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Peng T, Kennedy A, Wu Y, Foitzik S, Grüter C. Early life exposure to queen mandibular pheromone mediates persistent transcriptional changes in the brain of honey bee foragers. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb247516. [PMID: 38725404 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247516] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Behavioural regulation in insect societies remains a fundamental question in sociobiology. In hymenopteran societies, the queen plays a crucial role in regulating group behaviour by affecting individual behaviour and physiology through modulation of worker gene expression. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens signal their presence via queen mandibular pheromone (QMP). While QMP has been shown to influence behaviour and gene expression of young workers, we know little about how these changes translate in older workers. The effects of the queen pheromone could have prolonged molecular impacts on workers that depend on an early sensitive period. We demonstrate that removal of QMP impacts long-term gene expression in the brain and antennae in foragers that were treated early in life (1 day post emergence), but not when treated later in life. Genes important for division of labour, learning, chemosensory perception and ageing were among those differentially expressed in the antennae and brain tissues, suggesting that QMP influences diverse physiological and behavioural processes in workers. Surprisingly, removal of QMP did not have an impact on foraging behaviour. Overall, our study suggests a sensitive period early in the life of workers, where the presence or absence of a queen has potentially life-long effects on transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfei Peng
- Institute of Molecular and Organismic Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Biozentrum I, Hanns Dieter Hüsch Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, PR China
| | - Anissa Kennedy
- Institute of Molecular and Organismic Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Biozentrum I, Hanns Dieter Hüsch Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Yongqiang Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Organismic Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Biozentrum I, Hanns Dieter Hüsch Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Molecular and Organismic Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Biozentrum I, Hanns Dieter Hüsch Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christoph Grüter
- Institute of Molecular and Organismic Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Biozentrum I, Hanns Dieter Hüsch Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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2
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Pyenson BC, Rehan SM. Gene regulation supporting sociality shared across lineages and variation in complexity. Genome 2024; 67:99-108. [PMID: 38096504 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2023-0054] [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: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Across evolutionary lineages, insects vary in social complexity, from those that exhibit extended parental care to those with elaborate divisions of labor. Here, we synthesize the sociogenomic resources from hundreds of species to describe common gene regulatory mechanisms in insects that regulate social organization across phylogeny and levels of social complexity. Different social phenotypes expressed by insects can be linked to the organization of co-expressing gene networks and features of the epigenetic landscape. Insect sociality also stems from processes like the emergence of parental care and the decoupling of ancestral genetic programs. One underexplored avenue is how variation in a group's social environment affects the gene expression of individuals. Additionally, an experimental reduction of gene expression would demonstrate how the activity of specific genes contributes to insect social phenotypes. While tissue specificity provides greater localization of the gene expression underlying social complexity, emerging transcriptomic analysis of insect brains at the cellular level provides even greater resolution to understand the molecular basis of social insect evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra M Rehan
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
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3
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Li WZ, Kang WJ, Zhou JJ, Shang SQ, Shi SL. The antennal transcriptome analysis and characterizations of odorant-binding proteins in Megachile saussurei (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae). BMC Genomics 2023; 24:781. [PMID: 38102559 PMCID: PMC10724985 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09871-8] [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: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are essential in insect's daily behaviors mediated by olfactory perception. Megachile saussurei Radoszkowski (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae) is a principal insect pollinating alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in Northwestern China. The olfactory function have been less conducted, which provides a lot of possibilities for our research. RESULTS Our results showed that 20 OBPs were identified in total. Multiple sequence alignment analysis indicated MsauOBPs were highly conserved with a 6-cysteine motif pattern and all belonged to the classic subfamily, coding 113-196 amino acids and sharing 41.32%-99.12% amino acid identity with known OBPs of other bees. Phylogenetic analysis indicated there were certain homologies existed among MsauOBPs and most sequences were clustered with that of Osmia cornuta (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae). Expression analysis showed the identified OBPs were mostly enriched in antennae instead of other four body parts, especially the MsauOBP2, MsauOBP3, MsauOBP4, MsauOBP8, MsauOBP11 and MsauOBP17, in which the MsauOBP2, MsauOBP4 and MsauOBP8 presented obvious tissue-biased expression pattern. Molecular docking results indicated MsauOBP4 might be the most significant protein in recognizing alfalfa flower volatile 3-Octanone, while MsauOBP13 might be the most crucial protein identifying (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. It was also found the lysine was a momentous hydrophilic amino acid in docking simulations. CONCLUSION In this study, we identified and analyzed 20 OBPs of M. saussurei. The certain homology existed among these OBPs, while some degree of divergence could also be noticed, indicating the complex functions that different MsauOBPs performed. Besides, the M. saussurei and Osmia cornuta were very likely to share similar physiological functions as most of their OBPs were clustered together. MsauOBP4 might be the key protein in recognizing 3-Octanone, while MsauOBP13 might be the key protein in binding (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. These two proteins might contribute to the alfalfa-locating during the pollination process. The relevant results may help determine the highly specific and effective attractants for M. saussurei in alfalfa pollination and reveal the molecular mechanism of odor-evoked pollinating behavior between these two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Zhen Li
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, and Sino-U.S. Centers for Grazingland Ecosystem Sustainability, College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Wen-Juan Kang
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, and Sino-U.S. Centers for Grazingland Ecosystem Sustainability, College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Jing-Jiang Zhou
- College of Plant Protection, Biocontrol Engineering Laboratory of Crop Diseases and Pests of Gansu Province, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Su-Qin Shang
- College of Plant Protection, Biocontrol Engineering Laboratory of Crop Diseases and Pests of Gansu Province, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
| | - Shang-Li Shi
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, and Sino-U.S. Centers for Grazingland Ecosystem Sustainability, College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
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4
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Suzuki RH, Hanada T, Hayashi Y, Shigenobu S, Maekawa K, Hojo MK. Gene expression profiles of chemosensory genes of termite soldier and worker antennae. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37017304 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Termites have an elaborate social system that involves cooperation and division of labour among colony members. Although this social system is regulated by chemical signals produced in the colony, it remains unclear how these signals are perceived by other members. Signal transduction is well known to be triggered by the reception of odorant molecules by some binding proteins in the antennae, after which, a signal is transmitted to chemosensory receptors. However, there is insufficient information on the role of chemosensory genes involved in signal transduction in termites. Here, we identified the genes involved in chemosensory reception in the termite Reticulitermes speratus and performed a genome-wide comparative transcriptome analysis of worker and soldier antennae. First, we identified 31 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), and three chemosensory protein A (CheA) from the genome data. Thereafter, we performed RNA sequencing to compare the expression levels of OBPs, CheAs, and previously identified chemosensory receptor genes between worker and soldier antennae. There were no receptor genes with significant differences in expression between castes. However, the expression levels of three non-receptor odorant-detection/binding proteins (OBP, CheA, and Sensory neuron membrane protein) were significantly different between castes. Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) analysis using antennae and other head parts confirmed that these genes were highly expressed in soldier antennae. Finally, independent RT-qPCR analysis showed that the expression patterns of these genes were altered in soldiers from different social contexts. Present results suggest that gene expression levels of some non-receptors are affected by both castes and behavioural interactions among colony members in termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei H Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Takumi Hanada
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | | | - Shuji Shigenobu
- Trans-Scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | | | - Masaru K Hojo
- School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Japan
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5
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Yang F, Zhang G, Liu J, Duan S, Li L, Lu Y, Wang MQ, Zhou A. Sublethal Exposure to Cadmium Induces Chemosensory Dysfunction in Fire Ants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:12440-12451. [PMID: 35944015 PMCID: PMC9454817 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ants easily accumulate cadmium (Cd) from the food web in terrestrial ecosystems. Cd contamination may cause olfactory dysfunction and consequently disorders in the social behavior of ants. To explore the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of Cd exposure on the chemosensory process of ants, we characterized the Cd-induced variations in the expression of genes involved in chemoreception and electrophysiological and behavioral sensitivity to semiochemicals by using the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, as a model system. As a result, Cd exposure increased Cd accumulation and decreased the survival rate of S. invicta. Cd exposure altered the expression profiles of odor binding protein genes of S. invicta (SiOBPs). Specifically, SiOBP15 protein expression was upregulated upon Cd exposure. Both SiOBP7 and SiOBP15 exhibited high binding affinities to limonene, nonanal, and 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine. S. invicta exposed to Cd showed less sensitive electrophysiological and behavioral response to the three chemicals but exhibited sensitive perception to undecane. Silencing of SiOBP7 and SiOBP15 abolished the behavioral response of S. invicta to nonanal and undecane, respectively, suggesting that SiOBP7 and SiOBP15 play essential roles in the chemoreception of S. invicta. In general, our results suggest that Cd contamination may interfere with olfactory signal transduction by altering the expression of SiOBPs, consequently evoking chemosensory dysfunction in fire ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxiang Yang
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Guoqing Zhang
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jinlong Liu
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shuanggang Duan
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lei Li
- Environment
and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese
Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China
| | - Yongyue Lu
- Department
of Entomology, South China Agricultural
University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Man-Qun Wang
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Aiming Zhou
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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6
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Du Y, Chen J. The Odorant Binding Protein, SiOBP5, Mediates Alarm Pheromone Olfactory Recognition in the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1595. [PMID: 34827593 PMCID: PMC8615367 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfaction is crucial in mediating various behaviors of social insects such as red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren. Olfactory receptor (OR) complexes consist of odor-specific ORs and OR co-receptors (Orco). Orcos are highly conserved across insect taxa and are widely co-expressed with ORs. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) can transport semiochemicals to ORs as protein carriers and thus constitute the first molecular recognition step in insect olfaction. In this study, three OBP genes highly expressed in S. invicta antenna, OBP1, OBP5, OBP6, and Orco were partially silenced using RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi SiOBP5- and Orco-injected ants showed significantly lower EAG (electroantennography) responses to fire ant alarm pheromones and the alkaloid, 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine than water- or GFP-injected ants 72 h post injection. Subsequent qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the transcript level of the OBP1, OBP5, OBP6, and Orco significantly decreased 72 h after ants were injected with dsRNAs; however, there were no transcript level or EAG changes in ants fed dsRNAs. Our results suggest that S. invicta Orco and SiOBP5 are crucial to fire ants for their responses to alarm pheromones. RNAi knocking down SiOBP5 can significantly disrupt alarm pheromone communication, suggesting that disrupting SiOBP5 and Orcos could be potentially useful in the management of red imported fire ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhe Du
- Southern Insect Management Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA
| | - Jian Chen
- Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 59 Lee Road, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA;
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7
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Yang F, Shao R, Zhao J, Li L, Wang M, Zhou A. Cadmium exposure disrupts the olfactory sensitivity of fire ants to semiochemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 287:117359. [PMID: 34020258 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Ants are eusocial insects and have evolved sensitive chemosensory systems for social communication. However, the effect of heavy metal contamination on the olfactory sensitivity of ants remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the survival and olfactory response of Solenopsis invicta under cadmium (Cd) exposure. As a result, exposure to dietary Cd at different concentrations (100, 300 and 500 mg/L) caused higher Cd accumulation and lower survival of the ants compared with the control (0 mg/L). Cd exposure induced diverse expression patterns of odor binding protein genes (SiOBPs) in S. invicta antenna. Specifically, the expression of SiOBP4, SiOBP11, SiOBP12 and SiOBP16 was increased by 1.84-, 1.14-, 0.83- and 1.76-fold, respectively, at 300 mg/L Cd, while SiOBP7 and SiOBP9 were suppressed as Cd concentration increased. Electroantennography (EAG) and behavioral bioassays were performed to further evaluate the effect of Cd contamination on the olfactory sensitivity of S. invicta workers to 2, 4, 6-trimethylpyridine (TMP) and 2-ethyl-3,6(5)-dimethylpyrazine (EDP), the two frequent functional semiochemicals for S. invicta. The results showed that under no Cd exposure, S. invicta workers exhibited strong EAG response and apparent residing repellence to TMP and EDP, but Cd exposure suppressed EAG response and deprived the behavioral repellence to TMP and EDP of the workers, suggesting that Cd exposure decreases the olfactory sensitivity of S. invicta to these two functional semiochemicals. Further fluorescence competitive binding assay revealed that SiOBP7 had strong binding affinity to TMP and EDP, suggesting that the decrease in olfactory sensitivity may be attributed to the inhibitory effect of Cd exposure on SiOBP7. Overall, our results suggest that Cd exposure may not only directly decrease the survival of ants, but also affect their olfactory recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxiang Yang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Rui Shao
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Lei Li
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Manqun Wang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Aiming Zhou
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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8
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Zhou YN, Xie S, Chen JN, Wang ZH, Yang P, Zhou SC, Pang L, Li F, Shi M, Huang JH, Chen XX. Expression and functional characterization of odorant-binding protein genes in the endoparasitic wasp Cotesia vestalis. INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:1354-1368. [PMID: 32761881 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are crucial in insect's olfactory perception, which participate in the initial step of odorant molecules transporting from the external environment to olfactory receptor neurons. To better understand the roles for OBPs in olfactory perception in Cotesia vestalis, a solitary larval endoparasitoid of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, we have comprehensively screened the genome of C. vestalis, and obtained 20 CvesOBPs, including 18 classic OBPs and two minus-C OBPs. Motif-pattern analysis indicates that the motifs of C. vestalis OBPs are highly conserved in Hymenoptera. The results of tissue expression analysis show that five OBPs (CvesOBP1/11/12/14/16) are highly expressed in male antennae, whereas six other OBP genes (CvesOBP7/8/13/17/18/19) are significantly transcriptionally enriched in female antennae. The results of RNA interference experiments for three most highly expressed OBP genes (CvesOBP17/18/19) in female antennae demonstrate that they are likely involved in parasitic processes of female wasps, as the wasps take a longer time to target the hosts when they are knocked down.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Nan Zhou
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shuang Xie
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jia-Ni Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ze-Hua Wang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Pei Yang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Si-Cong Zhou
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Lan Pang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Fei Li
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Min Shi
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jian-Hua Huang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xue-Xin Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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9
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Wei Z, Ortiz-Urquiza A, Keyhani NO. Altered Expression of Chemosensory and Odorant Binding Proteins in Response to Fungal Infection in the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta. Front Physiol 2021; 12:596571. [PMID: 33746766 PMCID: PMC7970113 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.596571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Social insects have evolved acute mechanisms for sensing and mitigating the spread of microbial pathogens within their communities that include complex behaviors such as grooming and sanitation. Chemical sensing involves detection and transport of olfactory and other chemicals that are mediated by at least two distinct classes of small molecular weight soluble proteins known as chemosensory- and odorant binding proteins (CSPs and OBPs, respectively) that exist as protein families in all insects. However, to date, a systematic examination of the expression of these genes involved in olfactory and other pathways to microbial infection has yet to be reported. The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is one of the most successful invasive organisms on our planet. Here, we examined the temporal gene expression profiles of a suite of S. invicta CSPs (SiCSPs1-22) and OBPs (SiOBPs1-16) in response to infection by the broad host range fungal insect pathogen, Beauveria bassiana. Our data show that within 24 h post-infection, i.e., before the fungus has penetrated the host cuticle, the expression of SiCSPs and SiOBPs is altered (mainly increased compared to uninfected controls), followed by suppression of SiCSP and select SiOBP expression 48 h post-infection and mixed responses at 72 h post-infection. A smaller group of SiBOPs, however, appeared to respond to fungal infection, with expression of SiOBP15 consistently higher during fungal infection over the time course examined. These data indicate dynamic gene expression responses of CSPs and OBPs to fungal infection that provide clues to mechanisms that might mediate detection of microbial pathogens, triggering grooming, and nest sanitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Wei
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Almudena Ortiz-Urquiza
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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10
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Opachaloemphan C, Mancini G, Konstantinides N, Parikh A, Mlejnek J, Yan H, Reinberg D, Desplan C. Early behavioral and molecular events leading to caste switching in the ant Harpegnathos. Genes Dev 2021; 35:410-424. [PMID: 33602869 PMCID: PMC7919410 DOI: 10.1101/gad.343699.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ant societies show a division of labor in which a queen is in charge of reproduction while nonreproductive workers maintain the colony. In Harpegnathos saltator, workers retain reproductive ability, inhibited by the queen pheromones. Following the queen loss, the colony undergoes social unrest with an antennal dueling tournament. Most workers quickly abandon the tournament while a few workers continue the dueling for months and become gamergates (pseudoqueens). However, the temporal dynamics of the social behavior and molecular mechanisms underlining the caste transition and social dominance remain unclear. By tracking behaviors, we show that the gamergate fate is accurately determined 3 d after initiation of the tournament. To identify genetic factors responsible for this commitment, we compared transcriptomes of different tissues between dueling and nondueling workers. We found that juvenile hormone is globally repressed, whereas ecdysone biosynthesis in the ovary is increased in gamergates. We show that molecular changes in the brain serve as earliest caste predictors compared with other tissues. Thus, behavioral and molecular data indicate that despite the prolonged social upheaval, the gamergate fate is rapidly established, suggesting a robust re-establishment of social structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Comzit Opachaloemphan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Giacomo Mancini
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
| | | | - Apurva Parikh
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
| | - Jakub Mlejnek
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
| | - Hua Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Danny Reinberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Claude Desplan
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
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11
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Wanchoo A, Zhang W, Ortiz-Urquiza A, Boswell J, Xia Y, Keyhani NO. Red Imported Fire Ant ( Solenopsis invicta) Chemosensory Proteins Are Expressed in Tissue, Developmental, and Caste-Specific Patterns. Front Physiol 2020; 11:585883. [PMID: 33192598 PMCID: PMC7646262 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.585883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a eusocial invasive insect that has spread worldwide. Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are ligand-binding proteins that participate in a diverse range of physiological processes that include olfaction and chemical transport. Here, we performed a systematic survey of the expression of the 21 gene S. invicta CSP family that includes at least two groups of apparent S. invicta-specific gene expansions. These data revealed caste, tissue, and developmental stage-specific differential expression of the SiCSPs. In general, moderate to high SiCSP expression was seen in worker antennae and abdomen tissues with lower expression in head/thorax regions. Male and female alates showed high antennal expression of fewer SiCSPs, with the female alate thorax showing comparatively high SiCSP expression. SiCSP expression was lower in male alates tissues compared to workers and female alates, albeit with some highly expressed SiCSPs. SiCSP expression was low during development including in eggs, larvae (early and late instars), and pupae. Global analyses revealed examples of conserved, divergent, and convergent SiCSP expression patterns linked to phylogenetic relationships. The developmental and caste-specific variation seen in SiCSP expression patterns suggests specific functional diversification of CSPs that may translate into differential chemical recognition and communication among individuals and/or reflect other cellular roles of CSPs. Our results support a model for CSPs acting as general ligand carriers involved in a wide range of physiological processes beyond olfaction. As compared to the expression patterns of the S. invicta odorant binding proteins (OBPs), an inverse correlation between SiOBP and SiCSP expression was seen, suggesting potential complementary and/or compensatory functions between these two classes of ligand carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Wanchoo
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Almudena Ortiz-Urquiza
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - John Boswell
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Yuxian Xia
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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12
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Shah JS, Renthal R. Antennal Proteome of the Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Caste Differences in Olfactory Receptors and Chemosensory Support Proteins. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2020; 20:5937575. [PMID: 33098433 PMCID: PMC7585320 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the expression pattern of odorant and pheromone transporters, receptors, and deactivation enzymes in the antennae of ants carrying out different tasks. In order to begin filling in this information gap, we compared the proteomes of the antennae of workers and males of the red fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Male ants do not perform any colony work, and their only activity is to leave the nest on a mating flight. Previous studies showed that male ants express fewer types of odorant receptors than workers. Thus, we expected to find large differences between male and worker antennae for expression of receptors, transporters, and deactivators of signaling chemicals. We found that the abundance of receptors was consistent with the expected caste-specific signaling complexity, but the numbers of different antenna-specific transporters and deactivating enzymes in males and workers were similar. It is possible that some of these proteins have antenna-specific functions that are unrelated to chemosensory reception. Alternatively, the similar complexity could be a vestige of ant progenitors that had more behaviorally active males. As the reduced behavior of male ants evolved, the selection process may have favored a complex repertoire of transporters and deactivating enzymes alongside a limited repertoire of odorant receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaee Shailesh Shah
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Robert Renthal
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
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13
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Dang V, Cohanim AB, Fontana S, Privman E, Wang J. Has gene expression neofunctionalization in the fire ant antennae contributed to queen discrimination behavior? Ecol Evol 2019; 9:12754-12766. [PMID: 31788211 PMCID: PMC6875580 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Queen discrimination behavior in the fire ant Solenopsis invicta maintains its two types of societies: colonies with one (monogyne) or many (polygyne) queens, yet the underlying genetic mechanism is poorly understood. This behavior is controlled by two supergene alleles, SB and Sb, with ~600 genes. Polygyne workers, having either the SB/SB or SB/Sb genotype, accept additional SB/Sb queens into their colonies but kill SB/SB queens. In contrast, monogyne workers, all SB/SB, reject all additional queens regardless of genotype. Because the SB and Sb alleles have suppressed recombination, determining which genes within the supergene mediate this differential worker behavior is difficult. We hypothesized that the alternate worker genotypes sense queens differently because of the evolution of differential expression of key genes in their main sensory organ, the antennae. To identify such genes, we sequenced RNA from four replicates of pooled antennae from three classes of workers: monogyne SB/SB, polygyne SB/SB, and polygyne SB/Sb. We identified 81 differentially expressed protein-coding genes with 13 encoding potential chemical metabolism or perception proteins. We focused on the two odorant perception genes: an odorant receptor SiOR463 and an odorant-binding protein SiOBP12. We found that SiOR463 has been lost in the Sb genome. In contrast, SiOBP12 has an Sb-specific duplication, SiOBP12b', which is expressed in the SB/Sb worker antennae, while both paralogs are expressed in the body. Comparisons with another fire ant species revealed that SiOBP12b' antennal expression is specific to S. invicta and suggests that queen discrimination may have evolved, in part, through expression neofunctionalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viet‐Dai Dang
- Biodiversity Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
- Biodiversity Taiwan International Graduate Program, Biodiversity Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Life ScienceNational Taiwan Normal UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of ZoologySouthern Institute of EcologyVietnam Academy of Science and TechnologyHochiminhVietnam
| | - Amir B. Cohanim
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental BiologyInstitute of EvolutionUniversity of HaifaHaifaIsrael
| | - Silvia Fontana
- Biodiversity Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
- Biodiversity Taiwan International Graduate Program, Biodiversity Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Life ScienceNational Taiwan Normal UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Eyal Privman
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental BiologyInstitute of EvolutionUniversity of HaifaHaifaIsrael
| | - John Wang
- Biodiversity Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
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14
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Allen ML, Rhoades JH, Sparks ME, Grodowitz MJ. Differential Gene Expression in Red Imported Fire Ant ( Solenopsis invicta) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Larval and Pupal Stages. INSECTS 2018; 9:E185. [PMID: 30563147 PMCID: PMC6315859 DOI: 10.3390/insects9040185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Solenopsis invicta Buren is an invasive ant species that has been introduced to multiple continents. One such area, the southern United States, has a history of multiple control projects using chemical pesticides over varying ranges, often resulting in non-target effects across trophic levels. With the advent of next generation sequencing and RNAi technology, novel investigations and new control methods are possible. A robust genome-guided transcriptome assembly was used to investigate gene expression differences between S. invicta larvae and pupae. These life stages differ in many physiological processes; of special importance is the vital role of S. invicta larvae as the colonies' "communal gut". Differentially expressed transcripts were identified related to many important physiological processes, including digestion, development, cell regulation and hormone signaling. This dataset provides essential developmental knowledge that reveals the dramatic changes in gene expression associated with social insect life stage roles, and can be leveraged using RNAi to develop effective control methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L Allen
- USDA-ARS Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, National Biological Control Laboratory, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA.
| | - Joshua H Rhoades
- USDA-ARS Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | - Michael E Sparks
- USDA-ARS Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | - Michael J Grodowitz
- USDA-ARS Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, National Biological Control Laboratory, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA.
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15
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Iovinella I, Cappa F, Cini A, Petrocelli I, Cervo R, Turillazzi S, Dani FR. Antennal Protein Profile in Honeybees: Caste and Task Matter More Than Age. Front Physiol 2018; 9:748. [PMID: 29973886 PMCID: PMC6019485 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive and task partitioning in large colonies of social insects suggest that colony members belonging to different castes or performing different tasks during their life (polyethism) may produce specific semiochemicals and be differently sensitive to the variety of pheromones involved in intraspecific chemical communication. The main peripheral olfactory organs are the antennal chemosensilla, where the early olfactory processes take place. At this stage, members of two different families of soluble chemosensory proteins [odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs)] show a remarkable affinity for different odorants and act as carriers while a further family, the Niemann-Pick type C2 proteins (NPC2) may have a similar function, although this has not been fully demonstrated. Sensillar lymph also contains Odorant degrading enzymes (ODEs) which are involved in inactivation through degradation of the chemical signals, once the message is conveyed. Despite their importance in chemical communication, little is known about how proteins involved in peripheral olfaction and, more generally antennal proteins, differ in honeybees of different caste, task and age. Here, we investigate for the first time, using a shotgun proteomic approach, the antennal profile of honeybees of different castes (queens and workers) and workers performing different tasks (nurses, guards, and foragers) by controlling for the potential confounding effect of age. Regarding olfactory proteins, major differences were observed between queens and workers, some of which were found to be more abundant in queens (OBP3, OBP18, and NPC2-1) and others to be more abundant in workers (OBP15, OBP21, CSP1, and CSP3); while between workers performing different tasks, OBP14 was more abundant in nurses with respect to guards and foragers. Apart from proteins involved in olfaction, we have found that the antennal proteomes are mainly characterized by castes and tasks, while age has no effect on antennal protein profile. Among the main differences, the strong decrease in vitellogenins found in guards and foragers is not associated with age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federico Cappa
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cini
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy.,Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Iacopo Petrocelli
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Rita Cervo
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Turillazzi
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca R Dani
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy.,Mass Spectrometry Centre, Centro di Servizi di Spettrometria di Massa, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
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16
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Zhang J, Luo D, Wu P, Li H, Zhang H, Zheng W. Identification and expression profiles of novel odorant binding proteins and functional analysis of OBP99a in Bactrocera dorsalis. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 98:e21452. [PMID: 29450902 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) in insects are essential for mating and oviposition host selection. How these OBPs respond to different hosts at the mRNA level and their effects on behavior remain poorly characterized. The oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis is a highly invasive agricultural pest with an extremely broad host range and high fecundity. Based on our previously constructed B. dorsalis transcriptome, six OBPs that were differentially expressed during three different physiological adult stages were identified. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to illustrate the relationships of these six OBPs with OBP sequences from three other dipteran species (Drosophila melanogaster, Anopheles gambiae, and Ceratitis capitata). The spatiotemporal expression profiles of the six OBPs were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. Our results revealed that OBP19c, OBP44a, OBP99a, and OBP99d were abundantly expressed from the prepupa stage to the adult stage, and most of the OBPs were mainly expressed in the head, wings, and antennae. The expression levels of these OBPs were upregulated when female flies were exposed to their preferred hosts. Silencing OBP99a resulted fewer eggs being laid compared with the control group when the females were exposed to their preferred host, that is, banana, whereas more eggs were laid when a non-preferred host, that is, tomato, was used. Furthermore, silencing OBP99a led to sexually dimorphic mating behavior. dsOBP99a-injected males dramatically reduced courtship, whereas enhanced courtship was observed in the treated females. These data indicate that OBPs may participate in different biological processes of B. dorsalis. Our study will provide insight into the molecular mechanism of chemoreception and help develop ecologically friendly pest-control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education and Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Deye Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education and Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education and Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haozhe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education and Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education and Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiwei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education and Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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17
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Pracana R, Levantis I, Martínez‐Ruiz C, Stolle E, Priyam A, Wurm Y. Fire ant social chromosomes: Differences in number, sequence and expression of odorant binding proteins. Evol Lett 2017; 1:199-210. [PMID: 30283649 PMCID: PMC6121795 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Variation in social behavior is common yet our knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning its evolution is limited. The fire ant Solenopsis invicta provides a textbook example of a Mendelian element controlling social organization: alternate alleles of a genetic element first identified as encoding an odorant binding protein (OBP) named Gp-9 determine whether a colony accepts one or multiple queens. The potential roles of such a protein in perceiving olfactory cues and evidence of positive selection on its amino acid sequence made it an appealing candidate gene. However, we recently showed that recombination is suppressed between Gp-9 and hundreds of other genes as part of a >19 Mb supergene-like region carried by a pair of social chromosomes. This finding raises the need to reassess the potential role of Gp-9. We identify 23 OBPs in the fire ant genome assembly, including nine located in the region of suppressed recombination with Gp-9. For six of these, the alleles carried by the two variants of the supergene-like region differ in protein-coding sequence and thus likely in function, with Gp-9 showing the strongest evidence of positive selection. We identify an additional OBP specific to the Sb variant of the region. Finally, we find that 14 OBPs are differentially expressed between single- and multiple-queen colonies. These results are consistent with multiple OBPs playing a role in determining social structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Pracana
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonE1 4NSLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Ilya Levantis
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonE1 4NSLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Carlos Martínez‐Ruiz
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonE1 4NSLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Eckart Stolle
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonE1 4NSLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Anurag Priyam
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonE1 4NSLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Yannick Wurm
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonE1 4NSLondonUnited Kingdom
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