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Neto JFDN, Roque RA, Ferreira FADS, Rabelo MX, Marques JA, Guimaraes JM, Vasconcelos ADS, Tavares CPDS, Barros JC, Da Silva BFO, Tadei WP, Val AL. Morphological changes in eggs and embryos of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) exposed to predicted climatic scenarios for the year 2100 in the Central Amazon. Acta Trop 2024; 258:107328. [PMID: 39032849 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
According to the IPCC, by the year 2100, rises in global temperature could reach up to 5 °C above current averages. On a planet-wide scale, this is one of the effects of climate changes that could have repercussions on the biological cycle of Aedes aegypti, the main arbovirus vector in urban environments and a transmitter of the arboviruses that cause dengue, Zika, chikungunya and urban yellow fever. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological changes in Ae. aegypti eggs and embryos maintained in a climate change simulator. For this, specimens obtained from an insectarium were kept in four chambers that simulated the range of environmental scenarios predicted by the IPCC for the year 2100. The eggs obtained from each room were collected and transported to the laboratory for morphometric and morphological analysis, using confocal and scanning microscopy. Aedes aegypti eggs (n=20) were used to obtain the following variables: total width, total length, length-width ratio and diameter of the micropylar disc. Additionally, 20 embryos were used to obtain the data on head capsule length, width and length-width ratio. The data were subjected to a normality test and the means of each variable were compared using ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test, considering (p ≤ 0.05). A significant reduction (p < 0.05) was observed mainly in the mean lengths under the current-extreme scenario (587.5 and 553.6 μm, respectively), as well as in the widths under the current-mild scenario (171 and 158.4 μm, respectively). The length of the cephalic capsule was also affected, showing significant differences in the means under the current-intermediate scenario (189.5 and 208.5 μm, respectively), as well as in the widths between the current-intermediate scenarios (173.7 and 194.9 μm, respectively). The results suggest significant changes in the morphometry of Ae. aegypti eggs and embryos as a result of the climatic influences to which the adults were subjected, which may have an impact on vector population density and, consequently, on arbovirus dynamics in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquim Ferreira do Nascimento Neto
- Laboratório de Ecofisiologia e Evolução Molecular - LEEM, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil; Laboratório de Malária e Dengue - LMD, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva - GCBEv, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil.
| | - Rosemary Aparecida Roque
- Laboratório de Malária e Dengue - LMD, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | | | - Marjory Ximenes Rabelo
- Centro Multiusuário para Análise de Fenômenos Biomédicos - CMABio; Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA; Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Jéssica Araújo Marques
- Centro Multiusuário para Análise de Fenômenos Biomédicos - CMABio; Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA; Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Jander Matos Guimaraes
- Centro Multiusuário para Análise de Fenômenos Biomédicos - CMABio; Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA; Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Aldenora Dos Santos Vasconcelos
- Centro Multiusuário para Análise de Fenômenos Biomédicos - CMABio; Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA; Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia - PPG Biotec, Universidade do Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | | | - Jessica Cavalcante Barros
- Laboratório de Malária e Dengue - LMD, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Bruna Felipe Olavo Da Silva
- Laboratório de Malária e Dengue - LMD, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Wanderli Pedro Tadei
- Laboratório de Malária e Dengue - LMD, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Adalberto Luis Val
- Laboratório de Ecofisiologia e Evolução Molecular - LEEM, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
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Chen J, Wu Y, Chen J, Lu H, Cheng G, Tu ZJ, Liao C, Han Q. Roles of a newly lethal cuticular structural protein, AaCPR100A, and its upstream interaction protein, G12-like, in Aedes aegypti. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131704. [PMID: 38670198 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Mosquitoes form a vital group of vector insects, which can transmit various diseases and filarial worms. The cuticle is a critical structure that protects mosquitoes from adverse environmental conditions and penetration resistance. Thus, cuticle proteins can be used as potential targets for controlling the mosquito population. In the present study, we found that AaCPR100A is a structural protein in the soft cuticle, which has flexibility and elasticity allowing insects to move or fly freely, of Aedes aegypti. RNA interference (RNAi) of AaCPR100A caused high mortality in Aedes aegypti larvae and adults and significantly decreased the egg hatching rate. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that the larval microstructure had no recognizable endocuticle in AaCPR100A-deficient mosquitoes. A yeast two-hybrid assay was performed to screen proteins interacting with AaCPR100A. We verified that the G12-like protein had the strongest interaction with AaCPR100A using yeast two-hybrid and GST pull-down assays. Knockdown of G12-like transcription resulted in high mortality in Ae. aegypti larvae, but not in adults. Interestingly, RNAi of G12-like rescued the high mortality of adults caused by decreased AaCPR100A expression. Additionally, adults treated with G12-like dsRNA were found to be sensitive to low temperature, and their eggshell formation and hatching were decreased. Overall, our results demonstrated that G12-like may interacts with AaCPR100A, and both G12-like and AaCPR100A are involved in Ae. aegypti cuticle development and eggshell formation. AaCPR100A and G12-like can thus be considered newly potential targets for controlling the Ae. aegypti mosquito.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yuchen Wu
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jiukai Chen
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Haoran Lu
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gong Cheng
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhijian Jake Tu
- Department of Biochemistry and the Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Chenghong Liao
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
| | - Qian Han
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
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Chakraborty S, Zigmond E, Shah S, Sylla M, Akorli J, Otoo S, Rose NH, McBride CS, Armbruster PA, Benoit JB. Thermal tolerance of mosquito eggs is associated with urban adaptation and human interactions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.22.586322. [PMID: 38585904 PMCID: PMC10996485 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.22.586322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Climate change is expected to profoundly affect mosquito distributions and their ability to serve as vectors for disease, specifically with the anticipated increase in heat waves. The rising temperature and frequent heat waves can accelerate mosquito life cycles, facilitating higher disease transmission. Conversely, higher temperatures could increase mosquito mortality as a negative consequence. Warmer temperatures are associated with increased human density, suggesting a need for anthropophilic mosquitoes to adapt to be more hardy to heat stress. Mosquito eggs provide an opportunity to study the biological impact of climate warming as this stage is stationary and must tolerate temperatures at the site of female oviposition. As such, egg thermotolerance is critical for survival in a specific habitat. In nature, Aedes mosquitoes exhibit different behavioral phenotypes, where specific populations prefer depositing eggs in tree holes and prefer feeding non-human vertebrates. In contrast, others, particularly human-biting specialists, favor laying eggs in artificial containers near human dwellings. This study examined the thermotolerance of eggs, along with adult stages, for Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus lineages associated with known ancestry and shifts in their relationship with humans. Mosquitoes collected from areas with higher human population density, displaying increased human preference, and having a human-associated ancestry profile have increased egg viability following high-temperature stress. Unlike eggs, thermal tolerance among adults showed no significant correlation based on the area of collection or human-associated ancestry. This study highlights that the egg stage is likely critical to mosquito survival when associated with humans and needs to be accounted when predicting future mosquito distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221
| | - Emily Zigmond
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221
| | - Sher Shah
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221
| | - Massamba Sylla
- Laboratory Vectors & Parasites, Department of Livestock Sciences and Techniques, Sine Saloum University El Hadji Ibrahima NIASS (SSUEIN) Kaffrine Campus
| | - Jewelna Akorli
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sampson Otoo
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Noah H Rose
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
- Department of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Carolyn S McBride
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | | | - Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221
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Kim M, Noh MY, Mun S, Muthukrishnan S, Kramer KJ, Arakane Y. Functional importance of groups I and II chitinases, CHT5 and CHT10, in turnover of chitinous cuticle during embryo hatching and post-embryonic molting in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 166:104087. [PMID: 38295884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104087] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Chitinases (CHT) comprise a large gene family in insects and have been classified into at least eleven subgroups. Many studies involving RNA interference (RNAi) have demonstrated that depletion of group I (CHT5s) and group II (CHT10s) CHT transcripts causes lethal molting arrest in several insect species including the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, presumably due to failure of degradation of chitin in their old cuticle. In this study we investigated the functions of CHT5 and CHT10 in turnover of chitinous cuticle in T. castaneum during embryonic and post-embryonic molting stages. RNAi and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analyses indicate that CHT10 is required for cuticular chitin degradation at each molting period analyzed, while CHT5 is essential for pupal-adult molting only. We further analyzed the functions of these genes during embryogenesis in T. castaneum. Real-time qPCR analysis revealed that peak expression of CHT10 occurred prior to that of CHT5 during embryonic development as has been observed at post-embryonic molting periods in several other insect species. With immunogold-labeling TEM analysis using a fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated chitin-binding domain protein (FITC-CBD) probe, chitin was detected in the serosal cuticle but not in any other regions of the eggshell including the chorion and vitelline membrane layers. Injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for CHT5 (dsCHT5), CHT10 (dsCHT10) or their co-injection (dsCHT5/10) into mature adult females had no effect on their fecundity and the resulting embryos developed normally inside the egg. There were no obvious differences in the morphology of the outer chorion, inner chorion and vitelline membrane among eggs from these dsRNA-treated females. However, unlike dsCHT5 eggs, dsCHT10 and dsCHT5/10 eggs exhibited failure of turnover of the serosal cuticle in which the horizontal chitinous laminae remained intact, resulting in lethal embryo hatching defects. These results indicate that group I CHT5 is essential for pupal-adult molting, whereas group II CHT10 plays an essential role in cuticular chitin degradation in T. castaneum during both embryonic hatching and all of the post-embryonic molts. CHT10 can serve in place of CHT5 in chitin degradation, except during the pupal-adult molt when both enzymes are indispensable to complete eclosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myeongjin Kim
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea
| | - Mi Young Noh
- Department of Forest Resources, AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea.
| | - Seulgi Mun
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Karl J Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea.
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Nik Abdull Halim NMH, Mohd Jamili AF, Che Dom N, Abd Rahman NH, Jamal Kareem Z, Dapari R. The impact of radiofrequency exposure on Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) development. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298738. [PMID: 38412167 PMCID: PMC10898727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Wireless communication connects billions of people worldwide, relying on radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Generally, fifth-generation (5G) networks shift RF carriers to higher frequencies. Although radio, cell phones, and television have benefitted humans for decades, higher carrier frequencies can present potential health risks. Insects closely associated with humans (such as mosquitoes) can undergo increased RF absorption and dielectric heating. This process inadvertently impacts the insects' behaviour, morphology, and physiology, which can influence their spread. Therefore, this study examined the impact of RF exposure on Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, which are prevalent in indoor environments with higher RF exposure risk. The morphologies of Ae. aegypti eggs and their developments into Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were investigated. METHODS A total of 30 eggs were exposed to RF radiation at three frequencies: baseline, 900 MHz, and 18 GHz. Each frequency was tested in triplicate. Several parameters were assessed through daily observations in an insectarium, including hatching responses, development times, larval numbers, and pupation periods until the emergence of adult insects. RESULTS This study revealed that the hatching rate for the 900 MHz group was the highest (79 ± 10.54%) compared to other exposures (p = 0.87). The adult emergence rate for the 900 MHz group was also the lowest at 33 ± 2.77%. A significant difference between the groups was demonstrated in the statistical analysis (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION This work highlighted the morphology sensitivity of Ae. aegypti eggs and their developments in the aquatic phase to RF radiation, potentially altering their life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nik Muhammad Hanif Nik Abdull Halim
- Centre of Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan Selangor, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- Integrated Mosquito Research Group (I-MeRGe), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan Selangor, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Alya Farzana Mohd Jamili
- Centre of Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan Selangor, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nazri Che Dom
- Centre of Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan Selangor, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia
- Setiu District Health Office, Permaisuri, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Huda Abd Rahman
- Antenna Research Centre, School of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zana Jamal Kareem
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Qaiwan International University, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
- Kurdistan Institution for Strategic Studies and Scientific Research (KISSR), Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Rahmat Dapari
- Department of Community Health, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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Turner EA, Christofferson RC. Exploring the transmission modalities of Bunyamwera virus. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2024; 249:10114. [PMID: 38510492 PMCID: PMC10954195 DOI: 10.3389/ebm.2024.10114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) (Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus) has been found in Sub-Saharan Africa and demonstrated recently as cocirculating with Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV). Little is known regarding the breadth of transmission modalities of Bunyamwera. Given its co-occurence with RVFV, we hypothesized the transmission system of BUNV shared similarities to the RVFV system including transmission by Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and environmentally mediated transmission through fomites and environmental contamination. We exposed Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to BUNV and evaluated their ability to transmit both vertically and horizontally. Further, we investigated the potential for a novel transmission modality via environmental contamination. We found that the LSU colony of Ae. aegypti was not competent for the virus for either horizontal or vertical transmission; but, 20% of larva exposed to virus via contaminated aquatic habitat were positive. However, transstadial clearance of the virus was absolute. Finally, under simulated temperature conditions that matched peak transmission in Rwanda, we found that BUNV was stable in both whole blood and serum for up to 28 days at higher total volume in tubes at moderate quantities (103-5 genome copies/mL). In addition, infectiousness of these samples was demonstrated in 80% of the replicates. At lower volume samples (in plates), infectiousness was retained out to 6-8 days with a maximum infectious titer of 104 PFU/mL. Thus, the potential for contamination of the environment and/or transmission via contaminated fomites exists. Our findings have implications for biosafety and infection control, especially in the context of food animal production.
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Zhang S, Li J, Zhang D, Zhang Z, Meng S, Li Z, Liu X. miR-252 targeting temperature receptor CcTRPM to mediate the transition from summer-form to winter-form of Cacopsylla chinensis. eLife 2023; 12:RP88744. [PMID: 37965868 PMCID: PMC10651175 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88744] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Temperature determines the geographical distribution of organisms and affects the outbreak and damage of pests. Insects seasonal polyphenism is a successful strategy adopted by some species to adapt the changeable external environment. Cacopsylla chinensis (Yang & Li) showed two seasonal morphotypes, summer-form and winter-form, with significant differences in morphological characteristics. Low temperature is the key environmental factor to induce its transition from summer-form to winter-form. However, the detailed molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here, we firstly confirmed that low temperature of 10 °C induced the transition from summer-form to winter-form by affecting the cuticle thickness and chitin content. Subsequently, we demonstrated that CcTRPM functions as a temperature receptor to regulate this transition. In addition, miR-252 was identified to mediate the expression of CcTRPM to involve in this morphological transition. Finally, we found CcTre1 and CcCHS1, two rate-limiting enzymes of insect chitin biosyntheis, act as the critical down-stream signal of CcTRPM in mediating this behavioral transition. Taken together, our results revealed that a signal transduction cascade mediates the seasonal polyphenism in C. chinensis. These findings not only lay a solid foundation for fully clarifying the ecological adaptation mechanism of C. chinensis outbreak, but also broaden our understanding about insect polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songdou Zhang
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jianying Li
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Dongyue Zhang
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhixian Zhang
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Shili Meng
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
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Isoe J, Simington CJ, Oscherwitz ME, Peterson AJ, Rascón AA, Massani BB, Miesfeld RL, Riehle MA. Characterization of essential eggshell proteins from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. BMC Biol 2023; 21:214. [PMID: 37833714 PMCID: PMC10576393 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01721-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to 40% of the world population live in areas where mosquitoes capable of transmitting the dengue virus, including Aedes aegypti, coexist with humans. Understanding how mosquito egg development and oviposition are regulated at the molecular level may provide new insights into novel mosquito control strategies. Previously, we identified a protein named eggshell organizing factor 1 (EOF1) that when knocked down with RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in non-melanized and fragile eggs that did not contain viable embryos. RESULTS In this current study, we performed a comprehensive RNAi screen of putative A. aegypti eggshell proteins to identify additional proteins that interact with intracellular EOF1. We identified several proteins essential for eggshell formation in A. aegypti and characterized their phenotypes through a combination of molecular and biochemical approaches. We found that Nasrat, Closca, and Polehole structural proteins, together with the Nudel serine protease, are indispensable for eggshell melanization and egg viability. While all four proteins are predominantly expressed in ovaries of adult females, Nudel messenger RNA (mRNA) expression is highly upregulated in response to blood feeding. Furthermore, we identified four additional secreted eggshell enzymes that regulated mosquito eggshell formation and melanization. These enzymes included three dopachrome-converting enzymes (DCEs) and one cysteine protease. All eight of these eggshell proteins were essential for proper eggshell formation. Interestingly, their eggshell surface topologies in response to RNAi did not phenocopy the effect of RNAi-EOF1, suggesting that additional mechanisms may influence how EOF1 regulates eggshell formation and melanization. CONCLUSIONS While our studies did not identify a definitive regulator of EOF1, we did identify eight additional proteins involved in mosquito eggshell formation that may be leveraged for future control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Isoe
- Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
| | - Carter J Simington
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Present address: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA94720, USA
| | - Max E Oscherwitz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Present address: Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Alyssa J Peterson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Alberto A Rascón
- Department of Chemistry, San José State University, San José, CA, 95192, USA
- Present address: School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Brooke B Massani
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Roger L Miesfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Michael A Riehle
- Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
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Prasad A, Sreedharan S, Bakthavachalu B, Laxman S. Eggs of the mosquito Aedes aegypti survive desiccation by rewiring their polyamine and lipid metabolism. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002342. [PMID: 37874799 PMCID: PMC10597479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Upon water loss, some organisms pause their life cycles and escape death. While widespread in microbes, this is less common in animals. Aedes mosquitoes are vectors for viral diseases. Aedes eggs can survive dry environments, but molecular and cellular principles enabling egg survival through desiccation remain unknown. In this report, we find that Aedes aegypti eggs, in contrast to Anopheles stephensi, survive desiccation by acquiring desiccation tolerance at a late developmental stage. We uncover unique proteome and metabolic state changes in Aedes embryos during desiccation that reflect reduced central carbon metabolism, rewiring towards polyamine production, and enhanced lipid utilisation for energy and polyamine synthesis. Using inhibitors targeting these processes in blood-fed mosquitoes that lay eggs, we infer a two-step process of desiccation tolerance in Aedes eggs. The metabolic rewiring towards lipid breakdown and dependent polyamine accumulation confers resistance to desiccation. Furthermore, rapid lipid breakdown is required to fuel energetic requirements upon water reentry to enable larval hatching and survival upon rehydration. This study is fundamental to understanding Aedes embryo survival and in controlling the spread of these mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana Prasad
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) Centre at inStem, Bangalore, India
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (DBT-inStem), Bangalore, India
| | - Sreesa Sreedharan
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (DBT-inStem), Bangalore, India
- SASTRA University, Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur, India
| | - Baskar Bakthavachalu
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) Centre at inStem, Bangalore, India
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
| | - Sunil Laxman
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (DBT-inStem), Bangalore, India
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10
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Menezes HSG, Costa-Latgé SG, Genta FA, Napoleão TH, Paiva PMG, Romão TP, Silva-Filha MHNL. A Culex quinquefasciatus strain resistant to the binary toxin from Lysinibacillus sphaericus displays altered enzyme activities and energy reserves. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:273. [PMID: 37559134 PMCID: PMC10413512 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05893-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The resistance of a Culex quinquefasciatus strain to the binary (Bin) larvicidal toxin from Lysinibacillus sphaericus is due to the lack of expression of the toxin's receptors, the membrane-bound Cqm1 α-glucosidases. A previous transcriptomic profile of the resistant larvae showed differentially expressed genes coding Cqm1, lipases, proteases and other genes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic features of Bin-resistant individuals by comparing the activity of some enzymes, energy reserves, fertility and fecundity to a susceptible strain. METHODS The activity of specific enzymes was recorded in midgut samples from resistant and susceptible larvae. The amount of lipids and reducing sugars was determined for larvae and adults from both strains. Additionally, the fecundity and fertility parameters of these strains under control and stress conditions were examined. RESULTS Enzyme assays showed that the esterase activities in the midgut of resistant larvae were significantly lower than susceptible ones using acetyl-, butyryl- and heptanoyl-methylumbelliferyl esthers as substrates. The α-glucosidase activity was also reduced in resistant larvae using sucrose and a synthetic substrate. No difference in protease activities as trypsins, chymotrypsins and aminopeptidases was detected between resistant and susceptible larvae. In larval and adult stages, the resistant strain showed an altered profile of energy reserves characterized by significantly reduced levels of lipids and a greater amount of reducing sugars. The fertility and fecundity of females were similar for both strains, indicating that those changes in energy reserves did not affect these reproductive parameters. CONCLUSIONS Our dataset showed that Bin-resistant insects display differential metabolic features co-selected with the phenotype of resistance that can potentially have effects on mosquito fitness, in particular, due to the reduced lipid accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heverly Suzany G Menezes
- Department of Entomology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-FIOCRUZ, Av. Moraes Rego s/n, Recife, PE, 50740-465, Brazil
| | - Samara G Costa-Latgé
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando A Genta
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brazil
- National Institute for Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Thiago H Napoleão
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Patrícia M G Paiva
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Tatiany P Romão
- Department of Entomology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-FIOCRUZ, Av. Moraes Rego s/n, Recife, PE, 50740-465, Brazil
| | - Maria Helena N L Silva-Filha
- Department of Entomology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-FIOCRUZ, Av. Moraes Rego s/n, Recife, PE, 50740-465, Brazil.
- National Institute for Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil.
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11
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CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Mutation of Methyltransferase METTL4 Results in Embryonic Defects in Silkworm Bombyx mori. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043468. [PMID: 36834878 PMCID: PMC9965800 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA N6-methyladenine (6mA) has recently been found to play regulatory roles in gene expression that links to various biological processes in eukaryotic species. The functional identification of 6mA methyltransferase will be important for understanding the underlying molecular mechanism of epigenetic 6mA methylation. It has been reported that the methyltransferase METTL4 can catalyze the methylation of 6mA; however, the function of METTL4 remains largely unknown. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of the Bombyx mori homolog METTL4 (BmMETTL4) in silkworm, a lepidopteran model insect. By using CRISPR-Cas9 system, we somatically mutated BmMETTL4 in silkworm individuates and found that disruption of BmMETTL4 caused the developmental defect of late silkworm embryo and subsequent lethality. We performed RNA-Seq and identified that there were 3192 differentially expressed genes in BmMETTL4 mutant including 1743 up-regulated and 1449 down-regulated. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses showed that genes involved in molecular structure, chitin binding, and serine hydrolase activity were significantly affected by BmMETTL4 mutation. We further found that the expression of cuticular protein genes and collagens were clearly decreased while collagenases were highly increased, which had great contributions to the abnormal embryo and decreased hatchability of silkworm. Taken together, these results demonstrated a critical role of 6mA methyltransferase BmMETTL4 in regulating embryonic development of silkworm.
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12
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Hilker M, Salem H, Fatouros NE. Adaptive Plasticity of Insect Eggs in Response to Environmental Challenges. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 68:451-469. [PMID: 36266253 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120120-100746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Insect eggs are exposed to a plethora of abiotic and biotic threats. Their survival depends on both an innate developmental program and genetically determined protective traits provided by the parents. In addition, there is increasing evidence that (a) parents adjust the egg phenotype to the actual needs, (b) eggs themselves respond to environmental challenges, and (c) egg-associated microbes actively shape the egg phenotype. This review focuses on the phenotypic plasticity of insect eggs and their capability to adjust themselves to their environment. We outline the ways in which the interaction between egg and environment is two-way, with the environment shaping the egg phenotype but also with insect eggs affecting their environment. Specifically, insect eggs affect plant defenses, host biology (in the case of parasitoid eggs), and insect oviposition behavior. We aim to emphasize that the insect egg, although it is a sessile life stage, actively responds to and interacts with its environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Hilker
- Applied Zoology/Animal Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany;
| | - Hassan Salem
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Nina E Fatouros
- Biosystematics Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands;
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13
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Lu JB, Wang SN, Ren PP, He F, Li Q, Chen JP, Li JM, Zhang CX. RNAi-mediated silencing of an egg-specific gene Nllet1 results in hatch failure in the brown planthopper. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:415-427. [PMID: 36177946 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brown planthopper (BPH) is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in Asia. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated pest management has been under development for years, and the selection of appropriate target genes is important for pest-targeted RNAi. C-type lectins (CTLs) are a class of genes that perform a variety of functions, such as the regulation of growth and development. RESULTS A CTL-S protein named Nllet1, containing a single calcium ion (Ca2+ )-dependent carbohydrate-binding domain (CRD) with a conserved triplet motif QPD was identified and functionally characterized in BPH. Expression profiles at both the transcriptional and translational levels show that Nllet1 accumulates during the serosal cuticle (SC) formation period. Immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling further demonstrated that Nllet1 is located in the serosal endocuticle (en-SC). Maternal RNAi-mediated silencing of Nllet1 disrupted the SC structure, accompanied by a loss of the outward barrier and 100% embryo mortality. Injection of 10 ng dsNllet1 or dsNllet1' per female adult BPH resulted in a total failure of egg hatching. CONCLUSION Nllet1 is essential for SC formation and embryonic development in BPH, which helps us understand the important roles of CTL-Ss. Additionally, BPH eggs show high sensitivity to the depletion of Nllet1. This study indicates that Nllet1 is a promising candidate gene that can be used to develop RNAi-based control strategies at the BPH egg stage, and it can also be used as a target for developing novel ovicides. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Bao 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 MARA and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Sai-Nan Wang
- 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 MARA and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Peng-Peng Ren
- 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 MARA and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Fang He
- 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 MARA and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Qiao Li
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Service, Technology Center of Wuhan Customs District, Wuhan, 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 MARA and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 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 MARA and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 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 MARA and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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14
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Jacobs CGC, van der Hulst R, Chen YT, Williamson RP, Roth S, van der Zee M. Immune function of the serosa in hemimetabolous insect eggs. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210266. [PMID: 36252212 PMCID: PMC9574632 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects comprise more than a million species and many authors have attempted to explain this success by evolutionary innovations. A much overlooked evolutionary novelty of insects is the serosa, an extraembryonic epithelium around the yolk and embryo. We have shown previously that this epithelium provides innate immune protection to eggs of the beetle Tribolium castaneum. It remained elusive, however, whether this immune competence evolved in the Tribolium lineage or is ancestral to all insects. Here, we expand our studies to two hemimetabolous insects, the bug Oncopeltus fasciatus and the swarming grasshopper Locusta migratoria. For Oncopeltus, RNA sequencing reveals an extensive response upon infection, including the massive upregulation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). We demonstrate antimicrobial activity of these peptides using in vitro bacterial growth assays and describe two novel AMP families called Serosins and Ovicins. For both insects, quantitative polymerase chain reaction shows immune competence of the eggs when the serosa is present, and in situ hybridizations demonstrate that immune gene expression is localized in the serosa. This first evidence from hemimetabolous insect eggs suggests that immune competence is an ancestral property of the serosa. The evolutionary origin of the serosa with its immune function might have facilitated the spectacular radiation of the insects. This article is part of the theme issue 'Extraembryonic tissues: exploring concepts, definitions and functions across the animal kingdom'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris G. C. Jacobs
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans Knöll Straße 8, Jena 07745, Germany
| | - Remy van der Hulst
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
| | - Yen-Ta Chen
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
- Institute for Zoology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Strasse 47b, Cologne 50674, Germany
| | - Ryan P. Williamson
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
| | - Siegfried Roth
- Institute for Zoology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Strasse 47b, Cologne 50674, Germany
| | - Maurijn van der Zee
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
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15
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Schmidt-Ott U, Kwan CW. How two extraembryonic epithelia became one: serosa and amnion features and functions of Drosophila's amnioserosa. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210265. [PMID: 36252222 PMCID: PMC9574642 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The conservation of gene networks that specify and differentiate distinct tissues has long been a subject of great interest to evolutionary developmental biologists, but the question of how pre-existing tissue-specific developmental trajectories merge is rarely asked. During the radiation of flies, two extraembryonic epithelia, known as serosa and amnion, evolved into one, called amnioserosa. This unique extraembryonic epithelium is found in fly species of the group Schizophora, including the genetic model organism Drosophila melanogaster, and has been studied in depth. Close relatives of this group develop a serosa and a rudimentary amnion. The scuttle fly Megaselia abdita has emerged as an excellent model organism to study this extraembryonic tissue organization. In this review, development and functions of the extraembryonic tissue complements of Drosophila and Megaselia are compared. It is concluded that the amnioserosa combines cells, genetic pathway components and functions that were previously associated either with serosa development or amnion development. The composite developmental trajectory of the amnioserosa raises the question of whether merging tissue-specific gene networks is a common evolutionary process. This article is part of the theme issue 'Extraembryonic tissues: exploring concepts, definitions and functions across the animal kingdom'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urs Schmidt-Ott
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, 1027 East 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Chun Wai Kwan
- Laboratory for Epithelial Morphogenesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
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16
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Lu JB, Guo JS, Chen X, Cheng C, Luo XM, Zhang XY, Moussian B, Chen JP, Li JM, Zhang CX. Chitin synthase 1 and five cuticle protein genes are involved in serosal cuticle formation during early embryogenesis to enhance eggshells in Nilaparvata lugens. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:363-378. [PMID: 34498803 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Many holo- and hemimetabolous insects enhance their eggshells during embryogenesis by forming a serosal cuticle (SC). To date, scholarly understanding of the SC composition and SC-related gene functions has been limited, especially for hemimetabolous insects. In this study, we initially performed transmission electron microscopic (TEM) observation and chitin staining of the SC in Nilaparvata lugens, a hemimetabolous rice pest known as the brown planthopper (BPH). We confirmed that the SC was a chitin-rich lamellar structure deposited gradually during the early embryogenesis. Parental RNA interference (RNAi) against Nilaparvata lugens chitin synthase 1 (NlCHS1) in newly emerged and matured females resulted in decreases of egg hatchability by 100% and 76%, respectively. Ultrastructural analyses revealed loss of the lamellar structure of the SC in dsNlCHS1-treated eggs. According to temporal expression profiles, five cuticle protein coding genes, NlugCpr1/2/3/8/90, were specifically or highly expressed during the SC formation period, and NlugCpr1/2/3/90 were further detected in 72 h eggshells extract by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. NlugCpr2/3/90 were likely three SC-specific cuticle proteins. TEM observations of the SC following parental RNAi against NlugCpr1/2/3/8/90 demonstrated that NlugCpr3/8/90 were essential for SC formation. The study provided an understanding of the SC formation process and SC-related cuticle proteins in BPHs, which offer potential targets for pest control in the egg stage as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Bao 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 Province, China
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Sheng Guo
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Chen
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xu-Mei Luo
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ya Zhang
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose, Nice, France
| | - 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 Province, 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 Province, 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 Province, China
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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17
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Donoughe S. Insect egg morphology: evolution, development, and ecology. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 50:100868. [PMID: 34973433 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The insect egg can be viewed through many lenses: it is the single-celled developmental stage, a resource investment in the next generation, an unusually large and complex cell type, and the protective vessel for embryonic development. In this review, I describe the morphological diversity of insect eggs and then identify recent advances in understanding the patterns of egg evolution, the cellular mechanisms underlying egg development, and notable aspects of egg ecology. I also suggest areas for particularly promising future research on insect egg morphology; these topics touch upon diverse areas such as tissue morphogenesis, life history evolution, organismal scaling, cellular secretion, and oviposition ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Donoughe
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, IL, USA.
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18
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Edillo F, Ymbong RR, Bolneo AA, Hernandez RJ, Fuentes BL, Cortes G, Cabrera J, Lazaro JE, Sakuntabhai A. Temperature, season, and latitude influence development-related phenotypes of Philippine Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus): Implications for dengue control amidst global warming. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:74. [PMID: 35248140 PMCID: PMC8898531 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05186-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dengue is endemic in the Philippines. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector. This study aimed to determine the hatching behavior and viability of Ae. aegypti first-generation (F1) eggs when exposed to temperature and photoperiod regimes under laboratory conditions. Methods Parental eggs were collected from selected highland and lowland sites in the Philippine big islands (Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) during the wet (2017–2018) and dry (2018) seasons. F1 egg cohorts were exposed separately in environmental chambers at 18, 25, and 38 °C with respective photoperiods for 6 weeks. Phenotypes (percent pharate larvae [PPL], hatch rates [HRs], and reproductive outputs [ROs]) were determined. Results Results of multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) between seasons showed significant main effects of temperature, season, and big island on all phenotypes across all sites. Significant interaction effects between seasons on all phenotypes across sites were shown between or among (1) season and big island, (2) season and temperature, (3) big island and temperature, (4) season, big island, and temperature, (5) big island, altitude, and temperature, and (6) season, big island, altitude, and temperature. Factors associated with the big islands might include their ecology, available breeding sites, and day lengths due to latitudinal differences, although they were not measured in the field. MANOVA results within each season on all phenotypes across sites showed (1) significant main effects of big island and temperature, and (2) significant interaction effects between big island and temperature within the wet season and (3) between temperature and photoperiod within the dry season. PPL were highest at 18 °C and were formed even at 38 °C in both seasons. Pharate larvae might play an adaptive role in global warming, expanded distribution to highlands, and preponderance to transmit human diseases. HRs in both seasons were highest at 25 °C and lowest at 38 °C. ROs were highest at 25 °C in the wet season and at 18 °C in the dry season. Conclusions Temperature and latitude of Philippine big islands influenced the development-related phenotypes of Ae. aegypti in both seasons. The two seasons influenced the phenotypes and their interaction effects with big island and/or temperature and/or altitude. Recommendations include year-round enhanced 4S control strategies for mosquito vectors and water pipeline installation in rural highlands. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05186-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Edillo
- Mosquito Research Laboratory, Biology Department, University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, Cebu City, Philippines.
| | - Rhoniel Ryan Ymbong
- Mosquito Research Laboratory, Biology Department, University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Alyssa Angel Bolneo
- Mosquito Research Laboratory, Biology Department, University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Ric Jacob Hernandez
- Mosquito Research Laboratory, Biology Department, University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Bianca Louise Fuentes
- Mosquito Research Laboratory, Biology Department, University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Garren Cortes
- Mosquito Research Laboratory, Biology Department, University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Joseph Cabrera
- Mosquito Research Laboratory, Biology Department, University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Jose Enrico Lazaro
- National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Anavaj Sakuntabhai
- Functional Genetics of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 75015, Paris, France
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19
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James ER, Wen Y, Overby J, Pluchino K, McTighe S, Matheny S, Eappen A, Hoffman SL, Billingsley PF. Cryopreservation of Anopheles stephensi embryos. Sci Rep 2022; 12:43. [PMID: 34997079 PMCID: PMC8741979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04113-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to cryopreserve mosquitoes would revolutionize work on these vectors of major human infectious diseases by conserving stocks, new isolates, lab-bred strains, and transgenic lines that currently require continuous life cycle maintenance. Efforts over several decades to develop a method for cryopreservation have, until now, been fruitless: we describe here a method for the cryopreservation of Anopheles stephensi embryos yielding hatch rates of ~ 25%, stable for > 5 years. Hatched larvae developed into fertile, fecund adults and blood-fed females, produced fully viable second generation eggs, that could be infected with Plasmodium falciparum at high intensities. The key components of the cryopreservation method are: embryos at 15-30 min post oviposition, two incubation steps in 100% deuterated methanol at - 7 °C and - 14.5 °C, and rapid cooling. Eggs are recovered by rapid warming with concomitant dilution of cryoprotectant. Eggs of genetically modified A. stephensi and of A. gambiae were also successfully cryopreserved. This enabling methodology will allow long-term conservation of mosquitoes as well as acceleration of genetic studies and facilitation of mass storage of anopheline mosquitoes for release programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shane McTighe
- Sanaria Inc, Rockville, MD, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Rockville, MD, USA
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20
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Mundim-Pombo APM, Carvalho HJCD, Rodrigues Ribeiro R, León M, Maria DA, Miglino MA. Aedes aegypti: egg morphology and embryonic development. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:531. [PMID: 34645492 PMCID: PMC8515647 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05024-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The diseases for which Aedes aegypti is a vector are worrisome. The high vector competence of this mosquito, as well as its anthropophilia and ability to adapt to the urban environment, allows it to exploit many habitats, making its prevention an arduous task. Despite current disease control measures focused on the mosquito, the effectiveness in containing its dispersion still requires improvement; thus greater knowledge about this insect is fundamental. Methods Aedes aegypti egg morphology and embryonic development were analyzed from eggs of the insectary of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo. Optical (light and confocal) and electronic (transmission and scanning) microscopy were used to analyze the morphological and ultrastructural features of the eggs. Embryos were observed in the initial (0–20.5 h after egg-laying), intermediate (20.6–40.1 h after egg-laying), and final (40.2–61.6 h) stages of development, and kept at a temperature of 28 °C ± 1 °C until collection for processing. Results Eggs of Ae. aegypti were whitish at the time of oviposition, and then quickly became black. The egg length was 581.45 ± 39.73 μm and the width was 175.36 ± 11.59. Access to the embryo was difficult due to the egg morphology, point of embryonic development, and difficult permeability of the exochorion (mainly in fixation). Only about 5% of the collected eggs were successfully processed. In the initial stage of embryonic development, characteristics suggestive of intense cellular activity were found. In the intermediate stage, the beginning of the segmentation process was evident. In the final phase, it was possible to differentiate the cephalic region and the thoracic and abdominal segments. Conclusion The chorion was found to be an important protective barrier and a limiting factor for the evaluation of the embryos and mosquito embryonic cells, indicating that further studies need to be carried out to identify the reason that this occurs. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hianka Jasmyne Costa de Carvalho
- Department of Surgery, Anatomy Sector, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Butantã, São Paulo, São Paulo, CEP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Rodrigues Ribeiro
- Department of Surgery, Anatomy Sector, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Butantã, São Paulo, São Paulo, CEP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Marisol León
- Department of Surgery, Anatomy Sector, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Butantã, São Paulo, São Paulo, CEP 05508-270, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Angélica Miglino
- Department of Surgery, Anatomy Sector, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Butantã, São Paulo, São Paulo, CEP 05508-270, Brazil.
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21
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Bombaça ACS, Gandara ACP, Ennes-Vidal V, Bottino-Rojas V, Dias FA, Farnesi LC, Sorgine MH, Bahia AC, Bruno RV, Menna-Barreto RFS. Aedes aegypti Infection With Trypanosomatid Strigomonas culicis Alters Midgut Redox Metabolism and Reduces Mosquito Reproductive Fitness. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:732925. [PMID: 34485182 PMCID: PMC8414984 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.732925] [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: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmit arboviruses of important global health impact, and their intestinal microbiota can influence vector competence by stimulating the innate immune system. Midgut epithelial cells also produce toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) by dual oxidases (DUOXs) that are essential players in insect immunity. Strigomonas culicis is a monoxenous trypanosomatid that naturally inhabits mosquitoes; it hosts an endosymbiotic bacterium that completes essential biosynthetic pathways of the parasite and influences its oxidative metabolism. Our group previously showed that S. culicis hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-resistant (WTR) strain is more infectious to A. aegypti mosquitoes than the wild-type (WT) strain. Here, we investigated the influence of both strains on the midgut oxidative environment and the effect of infection on mosquito fitness and immunity. WT stimulated the production of superoxide by mitochondrial metabolism of midgut epithelial cells after 4 days post-infection, while WTR exacerbated H2O2 production mediated by increased DUOX activity and impairment of antioxidant system. The infection with both strains also disrupted the fecundity and fertility of the females, with a greater impact on reproductive fitness of WTR-infected mosquitoes. The presence of these parasites induced specific transcriptional modulation of immune-related genes, such as attacin and defensin A during WTR infection (11.8- and 6.4-fold, respectively) and defensin C in WT infection (7.1-fold). Thus, we propose that A. aegypti oxidative response starts in early infection time and does not affect the survival of the H2O2-resistant strain, which has a more efficient antioxidant system. Our data provide new biological aspects of A. aegypti–S. culicis relationship that can be used later in alternative vector control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina S Bombaça
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Caroline P Gandara
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Artrópodes Hematófagos, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vitor Ennes-Vidal
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Artrópodes Hematófagos, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felipe A Dias
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Artrópodes Hematófagos, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luana C Farnesi
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos H Sorgine
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Artrópodes Hematófagos, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Bahia
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Insetos e Parasitos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafaela V Bruno
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM/CNPq), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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22
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de Sousa NA, Rodrigues J, Arruda W, Humber RA, Luz C. Development of Metarhizium humberi in Aedes aegypti eggs. J Invertebr Pathol 2021; 184:107648. [PMID: 34331911 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium humberi affects Aedes aegypti adults, larvae and eggs, but its ovicidal activity is not yet well documented. Conidia of this fungus adhered to the chorion, initiated germination within 12 h, and germinating conidia were detected for up to 10 d after contact with the egg. Germ tubes either penetrated the chorion directly or formed appressoria at the end of a short hypha (<5 μm) or, subsequently, on longer, branched hyphae. Thin layers of what was most probably a fungal mucilaginous excretion were detected on the chorion adjacent to germ tubes, appressoria and hyphae. After 5 d eggs frequently appeared shriveled with ruptures in the chorion, and with the interior filled with hyphae that eventually produced mycelium and new conidia on the egg surfaces. Findings demonstrated that this fungus can infect A. aegypti eggs and subsequently recycle on their surface by producing large numbers of new conidia that should be infective for further generations of eggs, larvae and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathália A de Sousa
- Laboratório de Patologia de Invertebrados, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública (IPTSP), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
| | - Juscelino Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Patologia de Invertebrados, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública (IPTSP), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
| | - Walquíria Arruda
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfológicos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFG, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
| | - Richard A Humber
- Laboratório de Patologia de Invertebrados, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública (IPTSP), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; USDA-ARS Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Christian Luz
- Laboratório de Patologia de Invertebrados, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública (IPTSP), Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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23
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Moriyama M, Yasuyama K, Numata H. The formation of a hatching line in the serosal cuticle confers multifaceted adaptive functions on the eggshell of a cicada. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2021; 7:8. [PMID: 33985580 PMCID: PMC8117633 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-021-00178-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Insect eggshells must meet various demands of developing embryos. These demands sometimes conflict with each other; therefore, there are tradeoffs between eggshell properties, such as robustness and permeability. To meet these conflicting demands, particular eggshell structures have evolved in diverse insect species. Here, we report a rare eggshell structure found in the eggshell of a cicada, Cryptotympana facialis. This species has a prolonged egg period with embryonic diapause and a trait of humidity-inducible hatching, which would impose severe demands on the eggshell. We found that in eggs of this species, unlike many other insect eggs, a dedicated cleavage site, known as a hatching line, was formed not in the chorion but in the serosal cuticle. The hatching line was composed of a fine furrow accompanied by ridges on both sides. This furrow-ridge structure formed in the terminal phase of embryogenesis through the partial degradation of an initially thick and nearly flat cuticle layer. We showed that the permeability of the eggshell was low in the diapause stage, when the cuticle was thick, and increased with degradation of the serosal cuticle. We also demonstrated that the force required to cleave the eggshell was reduced after the formation of the hatching line. These results suggest that the establishment of the hatching line on the serosal cuticle enables flexible modification of eggshell properties during embryogenesis, and we predict that it is an adaptation to maximize the protective role of the shell during the long egg period while reducing the barrier to emerging nymphs at the time of hatching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Moriyama
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8566, Japan.
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan.
| | - Kouji Yasuyama
- Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, 701-0192, Japan
- Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Kurashiki, 701-1093, Japan
| | - Hideharu Numata
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
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24
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Farnesi LC, Carvalho FD, Lacerda APC, Moreira LA, Bruno RV. The influence of different sources of blood meals on the physiology of Aedes aegypti harboring Wolbachia wMel: mouse blood as an alternative for mosquito rearing. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:21. [PMID: 33407798 PMCID: PMC7787405 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04465-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aedes aegypti control programs have failed to restrain mosquito population expansion and, consequently, the spread of diseases such as dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. Wolbachia infection of mosquitoes is a new and promising complementary tool for the control of arbovirus transmission. The use of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, mass reared using human blood, is currently being tested in several countries. However, the use of human blood for mass rearing mosquitoes, and thus expansion of this strategy, is problematic. With the aim of overcoming this problem, we tested the effect of different types of blood source on the fitness parameters of female Ae. aegypti and the Wolbachia titer over generations to be able to guarantee the suitability of an alternative source to human blood for mass rearing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. Methods We investigated and compared essential parameters of the vector capacity of laboratory strains of Ae. aegypti with and without Wolbachia that fed on blood of different types of host (human, guinea pig, and mouse). The parameters analyzed were fecundity, fertility, pupation dynamics, and adult survival. Also, we tested whether it is possible to maintain mosquitoes with Wolbachia on mouse blood over generations without losing the bacterium titer. Results The average number of eggs per female, egg viability and pupation dynamics in the Wolbachia-infected mosquito (wMelBr) strain were similar, regardless of the blood source. The F1 progenies of females that fed on mouse blood or human blood were analyzed. The longevity of males was lower than that of females. F1 female survival differed depending on the presence of Wolbachia in the mother. In subsequent generations analyzed up until F35, the relative Wolbachia density was even higher when mosquitoes fed on mouse blood in comparison to human blood. Conclusions Taken together, our results provide no evidence that the different types of blood influenced the fitness of the Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. The presence of the bacterium in the colonies of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti after 35 generations under the conditions evaluated indicates that they can be maintained on mouse blood. Based on these results, we show that it is possible to use mouse blood to feed female mosquitoes when using human blood for this purpose is problematic.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Cristina Farnesi
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Fabiano Duarte Carvalho
- Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Anna Paula Canuto Lacerda
- Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Luciano Andrade Moreira
- Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Vieira Bruno
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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25
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Wolbachia's Deleterious Impact on Aedes aegypti Egg Development: The Potential Role of Nutritional Parasitism. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11110735. [PMID: 33120915 PMCID: PMC7692218 DOI: 10.3390/insects11110735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Mosquito-borne viral diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya cause a significant global health burden and are currently increasing in outbreak frequency and geographical reach. Wolbachia pipientis, an endosymbiotic bacterium, offers a solution to this. When Wolbachia is introduced into the main mosquito vector of these viruses, Aedes aegypti, it alters the mosquito’s reproductive biology, as well as reducing the ability of the mosquitoes to transmit viruses. These traits can be leveraged to reduce virus transmission within a community by mass releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. However, Wolbachia has some negative effects on Aedes aegypti fitness, particularly egg longevity, and the reason behind this remains ambiguous. Insect fitness is very important for the success for Wolbachia-biocontrol strategies as they rely on the released insects being competitive with the wild mosquito population. This review summarises the fitness effects of Wolbachia on Aedes aegypti and investigates the possible contribution of Wolbachia as a nutritional parasite in lowering host fitness. It proposes the next stages of research that can be conducted to address nutritional parasitism to aid in the expansion of Wolbachia-based disease management programs worldwide. Abstract The artificial introduction of the endosymbiotic bacterium, Wolbachia pipientis, into Aedes (Ae.) aegypti mosquitoes reduces the ability of mosquitoes to transmit human pathogenic viruses and is now being developed as a biocontrol tool. Successful introgression of Wolbachia-carrying Ae. aegypti into native mosquito populations at field sites in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia has been associated with reduced disease prevalence in the treated community. In separate field programs, Wolbachia is also being used as a mosquito population suppression tool, where the release of male only Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti prevents the native mosquito population from producing viable eggs, subsequently suppressing the wild population. While these technologies show great promise, they require mass rearing of mosquitoes for implementation on a scale that has not previously been done. In addition, Wolbachia induces some negative fitness effects on Ae. aegypti. While these fitness effects differ depending on the Wolbachia strain present, one of the most consistent and significant impacts is the shortened longevity and viability of eggs. This review examines the body of evidence behind Wolbachia’s negative effect on eggs, assesses nutritional parasitism as a key cause and considers how these impacts could be overcome to achieve efficient large-scale rearing of these mosquitoes.
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26
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Noh MY, Kim SH, Gorman MJ, Kramer KJ, Muthukrishnan S, Arakane Y. Yellow-g and Yellow-g2 proteins are required for egg desiccation resistance and temporal pigmentation in the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 122:103386. [PMID: 32315743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Eggs from Aedes mosquitoes exhibit desiccation resistance that helps them to survive and spread as human disease vectors throughout the world. Previous studies have suggested that eggshell/chorion melanization and/or serosal cuticle formation are important for desiccation resistance. In this study, using dsRNAs for target genes, we analyzed the functional importance of two ovary-specific yellow genes, AalY-g and AalY-g2, in the resistance to egg desiccation of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, a species in which neither the timing of the melanization nor temporal development of the serosal cuticle is correlated with desiccation resistance. Injections of dsAalY-g, dsAalY-g2 or dsAalY-g/g2 (co-injection) into adult females have no effect on their fecundity. However, initial melanization is delayed by 1-2 h with the eggshells eventually becoming black similar to that observed in eggs from dsEGFP-injected control females. In addition, the shape of the eggs from dsAalY-g, -g2 and -g/g2-treated females is abnormally crescent-shaped and the outermost exochorion is more fragile and partially peeled off. dsEGFP control eggs, like those from the wild-type strain, acquire resistance to desiccation between 18 and 24 h after oviposition (HAO). In contrast, ~80% of the 24 HAO dsAalY-g and dsAalY-g2 eggs collapse when they are transferred to a low humidity environment. In addition, there is no electron-dense outer endochorion evident in either dsAalY-g or dsAalY-g2 eggs. These results support the hypothesis that AalY-g and AalY-g2 regulate the timing of eggshell darkening and are required for integrity of the exochorion as well as for rigidity, normal morphology and formation of the outer endochorion, a structure that apparently is critical for desiccation resistance of the Ae. albopictus egg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Young Noh
- Department of Forestry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 500-757, South Korea.
| | - Sung Hyun Kim
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 500-757, South Korea
| | - Maureen J Gorman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Karl J Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 500-757, South Korea.
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27
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Holmes CJ, Benoit JB. Biological Adaptations Associated with Dehydration in Mosquitoes. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10110375. [PMID: 31661928 PMCID: PMC6920799 DOI: 10.3390/insects10110375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes are a tremendous health and socioeconomic burden with hundreds of millions of people being impacted by mosquito-borne illnesses annually. Many factors have been implicated and extensively studied in disease transmission dynamics, but knowledge regarding how dehydration impacts mosquito physiology, behavior, and resulting mosquito-borne disease transmission remain underdeveloped. The lapse in understanding on how mosquitoes respond to dehydration stress likely obscures our ability to effectively study mosquito physiology, behavior, and vectorial capabilities. The goal of this review is to develop a profile of factors underlying mosquito biology that are altered by dehydration and the implications that are related to disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Holmes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
| | - Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
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28
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Farnesi LC, Belinato TA, Gesto JSM, Martins AJ, Bruno RV, Moreira LA. Embryonic development and egg viability of wMel-infected Aedes aegypti. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:211. [PMID: 31060581 PMCID: PMC6503365 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3474-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aedes aegypti is a major disease vector in urban habitats, involved in the transmission of dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Despite innumerous attempts to contain disease outbreaks, there are neither efficient vaccines nor definite vector control methods nowadays. In recent years, an innovative strategy to control arboviruses, which exploits the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis, emerged with great expectations. The success of the method depends on many aspects, including Wolbachia’s cytoplasmic incompatibility and pathogen interference phenotypes, as well as its effect on host fitness. In this work, we investigated the influence the Wolbachia strain wMel exerts on embryo development and egg viability and speculate on its field release use. Methods Wild-type (Br or Rockefeller) and Wolbachia-harboring specimens (wMelBr) were blood-fed and submitted to synchronous egg laying for embryo development assays. Samples were analyzed for morphological markers, developmental endpoint and egg resistance to desiccation (ERD). Quiescent egg viability over time was also assessed. Results wMelBr samples completed embryogenesis 2–3 hours later than wild-type. This delay was also observed through the onset of both morphological and physiological markers, respectively by the moments of germband extension and ERD acquisition. Following the end of embryonic development, wMelBr eggs were slightly less resistant to desiccation and showed reduced viability levels, which rapidly decayed after 40 days into quiescence, from approximately 75% to virtually 0% in less than a month. Conclusions Our data revealed that the wMel strain of Wolbachia slightly delays embryogenesis and also affects egg quality, both through reduced viability and desiccation resistance. These findings suggest that, although embryonic fitness is somehow compromised by wMel infection, an efficient host reproductive manipulation through cytoplasmic incompatibility seems sufficient to overcome these effects in nature and promote bacterial invasion, as shown by successful ongoing field implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Cristina Farnesi
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thiago Affonso Belinato
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - João Silveira Moledo Gesto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ademir Jesus Martins
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Vieira Bruno
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciano Andrade Moreira
- Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. .,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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29
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Identification and characterization of a mosquito-specific eggshell organizing factor in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000068. [PMID: 30620728 PMCID: PMC6324781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases are responsible for several million human deaths annually around the world. One approach to controlling mosquito populations is to disrupt molecular processes or antagonize novel metabolic targets required for the production of viable eggs. To this end, we focused our efforts on identifying proteins required for completion of embryonic development that are mosquito selective and represent potential targets for vector control. We performed bioinformatic analyses to identify putative protein-coding sequences that are specific to mosquito genomes. Systematic RNA interference (RNAi) screening of 40 mosquito-specific genes was performed by injecting double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This experimental approach led to the identification of eggshell organizing factor 1 (EOF1, AAEL012336), which plays an essential role in the formation and melanization of the eggshell. Eggs deposited by EOF1-deficient mosquitoes have nonmelanized fragile eggshells, and all embryos are nonviable. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis identified that exochorionic eggshell structures are strongly affected in EOF1-deficient mosquitoes. EOF1 is a potential novel target, to our knowledge, for exploring the identification and development of mosquito-selective and biosafe small-molecule inhibitors. An RNAi functional screen of 40 Aedes aegypti genes specific to the mosquito lineage helped to identify EOF1, a protein that plays an essential role in mosquito eggshell formation and melanization. Mosquito-borne pathogens infect millions of people worldwide, and the rise in insecticide resistance is exacerbating this problem. A new generation of environmentally safe insecticides will be essential to control insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. One potential route to such novel insecticide targets is the identification of proteins specifically needed for mosquito reproduction. Female mosquitoes feed on blood to produce eggs, which are covered with an eggshell; using RNA interference screening of mosquito-specific genes in Aedes aegypti (the mosquito that transmits yellow fever), we identified the eggshell organizing factor 1 (EOF1) protein that plays an essential role in eggshell melanization and embryonic development. Nearly 100% of eggs laid by EOF1-deficient females had a defective eggshell and were not viable. Bleach assays on eggs further confirmed that mosquito-specific EOF1 is required for embryonic development in A. aegypti. Additional experiments revealed that EOF1 also plays an essential role in eggshell formation in Aedes albopictus (the tiger mosquito, a carrier of Zika virus and dengue fever). We hypothesize that EOF1 has evolved within the Culicidae family to effect eggshell formation and therefore maximize egg survival. The results provide new insights, to our knowledge, into mosquito egg maturation and eggshell synthesis and could lead to key advances in the field of mosquito vector control.
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Oliva LO, La Corte R, Santana MO, Albuquerque CMRD. Quiescence in Aedes aegypti: Interpopulation Differences Contribute to Population Dynamics and Vectorial Capacity. INSECTS 2018; 9:insects9030111. [PMID: 30200417 PMCID: PMC6164356 DOI: 10.3390/insects9030111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The strategy of Aedes aegypti to prolong embryonic viability by quiescence has severe implications for geographic expansion and maintenance of mosquito populations in areas under control measures. We evaluated the effects of quiescence on biological parameters directly or indirectly associated with population dynamics and vectorial capacity in populations of this mosquito species from two Brazilian municipalities characterized as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika transmission areas. Egg viability, initial hatching time, post-embryonic development time, adult emergence rate, sexual proportion, adult size, fecundity, and fertility were analyzed using eggs stored for 10, 40, 70, 100, 130, and 160 d. Quiescence time reduced overall egg viability and post-embryonic development time in both municipalities but was more costly in Aracaju (100 d, 8 d) than in Recife (130 d, 7.5 d). Emergence rates increased in Recife when the eggs were older, but not in Aracaju. Significant deviations in sexual proportion, with male predominance, were observed in both populations. Initial hatch, fecundity, fertility, and adult size did not significantly influence egg quiescence time. These results indicate intrinsic and differential characteristics for each A. aegypti population, suggesting a differential cost of quiescence for population dynamics parameters that can indirectly affect vectorial capacity and control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana O Oliva
- Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife 50670-901, Brazil.
- Departamento de Morfologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão 49100-000, Brazil.
| | - Roseli La Corte
- Departamento de Morfologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão 49100-000, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo O Santana
- Departamento de Educação em Saúde, Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), Lagarto 49400-000, Brazil.
| | - Cleide M R de Albuquerque
- Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife 50670-901, Brazil.
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Dieng H, Satho T, Meli NKKB, Abang F, Nolasco-Hipolito C, Hakim H, Miake F, Zuharah WF, Kassim NFA, Ab Majid AH, Morales Vargas RE, Morales NP, Noweg GT. Occurrence of sweet refuse at disposal sites: rainwater retention capacity and potential breeding opportunities for Aedes aegypti. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:13833-13843. [PMID: 29512008 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-1078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nectar is the staple diet of adult mosquitoes in the wild, but its availability is inconsistent and can be affected by rainfall. In urban centers, Aedes vectors commonly use man-made containers as their major habitat; however, they can colonize any items replenished by rainfall. Garbage output has increased significantly in recent years, at a time when collection frequency is reducing. Such garbage usually includes organic components, some of which are sweet and can be fed upon by other animals or become can containers for rainwater. Despite evidence that Aedes larvae can thrive in containers comprised of organic waste material, which can be produced by rodents gnawing on fruits or vegetables, and that adults can survive on sweet waste fluids, the capacity of organic waste materials to accumulate rainwater and act as egg deposition sites has not been examined. It is also unknown for how long sweet extracts can sustain the life of adult vectors. Here, we investigated the abundance of sweet leftovers at garbage sites and the rainwater retention capacity of some organic materials through a field survey and laboratory bioassays. We also examined whether sweet waste fluids impact egg hatching success and longevity of Aedes aegypti. The results of this study indicated that sweet products with leftovers are highly prevalent in garbage. When exposed to rain, food items (BAFrc, banana fruit resembling container; and BSPrc, boiled sweet potato resembling container) and the packaging of sweet foods (SMIc, sweetened condensed milk can) retained water. When provided an opportunity to oviposit in cups containing BAF extract (BAFex), BSP extract (BSPex), and SMI extract (SMIex), eggs were deposited in all media. Egg maturation in the BAFex environment resulted in similar larval eclosion success to that resulting from embryo development in a water milieu. Adults maintained on sweet waste extracts had long lifespans, although shorter than that of their sugar solution (SUS)-fed counterparts. Taken together, these results indicated that sweet waste materials are useful to dengue mosquitoes, acting both as oviposition sites and energy sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamady Dieng
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC), Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia.
| | - Tomomitsu Satho
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Fatimah Abang
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | - Cirilo Nolasco-Hipolito
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | - Hafijah Hakim
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC), Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | - Fumio Miake
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Wan Fatma Zuharah
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Nur Faeza A Kassim
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | - Ronald E Morales Vargas
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Noppawan P Morales
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Gabriel Tonga Noweg
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC), Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
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Darker eggs of mosquitoes resist more to dry conditions: Melanin enhances serosal cuticle contribution in egg resistance to desiccation in Aedes, Anopheles and Culex vectors. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006063. [PMID: 29084225 PMCID: PMC5679640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito vectors lay their white eggs in the aquatic milieu. During early embryogenesis water passes freely through the transparent eggshell, which at this moment is composed of exochorion and endochorion. Within two hours the endochorion darkens via melanization but even so eggs shrink and perish if removed from moisture. However, during mid-embryogenesis, cells of the extraembryonic serosa secrete the serosal cuticle, localized right below the endochorion, becoming the third and innermost eggshell layer. Serosal cuticle formation greatly reduces water flow and allows egg survival outside the water. The degree of egg resistance to desiccation (ERD) at late embryogenesis varies among different species: Aedes aegypti, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus eggs can survive in a dry environment for ≥ 72, 24 and 5 hours, respectively. In some adult insects, darker-body individuals show greater resistance to desiccation than lighter ones. We asked if egg melanization enhances mosquito serosal cuticle-dependent ERD. Species with higher ERD at late embryogenesis exhibit more melanized eggshells. The melanization-ERD hypothesis was confirmed employing two Anopheles quadrimaculatus strains, the wild type and the mutant GORO, with a dark-brown and a golden eggshell, respectively. In all cases, serosal cuticle formation is fundamental for the establishment of an efficient ERD but egg viability outside the water is much higher in mosquitoes with darker eggshells than in those with lighter ones. The finding that pigmentation influences egg water balance is relevant to understand the evolutionary history of insect egg coloration. Since eggshell and adult cuticle pigmentation ensure insect survivorship in some cases, they should be considered regarding species fitness and novel approaches for vector or pest insects control.
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Diniz DFA, de Albuquerque CMR, Oliva LO, de Melo-Santos MAV, Ayres CFJ. Diapause and quiescence: dormancy mechanisms that contribute to the geographical expansion of mosquitoes and their evolutionary success. Parasit Vectors 2017. [PMID: 28651558 PMCID: PMC5485599 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2235-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes are insects belonging to the order Diptera and family Culicidae. They are distributed worldwide and include approximately 3500 species, of which about 300 have medical and veterinary importance. The evolutionary success of mosquitoes, in both tropical and temperate regions, is due to the various survival strategies these insects have developed throughout their life histories. Of the many adaptive mechanisms, diapause and quiescence, two different types of dormancy, likely contribute to the establishment, maintenance and spread of natural mosquito populations. This review seeks to objectively and coherently describe the terms diapause and quiescence, which can be confused in the literature because the phenotypic effects of these mechanisms are often similar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Felipe Araujo Diniz
- Entomology Department, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Professor Moraes Rego, s/n - Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Oliveira Oliva
- Zoology Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Professor Moraes Rego, 1235 - Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Maria Alice Varjal de Melo-Santos
- Entomology Department, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Professor Moraes Rego, s/n - Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Constância Flávia Junqueira Ayres
- Entomology Department, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Professor Moraes Rego, s/n - Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, Brazil.
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Dieng H, Ellias SB, Satho T, Ahmad AH, Abang F, Ghani IA, Noor S, Ahmad H, Zuharah WF, Morales Vargas RE, Morales NP, Hipolito CN, Attrapadung S, Noweg GT. Coffee, its roasted form, and their residues cause birth failure and shorten lifespan in dengue vectors. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:14782-14794. [PMID: 28470499 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8711-4] [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: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In dengue mosquitoes, successful embryonic development and long lifespan are key determinants for the persistence of both virus and vector. Therefore, targeting the egg stage and vector lifespan would be expected to have greater impacts than larvicides or adulticides, both strategies that have lost effectiveness due to the development of resistance. Therefore, there is now a pressing need to find novel chemical means of vector control. Coffee contains many chemicals, and its waste, which has become a growing environmental concern, is as rich in toxicants as the green coffee beans; these chemicals do not have a history of resistance in insects, but some are lost in the roasting process. We examined whether exposure to coffee during embryonic development could alter larval eclosion and lifespan of dengue vectors. A series of bioassays with different coffee forms and their residues indicated that larval eclosion responses of Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti were appreciably lower when embryonic maturation occurred in environments containing coffee, especially roasted coffee crude extract (RCC). In addition, the lifespan of adults derived from eggs that hatched successfully in a coffee milieu was reduced, but this effect was less pronounced with roasted and green coffee extracts (RCU and GCU, respectively). Taken together, these findings suggested that coffee and its residues have embryocidal activities with impacts that are carried over onto the adult lifespan of dengue vectors. These effects may significantly reduce the vectorial capacity of these insects. Reutilizing coffee waste in vector control may also represent a realistic solution to the issues associated with its pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamady Dieng
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC), Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia.
| | | | - Tomomitsu Satho
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Abu Hassan Ahmad
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Fatimah Abang
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | - Idris Abd Ghani
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Sabina Noor
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | - Hamdan Ahmad
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Wan Fatma Zuharah
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Cirilo N Hipolito
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | | | - Gabriel Tonga Noweg
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC), Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
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Marcellini S, González F, Sarrazin AF, Pabón-Mora N, Benítez M, Piñeyro-Nelson A, Rezende GL, Maldonado E, Schneider PN, Grizante MB, Da Fonseca RN, Vergara-Silva F, Suaza-Gaviria V, Zumajo-Cardona C, Zattara EE, Casasa S, Suárez-Baron H, Brown FD. Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo) Research in Latin America. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2016; 328:5-40. [PMID: 27491339 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Famous for its blind cavefish and Darwin's finches, Latin America is home to some of the richest biodiversity hotspots of our planet. The Latin American fauna and flora inspired and captivated naturalists from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including such notable pioneers such as Fritz Müller, Florentino Ameghino, and Léon Croizat who made a significant contribution to the study of embryology and evolutionary thinking. But, what are the historical and present contributions of the Latin American scientific community to Evo-Devo? Here, we provide the first comprehensive overview of the Evo-Devo laboratories based in Latin America and describe current lines of research based on endemic species, focusing on body plans and patterning, systematics, physiology, computational modeling approaches, ecology, and domestication. Literature searches reveal that Evo-Devo in Latin America is still in its early days; while showing encouraging indicators of productivity, it has not stabilized yet, because it relies on few and sparsely distributed laboratories. Coping with the rapid changes in national scientific policies and contributing to solve social and health issues specific to each region are among the main challenges faced by Latin American researchers. The 2015 inaugural meeting of the Pan-American Society for Evolutionary Developmental Biology played a pivotal role in bringing together Latin American researchers eager to initiate and consolidate regional and worldwide collaborative networks. Such networks will undoubtedly advance research on the extremely high genetic and phenotypic biodiversity of Latin America, bound to be an almost infinite source of amazement and fascinating findings for the Evo-Devo community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Marcellini
- Laboratorio de Desarrollo y Evolución, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Favio González
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Andres F Sarrazin
- Instituto de Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | | | - Mariana Benítez
- Laboratorio Nacional de Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Alma Piñeyro-Nelson
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Gustavo L Rezende
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, CBB, LQFPP, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ernesto Maldonado
- EvoDevo Lab, Unidad de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Nunes Da Fonseca
- Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento SócioAmbiental de Macaé (NUPEM), Campus Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macae, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Sofia Casasa
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | | | - Federico D Brown
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Horn T, Panfilio KA. Novel functions for Dorsocross in epithelial morphogenesis in the beetle Tribolium castaneum. Development 2016; 143:3002-11. [PMID: 27407103 DOI: 10.1242/dev.133280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial morphogenesis, the progressive restructuring of tissue sheets, is fundamental to embryogenesis. In insects, not only embryonic tissues but also extraembryonic (EE) epithelia play a crucial role in shaping the embryo. In Drosophila, the T-box transcription factor Dorsocross (Doc) is essential for EE tissue maintenance and therefore embryo survival. However, Drosophila possesses a single amnioserosa, whereas most insects have a distinct amnion and serosa. How does this derived situation compare with Doc function in the ancestral context of two EE epithelia? Here, we investigate the Doc orthologue in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, which is an excellent model for EE tissue complement and for functional, fluorescent live imaging approaches. Surprisingly, we find that Tc-Doc controls all major events in Tribolium EE morphogenesis without affecting EE tissue specification or maintenance. These macroevolutionary changes in function between Tribolium and Drosophila are accompanied by regulatory network changes, where BMP signaling and possibly the transcription factor Hindsight are downstream mediators. We propose that the ancestral role of Doc was to control morphogenesis and discuss how Tc-Doc could provide spatial precision for remodeling the amnion-serosa border.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Horn
- Institute for Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, Cologne 50674, Germany
| | - Kristen A Panfilio
- Institute for Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, Cologne 50674, Germany
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Schmidt-Ott U, Kwan CW. Morphogenetic functions of extraembryonic membranes in insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2016; 13:86-92. [PMID: 27436557 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Morphogenetic functions of the amnioserosa, the serosa, the amnion, and the yolk sac are reviewed on the basis of recent studies in flies (Drosophila, Megaselia), beetles (Tribolium), and hemipteran bugs (Oncopeltus). Three hypotheses are presented. First, it is suggested that the amnioserosa of Drosophila and the dorsal amnion of other fly species function in a similar manner. Second, it is proposed that in many species with an amniotic cavity, the amnion determines the site of serosa rupture, which, through interactions between the serosa and the amnion, enables the embryo to break free from the amniotic cavity and to close its backside. Finally, it is concluded that the yolk sac is likely an important player in insect morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urs Schmidt-Ott
- University of Chicago, Dept. of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, Cummings Life Science Center, 920 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - Chun Wai Kwan
- University of Chicago, Dept. of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, Cummings Life Science Center, 920 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Farnesi LC, Menna-Barreto RFS, Martins AJ, Valle D, Rezende GL. Physical features and chitin content of eggs from the mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus: Connection with distinct levels of resistance to desiccation. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 83:43-52. [PMID: 26514070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito eggs are laid in water but freshly laid eggs are susceptible to dehydration, if their surroundings dry out at the first hours of development. During embryogenesis of different mosquito vectors the serosal cuticle, an extracellular matrix, is produced; it wraps the whole embryo and becomes part of the eggshell. This cuticle is an essential component of the egg resistance to desiccation (ERD). However, ERD is variable among species, sustaining egg viability for different periods of time. While Aedes aegypti eggs can survive for months in a dry environment (high ERD), those of Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus in the same condition last, respectively, for one day (medium ERD) or a few hours (low ERD). Resistance to desiccation is determined by the rate of water loss, dehydration tolerance and total amount of water of a given organism. The ERD variability observed among mosquitoes probably derives from diverse traits. We quantified several attributes of whole eggs, potentially correlated with the rate of water loss: length, width, area, volume, area/volume ratio and weight. In addition, some eggshell aspects were also evaluated, such as absolute and relative weight, weight/area relationship (herein called surface density) and chitin content. Presence of chitin specifically in the serosal cuticle as well as aspects of endochorion external surface were also investigated. Three features could be related to differences on ERD levels: chitin content, directly related to ERD, the increase in the egg volume during embryogenesis and the eggshell surface density, which were both inversely related to ERD. Although data suggest that the amount of chitin in the eggshell is relevant for egg impermeability, the participation of other yet unidentified eggshell attributes must be considered in order to account for the differences in the ERD levels observed among Ae. aegypti, An. aquasalis and Cx. quinquefasciatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Cristina Farnesi
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil; Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Ademir Jesus Martins
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Denise Valle
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Lazzaro Rezende
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
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Jacobs CGC, Braak N, Lamers GEM, van der Zee M. Elucidation of the serosal cuticle machinery in the beetle Tribolium by RNA sequencing and functional analysis of Knickkopf1, Retroactive and Laccase2. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 60:7-12. [PMID: 25747006 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Revised: 02/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Insects have been extraordinary successful in colonizing terrestrial habitats and this success is partly due to a protective cuticle that mainly contains chitin and proteins. The cuticle has been well studied in larvae and adults, but little attention has been paid to the cuticle of the egg. This cuticle is secreted by the serosa, an extraembryonic epithelium that surrounds the yolk and embryo in all insect eggs, but was lost in the Schizophoran flies to which Drosophila belongs. We therefore set out to investigate serosal cuticle formation and function in a beetle (Tribolium castaneum) using RNAi-mediated knockdown of three candidate genes known to structure chitin in the adult cuticle, and we aimed to identify other serosal cuticle genes using RNA sequencing. Knockdown of Knickkopf (TcKnk-1) or Retroactive (TcRtv) affects the laminar structure of the serosal cuticle, as revealed by Transmission Electron Microscopy in knockdown eggs. In the absence of this laminar structure, significantly fewer eggs survive at low humidity compared to wild-type eggs. Survival in dry conditions is also adversely affected when cross-linking among proteins and chitin is prevented by Laccase2 (TcLac-2) RNAi. Finally, we compare the transcriptomes of wild-type eggs to serosa-less eggs and find serosa-biased expression of 21 cuticle-related genes including structural components, chitin deacetylases and chitinases. Our data indicate that the serosal cuticle utilizes the same machinery for structuring the cuticle as adults. We demonstrate that the structure of the cuticle is crucial for desiccation resistance, and we put forward the serosal cuticle of Tribolium as an excellent model to study the ecological properties of the insect cuticle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris G C Jacobs
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333BE Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Nora Braak
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333BE Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Gerda E M Lamers
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333BE Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Maurijn van der Zee
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333BE Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Chaudhari SS, Noh MY, Moussian B, Specht CA, Kramer KJ, Beeman RW, Arakane Y, Muthukrishnan S. Knickkopf and retroactive proteins are required for formation of laminar serosal procuticle during embryonic development of Tribolium castaneum. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 60:1-6. [PMID: 25747009 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 01/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Chitin, a homopolymer of β-1-4-linked N-acetylglucosamine synthesized by chitin synthase A (Chs-A), is organized in the procuticle of the postembryonic cuticle or exoskeleton, which is composed of laminae stacked parallel to the cell surface to give stability and integrity to the underlying insect epidermal and other tissues. Our previous work has revealed an important role for two proteins from Tribolium castaneum named Knickkopf (TcKnk) and Retroactive (TcRtv) in postembryonic cuticular chitin maintenance. TcKnk and TcRtv were shown to be required for protection and organization of newly synthesized procuticular chitin. To study the functions of TcKnk and TcRtv in serosal and larval cuticles produced during embryogenesis in T. castaneum, dsRNAs specific for these two genes were injected into two week-old adult females. The effects of dsRNA treatment on ovarial integrity, oviposition, egg hatching and adult survival were determined. Insects treated with dsRNA for chitin synthase-A (TcChs-A) and tryptophan oxygenase (TcVer) were used as positive and negative controls for these experiments, respectively. Like TcChs-A RNAi, injection of dsRNA for TcKnk or TcRtv into adult females exhibited no adult lethality and oviposition was normal. However, a vast majority of the embryos did not hatch. The remaining (∼10%) of the embryos hatched into first instar larvae that died without molting to the second instar. Chitin content analysis following TcKnk and TcRtv parental RNAi revealed approximately 50% reduction in chitin content of eggs in comparison with control TcVer RNAi, whereas TcChs-A dsRNA-treatment led to >90% loss of chitin. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis of serosal cuticle from TcChs-A, TcKnk and TcRtv dsRNA-treated insects revealed a complete absence of laminar organization of serosal (and larval) procuticle in comparison with TcVer dsRNA-treated controls, which exhibited normal laminar organization of procuticular chitin. The results of this study demonstrate that in addition to their essential roles in maintenance and organization of chitin in epidermal cuticle in larval and later stages of insect development, TcKnk and TcRtv also are required for egg hatch, chitin maintenance and laminar organization of both serosal and larval cuticle during embryonic development of T. castaneum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujata S Chaudhari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, 141 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
| | - Mi Young Noh
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Republic of Korea
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, Animal Genetics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Charles A Specht
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Karl J Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, 141 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Richard W Beeman
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Republic of Korea.
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, 141 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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Two cathepsins B are responsible for the yolk protein hydrolysis in Culex quinquefasciatus. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118736. [PMID: 25710877 PMCID: PMC4339980 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the established role of Culex quinquefasciatus as a vector of various neurotropic viruses, such as the Rift Valley and West Nile viruses, as well as lymphatic filariasis, little is known regarding the organism’s reproductive physiology. As in other oviparous animals, vitellogenin, the most important source of nutrients for the embryo development, is digested by intracellular proteases. Using mass spectrometry, we have identified two cathepsin B homologues partially purified by self-proteolysis of Cx. quinquefasciatus total egg extract. The transcriptional profile of these two cathepsin B homologues was determined by quantitative RT-PCR, and the enzymatic activity associated with the peptidase was determined in ovaries after female engorgement. According to the VectorBase (vectorbase.org) annotation, both cathepsin B homologues shared approximately 66% identity in their amino acid sequences. The two cathepsin B genes are expressed simultaneously in the fat body of the vitellogenic females, and enzymatic activity was detected within the ovaries, suggesting an extra-ovarian origin. Similar to the transcriptional profile of vitellogenin, cathepsin B transcripts were shown to accumulate post-blood meal and reached their highest expression at 36 h PBM. However, while vitellogenin expression decreased drastically at 48 h PBM, the expression of the cathepsins increased until 84 h PBM, at which time the females of our colony were ready for oviposition. The similarity between their transcriptional profiles strongly suggests a role for the cathepsin B homologues in vitellin degradation.
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Kaiser ML, Duncan FD, Brooke BD. Embryonic development and rates of metabolic activity in early and late hatching eggs of the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114381. [PMID: 25479444 PMCID: PMC4257673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Anopheles gambiae eggs generally hatch at the completion of embryo development; two-three days post oviposition. However, staggered or delayed hatching has been observed whereby a single batch of eggs shows marked variation in time-to-hatch, with some eggs hatching 18 days post oviposition or later. The mechanism enabling delayed hatch has not been clearly elucidated but is likely mediated by environmental and genetic factors that either induce diapause or slow embryo development. This study aimed to compare metabolic activity and embryonic development between eggs collected from sub-colonies of the baseline Anopheles gambiae GAH colony previously selected for early or late time-to-hatch. Egg batches from early and late hatch sub-colonies as well as from the baseline colony were monitored for hatching. For both time-to-hatch selected sub-colonies and the baseline colony the majority of eggs hatched on day two post oviposition. Nevertheless, eggs produced by the late hatch sub-colony showed a significantly longer mean time to hatch than those produced by the early hatch sub-colony. The overall proportions that hatched were similar for all egg batches. CO2 output between eggs from early and late hatch sub-colonies showed significant differences only at 3 and 7 days post oviposition where eggs from the early hatch and the late hatch sub-colony were more metabolically active, respectively. No qualitative differences were observed in embryo development between the sub-colonies. It is concluded that all viable embryos develop to maturity at the same rate and that a small proportion then enter a state of diapause enabling them to hatch later. As it has previously been shown that it is possible to at least partially select for late hatch, this characteristic is likely to involve genetic as well as environmental factors. Delayed hatching in An. gambiae is likely an adaptation to maximise reproductive output despite the increased risk of desiccation in an unstable aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L. Kaiser
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical & Hospital Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, NHLS, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Frances D. Duncan
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Basil D. Brooke
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical & Hospital Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, NHLS, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
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Lacour G, Vernichon F, Cadilhac N, Boyer S, Lagneau C, Hance T. When mothers anticipate: effects of the prediapause stage on embryo development time and of maternal photoperiod on eggs of a temperate and a tropical strains of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2014; 71:87-96. [PMID: 25450563 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2014.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diapause of Aedes albopictus is maternally induced by photoperiod and initiates at the pharate larvae stage in eggs. This pre-diapause results in enhanced survival eggs during the winter. This study aims to disentangle the effects of photoperiod and diapause on embryonic developmental time and egg size in A. albopictus. A temperate strain capable to perform diapause and a tropical strain unable of diapause were reared at 21°C with long-(LD) and short-day (SD) lengths. Four distinct traits were studied on embryos and eggs were measured at the end of embryogenesis. RESULTS The chronologies of embryo development for both strains were influenced by maternal photoperiod, especially in the temperate strain in which the development of SD eggs took longer than LD eggs. The delay increased gradually in the temperate strain, and reached up to 38 h at the end of embryogenesis. The kinetics of embryogenesis differed among the temperate and the tropical strains, each one of the 4 studied traits showing differences. For example the serosal cuticle was secreted precociously in the tropical strain. Egg width and volume are influenced by the maternal photoperiod and the strain×photoperiod interaction. For both strains, larger eggs were laid by female reared under SD when compared to LD. CONCLUSIONS The influence of several maternal effects was demonstrated in this study. The diapause process modifies greatly the length of embryogenesis in the temperate strain, whereas the maternal photoperiod has a direct influence on egg size and embryogenesis regardless of the strain considered. These findings provide useful data on chronology of embryonic development for integrative biology studies of egg pre-diapause stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Lacour
- EID Méditerranée, 165 Avenue Paul-Rimbaud, 34184 Montpellier, France; Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Florian Vernichon
- EID Méditerranée, 165 Avenue Paul-Rimbaud, 34184 Montpellier, France.
| | - Nicolas Cadilhac
- EID Méditerranée, 165 Avenue Paul-Rimbaud, 34184 Montpellier, France.
| | - Sébastien Boyer
- UMR-MIVEGEC, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, 34394 Montpellier, France.
| | | | - Thierry Hance
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
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