1
|
Hossain Mollah J, Hatimuria A, Kumar Chauhan V. Transcriptomic analysis of Bombyx mori in its early larval stage (2 nd instar) of development upon Nosema bombycis transovarial infection. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 206:108157. [PMID: 38908473 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
The infection caused by Nosema bombycis often known as pebrine, is a devastating sericulture disease. The infection can be transmitted to the next generation through eggs laid by infected female Bombyx mori moths (transovarial) as well as with N. bombycis contaminated food (horizontal). Most diagnoses were carried out in the advanced stages of infection until the time that infection might spread to other healthy insects. Hence, early diagnosis of pebrine is of utmost importance to quarantine infected larvae from uninfected silkworm batches and stop further spread of the infection. The findings of our study provide an insight into how the silkworm larval host defence system was activated against early N. bombycis transovarial infection. The results obtained from transcriptome analysis of infected 2nd instar larvae revealed significant (adjusted P-value < 0.05) expression of 1888 genes of which 801 genes were found to be upregulated and 1087 genes were downregulated when compared with the control. Pathway analysis indicated activation of the immune deficiency (IMD) pathway, which shows a potential immune defence response against pebrine infection as well as suppression of the melanin synthesis pathway due to lower expression of prophenoloxidase activating enzyme (PPAE). Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of haemolymph from infected larvae shows the secretion of serpin binding protein of N. bombycis which might be involved in the suppression of the melanization pathway. Moreover, among the differentially expressed genes, we found that LPMC-61, yellow-y, gasp and osiris 9 can be utilised as potential markers for early diagnosis of transovarial pebrine infection in B. mori. Physiological as well as biochemical roles and functions of many of the essential genes are yet to be established, and enlightened research will be required to characterize the products of these genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jahid Hossain Mollah
- Department of Zoology, Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Science), Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal-731235, India
| | - Arindam Hatimuria
- Department of Zoology, Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Science), Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal-731235, India
| | - Vinod Kumar Chauhan
- Department of Zoology, Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Science), Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal-731235, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dong Y, Xu X, Qian L, Kou Z, Andongma AA, Zhou L, Huang Y, Wang Y. Genome-wide identification of yellow gene family in Hermetia illucens and functional analysis of yellow-y by CRISPR/Cas9. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38685755 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The yellow gene family plays a crucial role in insect pigmentation. It has potential for use as a visible marker gene in genetic manipulation and transgenic engineering in several model and non-model insects. Sadly, yellow genes have rarely been identified in Stratiomyidae species and the functions of yellow genes are relatively unknown. In the present study, we first manually annotated and curated 10 yellow genes in the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Stratiomyidae). Then, the conserved amino acids in the major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) domain, structural architecture and phylogenetic relationship of yellow genes in BSF were analyzed. We found that the BSF yellow-y, yellow-c and yellow-f genes are expressed at all developmental stages, especially in the prepupal stage. Using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system, we successfully disrupted yellow-y, yellow-c and yellow-f in the BSF. Consequently, the mutation of yellow-y clearly resulted in a pale-yellow body color in prepupae, pupae and adults, instead of the typical black body color of the wild type. However, the mutation of yellow-c or yellow-f genes did not result in any change in color of the insects, when compared with the wild type. Our study indicates that the BSF yellow-y gene plays a role in body pigmentation, providing an optimal marker gene for the genetic manipulation of BSF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongcheng Dong
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaomiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Lansa Qian
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Zongqing Kou
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Awawing A Andongma
- Insect and Parasite Ecology Group, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Lijun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Yongping Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaohui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Skojec C, Godfrey RK, Kawahara AY. Long read genome assembly of Automeris io (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) an emerging model for the evolution of deimatic displays. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkad292. [PMID: 38324397 PMCID: PMC10917498 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad292] [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: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Automeris moths are a morphologically diverse group with 135 described species that have a geographic range that spans from the New World temperate zone to the Neotropics. Many Automeris have elaborate hindwing eyespots that are thought to deter or disrupt the attack of potential predators, allowing the moth time to escape. The Io moth (Automeris io), known for its striking eyespots, is a well-studied species within the genus and is an emerging model system to study the evolution of deimatism. Existing research on the eyespot pattern development will be augmented by genomic resources that allow experimental manipulation of this emerging model. Here, we present a high-quality, PacBio HiFi genome assembly for Io moth to aid existing research on the molecular development of eyespots and future research on other deimatic traits. This 490 Mb assembly is highly contiguous (N50 = 15.78 mbs) and complete (benchmarking universal single-copy orthologs = 98.4%). Additionally, we were able to recover orthologs of genes previously identified as being involved in wing pattern formation and movement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Skojec
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural
History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
32611, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, 220 Bartram
Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - R Keating Godfrey
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural
History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
32611, USA
| | - Akito Y Kawahara
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural
History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
32611, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, 220 Bartram
Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dolezal T. How to eliminate pathogen without killing oneself? Immunometabolism of encapsulation and melanization in Drosophila. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1330312. [PMID: 38124757 PMCID: PMC10730662 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1330312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular encapsulation associated with melanization is a crucial component of the immune response in insects, particularly against larger pathogens. The infection of a Drosophila larva by parasitoid wasps, like Leptopilina boulardi, is the most extensively studied example. In this case, the encapsulation and melanization of the parasitoid embryo is linked to the activation of plasmatocytes that attach to the surface of the parasitoid. Additionally, the differentiation of lamellocytes that encapsulate the parasitoid, along with crystal cells, is accountable for the melanization process. Encapsulation and melanization lead to the production of toxic molecules that are concentrated in the capsule around the parasitoid and, at the same time, protect the host from this toxic immune response. Thus, cellular encapsulation and melanization represent primarily a metabolic process involving the metabolism of immune cell activation and differentiation, the production of toxic radicals, but also the production of melanin and antioxidants. As such, it has significant implications for host physiology and systemic metabolism. Proper regulation of metabolism within immune cells, as well as at the level of the entire organism, is therefore essential for an efficient immune response and also impacts the health and overall fitness of the organism that survives. The purpose of this "perspective" article is to map what we know about the metabolism of this type of immune response, place it in the context of possible implications for host physiology, and highlight open questions related to the metabolism of this important insect immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Dolezal
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Isoe J, Simington CJ, Oscherwitz ME, Peterson AJ, Rascón AA, Massani BB, Miesfeld RL, Riehle MA. Characterization of essential eggshell proteins from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. BMC Biol 2023; 21:214. [PMID: 37833714 PMCID: PMC10576393 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01721-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to 40% of the world population live in areas where mosquitoes capable of transmitting the dengue virus, including Aedes aegypti, coexist with humans. Understanding how mosquito egg development and oviposition are regulated at the molecular level may provide new insights into novel mosquito control strategies. Previously, we identified a protein named eggshell organizing factor 1 (EOF1) that when knocked down with RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in non-melanized and fragile eggs that did not contain viable embryos. RESULTS In this current study, we performed a comprehensive RNAi screen of putative A. aegypti eggshell proteins to identify additional proteins that interact with intracellular EOF1. We identified several proteins essential for eggshell formation in A. aegypti and characterized their phenotypes through a combination of molecular and biochemical approaches. We found that Nasrat, Closca, and Polehole structural proteins, together with the Nudel serine protease, are indispensable for eggshell melanization and egg viability. While all four proteins are predominantly expressed in ovaries of adult females, Nudel messenger RNA (mRNA) expression is highly upregulated in response to blood feeding. Furthermore, we identified four additional secreted eggshell enzymes that regulated mosquito eggshell formation and melanization. These enzymes included three dopachrome-converting enzymes (DCEs) and one cysteine protease. All eight of these eggshell proteins were essential for proper eggshell formation. Interestingly, their eggshell surface topologies in response to RNAi did not phenocopy the effect of RNAi-EOF1, suggesting that additional mechanisms may influence how EOF1 regulates eggshell formation and melanization. CONCLUSIONS While our studies did not identify a definitive regulator of EOF1, we did identify eight additional proteins involved in mosquito eggshell formation that may be leveraged for future control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Isoe
- Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
| | - Carter J Simington
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Present address: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA94720, USA
| | - Max E Oscherwitz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Present address: Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Alyssa J Peterson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Alberto A Rascón
- Department of Chemistry, San José State University, San José, CA, 95192, USA
- Present address: School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Brooke B Massani
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Roger L Miesfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Michael A Riehle
- Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Noh MY, Kramer KJ, Muthukrishnan S, Arakane Y. Ovariole-specific Yellow-g and Yellow-g2 proteins are required for fecundity and egg chorion rigidity in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 159:103984. [PMID: 37391088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103984] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Most insects reproduce by laying eggs that have an eggshell/chorion secreted by follicle cells, which serves as a protective barrier for developing embryos. Thus, eggshell formation is vital for reproduction. Insect yellow family genes encode for secreted extracellular proteins that perform different, context-dependent functions in different tissues at various stages of development involving, for example, cuticle/eggshell coloration and morphology, molting, courtship behavior and embryo hatching. In this study we investigated the function of two of this family's genes, yellow-g (TcY-g) and yellow-g2 (TcY-g2), on the formation and morphology of the eggshell of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that both TcY-g and TcY-g2 were specifically expressed in the ovarioles of adult females. Loss of function produced by injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for either TcY-g or TcY-g2 gene resulted in failure of oviposition. There was no effect on maternal survival. Ovaries dissected from those dsRNA-treated females exhibited ovarioles containing not only developing oocytes but also mature eggs in their egg chambers. However, the ovulated eggs were collapsed and ruptured, resulting in swollen lateral oviducts and calyxes. TEM analysis showed that lateral oviducts were filled with electron-dense material, presumably from some cellular content leakage out of the collapsed eggs. In addition, morphological abnormalities in lateral oviduct epithelial cells and the tubular muscle sheath were evident. These results support the hypothesis that both TcY-g and TcY-g2 proteins are required for maintaining the rigidity and integrity of the chorion, which is critical for resistance to mechanical stress and/or rehydration during ovulation and egg activation in the oviducts of T. castaneum. Because Yellow-g and Yellow-g2 are highly conserved among insect species, both genes are potential targets for development of gene-based insect pest population control methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mi Young Noh
- Department of Forest Resources, AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea.
| | - Karl J Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wee JLQ, Murugesan SN, Wheat CW, Monteiro A. The genetic basis of wing spots in Pieris canidia butterflies. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:169. [PMID: 37016295 PMCID: PMC10074818 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09261-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Spots in pierid butterflies and eyespots in nymphalid butterflies are likely non-homologous wing colour pattern elements, yet they share a few features in common. Both develop black scales that depend on the function of the gene spalt, and both might have central signalling cells. This suggests that both pattern elements may be sharing common genetic circuitry. Hundreds of genes have already been associated with the development of nymphalid butterfly eyespot patterns, but the genetic basis of the simpler spot patterns on the wings of pierid butterflies has not been investigated. To facilitate studies of pierid wing patterns, we report a high-quality draft genome assembly for Pieris canidia, the Indian cabbage white. We then conducted transcriptomic analyses of pupal wing tissues sampled from the spot and non-spot regions of P. canidia at 3-6 h post-pupation. A total of 1352 genes were differentially regulated between wing tissues with and without the black spot, including spalt, Krüppel-like factor 10, genes from the Toll, Notch, TGF-β, and FGFR signalling pathways, and several genes involved in the melanin biosynthetic pathway. We identified 14 genes that are up-regulated in both pierid spots and nymphalid eyespots and propose that spots and eyespots share regulatory modules despite their likely independent origins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn Liang Qi Wee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
| | - Suriya Narayanan Murugesan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
| | | | - Antónia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Guo H, Long GJ, Liu XZ, Ma YF, Zhang MQ, Gong LL, Dewer Y, Hull JJ, Wang MM, Wang Q, He M, He P. Functional characterization of tyrosine melanin genes in the white-backed planthopper and utilization of a spray-based nanoparticle-wrapped dsRNA technique for pest control. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 230:123123. [PMID: 36603718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.123123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
As a significant pest of rice the white-backed planthopper (WBPH) Sogatella furcifera is a focus of pest management. However, traditional chemical-based control methods risk the development of pesticide resistance as well as severe ecological repercussions. Although nanoparticle-encapsulated dsRNAs provide a promising alternative method for sustainable pest management, gene targets specific to WBPH have yet to be optimized. Genes in the tyrosine-melanin pathway impact epidermal melanization and sclerotization, two processes essential for insect development and metabolism, have been proposed as good candidate targets for pest management. Seven genes (aaNAT, black, DDC, ebony, tan, TH, and yellow-y) in this group were identified from WBPH genome and functionally characterized by using RNAi for their impact on WBPH body color, development, and mortality. Knockdown of SfDDC, Sfblack, SfaaNAT, and Sftan caused cuticles to turn black, whereas Sfyellow-y and Sfebony knockdown resulted in yellow coloration. SfTH knockdown resulted in pale-colored bodies and high mortality. Additionally, an Escherichia coli expression system for large-scale dsRNA production was coupled with star polycation nanoparticles to develop a sprayable RNAi method targeting SfTH that induced high WBPH mortality rates on rice seedlings. These findings lay the groundwork for the development of large-scale dsRNA nanoparticle sprays as a WBPH control method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Gui-Jun Long
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Xuan-Zheng Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Yun-Feng Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Meng-Qi Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Lang-Lang Gong
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Youssef Dewer
- Phytotoxicity Research Department, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, 7 Nadi El-Seid Street, Dokki, 12618 Giza, Egypt
| | - J Joe Hull
- Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ, 85138, USA
| | - Mei-Mei Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Qin Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Ming He
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China.
| | - Peng He
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Berni M, Lima L, Bressan D, Julio A, Bonfim L, Simão Y, Pane A, Ramos I, Oliveira PL, Araujo H. Atypical strategies for cuticle pigmentation in the blood-feeding hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus. Genetics 2022; 221:6571811. [PMID: 35445704 PMCID: PMC9157140 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigmentation in insects has been linked to mate selection and predator evasion, thus representing an important aspect for natural selection. Insect body color is classically associated to the activity of tyrosine pathway enzymes, and eye color to pigment synthesis through the tryptophan and guanine pathways, and their transport by ABC proteins. Among the hemiptera, the genetic basis for pigmentation in kissing bugs such as Rhodnius prolixus, that transmit Chagas disease to humans, has not been addressed. Here we report the functional analysis of R. prolixus eye and cuticle pigmentation genes. Consistent with data for most insect clades, we show that knockdown for yellow results in a yellow cuticle, while scarlet and cinnabar knockdowns display red eyes as well as cuticle phenotypes. In addition, tyrosine pathway aaNATpreto knockdown resulted in a striking dark cuticle that displays no color pattern or UV reflectance. In contrast, knockdown of ebony and tan, that encode NBAD branch tyrosine pathway enzymes, did not generate the expected dark and light brown phenotypes, respectively, as reported for other insects. We hypothesize that R. prolixus, which requires tyrosine pathway enzymes for detoxification from the blood diet, evolved an unusual strategy for cuticle pigmentation based on the preferential use of a color erasing function of the aaNATpreto tyrosine pathway branch. We also show that genes classically involved in the generation and transport of eye pigments regulate red body color in R. prolixus. This is the first systematic approach to identify the genes responsible for the generation of color in a blood-feeding hemiptera, providing potential visible markers for future transgenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Berni
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil.,Post-graduate Program in Morphological Sciences (PCM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Lima
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil.,Post-graduate Program in Morphological Sciences (PCM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Daniel Bressan
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil.,Post-graduate Program in Morphological Sciences (PCM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Alison Julio
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil.,Post-graduate Program in Morphological Sciences (PCM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Larissa Bonfim
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Yasmin Simão
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Attilio Pane
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Isabela Ramos
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Helena Araujo
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang L, Tang Y, Chen H, Zhu X, Gong X, Wang S, Luo J, Han Q. Arylalkalamine N-acetyltransferase-1 acts on a secondary amine in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:1081-1091. [PMID: 35178730 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (aaNAT) in Aedes aegypti is primarily involved in cuticle pigmentation and formation. The reported arylalkylamine substrates are all primary amines. In this study, we report a novel substrate, a secondary amine, of Ae. aegypti aaNAT1. The recombinant aaNAT1 protein exhibited high activity to a secondary amine, epinephrine, which has not been reported for any aaNATs previously. Structure-activity relationship study demonstrated that aaNAT1 has an epinephrine binding site, and molecular docking and dynamic simulation showed that epinephrine is quite stable in the active cavity. Further functional studies demonstrated that epinephrine affected mosquito fecundity, egg hatching and development. The new biochemical function of aaNAT1 in metabolizing epinephrine could reduce some negative effects of the compound in the mosquito.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China.,One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China
| | - Yu Tang
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China.,One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China
| | - Huaqing Chen
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China.,One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhu
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China.,One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China
| | - Xue Gong
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China.,One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China
| | - Shouchuang Wang
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilisation of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilisation of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China
| | - Qian Han
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China.,One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang P, Ze LJ, Jin L, Li GQ. Yellow-b, -c, -d, and -h are required for normal body coloration of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 109:e21856. [PMID: 34850449 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21856] [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: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The involvement of yellow genes y-b, y-c, y-e, and y-h in cuticle tanning has poorly been clarified. In the present paper, six putative yellow (y-y, y-b, y-c, y-e y-f, and y-h) genes were identified in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. Hvy-b, Hvy-c, Hvy-e, and Hvy-h were abundantly transcribed at early larval and late pupal stages, especially in the epidermis. Accordingly, RNA interference (RNAi) experiments were performed by an injection of dsy-b, dsy-c, dsy-e, or dsy-h into the second instar larvae and 1-day-old pupae. The head capsule, scoli and strumae, and legs in the fourth-instar larvae became blacker; the blackish spots in the pupae were darkened and widened after RNAi of Hvy-b, compared with those of dsegfp-treated controls. Depletion of Hvy-b at the 1-day-old pupal stage expanded two pair of black markings on the sternum of the metathorax, and darkened the black patched on the sterna of the abdomen segments I-VI in the resultant adults. Depletion of Hvy-e caused darker pigmented adult body and elytral cuticles than those of dsegfp-introduced controls. However, there was no obvious difference in pigmentation of the black markings. Hvy-h-deficient larvae displayed dark yellow body color, whereas the body color of the dsegfp-injected control was pale yellow. There was no obvious difference in coloration of larval specific-black markings or pupal cuticle between dsHvy-h- and dsegfp-treated animals. Moreover, silence of Hvy-c at the second instar larval stage lightened black markings in the resulting larvae and pupae, but had no influence on pale yellow body color. Our results demonstrated their different roles of the four yellow genes during body pigmentation: HvY-b and HvY-c, respectively, inhibit and facilitate the coloration within dark markings, whereas HvY-e and HvY-h, respectively, repress the pigmentation in adult and larval body cuticles outside the black patches in H. vigintioctopunctata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Long-Ji Ze
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Jin
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guo-Qing Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Barek H, Zhao H, Heath K, Veraksa A, Sugumaran M. Drosophila yellow-h encodes dopaminechrome tautomerase: A new enzyme in the eumelanin biosynthetic pathway. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2022; 35:26-37. [PMID: 34388859 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Melanin is a widely distributed phenolic pigment that is biosynthesized from tyrosine and its hydroxylated product, dopa, in all animals. However, recent studies reveal a significant deviation from this paradigm, as insects appear to use dopamine rather than dopa as the major precursor of melanin. This observation calls for a reconsideration of the insect melanogenic pathway. While phenoloxidases and laccases can oxidize dopamine for dopaminechrome production, the fate of dopaminechrome remains undetermined. Dopachrome decarboxylase/tautomerase, encoded by yellow-f/f2 of Drosophila melanogaster, can convert dopaminechrome into 5,6-dihydroxyindole, but the same enzyme from other organisms does not act on dopaminechrome, suggesting the existence of a specific dopaminechrome tautomerase (DPT). We now report the identification of this novel enzyme that biosynthesizes 5,6-dihydroxyindole from dopaminechrome in Drosophila. Dopaminechrome tautomerase acted on both dopaminechrome and N-methyl dopaminechrome but not on dopachrome or other aminochromes tested. Our biochemical and molecular studies reveal that this enzyme is encoded by the yellow-h gene, a member of the yellow gene family, and advance our understanding of the physiological functions of this gene family. Identification and characterization of DPT clarifies the precursor for melanin biosynthetic pathways and proves the existence of an independent melanogenic pathway in insects that utilizes dopamine as the primary precursor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanine Barek
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Heya Zhao
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katerina Heath
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexey Veraksa
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Manickam Sugumaran
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chen EH, Hou QL, Dou W, Yang PJ, Wang JJ. Expression profiles of tyrosine metabolic pathway genes and functional analysis of DOPA decarboxylase in puparium tanning of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:344-354. [PMID: 34532962 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tanning is an important physiological process with critical roles in cuticle pigmentation and sclerotization. Previous studies have shown that insect cuticle tanning is closely associated with the tyrosine metabolism pathway, which consists of a series of enzymes. RESULTS In this study, 24 tyrosine metabolism pathway genes were identified in the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) genome. Gene expression profiles throughout 15 developmental stages of B. dorsalis were established based on our previous RNA sequencing data, and we found that 13 enzyme genes could be involved in the process of pupariation. Accordingly, a tyrosine-mediated tanning pathway during the pupariation of B. dorsalis was predicted and a critical enzyme, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) decarboxylase (DDC), was used to explore its possible roles in formation of the puparium. First, a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmed that BdDDC had an epidermis-specific expression pattern, and was highly expressed during larval metamorphosis in B. dorsalis. Subsequent disruption of BdDDC by feeding 5-day-old larvae with DDC inhibitor (l-α-methyl-DOPA) could lead to: (i) a significant decrease in BdDDC enzyme activity and dopamine concentration; (ii) defects in puparium pigmentation; (iii) impairment of the morphology and less thickness of the puparium; and (iv) lower pupal weight and obstacles to eclosion. CONCLUSION This study provided a potential tyrosine metabolic pathway that was responsible for insect tanning during pupariation, and the BdDDC enzyme has been shown to have crucial roles in larval-pupal tanning of B. dorsalis. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Er-Hu Chen
- College of Food Science and Engineering/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Key Laboratory of Grains and Oils Quality Control and Processing, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiu-Li Hou
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Wei Dou
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pei-Jin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Noh MY, Mun S, Kramer KJ, Muthukrishnan S, Arakane Y. Yellow-y Functions in Egg Melanization and Chorion Morphology of the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:769788. [PMID: 34977021 PMCID: PMC8716798 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.769788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is one of the most serious public health pests, which can transmit various vector-borne diseases. Eggs from this mosquito species become dark black shortly after oviposition and exhibit high desiccation resistance. Some of the Yellow proteins that act as dopachrome conversion enzymes (DCEs) are involved in the tyrosine-mediated tanning (pigmentation and sclerotization) metabolic pathway that significantly accelerates melanization reactions in insects. In this research, we analyzed the function of one of the yellow genes, yellow-y (AalY-y), in eggshell/chorion melanization of Ae. albopictus eggs. Developmental and tissue-specific expression measured by real-time PCR showed that AalY-y transcripts were detected at all stages of development analyzed, with significantly higher levels in the ovaries from blood-fed adult females. Injection of double-stranded RNA for AalY-y (dsAalY-y) had no significant effect on fecundity. However, unlike dsEGFP-treated control eggs that become black by 2–3 h after oviposition (HAO), dsAalY-y eggs were yellow-brown at 2 HAO, and reddish-brown even at 48 HAO. dsEGFP eggs exhibited resistance to desiccation at 48 HAO, whereas approximately 50% of the dsAalY-y eggs collapsed when they were moved to a low humidity condition. In addition, TEM analysis revealed an abnormal morphology and ultrastructure of the outer-endochorion in the dsAalY-y eggs. These results support the hypothesis that AalY-y is involved in the tyrosine-induced melanin biosynthetic pathway, plays an important role in black melanization of the chorion and functions in conferring proper morphology of the outer-endochorion, a structure that is presumably required for egg desiccation resistance in Ae. albopictus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mi Young Noh
- Department of Forest Resources, AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Mi Young Noh, ; Yasuyuki Arakane,
| | - Seulgi Mun
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Karl J. Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Mi Young Noh, ; Yasuyuki Arakane,
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Han W, Tang F, Zhong Y, Zhang J, Liu Z. Identification of yellow gene family and functional analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda yellow-y by CRISPR/Cas9. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 178:104937. [PMID: 34446204 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2021.104937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
For a devastating agricultural pest, functional genomics promotes the finding of novel technology to control Spodoptera frugiperda, such as the genetics-based strategies. In the present study, 11 yellow genes were identified in Spodoptera frugiperda. The transcriptome analysis showed the tissue-specific expression of part yellow genes, which suggested the importance of yellow genes in some biological processes in S. frugiperda, such as pigmentation. Among these yellow genes, the expression profiles of yellow-y gene showed that it was expressed in all life stages. In order to realize the further study of yellow-y, we employed CRISPR/Cas9 system to knock out this gene. Following knock out, diverse phenotypes were observed, such as color changes in both larvae and adults. Different from the wild-type larvae and adults, G0 mutants were yellowed since hatching. However, no color difference was observed with the pupal cuticle between the wild-type and mutant pupae before the 8th day. On the basis of the single-pair strategy of G0 generation, the yellow-y gene was proved to be a recessive gene. The G1 yellowish larvae with biallelic mutations displayed a relatively longer development period than wild-type, and often generated abnormal pupae and moths. The deletion of yellow-y also resulted in a decline in the fecundity. The results revealed that yellow-y gene was important for S. frugiperda pigmentation, as well as in its development and reproduction. Besides, the present study set up a standard procedure to knock out genes in S. frugiperda, which could be helpful for our understanding some key molecular processes, such as functional roles of detoxification genes as insecticide resistance mechanisms or modes of action of insecticides to facilitate the management of this insect pest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Han
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang 1, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Fengxian Tang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang 1, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yanni Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang 1, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Junteng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang 1, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zewen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang 1, Nanjing 210095, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nie HY, Liang LQ, Li QF, Li ZHQ, Zhu YN, Guo YK, Zheng QL, Lin Y, Yang DL, Li ZG, Su SK. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knockout of Amyellow-y gene results in melanization defect of the cuticle in adult Apis mellifera. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 132:104264. [PMID: 34081960 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2021.104264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Visible genetic markers are critical to gene function studies using genome editing technology in insects. However, there is no report about visible phenotypic markers in Apis mellifera, which extremely influences the application of genomic editing in honey bees. Here, we cloned and characterized the Amyellow-y gene in A. mellifera. Stage expression profiles showed that Amyellow-y gene was highly expressed in 2-, 4-day-old pupae, and newly emerged bees, and a high expression level was detected in the leg, thorax, wing and sting. To understand its functional role in pigmentation, Amyellow-y edited honeybees were created using CRISPR/Cas9, and it was found that the black pigment was decreased in the cuticle of mosaic workers and mutant drones. In particular, mutant drones manifested an overall appearance of yellowish cuticle in the body and appendages, including antennae, wings and legs, indicating that mutagenesis induced by disruption of Amyellow-y with CRISPR/Cas9 are heritable. Furthermore, the expression levels of genes associated with melanin pigmentation was investigated in mutant and wild-type drones using quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Transcription levels of Amyellow-y and aaNAT decreased markedly in mutant drones than that in wild-type ones, whereas laccase 2 was significantly up-regulated. Our results provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that CRISPR/Cas9 edited G1 mutant drones of A. mellifera have a dramatic body pigmentation defect that can be visualized in adults, suggesting that Amyellow-y may serve as a promising visible phenotypic marker for genome editing in honey bees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yi Nie
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Li-Qiang Liang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Qiu-Fang Li
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zheng-Han-Qing Li
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Ya-Nan Zhu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yong-Kang Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Qiu-Lan Zheng
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yan Lin
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Dong-Lin Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, IATTI, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China
| | - Zhi-Guo Li
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Song-Kun Su
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mongkol W, Pomun T, Nguitragool W, Kumpitak C, Duangmanee A, Sattabongkot J, Kubera A. Anopheles dirus yellow-g mediates Plasmodium vivax infection. Trop Med Int Health 2021; 26:1029-1035. [PMID: 34089555 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our previous transcriptome analysis of Anopheles dirus revealed upregulation of the An. dirus yellow-g gene upon ingestion of Plasmodium vivax-infected blood. This gene belongs to the yellow gene family, but its role regarding P. vivax infection is not known and remains to be validated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the An. dirus yellow-g gene in P. vivax infection. METHODS The qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of the yellow-g gene in many organs of both male and female mosquitos. The yellow-g gene silencing was performed by dsRNA membrane feeding to An. dirus. These mosquitoes were later challenged by P. vivax-infected blood. The oocyst numbers were determined. RESULTS The yellow-g transcript was detected in several organs of both male and female An. dirus mosquitoes. Successful knockdown of yellow-g was achieved and resulted in reduced P. vivax infection in the mosquitoes. The decrease in yellow-g expression had no effect on the life span of the mosquitoes. CONCLUSIONS These results support the yellow-g gene as having an important function in Plasmodium development in Anopheles mosquitoes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Watcharakorn Mongkol
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tippawan Pomun
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wang Nguitragool
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chalermpon Kumpitak
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Apisak Duangmanee
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anchanee Kubera
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Guimaraes-Costa AB, Shannon JP, Waclawiak I, Oliveira J, Meneses C, de Castro W, Wen X, Brzostowski J, Serafim TD, Andersen JF, Hickman HD, Kamhawi S, Valenzuela JG, Oliveira F. A sand fly salivary protein acts as a neutrophil chemoattractant. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3213. [PMID: 34050141 PMCID: PMC8163758 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Apart from bacterial formyl peptides or viral chemokine mimicry, a non-vertebrate or insect protein that directly attracts mammalian innate cells such as neutrophils has not been molecularly characterized. Here, we show that members of sand fly yellow salivary proteins induce in vitro chemotaxis of mouse, canine and human neutrophils in transwell migration or EZ-TAXIScan assays. We demonstrate murine neutrophil recruitment in vivo using flow cytometry and two-photon intravital microscopy in Lysozyme-M-eGFP transgenic mice. We establish that the structure of this ~ 45 kDa neutrophil chemotactic protein does not resemble that of known chemokines. This chemoattractant acts through a G-protein-coupled receptor and is dependent on calcium influx. Of significance, this chemoattractant protein enhances lesion pathology (P < 0.0001) and increases parasite burden (P < 0.001) in mice upon co-injection with Leishmania parasites, underlining the impact of the sand fly salivary yellow proteins on disease outcome. These findings show that some arthropod vector-derived factors, such as this chemotactic salivary protein, activate rather than inhibit the host innate immune response, and that pathogens take advantage of these inflammatory responses to establish in the host. Immune mimicry has been shown in chemokine like moieties from bacteria and viruses. Here, the authors characterise a sand fly salivary protein that induces neutrophil chemotaxis and explore its impact in a model of parasitic infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anderson B Guimaraes-Costa
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.,Laboratório de Imunobiologia das Leishmanioses, Departamento de Imunologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - John P Shannon
- Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ingrid Waclawiak
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia das Leishmanioses, Departamento de Imunologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Jullyanna Oliveira
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia das Leishmanioses, Departamento de Imunologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Claudio Meneses
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Waldione de Castro
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Xi Wen
- Chemotaxis Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Joseph Brzostowski
- Twinbrook Imaging Facility, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Tiago D Serafim
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - John F Andersen
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Heather D Hickman
- Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jesus G Valenzuela
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Fabiano Oliveira
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Massimino C, Vosburg C, Shippy T, Hosmani PS, Flores-Gonzalez M, Mueller LA, Hunter WB, Benoit JB, Brown SJ, D’Elia T, Saha S. Annotation of yellow genes in Diaphorina citri, the vector for Huanglongbing disease. GIGABYTE 2021; 2021:gigabyte20. [PMID: 36824344 PMCID: PMC9631960 DOI: 10.46471/gigabyte.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease, is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). It is a serious threat to global citrus production. This bacterium is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera). There are no effective in planta treatments for CLas. Therefore, one strategy is to manage the psyllid population. Manual annotation of the D. citri genome can identify and characterize gene families that could be novel targets for psyllid control. The yellow gene family is an excellent target because yellow genes, which have roles in melanization, are linked to development and immunity. Combined analysis of the genome with RNA-seq datasets, sequence homology, and phylogenetic trees were used to identify and annotate nine yellow genes in the D. citri genome. Manual curation of genes in D. citri provided in-depth analysis of the yellow family among hemipteran insects and provides new targets for molecular control of this psyllid pest. Manual annotation was done as part of a collaborative Citrus Greening community annotation project.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chad Vosburg
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA
| | - Teresa Shippy
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | | | | | | | - Wayne B. Hunter
- USDA-ARS, US Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA
| | - Joshua B. Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Susan J. Brown
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Tom D’Elia
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA
| | - Surya Saha
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA,Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA, Corresponding author. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hosseinzadeh S, Higgins SA, Ramsey J, Howe K, Griggs M, Castrillo L, Heck M. Proteomic Polyphenism in Color Morphotypes of Diaphorina citri, Insect Vector of Citrus Greening Disease. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:2851-2866. [PMID: 33890474 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Diaphorina citri is a vector of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas), associated with citrus greening disease. D. citri exhibit at least two color morphotypes, blue and non-blue, the latter including gray and yellow morphs. Blue morphs have a greater capacity for long-distance flight and transmit CLas less efficiently as compared to non-blue morphs. Differences in physiology and immunity between color morphs of the insect vector may influence disease epidemiology and biological control strategies. We evaluated the effect of CLas infection on color morph and sex-specific proteomic profiles of D. citri. Immunity-associated proteins were more abundant in blue morphs as compared to non-blue morphs but were upregulated at a higher magnitude in response to CLas infection in non-blue insects. To test for differences in color morph immunity, we measured two phenotypes: (1) survival of D. citri when challenged with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana and (2) microbial load of the surface and internal microbial communities. Non-blue color morphs showed higher mortality at four doses of B. bassinana, but no differences in microbial load were observed. Thus, color morph polyphenism is associated with two distinct proteomic immunity phenotypes in D. citri that may impact transmission of CLas and resistance to B. bassiana under some conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Hosseinzadeh
- Section of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, School of Integrated Plant Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Steven A Higgins
- Section of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, School of Integrated Plant Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center, USDA ARS, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - John Ramsey
- Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center, USDA ARS, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Kevin Howe
- Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center, USDA ARS, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Michael Griggs
- Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center, USDA ARS, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Louela Castrillo
- Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center, USDA ARS, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Michelle Heck
- Section of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, School of Integrated Plant Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center, USDA ARS, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sasaki K, Yokoi K, Toga K. Bumble bee queens activate dopamine production and gene expression in nutritional signaling pathways in the brain. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5526. [PMID: 33750862 PMCID: PMC7943803 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84992-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying caste-specific behavior and its evolution from primitive to advanced eusocial bees, the monoamine levels and expression of genes involved in monoamine production and signaling in the brain were compared between the castes of Bombus ignitus. Higher levels of dopamine and its related substances were found in the brains of newly emerged queens than in the brains of emerged workers. The degree of caste differences in B. ignitus was smaller than that reported in Apis mellifera, indicating a link to different social stages in the two species. There was no differential expression in genes involved in dopamine biosynthesis between castes, suggesting that the high dopamine production in queens was not largely influenced by the expression of these genes at emergence, rather it might be influenced by tyrosine supply. Genome-wide analyses of gene expression by RNA-sequencing indicated that a greater number of genes involved in nutrition were actively expressed in the brains of newly emerged queens in comparison to the emerged workers. Some of the expression was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. The signaling pathways driven by the expression of these genes may be associated with dopamine signaling or the parallel activation of dopamine production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ken Sasaki
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Honeybee Science Research Center, Tamagawa University, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8610, Japan.
| | - Kakeru Yokoi
- Insect Genome Research Unit, Division of Applied Genetics, The National Agriculture and Research Organization, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi 1-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
| | - Kouhei Toga
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Sakurajyosui 3-25-40, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, 156-8550, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Higareda Alvear VM, Mateos M, Cortez D, Tamborindeguy C, Martinez-Romero E. Differential gene expression in a tripartite interaction: Drosophila, Spiroplasma and parasitic wasps. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11020. [PMID: 33717711 PMCID: PMC7937342 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several facultative bacterial symbionts of insects protect their hosts against natural enemies. Spiroplasma poulsonii strain sMel (hereafter Spiroplasma), a male-killing heritable symbiont of Drosophila melanogaster, confers protection against some species of parasitic wasps. Several lines of evidence suggest that Spiroplasma-encoded ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) are involved in the protection mechanism, but the potential contribution of the fly-encoded functions (e.g., immune response), has not been deeply explored. METHODS Here we used RNA-seq to evaluate the response of D. melanogaster to infection by Spiroplasma and parasitism by the Spiroplasma-susceptible wasp Leptopilina heterotoma, and the Spiroplasma-resistant wasp Ganaspis sp. In addition, we used quantitative (q)PCR to evaluate the transcript levels of the Spiroplasma-encoded Ribosomal inactivation protein (RIP) genes. RESULTS In the absence of Spiroplasma infection, we found evidence of Drosophila immune activation by Ganaspis sp., but not by L. heterotoma, which in turn negatively influenced functions associated with male gonad development. As expected for a symbiont that kills males, we detected extensive downregulation in the Spiroplasma-infected treatments of genes known to have male-biased expression. We detected very few genes whose expression patterns appeared to be influenced by the Spiroplasma-L. heterotoma interaction, and these genes are not known to be associated with immune response. For most of these genes, parasitism by L. heterotoma (in the absence of Spiroplasma) caused an expression change that was at least partly reversed when both L. heterotoma and Spiroplasma were present. It is unclear whether such genes are involved in the Spiroplasma-mediated mechanism that leads to wasp death and/or fly rescue. Nonetheless, the expression pattern of some of these genes, which reportedly undergo expression shifts during the larva-to-pupa transition, is suggestive of an influence of Spiroplasma on the development time of L. heterotoma-parasitized flies. One of the five RIP genes (RIP2) was consistently highly expressed independently of wasp parasitism, in two substrains of sMel. Finally, the RNAseq data revealed evidence consistent with RIP-induced damage in the ribosomal (r)RNA of the Spiroplasma-susceptible, but not the Spiroplasma-resistant, wasp. Acknowledging the caveat that we lacked adequate power to detect the majority of DE genes with fold-changes lower than 3, we conclude that immune priming is unlikely to contribute to the Spiroplasma-mediated protection against wasps, and that the mechanism by which Ganaspis sp. resists/tolerates Spiroplasma does not involve inhibition of RIP transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariana Mateos
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Diego Cortez
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Gregoriou ME, Reczko M, Kakani EG, Tsoumani KT, Mathiopoulos KD. Decoding the Reproductive System of the Olive Fruit Fly, Bactrocera oleae. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:355. [PMID: 33670896 PMCID: PMC7997189 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In most diploid organisms, mating is a prerequisite for reproduction and, thus, critical to the maintenance of their population and the perpetuation of the species. Besides the importance of understanding the fundamentals of reproduction, targeting the reproductive success of a pest insect is also a promising method for its control, as a possible manipulation of the reproductive system could affect its destructive activity. Here, we used an integrated approach for the elucidation of the reproductive system and mating procedures of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae. Initially, we performed a RNAseq analysis in reproductive tissues of virgin and mated insects. A comparison of the transcriptomes resulted in the identification of genes that are differentially expressed after mating. Functional annotation of the genes showed an alteration in the metabolic, catalytic, and cellular processes after mating. Moreover, a functional analysis through RNAi silencing of two differentially expressed genes, yellow-g and troponin C, resulted in a significantly reduced oviposition rate. This study provided a foundation for future investigations into the olive fruit fly's reproductive biology to the development of new exploitable tools for its control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Eleni Gregoriou
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece; (M.-E.G.); (K.T.T.)
| | - Martin Reczko
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Science, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece;
| | - Evdoxia G. Kakani
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 103, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Konstantina T. Tsoumani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece; (M.-E.G.); (K.T.T.)
| | - Kostas D. Mathiopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece; (M.-E.G.); (K.T.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Collins DH, Wirén A, Labédan M, Smith M, Prince DC, Mohorianu I, Dalmay T, Bourke AFG. Gene expression during larval caste determination and differentiation in intermediately eusocial bumblebees, and a comparative analysis with advanced eusocial honeybees. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:718-735. [PMID: 33238067 PMCID: PMC7898649 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The queen‐worker caste system of eusocial insects represents a prime example of developmental polyphenism (environmentally‐induced phenotypic polymorphism) and is intrinsic to the evolution of advanced eusociality. However, the comparative molecular basis of larval caste determination and subsequent differentiation in the eusocial Hymenoptera remains poorly known. To address this issue within bees, we profiled caste‐associated gene expression in female larvae of the intermediately eusocial bumblebee Bombus terrestris. In B. terrestris, female larvae experience a queen‐dependent period during which their caste fate as adults is determined followed by a nutrition‐sensitive period also potentially affecting caste fate but for which the evidence is weaker. We used mRNA‐seq and qRT‐PCR validation to isolate genes differentially expressed between each caste pathway in larvae at developmental stages before and after each of these periods. We show that differences in gene expression between caste pathways are small in totipotent larvae, then peak after the queen‐dependent period. Relatively few novel (i.e., taxonomically‐restricted) genes were differentially expressed between castes, though novel genes were significantly enriched in late‐instar larvae in the worker pathway. We compared sets of caste‐associated genes in B. terrestris with those reported from the advanced eusocial honeybee, Apis mellifera, and found significant but relatively low levels of overlap of gene lists between the two species. These results suggest both the existence of low numbers of shared toolkit genes and substantial divergence in caste‐associated genes between Bombus and the advanced eusocial Apis since their last common eusocial ancestor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David H Collins
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Anders Wirén
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Marjorie Labédan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.,Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - David C Prince
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Irina Mohorianu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.,Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, WT-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tamas Dalmay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Andrew F G Bourke
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Shirai Y, Ohde T, Daimon T. Functional conservation and diversification of yellow-y in lepidopteran insects. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 128:103515. [PMID: 33387638 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The diverse colors and patterns found in Lepidoptera are important for success of these species. Similar to the wings of adult butterflies, lepidopteran larvae exhibit diverse color variations to adapt to their habitats. Compared with butterfly wings, however, less attention has been paid to larval body colorations and patterns. In the present study, we focus on the yellow-y gene, which participates in the melanin synthesis pathway. We conducted CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis of yellow-y in the tobacco cutworm Spodoptera litura. We analyzed the role of S. litura yellow-y in pigmentation by morphological observation and discovered that yellow-y is necessary for normal black pigmentation in S. litura. We also showed species- and tissue-specific requirements of yellow-y in pigmentation in comparison with those of Bombyx mori yellow-y mutants. Furthermore, we found that almost none of the yellow-y mutant embryos hatched unaided. We provide evidence that S. litura yellow-y has a novel important function in egg hatching, in addition to pigmentation. The present study will enable a greater understanding of the functions and diversification of the yellow-y gene in insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shirai
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ohde
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takaaki Daimon
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
RNA-sequencing of the Nyssomyia neivai sialome: a sand fly-vector from a Brazilian endemic area for tegumentary leishmaniasis and pemphigus foliaceus. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17664. [PMID: 33077743 PMCID: PMC7572365 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74343-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis encompasses a spectrum of diseases caused by a protozoan belonging to the genus Leishmania. The parasite is transmitted by the bite of sand flies, which inoculate the promastigote forms into the host’s skin while acquiring a blood meal. Nyssomyia neivai is one of the main vectors of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) in Brazil. Southeastern Brazil is an endemic region for TL but also overlaps with an endemic focus for pemphigus foliaceus (PF), also known as Fogo Selvagem. Salivary proteins of sand flies, specifically maxadilan and LJM11, have been related to pemphigus etiopathogenesis in the New World, being proposed as an environmental trigger for autoimmunity. We present a comprehensive description of the salivary transcriptome of the N. neivai, using deep sequencing achieved by the Illumina protocol. In addition, we highlight the abundances of several N. neivai salivary proteins and use phylogenetic analysis to compare with Old- and New-World sand fly salivary proteins. The collection of protein sequences associated with the salivary glands of N. neivai can be useful for monitoring vector control strategies as biomarkers of N. neivai, as well as driving vector-vaccine design for leishmaniasis. Additionally, this catalog will serve as reference to screen for possible antigenic peptide candidates triggering anti-Desmoglein-1 autoantibodies.
Collapse
|
27
|
Nonenzymatic Spontaneous Oxidative Transformation of 5,6-Dihydroxyindole. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197321. [PMID: 33023030 PMCID: PMC7583787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanin is an important phenolic skin pigment found throughout the animal kingdom. Tyrosine and its hydroxylated product dopa provide the starting material for melanin biosynthesis in all animals. Through a set of well-established reactions, they are converted to 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI) and DHI-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA). Oxidative polymerization of these two indoles produces the brown to black eumelanin pigment. The steps associated with these transformations are complicated by the extreme instability of the starting materials and the transient and highly reactive nature of the intermediates. We have used mass spectral studies to explore the nonenzymatic mechanism of oxidative transformation of DHI in water. Our results indicate the facile production of not only dimeric and trimeric products but also higher oligomeric forms of DHI upon exposure to air in solution, even under nonenzymatic conditions. Such instantaneous polymerization of DHI avoids toxicity to self-matter and ensures the much-needed deposition of melanin at (a) the wound site and (b) the infection site in arthropods. The rapid deposition of DHI melanin is advantageous for arthropods given their open circulatory system; the process limits blood loss during wounding and prevents the spread of parasites by encapsulating them in melanin, limiting the damage.
Collapse
|
28
|
Spana EP, Abrams AB, Ellis KT, Klein JC, Ruderman BT, Shi AH, Zhu D, Stewart A, May S. speck, First Identified in Drosophila melanogaster in 1910, Is Encoded by the Arylalkalamine N-Acetyltransferase (AANAT1) Gene. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2020; 10:3387-3398. [PMID: 32709620 PMCID: PMC7466976 DOI: 10.1534/g3.120.401470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The pigmentation mutation speck is a commonly used recombination marker characterized by a darkly pigmented region at the wing hinge. Identified in 1910 by Thomas Hunt Morgan, speck was characterized by Sturtevant as the most "workable" mutant in the rightmost region of the second chromosome and eventually localized to 2-107.0 and 60C1-2. Though the first speck mutation was isolated over 110 years ago, speck is still not associated with any gene. Here, as part of an undergraduate-led research effort, we show that speck is encoded by the Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (AANAT1) gene. Both alleles from the Morgan lab contain a retrotransposon in exon 1 of the RB transcript of the AANAT1 gene. We have also identified a new insertion allele and generated multiple deletion alleles in AANAT1 that all give a strong speck phenotype. In addition, expression of AANAT1 RNAi constructs either ubiquitously or in the dorsal portion of the developing wing generates a similar speck phenotype. We find that speck alleles have additional phenotypes, including ectopic pigmentation in the posterior pupal case, leg joints, cuticular sutures and overall body color. We propose that the acetylated dopamine generated by AANAT1 decreases the dopamine pool available for melanin production. When AANAT1 function is decreased, the excess dopamine enters the melanin pathway to generate the speck phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric P Spana
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | | | | | - Jason C Klein
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | | | - Alvin H Shi
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Daniel Zhu
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Andrea Stewart
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Susan May
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Koshikawa S. Evolution of wing pigmentation in Drosophila: Diversity, physiological regulation, and cis-regulatory evolution. Dev Growth Differ 2020; 62:269-278. [PMID: 32171022 PMCID: PMC7384037 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fruit flies (Drosophila and its close relatives, or “drosophilids”) are a group that includes an important model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, and also very diverse species distributed worldwide. Many of these species have black or brown pigmentation patterns on their wings, and have been used as material for evo‐devo research. Pigmentation patterns are thought to have evolved rapidly compared with body plans or body shapes; hence they are advantageous model systems for studying evolutionary gains of traits and parallel evolution. Various groups of drosophilids, including genus Idiomyia (Hawaiian Drosophila), have a variety of pigmentations, ranging from simple black pigmentations around crossveins to a single antero‐distal spot and a more complex mottled pattern. Pigmentation patterns are sometimes obviously used for sexual displays; however, in some cases they may have other functions. The process of wing formation in Drosophila, the general mechanism of pigmentation formation, and the transport of substances necessary for pigmentation, including melanin precursors, through wing veins are summarized here. Lastly, the evolution of the expression of genes regulating pigmentation patterns, the role of cis‐regulatory regions, and the conditions required for the evolutionary emergence of pigmentation patterns are discussed. Future prospects for research on the evolution of wing pigmentation pattern formation in drosophilids are presented, particularly from the point of view of how they compare with other studies of the evolution of new traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shigeyuki Koshikawa
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ceolin Mariano DO, de Oliveira ÚC, Zaharenko AJ, Pimenta DC, Rádis-Baptista G, Prieto-da-Silva ÁRDB. Bottom-Up Proteomic Analysis of Polypeptide Venom Components of the Giant Ant Dinoponera Quadriceps. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11080448. [PMID: 31362422 PMCID: PMC6722740 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11080448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ant species have specialized venom systems developed to sting and inoculate a biological cocktail of organic compounds, including peptide and polypeptide toxins, for the purpose of predation and defense. The genus Dinoponera comprises predatory giant ants that inoculate venom capable of causing long-lasting local pain, involuntary shaking, lymphadenopathy, and cardiac arrhythmias, among other symptoms. To deepen our knowledge about venom composition with regard to protein toxins and their roles in the chemical-ecological relationship and human health, we performed a bottom-up proteomics analysis of the crude venom of the giant ant D. quadriceps, popularly known as the "false" tocandiras. For this purpose, we used two different analytical approaches: (i) gel-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom was resolved by denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and all protein bands were excised for analysis; (ii) solution-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom protein components were directly fragmented into tryptic peptides in solution for analysis. The proteomic data that resulted from these two methodologies were compared against a previously annotated transcriptomic database of D. quadriceps, and subsequently, a homology search was performed for all identified transcript products. The gel-based proteomics approach unequivocally identified nine toxins of high molecular mass in the venom, as for example, enzymes [hyaluronidase, phospholipase A1, dipeptidyl peptidase and glucose dehydrogenase/flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) quinone] and diverse venom allergens (homologous of the red fire ant Selenopsis invicta) and venom-related proteins (major royal jelly-like). Moreover, the solution-based proteomics revealed and confirmed the presence of several hydrolases, oxidoreductases, proteases, Kunitz-like polypeptides, and the less abundant inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK)-like (knottin) neurotoxins and insect defensin. Our results showed that the major components of the D. quadriceps venom are toxins that are highly likely to damage cell membranes and tissue, to cause neurotoxicity, and to induce allergic reactions, thus, expanding the knowledge about D. quadriceps venom composition and its potential biological effects on prey and victims.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo SP 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Gandhi Rádis-Baptista
- Laboratorio of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza CE 60165-081, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
An Evolutionary Perspective of Dopachrome Tautomerase Enzymes in Metazoans. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10070495. [PMID: 31261784 PMCID: PMC6678240 DOI: 10.3390/genes10070495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanin plays a pivotal role in the cellular processes of several metazoans. The final step of the enzymically-regulated melanin biogenesis is the conversion of dopachrome into dihydroxyindoles, a reaction catalyzed by a class of enzymes called dopachrome tautomerases. We traced dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) and dopachrome converting enzyme (DCE) genes throughout metazoans and we could show that only one class is present in most of the phyla. While DCTs are typically found in deuterostomes, DCEs are present in several protostome phyla, including arthropods and mollusks. The respective DCEs belong to the yellow gene family, previously reported to be taxonomically restricted to insects, bacteria and fungi. Mining genomic and transcriptomic data of metazoans, we updated the distribution of DCE/yellow genes, demonstrating their presence and active expression in most of the lophotrochozoan phyla as well as in copepods (Crustacea). We have traced one intronless DCE/yellow gene through most of the analyzed lophotrochozoan genomes and we could show that it was subjected to genomic diversification in some species, while it is conserved in other species. DCE/yellow was expressed in most phyla, although it showed tissue specific expression patterns. In the parasitic copepod Mytilicola intestinalis DCE/yellow even belonged to the 100 most expressed genes. Both tissue specificity and high expression suggests that diverse functions of this gene family also evolved in other phyla apart from insects.
Collapse
|
32
|
Melicher D, Wilson ES, Bowsher JH, Peterson SS, Yocum GD, Rinehart JP. Long-Distance Transportation Causes Temperature Stress in the Honey Bee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae). ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 48:681-701. [PMID: 30927358 PMCID: PMC6554651 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvz027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Pollination services provided by the honey bee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Linnaeus, 1758) have broad economic impacts and are necessary for production of a diversity of important crops. Hives may be transported multiple times per year to provide pollination. To test how temperature may contribute to transportation stress, temperature sensors were placed in hives in different locations and orientations on the trailer during shipping. Colony size prior to shipping significantly contributed to loss of population immediately after shipping which contributed to colony failure with smaller colonies more likely to fail and fail faster. Colony size also affects thermoregulation and temperature stress. Internal hive temperature varies significantly based on location and orientation. While colonies near the front and rear of the trailer and those oriented toward the center aisle had significantly different average internal temperatures, colony size best predicts loss of thermoregulation. Additionally, we profiled gene expression at departure, on arrival, and after a recovery period to identify transcriptional responses to transportation. Functional and enrichment analysis identified increased methylation and decreased ribosomal and protein-folding activity. Pheromone and odorant-binding transcripts were up-regulated after transportation. After recovery, transcripts associated with defense response, immune activity, and heat shock decreased, while production of antibiotic peptides increased. We conclude that hives experience considerable temperature stress possibly caused by turbulent airflow in exposed locations. Transportation stress should be considered an important component of annual colony losses which can be mitigated with improved management strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dacotah Melicher
- Bioscience Research Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service, Fargo, ND
| | - Elisabeth S Wilson
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
| | - Julia H Bowsher
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
| | | | - George D Yocum
- Bioscience Research Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service, Fargo, ND
| | - Joseph P Rinehart
- Bioscience Research Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service, Fargo, ND
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Zhang Y, Li H, Du J, Zhang J, Shen J, Cai W. Three Melanin Pathway Genes, TH, yellow, and aaNAT, Regulate Pigmentation in the Twin-Spotted Assassin Bug, Platymeris biguttatus (Linnaeus). Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112728. [PMID: 31163651 PMCID: PMC6600426 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigmentation plays a vital role in insect survival and reproduction. Many melanin pathway genes have been studied in holometabolous insects; however, they have only been studied in two hemimetabolous insect genera, Oncopeltus and Periplaneta. Here we analyzed three melanin pathway genes (TH, yellow, and aaNAT) using RNA interference (RNAi) in another hemimetabolous insect, namely the twin-spotted assassin bug, Platymeris biguttatus. TH was highly expressed in freshly molted nymphs and adults. TH RNAi resulted in a complete loss of black pigment, with yellow coloration maintained. Therefore, black pigment in this assassin bug is solely generated from the melanin pathway, whereas yellow pigment is generated from other unknown pigmentation pathways. yellow and aaNAT were highly expressed in the white spot of the hemelytra. Downregulation of yellow caused a brown phenotype with high mortality, indicating an important role of yellow functions in cuticle formation and in the process of converting melanin from brown to black. Interestingly, aaNAT RNAi caused not only loss of white pigment, but also loss of yellow and red pigments. This phenotype of aaNAT has not been reported in other insects. Our results provide new information for understanding the melanin pathway in which aaNAT is essential for the formation of colorless patterns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinqiao Zhang
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, 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.
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Junzheng Zhang
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, 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.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abbasi R, Marcus JM. Reply to 'A refutation to 'A new A-P compartment boundary and organizer in holometabolous insect wings'. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7048. [PMID: 31065002 PMCID: PMC6504879 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42679-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we reply to the "Refutation" of Lawrence, Casal, de Cellis, and Morata, who critique our paper presenting evidence for an organizer and compartment boundary subdividing the widely recognized posterior wing compartment of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) and Drosophila, that we called the F-P boundary. Lawrence et al. present no data from the Lepidoptera and while the data that they present from Drosophila melanogaster mitotic clones are intriguing and may be informative with respect to the timing of the activity of the A-P and F-P organizers, considerable ambiguity remains regarding how their data should be interpreted with respect to the proposed wing compartment boundaries. Thus, contrary to their claims, Lawrence et al. have failed to falsify the F-P boundary hypothesis. Additional studies employing mitotic clones labeled with easily detectable markers that do not affect cytoskeletal organization or rates of cell division such as GFP and RFP clones produced by G-Trace or Twin Spot Generator (TSG) may further clarify the number of compartment boundaries in Drosophila wings. At the same time, because Drosophila wings are diminutive and highly modified compared to other insects, we also urge great caution in making generalizations about insect wing development based exclusively on studies in Drosophila.Replying to: Lawrence, P.A., Casal, J., de Celis, J., Morata, G. A refutation to 'A new A-P compartment boundary and organizer in holometabolous insect wings'. Sci. Rep. 9 (2019), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-42668-y .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roohollah Abbasi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jeffrey M Marcus
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Barik BK, Mishra M. Nanoparticles as a potential teratogen: a lesson learnt from fruit fly. Nanotoxicology 2018; 13:258-284. [DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2018.1530393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bedanta Kumar Barik
- Neural Developmental Biology Lab, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Monalisa Mishra
- Neural Developmental Biology Lab, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Liao C, Upadhyay A, Liang J, Han Q, Li J. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde synthase and cuticle formation in insects. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 83:44-50. [PMID: 29155013 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cuticle is the most important structure that protects mosquitoes and other insect species from adverse environmental conditions and infections of microorganism. The physiology and biochemistry of insect cuticle formation have been studied for many years and our understanding of cuticle formation and hardening has increased considerably. This is especially true for flexible cuticle. The recent discovery of a novel enzyme that catalyzes the production of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) in insects provides intriguing insights concerning the flexible cuticle formation in insects. For convenience, the enzyme that catalyzes the production DOPAL from l-dopa is named DOPAL synthase. In this mini-review, we summarize the biochemical pathways of cuticle formation and hardening in general and discuss DOPAL synthase-mediated protein crosslinking in insect flexible cuticle in particular.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenghong Liao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China; Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, Hainan Key Laboratory of Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
| | - Archana Upadhyay
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China; Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, Hainan Key Laboratory of Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
| | - Jing Liang
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Qian Han
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China; Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, Hainan Key Laboratory of Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China.
| | - Jianyong Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Barek H, Veraksa A, Sugumaran M. Drosophila melanogaster has the enzymatic machinery to make the melanic component of neuromelanin. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2018; 31:683-692. [PMID: 29741814 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In Drosophila, the same set of genes that are used for cuticle pigmentation and sclerotization are present in the nervous system and are responsible for neurotransmitter recycling. In this study, we carried out biochemical analysis to determine whether insects have the enzymatic machinery to make melanic component of neuromelanin. We focused our attention on two key enzymes of melanogenesis, namely phenoloxidase and dopachrome decarboxylase/tautomerase. Activity staining of the proteins isolated from the Drosophila larval brain tissue, separated by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicated the presence of these two enzymes. Mass spectral sequence analysis of the band also supported this finding. To best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence of the enzymatic machinery to make melanin part of neuromelanin in any insect brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanine Barek
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alexey Veraksa
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Manickam Sugumaran
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Chen X, Cao Y, Zhan S, Zhang Y, Tan A, Huang Y. Identification of yellow gene family in Agrotis ipsilon and functional analysis of Aiyellow-y by CRISPR/Cas9. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 94:1-9. [PMID: 29337139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Revised: 01/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The yellow gene family has been identified in several model insects, but yellow genes were poorly identified in non-model insects and the functions of yellow genes are largely unknown. In this study, we identified seven yellow genes in an important agricultural pest Agrotis ipsilon. Each gene encodes a protein containing a major royal jelly domain. Phylogenetic analysis defined these genes as yellow-y, -b, -b2, -c, -d, -e, and -h, respectively. The A. ipsilon yellow genes yellow-b, -b2, and -c were stably expressed in all developmental stages and tissues analyzed, whereas the other four yellow genes had unique expression patterns, suggesting distinct physiological roles of each gene. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we successfully disrupted yellow-y in A. ipsilon and obtained G0 insects with somatic mutations. Unlike the black of wild-type newly hatched larvae and of adults, the mutants were yellow, although in the pupal stage mutant coloration did not differ from wild-type coloration. This phenotype was inherited by G1 offspring. The G0 mutants did not show any growth deficiency compared with control insects; however, a dehydration-like phenotype was observed in newly hatched G1 larvae from sibling crossed mutants. Our results indicate that A. ipsilon yellow-y gene plays a role in body pigmentation and also might function in waterproofing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi'en Chen
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yanghui Cao
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shuai Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Anjiang Tan
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yongping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Hayakawa Y, Sawada M, Seki M, Sirasoonthorn P, Shiga S, Kamiya K, Minakuchi C, Miura K. Involvement of laccase2 and yellow-e genes in antifungal host defense of the model beetle, Tribolium castaneum. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 151:41-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
40
|
Mo YD, Yang SX, Zhao JY, Jin PY, Hong XY. Comparative transcriptomes and reciprocal best hit analysis revealed potential pigment genes in two color forms of Tetranychus urticae. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 73:159-176. [PMID: 29116474 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0188-9] [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: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Tetranychus urticae Koch is a worldwide agricultural pest. There are two color forms: red and green. The molecular mechanism underlying this color variation is unknown. To elucidate the mechanism, we characterized differentially expressed pigment pathway genes shared in the transcriptomes of these two forms using RNA sequencing and reciprocal best hit analysis. Differentially expressed pigment pathway genes were determined by qRT-PCR to confirm the accuracy of RNA-Seq. The transcriptomes revealed 963 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 687 DEGs were higher in the green form. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed carotenoid biosynthesis genes in T. urticae. Reciprocal best hit analysis revealed 817 putative pigment pathway genes, 38 of which were differentially expressed and mainly classified into four categories: heme, melanin, ommochrome and rhodopsin. Phylogenetic analysis of homologous ommochrome genes showed that tetur09g01950 is closely related to Ok. This study revealed putative pigment pathway genes in the two forms of T. urticae, and might provide a new resource for understanding the mechanism of color variation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Dan Mo
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Si-Xia Yang
- School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Jing-Yu Zhao
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng-Yu Jin
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Yue Hong
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Robertson LS, Galbraith HS, Iwanowicz D, Blakeslee CJ, Cornman RS. RNA sequencing analysis of transcriptional change in the freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata after environmentally relevant sodium chloride exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2017; 36:2352-2366. [PMID: 28224655 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
To identify potential biomarkers of salt stress in a freshwater sentinel species, we examined transcriptional responses of the common mussel Elliptio complanata to controlled sodium chloride (NaCl) exposures. Ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-Seq) of mantle tissue identified 481 transcripts differentially expressed in adult mussels exposed to 2 ppt NaCl (1.2 ppt chloride) for 7 d, of which 290 had nonoverlapping intervals. Differentially expressed gene categories included ion and transmembrane transport, oxidoreductase activity, maintenance of protein folding, and amino acid metabolism. The rate-limiting enzyme for synthesis of taurine, an amino acid frequently linked to osmotic stress in aquatic species, was upregulated, as was the transmembrane ion pump sodium/potassium adenosine 5'-triphosphatase. These patterns confirm a primary transcriptional response to the experimental dose, albeit likely overlapping with nonspecific secondary stress responses. Substantial involvement of the heat shock protein 70 chaperone family and the water-transporting aquaporin family was not detected, however, in contrast to some studies in other bivalves. A subset of the most significantly regulated genes was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in an independent sample. Cluster analysis showed separation of mussels exposed to 2 ppt NaCl from control mussels in multivariate space, but mussels exposed to 1 ppt NaCl were largely indistinguishable from controls. Transcriptome-scale analysis of salt exposure under laboratory conditions efficiently identified candidate biomarkers for further functional analysis and field validation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2352-2366. © Published 2017 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Robertson
- Leetown Science Center, US Geological Survey, Kearneysville, West Virginia
| | - Heather S Galbraith
- Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory, Leetown Science Center, US Geological Survey, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
| | - Deborah Iwanowicz
- Leetown Science Center, US Geological Survey, Kearneysville, West Virginia
| | - Carrie J Blakeslee
- Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory, Leetown Science Center, US Geological Survey, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
| | - R Scott Cornman
- Fort Collins Science Center, US Geological Survey, Fort Collins, Colorado
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wang P, Qiu Z, Xia D, Tang S, Shen X, Zhao Q. Transcriptome analysis of the epidermis of the purple quail-like (q-lp) mutant of silkworm, Bombyx mori. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175994. [PMID: 28414820 PMCID: PMC5393886 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A new purple quail-like (q-lp) mutant found from the plain silkworm strain 932VR has pigment dots on the epidermis similar to the pigment mutant quail (q). In addition, q-lp mutant larvae are inactive, consume little and grow slowly, with a high death rate and other developmental abnormalities. Pigmentation of the silkworm epidermis consists of melanin, ommochrome and pteridine. Silkworm development is regulated by ecdysone and juvenile hormone. In this study, we performed RNA-Seq on the epidermis of the q-lp mutant in the 4th instar during molting, with 932VR serving as the control. The results showed 515 differentially expressed genes, of which 234 were upregulated and 281 downregulated in q-lp. BLASTGO analysis indicated that the downregulated genes mainly encode protein-binding proteins, membrane components, oxidation/reduction enzymes, and proteolytic enzymes, whereas the upregulated genes largely encode cuticle structural constituents, membrane components, transport related proteins, and protein-binding proteins. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was used to verify the accuracy of the RNA-Seq data, focusing on key genes for biosynthesis of the three pigments and chitin as well as genes encoding cuticular proteins and several related nuclear receptors, which are thought to play key roles in the q-lp mutant. We drew three conclusions based on the results: 1) melanin, ommochrome and pteridine pigments are all increased in the q-lp mutant; 2) more cuticle proteins are expressed in q-lp than in 932VR, and the number of upregulated cuticular genes is significantly greater than downregulated genes; 3) the downstream pathway regulated by ecdysone is blocked in the q-lp mutant. Our research findings lay the foundation for further research on the developmental changes responsible for the q-lp mutant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pingyang Wang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiyong Qiu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dingguo Xia
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shunming Tang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xingjia Shen
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiaoling Zhao
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Fukutomi Y, Matsumoto K, Agata K, Funayama N, Koshikawa S. Pupal development and pigmentation process of a polka-dotted fruit fly, Drosophila guttifera (Insecta, Diptera). Dev Genes Evol 2017; 227:171-180. [PMID: 28280924 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-017-0578-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Various organisms have color patterns on their body surfaces, and these color patterns are thought to contribute to physiological regulation, communication with conspecifics, and signaling with the environment. An adult fly of Drosophila guttifera (Insecta: Diptera: Drosophilidae) has melanin pigmentation patterns on its body and wings. Though D. guttifera has been used for research into color pattern formation, how its pupal development proceeds and when the pigmentation starts have not been well studied. In this study, we defined the pupal stages of D. guttifera and measured the pigment content of wing spots from the pupal period to the period after eclosion. Using a transgenic line which carries eGFP connected with an enhancer of yellow, a gene necessary for melanin synthesis, we analyzed the timing at which the yellow enhancer starts to drive eGFP. We also analyzed the distribution of Yellow-producing cells, as indicated by the expression of eGFP during pupal and young adult periods. The results suggested that Yellow-producing cells were removed from wings within 3 h after eclosion, and wing pigmentation continued without epithelial cells. Furthermore, the results of vein cutting experiments showed that the transport of melanin precursors through veins was necessary for wing pigmentation. These results showed the importance of melanin precursors transported through veins and of extracellular factors which were secreted from epithelial cells and left in the cuticle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Fukutomi
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-Cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Keiji Matsumoto
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-Cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Kiyokazu Agata
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-Cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.,Graduate School of Science, Gakushuin University, Mejiro 1-5-1, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 171-8588, Japan
| | - Noriko Funayama
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-Cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Koshikawa
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-Cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan. .,The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Modulation of yellow expression contributes to thermal plasticity of female abdominal pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43370. [PMID: 28230190 PMCID: PMC5322495 DOI: 10.1038/srep43370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity describes the ability of a given genotype to produce distinct phenotypes in different environments. We use the temperature sensitivity of abdominal pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster females as a model to analyse the effect of the environment on development. We reported previously that thermal plasticity of abdominal pigmentation in females involves the pigmentation gene tan (t). However, the expression of the pigmentation gene yellow (y) was also modulated by temperature in the abdominal epidermis of pharate females. We investigate here the contribution of y to female abdominal pigmentation plasticity. First, we show that y is required for the production of black Dopamine-melanin. Then, using in situ hybridization, we show that the expression of y is strongly modulated by temperature in the abdominal epidermis of pharate females but not in bristles. Interestingly, these two expression patterns are known to be controlled by distinct enhancers. However, the activity of the y-wing-body epidermal enhancer only partially mediates the effect of temperature suggesting that additional regulatory sequences are involved. In addition, we show that y and t co-expression is needed to induce strong black pigmentation indicating that y contributes to female abdominal pigmentation plasticity.
Collapse
|
45
|
Critical Analysis of the Melanogenic Pathway in Insects and Higher Animals. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17101753. [PMID: 27775611 PMCID: PMC5085778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17101753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals synthesize melanin pigments for the coloration of their skin and use it for their protection from harmful solar radiation. Insects use melanins even more ingeniously than mammals and employ them for exoskeletal pigmentation, cuticular hardening, wound healing and innate immune responses. In this review, we discuss the biochemistry of melanogenesis process occurring in higher animals and insects. A special attention is given to number of aspects that are not previously brought to light: (1) the molecular mechanism of dopachrome conversion that leads to the production of two different dihydroxyindoles; (2) the role of catecholamine derivatives other than dopa in melanin production in animals; (3) the critical parts played by various biosynthetic enzymes associated with insect melanogenesis; and (4) the presence of a number of important gaps in both melanogenic and sclerotinogenic pathways. Additionally, importance of the melanogenic process in insect physiology especially in the sclerotization of their exoskeleton, wound healing reactions and innate immune responses is highlighted. The comparative biochemistry of melanization with sclerotization is also discussed.
Collapse
|
46
|
Qiu Z, Liu F, Lu H, Huang Y. Characterization and analysis of a de novo transcriptome from the pygmy grasshopper Tetrix japonica. Mol Ecol Resour 2016; 17:381-392. [PMID: 27288670 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The pygmy grasshopper Tetrix japonica is a common insect distributed throughout the world, and it has the potential for use in studies of body colour polymorphism, genomics and the biology of Tetrigoidea (Insecta: Orthoptera). However, limited biological information is available for this insect. Here, we conducted a de novo transcriptome study of adult and larval T. japonica to provide a better understanding of its gene expression and develop genomic resources for future work. We sequenced and explored the characteristics of the de novo transcriptome of T. japonica using Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. A total of 107 608 206 paired-end clean reads were assembled into 61 141 unigenes using the trinity software; the mean unigene size was 771 bp, and the N50 length was 1238 bp. A total of 29 225 unigenes were functionally annotated to the NCBI nonredundant protein sequences (Nr), NCBI nonredundant nucleotide sequences (Nt), a manually annotated and reviewed protein sequence database (Swiss-Prot), Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. A large number of putative genes that are potentially involved in pigment pathways, juvenile hormone (JH) metabolism and signalling pathways were identified in the T. japonica transcriptome. Additionally, 165 769 and 156 796 putative single nucleotide polymorphisms occurred in the adult and larvae transcriptomes, respectively, and a total of 3162 simple sequence repeats were detected in this assembly. This comprehensive transcriptomic data for T. japonica will provide a usable resource for gene predictions, signalling pathway investigations and molecular marker development for this species and other pygmy grasshoppers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongying Qiu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Fei Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China.,College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Shaanxi Xueqian Normal University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Huimeng Lu
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Yuan Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
A Pathway Analysis of Melanin Patterning in a Hemimetabolous Insect. Genetics 2016; 203:403-13. [PMID: 26984060 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.115.186684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Diversity in insect pigmentation, encompassing a wide range of colors and spatial patterns, is among the most noticeable features distinguishing species, individuals, and body regions within individuals. In holometabolous species, a significant portion of such diversity can be attributed to the melanin synthesis genes, but this has not been formally assessed in more basal insect lineages. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of how a set of melanin genes (ebony, black, aaNAT, yellow, and tan) contributes to the pigmentation pattern in a hemipteran, Oncopeltus fasciatus For all five genes, RNA interference depletion caused alteration of black patterning in a region-specific fashion. Furthermore, the presence of distinct nonblack regions in forewings and hindwings coincides with the expression of ebony and aaNAT in these appendages. These findings suggest that the region-specific phenotypes arise from regional employment of various combinations of the melanin genes. Based on this insight, we suggest that melanin genes are used in two distinct ways: a "painting" mode, using predominantly melanin-promoting factors in areas that generally lack black coloration, and, alternatively, an "erasing" mode, using mainly melanin-suppressing factors in regions where black is the dominant pigment. Different combinations of these strategies may account for the vast diversity of melanin patterns observed in insects.
Collapse
|
48
|
Siebert AL, Wheeler D, Werren JH. A new approach for investigating venom function applied to venom calreticulin in a parasitoid wasp. Toxicon 2015; 107:304-16. [PMID: 26359852 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A new method is developed to investigate functions of venom components, using venom gene RNA interference knockdown in the venomous animal coupled with RNA sequencing in the envenomated host animal. The vRNAi/eRNA-Seq approach is applied to the venom calreticulin component (v-crc) of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Parasitoids are common, venomous animals that inject venom proteins into host insects, where they modulate physiology and metabolism to produce a better food resource for the parasitoid larvae. vRNAi/eRNA-Seq indicates that v-crc acts to suppress expression of innate immune cell response, enhance expression of clotting genes in the host, and up-regulate cuticle genes. V-crc KD also results in an increased melanization reaction immediately following envenomation. We propose that v-crc inhibits innate immune response to parasitoid venom and reduces host bleeding during adult and larval parasitoid feeding. Experiments do not support the hypothesis that v-crc is required for the developmental arrest phenotype observed in envenomated hosts. We propose that an important role for some venom components is to reduce (modulate) the exaggerated effects of other venom components on target host gene expression, physiology, and survival, and term this venom mitigation. A model is developed that uses vRNAi/eRNA-Seq to quantify the contribution of individual venom components to total venom phenotypes, and to define different categories of mitigation by individual venoms on host gene expression. Mitigating functions likely contribute to the diversity of venom proteins in parasitoids and other venomous organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aisha L Siebert
- Department of Clinical and Translational Science, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA.
| | - David Wheeler
- Institute of Fundamental Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand; Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - John H Werren
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Castillo JC, Creasy T, Kumari P, Shetty A, Shokal U, Tallon LJ, Eleftherianos I. Drosophila anti-nematode and antibacterial immune regulators revealed by RNA-Seq. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:519. [PMID: 26162375 PMCID: PMC4499211 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1690-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Drosophila melanogaster activates a variety of immune responses against microbial infections. However, information on the Drosophila immune response to entomopathogenic nematode infections is currently limited. The nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora is an insect parasite that forms a mutualistic relationship with the gram-negative bacteria Photorhabdus luminescens. Following infection, the nematodes release the bacteria that quickly multiply within the insect and produce several toxins that eventually kill the host. Although we currently know that the insect immune system interacts with Photorhabdus, information on interaction with the nematode vector is scarce. Results Here we have used next generation RNA-sequencing to analyze the transcriptional profile of wild-type adult flies infected by axenic Heterorhabditis nematodes (lacking Photorhabdus bacteria), symbiotic Heterorhabditis nematodes (carrying Photorhabdus bacteria), and Photorhabdus bacteria alone. We have obtained approximately 54 million reads from the different infection treatments. Bioinformatic analysis shows that infection with Photorhabdus alters the transcription of a large number of Drosophila genes involved in translational repression as well in response to stress. However, Heterorhabditis infection alters the transcription of several genes that participate in lipidhomeostasis and metabolism, stress responses, DNA/protein sythesis and neuronal functions. We have also identified genes in the fly with potential roles in nematode recognition, anti-nematode activity and nociception. Conclusions These findings provide fundamental information on the molecular events that take place in Drosophila upon infection with the two pathogens, either separately or together. Such large-scale transcriptomic analyses set the stage for future functional studies aimed at identifying the exact role of key factors in the Drosophila immune response against nematode-bacteria complexes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1690-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julio C Castillo
- Insect Infection and Immunity Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052, USA. .,Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
| | - Todd Creasy
- Institute for Genome Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Priti Kumari
- Institute for Genome Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Amol Shetty
- Institute for Genome Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Upasana Shokal
- Insect Infection and Immunity Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052, USA.
| | - Luke J Tallon
- Institute for Genome Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Ioannis Eleftherianos
- Insect Infection and Immunity Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Chaudhary R, Atamian HS, Shen Z, Briggs SP, Kaloshian I. Potato Aphid Salivary Proteome: Enhanced Salivation Using Resorcinol and Identification of Aphid Phosphoproteins. J Proteome Res 2015; 14:1762-78. [DOI: 10.1021/pr501128k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhouxin Shen
- Division
of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman
Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Steven P. Briggs
- Division
of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman
Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|