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Pavithran S, Murugan M, Mannu J, Yogendra K, Balasubramani V, Sanivarapu H, Harish S, Natesan S. Identification of salivary proteins of the cowpea aphid Aphis craccivora by transcriptome and LC-MS/MS analyses. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 165:104060. [PMID: 38123026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Aphid salivary proteins mediate the interaction between aphids and their host plants. Moreover, these proteins facilitate digestion, detoxification of secondary metabolites, as well as activation and suppression of plant defenses. The cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora, is an important sucking pest of leguminous crops worldwide. Although aphid saliva plays an important role in aphid plant interactions, knowledge of the cowpea aphid salivary proteins is limited. In this study, we performed transcriptomic and LC-MS/MS analyses to identify the proteins present in the salivary glands and saliva of A. craccivora. A total of 1,08,275 assembled transcripts were identified in the salivary glands of aphids. Of all these assembled transcripts, 53,714 (49.11%) and 53,577 (49.48%) transcripts showed high similarity to known proteins in the Nr and UniProt databases, respectively. A total of 2159 proteins were predicted as secretory proteins from the salivary gland transcriptome dataset, which contain digestive enzymes, detoxification enzymes, previously known effectors and elicitors, and potential proteins whose functions have yet to be determined. The proteomic analysis of aphid saliva resulted in the identification of 171 proteins. Tissue-specific expression of selected genes using RT-PCR showed that three genes were expressed only in the salivary glands. Overall, our results provide a comprehensive repertoire of cowpea aphid salivary proteins from the salivary gland and saliva, which will be a good resource for future effector functional studies and might also be useful for sustainable aphid management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmugasundram Pavithran
- Department of Agricultural Entomology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, India
| | - Marimuthu Murugan
- Department of Agricultural Entomology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, India.
| | - Jayakanthan Mannu
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, India
| | - Kalenahalli Yogendra
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, 502324, India
| | - Venkatasamy Balasubramani
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, India
| | - Hemalatha Sanivarapu
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, 502324, India
| | - Sankarasubramanian Harish
- Department of Plant Pathology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Senthil Natesan
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, India
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Fischer ML, Yepes Vivas SA, Wielsch N, Kirsch R, Vilcinskas A, Vogel H. You are what you eat-ecological niche and microhabitat influence venom activity and composition in aquatic bugs. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222064. [PMID: 36946119 PMCID: PMC10031423 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
True water bugs (Nepomorpha) are mostly predacious insects that live in aquatic habitats. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to inject venomous saliva that facilitates the capture and extra-oral digestion of prey animals, but their venom can also be deployed for defence. In Central Europe, nepomorph species representing different families coexist in the same habitat. However, their feeding ecology, including venom composition and deployment, has not been investigated in detail. We used an integrated proteotranscriptomic and bioactivity-based approach to test whether venom composition and activity differ between four water bug species sharing the same habitat but occupying different ecological niches. We found considerable species-dependent differences in the composition of digestive enzymes and venom components that probably evolved as adaptations to particular food sources, foraging strategies and/or microhabitats. The venom of Corixa punctata differed substantially from that of the three strictly predatory species (Ilyocoris cimicoides, Notonecta glauca and Nepa cinerea), and the abundance of herbivory-associated proteins confirms a mostly plant-based diet. Our findings reveal independent adaptations of the digestive and defensive enzyme repertoires accompanied by the evolution of distinct feeding strategies in aquatic bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike L. Fischer
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Sol A. Yepes Vivas
- Department of Biochemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Natalie Wielsch
- Research Group Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Roy Kirsch
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Hessen, Germany
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Thüringen, Germany
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Sardoy P, Ilina N, Borniego L, Traverso L, Pagano EA, Ons S, Zavala JA. Proteases inhibitors-insensitive cysteine proteases allow Nezara viridula to feed on growing seeds of field-grown soybean. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 132:104250. [PMID: 33964270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2021.104250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula is one of the primary soybean pests and causes significant economic losses around the world. In spite of the high proteases inhibitor (PI) levels, N. viridula can feed on developing seeds of field-grown soybean and reduce crop yields. Although the PI-induced responses have been extensively investigated in many pest insects, there is lack of knowledge about the mechanisms that stink bugs employ to withstand cysteine PIs of soybean seeds. This study demonstrated that feeding on developing seeds of field-grown soybean inhibited total proteases activity of N. viridula, as result of inhibition of cathepsin B-like activity in the gut. In addition, from the 30 digestive cathepsins recognized in this study, 6 were identified as cathepsin B-like. Stink bugs that fed on growing seeds of field-grown soybean had similar gut pH to those reared in the laboratory, and both cathepsin B- and L-like had an optima pH of 6.5. Therefore, using specific proteases inhibitors we found that the main proteolytic activity in the gut is from cysteine proteases when N. viridula feeds on soybean crops. Since cathepsin L-like activity was not inhibited by soybean PIs, our results suggested that N. viridula relays on cathepsin L-like to feed on soybean. To our knowledge no study before has shown the impact of seed PIs of field-grown soybean on digestive proteases (cathepsin B- and L-like) of N. viridula. This study suggests that the activity of PI-insensitive cathepsins L-like in the gut would be part of an adaptive strategy to feed on developing soybean seeds. In agreement, the expansions of cathepsin L-like complement observed in pentatomids could confer to the insects a higher versatility to counteract the effects of different PIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Sardoy
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Ilina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucia Borniego
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales (INBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucila Traverso
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de Insectos. Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. (CREG-FCE-UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina, (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eduardo A Pagano
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales (INBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sheila Ons
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de Insectos. Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. (CREG-FCE-UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina, (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge A Zavala
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales (INBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina, (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Shao E, Song Y, Wang Y, Liao Y, Luo Y, Liu S, Guan X, Huang Z. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of putative digestive proteases in the salivary gland and gut of Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii Matsuda. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:271. [PMID: 33858340 PMCID: PMC8048321 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07578-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infestation by tea green leafhoppers (Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii) can cause a series of biochemical changes in tea leaves. As a typical cell-rupture feeder, E. onukii secretes proteases while using its stylet to probe the tender shoots of tea plants (Camellia sinensis). This study identified and analyzed proteases expressed specifically in the salivary gland (SG) and gut of E. onukii through enzymatic activity assays complemented with an integrated analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic data. Results In total, 129 contigs representing seven types of putative proteases were identified. Transcript abundance of digestive proteases and enzymatic activity assays showed that cathepsin B-like protease, cathepsin L-like protease, and serine proteases (trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like protease) were highly abundant in the gut but moderately abundant in the SG. The abundance pattern of digestive proteases in the SG and gut of E. onukii differed from that of other hemipterans, including Nilaparvata lugens, Laodelphax striatellus, Acyrthosiphum pisum, Halyomorpha halys and Nephotettix cincticeps. Phylogenetic analysis showed that aminopeptidase N-like proteins and serine proteases abundant in the SG or gut of hemipterans formed two distinct clusters. Conclusions Altogether, this study provides insightful information on the digestive system of E. onukii. Compared to five other hemipteran species, we observed different patterns of proteases abundant in the SG and gut of E. onukii. These results will be beneficial in understanding the interaction between tea plants and E. onukii. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07578-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensi Shao
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, School of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002, Fuzhou, Fujian, PR China
| | - Yujuan Song
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, School of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002, Fuzhou, Fujian, PR China
| | - Yaomin Wang
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, School of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002, Fuzhou, Fujian, PR China
| | - Yichen Liao
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, School of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002, Fuzhou, Fujian, PR China
| | - Yufei Luo
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, School of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002, Fuzhou, Fujian, PR China
| | - Sijun Liu
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, 50011-3222 Ames, Iowa, USA.
| | - Xiong Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002, Fuzhou, Fujian, PR China
| | - Zhipeng Huang
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, School of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002, Fuzhou, Fujian, PR China.
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Sharma R, Christiaens O, Taning CN, Smagghe G. RNAi-mediated mortality in southern green stinkbug Nezara viridula by oral delivery of dsRNA. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:77-84. [PMID: 32696565 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The southern green stinkbug, Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an important emerging polyphagous pest infesting soybean in the United States, Brazil and Argentina. The indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides to control stinkbugs has limited the effectiveness of current management strategies. Alternatively, RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a novel mode of action to control pests in an eco-friendly manner. RESULTS Here, we assessed the potential of RNAi technology by oral delivery of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for the control of N. viridula. Initially, ten candidate genes were tested by microinjection assay to select the best target genes for oral delivery. Seven genes resulted in more than 90% mortality after microinjection. To evaluate RNAi efficacy by oral delivery of dsRNA, five genes were tested by feeding the insects on gene-specific dsRNA mixed with an artificial diet. Significant mortality of 43% and 45% was observed after 14 days of treatment with dsαCop and dsvATPase A, respectively. To elucidate the lower RNAi efficacy via oral delivery of dsRNA, ex vivo dsRNA degradation in the saliva and the midgut juice was performed, which indicated that the reduced RNAi efficacy is accompanied by a rapid degradation of dsRNA by digestive secretions. CONCLUSION This study proves that RNAi can be triggered by orally delivered dsRNA in N. viridula and can be exploited to control this economically important pest. The reduced stability of dsRNA in saliva and midgut that was observed indicates a need to further improve RNAi efficacy, for example by use of specific formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Sharma
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier Christiaens
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Clauvis Nt Taning
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Cantón PE, Bonning BC. Extraoral digestion: outsourcing the role of the hemipteran midgut. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 41:86-91. [PMID: 32823203 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Extraoral digestion allows for breakdown of dietary components before they reach the midgut for final enzymatic degradation and absorption. In the Hemiptera, this is achieved by the secretion of enzyme-rich fluids from the salivary gland, with the combination of protein and mRNA from these tissues termed the sialome. Separate channels within the hemipteran stylets allow for secretion of saliva and ingestion of predigested material in a non-reflux mechanism. Both feeding mode and diet type influence the composition of the hemipteran sialome, as illustrated by 1) differences in protease abundance between hematophagous and predatory heteropteran sialomes, 2) diet specific aminopeptidase-N genes among aphid biotypes, and 3) adaptation-induced sialome variation in related cicada populations. Despite challenges associated with incomplete genome annotation, -omics analysis of the sialomes of diverse hemipteran species will enhance understanding of both sialome function and the evolution of extraoral digestion within the order.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bryony C Bonning
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
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Riga M, Denecke S, Livadaras I, Geibel S, Nauen R, Vontas J. Development of efficient RNAi in Nezara viridula for use in insecticide target discovery. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 103:e21650. [PMID: 31833096 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Stink bugs are an emerging pest in many regions of the world but their molecular biology is still poorly understood. While several transcriptomes are available, the lack of validated gene manipulation tools like RNA interference (RNAi) in species such as the southern green stinkbug Nezara viridula precludes the characterization of individual genes in vivo. Such tools are particularly useful in performing high-throughput screens to search for essential genes that can be prioritized as potential insecticide targets. Here, we developed and optimized an efficient RNAi in N. viridula for use in insecticide target discovery and beyond. The visible marker Sex combs reduced and the essential gene Actin were used to verify the usability and efficiency of RNAi by microinjection at both the adult and nymphal stages, respectively, with nymphal approach presenting significant advantages. Following validation, RNAi was then used to measure lethality following the knockdown (KD) of two genes that are known insecticide targets, Chitin synthase, and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase. The KD of each gene resulted in >75% corrected mortality. These results indicate that RNAi is an effective tool in N. viridula and set a benchmark to evaluate potential targets in future RNAi screens aimed at insecticide target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Riga
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Shane Denecke
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioannis Livadaras
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Sven Geibel
- Division Crop Science, Research and Development, Bayer AG, Monheim, Germany
| | - Ralf Nauen
- Division Crop Science, Research and Development, Bayer AG, Monheim, Germany
| | - John Vontas
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Crop Science, Pesticide Science Laboratory, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Denecke S, Ioannidis P, Buer B, Ilias A, Douris V, Topalis P, Nauen R, Geibel S, Vontas J. A transcriptomic and proteomic atlas of expression in the Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) midgut suggests the compartmentalization of xenobiotic metabolism and nutrient digestion. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:129. [PMID: 32028881 PMCID: PMC7006211 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6459-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stink bugs are an emerging threat to crop security in many parts of the globe, but there are few genetic resources available to study their physiology at a molecular level. This is especially true for tissues such as the midgut, which forms the barrier between ingested material and the inside of the body. RESULTS Here, we focus on the midgut of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula and use both transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to create an atlas of expression along the four compartments of the anterior-posterior axis. Estimates of the transcriptome completeness were high, which led us to compare our predicted gene set to other related stink bugs and Hemiptera, finding a high number of species-specific genes in N. viridula. To understand midgut function, gene ontology and gene family enrichment analyses were performed for the most highly expressed and specific genes in each midgut compartment. These data suggested a role for the anterior midgut (regions M1-M3) in digestion and xenobiotic metabolism, while the most posterior compartment (M4) was enriched in transmembrane proteins. A more detailed characterization of these findings was undertaken by identifying individual members of the cytochrome P450 superfamily and nutrient transporters thought to absorb amino acids or sugars. CONCLUSIONS These findings represent an initial step to understand the compartmentalization and physiology of the N. viridula midgut at a genetic level. Future studies will be able to build on this work and explore the molecular physiology of the stink bug midgut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Denecke
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, N. Plastira 100, GR-70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - Panagiotis Ioannidis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, N. Plastira 100, GR-70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - Benjamin Buer
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D Pest Control, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | - Aris Ilias
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, N. Plastira 100, GR-70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Vassilis Douris
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, N. Plastira 100, GR-70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.,Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Pantelis Topalis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, N. Plastira 100, GR-70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Ralf Nauen
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D Pest Control, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | - Sven Geibel
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D Pest Control, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | - John Vontas
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, N. Plastira 100, GR-70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.,Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, GR-11855, Athens, Greece
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Cantón PE, Bonning BC. Transcription and Activity of Digestive Enzymes of Nezara viridula Maintained on Different Plant Diets. Front Physiol 2020; 10:1553. [PMID: 31969835 PMCID: PMC6960134 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nezara viridula is a polyphagous stink bug that feeds on crops of economic importance such as corn, soybean and cotton. To increase understanding of the ability of this pest insect to feed on such diverse cropping systems, we analyzed the impact of an exclusive diet of corn or green bean on the enzymatic activity and transcriptomic profile of digestive enzymes. Growth rate and survival were reduced when insects were reared exclusively on green bean compared to corn. However, the overall protease and nuclease activity profiles were comparable between the two treatments. Distinct differences in inhibitor sensitivity and activity were seen in some cases, particularly for serine proteases in some regions of the midgut. The transcription profiles from N. viridula fed on corn versus green bean were distinct on principal component analysis of RNA-seq data. While specific transcripts differentially transcribed according to diet and across several tissues were identified, a large number of these transcripts remain unannotated. Further annotation for identification of these genes will be important for improved understanding of the remarkable polyphagy of N. viridula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Emiliano Cantón
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Bryony C Bonning
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Kunte N, McGraw E, Bell S, Held D, Avila LA. Prospects, challenges and current status of RNAi through insect feeding. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:26-41. [PMID: 31419022 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference is a phenomenon in which the introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into cells triggers the degradation of the complementary messenger RNA in a sequence-specific manner. Suppressing expression of vital genes could lead to insect death, therefore this technology has been considered as a potential strategy for insect pest control. There are three main routes of dsRNA administration into insects: (i) injections to the hemolymph, (ii) topical, and (iii) feeding. In this review, we focus on dsRNA administration through feeding. We summarize novel strategies that have been developed to improve the efficacy of this method, such as the use of nano-based formulations, engineered microorganisms, and transgenic plants. We also expose the hurdles that have to be overcome in order to use this technique as a reliable pest management method. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitish Kunte
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Erin McGraw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Sydney Bell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - David Held
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Luz-Adriana Avila
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
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Cantón PE, Bonning BC. Proteases and nucleases across midgut tissues of Nezara viridula (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) display distinct activity profiles that are conserved through life stages. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 119:103965. [PMID: 31610185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.103965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula is a polyphagous pest of commercially important crops during both nymph and adult stages. This insect has recently transitioned from a secondary agricultural pest to one of primary concern. Novel management solutions are needed due to the limited effectiveness of current control strategies. We performed biochemical and transcriptomic analyses to characterize digestive enzymes in the salivary glands and along midgut tissues of N. viridula nymphs and adults fed on sweet corn. The digestive profiles were more distinct between midgut regions (M1 to M3) than between life stages. Aminopeptidase and chymotrypsin activities declined from the M1 (anterior) toward the M3 midgut region. Cysteine protease activity was higher in the M2 and M3 regions than in M1. Differences in sensitivity to chymotrypsin inhibitors between midgut regions suggest that distinct genes or isoforms are expressed in different regions of the gut. In nymphs, DNA and RNA degradation was higher in M1 than in M3. Adult nuclease activity was low across all midgut regions, but high in salivary glands. The differences in protease activities are reflected by transcriptomic data and functional enrichment of GO terms. Together, our results show that different regions of the digestive tract of N. viridula have specific and distinct digestive properties, and increase our understanding of the physiology of this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Emiliano Cantón
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Bryony C Bonning
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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Liu S, Bonning BC. The Principal Salivary Gland Is the Primary Source of Digestive Enzymes in the Saliva of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1255. [PMID: 31680993 PMCID: PMC6797616 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is an invasive, phytophagous stink bug of global importance for agriculture. Tissue-specific transcriptomic analysis of the accessory salivary gland, principal salivary gland (PSG) and gut resulted in identification of 234 putative protease and 166 putative nuclease sequences. By mapping the previously reported proteomes of H. halys watery saliva (WS) and sheath saliva to protein sequences translated from the assembled transcripts, 22 proteases and two nucleases in the saliva were identified. Of these, 19 proteases and both nucleases were present in the WS. The majority of proteases and nucleases found in WS were derived from the PSG, in line with ultrastructural observations, which suggest active protein synthesis and secretion by this tissue. The highly transcribed digestive proteases and nucleases of H. halys were similar to those of the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula, indicating that these pentatomid stink bugs utilize a similar suite of proteases and nucleases for digestion of plant material. The comprehensive data set for the H. halys salivary glands and gut generated by this study provides an additional resource for further understanding of the biology of this pestiferous species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijun Liu
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Bryony C. Bonning
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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