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Foster LJ, Tsvetkov N, McAfee A. Mechanisms of Pathogen and Pesticide Resistance in Honey Bees. Physiology (Bethesda) 2024; 39:0. [PMID: 38411571 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00033.2023] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bees are the most important insect pollinators of the crops humans grow, and Apis mellifera, the Western honey bee, is the most commonly managed species for this purpose. In addition to providing agricultural services, the complex biology of honey bees has been the subject of scientific study since the 18th century, and the intricate behaviors of honey bees and ants, fellow hymenopterans, inspired much sociobiological inquest. Unfortunately, honey bees are constantly exposed to parasites, pathogens, and xenobiotics, all of which pose threats to their health. Despite our curiosity about and dependence on honey bees, defining the molecular mechanisms underlying their interactions with biotic and abiotic stressors has been challenging. The very aspects of their physiology and behavior that make them so important to agriculture also make them challenging to study, relative to canonical model organisms. However, because we rely on A. mellifera so much for pollination, we must continue our efforts to understand what ails them. Here, we review major advancements in our knowledge of honey bee physiology, focusing on immunity and detoxification, and highlight some challenges that remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard J Foster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Michael Smith LaboratoriesUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nadejda Tsvetkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Michael Smith LaboratoriesUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alison McAfee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Michael Smith LaboratoriesUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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2
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Justino AR, Hartfelder K. A versatile recording device for the analysis of continuous daily external activity in colonies of highly eusocial bees. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2024:10.1007/s00359-024-01709-2. [PMID: 38898188 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-024-01709-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
As pollinators, bees are key to maintaining the biodiversity of angiosperm plants, and for agriculture they provide a billion-dollar ecosystem service. But they also compete for resources (primarily nectar and pollen), especially the highly social bees that live in perennial colonies. So, how do they organize their daily temporal activities? Here, we present a versatile, low-cost device for the continuous, automatic recording and data analysis of the locomotor activity in the colony-entrance tube of highly eusocial bees. Consisting of an in-house built block containing an infrared detector, the passage of bees in the colony entrance tunnel is registered and automatically recorded in an Arduino environment, together with concomitant recordings of temperature and relative humidity. With a focus on the highly diverse Neotropical stingless bees (Meliponini), we obtained 10-day consecutive recordings for two colonies each of the species Melipona quadrifasciata and Frieseomelitta varia, and also for the honey bee. The Lomb-Scargle periodogram analysis identified a predominant circadian rhythmicity for all three species, but also indications of ultradian rhythms. For M. quadrifasciata, which is comparable in size to the honey bee, we found evidence for a possibly anticipatory activity already before sunrise. As all three species also presented activity at night in the colony entrance tube, this also raises questions about sleep organization in social insects. The cost and versatility of the device and the open-source options for data analysis make this an attractive system for conducting studies on circadian rhythms in social bees under natural conditions, complementing studies on flower visits by these important pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Roque Justino
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - USP, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Klaus Hartfelder
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - USP, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil.
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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3
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Chakroborty NK, Leboulle, Einspanier R, Menzel R. Behavioral and genetic correlates of heterogeneity in learning performance in individual honeybees, Apis mellifera. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304563. [PMID: 38865313 PMCID: PMC11168654 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Learning an olfactory discrimination task leads to heterogeneous results in honeybees with some bees performing very well and others at low rates. Here we investigated this behavioral heterogeneity and asked whether it was associated with particular gene expression patterns in the bee's brain. Bees were individually conditioned using a sequential conditioning protocol involving several phases of olfactory learning and retention tests. A cumulative score was used to differentiate the tested bees into high and low performers. The rate of CS+ odor learning was found to correlate most strongly with a cumulative performance score extracted from all learning and retention tests. Microarray analysis of gene expression in the mushroom body area of the brains of these bees identified a number of differentially expressed genes between high and low performers. These genes are associated with diverse biological functions, such as neurotransmission, memory formation, cargo trafficking and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neloy Kumar Chakroborty
- Institute Biology, Neurobiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin Luisestr, Berlin, Germany
| | - Leboulle
- Institute Biology, Neurobiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin Luisestr, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Einspanier
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg, Berlin, Germany
| | - Randolf Menzel
- Institute Biology, Neurobiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin Luisestr, Berlin, Germany
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Ferrari RR, Ricardo PC, Dias FC, de Souza Araujo N, Soares DO, Zhou QS, Zhu CD, Coutinho LL, Arias MC, Batista TM. The nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies of Tetragonisca angustula (Apidae: Meliponini), a tiny yet remarkable pollinator in the Neotropics. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:587. [PMID: 38862915 PMCID: PMC11167848 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10502-z] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The field of bee genomics has considerably advanced in recent years, however, the most diverse group of honey producers on the planet, the stingless bees, are still largely neglected. In fact, only eleven of the ~ 600 described stingless bee species have been sequenced, and only three using a long-read (LR) sequencing technology. Here, we sequenced the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of the most common, widespread and broadly reared stingless bee in Brazil and other neotropical countries-Tetragonisca angustula (popularly known in Brazil as jataí). RESULTS A total of 48.01 Gb of DNA data were generated, including 2.31 Gb of Pacific Bioscience HiFi reads and 45.70 Gb of Illumina short reads (SRs). Our preferred assembly comprised 683 contigs encompassing 284.49 Mb, 62.84 Mb of which (22.09%) corresponded to 445,793 repetitive elements. N50, L50 and complete BUSCOs reached 1.02 Mb, 91 contigs and 97.1%, respectively. We predicted that the genome of T. angustula comprises 17,459 protein-coding genes and 4,108 non-coding RNAs. The mitogenome consisted of 17,410 bp, and all 37 genes were found to be on the positive strand, an unusual feature among bees. A phylogenomic analysis of 26 hymenopteran species revealed that six odorant receptor orthogroups of T. angustula were found to be experiencing rapid evolution, four of them undergoing significant contractions. CONCLUSIONS Here, we provided the first nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies for the ecologically and economically important T. angustula, the fourth stingless bee species to be sequenced with LR technology thus far. We demonstrated that even relatively small amounts of LR data in combination with sufficient SR data can yield high-quality genome assemblies for bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Rodrigues Ferrari
- Centro de Formação em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia, Porto Seguro, Brazil
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Paulo Cseri Ricardo
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe Cordeiro Dias
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Dalliane Oliveira Soares
- Centro de Formação em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia, Porto Seguro, Brazil
| | - Qing-Song Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao-Dong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Sate Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Luiz Lehmann Coutinho
- Departamento de Ciências Animais, Universidade de São Paulo/ESALQ, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Arias
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Thiago Mafra Batista
- Centro de Formação em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia, Porto Seguro, Brazil.
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Xie M, Yao Y, Feng Y, Xie L, Mao C, He J, Li X, Ni Q. Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Apoderus dimidiatus Voss (Coleoptera: Attelabidae): Insights into Evolution and Behavior. INSECTS 2024; 15:431. [PMID: 38921146 PMCID: PMC11204265 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Attelabidae insects have attracted much attention due to their unique leaf rolling behavior before oviposition. However, the lack of genomic data makes it difficult to understand the molecular mechanism behind their behavior and their evolutionary relationship with other species. To address this gap, we utilized Illumina and Nanopore sequencing platforms along with Hi-C technology to establish a highly accurate whole genome of A. dimidiatus at the chromosome level. The resulting genome size was determined to be 619.26 Mb, with a contig N50 of 50.89 Mb and GC content of 33.89%. Moreover, a total of 12,572 genes were identified, with 82.59% being functionally annotated, and 64.78% designated as repeat sequences. Our subsequent phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that Attelabidae's divergence from Curculionidae occurred approximately 161.52 million years ago. Furthermore, the genome of A. dimidiatus contained 334 expanded gene families and 1718 contracted gene families. In addition, using Phylogenetic Analysis by Maximum Likelihood (PAML), we identified 106 rapidly evolved genes exhibiting significant signals and 540 positively selected genes. Our research endeavors to serve as an invaluable genomic data resource for the study of Attelabidae, offering fresh perspectives for the exploration of its leaf rolling behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Xie
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625014, China; (M.X.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yuhao Yao
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625014, China; (M.X.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yuling Feng
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.F.); (L.X.)
| | - Lei Xie
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.F.); (L.X.)
| | - Chuyang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming 650223, China; (C.M.); (J.H.)
| | - Jinwu He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming 650223, China; (C.M.); (J.H.)
| | - Xueyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming 650223, China; (C.M.); (J.H.)
| | - Qingyong Ni
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.F.); (L.X.)
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6
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Zang H, Guo S, Dong S, Song Y, Li K, Fan X, Qiu J, Zheng Y, Jiang H, Wu Y, Lü Y, Chen D, Guo R. Construction of a Full-Length Transcriptome of Western Honeybee Midgut Tissue and Improved Genome Annotation. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:728. [PMID: 38927663 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060728] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Honeybees are an indispensable pollinator in nature with pivotal ecological, economic, and scientific value. However, a full-length transcriptome for Apis mellifera, assembled with the advanced third-generation nanopore sequencing technology, has yet to be reported. Here, nanopore sequencing of the midgut tissues of uninoculated and Nosema ceranae-inoculated A. mellifera workers was conducted, and the full-length transcriptome was then constructed and annotated based on high-quality long reads. Next followed improvement of sequences and annotations of the current reference genome of A. mellifera. A total of 5,942,745 and 6,664,923 raw reads were produced from midguts of workers at 7 days post-inoculation (dpi) with N. ceranae and 10 dpi, while 7,100,161 and 6,506,665 raw reads were generated from the midguts of corresponding uninoculated workers. After strict quality control, 6,928,170, 6,353,066, 5,745,048, and 6,416,987 clean reads were obtained, with a length distribution ranging from 1 kb to 10 kb. Additionally, 16,824, 17,708, 15,744, and 18,246 full-length transcripts were respectively detected, including 28,019 nonredundant ones. Among these, 43,666, 30,945, 41,771, 26,442, and 24,532 full-length transcripts could be annotated to the Nr, KOG, eggNOG, GO, and KEGG databases, respectively. Additionally, 501 novel genes (20,326 novel transcripts) were identified for the first time, among which 401 (20,255), 193 (13,365), 414 (19,186), 228 (12,093), and 202 (11,703) were respectively annotated to each of the aforementioned five databases. The expression and sequences of three randomly selected novel transcripts were confirmed by RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. The 5' UTR of 2082 genes, the 3' UTR of 2029 genes, and both the 5' and 3' UTRs of 730 genes were extended. Moreover, 17,345 SSRs, 14,789 complete ORFs, 1224 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 650 transcription factors (TFs) from 37 families were detected. Findings from this work not only refine the annotation of the A. mellifera reference genome, but also provide a valuable resource and basis for relevant molecular and -omics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Zang
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- National & Local United Engineering Laboratory of Natural Biotoxin, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Sijia Guo
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Shunan Dong
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yuxuan Song
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Kunze Li
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xiaoxue Fan
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- National & Local United Engineering Laboratory of Natural Biotoxin, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jianfeng Qiu
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- National & Local United Engineering Laboratory of Natural Biotoxin, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yidi Zheng
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Haibin Jiang
- Apiculture Science Institute of Jilin Province, Jilin 132000, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Apiculture Science Institute of Jilin Province, Jilin 132000, China
| | - Yang Lü
- Mudanjiang Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mudanjiang 157000, China
| | - Dafu Chen
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- National & Local United Engineering Laboratory of Natural Biotoxin, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Rui Guo
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- National & Local United Engineering Laboratory of Natural Biotoxin, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
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7
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Yusuf AA, Pirk CWW, Buttstedt A. Expression of honey bee (Apis mellifera) sterol homeostasis genes in food jelly producing glands of workers. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:627-641. [PMID: 38567629 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Adult workers of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) acquire sterols from their pollen diet. These food sterols are transported by the hemolymph to peripheral tissues such as the mandibular and the hypopharyngeal glands in the worker bees' heads that secrete food jelly which is fed to developing larvae. As sterols are obligatory components of biological membranes and essential precursors for molting hormone synthesis in insects, they are indispensable to normal larval development. Thus, the study of sterol delivery to larvae is important for a full understanding of honey bee larval nutrition and development. Whereas hypopharyngeal glands only require sterols for their membrane integrity, mandibular glands add sterols, primarily 24-methylenecholesterol, to its secretion. For this, sterols must be transported through the glandular epithelial cells. We have analyzed for the first time in A. mellifera the expression of genes which are involved in intracellular movement of sterols. Mandibular and hypopharyngeal glands were dissected from newly emerged bees, 6-day-old nurse bees that feed larvae and 26-day-old forager bees. The expression of seven genes involved in intracellular sterol metabolism was measured with quantitative real-time PCR. Relative transcript abundance of sterol metabolism genes was significantly influenced by the age of workers and specific genes but not by gland type. Newly emerged bees had significantly more transcripts for six out of seven genes than older bees indicating that the bulk of the proteins needed for sterol metabolism are produced directly after emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullahi A Yusuf
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Christian W W Pirk
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Anja Buttstedt
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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8
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Leyden MR, Gowen B, Gonzalez-Romero R, Eirin-Lopez JM, Kim BH, Hayashi F, McCartney J, Zhang PC, Kubo-Irie M, Shabanowitz J, Hunt DF, Ferree P, Kasinsky H, Ausió J. Protamines and the sperm nuclear basic proteins Pandora's Box of insects. Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 102:238-251. [PMID: 38408323 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2023-0363] [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] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects are the largest group of animals when it comes to the number and diversity of species. Yet, with the exception of Drosophila, no information is currently available on the primary structure of their sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs). This paper represents the first attempt in this regard and provides information about six species of Neoptera: Poecillimon thessalicus, Graptosaltria nigrofuscata, Apis mellifera, Nasonia vitripennis, Parachauliodes continentalis, and Tribolium castaneum. The SNBPs of these species were characterized by acetic acid urea gel electrophoresis (AU-PAGE) and high-performance liquid chromatography fractionated. Protein sequencing was obtained using a combination of mass spectrometry sequencing, Edman N-terminal degradation sequencing and genome mining. While the SNBPs of several of these species exhibit a canonical arginine-rich protamine nature, a few of them exhibit a protamine-like composition. They appear to be the products of extensive cleavage processing from a precursor protein which are sometimes further processed by other post-translational modifications that are likely involved in the chromatin transitions observed during spermiogenesis in these organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R Leyden
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Brent Gowen
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Rodrigo Gonzalez-Romero
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Jose Maria Eirin-Lopez
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
- Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Bo-Hyun Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Fumio Hayashi
- Department of Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minamiosawa 1-1, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Jay McCartney
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand
| | - Patrick C Zhang
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Miyoko Kubo-Irie
- Biological Laboratory, The Open University of Japan, Wakaba, Mihama-ku, Chiba, 261-8506, Japan
| | - Jeffrey Shabanowitz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Donald F Hunt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Patrick Ferree
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Harold Kasinsky
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Juan Ausió
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
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9
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Garambois C, Boulesteix M, Fablet M. Effects of Arboviral Infections on Transposable Element Transcript Levels in Aedes aegypti. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae092. [PMID: 38695057 PMCID: PMC11110940 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae092] [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] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements are mobile repeated sequences found in all genomes. Transposable elements are controlled by RNA interference pathways in most organisms, and this control involves the PIWI-interacting RNA pathway and the small interfering RNA pathway, which is also known to be the first line of antiviral defense in invertebrates. Using Drosophila, we recently showed that viral infections result in the modulation of transposable element transcript levels through modulation of the small RNA repertoire. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is of particular interest because almost half of its genome is made of transposable elements, and it is described as a major vector of viruses (such as the dengue [DENV], Zika [ZIKV], and chikungunya [CHIKV] arboviruses). Moreover, Aedes mosquitoes are unique among insects in that the PIWI-interacting RNA pathway is also involved in the somatic antiviral response, in addition to the transposable element control and PIWI-interacting RNA pathway genes expanded in the mosquito genome. For these reasons, we studied the impacts of viral infections on transposable element transcript levels in A. aegypti samples. We retrieved public datasets corresponding to RNA-seq data obtained from viral infections by DENV, ZIKV, and CHIKV in various tissues. We found that transposable element transcripts are moderately modulated following viral infection and that the direction of the modulation varies greatly across tissues and viruses. These results highlight the need for an in-depth investigation of the tightly intertwined interactions between transposable elements and viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Garambois
- Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive (LBBE), UMR 5558, CNRS, VAS, Villeurbanne 69622, France
| | - Matthieu Boulesteix
- Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive (LBBE), UMR 5558, CNRS, VAS, Villeurbanne 69622, France
| | - Marie Fablet
- Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive (LBBE), UMR 5558, CNRS, VAS, Villeurbanne 69622, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
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10
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Tadano H, Kohno H, Takeuchi H, Kubo T. Unique spatially and temporary-regulated/sex-specific expression of a long ncRNA, Nb-1, suggesting its pleiotropic functions associated with honey bee lifecycle. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8701. [PMID: 38622193 PMCID: PMC11018616 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59494-6] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are social insects, and each colony member has unique morphological and physiological traits associated with their social tasks. Previously, we identified a long non-coding RNA from honey bees, termed Nb-1, whose expression in the brain decreases associated with the age-polyethism of workers and is detected in some neurosecretory cells and octopaminergic neurons, suggesting its role in the regulation of worker labor transition. Herein, we investigated its spatially and temporary-regulated/sex-specific expression. Nb-1 was expressed as an abundant maternal RNA during oogenesis and embryogenesis in both sexes. In addition, Nb-1 was expressed preferentially in the proliferating neuroblasts of the mushroom bodies (a higher-order center of the insect brain) in the pupal brains, suggesting its role in embryogenesis and mushroom body development. On the contrary, Nb-1 was expressed in a drone-specific manner in the pupal and adult retina, suggesting its role in the drone visual development and/or sense. Subcellular localization of Nb-1 in the brain during development differed depending on the cell type. Considering that Nb-1 is conserved only in Apidae, our findings suggest that Nb-1 potentially has pleiotropic functions in the expression of multiple developmental, behavioral, and physiological traits, which are closely associated with the honey bee lifecycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Tadano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kohno
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hideaki Takeuchi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Integrative Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8577, Japan
| | - Takeo Kubo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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11
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Sourisseau F, Chahine C, Pouliot V, Cens T, Charnet P, Chahine M. Cloning, functional expression, and pharmacological characterization of inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir) from Apis mellifera. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7834. [PMID: 38570597 PMCID: PMC10991380 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58234-0] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Potassium channels belong to the super family of ion channels and play a fundamental role in cell excitability. Kir channels are potassium channels with an inwardly rectifying property. They play a role in setting the resting membrane potential of many excitable cells including neurons. Although putative Kir channel family genes can be found in the Apis mellifera genome, their functional expression, biophysical properties, and sensitivity to small molecules with insecticidal activity remain to be investigated. We cloned six Kir channel isoforms from Apis mellifera that derive from two Kir genes, AmKir1 and AmKir2, which are present in the Apis mellifera genome. We studied the tissue distribution, the electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of three isoforms that expressed functional currents (AmKir1.1, AmKir2.2, and AmKir2.3). AmKir1.1, AmKir2.2, and AmKir2.3 isoforms exhibited distinct characteristics when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. AmKir1.1 exhibited the largest potassium currents and was impermeable to cesium whereas AmKir2.2 and AmKir2.3 exhibited smaller currents but allowed cesium to permeate. AmKir1 exhibited faster opening kinetics than AmKir2. Pharmacological experiments revealed that both AmKir1.1 and AmKir2.2 are blocked by the divalent ion barium, with IC50 values of 10-5 and 10-6 M, respectively. The concentrations of VU041, a small molecule with insecticidal properties required to achieve a 50% current blockade for all three channels were higher than those needed to block Kir channels in other arthropods, such as the aphid Aphis gossypii and the mosquito Aedes aegypti. From this, we conclude that Apis mellifera AmKir channels exhibit lower sensitivity to VU041.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Sourisseau
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Quebec City, QC, G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Chaimaa Chahine
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Quebec City, QC, G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Valérie Pouliot
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Quebec City, QC, G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Thierry Cens
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), CNRS UMR 5247, 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Charnet
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), CNRS UMR 5247, 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier, France
| | - Mohamed Chahine
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Quebec City, QC, G1J 2G3, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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12
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Kyriacou RG, Mulhair PO, Holland PWH. GC Content Across Insect Genomes: Phylogenetic Patterns, Causes and Consequences. J Mol Evol 2024; 92:138-152. [PMID: 38491221 PMCID: PMC10978632 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-024-10160-5] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The proportions of A:T and G:C nucleotide pairs are often unequal and can vary greatly between animal species and along chromosomes. The causes and consequences of this variation are incompletely understood. The recent release of high-quality genome sequences from the Darwin Tree of Life and other large-scale genome projects provides an opportunity for GC heterogeneity to be compared across a large number of insect species. Here we analyse GC content along chromosomes, and within protein-coding genes and codons, of 150 insect species from four holometabolous orders: Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera. We find that protein-coding sequences have higher GC content than the genome average, and that Lepidoptera generally have higher GC content than the other three insect orders examined. GC content is higher in small chromosomes in most Lepidoptera species, but this pattern is less consistent in other orders. GC content also increases towards subtelomeric regions within protein-coding genes in Diptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. Two species of Diptera, Bombylius major and B. discolor, have very atypical genomes with ubiquitous increase in AT content, especially at third codon positions. Despite dramatic AT-biased codon usage, we find no evidence that this has driven divergent protein evolution. We argue that the GC landscape of Lepidoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera genomes is influenced by GC-biased gene conversion, strongest in Lepidoptera, with some outlier taxa affected drastically by counteracting processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo G Kyriacou
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Peter O Mulhair
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Peter W H Holland
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
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13
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Güneşdoğdu M, Sarıoğlu-Bozkurt A, Şekeroğlu A, Abacı SH. Changes in Vitellogenin, Abdominal Lipid Content, and Hypopharyngeal Gland Development in Honey Bees Fed Diets with Different Protein Sources. INSECTS 2024; 15:215. [PMID: 38667345 PMCID: PMC11050231 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees play an important role in the pollination of flowering plants. When honey bee colonies are deficient in pollen, one of their main nutrients, protein supplements are required. In this study, the effects of diets with six different protein sources on the physiological characteristics of worker bees (vitellogenin (Vg), abdominal lipid content (ALC), hypopharyngeal gland (HPG)) and consumption were investigated. The protein sources of the diets (diet I, …, diet VI) included pollen, spirulina dust (Arthrospira platensis Gomont), fresh egg yolk, lyophilized lactose-free skimmed milk powder, active fresh yeast, and ApiProtein. It was identified that consumption by worker bees was highest in the diet group supplemented with spirulina (diet II). Although there was no statistical difference regarding the Vg content in the hemolymph, numerically, the highest content was found in diet group IV (lyophilized lactose-free skimmed milk powder) (4.73 ± 0.03 ng/mL). ALC and HPG were highest in the group fed diet II. These results suggest that offering honey bees diets with certain protein sources can support their physiological traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Güneşdoğdu
- Department of Animal Production and Technologies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Muş Alparslan University, 49250 Muş, Türkiye
| | - Aybike Sarıoğlu-Bozkurt
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, 16059 Bursa, Türkiye;
| | - Ahmet Şekeroğlu
- Department of Animal Production and Technologies, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, 51240 Niğde, Türkiye;
| | - Samet Hasan Abacı
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55139 Samsun, Türkiye;
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14
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Walton A, Herman JJ, Rueppell O. Social life results in social stress protection: a novel concept to explain individual life-history patterns in social insects. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 38468146 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13074] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Resistance to and avoidance of stress slow aging and confer increased longevity in numerous organisms. Honey bees and other superorganismal social insects have two main advantages over solitary species to avoid or resist stress: individuals can directly help each other by resource or information transfer, and they can cooperatively control their environment. These benefits have been recognised in the context of pathogen and parasite stress as the concept of social immunity, which has been extensively studied. However, we argue that social immunity is only a special case of a general concept that we define here as social stress protection to include group-level defences against all biotic and abiotic stressors. We reason that social stress protection may have allowed the evolution of reduced individual-level defences and individual life-history optimization, including the exceptional aging plasticity of many social insects. We describe major categories of stress and how a colonial lifestyle may protect social insects, particularly against temporary peaks of extreme stress. We use the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) to illustrate how patterns of life expectancy may be explained by social stress protection and how modern beekeeping practices can disrupt social stress protection. We conclude that the broad concept of social stress protection requires rigorous empirical testing because it may have implications for our general understanding of social evolution and specifically for improving honey bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Walton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW 405, Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jacob J Herman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW 405, Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Olav Rueppell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW 405, Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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15
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Knoll S, Cappai MG. Foraging Activity of Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L., 1758) and Exposure to Cadmium: a Review. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04118-3. [PMID: 38443599 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04118-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees are commonly exposed to a broad spectrum of xenobiotics, including heavy metals. Heavy metal toxicity is of concern in the context of global pollinator declines, especially since honey bees seem to be particularly susceptible to xenobiotics in general. Here we summarize current knowledge on the interplay between cadmium, one of the most toxic and mobile elements in the environment, and honey bees, the primary managed pollinator species worldwide. Overall, cadmium pollution has been shown to be ubiquitous, affecting industrial, urban and rural areas alike. Uptake of this heavy metal by plants serves as the primary route of exposure for bees (through pollen and nectar). Reported cadmium toxicity consists of lethal and sublethal effects (reduced development and growth) in both adult and larval stages, as well as various molecular responses related to detoxification and cellular antioxidant defence systems. Other effects of cadmium in honey bees include the disruption of synaptic signalling, calcium metabolism and muscle function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane Knoll
- Institute of Animal Productions of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cappai
- Institute of Animal Productions of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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16
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Moural TW, Koirala B K S, Bhattarai G, He Z, Guo H, Phan NT, Rajotte EG, Biddinger DJ, Hoover K, Zhu F. Architecture and potential roles of a delta-class glutathione S-transferase in protecting honey bee from agrochemicals. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 350:141089. [PMID: 38163465 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.141089] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The European honey bee, Apis mellifera, serves as the principle managed pollinator species globally. In recent decades, honey bee populations have been facing serious health threats from combined biotic and abiotic stressors, including diseases, limited nutrition, and agrochemical exposure. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying xenobiotic adaptation of A. mellifera is critical, considering its extensive exposure to phytochemicals and agrochemicals present in the environment. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive structural and functional characterization of AmGSTD1, a delta class glutathione S-transferase (GST), to unravel its roles in agrochemical detoxification and antioxidative stress responses. We determined the 3-dimensional (3D) structure of a honey bee GST using protein crystallography for the first time, providing new insights into its molecular structure. Our investigations revealed that AmGSTD1 metabolizes model substrates, including 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNA), phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), propyl isothiocyanate (PITC), and the oxidation byproduct 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). Moreover, we discovered that AmGSTD1 exhibits binding affinity with the fluorophore 8-Anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (ANS), which can be inhibited with various herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and their metabolites. These findings highlight the potential contribution of AmGSTD1 in safeguarding honey bee health against various agrochemicals, while also mitigating oxidative stress resulting from exposure to these substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy W Moural
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Sonu Koirala B K
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Gaurab Bhattarai
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Ziming He
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Haoyang Guo
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Ngoc T Phan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, AR 72701, USA; Research Center for Tropical Bees and Beekeeping, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Gia Lam, Hanoi 100000, Viet Nam.
| | - Edwin G Rajotte
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - David J Biddinger
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center, Biglerville, PA 17307, USA.
| | - Kelli Hoover
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Fang Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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17
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Wang S, Huang W, Li M, Wang N, Liu X, Chen M, Peng X. RpUGT344J7 is involved in the reproduction switch of Rhopalosiphum padi with holocyclic life cycle. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38282241 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Many aphid species exhibit both cyclical parthenogenesis (CP) and the obligate parthenogenesis (OP) life history, which are genetically determined. In CP aphid lineages, the parthenogenetic individuals can switch from asexual to sexual reproduction quickly in response to environmental factors such as changes in photoperiod and temperature. However, the OP aphid lineages do not undergo sexual reproduction under any conditions. So far, mechanisms underlying the reproduction switch in CP aphids have not been fully elucidated. Rhopalosiphum padi, a serious worldwide insect pest of wheat, has both CP and OP lineages. Uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are enzymes that participate in the metabolic detoxification of xenobiotics. Here, we identified 43 RpUGT genes from R. padi genome and transcriptome sequences, and found that: (1) the UGT content of the CP lineage was significantly higher than that in the OP lineage at the key time points when CP lineage mainly produce virginoparae, gynoparae, and males under inducing condition, while there were no significant difference under normal conditions; (2) RpUGT344J7 gene was highly expressed during the time points when CP lineages produce gynopara and males; (3) the critical time points for CP lineages to produce virginoparaee, gynoparae, and males were affected when the CP lineages were injected with dsRpUGT344J7; (4) the knockdown of RpUGT344J7 caused a significant reduction in the total number of virginoparae, gynoparae, and males in the offspring under inducing condition. The findings contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the quick shift from asexual to sexual reproduction in aphid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suji Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Wenjie Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Mengtian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ni Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Maohua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xiong Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
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18
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Maleszka R. Reminiscences on the honeybee genome project and the rise of epigenetic concepts in insect science. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38196200 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The sequencing of the honeybee genome in 2006 was an important technological and logistic achievement experience. But what benefits have flown from the honeybee genome project? What does the annotated genomic assembly mean for the study of behavioural complexity and organismal function in honeybees? Here, I discuss several lines of research that have arisen from this project and highlight the rapidly expanding studies on insect epigenomics, emergent properties of royal jelly, the mechanism of nutritional control of development and the contribution of epigenomic regulation to the evolution of sociality. I also argue that the term 'insect epigenetics' needs to be carefully redefined to reflect the diversity of epigenomic toolkits in insects and the impact of lineage-specific innovations on organismal outcomes. The honeybee genome project helped pioneer advances in social insect molecular biology, and fuelled breakthrough research into the role of flexible epigenomic control systems in linking genotype to phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryszard Maleszka
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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19
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Rahimi A, Kahrizi D, Mirmoayedi A, Zarei L, Jamali S. Genetic Characterizations of the Iranian Honey Bee (Apis mellifera meda Skorikov 1929) Populations Using the Microsatellite DNA Markers. Biochem Genet 2023; 61:2293-2317. [PMID: 37017852 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10368-y] [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: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
The genetic characterization of the Iranian honey bee was investigated by analyzing 10 polymorphic DNA microsatellite loci in 300 honey bee samples representative of twenty Iranian provinces. This study evaluated the heterozygosity (Ho and He), the Shannon index, the number of observed alleles, and F-statistics among tested populations as genetic parameters. Our finding demonstrated that the Iranian honey bee populations were described by low genetic diversity in terms of the number of observed alleles, Shannon index, and Heterozygosity values. Most populations had significant deviations from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium cause of heterozygote shortage. Low FST and FIS values proposed the absence or very low genetic diversity within and among A. m. meda populations in the present study. The cluster analysis has categorized the honey bee samples gathered from various regions of Iran into two main groups, including honey bees in the North-West (i.e., North, Northwest, and West) provinces and honey bees in the East-South (i.e., Eastern North, Central part, and Southern) provinces of Iran. Our results also revealed lower genetic differentiation and heterozygosity among tested honey bee populations. The results from this study are consistent with previous investigations in Iran, alarming the loss of genetic diversity in the Iranian honey bee populations, which leads to more homozygosity. This study presented new data and reports on genetic structure in investigated native Iranian honey bee populations, and it will benefit future studies on selection, native biodiversity preservation and other conservation breeding projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ataollah Rahimi
- Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
- Animal Science Research Department, Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Danial Kahrizi
- Agronomy and Plant Breeding Department, Faculty of Science and Agricultural Engineering, Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
- Agricultural Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Alinaghi Mirmoayedi
- Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Leila Zarei
- Agronomy and Plant Breeding Department, Faculty of Science and Agricultural Engineering, Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Samad Jamali
- Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
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20
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Cheatle Jarvela AM, Wexler JR. Advances in genome sequencing reveal changes in gene content that contribute to arthropod macroevolution. Dev Genes Evol 2023; 233:59-76. [PMID: 37982820 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-023-00712-y] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Current sequencing technology allows for the relatively affordable generation of highly contiguous genomes. Technological advances have made it possible for researchers to investigate the consequences of diverse sorts of genomic variants, such as gene gain and loss. With the extraordinary number of high-quality genomes now available, we take stock of how these genomic variants impact phenotypic evolution. We take care to point out that the identification of genomic variants of interest is only the first step in understanding their impact. Painstaking lab or fieldwork is still required to establish causal relationships between genomic variants and phenotypic evolution. We focus mostly on arthropod research, as this phylum has an impressive degree of phenotypic diversity and is also the subject of much evolutionary genetics research. This article is intended to both highlight recent advances in the field and also to be a primer for learning about evolutionary genetics and genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alys M Cheatle Jarvela
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- HHMI Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA, USA.
| | - Judith R Wexler
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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21
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Alhosin M. Epigenetics Mechanisms of Honeybees: Secrets of Royal Jelly. Epigenet Insights 2023; 16:25168657231213717. [PMID: 38033464 PMCID: PMC10687967 DOI: 10.1177/25168657231213717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Early diets in honeybees have effects on epigenome with consequences on their phenotype. Depending on the early larval diet, either royal jelly (RJ) or royal worker, 2 different female castes are generated from identical genomes, a long-lived queen with fully developed ovaries and a short-lived functionally sterile worker. To generate these prominent physiological and morphological differences between queen and worker, honeybees utilize epigenetic mechanisms which are controlled by nutritional input. These mechanisms include DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications, mainly histone acetylation. In honeybee larvae, DNA methylation and histone acetylation may be differentially altered by RJ. This diet has biologically active ingredients with inhibitory effects on the de novo methyltransferase DNMT3A or the histone deacetylase 3 HDAC3 to create and maintain the epigenetic state necessary for developing larvae to generate a queen. DNMT and HDAC enzymes work together to induce the formation of a compacted chromatin structure, repressing transcription. Such dialog could be coordinated by their association with other epigenetic factors including the ubiquitin-like containing plant homeodomain (PHD) and really interesting new gene (RING) finger domains 1 (UHRF1). Through its multiple functional domains, UHRF1 acts as an epigenetic reader of both DNA methylation patterns and histone marks. The present review discusses the epigenetic regulation of honeybee's chromatin and how the early diets in honeybees can affect the DNA/histone modifying types of machinery that are necessary to stimulate the larvae to turn into either queen or worker. The review also looks at future directions in epigenetics mechanisms of honeybees, mainly the potential role of UHRF1 in these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Alhosin
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Cancer and Mutagenesis Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Centre for Artificial intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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22
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Kucharski R, Ellis N, Jurkowski TP, Hurd PJ, Maleszka R. The PWWP domain and the evolution of unique DNA methylation toolkits in Hymenoptera. iScience 2023; 26:108193. [PMID: 37920666 PMCID: PMC10618690 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
DNMT3 in Hymenoptera has a unique duplication of the essential PWWP domain. Using GST-tagged PWWP fusion proteins and histone arrays we show that these domains have gained new properties and represent the first case of PWWP domains binding to H3K27 chromatin modifications, including H3K27me3, a key modification that is important during development. Phylogenetic analyses of 107 genomes indicate that the duplicated PWWP domains separated into two sister clades, and their distinct binding capacities are supported by 3D modeling. Other features of this unique DNA methylation system include variable copies, losses, and duplications of DNMT1 and DNMT3, and combinatorial generations of DNMT3 isoforms including variants missing the catalytic domain. Some of these losses and duplications of are found only in parasitic wasps. We discuss our findings in the context of the crosstalk between DNA methylation and histone methylation, and the expanded potential of epigenomic modifications in Hymenoptera to drive evolutionary novelties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Kucharski
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Nancy Ellis
- School of Biological & Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Paul J. Hurd
- School of Biological & Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ryszard Maleszka
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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23
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Al-Ayari EA, Shehata MG, El-Hadidi M, Shaalan MG. In silico SNP prediction of selected protein orthologues in insect models for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18986. [PMID: 37923901 PMCID: PMC10624829 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46250-5] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's are the most common neurodegenerative diseases that are incurable and affect the elderly population. Discovery of effective treatments for these diseases is often difficult, expensive, and serendipitous. Previous comparative studies on different model organisms have revealed that most animals share similar cellular and molecular characteristics. The meta-SNP tool includes four different integrated tools (SIFT, PANTHER, SNAP, and PhD-SNP) was used to identify non synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (nsSNPs). Prediction of nsSNPs was conducted on three representative proteins for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases; APPl in Drosophila melanogaster, LRRK1 in Aedes aegypti, and VCPl in Tribolium castaneum. With the possibility of using insect models to investigate neurodegenerative diseases. We conclude from the protein comparative analysis between different insect models and nsSNP analyses that D. melanogaster is the best model for Alzheimer's representing five nsSNPs of the 21 suggested mutations in the APPl protein. Aedes aegypti is the best model for Parkinson's representing three nsSNPs in the LRRK1 protein. Tribolium castaneum is the best model for Huntington's disease representing 13 SNPs of 37 suggested mutations in the VCPl protein. This study aimed to improve human neural health by identifying the best insect to model Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshraka A Al-Ayari
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Magdi G Shehata
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Hadidi
- Bioinformatics Group, Center for Informatics Sciences (CIS), School of Information Technology and Computer Science (ITCS) , Nile University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mona G Shaalan
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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24
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Mee L, Barribeau SM. Influence of social lifestyles on host-microbe symbioses in the bees. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10679. [PMID: 37928198 PMCID: PMC10620586 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbiomes are increasingly recognised as critical for the health of an organism. In eusocial insect societies, frequent social interactions allow for high-fidelity transmission of microbes across generations, leading to closer host-microbe coevolution. The microbial communities of bees with other social lifestyles are less studied, and few comparisons have been made between taxa that vary in social structure. To address this gap, we leveraged a cloud-computing resource and publicly available transcriptomic data to conduct a survey of microbial diversity in bee samples from a variety of social lifestyles and taxa. We consistently recover the core microbes of well-studied corbiculate bees, supporting this method's ability to accurately characterise microbial communities. We find that the bacterial communities of bees are influenced by host location, phylogeny and social lifestyle, although no clear effect was found for fungal or viral microbial communities. Bee genera with more complex societies tend to harbour more diverse microbes, with Wolbachia detected more commonly in solitary tribes. We present a description of the microbiota of Euglossine bees and find that they do not share the "corbiculate core" microbiome. Notably, we find that bacteria with known anti-pathogenic properties are present across social bee genera, suggesting that symbioses that enhance host immunity are important with higher sociality. Our approach provides an inexpensive means of exploring microbiomes of a given taxa and identifying avenues for further research. These findings contribute to our understanding of the relationships between bees and their associated microbial communities, highlighting the importance of considering microbiome dynamics in investigations of bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Mee
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Department of Evolution, Ecology and BehaviourUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Seth M. Barribeau
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Department of Evolution, Ecology and BehaviourUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
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25
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Gokhman VE. Chromosome study of the Hymenoptera (Insecta): from cytogenetics to cytogenomics. COMPARATIVE CYTOGENETICS 2023; 17:239-250. [PMID: 37953851 PMCID: PMC10632776 DOI: 10.3897/compcytogen.17.112332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
A brief overview of the current stage of the chromosome study of the insect order Hymenoptera is given. It is demonstrated that, in addition to routine staining and other traditional techniques of chromosome research, karyotypes of an increasing number of hymenopterans are being studied using molecular methods, e.g., staining with base-specific fluorochromes and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), including microdissection and chromosome painting. Due to the advent of whole genome sequencing and other molecular techniques, together with the "big data" approach to the chromosomal data, the current stage of the chromosome research on Hymenoptera represents a transition from Hymenoptera cytogenetics to cytogenomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir E. Gokhman
- Botanical Garden, Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, RussiaMoscow State UniversityMoscowRussia
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26
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Zhang Y, Liu A, Kang Huang S, Evans JD, Cook SC, Palmer-Young E, Corona M, Alburaki M, Liu G, Chou Han R, Feng Li W, Hao Y, Lian Li J, Gilligan TM, Smith-Pardo AH, Banmeke O, Posada-Florez FJ, Hui Gao Y, DeGrandi-Hoffman G, Chun Xie H, Sadzewicz AM, Hamilton M, Ping Chen Y. Mediating a host cell signaling pathway linked to overwinter mortality offers a promising therapeutic approach for improving bee health. J Adv Res 2023; 53:99-114. [PMID: 36564001 PMCID: PMC10658305 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.12.011] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Honey bees provides valuable pollination services for world food crops and wild flowering plants which are habitats of many animal species and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. Nevertheless, the honey bee population has been declining and the majority of colony losses occur during the winter. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to understand the mechanisms underlying overwinter colony losses and develop novel therapeutic strategies for improving bee health. METHODS First, pathogen prevalence in overwintering bees were screened between 2015 and 2018. Second, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) for transcriptional profiling of overwintering honey bees was conducted and qRT-PCR was performed to confirm the results of the differential expression of selected genes. Lastly, laboratory bioassays were conducted to measure the effects of cold challenges on bee survivorship and stress responses and to assess the effect of a novel medication for alleviating cold stress in honey bees. RESULTS We identified that sirtuin signaling pathway is the most significantly enriched pathway among the down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in overwintering diseased bees. Moreover, we showed that the expression of SIRT1 gene, a major sirtuin that regulates energy and immune metabolism, was significantly downregulated in bees merely exposed to cold challenges, linking cold stress with altered gene expression of SIRT1. Furthermore, we demonstrated that activation of SIRT1 gene expression by SRT1720, an activator of SIRT1 expression, could improve the physiology and extend the lifespan of cold-stressed bees. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that increased energy consumption of overwintering bees for maintaining hive temperature reduces the allocation of energy toward immune functions, thus making the overwintering bees more susceptible to disease infections and leading to high winter colony losses. The novel information gained from this study provides a promising avenue for the development of therapeutic strategies for mitigating colony losses, both overwinter and annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guanzhou 510260, PR China; U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; School of Chinese Medicinal Resource, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Yunfu 527527, PR China
| | - Andrew Liu
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Shao Kang Huang
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; College of Animal Sciences (Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, PR China
| | - Jay D Evans
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Steve C Cook
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Evan Palmer-Young
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Miguel Corona
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Mohamed Alburaki
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Ge Liu
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Ri Chou Han
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guanzhou 510260, PR China
| | - Wen Feng Li
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Yue Hao
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, PR China
| | - Ji Lian Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, PR China
| | - Todd M Gilligan
- Identification Technology Program (ITP) Molecular Laboratory, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology (S&T), Fort Collins, CO 80526-1825, USA
| | - Allan H Smith-Pardo
- Identification Technology Program (ITP) Molecular Laboratory, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology (S&T), Fort Collins, CO 80526-1825, USA
| | - Olubukola Banmeke
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Francisco J Posada-Florez
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Ya Hui Gao
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | | | - Hui Chun Xie
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Animal and Plant Resources of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai Province, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810000, China
| | - Alex M Sadzewicz
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Michele Hamilton
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Yan Ping Chen
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
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27
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Wakamiya T, Kamioka T, Ishii Y, Takahashi J, Maeda T, Kawata M. Genetic differentiation and local adaptation of the Japanese honeybee, Apis cerana japonica. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10573. [PMID: 37780082 PMCID: PMC10541296 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We examine the population genetic structure and divergence among the regional populations of the Japanese honeybee, Apis cerana japonica, by re-sequencing the genomes of 105 individuals from the three main Japanese islands with diverse climates. The genetic structure results indicated that these individuals are distinct from the mainland Chinese A. cerana samples. Furthermore, population structure analyses have identified three genetically distinct geographic regions in Japan: Northern (Tohoku-Kanto-Chubu districts), Central (Chugoku district), and Southern (Kyushu district). In some districts, "possible non-native" individuals, likely introduced from other regions in recent years, were discovered. Then, genome-wide scans were conducted to detect candidate genes for adaptation by two different approaches. We performed a population branch statistics (PBS) analysis to identify candidate genes for population-specific divergence. A latent factor mixed model (LFMM) was used to identify genes associated with climatic variables along a geographic gradient. The PBSmax analysis identified 25 candidate genes for population-specific divergence whereas the LFMM analysis identified 73 candidate genes for adaptation to climatic variables along a geographic gradient. However, no common genes were identified by both methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Wakamiya
- Graduate School of Life SciencesTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Department of Biological SciencesTokyo Metropolitan UniversityHachiojiJapan
| | | | - Yuu Ishii
- Graduate School of Life SciencesTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | | | - Taro Maeda
- Institute for Agro‐Environmental Sciences (NIAES)NAROTsukubaJapan
| | - Masakado Kawata
- Graduate School of Life SciencesTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
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28
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Sun C, Zhang A, Chen J, Schaack S. 'Junk' that matters: the role of transposable elements in bumblebee genome evolution. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 59:101103. [PMID: 37604302 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences that are widely distributed in eukaryotic genomes, where they are known to serve as a major force in genome evolution. The phenotypic impacts of TEs, while less well-studied, have also been discovered. Bumblebees are globally important pollinators in natural ecosystems and agriculture. Although TEs comprise a small fraction of bumblebee genomes, emerging evidence suggests that TEs are the major contributor of genome size variation across species and are involved in the formation of new coding and regulatory sequences. We review recent discoveries related to TEs in bumblebees, as well as outlining three key questions for the future of the field. In the future, we argue long-read sequencing technologies and genome editing techniques will help us identify TEs in bumblebees, unveil mechanisms that could account for their silencing and limited abundance, and uncover their contributions to phenotypic diversification, ecological adaptation, and speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Aibing Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Jinfeng Chen
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Sarah Schaack
- Department of Biology, Reed College, Portland, OR 97202, USA
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29
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Patir A, Raper A, Fleming R, Henderson BEP, Murphy L, Henderson NC, Clark EL, Freeman TC, Barnett MW. Cellular heterogeneity of the developing worker honey bee (Apis mellifera) pupa: a single cell transcriptomics analysis. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad178. [PMID: 37548242 PMCID: PMC10542211 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
It is estimated that animals pollinate 87.5% of flowering plants worldwide and that managed honey bees (Apis mellifera) account for 30-50% of this ecosystem service to agriculture. In addition to their important role as pollinators, honey bees are well-established insect models for studying learning and memory, behavior, caste differentiation, epigenetic mechanisms, olfactory biology, sex determination, and eusociality. Despite their importance to agriculture, knowledge of honey bee biology lags behind many other livestock species. In this study, we have used scRNA-Seq to map cell types to different developmental stages of the worker honey bee (prepupa at day 11 and pupa at day 15) and sought to determine their gene expression signatures. To identify cell-type populations, we examined the cell-to-cell network based on the similarity of the single-cells transcriptomic profiles. Grouping similar cells together we identified 63 different cell clusters of which 17 clusters were identifiable at both stages. To determine genes associated with specific cell populations or with a particular biological process involved in honey bee development, we used gene coexpression analysis. We combined this analysis with literature mining, the honey bee protein atlas, and gene ontology analysis to determine cell cluster identity. Of the cell clusters identified, 17 were related to the nervous system and sensory organs, 7 to the fat body, 19 to the cuticle, 5 to muscle, 4 to compound eye, 2 to midgut, 2 to hemocytes, and 1 to malpighian tubule/pericardial nephrocyte. To our knowledge, this is the first whole single-cell atlas of honey bees at any stage of development and demonstrates the potential for further work to investigate their biology at the cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirudh Patir
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Anna Raper
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Robert Fleming
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Beth E P Henderson
- The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh,Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Lee Murphy
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Neil C Henderson
- The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh,Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
- Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh,Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Emily L Clark
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Tom C Freeman
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Mark W Barnett
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
- Beebytes Analytics CIC, The Roslin Innovation Centre, University of Edinburgh, The Charnock Bradley Building, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
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30
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Vohnoutová M, Sedláková A, Symonová R. Abandoning the Isochore Theory Can Help Explain Genome Compositional Organization in Fish. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13167. [PMID: 37685974 PMCID: PMC10487504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713167] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The organization of the genome nucleotide (AT/GC) composition in vertebrates remains poorly understood despite the numerous genome assemblies available. Particularly, the origin of the AT/GC heterogeneity in amniotes, in comparison to the homogeneity in anamniotes, is controversial. Recently, several exceptions to this dichotomy were confirmed in an ancient fish lineage with mammalian AT/GC heterogeneity. Hence, our current knowledge necessitates a reevaluation considering this fact and utilizing newly available data and tools. We analyzed fish genomes in silico with as low user input as possible to compare previous approaches to assessing genome composition. Our results revealed a disparity between previously used plots of GC% and histograms representing the authentic distribution of GC% values in genomes. Previous plots heavily reduced the range of GC% values in fish to comply with the alleged AT/GC homogeneity and AT-richness of their genomes. We illustrate how the selected sequence size influences the clustering of GC% values. Previous approaches that disregarded chromosome and genome sizes, which are about three times smaller in fish than in mammals, distorted their results and contributed to the persisting confusion about fish genome composition. Chromosome size and their transposons may drive the AT/GC heterogeneity apparent on mammalian chromosomes, whereas far less in fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vohnoutová
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370-05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Anastázie Sedláková
- Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradecká 1285, 500-03 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic;
| | - Radka Symonová
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370-05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sádkách 7, 370-05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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31
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Okwaro LA, Korb J. Epigenetic regulation and division of labor in social insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 58:101051. [PMID: 37164259 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Analogous to multicellular organisms, social insect colonies are characterized by division of labor with queens and workers reflecting germline and soma, respectively. In multicellular organisms, such division is achieved through epigenetic factors regulating cell differentiation during development. Analogously, epigenetic regulation is postulated to regulate caste differences in social insects. We summarize recent findings about the role of epigenetics in social insects, focusing on DNA methylation and histone modifications. We specifically address (i) queen versus worker caste differentiation, (ii) queen versus worker caste differences, and (iii) division of labor among workers. Our review provides an overview of an exciting and controversially discussed field in developmental and molecular biology. It shows that our current understanding about the role of epigenetics in regulating division of labor in social insects is still fragmentary but that refined methods with well-replicated samples and targeted questions offer promising insights into this emerging field of socio-epigenomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis A Okwaro
- University of Freiburg, Evolutionary Biology and Ecology D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Judith Korb
- University of Freiburg, Evolutionary Biology and Ecology D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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32
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Pereira J, Santos-Araujo S, Bomfim L, Gondim KC, Majerowicz D, Pane A, Ramos I. Gene identification and RNAi-silencing of p62/SQSTM1 in the vector Rhodnius prolixus reveals a high degree of sequence conservation but no apparent deficiency-related phenotypes in vitellogenic females. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287488. [PMID: 37486954 PMCID: PMC10365311 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) are important cellular mechanisms that coordinate protein degradation essential for proteostasis. P62/SQSTM1 is a receptor cargo protein able to deliver ubiquitinated targets to the proteasome proteolytic complex and/or to the autophagosome. In the insect vector of Chagas disease, Rhodnius prolixus, previous works have shown that the knockdown of different autophagy-related genes (ATGs) and ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes resulted in abnormal oogenesis phenotypes and embryo lethality. Here, we investigate the role of the autophagy/UPS adaptor protein p62 during the oogenesis and reproduction of this vector. We found that R. prolixus presents one isoform of p62 encoded by a non-annotated gene. The predicted protein presents the domain architecture anticipated for p62: PB1 (N-term), ZZ-finger, and UBA (C-term) domains, and phylogenetic analysis showed that this pattern is highly conserved within insects. Using parental RNAi, we found that although p62 is expressed in the ovary, midgut, and fat body of adult females, systemic silencing of this gene did not result in any apparent phenotypes under in-house conditions. The insects' overall levels of blood meal digestion, lifespan, yolk protein production, oviposition, and embryo viability were not altered when compared to controls. Because it is known that autophagy and UPS can undergo compensatory mechanisms, we asked whether the silencing of p62 was triggering adaptative changes in the expression of genes of the autophagy, UPS, and the unfolded protein response (UPR) and found that only ATG1 was slightly up regulated in the ovaries of silenced females. In addition, experiments to further investigate the role of p62 in insects previously silenced for the E1-conjugating enzyme (a condition known to trigger the upregulation of p62), also did not result in any apparent phenotypes in vitellogenic females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Pereira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Samara Santos-Araujo
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Larissa Bomfim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Katia Calp Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Attilio Pane
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Isabela Ramos
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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33
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Gaubert J, Giovenazzo P, Derome N. Individual and social defenses in Apis mellifera: a playground to fight against synergistic stressor interactions. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1172859. [PMID: 37485064 PMCID: PMC10360197 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1172859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The honeybee is an important species for the agri-food and pharmaceutical industries through bee products and crop pollination services. However, honeybee health is a major concern, because beekeepers in many countries are experiencing significant colony losses. This phenomenon has been linked to the exposure of bees to multiple stresses in their environment. Indeed, several biotic and abiotic stressors interact with bees in a synergistic or antagonistic way. Synergistic stressors often act through a disruption of their defense systems (immune response or detoxification). Antagonistic interactions are most often caused by interactions between biotic stressors or disruptive activation of bee defenses. Honeybees have developed behavioral defense strategies and produce antimicrobial compounds to prevent exposure to various pathogens and chemicals. Expanding our knowledge about these processes could be used to develop strategies to shield bees from exposure. This review aims to describe current knowledge about the exposure of honeybees to multiple stresses and the defense mechanisms they have developed to protect themselves. The effect of multi-stress exposure is mainly due to a disruption of the immune response, detoxification, or an excessive defense response by the bee itself. In addition, bees have developed defenses against stressors, some behavioral, others involving the production of antimicrobials, or exploiting beneficial external factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Gaubert
- Laboratoire Derome, Département de Biologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Laboratoire Giovenazzo, Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre Giovenazzo
- Laboratoire Derome, Département de Biologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Derome
- Laboratoire Derome, Département de Biologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Laboratoire Giovenazzo, Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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De Paula IF, Santos-Araujo S, Majerowicz D, Ramos I, Gondim KC. Knockdown of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1) reduces fat body lipid mobilization and resistance to starvation in the insect vector Rhodnius prolixus. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1201670. [PMID: 37469565 PMCID: PMC10352773 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1201670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The energy stored in fatty acids is essential for several critical activities of insects, such as embryogenesis, oviposition, and flight. Rhodnius prolixus is an obligatory hematophagous hemipteran and vector of Chagas disease, and it feeds infrequently on very large blood meals. As digestion slowly occurs, lipids are synthesized and accumulate in the fat body, mainly as triacylglycerol, in lipid droplets. Between feeding bouts, proper mobilization and oxidation of stored lipids are crucial for survival, and released fatty acids are oxidized by mitochondrial β-oxidation. Carnitine palmitoyl transferase I (CPT1) is the enzyme that catalyzes the first reaction of the carnitine shuttle, where the activated fatty acid, acyl-CoA, is converted to acyl-carnitine to be transported into the mitochondria. Here, we investigated the role of CPT1 in lipid metabolism and in resistance to starvation in Rhodnius prolixus. The expression of the CPT1 gene (RhoprCpt1) was determined in the organs of adult females on the fourth day after a blood meal, and the flight muscle showed higher expression levels than the ovary, fat body, and anterior and posterior midgut. RhoprCpt1 expression in the fat body dramatically decreased after feeding, and started to increase again 10 days later, but no changes were observed in the flight muscle. β-oxidation rates were determined in flight muscle and fat body homogenates with the use of 3H-palmitate, and in unfed females, they were higher in the flight muscle. In the fat body, lipid oxidation activity did not show any variation before or at different days after feeding, and was not affected by the presence of etomoxir or malonyl-CoA. We used RNAi and generated RhoprCPT1-deficient insects, which surprisingly did not show a decrease in measured 3H-palmitate oxidation rates. However, the RNAi-knockdown females presented increased amounts of triacylglycerol and larger lipid droplets in the fat body, but not in the flight muscle. When subjected to starvation, these insects had a shorter lifespan. These results indicated that the inhibition of RhoprCpt1 expression compromised lipid mobilization and affected resistance to starvation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iron F. De Paula
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Samara Santos-Araujo
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Ramos
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Katia C. Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Ai H, Farina WM. In search of behavioral and brain processes involved in honey bee dance communication. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1140657. [PMID: 37456809 PMCID: PMC10342208 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1140657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees represent an iconic model animal for studying the underlying mechanisms affecting advanced sensory and cognitive abilities during communication among colony mates. After von Frisch discovered the functional value of the waggle dance, this complex motor pattern led ethologists and neuroscientists to study its neural mechanism, behavioral significance, and implications for a collective organization. Recent studies have revealed some of the mechanisms involved in this symbolic form of communication by using conventional behavioral and pharmacological assays, neurobiological studies, comprehensive molecular and connectome analyses, and computational models. This review summarizes several critical behavioral and brain processes and mechanisms involved in waggle dance communication. We focus on the role of neuromodulators in the dancer and the recruited follower, the interneurons and their related processing in the first mechano-processing, and the computational navigation centers of insect brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Ai
- Department of Earth System Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Walter M. Farina
- Laboratorio de Insectos Sociales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, CONICET-UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Faria-Reis A, Santos-Araújo S, Pereira J, Rios T, Majerowicz D, Gondim KC, Ramos I. Silencing of the 20S proteasomal subunit-α6 triggers full oogenesis arrest and increased mRNA levels of the selective autophagy adaptor protein p62/SQSTM1 in the ovary of the vector Rhodnius prolixus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011380. [PMID: 37267415 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The high reproductive rates of insects contribute significantly to their ability to act as vectors of a variety of vector-borne diseases. Therefore, it is strategically critical to find molecular targets with biotechnological potential through the functional study of genes essential for insect reproduction. The ubiquitin-proteasome system is a vital degradative pathway that contributes to the maintenance of regular eukaryotic cell proteostasis. This mechanism involves the action of enzymes to covalently link ubiquitin to proteins that are meant to be delivered to the 26S proteasome and broken down. The 26S proteasome is a large protease complex (including the 20S and 19S subcomplexes) that binds, deubiquitylates, unfolds, and degrades its substrates. Here, we used bioinformatics to identify the genes that encode the seven α and β subunits of the 20S proteasome in the genome of R. prolixus and learned that those transcripts are accumulated into mature oocytes. To access proteasome function during oogenesis, we conducted RNAi functional tests employing one of the 20S proteasome subunits (Prosα6) as a tool to suppress 20S proteasomal activity. We found that Prosα6 silencing resulted in no changes in TAG buildup in the fat body and unaffected availability of yolk proteins in the hemolymph of vitellogenic females. Despite this, the silencing of Prosα6 culminated in the impairment of oocyte maturation at the early stages of oogenesis. Overall, we discovered that proteasome activity is especially important for the signals that initiate oogenesis in R. prolixus and discuss in what manner further investigations on the regulation of proteasome assembly and activity might contribute to the unraveling of oogenesis molecular mechanisms and oocyte maturation in this vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allana Faria-Reis
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Samara Santos-Araújo
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Pereira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thamara Rios
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular-INCT-EM/CNPq
| | - Katia C Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular-INCT-EM/CNPq
| | - Isabela Ramos
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular-INCT-EM/CNPq
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Almeida-Oliveira F, Santos-Araujo S, Carvalho-Kelly LF, Macedo-Silva A, Meyer-Fernandes JR, Gondim KC, Majerowicz D. ATP synthase affects lipid metabolism in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus beyond its role in energy metabolism. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023:103956. [PMID: 37196906 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
ATP synthase plays an essential role in mitochondrial metabolism, being responsible for the production of ATP in oxidative phosphorylation. However, recent results have shown that it may also be present in the cell membrane, involved in lipophorin binding to its receptors. Here, we used a functional genetics approach to investigate the roles of ATP synthase in lipid metabolism in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus. The genome of R. prolixus encodes five nucleotide-binding domain genes of the ATP synthase alpha and beta family, including the alpha and beta subunits of ATP synthase (RpATPSynA and RpATPSynB), and the catalytic and non-catalytic subunits of the vacuolar ATPase (RpVha68 and RpVha55). These genes were expressed in all analyzed organs, being their expression highest in the ovaries, fat body and flight muscle. Feeding did not regulate the expression of ATP synthases in the posterior midgut or fat body. Furthermore, ATP synthase is present in the fat body's mitochondrial and membrane fractions. RpATPSynB knockdown by RNAi impaired ovarian development and reduced egg-laying by approximately 85%. Furthermore, the lack of RpATPSynB increased the amount of triacylglycerol in the fat body due to increased de novo fatty acid synthesis and reduced transfer of lipids to lipophorin. RpATPSynA knockdown had similar effects, with altered ovarian development, reduced oviposition, and triacylglycerol accumulation in the fat body. However, ATP synthases knockdown had only a slight effect on the amount of ATP in the fat body. These results support the hypothesis that ATP synthase has a direct role in lipid metabolism and lipophorin physiology, which are not directly due to changes in energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samara Santos-Araujo
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Alessa Macedo-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Katia C Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brazil; Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Ma L, Liu Q, Wei S, Liu S, Tian L, Song F, Duan Y, Cai W, Li H. Chromosome-level genome assembly of bean flower thrips Megalurothrips usitatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Sci Data 2023; 10:252. [PMID: 37137922 PMCID: PMC10156705 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bean flower thrips Megalurothrips usitatus is a staple pest of cowpea and other legumes and causes dramatic economic losses. Its small size allows for easy concealment, and large reproductive capacity easily leads to infestations. Despite the importance of a genome in developing novel management strategies, genetic studies on M. usitatus remain limited. Thus, we generated a chromosome-level M. usitatus genome using a combination of PacBio long read and Hi-C technologies. The assembled genome was 238.14 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 13.85 Mb. The final genome was anchored into 16 pseudo-chromosomes containing 14,000 genes, of which 91.74% were functionally annotated. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that expanded gene families were enriched in fatty acid metabolism and detoxification metabolism (ABC transporters), and contracted gene families were strongly associated with chitin-based cuticle development and sensory perception of taste. In conclusion, this high-quality genome provides an invaluable resource for us to understand the thrips' ecology and genetics, contributing to pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Ma
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Liu
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Shujun Wei
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Shanlin Liu
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Fan Song
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Yuange Duan
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Wanzhi Cai
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China.
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Maiwald F, Haas J, Hertlein G, Lueke B, Roesner J, Nauen R. Expression profile of the entire detoxification gene inventory of the western honeybee, Apis mellifera across life stages. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 192:105410. [PMID: 37105637 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The western honeybee, Apis mellifera, is a managed pollinator of many crops and potentially exposed to a wide range of foreign compounds, including pesticides throughout its life cycle. Honeybees as well as other insects recruit molecular defense mechanisms to facilitate the detoxification of xenobiotic compounds. The inventory of detoxification genes (DETOXome) is comprised of five protein superfamilies: cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450), carboxylesterases, glutathione S-transferases (GST), UDP-glycosyl transferases (UGT) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Here we characterized the gene expression profile of the entire honeybee DETOXome by analyzing 47 transcriptomes across the honeybee life cycle, including different larval instars, pupae, and adults. All life stages were well separated by principal component analysis, and K-means clustering revealed distinct temporal patterns of gene expression. Indeed, >50% of the honeybee detoxification gene inventory is found in one cluster and follows strikingly similar expression profiles, i.e., increased expression during larval development, followed by a sharp decline after pupation and a steep increase again in adults. This cluster includes 29 P450 genes dominated by CYP3 and CYP4 clan members, 15 ABC transporter genes mostly belonging to the ABCC subfamily and 13 carboxylesterase genes including almost all members involved in dietary/detox and hormone/semiochemical processing. RT-qPCR analysis of selected detoxification genes from all families revealed high expression levels in various tissues, especially Malpighian tubules, fatbody and midgut, supporting the view that these tissues are essential for metabolic clearance of environmental toxins and pollutants in honeybees. Our study is meant to spark further research on the molecular basis of detoxification in this critical pollinator to better understand and evaluate negative impacts from potentially toxic substances. Additionally, the entire gene set of 47 transcriptomes collected and analyzed provides a valuable resource for future honeybee research across different disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Maiwald
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D, Pest Control, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Julian Haas
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D, Pest Control, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Gillian Hertlein
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D, Pest Control, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Bettina Lueke
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D, Pest Control, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Janin Roesner
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D, Pest Control, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Ralf Nauen
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D, Pest Control, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany.
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Sun Z, Chen Y, Chen Y, Lu Z, Gui F. Tracking Adaptive Pathways of Invasive Insects: Novel Insight from Genomics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098004. [PMID: 37175710 PMCID: PMC10179030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098004] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the huge human and economic costs of invasive insects, which are the main group of invasive species, their environmental impacts through various mechanisms remain inadequately explained in databases and much of the invasion biology literature. High-throughput sequencing technology, especially whole-genome sequencing, has been used as a powerful method to study the mechanisms through which insects achieve invasion. In this study, we reviewed whole-genome sequencing-based advances in revealing several important invasion mechanisms of invasive insects, including (1) the rapid genetic variation and evolution of invasive populations, (2) invasion history and dispersal paths, (3) rapid adaptation to different host plant ranges, (4) strong environmental adaptation, (5) the development of insecticide resistance, and (6) the synergistic damage caused by invasive insects and endosymbiotic bacteria. We also discussed prevention and control technologies based on whole-genome sequencing and their prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources of Yunnan, College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources of Yunnan, College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yaping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources of Yunnan, College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Zhihui Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources of Yunnan, College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Furong Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources of Yunnan, College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
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Favreau E, Cini A, Taylor D, Câmara Ferreira F, Bentley MA, Cappa F, Cervo R, Privman E, Schneider J, Thiéry D, Mashoodh R, Wyatt CDR, Brown RL, Bodrug-Schepers A, Stralis-Pavese N, Dohm JC, Mead D, Himmelbauer H, Guigo R, Sumner S. Putting hornets on the genomic map. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6232. [PMID: 37085574 PMCID: PMC10121689 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31932-x] [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: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hornets are the largest of the social wasps, and are important regulators of insect populations in their native ranges. Hornets are also very successful as invasive species, with often devastating economic, ecological and societal effects. Understanding why these wasps are such successful invaders is critical to managing future introductions and minimising impact on native biodiversity. Critical to the management toolkit is a comprehensive genomic resource for these insects. Here we provide the annotated genomes for two hornets, Vespa crabro and Vespa velutina. We compare their genomes with those of other social Hymenoptera, including the northern giant hornet Vespa mandarinia. The three hornet genomes show evidence of selection pressure on genes associated with reproduction, which might facilitate the transition into invasive ranges. Vespa crabro has experienced positive selection on the highest number of genes, including those putatively associated with molecular binding and olfactory systems. Caste-specific brain transcriptomic analysis also revealed 133 differentially expressed genes, some of which are associated with olfactory functions. This report provides a spring-board for advancing our understanding of the evolution and ecology of hornets, and opens up opportunities for using molecular methods in the future management of both native and invasive populations of these over-looked insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeline Favreau
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Alessandro Cini
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Biology, Università di Pisa, Via Volta 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daisy Taylor
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Michael A Bentley
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Federico Cappa
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Rita Cervo
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Eyal Privman
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Abba Hushi 199, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Jadesada Schneider
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Denis Thiéry
- INRAe, UMR 1065 Santé et Agroécologie du Vignoble, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, ISVV, Université de Bordeaux, 33883, Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Rahia Mashoodh
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Christopher D R Wyatt
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Robert L Brown
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, 54 Gerald Street, Lincoln, 7608, New Zealand
| | - Alexandrina Bodrug-Schepers
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Computational Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nancy Stralis-Pavese
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Computational Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Juliane C Dohm
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Computational Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel Mead
- Tree of Life Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Heinz Himmelbauer
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Computational Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roderic Guigo
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Seirian Sumner
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
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42
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Nazemi-Rafie J, Fatehi F, Hasrak S. A comparative transcriptome analysis of the head of 1 and 9 days old worker honeybees ( Apis mellifera). BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:253-270. [PMID: 36511774 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485322000554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The role of bees in the environment, economic, biodiversity and pharmaceutical industries is due to its social behavior, which is oriented from the brain and hypopharyngeal gland that is the center of royal jelly (RJ) production. Limited studies have been performed on the head gene expression profile at the RJ production stage. The aim of this study was to compare the gene expressions in 9 and 1-day-old (DO) honeybee workers in order to achieve better understanding about head gene expression pattern. After sequencing of RNAs, transcriptome and their networks were compared. The head expression profile undergoes various changes. 1662 gene transcripts had differential expressions which 1125 and 537 were up and down regulated, respectively, in 9_DO compared with 1_DO honey bees. The day 1th had more significant role in the expression of genes related to RJ production as major RJ protein 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 encoding genes, but their maximum secretion occurred at day 9th. All process related to hypopharyngeal glands activities as CYP450 gene, fatty acid synthase gene, vitamin B6 metabolism and some of genes involved in fatty acid elongation and degradation process had an upward trend from 1_DO and were age-dependent. By increasing the age, the activity of pathways related to immune system increased for keeping the health of bees against the chemical compound. The expression of aromatic amino acid genes involved in Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis pathway are essential for early stage of life. In 9_DO honeybees, the energy supplying, reducing stress, protein production and export pathways have a crucial role for support the body development and the social duties. It can be stated that the activity of honeybee head is focused on energy supply instead of storage, while actively trying to improve the level of cell dynamics for increasing the immunity and reducing stress. Results of current study identified key genes of certain behaviors of honeybee workers. Deeper considering of some pathways will be evaluated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Nazemi-Rafie
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
| | - Foad Fatehi
- Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shabnam Hasrak
- Genome Center, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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Gomez Ramirez WC, Thomas NK, Muktar IJ, Riabinina O. The neuroecology of olfaction in bees. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 56:101018. [PMID: 36842606 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The focus of bee neuroscience has for a long time been on only a handful of social honeybee and bumblebee species, out of thousands of bees species that have been described. On the other hand, information about the chemical ecology of bees is much more abundant. Here we attempted to compile the scarce information about olfactory systems of bees across species. We also review the major categories of intra- and inter-specific olfactory behaviors of bees, with specific focus on recent literature. We finish by discussing the most promising avenues for bee olfactory research in the near future.
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Hassanyar AK, Nie H, Li Z, Lin Y, Huang J, Woldegiorgis ST, Hussain M, Feng W, Zhang Z, Yu K, Su S. Discovery of SNP Molecular Markers and Candidate Genes Associated with Sacbrood Virus Resistance in Apis cerana cerana Larvae by Whole-Genome Resequencing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076238. [PMID: 37047210 PMCID: PMC10094193 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sacbrood virus (SBV) is a significant problem that impedes brood development in both eastern and western honeybees. Whole-genome sequencing has become an important tool in researching population genetic variations. Numerous studies have been conducted using multiple techniques to suppress SBV infection in honeybees, but the genetic markers and molecular mechanisms underlying SBV resistance have not been identified. To explore single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, deletions (Indels), and genes at the DNA level related to SBV resistance, we conducted whole-genome resequencing on 90 Apis cerana cerana larvae raised in vitro and challenged with SBV. After filtering, a total of 337.47 gigabytes of clean data and 31,000,613 high-quality SNP loci were detected in three populations. We used ten databases to annotate 9359 predicted genes. By combining population differentiation index (FST) and nucleotide polymorphisms (π), we examined genome variants between resistant (R) and susceptible (S) larvae, focusing on site integrity (INT < 0.5) and minor allele frequency (MAF < 0.05). A selective sweep analysis with the top 1% and top 5% was used to identify significant regions. Two SNPs on the 15th chromosome with GenBank KZ288474.1_322717 (Guanine > Cytosine) and KZ288479.1_95621 (Cytosine > Thiamine) were found to be significantly associated with SBV resistance based on their associated allele frequencies after SNP validation. Each SNP was authenticated in 926 and 1022 samples, respectively. The enrichment and functional annotation pathways from significantly predicted genes to SBV resistance revealed immune response processes, signal transduction mechanisms, endocytosis, peroxisomes, phagosomes, and regulation of autophagy, which may be significant in SBV resistance. This study presents novel and useful SNP molecular markers that can be utilized as assisted molecular markers to select honeybees resistant to SBV for breeding and that can be used as a biocontrol technique to protect honeybees from SBV.
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Zheng SY, Pan LX, Cheng FP, Jin MJ, Wang ZL. A Global Survey of the Full-Length Transcriptome of Apis mellifera by Single-Molecule Long-Read Sequencing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065827. [PMID: 36982901 PMCID: PMC10059051 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065827] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As important pollinators, honey bees play a crucial role in both maintaining the ecological balance and providing products for humans. Although several versions of the western honey bee genome have already been published, its transcriptome information still needs to be refined. In this study, PacBio single-molecule sequencing technology was used to sequence the full-length transcriptome of mixed samples from many developmental time points and tissues of A. mellifera queens, workers and drones. A total of 116,535 transcripts corresponding to 30,045 genes were obtained. Of these, 92,477 transcripts were annotated. Compared to the annotated genes and transcripts on the reference genome, 18,915 gene loci and 96,176 transcripts were newly identified. From these transcripts, 136,554 alternative splicing (AS) events, 23,376 alternative polyadenylation (APA) sites and 21,813 lncRNAs were detected. In addition, based on the full-length transcripts, we identified many differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) between queen, worker and drone. Our results provide a complete set of reference transcripts for A. mellifera that dramatically expand our understanding of the complexity and diversity of the honey bee transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang-Yan Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- Sino-German Joint Research Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Lu-Xia Pan
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Fu-Ping Cheng
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Meng-Jie Jin
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Zi-Long Wang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
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Sokół R, Michalczyk M. A Preliminary Study on “Personalised Treatment” against Varroa destructor Infestations in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13060987. [PMID: 36978527 PMCID: PMC10044234 DOI: 10.3390/ani13060987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The requirement for the protection of bee colonies against Varroa destructor invasions has been noted by many breeders and is included as an aspect of the development of beekeeping. This research aimed to check the effect of the development of a colony exposed to laying eggs (brood surface) by queen bees with similar chemical potential (sisters) on the effect of a preparation combating V. destructor depending on the number of mites found in a given colony. We chose this as a standard model of conduct that treats each bee colony as one organism subjected to individual parasite control. For this purpose, we created a bee colony with a mother-of-one breeding line and fertilised drones from one colony. Infection with V. destructor occurred naturally and uncontrollably. Without interfering with the colony’s development, the frame insulator helped each colony’s brood (mothers’ reproductive potential) and the initial and final individuals from the mites themselves. The study was carried out in four species (two control species and two species with up to 20 and over 21 mites, respectively). Treatments with amitraz to combat damage were divided into four treatment subgroups: two treatments every four days or four treatments every two days. We observed the number of individuals that were protected in all subgroups in the average brood area. The reproductive potential of the sisters’ mothers did not change after the treatments with amitraz, which indicated that amitraz did not affect the delegation of egg laying. The invasion rate was also tracked relative to the control group, which allowed us to conclude that a two-time treatment with amitraz reduced the frequency of mites and a four-time treatment checked the effectiveness. Tailoring the control of V. destructor in bee colonies may be an effective measure in the fight against this parasite.
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Bournonville L, Askri D, Arafah K, Voisin SN, Bocquet M, Bulet P. Unraveling the Bombus terrestris Hemolymph, an Indicator of the Immune Response to Microbial Infections, through Complementary Mass Spectrometry Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054658. [PMID: 36902086 PMCID: PMC10003634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054658] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pollinators, including Bombus terrestris, are crucial for maintaining biodiversity in ecosystems and for agriculture. Deciphering their immune response under stress conditions is a key issue for protecting these populations. To assess this metric, we analyzed the B. terrestris hemolymph as an indicator of their immune status. Hemolymph analysis was carried out using mass spectrometry, MALDI molecular mass fingerprinting was used for its effectiveness in assessing the immune status, and high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to measure the impact of experimental bacterial infections on the "hemoproteome". By infecting with three different types of bacteria, we observed that B. terrestris reacts in a specific way to bacterial attacks. Indeed, bacteria impact survival and stimulate an immune response in infected individuals, visible through changes in the molecular composition of their hemolymph. The characterization and label-free quantification of proteins involved in specific signaling pathways in bumble bees by bottom-up proteomics revealed differences in protein expression between the non-experimentally infected and the infected bees. Our results highlight the alteration of pathways involved in immune and defense reactions, stress, and energetic metabolism. Lastly, we developed molecular signatures reflecting the health status of B. terrestris to pave the way for diagnosis/prognosis tools in response to environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorène Bournonville
- Platform BioPark Archamps, 218 Avenue Marie Curie ArchParc, 74160 Archamps, France
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Sciences III, 30 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dalel Askri
- Platform BioPark Archamps, 218 Avenue Marie Curie ArchParc, 74160 Archamps, France
| | - Karim Arafah
- Platform BioPark Archamps, 218 Avenue Marie Curie ArchParc, 74160 Archamps, France
| | - Sébastien N. Voisin
- Platform BioPark Archamps, 218 Avenue Marie Curie ArchParc, 74160 Archamps, France
- Phylogene S.A. 62 RN113, 30620 Bernis, France
| | - Michel Bocquet
- Michel Bocquet, Apimedia, 82 Route de Proméry, Pringy, 74370 Annecy, France
| | - Philippe Bulet
- Platform BioPark Archamps, 218 Avenue Marie Curie ArchParc, 74160 Archamps, France
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, University Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-4-50-43-25-21
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Zhang B, Li X, Jiang Y, Liu J, Zhang J, Ma W. Comparative transcriptome analysis of adult worker bees under short-term heat stress. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1099015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
High temperature affects behavior, physiology, survival, and the expression of related genes in adult honeybees. Apis mellifera is the common pollinator in greenhouse and is susceptible to high temperature stress. To further explore the molecular basis related to heat stress, we compared the transcriptome profiles of adult worker bees at 25 and 45°C, and detected the expression patterns of some differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in different tissues by q RT-PCR. Differential expression analysis showed that 277 DEGs were identified, including 167 genes upregulated and 110 genes downregulated after heat stress exposure in adult worker bees. In GO enrichment analysis, DEGs were mostly enriched for protein folding, unfold protein binding, and heme binding terms. Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum and longevity regulating pathway-multiple species were significantly enriched in KEGG. The expression levels of 16 DEGs were consistent with the transcriptome results. The expression patterns of 9 DEGs in different tissues revealed high levels in the thorax, which was supposed that the thorax may be the most important part in the response to heat stress. This study provided valuable data for exploring the function of heat resistance-related genes.
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Moris VC, Podsiadlowski L, Martin S, Oeyen JP, Donath A, Petersen M, Wilbrandt J, Misof B, Liedtke D, Thamm M, Scheiner R, Schmitt T, Niehuis O. Intrasexual cuticular hydrocarbon dimorphism in a wasp sheds light on hydrocarbon biosynthesis genes in Hymenoptera. Commun Biol 2023; 6:147. [PMID: 36737661 PMCID: PMC9898505 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04370-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) cover the cuticle of insects and serve as desiccation barrier and as semiochemicals. While the main enzymatic steps of CHC biosynthesis are well understood, few of the underlying genes have been identified. Here we show how exploitation of intrasexual CHC dimorphism in a mason wasp, Odynerus spinipes, in combination with whole-genome sequencing and comparative transcriptomics facilitated identification of such genes. RNAi-mediated knockdown of twelve candidate gene orthologs in the honey bee, Apis mellifera, confirmed nine genes impacting CHC profile composition. Most of them have predicted functions consistent with current knowledge of CHC metabolism. However, we found first-time evidence for a fatty acid amide hydrolase also influencing CHC profile composition. In situ hybridization experiments furthermore suggest trophocytes participating in CHC biosynthesis. Our results set the base for experimental CHC profile manipulation in Hymenoptera and imply that the evolutionary origin of CHC biosynthesis predates the arthropods' colonization of land.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria C. Moris
- grid.5963.9Department of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Institute of Biology I (Zoology), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany ,grid.4989.c0000 0001 2348 0746Laboratory of Molecular Biology & Evolution (MBE), Department of Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lars Podsiadlowski
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany ,grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Martin
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany ,grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan Philip Oeyen
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany ,grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexander Donath
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Malte Petersen
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany ,grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300High Performance Computing & Analytics Lab, University of Bonn, Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jeanne Wilbrandt
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany ,grid.418245.e0000 0000 9999 5706Leibniz Institute on Aging — Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Misof
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniel Liedtke
- grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Institute of Human Genetics, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Thamm
- grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ricarda Scheiner
- grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Niehuis
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Institute of Biology I (Zoology), University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
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Recent Advances and Future Potential of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Insects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032605. [PMID: 36768922 PMCID: PMC9917219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have witnessed a steep rise in interest amongst the scientific community. Because of their functional significance in several biological processes, i.e., alternative splicing, epigenetics, cell cycle, dosage compensation, and gene expression regulation, lncRNAs have transformed our understanding of RNA's regulatory potential. However, most knowledge concerning lncRNAs comes from mammals, and our understanding of the potential role of lncRNAs amongst insects remains unclear. Technological advances such as RNA-seq have enabled entomologists to profile several hundred lncRNAs in insect species, although few are functionally studied. This article will review experimentally validated lncRNAs from different insects and the lncRNAs identified via bioinformatic tools. Lastly, we will discuss the existing research challenges and the future of lncRNAs in insects.
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