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Qiu X, Huang W, Yue W, Li D, Zhi J. Response of the serine/threonine kinase AKT and phosphoinositide-dependent kinase PDK in Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to three kinds of foods and their regulation of reproductive function. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:372-386. [PMID: 38450915 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) is a typical omnivorous insect that feeds on host plants, pollens and mite eggs, and poses a threat to crops worldwide. The insulin signalling pathway (ISP) is a typical nutrient-sensitive pathway that participates in the regulation of various functions in insects. Serine/threonine kinases (AKTs) and phosphoinositide-dependent kinases (PDKs) are key components of the ISP. In this study, the FoAKT and FoPDK genes in F. occidentalis were cloned, and the effects of three foods on their expression were determined. The expression of FoAKT and FoPDK in the thrips fed on kidney bean leaves supplemented with pine pollen or mite eggs was higher than in those primarily fed on leaves alone. Meanwhile, the fecundity of thrips fed on leaves supplemented with pine pollen was highest. In addition, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of FoAKT and FoPDK decreased vitellogenin (Vg) content and Vg expression in females, shortened ovariole length, delayed egg development and reduced fecundity and offspring hatching rates. Furthermore, the synthesis of juvenile hormone (JH) was reduced, and the contents of glucose, trehalose, glycogen and trehalase were affected. These results suggest that FoAKT and FoPDK regulate the reproduction of F. occidentalis by regulating Vg and JH production as well as carbohydrate metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Qiu
- The Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Wanqing Huang
- The Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Tobacco Company, Tongren Branch, Tongren, China
| | - Wenbo Yue
- The Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Dingyin Li
- The Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Junrui Zhi
- The Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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Liu X, Guo X, Zhang T, Duan J, Zhang L, Wang M, Li Y, Shen Z, Mao J. Testosterone maintains male longevity and female reproduction in Chrysopa pallens. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32478. [PMID: 38933978 PMCID: PMC11201114 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate testosterone, an androgen present in the testes, is essential for male fertility. Vertebrate-type steroid hormones have been identified in insects, but their function remains unknown. Insect vitellogenin (Vg) is usually a female-specific protein involved in reproductive processes. However, males of some species, such as the green lacewing Chrysopa pallens, have Vg. Here, we demonstrated that the knockdown of C. pallens male Vg by RNAi significantly shortened the lifespan of males, suppressed the reproduction of post-mating females, and strikingly reduced the abundance of several immune-related compounds, including testosterone. LC-MS/MS revealed that C. pallens male testosterone had the same structure and molecular mass as vertebrate testosterone. Topical testosterone application partially restored the lifespan of Vg-deficient males and the reproduction of post-mating females. These results suggest that vertebrate-type testosterone maintains male longevity and female reproduction under the control of the male Vg in C. pallens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xingkai Guo
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang, 362251, PR China
| | - Jiaqi Duan
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Lisheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Mengqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yuyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhongjian Shen
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jianjun Mao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China
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Hu K, Jin R, Liu J, Zhu J, Dai W, Wang Y, Li Y, Liu F. Functional characterization of the InR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in female reproduction of the predatory bug Cyrtorhinus lividipennis (Hemiptera: Miridae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2024:toae113. [PMID: 38783398 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toae113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The insulin signaling (IIS) pathway plays a key role in the regulation of various physiological functions in animals. However, the involvement of IIS pathway in the reproduction of natural enemy insects remains enigmatic. Here, 3 key genes (named ClInR, ClPI3K, and ClAKT) related to IIS pathway were cloned from Cyrtorhinus lividipennis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae), an important natural enemy in the rice ecosystem. These 3 proteins had the typical features of corresponding protein families and shared high similarity with their respective homologs from the Hemipteran species. The ClInR, ClPI3K, and ClAKT were highly expressed in the adult stage. Tissue distribution analysis revealed that ClInR, ClPI3K, and ClAKT were highly expressed in the midgut and ovary of adults. Silencing of ClInR, ClPI3K, and ClAKT caused 92.1%, 72.1%, and 57.8% reduction in the expression of ClVg, respectively. Depletion of these 3 genes impaired vitellogenin synthesis and ovary development. Moreover, the fecundity in the dsInR, dsPI3K, and dsAKT injected females were 53.9%, 50.8%, and 48.5% lower than the control treatment, respectively. These results indicated that ClInR, ClPI3K, and ClAKT are of great importance for the reproduction of C. lividipennis. Our results advance the knowledge about the molecular mechanism of reproduction regulation in natural enemy insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Hu
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Rong Jin
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jianqi Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jun Zhu
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Wei Dai
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yao Li
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Fang Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety (Yangzhou University), Jiangsu, Yangzhou 225009, China
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Wen J, Wang M, Zeng Y, He F, Li S, Zhang K, Weng Q. Verification of AKT and CDK5 Gene and RNA Interference Combined with Irradiation to Mediate Fertility Changes in Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4623. [PMID: 38731841 PMCID: PMC11082963 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094623] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) mainly damages cruciferous crops and causes huge economic losses. Presently, chemical pesticides dominate its control, but prolonged use has led to the development of high resistance. In contrast, the sterile insect technique provides a preventive and control method to avoid the development of resistance. We discovered two genes related to the reproduction of Plutella xylostella and investigated the efficacy of combining irradiation with RNA interference for pest management. The results demonstrate that after injecting PxAKT and PxCDK5, there was a significant decrease of 28.06% and 25.64% in egg production, and a decrease of 19.09% and 15.35% in the hatching rate compared to the control. The ratio of eupyrene sperm bundles to apyrene sperm bundles also decreased. PxAKT and PxCDK5 were identified as pivotal genes influencing male reproductive processes. We established a dose-response relationship for irradiation (0-200 Gy and 200-400 Gy) and derived the irradiation dose equivalent to RNA interference targeting PxAKT and PxCDK5. Combining RNA interference with low-dose irradiation achieved a sub-sterile effect on Plutella xylostella, surpassing either irradiation or RNA interference alone. This study enhances our understanding of the genes associated with the reproduction of Plutella xylostella and proposes a novel approach for pest management by combining irradiation and RNA interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wen
- College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.W.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Mengran Wang
- College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.W.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Yuhao Zeng
- College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.W.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Fengting He
- College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.W.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Shifan Li
- College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.W.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Ke Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.W.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Qunfang Weng
- College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.W.); (M.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.H.); (S.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Weger AA, Rittschof CC. The diverse roles of insulin signaling in insect behavior. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 4:1360320. [PMID: 38638680 PMCID: PMC11024295 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2024.1360320] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
In insects and other animals, nutrition-mediated behaviors are modulated by communication between the brain and peripheral systems, a process that relies heavily on the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway (IIS). Previous studies have focused on the mechanistic and physiological functions of insulin-like peptides (ILPs) in critical developmental and adult milestones like pupation or vitellogenesis. Less work has detailed the mechanisms connecting ILPs to adult nutrient-mediated behaviors related to survival and reproductive success. Here we briefly review the range of behaviors linked to IIS in insects, from conserved regulation of feeding behavior to evolutionarily derived polyphenisms. Where possible, we incorporate information from Drosophila melanogaster and other model species to describe molecular and neural mechanisms that connect nutritional status to behavioral expression via IIS. We identify knowledge gaps which include the diverse functional roles of peripheral ILPs, how ILPs modulate neural function and behavior across the lifespan, and the lack of detailed mechanistic research in a broad range of taxa. Addressing these gaps would enable a better understanding of the evolution of this conserved and widely deployed tool kit pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clare C. Rittschof
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Du Q, Ren X, Ma X, Wang D, Song X, Hu H, Wu C, Shan Y, Ma Y, Ma Y. Impact of a glyphosate-based herbicide on the longevity, fertility, and transgenerational effects on Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:21845-21856. [PMID: 38400979 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32601-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are common herbicide formulations used in the field and are increasingly used worldwide with the widespread cultivation of herbicide-tolerant genetically modified crops. As a result, the risk of arthropod exposure to GBH is increasing rapidly. Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a common predatory natural enemy in agroecosystems, which is exposed to GBH (Roundup®) while preying on pests. To identify and characterize the potential effects of GBH on C. pallens, the life tables of C. pallens larvae and adults fed with GBH were constructed. Moreover, the effects of GBH treatment on the expression of genes involved in insulin signalling in adults were analyzed using qRT-PCR. The results showed that GBH treatment altered the pupal period and preadult stage of C. pallens larvae. However, it did no effect on longevity, fecundity, and population parameters and two insulin receptor genes (InR1, InR2), a serine/threonine kinase (Akt), an extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (erk), and vitellogenin (Vg1) expression of C. pallens. Adults feeding on GBH significantly altered development, longevity, and differences in the mean generation time of the F0 generation. However, GBH feeding only minimally influenced the growth and population parameters of the F1 generation. In addition, InR1, InR2, erk, and Vg1 expression in the F0 generation were downregulated on the fifth day of feeding on GBH. Furthermore, the expression levels of InR1, InR2, Akt, erk, and Vg1 in C. pallens decreased with the increase of GBH concentration, although the expression levels returned to control levels on the tenth day. Overall, the consumption of the GBH by larvae and adults of C. pallens had minimal effect on the growth and population parameters of C. pallens. The findings of this study can provide a reference for elucidating the environmental risks of GBH, guiding the optimal use of glyphosate in agricultural practices in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiankun Du
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, 455000, China
| | - Xiangliang Ren
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, 455000, China
- Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, 831100, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ma
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, 455000, China
- Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, 831100, China
| | - Dan Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, 455000, China
| | - Xianpeng Song
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, 455000, China
| | - Hongyan Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, 455000, China
| | - Changcai Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, 455000, China
| | - Yongpan Shan
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, 455000, China
| | - Yajie Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, 455000, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, 455000, China.
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7
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Yan Y, Qin DD, Yang H, Xu KK, Li C, Yang WJ. MicroR-9c-5p and novel-mir50 co-target Akt to regulate Lasioderma serricorne reproduction. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:106-118. [PMID: 37350038 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
High fecundity is a common characteristic of insect pests which increases the difficulty of population control. Serine/threonine kinase Akt is an indispensable component of the insulin signaling pathway. Silencing of LsAkt severely hinders reproduction in Lasioderma serricorne, a stored product insect pest. However, the post-transcriptional pathway of LsAkt in L. serricorne remains unknown. This study identified 2 binding sites of miR-9c-5p and novel-mir50 in the coding sequences of LsAkt. The expression profiles of 2 microRNAs (miRNAs) and LsAkt displayed an opposite pattern during the adult stages. Luciferase reporter assay showed that novel-mir50 and miR-9c-5p could downregulate the expression of LsAkt. Overexpression of miR-9c-5p and novel-mir50 by injection of mimics inhibited the expression of LsAkt and reduced oviposition, decreased egg hatchability, and blocked ovarian development. It also decreased the expression of genes involved in ovarian development (LsVg and LsVgR) and the nutritional signaling pathway (LsTOR, LsS6K, and Ls4EBP), and reduced the phosphorylation of Akt. Conversely, injection of miR-9c-5p and novel-mir50 inhibitors induced the expressions of LsAkt, LsVg, LsVgR, LsTOR, LsS6K, and Ls4EBP, enhanced Akt phosphorylation level, and accelerated ovarian development. Injection of bovine insulin downregulated the expression of miR-9c-5p and novel-mir50 and upregulated the LsAkt expression. It also rescued the reproductive development defects associated with miR-9c-5p/novel-mir50 overexpression, forming a positive regulatory loop of insulin signaling. These results indicate that miR-9c-5p/novel-mir50 regulates the female reproduction of L. serricorne by targeting Akt in response to insulin signaling. The data also demonstrate the effects of the insulin/miRNA/Akt regulatory axis in insect reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yan
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Dong-Dong Qin
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Kang-Kang Xu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Can Li
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Wen-Jia Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
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Liu XP, Liu CY, Feng YJ, Guo XK, Zhang LS, Wang MQ, Li YY, Zeng FR, Nolan T, Mao JJ. Male vitellogenin regulates gametogenesis through a testis-enriched big protein in Chrysopa pallens. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:17-28. [PMID: 37707297 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
In insects, vitellogenin (Vg) is generally viewed as a female-specific protein. Its primary function is to supply nutrition to developing embryos. Here, we reported Vg from the male adults of a natural predator, Chrysopa pallens. The male Vg was depleted by RNAi. Mating with Vg-deficient male downregulated female Vg expression, suppressed ovarian development and decreased reproductive output. Whole-organism transcriptome analysis after male Vg knockdown showed no differential expression of the known spermatogenesis-related regulators and seminal fluid protein genes, but a sharp downregulation of an unknown gene, which encodes a testis-enriched big protein (Vcsoo). Separate knockdown of male Vg and Vcsoo disturbed the assembly of spermatid cytoplasmic organelles in males and suppressed the expansion of ovary germarium in mated females. These results demonstrated that C. pallens male Vg signals through the downstream Vcsoo and regulates male and female reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang-Yan Liu
- Institute of Food Crops, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Jiao Feng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Kai Guo
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Sheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng-Qing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Yan Li
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan-Rong Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tony Nolan
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jian-Jun Mao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Du Q, Shan Y, Hu H, Wu C, Wang D, Song X, Ma Y, Xi J, Ren X, Ma X, Ma Y. Fitness effect and transcription profile reveal sublethal effect of nitenpyram on the predator Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 115:e22073. [PMID: 38288485 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Although neonicotinoids are widely used and important insecticide, there are growing concerns about their effect on nontarget insects and other organisms. Moreover, the effects of nitenpyram (NIT), a second generation of neonicotinoid insecticides, on Chrysopa pallens are still unclear. Therefore, this study purposed to investigate the acute toxicity of NIT to C. pallens using the spotting method. To examine the potential effects of a sublethal dose of NIT (LD30 , 1.85 ng of active ingredient per insect) on C. pallens, we constructed the life tables and analyzed the transcriptome data. The life table results showed that the period of second instar larvae, adult pre-oviposition period and total pre-oviposition period were significantly prolonged after exposure to sublethal dose of NIT, but had no significant effects on the other instars, longevity, oviposition days, and fecundity. The population parameters, including the preadult survival rate, gross reproduction rate, net reproductive rate, the intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase, were not significantly affected, and only the mean generation time was significantly prolonged by NIT. Transcriptome analysis showed that there were 68 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 50 upregulated genes and 18 downregulated genes. Moreover, 13 DEGs related to heat shock protein, nose resistant to fluoxetine protein 6, and prophenoloxidas were upregulated. This study showed the potential effects of sublethal doses of NIT on C. pallens and provided a theoretical reference for the comprehensive application of chemical and biological control in integrated pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiankun Du
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Yongpan Shan
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Hongyan Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Changcai Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Dan Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Xianpeng Song
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Yajie Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Jianping Xi
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Xiangliang Ren
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ma
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
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10
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Lu T, Lu Y, Wang L, Liu Z, Miao S, Tai Y, Yang B. The serine/threonine kinase Akt gene affects fecundity by reducing Juvenile hormone synthesis in Liposcelis entomophila (Enderlein). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 196:105583. [PMID: 37945269 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105583] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase Akt is an important component of the insulin signalling pathway (ISP) in regulating insect metabolism, growth, and reproduction. The psocid Liposcelis entomophila (Enderlein) is a distasteful stored products pest for its fecundity. However, the molecular mechanism of Akt that controls vitellogenesis and oviposition in L. entomophila remains obscure. In this study, the function of the Akt gene in the female reproduction of L. entomophila (designated as LeAkt) was characterized and investigated. LeAkt contains a 1587 bp open reading frame encoding a 529 amino acid protein that possesses a conserved Pleckstrin Homology domain (PH) and a Ser/Thr-type protein kinase (S_TKc) domain. The mRNA expression of LeAkt was the highest in female adult stages and peaked for 7-day female adults. In female adult tissues, LeAkt was highly expressed in the head and the ovary, indicating that LeAkt was closely correlated with female ovarian development. LeAkt transcription level was significantly suppressed by oral feeding on artificial diets mixed with dsRNA-LeAkt. RNAi-mediated silencing of LeAkt led to a severe inhibition of vitellogenein (Vg) expression and ovarian development, together with lower fecundity and hatchability compared to that of the normal feeding group, suggesting a critical role for LeAkt in L. entomophila reproduction. Further studies revealed that LeAkt silencing significantly decreased the mRNA levels of several signalling and biosynthetic genes in the juvenile hormone (JH) signalling pathway, such as methoprene-tolerant (LeMet), krüppel homolog 1 (LeKr-h1) and JH methyltransferase (LeJHAMT), leading to a severe inhibition of JH biosynthesis in L. entomophila female adults. These results suggested that LeAkt was affecting JH synthesis, thereby influencing Vg synthesis and ultimately L. entomophila reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Lu
- School of Food Science and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yujie Lu
- School of Grain Science and Technology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China; School of Food Science and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Grain Science and Technology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Zhipei Liu
- School of Food Science and Technology, The University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shiyuan Miao
- School of Grain Science and Technology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yajie Tai
- School of Food Science and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Binbin Yang
- School of Food Science and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
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11
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Liu X, Guo X, Feng Y, Zhang L, Wang M, Li Y, Mao J. Morphology of the male reproductive system and sperm ultrastructure of the green lacewing, Chrysopa pallens (Rambur, 1838) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). BMC ZOOL 2023; 8:15. [PMID: 37641154 PMCID: PMC10464168 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-023-00175-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chrysopa pallens is one of the most beneficial and effective natural predators, and is famous for its extensive distribution, wide prey spectrum, and excellent reproductive performance. This study examined the anatomy and fine structure of the C. pallens reproductive system and spermatogenesis. RESULTS The male reproductive system of C. pallens comprises a pair of testes, a vas deferens, seminal vesicles, accessory glands, and short ejaculatory ducts. The testes were already mature on the day of emergence, but the accessory glands did not mature until 5 days post-emergence. In early spermatids, the flagellum had an axoneme on one side of the two mitochondrial derivatives. The nucleus was surrounded by parallel crystalline and paracrystalline materials. The spermatid envelope extends towards the paracrystalline material in a tail-shaped wing. In mature spermatids, the axoneme is located between the two accessory bodies and mitochondrial derivative sets. The parallel-crystalline and paracrystalline materials disappeared. In the testes, the wall of seminal cysts consists of a layer of epithelium, a muscular-connective sheath, and several vesicles of different sizes. The mature seminal cysts contained 128 spermatozoa. The accessory gland is composed of six parts: ventral papilla-like protuberance, anterior glandular lobe, lateral glandular lobe, seminal cyst, posterior kidney-shaped lobe, and posterior papilla-like protuberance. Muscle fibers and secretory granules are extensive. CONCLUSIONS This study provides information on the reproductive system of C. pallens and offers a resource for taxonomy and reproductive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Rd., Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China
| | - Xingkai Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Rd., Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China
| | - Yanjiao Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Rd., Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China
| | - Lisheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Rd., Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China
| | - Mengqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Rd., Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China
| | - Yuyan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Rd., Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China
| | - Jianjun Mao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Rd., Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, P. R. China.
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12
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Chen ZZ, Wang X, Kong X, Zhao YM, Xu MH, Gao YQ, Huang HY, Liu FH, Wang S, Xu YY, Kang ZW. Quantitative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses reveal the potential maintenance mechanism of female adult reproductive diapause in Chrysoperla nipponensis. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1897-1911. [PMID: 36683402 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The green lacewing Chrysoperla nipponensis is an important natural enemy of many insect pests and exhibits reproductive diapause to overwinter. Our previous studies showed that adult C. nipponensis enters reproductive diapause under a short-day photoperiod. However, the molecular mechanism underlying diapause maintenance in C. nipponensis is still unknown. RESULTS The total lipid and triglyceride content showed the reservation and degradation of energy during diapause in C. nipponensis. Thus, we performed combined transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of female reproductive diapause in C. nipponensis at three ecophysiological phases (initiation, maintenance and termination). A total of 64 388 unigenes and 5532 proteins were identified from the transcriptome and proteome. In-depth dissection of the gene-expression dynamics revealed that differentially expressed genes and proteins were predominately involved in the lipid and carbohydrate metabolic pathways, in particular fatty acid metabolism, metabolic pathways and the citrate cycle. Among of these genes, TIM, CLK, JHAMT2, PMK, HMGS, HMGR, FKBP39, Kr-h1, Phm, ECR, IR1, ILP3, ILP4, mTOR, ACC, LSD1 and LSD2 were differentially expressed in diapause and non-diapause female adults of C. nipponensis. The expression patterns of these genes were consistent with the occurrence of vitellogenesis and expression of either Vg or VgR. CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that diapause adult C. nipponensis accumulate energy resources to overwinter. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses suggested candidate key genes involved in the maintenance of C. nipponensis during adult reproductive diapause. Taken together, these results provide in-depth knowledge to understand the maintenance mechanism of C. nipponensis during adult reproductive diapause. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Zhen Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Xue Kong
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Yue-Ming Zhao
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Ming-Hui Xu
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Yu-Qing Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Hai-Yi Huang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Fang-Hua Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Su Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Yu Xu
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Kang
- School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China
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13
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Ahmad S, Jamil M, Jaworski CC, Luo Y. Comparative transcriptomics of the irradiated melon fly ( Zeugodacus cucurbitae) reveal key developmental genes. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1112548. [PMID: 36733910 PMCID: PMC9887199 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1112548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Irradiation can be used as an insect pest management technique to reduce post-harvest yield losses. It causes major physiological changes, impairing insect development and leading to mortality. This technique is used to control the melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae, a major pest of Cucurbitaceae in Asia. Here, we applied irradiation to melon fly eggs, and the larvae emerged from irradiated eggs were used to conduct comparative transcriptomics and thereby identify key genes involved in the development and survival. We found 561 upregulated and 532 downregulated genes in irradiated flies compared to non-irradiated flies. We also observed abnormal small-body phenotypes in irradiated flies. By screening the 532 downregulated genes, we selected eight candidate genes putatively involved in development based in described functions in public databases and in the literature. We first established the expression profile of each candidate gene. Using RNA interference (RNAi), we individually knocked down each gene in third instar larvae and measured the effects on development. The knockdown of ImpE2 ecdysone-inducible gene controlling life stage transitions-led to major body size reductions in both pupae and adults. The knockdown of the tyrosine-protein kinase-like tok (Tpk-tok) caused severe body damage to larvae, characterized by swollen and black body parts. Adults subject to knockdown of the eclosion hormone (Eh_1) failed to shed their old cuticle which remained attached to their bodies. However, no obvious developmental defects were observed following the knockdown of the heat shock protein 67B1-like (Hsp67), the insulin receptor (Insr), the serine/threonine-protein kinase Nek4 (Nek4), the tyrosine-protein kinase transmembrane receptor Ror (Ror_1) and the probable insulin-like peptide 1 (Insp_1). We argue that irradiation can be successfully used not only as a pest management technique but also for the screening of essential developmental genes in insects via comparative transcriptomics. Our results demonstrate that ImpE2 and Eh_1 are essential for the development of melon fly and could therefore be promising candidates for the development of RNAi-based pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakil Ahmad
- School of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Momana Jamil
- School of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Coline C. Jaworski
- Université Côte d’Azur, INRAE, CNRS, UMR ISA, Nice, France,Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry, Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing, China
| | - Yanping Luo
- School of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China,*Correspondence: Yanping Luo,
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14
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Effect of Insulin Receptor on Juvenile Hormone Signal and Fecundity in Spodoptera litura (F.). INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13080701. [PMID: 36005325 PMCID: PMC9409390 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (F.), exemplifies strong reproductive capacities and damages many agricultural crops. The insulin signaling pathway is known as a key determinant of female reproduction in insects. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms in these processes are poorly studied. Here, we injected bovine insulin into the newly emerged moth, resulting in gene expression changes in the insulin pathway, while knockdown of SlInR caused an inverse gene expression change involved in the insulin pathway. Further studies indicated that the content of JH-III, Vg, total proteins and triacylgycerol could be suppressed by SlInR dsRNA injection. Furthermore, stunted ovaries and lower fecundity were observed by RNAi. Our studies indicated that SlInR plays a key role in JH-III synthesis and the ovarian development in S. litura. Abstract Insulin signaling can regulate various physiological functions, such as energy metabolism and reproduction and so on, in many insects, including mosquito and locust. However, the molecular mechanism of this physiological process remains elusive. The tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura, is one of the most important pests of agricultural crops around the world. In this study, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (SlPI3K), protein kinase B (SlAKT), target of rapamycin (SlTOR), ribosomal protein S6 kinase (SlS6K) and transcription factor cAMP-response element binding protein (SlCREB) genes, except transcription factor forkhead box class O (SlFoxO), can be activated by bovine insulin injection. Then, we studied the influence of the insulin receptor gene (SlInR) on the reproduction of S. litura using RNA interference technology. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that SlInR was most abundant in the head. The SlPI3K, SlAKT, SlTOR, SlS6K and SlCREB genes were decreased, except SlFoxO, after the SlInR gene knockdown. Further studies revealed that the expression of vitellogenin mRNA and protein, Methoprene-tolerant gene (SlMet), could be down-regulated by the injection of dsRNA of SlInR significantly. Furthermore, a depletion in the insulin receptor by RNAi significantly decreased the content of juvenile hormone III (JH-III), total proteins and triacylgycerol. These changes indicated that a lack of SlInR could impair ovarian development and decrease fecundity in S. litura. Our studies contribute to a comprehensive insight into reproduction, regulated by insulin and the juvenile hormone signaling pathway through nutrition, and a provide theoretical basis for the reproduction process in pest insects.
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15
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Hu YW, Wang SH, Tang Y, Xie GQ, Ding YJ, Xu QY, Tang B, Zhang L, Wang SG. Suppression of yolk formation, oviposition and egg quality of locust (Locusta migratoria manilensis) infected by Paranosema locustae. Front Immunol 2022; 13:848267. [PMID: 35935997 PMCID: PMC9352533 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.848267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Locusta migratoria manilensis is one of the most important agricultural pests in China. The locust has high fecundity and consumes large quantities of food, causing severe damage to diverse crops such as corn, sorghum, and rice. Immunity against pathogens and reproductive success are two important components of individual fitness, and many insects have a trade-off between reproduction and immunity when resources are limited, which may be an important target for pest control. In this study, adult females L. migratoria manilensis were treated with different concentrations (5 × 106 spores/mL or 2 × 107 spores/mL) of the entomopathogenic fungus Paranosema locustae. Effects of input to immunity on reproduction were studied by measuring feeding amount, enzyme activity, vitellogenin (Vg) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) production, ovary development, and oviposition amount. When infected by P. locustae, feeding rate and phenol oxidase and lysozyme activities increased, mRNA expression of Vg and VgR genes decreased, and yolk deposition was blocked. Weight of ovaries decreased, with significant decreases in egg, length and weight.Thus, locusts used nutritive input required for reproduction to resist invasion by microsporidia. This leads to a decrease in expression of Vg and VgR genes inhibited ovarian development, and greatly decreased total fecundity. P. locustae at 2 × 107 spores/mL had a more obvious inhibitory effect on the ovarian development in migratory locusts. This study provides a detailed trade-off between reproduction and immune input of the female, which provides a reliable basis to find pest targets for biological control from those trade-off processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Wen Hu
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Adaptation and Evolution, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shao-Hua Wang
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Adaptation and Evolution, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ya Tang
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Adaptation and Evolution, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Xie
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Adaptation and Evolution, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Juan Ding
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Adaptation and Evolution, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Ye Xu
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Adaptation and Evolution, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Adaptation and Evolution, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Gui Wang
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Adaptation and Evolution, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shi-Gui Wang,
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16
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Zhang X, Zhu X, Bi X, Huang J, Zhou L. The Insulin Receptor: An Important Target for the Development of Novel Medicines and Pesticides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147793. [PMID: 35887136 PMCID: PMC9325136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The insulin receptor (IR) is a transmembrane protein that is activated by ligands in insulin signaling pathways. The IR has been considered as a novel therapeutic target for clinical intervention, considering the overexpression of its protein and A-isoform in multiple cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans. Meanwhile, it may also serve as a potential target in pest management due to its multiple physiological influences in insects. In this review, we provide an overview of the structural and molecular biology of the IR, functions of IRs in humans and insects, physiological and nonpeptide small molecule modulators of the IR, and the regulating mechanisms of the IR. Xenobiotic compounds and the corresponding insecticidal chemicals functioning on the IR are also discussed. This review is expected to provide useful information for a better understanding of human IR-related diseases, as well as to facilitate the development of novel small-molecule activators and inhibitors of the IR for use as medicines or pesticides.
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17
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MAPK Signaling Pathway Is Essential for Female Reproductive Regulation in the Cabbage Beetle, Colaphellus bowringi. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101602. [PMID: 35626638 PMCID: PMC9140119 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is a well-conserved intracellular signal transduction pathway, and has important roles in mammalian reproduction. However, it is unknown whether MAPK also regulates insect reproductive mechanisms. Therefore, we investigated the role of the MAPK signaling pathway in ovarian growth and oviposition in the cabbage beetle Colaphellus bowringi, an economically important pest of Cruciferous vegetables. As an initial step, 14 genes from the extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK (P38) cascades were knocked down using RNA interference (RNAi). The results revealed that RNAi knockdown of MAPK-ERK kinase (MEK), ERK, Kinase suppressor of RAS 2 (KSR2), and P38 induced ovarian development stagnation, low fecundity, and decreased longevity, which indicate that ERK and P38 signaling pathways are important for female C. bowringi survival and reproduction. The potential regulatory role of ERK and P38 pathways in the female reproductive process was investigated using quantitative real-time PCR. We found that ERK pathway possibly regulated ecdysone biosynthesis and P38 pathway possibly involved in the germline stem cell (GSC) development and differentiation. Our findings demonstrated the importance of the MAPK signaling pathway in the female reproduction of insects, and further enhanced the molecular mechanism of female reproductive regulation in insects.
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18
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Xu KK, Yan Y, Yan SY, Xia PL, Yang WJ, Li C, Yang H. Disruption of the Serine/Threonine Kinase Akt Gene Affects Ovarian Development and Fecundity in the Cigarette Beetle, Lasioderma serricorne. Front Physiol 2021; 12:765819. [PMID: 34690822 PMCID: PMC8529032 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.765819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine/threonine kinase Akt, an important component of the insulin signaling pathway, plays an essential role in many physiological processes. In this study, we identified and characterized an Akt gene (designated LsAkt) from the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne. LsAkt contains a 1614 bp open reading frame encoding a 537 amino acid protein that possesses a conserved pleckstrin homology domain and a serine/threonine kinase domain. The expression of LsAkt was high in pupal stages and peaked in day-4 female pupae. In adult tissues, LsAkt was highly expressed in the thorax, ovary, and midgut. The expression of LsAkt was induced by methoprene or bovine insulin in vivo, but significantly decreased by 20-hydroxyecdysone. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of LsAkt resulted in severely blocked ovarian development and reduced fecundity and hatchability. The vitellogenin (Vg) content and juvenile hormone (JH) titers of LsAkt-depletion beetles were decreased, and expressions of Vg and four JH signaling and biosynthetic genes were significantly decreased. Silencing of LsAkt reduced the amounts of glucose, glycogen, and trehalose in female adults and affected the expressions of seven key carbohydrate metabolic genes. Taken together, it is inferred that Akt implicates in L. serricorne reproduction by modification of Vg synthesis, juvenile hormone production and carbohydrate metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Kang Xu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yi Yan
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shu-Yan Yan
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | | | - Wen-Jia Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Can Li
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,College of Tobacco Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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19
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Xue WH, Xu N, Chen SJ, Liu XY, Zhang JL, Xu HJ. Neofunctionalization of a second insulin receptor gene in the wing-dimorphic planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009653. [PMID: 34181658 PMCID: PMC8270448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A single insulin receptor (InR) gene has been identified and extensively studied in model species ranging from nematodes to mice. However, most insects possess additional copies of InR, yet the functional significance, if any, of alternate InRs is unknown. Here, we used the wing-dimorphic brown planthopper (BPH) as a model system to query the role of a second InR copy in insects. NlInR2 resembled the BPH InR homologue (NlInR1) in terms of nymph development and reproduction, but revealed distinct regulatory roles in fuel metabolism, lifespan, and starvation tolerance. Unlike a lethal phenotype derived from NlInR1 null, homozygous NlInR2 null mutants were viable and accelerated DNA replication and cell proliferation in wing cells, thus redirecting short-winged–destined BPHs to develop into long-winged morphs. Additionally, the proper expression of NlInR2 was needed to maintain symmetric vein patterning in wings. Our findings provide the first direct evidence for the regulatory complexity of the two InR paralogues in insects, implying the functionally independent evolution of multiple InRs in invertebrates. The highly conserved insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in growth, development, and various physiological processes across a wide phylogeny of organisms. Unlike a single InR in the model species such as the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, most insect lineages have two or even three InR copies. However, the function of the alternative InRs remains elusive. Here, we created a homozygous mutation for a second insulin receptor (InR2) in the wing-dimorphic brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, using the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated (CRISPR/Cas9) system. Our findings revealed that InR2 possesses functions distinct from the BPH InR homologue (NlInR1), indicating that multiple InR paralogues may have evolved independently and may have functionally diversified in ways more complex than previously expected in invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hua Xue
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Xu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sun-Jie Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Yang Liu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Li Zhang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Jun Xu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key laboratory of Rice Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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