Intracellular mobilization of Ca2+ by the insect steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone during programmed cell death in silkworm anterior silk glands

Temperature and metal ions regulate larval diapause termination via the 20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone pathways in Monochamus alternatus

BACKGROUND

Diapause allows insects to survive harsh environments, and its termination is crucial for their normal development after diapause. However, little is known about the regulatory pathways and signals involved in insect diapause termination.

RESULTS

We discovered that high temperature (25 °C) influenced larval diapause termination in Monochamus alternatus. Likewise, metal ions (Ca²⁺ ) promoted diapause termination by reducing diapause duration. We combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to investigate changes in gene expression and metabolism in diapause-terminated larvae treated with high temperature (MaHt) and metal ions (MaCa). Hormone biosynthesis and metabolism contained the highest proportion of significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the two groups. 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone (JH) were closely related to diapause termination in M. alternatus. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments verified that 20E biosynthesis (CYP314a1) and degradation (CYP18a1), JH biosynthesis (FOHSDR-1) and degradation (JHEH) genes affected the larval diapause duration significantly. In addition, dysfunction of CYP314a1 resulted in increased larval mortality (P < 0.01), reduced pupation rate and emergence rate (P < 0.05). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis showed that the ecdysone content decreased after dsCYP314a1 injection and JH content increased after dsJHEH injection.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that genes CYP314a1, CYP18a1, FOHSDR-1 and JHEH mediated 20E and JH biosynthesis and degradation to regulate diapause termination in M. alternatus. We elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of diapause termination and provided a basis for the prevention and control of M. alternatus infestation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Stomata at the crossroad of molecular interaction between biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants

Increasing global food production is threatened by harsh environmental conditions along with biotic stresses, requiring massive new research into integrated stress resistance in plants. Stomata play a pivotal role in response to many biotic and abiotic stresses, but their orchestrated interactions at the molecular, physiological, and biochemical levels were less investigated. Here, we reviewed the influence of drought, pathogen, and insect herbivory on stomata to provide a comprehensive overview in the context of stomatal regulation. We also summarized the molecular mechanisms of stomatal response triggered by these stresses. To further investigate the effect of stomata-herbivore interaction at a transcriptional level, integrated transcriptome studies from different plant species attacked by different pests revealed evidence of the crosstalk between abiotic and biotic stress. Comprehensive understanding of the involvement of stomata in some plant-herbivore interactions may be an essential step towards herbivores' manipulation of plants, which provides insights for the development of integrated pest management strategies. Moreover, we proposed that stomata can function as important modulators of plant response to stress combination, representing an exciting frontier of plant science with a broad and precise view of plant biotic interactions.

iTRAQ Proteomic Analysis of Interactions Between 20E and Phospholipase C in Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür)

Polyphagous Apolygus lucorum has become the dominant insect in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton fields. Hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulates multiple insect development and physiology events. 20E responses are controlled by pathways triggered by phospholipase C (PLC)-associated proteins. However, 20E-modulated genes and related proteins that can be affected by PLC still remain unknown. Here, isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and immunoblotting techniques were used to compare differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in A. lucorum in response to the treatment of 20E and the PLC inhibitor U73122 as well as their combination. A total of 1,624 non-redundant proteins and 97, 248, 266 DEPs were identified in the 20E/control, U73122/control, and 20E + U73122/control groups, respectively. Only 8 DEPs, including pathogenesis-related protein 5-like, cuticle protein 19.8, trans-sialidase, larval cuticle protein A2B-like, cathepsin L1, hemolymph juvenile hormone-binding protein, ATP-dependent RNA helicase p62-like, and myosin-9 isoform X1, were detected in all three groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that the DEPs were involved in diverse signaling pathways. The results were validated by immunoblotting, which highlighted the reliability of proteomics analysis. These findings provided novel insights into the function of PLC in 20E signaling pathway in A. lucorum.

Phospholipase C gamma (PLCγ) regulates soluble trehalase in the 20E-induced fecundity of Apolygus lucorum

Apolygus lucorum is the dominant pathogenic insect attacking Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton in China. Additionally, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) has important functions in many biological processes, including insect reproduction. Phospholipase C (PLC), which is an essential enzyme for phosphoinositide metabolism, is involved in 20E signal transduction, but its function in 20E-mediated reproduction in A. lucorum remains unclear. In this study, 20E increased AlPLCγ transcription as well as the abundance and activity of the encoded protein during molting and metamorphosis. The 20E treatment also induced the considerable accumulation of two second messengers, inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol. The expression levels of genes encoding vitellogenin (AlVg) and soluble trehalase (AlTre-1) were similar to those of AlPLCγ, and were upregulated in response to 20E. The silencing of AlPLCγ resulted in downregulated expression of AlTre-1 and AlVg. However, the silencing of AlTre-1 and AlVg did not affect AlPLCγ expression. Moreover, the silencing of AlVg did not alter AlTre-1 expression. Furthermore, an examination of the insect specimens indicated that AlPLCγ is required for female adult reproduction, and that downregulated expression of this gene is associated with decreases in fecundity, adult longevity, and egg hatching rate as well as delayed oocyte maturation. We propose that 20E regulates AlTre-1 expression via AlPLCγ and affects Vg expression as well as ovary development to facilitate the reproductive activities of A. lucorum females.

The homotetramerization of a GPCR transmits the 20-hydroxyecdysone signal and increases its entry into cells for insect metamorphosis

Animal steroid hormones initiate signaling by passive diffusion into cells and binding to their nuclear receptors to regulate gene expression. Animal steroid hormones can initiate signaling via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we show that a newly discovered ecdysone-responsive GPCR, ErGPCR-3, transmits the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signal by binding 20E and promoting its entry into cells in the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera Knockdown of ErGPCR-3 in larvae caused delayed and abnormal pupation, inhibited remodeling of the larval midgut and fat body, and repressed 20E-induced gene expression. Also, 20E induced both the interaction of ErGPCR-3 with G proteins and rapid intracellular increase in calcium, cAMP and protein phosphorylation. ErGPCR-3 was endocytosed by GPCR kinase 2-mediated phosphorylation, and interacted with β-arrestin-1 and clathrin, to terminate 20E signaling under 20E induction. We found that 20E bound to ErGPCR-3 and induced the ErGPCR-3 homodimer to form a homotetramer, which increased 20E entry into cells. Our study revealed that homotetrameric ErGPCR-3 functions as a cell membrane receptor and increases 20E diffusion into cells to transmit the 20E signal and promote metamorphosis.

G protein-coupled receptors function as cell membrane receptors for the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell membrane receptors for various ligands. Recent studies have suggested that GPCRs transmit animal steroid hormone signals. Certain GPCRs have been shown to bind steroid hormones, for example, G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) binds estrogen in humans, and Drosophila dopamine/ecdysteroid receptor (DopEcR) binds the molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in insects. This review summarizes the research progress on GPCRs as animal steroid hormone cell membrane receptors, including the nuclear and cell membrane receptors of steroid hormones in mammals and insects, the 20E signaling cascade via GPCRs, termination of 20E signaling, and the relationship between genomic action and the nongenomic action of 20E. Studies indicate that 20E induces a signal via GPCRs to regulate rapid cellular responses, including rapid Ca²⁺ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and influx from the extracellular medium, as well as rapid protein phosphorylation and subcellular translocation. 20E via the GPCR/Ca²⁺/PKC/signaling axis and the GPCR/cAMP/PKA-signaling axis regulates gene transcription by adjusting transcription complex formation and DNA binding activity. GPCRs can bind 20E in the cell membrane and after being isolated, suggesting GPCRs as cell membrane receptors of 20E. This review deepens our understanding of GPCRs as steroid hormone cell membrane receptors and the GPCR-mediated signaling pathway of 20E (20E-GPCR pathway), which will promote further study of steroid hormone signaling via GPCRs, and presents GPCRs as targets to explore new pharmaceutical materials to treat steroid hormone-related diseases or control pest insects.

Transcriptome analysis of the immune response of silkworm at the early stage of Bombyx mori bidensovirus infection

Bombyx mori bidensovirus (BmBDV) infects silkworm midgut and causes chronic flacherie disease; however, the interaction between BmBDV and silkworm is unclear. Twenty-four hours after BmBDV infection, the midgut was extracted for RNA-seq to analyze the factors associated with BmBDV-invasion and the early antiviral immune response in silkworms. The total reads from each sample were more than 16100000 and the number of expressed genes exceeded 8200. There were 334 upregulated and 272 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene ontology analysis of DEGs showed that structural constituents of cuticle, antioxidant, and immune system processes were upregulated. Further analysis revealed BmBDV-mediated induction of BmorCPR23 and BmorCPR44, suggesting possible involvement in viral invasion. Antioxidant genes that protect host cells from virus-induced oxidative stress, were significantly upregulated after BmBDV infection. Several genes related to peroxisomes, apoptosis, and autophagy-which may be involved in antiviral immunity-were induced by BmBDV. These results provide insights into the mechanism of BmBDV infection and host defense.

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone induces phosphorylation and aggregation of stromal interacting molecule 1 for store-operated calcium entry

Oligomerization of stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1) promotes store-operated calcium entry (SOCE); however, the mechanism of STIM1 aggregation is unclear. Here, using the lepidopteran insect and agricultural pest cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) as a model and immunoblotting, RT-qPCR, RNA interference (RNAi), and ChIP assays, we found that the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) up-regulates STIM1 expression via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and the 20E nuclear receptor (EcRB1). We also identified an ecdysone-response element (EcRE) in the 5'-upstream region of the STIM1 gene and also noted that STIM1 is located in the larval midgut during metamorphosis. STIM1 knockdown in larvae delayed pupation time, prevented midgut remodeling, and decreased 20E-induced gene transcription. STIM1 knockdown in a H. armigera epidermal cell line, HaEpi, repressed 20E-induced calcium ion influx and apoptosis. Moreover, 20E-induced STIM1 clustering to puncta and translocation toward the cell membrane. Inhibitors of GPCRs, phospholipase C (PLC), and inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) repressed 20E-induced STIM1 phosphorylation, and we found that two GPCRs are involved in 20E-induced STIM1 phosphorylation. 20E-induced STIM1 phosphorylation on Ser-485 through protein kinase C (PKC), and we observed that Ser-485 phosphorylation is critical for STIM1 clustering, interaction with calcium release-activated calcium channel modulator 1 (Orai1), calcium ion influx, and 20E-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that 20E up-regulates STIM1 phosphorylation for aggregation via GPCRs, followed by interaction with Orai1 to induce SOCE, thereby promoting apoptosis in the midgut during insect metamorphosis.

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone binds to dopamine receptor to repress lepidopteran insect feeding and promote pupation

Holometabolous insects stop feeding at the final larval instar stage and then undergo metamorphosis; however, the mechanism is unclear. In the present study, using the serious lepidopteran agricultural pest Helicoverpa armigera as a model, we revealed that 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) binds to the dopamine receptor (DopEcR), a G protein-coupled receptor, to stop larval feeding and promote pupation. DopEcR was expressed in various tissues and its level increased during metamorphic molting under 20E regulation. The 20E titer was low during larval feeding stages and high during wandering stages. By contrast, the dopamine (DA) titer was high during larval feeding stages and low during the wandering stages. Injection of 20E or blocking dopamine receptors using the inhibitor flupentixol decreased larval food consumption and body weight. Knockdown of DopEcR repressed larval feeding, growth, and pupation. 20E, via DopEcR, promoted apoptosis; and DA, via DopEcR, induced cell proliferation. 20E opposed DA function by repressing DA-induced cell proliferation and AKT phosphorylation. 20E, via DopEcR, induced gene expression and a rapid increase in intracellular calcium ions and cAMP. 20E induced the interaction of DopEcR with G proteins αs and αq. 20E, via DopEcR, induced protein phosphorylation and binding of the EcRB1-USP1 transcription complex to the ecdysone response element. DopEcR could bind 20E inside the cell membrane or after being isolated from the cell membrane. Mutation of DopEcR decreased 20E binding levels and related cellular responses. 20E competed with DA to bind to DopEcR. The results of the present study suggested that 20E, via binding to DopEcR, arrests larval feeding and promotes pupation.

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) represses insect larval feeding and promotes metamorphosis; however, the mechanism is unclear. The dopamine receptor plays important roles in animal motor function and reward-motivated behavior. Using the serious lepidopteran agricultural pest Helicoverpa armigera as a model, we revealed that 20E binds to DopEcR to block the dopamine pathway and initiates the 20E pathway. Dopamine (DA) binds to the dopamine receptor (DopEcR), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), to regulate cell proliferation, larval feeding, and growth. However, 20E competes with DA to bind to DopEcR, which represses larval feeding and triggers the 20E-pathway, leading to metamorphosis. The results suggested that 20E, via binding to DopEcR, stops larval feeding and promotes pupation, which presented an example of the steroid hormone regulating dopamine receptor and behavior. Our study showed that GPCRs can bind 20E and function as 20E cell membrane receptors.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-like peptide and 20-hydroxyecdysone regulate the growth and development of the male genital disk through different mechanisms in the silkmoth, Bombyx mori

It is well established that ecdysteroids play pivotal roles in the regulation of insect molting and metamorphosis. However, the mechanisms by which ecdysteroids regulate the growth and development of adult organs after pupation are poorly understood. Recently, we have identified insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-like peptides (IGFLPs), which are secreted after pupation under the control of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). In the silkmoth, Bombyx mori, massive amounts of Bombyx-IGFLP (BIGFLP) are present in the hemolymph during pupal-adult development, suggesting its importance in the regulation of adult tissue growth. Thus, we hypothesized that the growth and development of adult tissues including imaginal disks are regulated by the combined effects of BIGFLP and 20E. In this study, we investigated the growth-promoting effects of BIGFLP and 20E using the male genital disks of B. mori cultured ex vivo, and further analyzed the cell signaling pathways mediating hormone actions. We demonstrate that 20E induces the elongation of genital disks, that both hormones stimulate protein synthesis in an additive manner, and that BIGFLP and 20E exert their effects through the insulin/IGF signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, respectively. These results show that the growth and development of the genital disk are coordinately regulated by both BIGFLP and 20E.

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone promotes switching from autophagy to apoptosis by increasing intracellular calcium levels

Autophagy regulates cell survival (or cell death in several cases), whereas apoptosis regulates cell death. However, the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis and the regulative mechanism is unclear. We report that steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) promotes switching from autophagy to apoptosis by increasing intracellular calcium levels in the midgut of the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera. Autophagy and apoptosis sequentially occurred during midgut programmed cell death under 20E regulation, in which lower concentrations of 20E induced microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-phosphatidylethanolamine (LC3-II, also known as autophagy-related gene 8, ATG8) expression and autophagy. High concentrations of 20E induced cleavage of ATG5 to NtATG5 and pro-caspase-3 to active caspase-3, which led to a switch from autophagy to apoptosis. Blocking autophagy by knockdown of ATG5, ATG7, or ATG12, or with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, inhibited 20E-induced autophagy and apoptosis. Blocking apoptosis by using the apoptosis inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO did not prevent 20E-induced autophagy, suggesting that apoptosis relies on autophagy. ATG5 knockdown resulted in abnormal pupation and delayed pupation time. High concentrations of 20E induced high levels of intracellular Ca²⁺, NtATG5, and active caspase-3, which mediated the switch from autophagy to apoptosis. Blocking 20E-mediated increase of cellular Ca²⁺ caused a decrease of NtATG5 and active caspase-3 and repressed the transformation from autophagy to apoptosis, thereby promoting cell survival. 20E induces an increase in the concentration of intracellular Ca²⁺, thereby switching autophagic cell survival to apoptotic cell death.

Mitochondria and the insect steroid hormone receptor (EcR): A complex relationship

The actions of the insect steroid molting hormones, ecdysteroids, on the genome of target cells has been well studied, but little is known of their extranuclear actions. We previously showed in Rhodnius prolixus that much of the ecdysteroid receptor (EcR) resides in the cytoplasm of various cell types and undergoes shuttling between nucleus and cytoplasm with circadian periodicity, possibly using microtubules as tracks for translocation to the nucleus. Here we report that cytoplasmic EcR appears to be also involved in extranuclear actions of ecdysteroids by association with the mitochondria. Western blots of subcellular fractions of brain lysates revealed that EcR is localized in the mitochondrial fraction, indicating an intimate association of EcR with mitochondria. Confocal laser microscopy and immunohistochemistry using anti-EcR revealed abundant co-localization of EcR with mitochondria in brain neurons and their axons, especially intense in the subplasmalemmal region, raising the possibility of EcR involvement in mitochondrial functions in subplasmalemmal microdomains. When mitochondria are dispersed by disruption of microtubules with colchicine, EcR remains associated with mitochondria showing strong receptor association with mitochondria. Treatment in vitro with ecdysteroids of brains of developmentally arrested R. prolixus (containing neither ecdysteroids nor EcR) induces EcR and abundant co-localization with mitochondria in neurons, concurrently with a sharp increase of the mitochondrial protein COX 1, suggesting involvement of EcR in mitochondrial function. These findings align EcR with various vertebrate steroid receptors, where actions of steroid receptors on mitochondria are widely known and suggest that steroid receptors across distant phyla share similar functional attributes.

G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 terminates G-protein-coupled receptor function in steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone signaling

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transmit extracellular signals across the cell membrane. GPCR kinases (GRKs) desensitize GPCR signals in the cell membrane. However, the role and mechanism of GRKs in the desensitization of steroid hormone signaling are unclear. In this study, we propose that GRK2 is phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) in response to induction by the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), which determines its translocation to the cell membrane of the lepidopteran Helicoverpa armigera. GRK2 protein expression is increased during the metamorphic stage because of induction by 20E. Knockdown of GRK2 in larvae causes accelerated pupation, an increase in 20E-response gene expression, and advanced apoptosis and metamorphosis. 20E induces translocation of GRK2 from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane via steroid hormone ecdysone-responsive GPCR (ErGPCR-2). GRK2 is phosphorylated by PKC on serine 680 after induction by 20E, which leads to the translocation of GRK2 to the cell membrane. GRK2 interacts with ErGPCR-2. These data indicate that GRK2 terminates the ErGPCR-2 function in 20E signaling in the cell membrane by a negative feedback mechanism.

G-protein-coupled receptor controls steroid hormone signaling in cell membrane

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in animal steroid hormone signaling, but their mechanism is unclear. In this research, we report that a GPCR called ErGPCR-2 controls steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling in the cell membrane of the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera. ErGPCR-2 was highly expressed during molting and metamorphosis. 20E, via ErGPCR-2, regulated rapid intracellular calcium increase, protein phosphorylation, gene transcription, and insect metamorphosis. ErGPCR-2 was located in the cell surface and was internalized by 20E induction. GPCR kinase 2 participated in 20E-induced ErGPCR-2 phosphorylation and internalization. The internalized ErGPCR-2 was degraded by proteases to desensitize 20E signaling. ErGPCR-2 knockdown suppressed the entrance of 20E analog [(3)H] ponasterone A ([(3)H]Pon A) into the cells. ErGPCR-2 overexpression or blocking of ErGPCR-2 internalization increased the entrance of [(3)H]Pon A into the cells. However, ErGPCR-2 did not bind to [(3)H]Pon A. Results suggest that ErGPCR-2 transmits steroid hormone 20E signaling and controls 20E entrance into cells in the cell membrane.

G-protein αq participates in the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone nongenomic signal transduction

The nuclear receptor-mediated genomic pathways of the animal steroid hormones are well known. However, the cell membrane receptor-mediated nongenomic pathways of the animal steroid hormones are little understood. In this study, we report the participation of a G-protein alpha q (Gαq)(1) subunit in the 20E nongenomic pathway in the cell membrane and regulating gene expression during molting and metamorphosis in a lepidopteran insect, Helicoverpa armigera. 20E-induced phosphorylation of Gαq was detected using two-dimensional electrophoresis techniques. Knockdown of Gαq by injecting double-stranded RNA suppressed the development of larvae, delayed metamorphosis, and inhibited 20E-induced gene expression. Gαq was distributed throughout the cell, and migrated toward the plasma membrane upon 20E induction. Gαq was necessary in the 20E-induced intracellular Ca(2+) release and extracellular Ca(2+) influx. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor could repress 20E-induced phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinase 10 (CDK10) and transcription factor ultraspiracle (USP1). PKC inhibitor could repress the Gαq phosphorylation and membrane trafficking. These results suggest that Gαq participates in 20E signaling in the cell membrane at the pre-genomic stage by modulating the increase of the intracellular Ca(2+) and phosphorylation of CDK10 and USP1 in 20E transcription complex to regulate gene transcription.

In a nongenomic action, steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone induces phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinase 10 to promote gene transcription

The insect steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulates gene transcription via a genomic pathway by forming a transcription complex that binds to DNA with the help of the chaperone proteins, heat shock proteins (Hsps) Hsc70 and Hsp90. However, the nongenomic mechanisms by which 20E regulates gene expression remain unclear. In this study, we found that 20E regulated the phosphorylation of serine/threonine protein kinase cyclin-dependent kinase 10 (CDK10) through a nongenomic pathway to mediate gene transcription in the lepidopteran Helicoverpa armigera. The down-regulation of CDK10 by RNA interference in larvae and the epidermal cell line delayed development and suppressed 20E-induced gene transcription. CDK10 was localized to the nucleus via its KKRR motif, and this nuclear localization and the ATPase motif were necessary for the efficient expression of the 20E-inducible gene. The rapid phosphorylation of CDK10 was induced by 20E, whereas it was repressed by the inhibitors of G-protein-coupled receptors, phospholipase C, and Ca²⁺ channels. Phosphorylated CDK10 exhibited increased interactions with Hsps Hsc70 and Hsp90 and then promoted the interactions between Hsps and ecdysone receptor EcRB1 and the binding of the Hsps-EcRB1 complex to the 20E response element for the regulation of gene transcription. CDK10 depletion suppressed the formation of the Hsps-EcRB1 complex at the hormone receptor 3 promoter. These results suggest that 20E induces CDK10 phosphorylation via a nongenomic pathway to regulate gene transcription in the nucleus.

Phospholipase Cγ1 connects the cell membrane pathway to the nuclear receptor pathway in insect steroid hormone signaling

In addition to the classical nuclear receptor pathway, there is a nongenomic pathway in the cell membrane that regulates gene expression in animal steroid hormone signaling; however, this mechanism is unclear. Here, we report that the insect steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulates calcium influx via phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCG1) to modulate the protein kinase C phosphorylation of the transcription factor ultraspiracle (USP1) in the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera. The PLCG1 mRNA levels are increased during the molting and metamorphic stages. The depletion of PLCG1 by RNA interference can block 20E-enhanced pupation, cause larvae death and pupation defects, and repress 20E-induced gene expression. 20E may induce the tyrosine phosphorylation of PLCG1 at the cytosolic tyrosine kinase (Src) homology 2 domains and then determine the migration of PLCG1 toward the plasma membrane. The G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) inhibitor suramin, Src family kinase inhibitor PP2, and the depletions of ecdysone-responsible GPCR (ErGPCR) and Gαq restrain the 20E-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLCG1. PLCG1 participates in the 20E-induced Ca(2+) influx. The inhibition of GPCR, PLC, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, and calcium channels represses the 20E-induced Ca(2+) influx. Through calcium signaling, PLCG1 mediates the transcriptional activation driven by the ecdysone-response element. Through PLCG1 and calcium signaling, 20E regulates PKC phosphorylation of USP1 at Ser-21 to determine its ecdysone-response element binding activity. These results suggest that 20E activates PLCG1 via the ErGPCR and Src family kinases to regulate Ca(2+) influx and PKC phosphorylation of USP1 to subsequently modulate gene transcription for metamorphosis.

G-protein-coupled receptor participates in 20-hydroxyecdysone signaling on the plasma membrane

BACKGROUND

Animal steroid hormones are conventionally known to initiate signaling via a genomic pathway by binding to the nuclear receptors. The mechanism by which 20E initiates signaling via a nongenomic pathway is unclear.

RESULTS

We illustrate that 20E triggered the nongenomic pathway through a plasma membrane G-protein-coupled receptor (named ErGPCR) in the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera. The transcript of ErGPCR was increased at the larval molting stage and metamorphic molting stage by 20E regulation. Knockdown of ErGPCR via RNA interference in vivo blocked larval-pupal transition and suppressed 20E-induced gene expression. ErGPCR overexpression in the H. armigera epidermal cell line increased the 20E-induced gene expression. Through ErGPCR, 20E modulated Calponin nuclear translocation and phosphorylation, and induced a rapid increase in cytosolic Ca2+ levels. The inhibitors of T-type voltage-gated calcium channels and canonical transient receptor potential calcium channels repressed the 20E-induced Ca2+ increase. Truncation of the N-terminal extracellular region of ErGPCR inhibited its localization on the plasma membrane and 20E-induced gene expression. ErGPCR was not detected to bind with the steroid hormone analog [3H]Pon A.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that ErGPCR participates in 20E signaling on the plasma membrane.

Upregulation of the expression of prodeath serine/threonine protein kinase for programmed cell death by steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone

Serine/threonine protein kinases phosphorylate protein substrates to initiate further cellular events. Different serine/threonine protein kinases have varied functions despite their highly conserved homology. We propose prodeath-S/TK, a prodeath serine/threonine protein kinase from the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera, promotes programmed cell death (PCD) during metamorphosis. Prodeath-S/TK is expressed in various tissues with a high expression level during molting and metamorphosis by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) induction. Prodeath-S/TK is localized in the larval midgut during metamorphosis. Prodeath-S/TK knockdown by injecting dsRNA into larval hemocoel suppresses the 20E-induced metamorphosis and PCD, as well as downregulates a set of genes involved in the PCD and 20E signaling pathway. 20E upregulates prodeath-S/TK expression through its nuclear receptor EcR-B1 and USP1. Prodeath-S/TK overexpression in the epidermal cell line leads to PCD with DNA fragmentation and the activation of caspases 3 and 7. Prodeath-S/TK plays role in the cytoplasm. The N-terminal and C-terminal sequences of prodeath-S/TK determine its subcellular location. These data indicate that prodeath-S/TK participates in PCD by regulating gene expression in the 20E signaling pathway.

Functional analysis of 30K proteins during silk gland degeneration by a caspase-dependent pathway in Bombyx

The 30K proteins are involved with important functions in the growth and development of Bombyx mori. In this study, the synthesis and regulation of 30K proteins were examined during the degeneration of Bombyx silk glands. On day 3 of the fifth instar, the protein level of 30Kc19 was low, whereas the silk proteins were rapidly synthesized. However, synthesis and accumulation of the 30Kc19 protein significantly increased at the prepupal stage and on day 1 of the pupal stage. At this stage, the silk gland cells were filled with 30Kc19 and genomic DNA. Moreover, the transcript levels of the 30K-encoding genes, including 30Kc6, 30Kc12, 30Kc19 and 30Kc23 were up-regulated during the degeneration of the Bombyx silk glands. During the time that the levels of the 30Kc19 protein were significantly up-regulated, it is notable that the transcript levels of the BmAtg8, BmAtg6 and BmDronc genes dramatically increased to regulate the programmed cell death of this gland. On day 1 of the pupal stage, intense fragmentation of genomic DNA occurred in the silk gland cells, and the putative active form of caspase was detected in the cytoplasm, showing the complete degradation of the silk glands in one day. In conclusion, the 30K proteins are synthesized in high concentrations, while proteolysis mediates silk gland degeneration in Bombyx by a caspase-dependent pathway. We propose that the 30K proteins may be nutrients and energy vectors to be absorbed by the developing tissues of pupae or moths.

Hormonal regulation of the death commitment in programmed cell death of the silkworm anterior silk glands

During larval-pupal transformation, the anterior silk glands (ASGs) of the silkworm Bombyx mori undergo programmed cell death (PCD) triggered by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Under standard in vitro culture conditions (0.3 ml of medium with 1 μM 20E), ASGs of the fourth-instar larvae do not undergo PCD in response to 20E. Similarly, larvae of the fifth instar do not respond to 20E through day 5 of the instar (V5). However, ASGs of V6 die when challenged by 20E, indicating that the glands might be destined to die before V6 but that a death commitment is not yet present. When we increased the volume of culture medium for one gland from 0.3 to 9 ml, V5 ASGs underwent PCD. We examined the response of ASGs to 20E every day by culturing them in 9 ml of medium and found that ASGs on and after V2 were fully responsive to 20E. Because pupal commitment is associated with juvenile hormone (JH), the corpora allata (a JH secretory organ) were removed on day 3 of the fourth larval instar (IV3), and their ASGs on V0 were cultured with 20E. Removal of the corpora allata allowed the V0 larval ASGs to respond to 20E with PCD. In contrast, topical application of a JH analogue inhibited the response to 20E when applied on or before V5. We conclude that the acquisition of responsiveness to 20E precedes the loss of JH sensitivity, and that the death commitment in ASGs occurs between V5 and 6.

Ca2+-PKC-caspase 3-like protease pathway mediates DNA and nuclear fragmentation in ecdysteroid-induced programmed cell death

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) induces programmed cell death in the anterior silk gland of the silkworm. Here, we report the direct interaction between Ca(2+) and protein kinase C (PKC)-caspase 3-like protease pathway in the 20E-induced cell death. The calcium ionophore can mimic 20E effects in inducing DNA and nuclear fragmentation, but such mimicry is only possible in the glands precultured for 18 h with 20E. The simultaneous presence of translation inhibitor with 20E in the preculture showed that de novo protein synthesis was needed to mimic 20E effects by the calcium ionophore. Both a PKC inhibitor and a caspase 3 inhibitor inhibited the mimicking effects. After substitution of the calcium ionophore for 20E, caspase 3-like protease was fully activated 12h later, and DNA and nuclear fragmentation occurred faster than continuous 20E stimuli. The results show the presence of a Ca(2+)-PKC-caspase 3-like protease pathway in 20E signaling, and possible involvement of the pathway up to the mobilization of Ca(2+) in regulating the timing of cell death in vivo.