou
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Z Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - J R Walters
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
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Smith G, Kelly JE, Macias-Muñoz A, Butts CT, Martin RW, Briscoe AD. Evolutionary and structural analyses uncover a role for solvent interactions in the diversification of cocoonases in butterflies. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 285:rspb.2017.2037. [PMID: 29298934 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-omic approaches promise to supply the power to detect genes underlying disease and fitness-related phenotypes. Optimal use of the resulting profusion of data requires detailed investigation of individual candidate genes, a challenging proposition. Here, we combine transcriptomic and genomic data with molecular modelling of candidate enzymes to characterize the evolutionary history and function of the serine protease cocoonase. Heliconius butterflies possess the unique ability to feed on pollen; recent work has identified cocoonase as a candidate gene in pollen digestion. Cocoonase was first described in moths, where it aids in eclosure from the cocoon and is present as a single copy gene. In heliconiine butterflies it is duplicated and highly expressed in the mouthparts of adults. At least six copies of cocoonase are present in Heliconius melpomene and copy number varies across H. melpomene sub-populations. Most cocoonase genes are under purifying selection, however branch-site analyses suggest cocoonase 3 genes may have evolved under episodic diversifying selection. Molecular modelling of cocoonase proteins and examination of their predicted structures revealed that the active site region of each type has a similar structure to trypsin, with the same predicted substrate specificity across types. Variation among heliconiine cocoonases instead lies in the outward-facing residues involved in solvent interaction. Thus, the neofunctionalization of cocoonase duplicates appears to have resulted from the need for these serine proteases to operate in diverse biochemical environments. We suggest that cocoonase may have played a buffering role in feeding during the diversification of Heliconius across the neotropics by enabling these butterflies to digest protein from a range of biochemical milieux.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Smith
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA .,School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Laboratories, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK
| | - J E Kelly
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - A Macias-Muñoz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - C T Butts
- Department of Sociology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.,Department of Statistics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - R W Martin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - A D Briscoe
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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12
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Huang HJ, Cui JR, Chen L, Zhu YX, Hong XY. Identification of Saliva Proteins of the Spider Mite Tetranychus evansi by Transcriptome and LC-MS/MS Analyses. Proteomics 2019; 19:e1800302. [PMID: 30520223 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201800302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The spider mite Tetranychus evansi has a remarkable ability to suppress and manipulate plant defenses, which makes it an ideal model to investigate plant-herbivores interactions. In this study, a de novo assembly of the transcriptome of T. evansi is performed and the proteins in its secreted saliva by LC-MS/MS are characterized. A total of 29 365 unigenes are assembled and 136 saliva proteins are identified. Comparative analysis of the saliva proteins in T. evansi, T. truncatus, and T. urticae shows that 64 protein groups are shared by at least two Tetranychus species, and 52 protein groups are specifically identified in T. evansi. In addition, some saliva proteins are common in arthropod species, while others are species-specific. These results will help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which T. evansi modulates plant defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Jian Huang
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Jia-Rong Cui
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Yu-Xi Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Xiao-Yue Hong
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
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13
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van Schooten B, Godoy-Vitorino F, McMillan WO, Papa R. Conserved microbiota among young Heliconius butterfly species. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5502. [PMID: 30310733 PMCID: PMC6173163 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Insects are the most diverse group of animals which have established intricate evolutionary interactions with bacteria. However, the importance of these interactions is still poorly understood. Few studies have focused on a closely related group of insect species, to test the similarities and differences between their microbiota. Heliconius butterflies are a charismatic recent insect radiation that evolved the unique ability to use pollen as a protein source, which affected life history traits and resulted in an elevated speciation rates. We hypothesize that different Heliconius butterflies sharing a similar trophic pollen niche, harbor a similar gut flora within species, population and sexes. Methods To test our hypothesis, we characterized the microbiota of 38 adult male and female butterflies representing six species of Heliconius butterflies and 2 populations of the same species. We sequenced the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene with the Roche 454 system and analyzed the data with standard tools for microbiome analysis. Results Overall, we found a low microbial diversity with only 10 OTUs dominating across all individuals, mostly Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, which accounted for 99.5% of the bacterial reads. When rare reads were considered, we identified a total of 406 OTUs across our samples. We identified reads within Phyla Chlamydiae, found in 5 butterflies of four species. Interestingly, only three OTUs were shared among all 38 individuals (Bacillus, Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae). Altogether, the high individual variation overshadowed species and sex differences. Thus, bacterial communities were not structured randomly with 13% of beta-diversity explained by species, and 40 rare OTUs being significantly different across species. Finally, 13 OTUs, including the intercellular symbiont Spiroplasma, varied significantly in relative abundance between males and females. Discussion The Heliconius microbial communities in these 38 individuals show a low diversity with few differences in the rare microbes between females, males, species or populations. Indeed, Heliconius butterflies, similarly to other insects, are dominated by few OTUs, mainly from Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. The overall low microbial diversity observed contrasts with the high intra-species variation in microbiome composition. This could indicate that much of the microbiome maybe acquired from their surroundings. The significant differences between species and sexes were restricted to rare taxa, which could be important for microbial community stability under changing conditions as seen in other host-microbiome systems. The presence of symbionts like Spiroplasma or Chlamydiae, identified in this study for the first time in Heliconius, could play a vital role in their behavior and evolution by vertical transmission. Altogether, our study represents a step forward into the description of the microbial diversity in a charismatic group of closely related butterflies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bas van Schooten
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Filipa Godoy-Vitorino
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Riccardo Papa
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panamá, Panama.,University of Puerto Rico, Molecular Sciences and Research Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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14
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Rivera-Vega LJ, Stanley BA, Stanley A, Felton GW. Proteomic analysis of labial saliva of the generalist cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) and its role in interactions with host plants. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 107:97-103. [PMID: 29505761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Insect saliva is one of the first secretions to come in contact with plants during feeding. The composition and role of caterpillar saliva has not been as thoroughly studied as that of sucking insects. This study focuses on characterizing the proteome of the cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) saliva using iTRAQ labeling and LC-MS/MS. We also measured how the saliva proteome changed when larvae were reared on different diets - cabbage, tomato, and an artificial pinto bean diet. We identified 254 proteins in the saliva out of which 63 were differentially expressed. A large percentage (56%) of the proteins identified function in protein metabolism, followed by proteins involved in vesicle transport (6%) and oxidoreductase activity (5%), among other categories. Several proteins identified are antioxidants or reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers. Among these ROS scavengers, we identified a catalase and further analyzed its gene expression and enzymatic activity. We also applied commercial, purified catalase on tomato and measured the activity of defensive proteins - trypsin proteinase inhibitor, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase. Catalase gene expression was significantly higher in the salivary glands of larvae fed on tomato. Also, catalase suppressed the induction of tomato trypsin proteinase inhibitor levels, but not the induction of polyphenol oxidase or peroxidase. These results add to our understanding of proteomic plasticity in saliva and its role in herbivore offense against plant defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren J Rivera-Vega
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Bruce A Stanley
- Section of Research Resources, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Anne Stanley
- Section of Research Resources, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Gary W Felton
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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15
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Rivera-Vega LJ, Galbraith DA, Grozinger CM, Felton GW. Host plant driven transcriptome plasticity in the salivary glands of the cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182636. [PMID: 28792546 PMCID: PMC5549731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Generalist herbivores feed on a wide array of plants and need to adapt to varying host qualities and defenses. One of the first insect derived secretions to come in contact with the plant is the saliva. Insect saliva is potentially involved in both the pre-digestion of the host plant as well as induction/suppression of plant defenses, yet how the salivary glands respond to changes in host plant at the transcriptional level is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine how the labial salivary gland transcriptome varies according to the host plant on which the insect is feeding. In order to determine this, cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) larvae were reared on cabbage, tomato, and pinto bean artificial diet. Labial glands were dissected from fifth instar larvae and used to extract RNA for RNASeq analysis. Assembly of the resulting sequencing reads resulted in a transcriptome library for T. ni salivary glands consisting of 14,037 expressed genes. Feeding on different host plant diets resulted in substantial remodeling of the gland transcriptomes, with 4,501 transcripts significantly differentially expressed across the three treatment groups. Gene expression profiles were most similar between cabbage and artificial diet, which corresponded to the two diets on which larvae perform best. Expression of several transcripts involved in detoxification processes were differentially expressed, and transcripts involved in the spliceosome pathway were significantly downregulated in tomato-reared larvae. Overall, this study demonstrates that the transcriptomes of the salivary glands of the cabbage looper are strongly responsive to diet. It also provides a foundation for future functional studies that can help us understand the role of saliva of chewing insects in plant-herbivore interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren J. Rivera-Vega
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - David A. Galbraith
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Christina M. Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Gary W. Felton
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
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16
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Acevedo FE, Stanley BA, Stanley A, Peiffer M, Luthe DS, Felton GW. Quantitative proteomic analysis of the fall armyworm saliva. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 86:81-92. [PMID: 28591565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Lepidopteran larvae secrete saliva on plant tissues during feeding. Components in the saliva may aid in food digestion, whereas other components are recognized by plants as cues to elicit defense responses. Despite the ecological and economical importance of these plant-feeding insects, knowledge of their saliva composition is limited to a few species. In this study, we identified the salivary proteins of larvae of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda; determined qualitative and quantitative differences in the salivary proteome of the two host races-corn and rice strains-of this insect; and identified changes in total protein concentration and relative protein abundance in the saliva of FAW larvae associated with different host plants. Quantitative proteomic analyses were performed using labeling with isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In total, 98 proteins were identified (>99% confidence) in the FAW saliva. These proteins were further categorized into five functional groups: proteins potentially involved in (1) plant defense regulation, (2) herbivore offense, (3) insect immunity, (4) detoxification, (5) digestion, and (6) other functions. Moreover, there were differences in the salivary proteome between the FAW strains that were identified by label-free proteomic analyses. Thirteen differentially identified proteins were present in each strain. There were also differences in the relative abundance of eleven salivary proteins between the two FAW host strains as well as differences within each strain associated with different diets. The total salivary protein concentration was also different for the two strains reared on different host plants. Based on these results, we conclude that the FAW saliva contains a complex mixture of proteins involved in different functions that are specific for each strain and its composition can change plastically in response to diet type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flor E Acevedo
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 501 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Bruce A Stanley
- Section of Research Resources, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Anne Stanley
- Section of Research Resources, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Michelle Peiffer
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 501 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Dawn S Luthe
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, 216 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Gary W Felton
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 501 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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17
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Rivera-Vega LJ, Acevedo FE, Felton GW. Genomics of Lepidoptera saliva reveals function in herbivory. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2017; 19:61-69. [PMID: 28521944 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Revised: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Lepidoptera herbivores deposit copious amounts of saliva when feeding. Their saliva is produced by the paired mandibular and labial glands and evidence indicates that it may play an important role in allowing an herbivore to establish on its host plant. Genomic studies of Lepidoptera saliva are beginning to reveal the role of saliva in herbivory. Molecules involved in digestion, detoxification, immunity, defense against plant secondary chemicals, chemoreception and so on have been identified using high throughput genomic tools. These genomic tools have also revealed changes that occur in Lepidoptera saliva when caterpillars feed on different host plants. However, there are other factors either biotic or abiotic (e.g., larval stage, larval health, temperature, water stress, etc.) that might also affect its composition. Though further functional and ecological studies are still necessary to fully understand the role of Lepidoptera saliva on herbivory, here we review current trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren J Rivera-Vega
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Flor E Acevedo
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Gary W Felton
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
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18
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Zhu J, Iovinella I, Dani FR, Liu YL, Huang LQ, Liu Y, Wang CZ, Pelosi P, Wang G. Conserved chemosensory proteins in the proboscis and eyes of Lepidoptera. Int J Biol Sci 2016; 12:1394-1404. [PMID: 27877091 PMCID: PMC5118785 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.16517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are endowed with several different functions besides being carriers for pheromones and odorants. Based on a previous report of a CSP acting as surfactant in the proboscis of the moth Helicoverpa armigera, we revealed the presence of orthologue proteins in two other moths Plutella xylostella and Chilo suppressalis, as well as two butterflies Papilio machaon and Pieris rapae, using immunodetection and proteomic analysis. The unusual conservation of these proteins across large phylogenetic distances indicated a common specific function for these CSPs. This fact prompted us to search for other functions of these proteins and discovered that CSPs are abundantly expressed in the eyes of H. armigera and possibly involved as carriers for carotenoids and visual pigments. This hypothesis is supported by ligand-binding experiments and docking simulations with retinol and β-carotene. This last orange pigment, occurring in many fruits and vegetables, is an antioxidant and the precursor of visual pigments. We propose that structurally related CSPs solubilise nutritionally important carotenoids in the proboscis, while they act as carriers of both β-carotene and its derived products 3-hydroxyretinol and 3-hydroxyretinal in the eye. The use of soluble olfactory proteins, such as CSPs, as carriers for visual pigments in insects, here reported for the first time, parallels the function of retinol-binding protein in vertebrates, a lipocalin structurally related to vertebrate odorant-binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Immacolata Iovinella
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P.R. China; Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Dani
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy
| | - Yu-Ling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Ling-Qiao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chen-Zhu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Paolo Pelosi
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guirong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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Smith G, Macias-Muñoz A, Briscoe AD. Gene Duplication and Gene Expression Changes Play a Role in the Evolution of Candidate Pollen Feeding Genes in Heliconius Butterflies. Genome Biol Evol 2016; 8:2581-96. [PMID: 27553646 PMCID: PMC5010911 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evw180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Heliconius possess a unique ability among butterflies to feed on pollen. Pollen feeding significantly extends their lifespan, and is thought to have been important to the diversification of the genus. We used RNA sequencing to examine feeding-related gene expression in the mouthparts of four species of Heliconius and one nonpollen feeding species, Eueides isabella. We hypothesized that genes involved in morphology and protein metabolism might be upregulated in Heliconius because they have longer proboscides than Eueides, and because pollen contains more protein than nectar. Using de novo transcriptome assemblies, we tested these hypotheses by comparing gene expression in mouthparts against antennae and legs. We first looked for genes upregulated in mouthparts across all five species and discovered several hundred genes, many of which had functional annotations involving metabolism of proteins (cocoonase), lipids, and carbohydrates. We then looked specifically within Heliconius where we found eleven common upregulated genes with roles in morphology (CPR cuticle proteins), behavior (takeout-like), and metabolism (luciferase-like). Closer examination of these candidates revealed that cocoonase underwent several duplications along the lineage leading to heliconiine butterflies, including two Heliconius-specific duplications. Luciferase-like genes also underwent duplication within lepidopterans, and upregulation in Heliconius mouthparts. Reverse-transcription PCR confirmed that three cocoonases, a peptidase, and one luciferase-like gene are expressed in the proboscis with little to no expression in labial palps and salivary glands. Our results suggest pollen feeding, like other dietary specializations, was likely facilitated by adaptive expansions of preexisting genes—and that the butterfly proboscis is involved in digestive enzyme production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Smith
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Aide Macias-Muñoz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Adriana D Briscoe
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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