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Zhang H, Wu Y, Zhu Y, Ge L, Huang J, Qin Z. Identification and functional analysis of a serine protease inhibitor using machine learning strategy. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 265:130852. [PMID: 38508547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130852] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
In the intricate realm of animal biology, a multitude of vital processes heavily rely on precisely orchestrated proteinase cascades, but the potential for havoc makes proteinase inhibitors indispensable, with serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) at the forefront, serving as custodians of homeostasis and participating in various critical biological processes. Importantly, there are still many unexplored facets of serpin functionality. In this study, we focused on the serpin family proteins from Marsupenaeus japonicus, utilizing a fine-tuned pretrained protein language model. This approach led to the identification and evolutionary validation of 28 serpins, one of which, referred to as Mjserpin-1, was both computationally and experimentally demonstrated to show potential as an antiviral and apoptosis inhibitor. Our research unveils exciting prospects for the fusion of state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and rich bioinformatics, holding the promise of significant discoveries that could pave the way for future therapeutic advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heqian Zhang
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China.
| | - Yaxin Wu
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China
| | - Yanran Zhu
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China
| | - Liangjun Ge
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China
| | - Jiaquan Huang
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China.
| | - Zhiwei Qin
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China.
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Qie X, Yan X, Wang W, Liu Y, Zhang L, Hao C, Lu Z, Ma L. Serpin-4 Negatively Regulates Prophenoloxidase Activation and Antimicrobial Peptide Synthesis in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:313. [PMID: 38203484 PMCID: PMC10778760 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The prophenoloxidase (PPO) activation and Toll antimicrobial peptide synthesis pathways are two critical immune responses in the insect immune system. The activation of these pathways is mediated by the cascade of serine proteases, which is negatively regulated by serpins. In this study, we identified a typical serpin, BmSerpin-4, in silkworms, whose expression was dramatically up-regulated in the fat body and hemocytes after bacterial infections. The pre-injection of recombinant BmSerpin-4 remarkably decreased the antibacterial activity of the hemolymph and the expression of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) gloverin-3, cecropin-D, cecropin-E, and moricin in the fat body under Micrococcus luteus and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype O: 3 (YP III) infection. Meanwhile, the inhibition of systemic melanization, PO activity, and PPO activation by BmSerpin-4 was also observed. Hemolymph proteinase 1 (HP1), serine protease 2 (SP2), HP6, and SP21 were predicted as the candidate target serine proteases for BmSerpin-4 through the analysis of residues adjacent to the scissile bond and comparisons of orthologous genes in Manduca sexta. This suggests that HP1, SP2, HP6, and SP21 might be essential in the activation of the serine protease cascade in both the Toll and PPO pathways in silkworms. Our study provided a comprehensive characterization of BmSerpin-4 and clues for the further dissection of silkworm PPO and Toll activation signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingtao Qie
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (X.Q.); (X.Y.); (W.W.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (C.H.)
| | - Xizhong Yan
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (X.Q.); (X.Y.); (W.W.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (C.H.)
| | - Wentao Wang
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (X.Q.); (X.Y.); (W.W.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (C.H.)
| | - Yaya Liu
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (X.Q.); (X.Y.); (W.W.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (C.H.)
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (X.Q.); (X.Y.); (W.W.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (C.H.)
| | - Chi Hao
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (X.Q.); (X.Y.); (W.W.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (C.H.)
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (X.Q.); (X.Y.); (W.W.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (C.H.)
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Wu Q, Xing L, Du M, Huang C, Liu B, Zhou H, Liu W, Wan F, Qian W. A Genome-Wide Analysis of Serine Protease Inhibitors in Cydia pomonella Provides Insights into Their Evolution and Expression Pattern. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16349. [PMID: 38003538 PMCID: PMC10671500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) appear to be ubiquitous in almost all living organisms, with a conserved structure and varying functions. Serpins can modulate immune responses by negatively regulating serine protease activities strictly and precisely. The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), a major invasive pest in China, can cause serious economic losses. However, knowledge of serpin genes in this insect remain largely unknown. In this study, we performed a systematic analysis of the serpin genes in C. pomonella, obtaining 26 serpins from the C. pomonella genome. Subsequently, their sequence features, evolutionary relationship, and expression pattern were characterized. Comparative analysis revealed the evolution of a number of serpin genes in Lepidoptera. Importantly, the evolutionary relationship and putative roles of serpin genes in C. pomonella were revealed. Additionally, selective pressure analysis found amino acid sites with strong evidence of positive selection. Interestingly, the serpin1 gene possessed at least six splicing isoforms with distinct reactive-center loops, and these isoforms were experimentally validated. Furthermore, we observed a subclade expansion of serpins, and these genes showed high expression in multiple tissues, suggesting their important roles in C. pomonella. Overall, this study will enrich our knowledge of the immunity of C. pomonella and help to elucidate the role of serpins in the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Longsheng Xing
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Min Du
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory for Integrated Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Sino-Australian Joint Research Institute of Agriculture and Environmental Health, College of Plant Health & Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Cong Huang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Hongxu Zhou
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory for Integrated Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Sino-Australian Joint Research Institute of Agriculture and Environmental Health, College of Plant Health & Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Wanxue Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fanghao Wan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Wanqiang Qian
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
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Liu H, Xu J, Wang L, Guo P, Tang Z, Sun X, Tang X, Wang W, Wang L, Cao Y, Xia Q, Zhao P. Serpin-1a and serpin-6 regulate the Toll pathway immune homeostasis by synergistically inhibiting the Spätzle-processing enzyme CLIP2 in silkworm, Bombyx mori. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011740. [PMID: 37851691 PMCID: PMC10629668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011740] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Toll receptor signaling pathway is an important innate immune response of insects to pathogen infection; its extracellular signal transduction involves serine protease cascade activation. However, excessive or constitutive activation of the Toll pathway can be detrimental. Hence, the balance between activation and inhibition of the extracellular protease cascade must be tightly regulated to achieve favorable outcomes. Previous studies have shown that serpins-serine protease inhibitors-negatively regulate insect innate immunity by inhibiting extracellular protease cascade signaling. Although the roles of serpins in insect innate immunity are well described, the physiological mechanisms underlying their synergistic effects remain poorly understand. Here, we characterize the molecular mechanism by which serpin-1a and serpin-6 synergistically maintain immune homeostasis of the silkworm Toll pathway under physiological and pathological conditions. Through in vitro biochemical assays and in vivo bioassays, we demonstrate that clip-domain serine protease 2 (CLIP2), as the Toll cascade-activating terminal protease, is responsible for processing proSpätzle1 to induce the expression of antimicrobial peptides. Further biochemical and genetic analyses indicate that constitutively expressed serpin-1a and inducible serpin-6 synergistically target CLIP2 to maintain homeostasis of the silkworm Toll pathway under physiological and pathological conditions. Taken together, this study provides new insights into the precise regulation of Toll cascade activation signals in insect innate immune responses and highlights the importance and complexity of insect immune homeostasis regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huawei Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Luoling Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pengchao Guo
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhangchen Tang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaotong Sun
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Tang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine & Health Science, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Lingyan Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
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Zhang M, Dai Z, Chen X, Qin D, Zhu G, Zhu T, Chen G, Ding Y, Wu G, Gao X. Identification and functional analysis of serine protease inhibitor gene family of Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff). Front Physiol 2023; 14:1248354. [PMID: 37795265 PMCID: PMC10545863 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1248354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The predatory natural enemy Eocanthecona furcellata plays a crucial role in agricultural ecosystems due to its effective pest control measures and defensive venom. Predator venom contains serine protease inhibitors (SPIs), which are the primary regulators of serine protease activity and play key roles in digestion, development, innate immunity, and other physiological regulatory processes. However, the regulation mechanism of SPIs in the salivary glands of predatory natural enemies is still unknown. In this study, we sequenced the transcriptome of E. furcellata salivary gland and identified 38 SPIs genes named EfSPI1∼EfSPI38. Through gene structure, multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) expression profiles of different developmental stages and different tissues were analyzed. RNAi technology was used to explore the gene function of EFSPI20. The results showed that these 38 EfSPIs genes contained 8 SPI domains, which were serpin, TIL, Kunitz, Kazal, Antistasin, Pacifastin, WAP and A2M. The expression profile results showed that the expression of different types of EfSPIs genes was different at different developmental stages and different tissues. Most of the EfSPIs genes were highly expressed in the egg stage. The EfSPI20, EfSPI21, EfSPI22, and EfSPI24 genes of the Pacifastin subfamily and the EfSPI35 gene of the A2M subfamily were highly expressed in the nymphal and adult stages, which was consistent with the RT-qPCR verification results. These five genes are positively correlated with each other and have a synergistic effect on E. furcellata, and they were highly expressed in salivary glands. After interfering with the expression of the EfSPI20 gene, the survival rate and predatory amount of male and female adults were significantly decreased. Taken together, we speculated some EfSPIs may inhibit trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase, and some EfSPIs may be involved in autoimmune responses. EfSPI20 was essential for the predation and digestion of E. furcellata, and the functions of other EfSPIs were discussed. Our findings provide valuable insights into the diversity of EfSPIs in E. furcellata and the potential functions of regulating their predation, digestion and innate immunity, which may be of great significance for developing new pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhenlin Dai
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Deqiang Qin
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Guoyuan Zhu
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Yunan Tobacco Company Chuxiong Prefecture Company, Chuxiong, China
| | - Yishu Ding
- Yunan Tobacco Company Chuxiong Prefecture Company, Chuxiong, China
| | - Guoxing Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xi Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Zhang Z, Bao J, Chen Q, He J, Li X, Zhang J, Liu Z, Wu Y, Wang Y, Lu Y. The Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Bean Blossom Thrips ( Megalurothrips usitatus) Reveals an Expansion of Protein Digestion-Related Genes in Adaption to High-Protein Host Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11268. [PMID: 37511029 PMCID: PMC10379191 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411268] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) is a destructive pest of legumes, such as cowpea. The biology, population dynamics and control strategies of this pest have been well studied. However, the lack of a high-quality reference genome for M. usitatus has hindered the understanding of key biological questions, such as the mechanism of adaptation to feed preferentially on high-protein host plants and the resistance to proteinase inhibitors (PIs). In this study, we generated a high-resolution chromosome-level reference genome assembly (247.82 Mb, 16 chromosomes) of M. usitatus by combining Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and Hi-C sequencing. The genome assembly showed higher proportions of GC and repeat content compared to other Thripinae species. Genome annotation revealed 18,624 protein-coding genes, including 4613 paralogs that were preferentially located in TE-rich regions. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the paralogs revealed significant enrichment in digestion-related genes. Genome-wide identification uncovered 506 putative digestion-related enzymes; of those, proteases, especially their subgroup serine proteases (SPs), are significantly enriched in paralogs. We hypothesized that the diversity and expansion of the digestion-related genes, especially SPs, could be driven by mobile elements (TEs), which promote the adaptive evolution of M. usitatus to high-protein host plants with high serine protease inhibitors (SPIs). The current study provides a valuable genomic resource for understanding the genetic variation among different pest species adapting to different plant hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Jiandong Bao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Qizhang Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Jianyun He
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Zhixing Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Yixuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Yunsheng Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Yaobin Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
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Kmet P, Kucerova L, Sehadova H, Chia-Hsiang Wu B, Wu YL, Zurovec M. Identification of Silk Components in the Bombycoid Moth Andraca theae (Endromidae) Reveals Three Fibroin Subunits Resembling Those of Bombycidae and Sphingidae. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 147:104523. [PMID: 37187341 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The silk produced by Lepidoptera caterpillars is a mixture of proteins secreted by the transformed labial glands, the silk glands (SG). The silk fiber consists of insoluble filamentous proteins that form a silk core and are produced in the posterior part of the SG and soluble coat proteins consisting of sericins and various other polypeptides secreted in the middle part of the SG. We constructed a silk gland specific transcriptome of Andraca theae and created a protein database required for peptide mass fingerprinting. We identified major silk components by proteomic analysis of cocoon silk and by searching for homologies with known silk protein sequences from other species. We identified 30 proteins including a heavy chain fibroin, a light chain fibroin and fibrohexamerin (P25) that form the silk core, as well as members of several structural families that form the silk coating. To uncover the evolutionary relationships among silk proteins, we included orthologs of silk genes from several recent genome projects and performed phylogenetic analyses. Our results confirm the recent molecular classification that the family Endromidae appears to be slightly more distant from the family Bombycidae. Our study provides important information on the evolution of silk proteins in the Bombycoidea, which is needed for proper annotation of the proteins and future functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kmet
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Kucerova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Sehadova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Bulah Chia-Hsiang Wu
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Yueh-Lung Wu
- Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Michal Zurovec
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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Tong X, Peng T, Liu S, Zhang D, Guo J. Transcriptomic Analysis Insight into the Immune Modulation during the Interaction of Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Hepialus xiaojinensis. INSECTS 2022; 13:1119. [PMID: 36555029 PMCID: PMC9788539 DOI: 10.3390/insects13121119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) is an entomopathogenic fungus that can infect the larva of the ghost moth, Hepialus xiaojinensis, causing mummification after more than one year. This prolonged infection provides a valuable model for studying the immunological interplay between an insect host and a pathogenic fungus. A comparative transcriptome analysis of pre-infection (L) and one-year post-infection (IL) larvae was performed to investigate the immune response in the host. Here, a total of 59,668 unigenes were obtained using Illumina Sequencing in IL and L. Among the 345 identified immune-related genes, 83 out of 86 immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) had a much higher expression in IL than in L. Furthermore, the immune-related DEGs were classified as pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs), signal modulators or transductors, and immune effector molecules. Serpins and protease inhibitors were found to be upregulated in the late phase of infection, suppressing the host’s immune response. Based on the above analysis, the expression levels of most immune-related genes would return to the baseline with the immune response being repressed in the late phase of infection, leading to the fungal immunological tolerance after prolonged infection. Meanwhile, the transcriptomes of IL and the mummified larva (ML) were compared to explore O. sinensis invasion. A total of 1408 novel genes were identified, with 162 of them annotated with putative functions. The gene families likely implicated in O. sinensis pathogenicity have been identified, primarily including serine carboxypeptidase, peroxidase, metalloprotease peptidase, aminopeptidases, cytochrome P450, and oxidoreductase. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to assess the expression levels of some critical genes that were involved in immune response and fungal pathogenicity. The results showed that their expression levels were consistent with the transcriptomes. Taken together, our findings offered a comprehensive and precise transcriptome study to understand the immune defense in H. xiaojinensis and O. sinensis invasion, which would accelerate the large-scale artificial cultivation of this medicinal fungus.
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Wu Z, Tang M, Zhao J, Lin Z, Wang S, Bao Y. Genome-wide identification and immune response analysis of serine protease inhibitor genes in the blood clam Tegillarca granosa. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 131:1234-1244. [PMID: 36417957 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (SPIs) are the main regulators of serine protease activities. In this study, we present a genome-wide identification of SPI genes in T. granosa(TgSPI genes)and their expression characteristics in respond to Vibrio stress. A total of 102 TgSPI genes belonging to eight families, including Serpin, TIL (trypsin inhibitor like cysteine rich domain), Kunitz, Kazal, I84, Pacifastin, WAP (whey acidic protein) and A2M (Alpha-2-macroglobulin) were identified, while no genes belonging to Bowman-Birk, amfpi and Antistasin families were identified. The Kazal family has the most TgSPI genes with 38, and 11 TgSPI genes belong to the mollusc-specific I84 family. The TgSPI genes were found to be randomly distributed on 17 chromosomes with 12 tandem duplicate gene pairs. Expression profiles showed that most TgSPI genes were mainly expressed in immune-related tissues such as hepatopancreas, gill and mantle. In the hepatopancreas, most of TgSPI genes were sensitive to Vibrio stress, 28 and 29 TgSPI genes were up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. Some up-regulated genes with signal peptides, such as the TgSPIs of I84 family, may act as a mechanism to directly prevent Vibrio from invasion. Six Kazal-type TgSPIs (TgSPI29, 45, 49, 50, 51 and 52) were intracellular proteins and their expression was down-regulated in hemocytes after Vibrio stress. This may have boosted protease activity in hemocytes to the point that more hemoglobin derived peptides were produced and secreted into the hemolymph to exert their anti-Vibrio effects. These findings may provide valuable information for further clarifying the roles of SPIs in the immune defense and will benefit future exploration of the immune function of SPIs in molluscs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongming Wu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resources, College of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China
| | - Mengjie Tang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resources, College of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China
| | - Jiafeng Zhao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resources, College of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China
| | - Zhihua Lin
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resources, College of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China; Ninghai Institute of Mariculture Breeding and Seed Industry, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ninghai, 315604, China
| | - Sufang Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resources, College of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China; Ninghai Institute of Mariculture Breeding and Seed Industry, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ninghai, 315604, China.
| | - Yongbo Bao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resources, College of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China; Ninghai Institute of Mariculture Breeding and Seed Industry, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ninghai, 315604, China.
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10
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Kato T, Nishimura K, Misu S, Ikeo K, Park EY. Changes of the gene expression in silkworm larvae and Cordyceps militaris at late stages of the pathogenesis. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 111:e21968. [PMID: 36116100 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21968] [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: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cordyceps militaris is an entomopathogenic fungus that forms its fruiting body. The gene expression change in C. militaris and silkworm larvae were analyzed using RNA-seq to investigate the relationship of C. militaris with the host, silkworm larvae before the death by mycosis. At 144 h after the injection of C. militaris conidia, genes encoding proteases, protease inhibitors, and cuticle proteins in the fat body of silkworm larvae were upregulated, but genes encoding lipoproteins and other proteins in hemolymph were downregulated. On the other hand, at 168 h after the injection of C. militaris conidia, genes encoding amino acid and oligopeptide transporters and permeases in C. militaris were upregulated, suggesting that C. militaris may use peptides and amino acids in silkworm larvae as a nutrient to grow in vivo. Additionally, one gene cluster composed of genes putatively involved in the degradation of phenolic substrates was also upregulated. The addition of 4,5-dichlorocatechol, an inhibitor of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, inhibited the in vivo growth of C. militaris, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. These results also suggest that the expression of the gene cluster may be crucial for the in vivo growth of C. militaris and entomopathogenic fungi. This study will clarify how C. militaris grows in insect hosts by avoiding host's immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Kato
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Agriculture, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Green Chemistry Research Division, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Konomi Nishimura
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Agriculture, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Sadahiko Misu
- Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Kazuho Ikeo
- Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Enoch Y Park
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Agriculture, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Green Chemistry Research Division, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
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11
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Molecular Characterization of the Functional Genes Associated with Silk Assembly, Transport, and Protection in the Silk Glands of Popular Multivoltine Breeds of Silkworm Bombyx mori. L. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2022; 195:2371-2394. [PMID: 36149583 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-04158-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Bombyx mori is an agriculturally important insect used extensively for silk production. India, especially the eastern regions, is mostly dependent on the multivoltine breeds of silkworm Bombyx mori and their hybrids/crossbreeds. The multivoltine breeds are indigenous and superior in survival and hardiness but are relatively inferior in terms of qualitative traits, typically the silk quality. Therefore, it is highly relevant to understand the mechanism of silk production in the multivoltine breeds to decipher the reasons for the inferior quality of silk produced by the multivoltine breeds and thus gain leads to improve the quality of silk production in multivoltine breeds. With this background, study was carried to identify differential expression of the major genes associated with silk proteins in the silk gland region of the popular multivoltine breeds. Our results indicated that although fib-L, fib-H, Sericins, and P25 are the major genes associated with silk filament, a few other genes associated with silk assembly, transport, and protection in the silk glands are the ones that largely contribute towards efficient silk production. The differential expression of these genes had a major effect on the movement of silk proteins within the silk gland and the efficiency of silk production as well. The Pearson correlation revealed a positive correlation amongst the genes dealt with in this study, indicating that the concurrent increase in expression of both the types of genes in the silk glands, significantly improves the silk production.
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12
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Ma Y, Zeng W, Ba Y, Luo Q, Ou Y, Liu R, Ma J, Tang Y, Hu J, Wang H, Tang X, Mu Y, Li Q, Chen Y, Ran Y, Xiang Z, Xu H. A single-cell transcriptomic atlas characterizes the silk-producing organ in the silkworm. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3316. [PMID: 35680954 PMCID: PMC9184679 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The silk gland of the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori, is a remarkable organ that produces vast amounts of silk with exceptional properties. Little is known about which silk gland cells execute silk protein synthesis and its precise spatiotemporal control. Here, we use single-cell RNA sequencing to build a comprehensive cell atlas of the silkworm silk gland, consisting of 14,972 high-quality cells representing 10 distinct cell types, in three early developmental stages. We annotate all 10 cell types and determine their distributions in each region of the silk gland. Additionally, we decode the developmental trajectory and gene expression status of silk gland cells. Finally, we discover marker genes involved in the regulation of silk gland development and silk protein synthesis. Altogether, this work reveals the heterogeneity of silkworm silk gland cells and their gene expression dynamics, affording a deeper understanding of silk-producing organs at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Wenhui Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yongbing Ba
- Shanghai OE Biotech. Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 201212, China
| | - Qin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yao Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Rongpeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jingwen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yiyun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jie Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Haomiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xuan Tang
- Shanghai OE Biotech. Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 201212, China
| | - Yuanyuan Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Qingjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yuqin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yiting Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Zhonghuai Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hanfu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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13
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Feng M, Swevers L, Sun J. Hemocyte Clusters Defined by scRNA-Seq in Bombyx mori: In Silico Analysis of Predicted Marker Genes and Implications for Potential Functional Roles. Front Immunol 2022; 13:852702. [PMID: 35281044 PMCID: PMC8914287 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.852702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the hemolymph, insect hemocytes constitute a heterogeneous population of macrophage-like cells that play important roles in innate immunity, homeostasis and development. Classification of hemocytes in different subtypes by size, morphology and biochemical or immunological markers has been difficult and only in Drosophila extensive genetic analysis allowed the construction of a coherent picture of hemocyte differentiation from pro-hemocytes to granulocytes, crystal cells and plasmatocytes. However, the advent of high-throughput single cell technologies, such as single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), is bound to have a high impact on the study of hemocytes subtypes and their phenotypes in other insects for which a sophisticated genetic toolbox is not available. Instead of averaging gene expression across all cells as occurs in bulk-RNA-seq, scRNA-seq allows high-throughput and specific visualization of the differentiation status of individual cells. With scRNA-seq, interesting cell types can be identified in heterogeneous populations and direct analysis of rare cell types is possible. Next to its ability to profile the transcriptomes of individual cells in tissue samples, scRNA-seq can be used to propose marker genes that are characteristic of different hemocyte subtypes and predict their functions. In this perspective, the identities of the different marker genes that were identified by scRNA-seq analysis to define 13 distinct cell clusters of hemocytes in larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, are discussed in detail. The analysis confirms the broad division of hemocytes in granulocytes, plasmatocytes, oenocytoids and perhaps spherulocytes but also reveals considerable complexity at the molecular level and highly specialized functions. In addition, predicted hemocyte marker genes in Bombyx generally show only limited convergence with the genes that are considered characteristic for hemocyte subtypes in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Gu Q, Wu Z, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Huang J, Shi M, Chen X. A serpin (CvT-serpin15) of teratocytes contributes to microbial-resistance in Plutella xylostella during Cotesia vestalis parasitism. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:4730-4740. [PMID: 34155805 PMCID: PMC9292400 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parasitic wasps are an important group of entomophagous insects for pest control. As parasitic wasps often lay eggs on or into their associated hosts, parasitoids evolve to utilize several factors including venom, polydnavirus (PDV) to alter host physiology for successful parasitism. Some taxa of endoparasitoids produce teratocytes, which are a type of cell that is released into host insects when wasp eggs hatch. Teratocytes display multifunction in parasitism such as host nutritional exploration, immune and developmental regulation, by secreting plenty of proteins into host hemocoel. RESULTS A serpin (CvT-serpin15) secreted by teratocytes was characterized. QPCR results showed the expressional level of CvT-serpin15 was upregulated following bacterial challenges. Enzyme activity experiment indicated the recombinant CvT-serpin15 protein could interfere with the growth of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The survival rate assay demonstrated CvT-serpin15 increased survival rate of Plutella xylostella infected by S. aureus. CONCLUSION CvT-serpin15 secreted by teratocytes would boost the host immune system when pathogens invade host hemocoel during parasitism, and ultimately protect the development of wasp larva from bacterial infection. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qijuan Gu
- Institute of Insect SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- College of Agriculture and Food ScienceZhejiang Agriculture & Forestry UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Zhiwei Wu
- Institute of Insect SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yuenan Zhou
- Institute of Insect SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Zhizhi Wang
- Institute of Insect SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jianhua Huang
- Institute of Insect SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Min Shi
- Institute of Insect SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect PestsZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xuexin Chen
- Institute of Insect SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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Effects of Cordycepin in Cordyceps militaris during Its Infection to Silkworm Larvae. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9040681. [PMID: 33806171 PMCID: PMC8065576 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cordyceps militaris produces cordycepin, a secondary metabolite that exhibits numerous bioactive properties. However, cordycepin pharmacology in vivo is not yet understood. In this study, the roles of cordycepin in C. militaris during its infection were investigated. After the injection of conidia, C. militaris NBRC100741 killed silkworm larvae more rapidly than NBRC103752. At 96 and 120 h, Cmcns genes (Cmcns1-4), which are part of the cordycepin biosynthesis gene cluster, were expressed in fat bodies and cuticles. Thus, cordycepin may be produced in the infection of silkworm larvae. Further, cordycepin enhanced pathogenicity toward silkworm larvae of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, that are also entomopathogenic fungi and do not produce cordycepin. In addition, by RNA-seq analysis, the increased expression of the gene encoding a lipoprotein 30K-8 (Bmlp20, KWMTBOMO11934) and decreased expression of genes encoding cuticular proteins (KWMTBOMO13140, KWMTBOMO13167) and a serine protease inhibitor (serpin29, KWMTBOMO08927) were observed when cordycepin was injected into silkworm larvae. This result suggests that cordycepin may aid the in vivo growth of C. militaris in silkworm larvae by the influence of the expression of some genes in silkworm larvae.
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16
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Molecular Identification and Immunity Functional Characterization of Lmserpin1 in Locusta migratoria manilensis. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12020178. [PMID: 33670781 PMCID: PMC7922424 DOI: 10.3390/insects12020178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Insect serpins play a vital role in the defense mechanism of insects, especially in the Toll pathway and PPO (prophenoloxidase) cascade. In this study, we provided an answer to the open question of whether serpin1 was involved in the humoral immune responses of Locusta migratoria manilensis. We identified a new Lmserpin1 gene from L. migratoria manilensis and investigated its expression profiles in all examined stages and tissues. Meanwhile, by interfering with Lmserpin1 gene, we examined the mortality of L. migratoria manilensis under Metarhizium anisopliae infection, as well as the activities of protective enzymes and detoxifying enzymes and the expression level of three immune-related genes (PPAE (prophenoloxidase-activating enzyme), PPO, and defensin). The results indicated that Lmserpin1 gene up-regulated the immune responses of L. migratoria manilensis and inhibited the infection of M. anisopliae. Our results are of great importance for better understanding of the mechanism characterization of Lmserpin1 in L. migratoria manilensis. Abstract Serine protease inhibitors (Serpins) are a broadly distributed superfamily of proteins that exist in organisms with the role of immune responses. Lmserpin1 gene was cloned firstly from Locusta migratoria manilensis and then was detected in all tested stages from eggs to adults and six different tissues through qRT-PCR analysis. The expression was significantly higher in the 3rd instars and within integument. After RNAi treatment, the expression of Lmserpin1 was significantly down-regulated at four different time points. Moreover, it dropped significantly in the fat body and hemolymph at 24 h after treatment. The bioassay results indicated that the mortality of L. migratoria manilensis treated with dsSerpin1 + Metarhizium was significantly higher than the other three treatments. Furthermore, the immune-related genes (PPAE, PPO, and defensin) treated by dsSerpin1 + Metarhizium were significantly down-regulated compared with the Metarhizium treatment, but the activities of phenoloxidase (PO), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and multifunctional oxidase (MFO) were fluctuating. Our results suggest that Lmserpin1 plays a crucial role in the innate immunity of L. migratoria manilensis. Lmserpin1 probably took part in regulation of melanization and promoted the synthesis of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).
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Marshall H, van Zweden JS, Van Geystelen A, Benaets K, Wäckers F, Mallon EB, Wenseleers T. Parent of origin gene expression in the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, supports Haig's kinship theory for the evolution of genomic imprinting. Evol Lett 2020; 4:479-490. [PMID: 33312684 PMCID: PMC7719552 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is the differential expression alleles in diploid individuals, with the expression being dependent on the sex of the parent from which it was inherited. Haig's kinship theory hypothesizes that genomic imprinting is due to an evolutionary conflict of interest between alleles from the mother and father. In social insects, it has been suggested that genomic imprinting should be widespread. One recent study identified parent-of-origin expression in honey bees and found evidence supporting the kinship theory. However, little is known about genomic imprinting in insects and multiple theoretical predictions must be tested to avoid single-study confirmation bias. We, therefore, tested for parent-of-origin expression in a primitively eusocial bee. We found equal numbers of maternally and paternally biased expressed genes. The most highly biased genes were maternally expressed, offering support for the kinship theory. We also found low conservation of potentially imprinted genes with the honey bee, suggesting rapid evolution of genomic imprinting in Hymenoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hollie Marshall
- Department of Genetics and Genome BiologyThe University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RHUnited Kingdom
| | - Jelle S. van Zweden
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social EvolutionDepartment of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Anneleen Van Geystelen
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social EvolutionDepartment of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Kristof Benaets
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social EvolutionDepartment of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Felix Wäckers
- Biobest Belgium N.V., 2260 WesterloBelgium
- The Lancaster Environmental CentreUniversity of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YWUnited Kingdom
| | - Eamonn B. Mallon
- Department of Genetics and Genome BiologyThe University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RHUnited Kingdom
| | - Tom Wenseleers
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social EvolutionDepartment of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000LeuvenBelgium
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Expression and function assessment of two serpin-type serine protease inhibitors from Haemaphysalis doenitzi. Res Vet Sci 2020; 132:1-9. [PMID: 32464311 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) in ticks are implicated in the modulation of the vertebrate host response to the tick bite. Experimentally, it has been demonstrated that serpins interfere with tick-borne pathogen transmission. However, knowledge on serpins in the tick Haemaphysalis doenitzi is lacking. In this study, the expression of two serpin genes, named HDS1 and HDS2, were assessed in H. doenitzi, and their roles in immune regulation were further investigated. The expression of HDS1 and HDS2 showed no tissue specificity, with maximum expression levels detected in the hemolymph and salivary gland, respectively. Among the developmental stages, the highest expression of HDS1 and HDS2 were detected in larvae and adults, respectively. The recombinant protein rHDS1 displayed obvious inhibitory effects on trypsin and thrombin, whereas rHDS2 clearly inhibited thrombin only. In addition, rHDS1 and rHDS2 showed certain inhibitory activities against bacteria and fungi. The female engorgement body weight, female engorgement rate, and egg hatchability were significantly decreased after injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of HDS1 gene, whereas no significant effects were observed concerning the feeding period or attachment rate at 24 h after introduction via rabbit ears. When injected with dsRNA of HDS2 gene, no significant effect was observed on the attachment rate at 24 h after introduction into the rabbit ears, but the engorgement body weight and engorgement rate of female ticks were significantly decreased, and no egg hatchment occurred. The above results contribute to better understanding the function of serpins in the development and innate immunity of H. doenitzi.
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Wang Y, Yang F, Cao X, Huang R, Paskewitz S, Hartson SD, Kanost MR, Jiang H. Inhibition of immune pathway-initiating hemolymph protease-14 by Manduca sexta serpin-12, a conserved mechanism for the regulation of melanization and Toll activation in insects. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 116:103261. [PMID: 31698082 PMCID: PMC6983340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A network of serine proteases (SPs) and their non-catalytic homologs (SPHs) activates prophenoloxidase (proPO), Toll pathway, and other insect immune responses. However, integration and conservation of the network and its control mechanisms have not yet been fully understood. Here we present evidence that these responses are initiated through a conserved serine protease and negatively regulated by serpins in two species, Manduca sexta and Anopheles gambiae. We have shown that M. sexta serpin-12 reduces the proteolytic activation of HP6, HP8, proPO activating proteases (PAPs), SPHs, and POs in larval hemolymph, and we hypothesized that these effects are due to the inhibition of the immune pathway-initiating protease HP14. To test whether these changes are due to HP14 inhibition, we isolated a covalent complex of HP14 with serpin-12 from plasma using polyclonal antibodies against the HP14 protease domain or against serpin-12, and confirmed formation of the complex by 2D-electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and mass spectrometry. Upon recognition of bacterial peptidoglycans or fungal β-1,3-glucan, the zymogen proHP14 became active HP14, which formed an SDS-stable complex with serpin-12 in vitro. Activation of proHP21 by HP14 was suppressed by serpin-12, consistent with the decrease in steps downstream of HP21, proteolytic activation of proPAP3, proSPH1/2 and proPO in hemolymph. Guided by the results of phylogenetic analysis, we cloned and expressed A. gambiae proSP217 (an ortholog of HP14) and core domains of A. gambiae serpin-11 and -17. The recombinant SP217 zymogen became active during expression, with cleavage between Tyr394 and Ile395. Both MsHP14 and AgSP217 cleaved MsSerpin-12 and AgSRPN11 at Leu*Ser (P1*P1') and formed complexes in vitro. ProPO activation in M. sexta plasma increased after recombinant AgSP217 had been added, indicating that it may function in a similar manner as the endogenous initiating protease HP14. Based on these data, we propose that inhibition of an initiating modular protease by a serpin may be a common mechanism in holometabolous insects to regulate proPO activation and other protease-induced immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Rudan Huang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Susan Paskewitz
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Steve D Hartson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Michael R Kanost
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
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Li L, Gao X, Lan M, Yuan Y, Guo Z, Tang P, Li M, Liao X, Zhu J, Li Z, Ye M, Wu G. De novo transcriptome analysis and identification of genes associated with immunity, detoxification and energy metabolism from the fat body of the tephritid gall fly, Procecidochares utilis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226039. [PMID: 31846465 PMCID: PMC6917277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The fat body, a multifunctional organ analogous to the liver and fat tissue of vertebrates, plays an important role in insect life cycles. The fat body is involved in protein storage, energy metabolism, elimination of xenobiotics, and production of immunity regulator-like proteins. However, the molecular mechanism of the fat body's physiological functions in the tephritid stem gall-forming fly, Procecidochares utilis, are still unknown. In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis of the fat body of P. utilis using Illumina sequencing technology. In total, 3.71 G of clean reads were obtained and assembled into 30,559 unigenes, with an average length of 539 bp. Among those unigenes, 21,439 (70.16%) were annotated based on sequence similarity to proteins in NCBI's non-redundant protein sequence database (Nr). Sequences were also compared to NCBI's non-redundant nucleotide sequence database (Nt), a manually curated and reviewed protein sequence database (SwissProt), and KEGG and gene ontology annotations were applied to better understand the functions of these unigenes. A comparative analysis was performed to identify unigenes related to detoxification, immunity and energy metabolism. Many unigenes involved in detoxification were identified, including 50 unigenes of putative cytochrome P450s (P450s), 18 of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), 35 of carboxylesterases (CarEs) and 26 of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Many unigenes related to immunity were identified, including 17 putative serpin genes, five peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) and four lysozyme genes. In addition, unigenes potentially involved in energy metabolism, including 18 lipase genes, five fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes and six elongases of very long chain fatty acid (ELOVL) genes, were identified. This transcriptome improves our genetic understanding of P. utilis and the identification of a numerous transcripts in the fat body of P. utilis offer a series of valuable molecular resources for future studies on the functions of these genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xi Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Mingxian Lan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Zijun Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Ping Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Mengyue Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xianbin Liao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Jiaying Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhengyue Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Min Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Guoxing Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
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Toufeeq S, Wang J, Zhang SZ, Li B, Hu P, Zhu LB, You LL, Xu JP. Bmserpin2 Is Involved in BmNPV Infection by Suppressing Melanization in Bombyx mori. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10110399. [PMID: 31717928 PMCID: PMC6921080 DOI: 10.3390/insects10110399] [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: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Melanization, an important defense response, plays a vital role in arthropod immunity. It is mediated by serine proteases (SPs) that convert the inactive prophenoloxidase (PPO) to active phenoloxidase (PO) and is tightly regulated by serine protease inhibitors (serpins) which belong to a well distributed superfamily in invertebrates, participating in immune mechanisms and other important physiological processes. Here, we investigated the Bmserpin2 gene which was identified from a transcriptome database in response to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results showed that Bmserpin2 was expressed in all tissues, with maximum expression in fat body. Upon BmNPV infection, the expression of Bmserpin2 was up-regulated in P50 (susceptible strain) and BC9 (resistant strain) in haemocytes, fat body and the midgut. However, up-regulation was delayed in BC9 (48 or 72 h), in contrast to P50 (24 h), after BmNPV infection. Meanwhile, Bmserpin2 could delay or inhibit melanization in silkworm haemolymph. Significant increased PO activity can be observed in Bmserpin2-depleted haemolymph under NPV infection. Furthermore, the viral genomic DNA copy number was decreased in Bmserpin2-depleted haemolymph. We conclude that Bmserpin2 is an inducible gene which might be involved in the regulation of PPO activation and suppressed melanization, and have a potential role in the innate immune system of B. mori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahzad Toufeeq
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (S.T.); (J.W.); (S.-Z.Z.); (B.L.); (P.H.); (L.-B.Z.); (L.-L.Y.)
- Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jie Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (S.T.); (J.W.); (S.-Z.Z.); (B.L.); (P.H.); (L.-B.Z.); (L.-L.Y.)
- Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Shang-Zhi Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (S.T.); (J.W.); (S.-Z.Z.); (B.L.); (P.H.); (L.-B.Z.); (L.-L.Y.)
- Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (S.T.); (J.W.); (S.-Z.Z.); (B.L.); (P.H.); (L.-B.Z.); (L.-L.Y.)
- Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Pei Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (S.T.); (J.W.); (S.-Z.Z.); (B.L.); (P.H.); (L.-B.Z.); (L.-L.Y.)
- Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Lin-Bao Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (S.T.); (J.W.); (S.-Z.Z.); (B.L.); (P.H.); (L.-B.Z.); (L.-L.Y.)
- Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Ling-Ling You
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (S.T.); (J.W.); (S.-Z.Z.); (B.L.); (P.H.); (L.-B.Z.); (L.-L.Y.)
- Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jia-Ping Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (S.T.); (J.W.); (S.-Z.Z.); (B.L.); (P.H.); (L.-B.Z.); (L.-L.Y.)
- Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei 230036, China
- Correspondence:
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Nosema bombycis suppresses host hemolymph melanization through secreted serpin 6 inhibiting the prophenoloxidase activation cascade. J Invertebr Pathol 2019; 168:107260. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.107260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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23
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Shakeel M, Xu X, De Mandal S, Jin F. Role of serine protease inhibitors in insect-host-pathogen interactions. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 102:e21556. [PMID: 31050038 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins), evolutionary old, structurally conserved molecules, are a superfamily of proteins found in almost all living organisms. Serpins are relatively large, typically 350-500 amino acids in length, with three β-sheets and seven to nine α-helices folding into a conserved tertiary structure with a reactive center loop. Serpins perform various physiological functions in insects, including development, digestion, host-pathogen interactions, and innate immune response. In insects, the innate immune system is characterized as the first and major defense system against the invasion of microorganisms. Serine protease cascades play a critical role in the initiation of innate immune responses, such as melanization and the production of antimicrobial peptides, and are strictly and precisely regulated by serpins. Herein, we provide a microreview on the role of serpins in the insect-host-pathogen interactions, emphasizing their role in immune responses, particularly in diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), highlighting the important discoveries and also the gaps that remain to be explored in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shakeel
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxia Xu
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Surajit De Mandal
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengliang Jin
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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24
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Gu QJ, Zhou SM, Zhou YN, Huang JH, Shi M, Chen XX. A trypsin inhibitor-like protein secreted by Cotesia vestalis teratocytes inhibits hemolymph prophenoloxidase activation of Plutella xylostella. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 116:41-48. [PMID: 31026441 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
To establish successful infections, endoparasitoid wasps must develop strategies to evade immune responses of the host. Here, we identified and characterized a teratocytes-expressed gene encoding a trypsin inhibitor-like protein containing a cysteine-rich domain from Cotesia vestalis, CvT-TIL. CvT-TIL had a high expression level during the later developmental stage of teratocytes and was secreted into host hemolymph. Further experiments showed CvT-TIL strongly suppressed the prophenoloxidase activation of host hemolymph in a dose-dependent manner by interacting with PxPAP3 of PO cascade. Our results not only provide evidence for an inhibition between CvT-TIL gene and the host's melanization activity, but also expand our knowledge about the mechanisms by which parasitoids regulate humoral immunity of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Juan Gu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Min Zhou
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue-Nan Zhou
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Hua Huang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058 Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Shi
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058 Hangzhou, China; Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058 Hangzhou, China.
| | - Xue-Xin Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058 Hangzhou, China; State Key Lab of Rice Biology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, 310058 Hangzhou, China
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25
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Chen S, Dong Z, Ren X, Zhao D, Zhang Y, Tang M, Han J, Ye L, Zhao P. Proteomic Identification of Immune-Related Silkworm Proteins Involved in the Response to Bacterial Infection. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2019; 19:5538637. [PMID: 31343690 PMCID: PMC6657664 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iez056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is an important economic insect and a classic Lepidopteran model system. Although immune-related genes have been identified at a genome-wide scale in the silkworm, proteins involved in immune defense of the silkworm have not been comprehensively characterized. In this study, two types of bacteria were injected into the silkworm larvae, Gram-negative Escherichia coli (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae), or Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (Bacillales: Staphylococcaceae). After injection, proteomic analyses of hemolymph were performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In total, 514 proteins were identified in the uninduced control group, 540 were identified in the E. coli-induced group, and 537 were identified in the S. aureus-induced group. Based on Uniprot annotations, 32 immunological recognition proteins, 28 immunological signaling proteins, and 21 immunological effector proteins were identified. We found that 127 proteins showed significant upregulation, including 10 immunological recognition proteins, 4 immunological signaling proteins, 11 immunological effector proteins, and 102 other proteins. Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in the fat body, we verified that immunological recognition proteins, signaling proteins, and effector proteins also showed significant increases at the transcriptional level after infection with E. coli and S. aureus. Five newly identified proteins showed upregulation at both protein and transcription levels after infection, including 30K protein, yellow-d protein, chemosensory protein, and two uncharacterized proteins. This study identified many new immune-related proteins, deepening our understanding of the immune defense system in B. mori. The data have been deposited to the iProX with identifier IPX0001337000.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Chen
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhaoming Dong
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiu Ren
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongchao Zhao
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Muya Tang
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiaxuan Han
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Ye
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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26
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Dong WT, Ling XD, Xiao LF, Hu JJ, Zhao XX, Liu JX, Zhang Y. Effects of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus on serpin and antibacterial peptide expression in B. mori. Microb Pathog 2019; 130:137-145. [PMID: 30858008 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The silkworm (Bombyx mori) is a typical and economically important lepidopteran species, and research has resulted in the development and accumulation of breeding lines. Studies of immune-related silkworm genes not only promote our understanding of silkworm immune response mechanisms, but they also inform insect immune molecular diversity research. Here, silkworm proteins were screened using proteomics after Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) infection, and 2368 silkworm proteins were identified, including six antimicrobial peptides and 12 serpins. The mRNA expression levels of these 18 proteins were examined at different times. The results indicated that attacin had the highest expression level, while serpin-5 and cecropin-D exhibited a negative regulatory correlation. These results provide a significant step toward a deeper understanding of B. mori immunoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Tao Dong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Ling
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Long-Fei Xiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Jun-Jie Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Xing-Xu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Ji-Xing Liu
- Product R & D,Lanzhou Weitesen Biological Technology Co. Ltd., Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
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27
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Wang L, Liu H, Fu H, Zhang L, Guo P, Xia Q, Zhao P. Silkworm serpin32 functions as a negative-regulator in prophenoloxidase activation. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 91:123-131. [PMID: 30339875 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular serine protease cascade is an essential component of insect humoral immunity. Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) play an important regulatory role in the process of insect immunity by regulating the serine protease cascade pathway. We aimed to clarify the function of Bmserpin32 in this study. First, we performed homologous sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of Bmserpin32. Bmserpin32 was found to share 64% amino acid sequence identity with Manduca sexta serpin7, an immunomodulatory protein. Bmserpin32 cDNA was cloned, and the recombinant Bmserpin32 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity and gel filtration chromatography. The activity assay showed that Bmserpin32 had significant inhibitory activity against trypsin. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis combined with activity assays indicated that the cleavage site of Bmserpin32 is between Arg359 and Ile360. After infection with E. coli or Micrococcus luteus, the expression level of Bmserpin32 in immune-related tissues was significantly upregulated. In addition, Bmserpin32 could delay or inhibit the melanization of hemolymph by inhibiting the activation of prophenoloxidase in larval hemolymph. Furthermore, a physiological target of Bmserpin32 was identified as the clip protease, BmPAP3, an apparent ortholog of M. sexta propenoloxidase-activating protease-3. Our observations enable a better understanding of the physiological role of Bmserpin32 in regulating melanization in silkworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huawei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huanyi Fu
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pengchao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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28
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Lin Z, Wang RJ, Cheng Y, Du J, Volovych O, Han LB, Li JC, Hu Y, Lu ZY, Lu Z, Zou Z. Insights into the venom protein components of Microplitis mediator, an endoparasitoid wasp. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 105:33-42. [PMID: 30602123 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Endoparasitoid wasps deliver a variety of maternal factors, such as venom proteins, viruses, and virus-like particles, from their venom and calyx fluid into hosts and thereby regulate the hosts' immune response, metabolism and development. The endoparasitoid, Microplitis mediator, is used as an important biological agent for controlling the devastating pest Helicoverpa armigera. In this study, using an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis approach, we identified 75 putative venom proteins in M. mediator. The identified venom components were consistent with other known parasitoid wasps' venom proteins, including metalloproteases, serine protease inhibitors, and glycoside hydrolase family 18 enzymes. The metalloprotease and serpin family showed extensive gene duplications in venom apparatus. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) based quantitative proteomics revealed 521 proteins that were differentially expressed at 6 h and 24 h post-parasitism, including 10 wasp venom proteins that were released into the host hemolymph. Further analysis indicated that 511 differentially expressed proteins (DEP) from the host are primarily involved in the immune response, material metabolism, and extracellular matrix receptor interaction. Taken together, our results on parasitoid wasp venoms have the potential to enhance the application of endoparasitoid wasps for controlling insect pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rui-Juan Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Du
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Olga Volovych
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Bin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Cheng Li
- Institute of Plant Protection of Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Baoding, China
| | - Yang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Yun Lu
- Institute of Plant Protection of Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Baoding, China
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Li M, Christen JM, Dittmer NT, Cao X, Zhang X, Jiang H, Kanost MR. The Manduca sexta serpinome: Analysis of serpin genes and proteins in the tobacco hornworm. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 102:21-30. [PMID: 30237077 PMCID: PMC6249112 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Members of the serpin superfamily of proteins occur in animals, plants, bacteria, archaea and some viruses. They adopt a variety of physiological functions, including regulation of immune system, modulation of apoptosis, hormone transport and acting as storage proteins. Most members of the serpin family are inhibitors of serine proteinases. In this study, we searched the genome of Manduca sexta and identified 32 serpin genes. We analyzed the structure of these genes and the sequences of their encoded proteins. Three M. sexta genes (serpin-1, serpin-15, and serpin-28) have mutually exclusive alternatively spliced exons encoding the carboxyl-terminal reactive center loop of the protein, which is the site of interaction with target proteases. We discovered that MsSerpin-1 has 14 splicing isoforms, including two undiscovered in previous studies. Twenty-eight of the 32 M. sexta serpins include a putative secretion signal peptide and are predicted to be extracellular proteins. Phylogenetic analysis of serpins in M. sexta and Bombyx mori indicates that 17 are orthologous pairs, perhaps carrying out essential physiological functions. Analysis of the reactive center loop and hinge regions of the protein sequences indicates that 16 of the serpin genes encode proteins that may lack proteinase inhibitor activity. Our annotation and analysis of these serpin genes and their transcript profiles should lead to future advances in experimental study of their functions in insect biochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Jayne M Christen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Neal T Dittmer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Xiufeng Zhang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Michael R Kanost
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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Gao Q, Yang L, Dai J, Yuan G, Wang L, Qian C, Zhu B, Liu C, Wei G. Characterization and functional analysis of serpin-28 gene from silkworm, Bombyx mori. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 159:18-27. [PMID: 30473012 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (Serpins) are a broadly distributed superfamily of proteins with a SERPIN domain and participate in several immune responses. In this study, a serpin-28 gene was identified in B. mori and its role in immune regulation was investigated. This gene has an open reading frame of 1065 bp that encodes a 354-amino acid residue polypeptide containing one SERPIN domain with a predicted molecular weight of 40.3 kDa. Recombinant Bmserpin-28 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and used to raise rabbit anti-Bmserpin-28 polyclonal antibodies. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that Bmserpin-28 was expressed in all examined tissues, with maximum expression in the fat body and silk gland. Expression pattern of different developmental stages showed that the highest expression level was in the pupae, while the lowest expression level was recorded at the egg stage. After challenge with four different microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Beauveria bassiana, Micrococcus luteus and B. mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus), the expression pattern of Bmserpin-28 was investigated in fat body and haemocyte samples. A substantial upregulation of Bmserpin-28 expression level was recorded following pathogen challenge in both the tested tissues. Furthermore, RNA interference of Bmserpin-28 resulted in significant upregulation of antimicrobial peptide genes. In summary, our results indicated that Bmserpin-28 may be involved in the innate immunity of B. mori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuping Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Liangli Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Junjun Dai
- Sericultural Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, PR China
| | - Guozhen Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Cen Qian
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Baojian Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Chaoliang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Guoqing Wei
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China.
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31
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Kostin NN, Bobik TV, Shurdova EM, Ziganshin RH, Surina EA, Shagin DA, Shagina IA, Knorre VD, Isaev VA, Rudenskaya GN, Gabibov AG, Smirnov IV. Cloning and characterization of serpin from red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 81:99-107. [PMID: 30006043 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Serpins are a family of serine protease inhibitors that are involved in numerous physiological processes and are known to regulate innate immunity pathways. To advance our understanding of their role in P. camtschaticus, a commercially significant species, we cloned and characterized a serpin from this species, designated serpin PC, that has anticoagulant and anticomplement effects on human blood. We found that serpin PC is a secreted protein with a typical serpin-like primary structure that is similar to other known crustacean serpins. Recombinant serpin PC was found to have inhibitory activity against R/K-specific bovine cationic trypsin. The reaction proceeds through the formation of a stable covalent complex of peptidase with P1 residue R383 of serpin PC. This interaction is characterized by a relatively high overall inhibition constant kass=(2.3 ± 0.7) × 106 M-1s-1 and an SI of 4.7 ± 0.8. Protein localization by western blotting showed that serpin PC is present in the muscles and, to a lesser extent, the heart, whereas it is transcribed predominantly in hemocytes and the heart. Through peptidase activity profiling of hemocytes and plasma, we found that serpin PC inhibits at least two R/K-specific activities and showed that it inhibits phenoloxidase (PO) activity induction in hemocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N N Kostin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia; Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - T V Bobik
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - E M Shurdova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - R H Ziganshin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - E A Surina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - D A Shagin
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, Russia; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - I A Shagina
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - V D Knorre
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - V A Isaev
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - G N Rudenskaya
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A G Gabibov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - I V Smirnov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia.
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32
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Zhou J, Yu HY, Zhang W, Ahmad F, Hu SN, Zhao LL, Zou Z, Sun JH. Comparative analysis of the Monochamus alternatus immune system. INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 25:581-603. [PMID: 28247970 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus alternatus, is regarded as a notorious forest pest in Asia, vectoring an invasive pathogenic nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which is known to cause pine wilt disease. However, little sequence information is available for this vector beetle. This hampered the research on its immune system. Based on the transcriptome of M. alternatus, we have identified and characterized 194 immunity-related genes in M. alternatus, and compared them with homologues molecules from other species known to exhibit immune responses against invading microbes. The lower number of putative immunity-related genes in M. alternatus were attributed to fewer C-type lectin, serine protease (SP) and anti-microbial peptide (AMP) genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that M. alternatus had a unique recognition gene, galectin3, orthologues of which were not identified in Tribolium castaneum, Drosophila melanogastor, Anopheles gambiae and Apis mellifera. This suggested a lineage-specific gene evolution for coleopteran insects. Our study provides the comprehensive sequence resources of the immunity-related genes of M. alternatus, presenting valuable information for better understanding of the molecular mechanism of innate immunity processes in M. alternatus against B. xylophilus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Ying Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Faheem Ahmad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Song-Nian Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Lin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiang-Hua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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33
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Yang F, Wang Y, Sumathipala N, Cao X, Kanost MR, Jiang H. Manduca sexta serpin-12 controls the prophenoloxidase activation system in larval hemolymph. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 99:27-36. [PMID: 29800677 PMCID: PMC5997545 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Insect prophenoloxidase activation is coordinated by a serine protease network, which is regulated by serine protease inhibitors of the serpin superfamily. The enzyme system also leads to proteolytic processing of a Spätzle precursor. Binding of Spätzle to a Toll receptor turns on a signaling pathway to induce the synthesis of defense proteins. Previous studies of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta have revealed key members of the protease cascade, which generates phenoloxidase for melanogenesis and Spätzle to induce immunity-related genes. Here we provide evidence that M. sexta serpin-12 regulates hemolymph protease-14 (HP14), an initiating protease of the cascade. This inhibitor, unlike the other serpins characterized in M. sexta, has an amino-terminal extension rich in hydrophilic residues and an unusual P1 residue (Leu429) right before the scissile bond cleaved by a target protease. Serpins with similarities to serpin-12, including Drosophila Necrotic, were identified in a wide range of insects including flies, moths, wasps, beetles, and two hemimetabolous species. The serpin-12 mRNA is present at low, constitutive levels in larval fat body and hemocytes and becomes more abundant after an immune challenge. We produced the serpin-12 core domain (serpin-12ΔN) in insect cells and in Escherichia coli and demonstrated its inhibition of human cathepsin G, bovine α-chymotrypsin, and porcine pancreatic elastase. MALDI-TOF analysis of the reaction mixtures confirmed the predicted P1 residue of Leu429. Supplementation of larval plasma samples with the serpin-12ΔN decreased prophenoloxidase activation elicited by microbial cells and reduced the proteolytic activation of the protease precursors of HP6, HP8, PAPs, and other serine protease-related proteins. After incubation of plasma stimulated with peptidoglycan, a 72 kDa protein appeared, which was recognized by polyclonal antibodies against both serpin-12 and HP14, suggesting that a covalent serpin-protease complex formed when serpin-12 inhibited HP14. Together, these data suggest that M. sexta serpin-12 inhibits HP14 to regulate melanization and antimicrobial peptide induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Niranji Sumathipala
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Michael R Kanost
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
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Liu L, Qu M, Yang J, Yang Q. The physiological differentiation along the midgut of Bombyx mori - inspirations from proteomics and gene expression patterns of the secreted proteins in the ectoperitrophic space. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 27:247-259. [PMID: 29251378 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The ectoperitrophic space (EcPS) between the insect midgut epithelial cells and the peritrophic matrix is an unexplored, clean resource for concentrated proteins secreted by the midgut epithelial cells, which offers an ideal opportunity to uncover the midgut functions. In this study, we used Bombyx mori as a model organism and performed comparative proteomic analyses of the secreted proteins in the EcPS at the feeding and wandering stages. A total of 372 proteins were identified from both stages and 70 proteins were predicted to be secreted. Amongst these proteins, 17 secreted digestive proteins were identified and their temporal and spatial transcriptional expression patterns demonstrated that all these proteins were up-regulated at the feeding stage and differentially expressed in different parts of the midgut. Proteins with nutrient reservoir activity and defence activity were found to be up-regulated at the wandering stage. This work is the first to show the presence of digestive enzymes in the EcPS of the insect midgut using a proteomic approach, which provides evidence that suggests a physiological functional differentiation of the insect midgut. It is very clear that the EcPS undergoes dynamic changes in its composition of proteins in response to the changing needs of the insect at different developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemical Engineering and School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - M Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemical Engineering and School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - J Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemical Engineering and School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Q Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemical Engineering and School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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35
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Yang L, Mei Y, Fang Q, Wang J, Yan Z, Song Q, Lin Z, Ye G. Identification and characterization of serine protease inhibitors in a parasitic wasp, Pteromalus puparum. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15755. [PMID: 29147019 PMCID: PMC5691223 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16000-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (SPIs) regulate protease-mediated activities by inactivating their cognate proteinases, and are involved in multiple physiological processes. SPIs have been extensively studied in vertebrates and invertebrates; however, little SPI information is available in parasitoids. Herein, we identified 57 SPI genes in total through the genome of a parasitoid wasp, Pteromalus puparum. Gene structure analyses revealed that these SPIs contain 7 SPI domains. Depending on their mode of action, these SPIs can be categorized into serpins, canonical inhibitors and alpha-2-macroglobulins (A2Ms). For serpins and canonical inhibitors, we predicted their putative inhibitory activities to trypsin/chymotrypsin/elastase-like enzymes based on the amino acids in cleaved reactive sites. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree indicated that some serpins similar to known functional inhibitory serpins may participate in immune responses. Transcriptome analysis also showed some canonical SPI genes displayed distinct expression patterns in the venom gland and this was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis, suggesting their specific physiological functions as venom proteins in suppressing host immune responses. The study provides valuable information to clarify the functions of SPIs in digestion, development, reproduction and innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yaotian Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jiale Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhichao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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36
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Alonso J, Martinez M. Insights into the molecular evolution of peptidase inhibitors in arthropods. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187643. [PMID: 29108008 PMCID: PMC5673224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptidase inhibitors are key proteins involved in the control of peptidases. In arthropods, peptidase inhibitors modulate the activity of peptidases involved in endogenous physiological processes and peptidases of the organisms with which they interact. Exploring available arthropod genomic sequences is a powerful way to obtain the repertoire of peptidase inhibitors in every arthropod species and to understand the evolutionary mechanisms involved in the diversification of this kind of proteins. A genomic comparative analysis of peptidase inhibitors in species belonging to different arthropod taxonomic groups was performed. The results point out: i) species or clade-specific presence is shown for several families of peptidase inhibitors; ii) multidomain peptidase inhibitors are commonly found in many peptidase inhibitor families; iii) several families have a wide range of members in different arthropod species; iv) several peptidase inhibitor families show species-specific (or clade-specific) gene family expansions; v) functional divergence may be assumed for particular clades; vi) passive expansions may be used by natural selection to fix adaptations. In conclusion, conservation and divergence of duplicated genes and the potential recruitment as peptidase inhibitors of proteins from other families are the main mechanisms used by arthropods to fix diversity. This diversity would be associated to the control of target peptidases and, as consequence, to adapt to specific environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquin Alonso
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus Montegancedo UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain
| | - Manuel Martinez
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus Montegancedo UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain
- Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, UPM, Madrid, Spain
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He Y, Wang Y, Zhao P, Rayaprolu S, Wang X, Cao X, Jiang H. Serpin-9 and -13 regulate hemolymph proteases during immune responses of Manduca sexta. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 90:71-81. [PMID: 28987647 PMCID: PMC5673523 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Serpins are a superfamily of proteins, most of which inhibit cognate serine proteases by forming inactive acyl-enzyme complexes. In the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta, serpin-1, -3 through -7 negatively regulate a hemolymph serine protease system that activates precursors of the serine protease homologs (SPHs), phenoloxidases (POs), Spätzles, and other cytokines. Here we report the cloning and characterization of M. sexta serpin-9 and -13. Serpin-9, a 402-residue protein most similar to Drosophila Spn77Ba, has R366 at the P1 position right before the cleavage site; Serpin-13, a 444-residue ortholog of Drosophila Spn28Dc, is longer than the other seven serpins and has R410 as the P1 residue. Both serpins are mainly produced in fat body and secreted into plasma to function. While their mRNA and protein levels were not up-regulated upon immune challenge, they blocked protease activities and affected proPO activation in hemolymph. Serpin-9 inhibited human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, trypsin, and chymotrypsin to different extents; serpin-13 reduced trypsin activity to approximately 10% at a molar ratio of 4:1 (serpin: enzyme). Serpin-9 was cleaved at Arg366 by the enzymes with different specificity, but serpin-13 had four P1 sites (Arg410 for trypsin-like proteases, Gly406 and Ala409 for the elastase and Thr404 for cathepsin G). Supplementation of induced cell-free hemolymph (IP, P for plasma) with recombinant serpin-9 did not noticeably affect proPO activation, but slightly reduced the PO activity increase after 0-50% ammonium sulfate fraction of the IP had been elicited by bacteria. In comparison, addition of recombinant serpin-13 significantly inhibited proPO activation in IP and the suppression was stronger in the fraction of IP. Serpin-9- and -13-containing protein complexes were isolated from IP using their antibodies. Hemolymph protease-1 precursor (proHP1), HP6 and HP8 were found to be associated with serpin-9, whereas proHP1, HP2 and HP6 were pulled downed with serpin-13. These results indicate that both serpins regulate immune proteases in hemolymph of M. sexta larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan He
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Picheng Zhao
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Subrahmanyam Rayaprolu
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Xiuhong Wang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
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38
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Kausar S, Abbas MN, Qian C, Zhu B, Sun Y, Sun Y, Wang L, Wei G, Maqsood I, Liu CL. Serpin-14 negatively regulates prophenoloxidase activation and expression of antimicrobial peptides in Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 76:45-55. [PMID: 28545959 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Revised: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Genes encoding proteins of serpins superfamily are widely distributed in invertebrates. In insects, serpins play important roles in regulating immune responses and other physiological processes. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of cDNA of Apserpin-14 from Chinese oak silkworm (Antheraea pernyi). The Apserpin-14 gene contains 1206 bp open reading frame, encoding a predicted 401 amino acid residue protein. We expressed the recombinant Apserpin-14 protein in Escherichia coli and then purified protein was used to prepare rabbit anti-Apserpin-14 polyclonal antibodies. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that mRNA level of Apserpin-14 was highest in the fat body, whereas, among developmental stages the 5th instar and pupal stage showed greatest expression. Furthermore, Escherichia coli, Beauveria bassiana, Micrococcus luteus and nuclear polyhedrosis virus challenge enhanced Apserpin-14 transcript in both the fat body and hemocyte. Recombinant Apserpin-14 added to hemolymph inhibited spontaneous melanization and suppressed prophenoloxidase activation stimulated by M. luteus, but did not affect phenoloxidase (PO) activity. Injection of recombinant Apserpin-14 protein into A. pernyi larvae significantly reduced the transcript levels of antimicrobial peptides in the fat body, while its depletion by double stranded RNA enhanced their expression. We concluded that Apserpin-14 likely involved in regulation of proPO activation and production of antimicrobial peptides, implying its important role in the innate immune system of A. pernyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saima Kausar
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | | | - Cen Qian
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Baojian Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Yu Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Yuxuan Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Guoqing Wei
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Iram Maqsood
- College of Wildlife Resources, Department of Wildlife Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University Harbin, China.
| | - Chao-Liang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
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Yu HM, Zhu BJ, Sun Y, Wei GQ, Wang L, Qian C, Nadeem Abbas M, Liu CL. Characterization and functional analysis of serpin-1 like gene from oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2017; 107:620-626. [PMID: 28228181 DOI: 10.1017/s000748531700013x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Serpins are a broadly distributed family of proteases found in various organisms that play an important role in regulating the immune response. Here, we identified a serpin-1 gene from Antheraea pernyi that encodes a 279 amino acid protein with a molecular weight of 30.8 kDa. We expressed the recombinant Ap-serpin-1 protein in Escherichia coli and used the purified protein to prepare rabbit anti-Ap-serpin-1 polyclonal antibodies. We calculated the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titer of the antibody as 1:128000. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that Ap-serpin-1 was expressed in all examined tissues, including hemolymph, malpighian tubules, midgut, silk gland, integument and the fat body; the highest Ap-serpin-1 expression levels was detected in the fat body. We next investigated the expression patterns of Ap-serpin-1 in both fat body and hemolymph samples, following treatment with E. coli, Beauveria bassiana, Micrococcus luteus and nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV). We reported that NPV and M. luteus significantly enhanced Ap-serpin-1 expression in the fat body. While, in the hemolymph samples, treatment with B. bassiana and M. luteus was shown to upregulate Ap-serpin-1 expression at 24 h induction. Altogether, our results suggest that Ap-serpin-1 is involved in the innate immunity of A. pernyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Yu
- College of Life Sciences,Anhui Agricultural University,Hefei,230036,China
| | - B J Zhu
- College of Life Sciences,Anhui Agricultural University,Hefei,230036,China
| | - Y Sun
- College of Life Sciences,Anhui Agricultural University,Hefei,230036,China
| | - G Q Wei
- College of Life Sciences,Anhui Agricultural University,Hefei,230036,China
| | - L Wang
- College of Life Sciences,Anhui Agricultural University,Hefei,230036,China
| | - C Qian
- College of Life Sciences,Anhui Agricultural University,Hefei,230036,China
| | - M Nadeem Abbas
- College of Life Sciences,Anhui Agricultural University,Hefei,230036,China
| | - C L Liu
- College of Life Sciences,Anhui Agricultural University,Hefei,230036,China
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Bombyx mori Serpin6 regulates prophenoloxidase activity and the expression of antimicrobial proteins. Gene 2017; 610:64-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Revised: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Wang X, Wang K, He Y, Lu X, Wen D, Wu C, Zhang J, Zhang R. The functions of serpin-3, a negative-regulator involved in prophenoloxidase activation and antimicrobial peptides expression of Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 69:1-11. [PMID: 27919647 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Serpins are a superfamily of proteins engaged in various physiological processes in all kingdoms of life. To date, many striking results have demonstrated serpins are involved in the invertebrate immune system by regulating the proteolytic cascades. However, in most insect species, the immune functions of serpins in response against pathogen invasion remain obscure. In this study, we identified a full-length cDNA sequence of serpin, named serpin-3, from the Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi. Sequence alignments have indicated that Apserpin-3 might regulate the melanization reaction via inhibiting prophenoloxidases-activating protease(s) in plasma. Furthermore, it was detected to be primarily transcribed within the fat body, epidermis and hemocytes with significant induction following immune-challenge. Further studies have shown that the knockdown of serpin-3 up-regulated the prophenoloxidases cascade stimulated by pathogen in hemolymph, while the addition of recombinant serpin-3 along with the same elicitor led to the suppressed activation of prophenoloxidase. Besides, the injection of dsRNA of serpin-3 caused the elevated expression of antimicrobial peptides. Altogether, we arrived at a conclusion that serpin-3 might act as a negative-regulator in prophenoloxidases activation and inhibit the production of antimicrobial peptides in Antheraea pernyi larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xialu Wang
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Kailin Wang
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Yuanyuan He
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Xinrui Lu
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Daihua Wen
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Chunfu Wu
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Jinghai Zhang
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China.
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Bombyx mori and Aedes aegypti form multi-functional immune complexes that integrate pattern recognition, melanization, coagulants, and hemocyte recruitment. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171447. [PMID: 28199361 PMCID: PMC5310873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate immune system of insects responds to wounding and pathogens by mobilizing multiple pathways that provide both systemic and localized protection. Key localized responses in hemolymph include melanization, coagulation, and hemocyte encapsulation, which synergistically seal wounds and envelop and destroy pathogens. To be effective, these pathways require a targeted deposition of their components to provide protection without compromising the host. Extensive research has identified a large number of the effectors that comprise these responses, but questions remain regarding their post-translational processing, function, and targeting. Here, we used mass spectrometry to demonstrate the integration of pathogen recognition proteins, coagulants, and melanization components into stable, high-mass, multi-functional Immune Complexes (ICs) in Bombyx mori and Aedes aegypti. Essential proteins common to both include phenoloxidases, apolipophorins, serine protease homologs, and a serine protease that promotes hemocyte recruitment through cytokine activation. Pattern recognition proteins included C-type Lectins in B. mori, while A. aegypti contained a protein homologous to Plasmodium-resistant LRIM1 from Anopheles gambiae. We also found that the B. mori IC is stabilized by extensive transglutaminase-catalyzed cross-linking of multiple components. The melanization inhibitor Egf1.0, from the parasitoid wasp Microplitis demolitor, blocked inclusion of specific components into the IC and also inhibited transglutaminase activity. Our results show how coagulants, melanization components, and hemocytes can be recruited to a wound surface or pathogen, provide insight into the mechanism by which a parasitoid evades this immune response, and suggest that insects as diverse as Lepidoptera and Diptera utilize similar defensive mechanisms.
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Lin H, Lin X, Zhu J, Yu XQ, Xia X, Yao F, Yang G, You M. Characterization and expression profiling of serine protease inhibitors in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). BMC Genomics 2017; 18:162. [PMID: 28196471 PMCID: PMC5309989 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3583-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serine protease inhibitors (SPIs) have been found in all living organisms and play significant roles in digestion, development and innate immunity. In this study, we present a genome-wide identification and expression profiling of SPI genes in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), a major pest of cruciferous crops with global distribution and broad resistance to different types of insecticides. RESULTS A total of 61 potential SPI genes were identified in the P. xylostella genome, and these SPIs were classified into serpins, canonical inhibitors, and alpha-2-macroglobulins based on their modes of action. Sequence alignments showed that amino acid residues in the hinge region of known inhibitory serpins from other insect species were conserved in most P. xylostella serpins, suggesting that these P. xylostella serpins may be functionally active. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that P. xylostella inhibitory serpins were clustered with known inhibitory serpins from six other insect species. More interestingly, nine serpins were highly similar to the orthologues in Manduca sexta which have been demonstrated to participate in regulating the prophenoloxidase activation cascade, an important innate immune response in insects. Of the 61 P.xylostella SPI genes, 33 were canonical SPIs containing seven types of inhibitor domains, including Kunitz, Kazal, TIL, amfpi, Antistasin, WAP and Pacifastin. Moreover, some SPIs contained additional non-inhibitor domains, including spondin_N, reeler, and other modules, which may be involved in protein-protein interactions. Gene expression profiling showed gene-differential, stage- and sex-specific expression patterns of SPIs, suggesting that SPIs may be involved in multiple physiological processes in P. xylostella. CONCLUSIONS This is the most comprehensive investigation so far on SPI genes in P. xylostella. The characterized features and expression patterns of P. xylostella SPIs indicate that the SPI family genes may be involved in innate immunity of this species. Our findings provide valuable information for uncovering further biological roles of SPI genes in P. xylostella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology and Research Centre for Biodiversity and Eco-Safety, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Fujian and Taiwan, China Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Xijian Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology and Research Centre for Biodiversity and Eco-Safety, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Fujian and Taiwan, China Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Jiwei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology and Research Centre for Biodiversity and Eco-Safety, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Fujian and Taiwan, China Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology and Research Centre for Biodiversity and Eco-Safety, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO, 64110-2499, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology and Research Centre for Biodiversity and Eco-Safety, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Fujian and Taiwan, China Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Fengluan Yao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350013, China
| | - Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology and Research Centre for Biodiversity and Eco-Safety, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Fujian and Taiwan, China Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Minsheng You
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China. .,Institute of Applied Ecology and Research Centre for Biodiversity and Eco-Safety, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China. .,Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China. .,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Fujian and Taiwan, China Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
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Yan Z, Fang Q, Liu Y, Xiao S, Yang L, Wang F, An C, Werren JH, Ye G. A Venom Serpin Splicing Isoform of the Endoparasitoid Wasp Pteromalus puparum Suppresses Host Prophenoloxidase Cascade by Forming Complexes with Host Hemolymph Proteinases. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:1038-1051. [PMID: 27913622 PMCID: PMC5247638 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.739565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
To ensure successful parasitism, parasitoid wasps inject venom along with their eggs into their hosts. The venom serves to suppress host immune responses, including melanization. Venom from Pteromalus puparum, a pupal endoparasitoid, inhibits melanization of host hemolymph in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Using assay-guided fractionation, a serpin splicing isoform with phenoloxidase inhibitory activity was identified as P puparum serpin-1, venom isoform (PpS1V). This serpin gene has 16 predicted splicing isoforms that differ only in the C-terminal region. RT-PCR results show that the specific serpin isoform is differentially expressed in the venom gland. Recombinant PpS1V (rPpS1V) suppresses host prophenoloxidase (PPO) activation rather than inhibiting the phenoloxidase directly. Pulldown assays show that PpS1V forms complexes with two host hemolymph proteins, here named Pieris rapae hemolymph proteinase 8 (PrHP8) and P. rapae prophenoloxidase-activating proteinase 1 (PrPAP1), based on gene sequence blasting and phylogenetic analysis. The role of rPrPAP1 in the PPO activation cascade and its interaction with rPpS1V were confirmed. The stoichiometry of inhibition of PrPAP1 by PpS1V is 2.3. PpS1V also inhibits PPO activation in a non-natural host, Ostrinia furnacalis, through forming a complex with O. furnacalis serine protease 13 (OfSP13), an ortholog to PrPAP1. Our results identify a venom-enriched serpin isoform in P. puparum that inhibits host PPO activation, probably by forming a complex with host hemolymph proteinase PrPAP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Yan
- From the State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qi Fang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yang Liu
- From the State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shan Xiao
- From the State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lei Yang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fei Wang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chunju An
- the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China, and
| | - John H Werren
- the Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627
| | - Gongyin Ye
- From the State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China,
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45
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Serpins in arthropod biology. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 62:105-119. [PMID: 27603121 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Serpins are the largest known family of serine proteinase inhibitors and perform a variety of physiological functions in arthropods. Herein, we review the field of serpins in arthropod biology, providing an overview of current knowledge and topics of interest. Serpins regulate insect innate immunity via inhibition of serine proteinase cascades that initiate immune responses such as melanization and antimicrobial peptide production. In addition, several serpins with anti-pathogen activity are expressed as acute-phase serpins in insects upon infection. Parasitoid wasps can downregulate host serpin expression to modulate the host immune system. In addition, examples of serpin activity in development and reproduction in Drosophila have also been discovered. Serpins also function in host-pathogen interactions beyond immunity as constituents of venom in parasitoid wasps and saliva of blood-feeding ticks and mosquitoes. These serpins have distinct effects on immunosuppression and anticoagulation and are of interest for vaccine development. Lastly, the known structures of arthropod serpins are discussed, which represent the serpin inhibitory mechanism and provide a detailed overview of the process.
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46
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Li J, Ma L, Lin Z, Zou Z, Lu Z. Serpin-5 regulates prophenoloxidase activation and antimicrobial peptide pathways in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 73:27-37. [PMID: 27084699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The prophenoloxidase (PPO) activation pathway and Toll pathway are two critical insect immune responses against microbial infection. Activation of these pathways is mediated by an extracellular serine protease cascade, which is negatively regulated by serpins. In this study, we found that the mRNA abundance of silkworm serpin-5 (BmSpn-5) increased dramatically in the fat body after bacterial infection. The expression level of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), gloverin-3, cecropin-D and -E decreased in the silkworm larvae injected with recombinant BmSpn-5 protein. Meanwhile, the inhibition of beads melanization, systemic melanization and PPO activation by BmSpn-5 was also observed. By means of immunoaffinity purification and analysis by mass spectrometry, we identified that the silkworm clip domain serine proteases BmHP6 and BmSP21 form a complex with BmSpn-5, which suggests that BmHP6 and SP21 are the cognate proteases of BmSpn-5 and are essential in the serine protease cascade that activates the Toll and PPO pathways. Our study provides a comprehensive characterization of BmSpn-5 and sheds light on the multiple pathways leading to PPO activation and their regulation by serpins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlan Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
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47
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Reassessing ecdysteroidogenic cells from the cell membrane receptors' perspective. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20229. [PMID: 26847502 PMCID: PMC4742824 DOI: 10.1038/srep20229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecdysteroids secreted by the prothoracic gland (PG) cells of insects control the
developmental timing of their immature life stages. These cells have been
historically considered as carrying out a single function in insects, namely the
biochemical conversion of cholesterol to ecdysteroids and their secretion. A growing
body of evidence shows that PG cells receive multiple cues during insect development
so we tested the hypothesis that they carry out more than just one function in
insects. We characterised the molecular nature and developmental profiles of cell
membrane receptors in PG cells of Bombyx mori during the final larval stage
and determined what receptors decode nutritional, developmental and physiological
signals. Through iterative approaches we identified a complex repertoire of cell
membrane receptors that are expressed in intricate patterns and activate previously
unidentified signal transduction cascades in PG cells. The expression patterns of
some of these receptors explain precisely the mechanisms that are known to control
ecdysteroidogenesis. However, the presence of receptors for the notch, hedgehog and
wingless signalling pathways and the expression of innate immunity-related receptors
such as phagocytosis receptors, receptors for microbial ligands and Toll-like
receptors call for a re-evaluation of the role these cells play in insects.
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48
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Chang H, Cheng T, Wu Y, Hu W, Long R, Liu C, Zhao P, Xia Q. Transcriptomic Analysis of the Anterior Silk Gland in the Domestic Silkworm (Bombyx mori) - Insight into the Mechanism of Silk Formation and Spinning. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139424. [PMID: 26418001 PMCID: PMC4587926 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Silk proteins are synthesized in the middle and posterior silk glands of silkworms, then transit into the anterior of the silk gland, where the silk fibers are produced, stored and processed. The mechanism of formation and spinning of the silk fibers has not been fully elucidated, and transcriptome analyses specific to the anterior silk gland have not been reported. In the present study, we explored gene expression profiles in five regions of silk gland samples using the RNA-Seq method. As a result, there were 959,979,570 raw reads obtained, of which 583,068,172 reads were mapped to the silkworm genome. A total of 7419 genes were found to be expressed in terms of reads per kilobase of exon model per million mapped reads ≥ 5 in at least one sample. The gene numbers and expression levels of the expressed genes differed between these regions. The differentially expressed genes were analyzed, and 282 genes were detected as up-regulated in the anterior silk gland, compared with the other parts. Functions of these genes were addressed using the gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases, and seven key pathways were enriched. It suggested that the ion transportation, energy metabolism, protease inhibitors and cuticle proteins played essential roles in the process of silk formation and spinning in the anterior silk gland. In addition, 210 genes were found differently expressed between males and females, which should help to elucidate the mechanism of the quality difference in silk fibers from male and female silkworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaipu Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingcai Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuqian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenbo Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Renwen Long
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail:
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Meng Q, Yu HY, Zhang H, Zhu W, Wang ML, Zhang JH, Zhou GL, Li X, Qin QL, Hu SN, Zou Z. Transcriptomic insight into the immune defenses in the ghost moth, Hepialus xiaojinensis, during an Ophiocordyceps sinensis fungal infection. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 64:1-15. [PMID: 26165779 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 06/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepialus xiaojinensis is an economically important species of Lepidopteran insect. The fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis can infect its larvae, which leads to mummification after 5-12 months, providing a valuable system with which to study interactions between the insect hosts and pathogenic fungi. However, little sequence information is available for this insect. A time-course analysis of the fat body transcriptome was performed to explore the host immune response to O. sinensis infection. In total, 50,164 unigenes were obtained by assembling the reads from two high-throughput approaches: 454 pyrosequencing and Illumina Hiseq2000. Hierarchical clustering and functional examination revealed four major gene clusters. Clusters 1-3 included transcripts markedly induced by the fungal infection within 72 h. Cluster 4, with a lower number of transcripts, was suppressed during the early phase of infection but returned to normal expression levels sometime before 1 year. Based on sequence similarity to orthologs known to participate in immune defenses, 258 candidate immunity-related transcripts were identified, and their functions were hypothesized. The genes were more primitive than those in other Lepidopteran insects. In addition, lineage-specific family expansion of the clip-domain serine proteases and C-type lectins were apparent and likely caused by selection pressures. Global expression profiles of immunity-related genes indicated that H. xiaojinensis was capable of a rapid response to an O. sinensis challenge; however, the larvae developed tolerance to the fungus after prolonged infection, probably due to immune suppression. Specifically, antimicrobial peptide mRNAs could not be detected after chronic infection, because key components of the Toll pathway (MyD88, Pelle and Cactus) were downregulated. Taken together, this study provides insights into the defense system of H. xiaojinensis, and a basis for understanding the molecular aspects of the interaction between the host and the entomopathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hai-Ying Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meng-Long Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ji-Hong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Gui-Ling Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qi-Lian Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Song-Nian Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.
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Structural insights into the unique inhibitory mechanism of the silkworm protease inhibitor serpin18. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11863. [PMID: 26148664 PMCID: PMC4493575 DOI: 10.1038/srep11863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Serpins generally serve as inhibitors that utilize a mobile reactive center loop (RCL) as bait to trap protease targets. Here, we present the crystal structure of serpin18 from Bombyx mori at 1.65 Å resolution, which has a very short and stable RCL. Activity analysis showed that the inhibitory target of serpin18 is a cysteine protease rather than a serine protease. Notably, this inhibitiory reaction results from the formation of an intermediate complex, which then follows for the digestion of protease and inhibitor into small fragments. This activity differs from previously reported modes of inhibition for serpins. Our findings have thus provided novel structural insights into the unique inhibitory mechanism of serpin18. Furthermore, one physiological target of serpin18, fibroinase, was identified, which enables us to better define the potential role for serpin18 in regulating fibroinase activity during B. mori development.
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