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Bai Y, Lv YN, Zeng M, Yan ZY, Huang DY, Wen JZ, Lu HN, Zhang PY, Wang YF, Ban N, Yuan DW, Li S, Luan YX. E93 is indispensable for reproduction in ametabolous and hemimetabolous insects. Development 2024; 151:dev202518. [PMID: 38646855 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Ecdysone-induced protein 93 (E93), known as the 'adult-specifier' transcription factor in insects, triggers metamorphosis in both hemimetabolous and holometabolous insects. Although E93 is conserved in ametabolous insects, its spatiotemporal expression and physiological function remain poorly understood. In this study, we first discover that, in the ametabolous firebrat Thermobia domestica, the previtellogenic ovary exhibits cyclically high E93 expression, and E93 mRNA is broadly distributed in previtellogenic ovarioles. E93 homozygous mutant females of T. domestica exhibit severe fecundity deficiency due to impaired previtellogenic development of the ovarian follicles, likely because E93 induces the expression of genes involved in ECM (extracellular matrix)-receptor interactions during previtellogenesis. Moreover, we reveal that in the hemimetabolous cockroach Blattella germanica, E93 similarly promotes previtellogenic ovarian development. In addition, E93 is also essential for vitellogenesis that is necessary to guarantee ovarian maturation and promotes the vitellogenesis-previtellogenesis switch in the fat body of adult female cockroaches. Our findings deepen the understanding of the roles of E93 in controlling reproduction in insects, and of E93 expression and functional evolution, which are proposed to have made crucial contributions to the origin of insect metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514000, China
| | - Ya-Nan Lv
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Mei Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Zi-Yu Yan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Dan-Yan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jia-Zhen Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Hu-Na Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Pei-Yan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yi-Fan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Ning Ban
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Dong-Wei Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514000, China
| | - Yun-Xia Luan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514000, China
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Wu T, Dong Q, Tang X, Zhu X, Deng D, Ding Y, Ahmad S, Zhang W, Mao Z, Zhao X, Ge L. CYP303A1 regulates molting and metamorphosis through 20E signaling in Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 281:136234. [PMID: 39366602 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136234] [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: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 09/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450s play a crucial role in the breakdown of external substances and perform important activities in the hormone system of insects. It has been understood that P450s were essential in the metabolism of ecdysteroids. CYP303A1 is a highly conserved CYP in most insects, but its specific physiological functions remain poorly understood in Nilaparvata lugens Stål. In this study, NlCYP303A1 was identified and highly expressed in the pre-molt stages, predominantly in the cuticle-producing tissues. Silencing of NlCYP303A1 caused a lethal phenotype with a molting defect. Moreover, the 20E titers, the expression levels of Halloween genes, and critical genes associated with the 20E signaling pathway in N. lugens nymphs were significantly decreased with the silencing NlCYP303A1. We further performed additional backfilling of 20E to rescue the RNAi effects on NlCYP303A1. The gene expression levels that were previously reduced caused by silencing NlCYP303A1 were significantly elevated. However, the molting defects of nymphs were not effectively improved. The results demonstrated NlCYP303A1 plays a crucial role in the molting and metamorphosis of N. lugens by regulating the 20E signaling pathway and cuticular formation, enhances the understanding of the functional role of CYP 2 clans, and identifies candidate gene for RNAi-based control of N. lugens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China; College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Qiaoqiao Dong
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Xingyu Tang
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Xuhui Zhu
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Di Deng
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Yuting Ding
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Sheraz Ahmad
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Wen Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Ziyue Mao
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Xudong Zhao
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
| | - Linquan Ge
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
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Jin KY, Di YQ, Liu TW, Zhao XF. Development of the insect adult fat body relies on glycolysis, lipid synthesis, cell proliferation, and cell adhesion. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 39185918 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
The fat body of the holometabolous insect is remodeled by the degradation of the larval fat body and the development of the adult fat body during metamorphosis. However, the mechanism of adult fat body development is quite unclear. Using the agricultural pest Helicoverpa armigera, the cotton bollworm, as a model, we revealed that the development of adult fat body was regulated by glycolysis, triglyceride (triacylglycerol [TAG]) synthesis, cell proliferation, and cell adhesion. RNA sequencing detected a set of genes that were upregulated in the 8-d late pupal fat body at a late metamorphic stage compared with the 2-d pupal fat body at an earlier metamorphic stage. The pathways for glycolysis, TAG synthesis, cell proliferation, and cell adhesion were enriched by the differentially expressed genes, and the key genes linked with these pathways showed increased expression in the 8-d pupal fat body. Knockdown of phosphofructokinase (Pfk), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Acc1), phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit (P110) and collagen alpha-1(IV) chain (Col4a1) by RNA interference resulted in abnormal eclosion and death at pupal stages, and repressed lipid droplets accumulation and adult fat body development. The expression of Acc1, P110, and Col4a1 was repressed by the insect steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). The critical genes in the 20E pathway appeared to decrease at the late pupal stage. These data suggested that the development of the insect adult fat body is regulated by glycolysis, lipids synthesis, cell proliferation, and cell adhesion at the late pupal stage when the 20E signal decreases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Yan Jin
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yu-Qin Di
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong Province, China
| | - Tian-Wen Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiao-Fan Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong Province, China
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Wang HC, Li L, Zhang JH, Yao ZH, Pang BP. MicroRNA miR-285 modulates the metamorphosis in Galeruca daurica by targeting Br-C. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:3349-3357. [PMID: 38385645 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Galeruca daurica has become a new pest on the Inner Mongolia grasslands since an abrupt outbreak in 2009 caused serious damage. As a pupa indicator during insect metamorphosis, the early response gene of the ecdysone signaling pathway, Broad-Complex (Br-C), plays a vital role in the growth and development of insects. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which mediate various biological activities, but it is unknown whether and how Br-C is regulated by miRNAs. RESULTS Temporal expression profiles revealed that miR-285 and Br-C basically displayed an opposite trend during larval-adult development, and Br-C was sharply up-regulated on the last day of final-instar larvae while miR-285 was significantly down-regulated. Both dual-luciferase reporter assay and miRNA-mRNA interaction assay indicated that miR-285 interacts with the coding sequence of Br-C and represses its expression. Not only overexpression but also downexpression of miR-285 led to the failure of larval to pupal to adult metamorphosis. In addition, both overexpression of miR-285 and silence of Br-C inhibited the expression of Br-C and other ecdysone signaling pathway genes, including E74, E75, ECR, FTZ-F1, and HR3. On the contrary, suppressing miR-285 obtained opposite results. Further experiments showed that 20-hydroxyecdysone down-regulated miR-285 and up-regulated Br-C and above-mentioned genes, whereas juvenile hormone alalogue (JHA) resulted in opposite effects. CONCLUSION Our results reveal that miR-285 is involved in mediating the metamorphosis in G. daurica by targeting Br-C in the ecdysone signaling pathway. miR-285 and its target Br-C could be as a potential target for G. daurica management. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Chao Wang
- Research Center for Grassland Entomology, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Ling Li
- Research Center for Grassland Entomology, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jing-Hang Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Center for Plant Protection and Quarantine, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhi-Han Yao
- Research Center for Grassland Entomology, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Bao-Ping Pang
- Research Center for Grassland Entomology, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
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Xu X, Li T, Zhang L, Liu X. Effect of silencing the E74B gene on the development and metamorphosis of Helicoverpa armigera. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:1435-1445. [PMID: 37939129 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7874] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The growth and development transition of insects are mainly mediated by ecdysone. As one of the ecdysone-induced transcription factors, E74 is involved in many physiological processes of insect growth and development. However, E74 and its function in Helicoverpa armigera remains unclear. RESULTS In this study, E74B, a subtype of the E74, was identified for the first time in H. armigera. Bioinformatics analysis showed that H. armigera E74B shared the highest homology with E74B in Bombyx mori, which belongs to the E26 transformation-specific (ETS) superfamily. The expression profile showed that the transcription level of HaE74B increased in the late stages of fourth to sixth instars compared with the early stages; it was also high in the pupa and midgut. Moreover, we investigated the function of HaE74B through RNA interference and 20E rescue experiments. The results showed silencing of E74B affected the molting and growth of larvae, resulting in the death of more than 60% of larvae. In addition, it also seriously affected the metamorphosis of H. armigera, which reduced the pupae rate, the eclosion rate of the pupae, and fecundity. Application of 20E partially restored the defects in the molting, development and pupae rate of H. armigera. CONCLUSION Taken together, these results demonstrated that HaE74B plays a critical role in the growth, development, and metamorphosis of H. armigera, which serves as a molecular target and sets out a theoretical foundation for RNAi-mediated control of this key pest. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhui Xu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Lianjun Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiaoning Liu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
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Long D, Liu R, Huang Y, Fu A, Zhang Y, Hao Z, Li Q, Xu H, Xiang Z, Zhao A. An efficient and safe strategy for germ cell-specific automatic excision of foreign DNA in F 1 hybrid transgenic silkworms. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:28-46. [PMID: 37356084 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13219] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
The safety of transgenic technology is a major obstacle in the popularization and use of transgenic silkworms and their products. In sericulture, only the first filial generation (F1 ) hybrid eggs produced by cross-breeding Japanese and Chinese original strains are usually used for the large-scale breeding of silkworms, but this may result in uncontrolled transgene dispersal during the popularization and application of the F1 hybrid transgenic eggs. To address this issue, we developed a safe and efficient strategy using the GAL4/Upstream activating sequence (UAS) system, the FLP/flippase recognition target (FRT) system, and the gonad-specific expression gene promoters (RSHP1p and Nanosp) for the germ cell-specific automatic excision of foreign DNA in the F1 hybrid transgenic silkworms. We established 2 types of activator strains, R1p::GAL4-Gr and Nsp::GAL4-Gr, containing the testis-specific GAL4 gene expression cassettes driven by RSHP1p or Nanosp, respectively, and 1 type of effector strain, UAS::FLP-Rg, containing the UAS-linked FLP gene expression cassette. The FLP recombinase-mediated sperm-specific complete excision of FRT-flanked target DNA in the F1 double-transgenic silkworms resulting from the hybridization of R1p::GAL4-Gr and UAS::FLP-Rg was 100%, whereas the complete excision efficiency resulting from the hybridization of Nsp::GAL4-Gr and UAS::FLP-Rg ranged from 13.73% to 80.3%. Additionally, we identified a gene, sw11114, that is expressed in both testis and ovary of Bombyx mori, and can be used to establish novel gonad-specific expression systems in transgenic silkworms. This strategy has the potential to fundamentally solve the safety issue in the production of F1 transgenic silkworm eggs and provides an important reference for the safety of transgenic technology in other insect species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingpei Long
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rongpeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Huang
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Anyao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuli Zhang
- Guangxi Institute of Sericulture Science, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhanzhang Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Hanfu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhonghuai Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Aichun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Ge F, Yu Q, Zhang J, Han Y, Zhu D, Xie X. E93 gene in the swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus: Responsiveness to 20-hydroxyecdysone and methyl farnesoate and role on regulating ecdysteroid synthesis. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 270:110910. [PMID: 38193341 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2023.110910] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Ecdysone-induced protein 93 (E93) is a metamorphic determinant involved in crosstalk between 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone (JH) during the insect molting process. The present study identified the E93 gene from the swimming crab, P. trituberculatus, and found it was widely distributed in adult tissues. PtE93 mRNA levels in Y-organ and epidermis fluctuated during the molt cycle, suggesting its involvement in juvenile molting. In vitro and in vivo treatments with 20E led to an induction of PtE93 expression in Y-organ and epidermis, while we found the opposite effect for methyl farnesoate (MF) treatments, a crustacean equivalent of insect JH. We also observed that two genes for ecdysteroid biosynthesis, Spook (Spo) and Shadow (Sad), were suppressed by 20E and induced by MF, showing a negative correlation between PtE93 and ecdysteroid biosynthesis. PtE93 RNA interference (RNAi) induced Spo and Sad expression levels, elevated ecdysteroid content in culture medium, and relieved the 20E inhibitory effect on ecdysteroid synthesis, indicating an inhibitory role of PtE93 on ecdysteroid synthesis. Overall, our results suggest that E93 may be involved in the crosstalk between 20E and MF during crustacean molting, and its presence in Y-organ is closely related to ecdysteroid synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Ge
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Qiaoling Yu
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yaoyao Han
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Dongfa Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
| | - Xi Xie
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
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Xu X, Pu S, Jiang M, Hu X, Wang Q, Yu J, Chu J, Wei G, Wang L. Knockout of nuclear receptor HR38 gene impairs pupal-adult development in silkworm Bombyx mori. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:29-40. [PMID: 37738573 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12876] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are ligand-regulated transcription factors that play important role in regulating insect metamorphosis through the ecdysone signalling pathway. In this study, we investigated the nuclear receptor HR38 gene in Bombyx mori (BmHR38), belonging to the NR4A subfamily. BmHR38 mRNA was highly expressed in the head and epidermis at the pupal stage. The expression of the BmHR38 gene was influenced by different doses of 20E at different times. A BmHR38 deletion mutant silkworm was generated using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 system. Compared with the wild-type B. mori, the BmHR38 deletion mutant resulted in abnormal development during the pupal stage, leading to either failed eclosion or the formation of abnormal adult wings. After silencing of BmHR38 in the pupal stage, the phenotype of pupa or moth had no significant change, but it did result in reduced egg production. The mRNA levels of USP, E75 and E74 were significantly increased, while the transcript levels of FTZ-F1 were suppressed after RNA interference. Furthermore, interference with BmHR38 also inhibited the expressions of chitin metabolism genes, including Chs1, Chs2, Chi, Chi-h and CDA. Our results suggest that BmHR38 is essential for pupal development and pupa-adult metamorphosis in B. mori by regulating the expression of NRs and chitin metabolism genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Xu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Shangkun Pu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Mouzhen Jiang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Hu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Jianghong Chu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Guoqing Wei
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Resource Insect Biology and Innovative Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
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Zhao Z, Li L, Zeng R, Lin L, Yuan D, Wen Y, Li N, Cui Y, Zhu S, Zhang ZM, Li S, Ren C. 5mC modification orchestrates choriogenesis and fertilization by preventing prolonged ftz-f1 expression. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8234. [PMID: 38086980 PMCID: PMC10716119 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43987-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation at the fifth position of cytosine (5-methylcytosine, 5mC) is a crucial epigenetic modification for regulating gene expression, but little is known about how it regulates gene expression in insects. Here, we pursue the detailed molecular mechanism by which DNMT1-mediated 5mC maintenance regulates female reproduction in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. Our results show that Dnmt1 knockdown decreases the level of 5mC in the ovary, upregulating numerous genes during choriogenesis, especially the transcription factor ftz-f1. The hypomethylation at the ftz-f1 promoter region increases and prolongs ftz-f1 expression in ovarian follicle cells during choriogenesis, which consequently causes aberrantly high levels of 20-hydroxyecdysone and excessively upregulates the extracellular matrix remodeling gene Mmp1. These changes further impair choriogenesis and disrupt fertilization by causing anoikis of the follicle cells, a shortage of chorion proteins, and malformation of the sponge-like bodies. This study significantly advances our understanding of how DNA 5mC modification regulates female reproduction in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China
| | - Liang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Ruichen Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Liangguan Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Dongwei Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yejie Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Na Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China
| | - Yingying Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Shiming Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Zhi-Min Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China.
| | - Chonghua Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China.
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10
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Peng M, Wang G, Zhu S. Cold-stored mulberry leaves affect antioxidant system and silk proteins of silkworm (Bombyx mori) larva. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2023; 103:7673-7682. [PMID: 37431698 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12849] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cold storage has been widely used to maintain the quality of vegetables, but whether eating cold-stored vegetables affects health remains unknown. RESULTS This study used silkworms as an animal model to evaluate the effects of nutrient changes in cold-stored mulberry leaves (CSML) on health. Compared with fresh mulberry leaves (FML), CSML contained lower vitamin C, soluble sugars and proteins, and higher H2 O2 , suggesting decreased antioxidant ability and nutrition. The CSML did not obviously affect larval survival rate, body weight or dry matter rate, cocoon shape, weight and size, or final rates of cluster and cocooning relative to the FML, suggesting CSML did not alter overall growth and development. However, the CSML increased the initial rates of cluster and cocooning and upregulated BmRpd3, suggesting CSML shortened larval lifespan and enhanced senescence. CSML upregulated BmNOX4, downregulated BmCAT, BmSOD and BmGSH-Px and increased H2 O2 in silkworms, suggesting CSML caused oxidative stress. CSML upregulated ecdysone biosynthesis and inactivation genes and elevated ecdysone concentration in silkworms, suggesting that CSML affected hormone homeostasis. CSML upregulated apoptosis-related genes, downregulated sericin and silk fibroin genes and decreased sericin content rate in silkworms, suggesting oxidative stress and protein deficiency. CONCLUSION Cold storage reduced nutrition and antioxidant capability of mulberry leaves. CSML did not influence growth and development of silkworm larva, but affected health by causing oxidative stress and reducing protein synthesis. The findings show that the ingredient changes in CSML had negative effects on health of silkworms. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables, Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables, Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shijiang Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables, Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Long GY, Gong MF, Yang H, Yang XB, Zhou C, Jin DC. Buprofezin affects the molting process by regulating nuclear receptors SfHR3 and SfHR4 in Sogatella furcifera. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 197:105695. [PMID: 38072550 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors play a crucial role in various signaling and metabolic pathways, such as insect molting and development. Buprofezin (2-tert-butylimino-3-isopropyl-5-phenyl-perhydro-1, 3, 5-thiadiazin-4-one), a chitin synthesis inhibitor, causes molting deformities and slow death in insects by inhibiting chitin synthesis and interfering with their metabolism. This study investigated whether buprofezin affects insect ecdysteroid signaling pathway. The treatment of buprofezin significantly suppressed the transcription levels of SfHR3 and SfHR4, two nuclear receptor genes, in third-instar nymphs of Sogatella furcifera. Meanwhile, the transcription levels of SfHR3 and SfHR4 in first-day fifth-instar nymphs were induced at 12 h after 20E treatment. In addition, the silencing of SfHR3 and SfHR4 genes in first-day fifth-instar nymphs caused severe developmental delay and molting failure, resulting in a significant reduction of survival rates at 7.36% and 2.99% on the eighth day, respectively. Further analysis showed that the silencing SfHR3 and SfHR4 significantly inhibited the transcription levels of chitin synthesis and degradation-related genes. These results indicate that buprofezin can inhibits chitin synthesis and degradation by suppressing the signal transduction of 20E through SfHR3 and SfHR4, leading to molting failure and death. This study not only expands our understanding of the molecular mechanism of buprofezin in pest control but also lays a foundation for developing new control strategies of RNAi by targeting SfHR3 and SfHR4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Yun Long
- School of Chinese Ethnic Medicine, Guizhou Minzu University, Key Laboratory of Guizhou Ethnic Medicine Resource Development and Utilization in Guizhou Minzu University, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Guiyang, China
| | - Ming-Fu Gong
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions, Guiyang, China
| | - Xi-Bin Yang
- Plant Protection and Quarantine Station, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, China
| | - Cao Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Vector Insects, Institute of Entomology and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Dao-Chao Jin
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions, Guiyang, China
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12
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Lin L, Li H, Zheng Q, Hu J, Wu W. Research Progress on the Regulation of Autophagy and Apoptosis in Insects by Sterol Hormone 20-Hydroxyecdysone. INSECTS 2023; 14:871. [PMID: 37999070 PMCID: PMC10672190 DOI: 10.3390/insects14110871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
20E (20-Hydroxyecdysone) is a central steroid hormone that orchestrates developmental changes and metamorphosis in arthropods. While its molecular mechanisms have been recognized for some time, detailed elucidation has primarily emerged in the past decade. PCD (Programmed cell death), including apoptosis, necrosis, efferocytosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy, plays a crucial role in regulated cell elimination, which is vital for cells' development and tissue homeostasis. This review summarizes recent findings on 20E signaling regulated autophagy and apoptosis in insects, including Drosophila melanogaster, Bombyx mori, Helicoverpa armigera, and other species. Firstly, we comprehensively explore the biosynthesis of the sterol hormone 20E and its subsequent signal transduction in various species. Then, we focus on the involvement of 20E in regulating autophagy and apoptosis, elucidating its roles in both developmental contexts and bacterial infection scenarios. Furthermore, our discussion unfolds as a panoramic exposition, where we delve into the fundamental questions with our findings, anchoring them within the grander scheme of our study in insects. Deepening the understanding of 20E-autophagy/apoptosis axis not only underscores the intricate tapestry of endocrine networks, but also offers fresh perspectives on the adaptive mechanisms that have evolved in the face of environmental challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luobin Lin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.L.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Huaqin Li
- School of Health Sciences, Guangzhou Xinhua University, 19 Huamei Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510520, China;
| | - Qinzhou Zheng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.L.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Jiaxuan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China;
| | - Wenmei Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.L.); (Q.Z.)
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13
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Zhang J, Zhang X, Zhang H, Li J, Li W, Liu C. Overexpression of BmJHBPd2 Repressed Silk Synthesis by Inhibiting the JH/Kr-h1 Signaling Pathway in Bombyx mori. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12650. [PMID: 37628827 PMCID: PMC10454397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficient production of silkworm silk is crucial to the silk industry. Silk protein synthesis is regulated by the juvenile hormone (JH) and 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E). Therefore, the genetic regulation of silk production is a priority. JH binding protein (JHBP) transports JH from the hemolymph to target organs and cells and protects it. In a previous study, we identified 41 genes containing a JHBP domain in the Bombyx mori genome. Only one JHBP gene, BmJHBPd2, is highly expressed in the posterior silk gland (PSG), and its function remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the expression levels of BmJHBPd2 and the major silk protein genes in the high-silk-producing practical strain 872 (S872) and the low-silk-producing local strain Dazao. We found that BmJHBPd2 was more highly expressed in S872 than in the Dazao strain, which is consistent with the expression pattern of fibroin genes. A subcellular localization assay indicated that BmJHBPd2 is located in the cytoplasm. In vitro hormone induction experiments showed that BmJHBPd2 was upregulated by juvenile hormone analogue (JHA) treatment. BmKr-h1 upregulation was significantly inhibited by the overexpression of BmJHBPd2 (BmJHBPd2OE) at the cell level when induced by JHA. However, overexpression of BmJHBPd2 in the PSG by transgenic methods led to the inhibition of silk fibroin gene expression, resulting in a reduction in silk yield. Further investigation showed that in the transgenic BmJHBPd2OE silkworm, the key transcription factor of the JH signaling pathway, Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1), was inhibited, and 20E signaling pathway genes, such as broad complex (Brc), E74A, and ultraspiracle protein (USP), were upregulated. Our results indicate that BmJHBPd2 plays an important role in the JH signaling pathway and is important for silk protein synthesis. Furthermore, our findings help to elucidate the mechanisms by which JH regulates silk protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jikailang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Xia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Jiaojiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
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14
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Chen Z, Zhang A, Xu X, Ding L, Zhang X, Qian C, Zhu B. Toll-interacting protein participates in immunity and development of the lepidopteran insect Antheraea pernyi. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:497-507. [PMID: 37278204 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Toll-interacting protein (Tollip) participates in multiple biological processes. However, the biological functions of Tollip proteins in insects remain to be further explored. Here, the genomic sequence of tollip gene from Antheraea pernyi (named Ap-Tollip) was identified with a length of 15,060 bp, including eight exons and seven introns. The predicted Ap-Tollip protein contained conserved C2 and CUE domains and was highly homologous to those tollips from invertebrates. Ap-Tollip was highly expressed in fat body compared with other determined tissues. As far as the developmental stages were concerned, the highest expression level was found at the 14th day in eggs or the 3rd day of the 1st instar. Ap-Tollip was also obviously regulated by lipopolysaccharide, polycytidylic acid or 20E in different tissues. In addition, the interaction between Ap-Tollip and ubiquitin was confirmed by western blotting and pull-down assay. RNAi of Ap-Tollip significantly affected the expression levels of apoptosis and autophagy-related genes. These results indicated that Ap-Tollip was involved in immunity and development of A. pernyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Awei Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xuan Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Lu Ding
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiaojiao Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Cen Qian
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Baojian Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
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15
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Wen D, Chen Z, Wen J, Jia Q. Sterol Regulation of Development and 20-Hydroxyecdysone Biosynthetic and Signaling Genes in Drosophila melanogaster. Cells 2023; 12:1739. [PMID: 37443773 PMCID: PMC10340181 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131739] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecdysteroids are crucial in regulating the growth and development of insects. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, both C27 and C28 ecdysteroids have been identified. While the biosynthetic pathway of the C27 ecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) from cholesterol is relatively well understood, the biosynthetic pathway of C28 ecdysteroids from C28 or C29 dietary sterols remains unknown. In this study, we found that different dietary sterols (including the C27 sterols cholesterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol, the C28 sterols brassicasterol, campesterol, and ergosterol, and the C29 sterols β-sitosterol, α-spinasterol, and stigmasterol) differentially affected the expression of 20E biosynthetic genes to varying degrees, but similarly activated 20E primary response gene expression in D. melanogaster Kc cells. We also found that a single dietary sterol was sufficient to support D. melanogaster growth and development. Furthermore, the expression levels of some 20E biosynthetic genes were significantly altered, whereas the expression of 20E signaling primary response genes remained unaffected when flies were reared on lipid-depleted diets supplemented with single sterol types. Overall, our study provided preliminary clues to suggest that the same enzymatic system responsible for the classical C27 ecdysteroid 20E biosynthetic pathway also participated in the conversion of C28 and C29 dietary sterols into C28 ecdysteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wen
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China;
| | - Zhi Chen
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China;
| | - Jiamin Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China;
| | - Qiangqiang Jia
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China;
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China;
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514779, China
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16
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Wang XP, Sun SP, Li YX, Wang L, Dong DJ, Wang JX, Zhao XF. 20-hydroxyecdysone reprograms amino acid metabolism to support the metamorphic development of Helicoverpa armigera. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112644. [PMID: 37310862 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Amino acid metabolism is regulated according to nutrient conditions; however, the mechanism is not fully understood. Using the holometabolous insect cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) as a model, we report that hemolymph metabolites are greatly changed from the feeding larvae to the wandering larvae and to pupae. Arginine, alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG), and glutamate (Glu) are identified as marker metabolites of feeding larvae, wandering larvae, and pupae, respectively. Arginine level is decreased by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulation via repression of argininosuccinate synthetase (Ass) expression and upregulation of arginase (Arg) expression during metamorphosis. α-KG is transformed from Glu by glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in larval midgut, which is repressed by 20E. The α-KG is then transformed to Glu by GDH-like in pupal fat body, which is upregulated by 20E. Thus, 20E reprogrammed amino acid metabolism during metamorphosis by regulating gene expression in a stage- and tissue-specific manner to support insect metamorphic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Pei Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Shu-Peng Sun
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yan-Xue Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Du-Juan Dong
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Jin-Xing Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xiao-Fan Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
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17
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Zhang J, Zhang W, Wei L, Zhang L, Liu J, Huang S, Li S, Yang W, Li K. E93 promotes transcription of RHG genes to initiate apoptosis during Drosophila salivary gland metamorphosis. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:588-598. [PMID: 36281570 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) induced transcription factor E93 is important for larval-adult transition, which functions in programmed cell death of larval obsolete tissues, and the formation of adult new tissues. However, the apoptosis-related genes directly regulated by E93 are still ambiguous. In this study, an E93 mutation fly strain was obtained by clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated protein 9-mediated long exon deletion to investigate whether and how E93 induces apoptosis during larval tissues metamorphosis. The transcriptional profile of E93 was consistent with 3 RHG (rpr, hid, and grim) genes and the effector caspase gene drice, and all their expressions peaked at the initiation of apoptosis during the degradation of salivary glands. The transcription expression of 3 RHG genes decreased and apoptosis was blocked in E93 mutation salivary gland during metamorphosis. In contrast, E93 overexpression promoted the transcription of 3 RHG genes, and induced advanced apoptosis in the salivary gland. Moreover, E93 not only enhance the promoter activities of the 3 RHG genes in Drosophila Kc cells in vitro, but also in the salivary gland in vivo. Our results demonstrated that 20E induced E93 promotes the transcription of RHG genes to trigger apoptosis during obsolete tissues degradation at metamorphosis in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Wenhao Zhang
- College of Biological and Food Engineering, Huaihua University, Huaihua, 418000, China
| | - Lin Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Lidan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Jiali Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Shumin Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China
| | - Weike Yang
- The Sericultural and Apicultural Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mengzi, Yunnan, 661100, China
| | - Kang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China
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18
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Tan Y, Xiao L, Zhao J, Zhang J, Ahmad S, Xu D, Xu G, Ge L. Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Phosphorylation Is Required for 20-Hydroxyecdysone Regulates Ecdysis in Apolygus lucorum. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108587. [PMID: 37239932 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108587] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The plant mirid bug Apolygus lucorum is an omnivorous pest that can cause considerable economic damage. The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) is mainly responsible for molting and metamorphosis. The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an intracellular energy sensor regulated by 20E, and its activity is regulated allosterically through phosphorylation. It is unknown whether the 20E-regulated insect's molting and gene expression depends on the AMPK phosphorylation. Herein, we cloned the full-length cDNA of the AlAMPK gene in A. lucorum. AlAMPK mRNA was detected at all developmental stages, whereas the dominant expression was in the midgut and, to a lesser extent, in the epidermis and fat body. Treatment with 20E and AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AlCAR) or only AlCAR resulted in activation of AlAMPK phosphorylation levels in the fat body, probed with an antibody directed against AMPK phosphorylated at Thr172, enhancing AlAMPK expression, whereas no phosphorylation occurred with compound C. Compared to compound C, 20E and/or AlCAR increased the molting rate, the fifth instar nymphal weight and shortened the development time of A. lucorum in vitro by inducing the expression of EcR-A, EcR-B, USP, and E75-A. Similarly, the knockdown of AlAMPK by RNAi reduced the molting rate of nymphs, the weight of fifth-instar nymphs and blocked the developmental time and the expression of 20E-related genes. Moreover, as observed by TEM, the thickness of the epidermis of the mirid was significantly increased in 20E and/or AlCAR treatments, molting spaces began to form between the cuticle and epidermal cells, and the molting progress of the mirid was significantly improved. These composite data indicated that AlAMPK, as a phosphorylated form in the 20E pathway, plays an important role in hormonal signaling and, in short, regulating insect molting and metamorphosis by switching its phosphorylation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongan Tan
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Liubin Xiao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Jieyu Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Sheraz Ahmad
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Dejin Xu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Guangchun Xu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Linquan Ge
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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19
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Sun C, Wei D, Pan Y, Xiao X, Wang F. BmCaspase-8-like regulates autophagy by suppressing BmDREDD-mediated cleavage of BmATG6. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:365-374. [PMID: 36044542 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13109] [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: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy plays an important role in tissue remodeling during insect development. The interplay between autophagy-related (ATG) proteins and caspases regulates the autophagic activity of ATGs, thereby modulating the process of autophagy. Our previous study characterized BmCaspase-8-like (BmCasp8L) as a caspase suppressor that inhibits apoptosis and immune signaling by suppressing the activation of death-related ced-3/Nedd2-like caspase (DREDD), a caspase-8 homolog in silkworm. In this study, we explored the regulatory role of BmCasp8L in autophagy. We found that the expression of Bmcasp8l increased from the late spinning stage to the pupa stage in the posterior silk gland (PSG), correlating with the expression patterns of Bmatg8 and Bmatg6. RNA interference-mediated downregulation of BmCasp8L expression significantly decreased starvation-induced autophagic influx as determined by the levels of BmATG8-phosphatidylethanolamine and the percentage of cells displaying punctate enhanced green fluorescent protein-BmATG8. Conversely, the overexpression of BmCasp8L significantly increased autophagic influx. We also found that BmCasp8L underwent autophagic degradation induced by starvation and that it was colocalized with BmATG8. Lastly, we demonstrated that BmDREDD attenuated autophagy and BmCasp8L suppressed BmDREDD-mediated cleavage of BmATG6. Taken together, our results demonstrated that BmCasp8L is a novel proautophagic molecule which suppresses BmDREDD-mediated cleavage of BmATG6 and is a target for autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongmei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yumeng Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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20
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Song Z, Tang L, Liu Z, Wu D. Low GSK3β activity is required for insect diapause through responding to ROS/AKT signaling and down-regulation of Smad1/EcR/HR3 cascade. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 154:103909. [PMID: 36693452 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103909] [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: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) plays important roles in gene transcription, metabolism, apoptosis, development, and signal transduction. However, its role in the regulation of pupal diapause remains unclear. In this paper, we find that low GSK3β activity in brains of diapause-destined pupae of Helicoverpa armigera is caused by elevated AKT activity. In response to ROS, AKT phosphorylates GSK3β to decrease its activity. In developing pupal brains, GSK3β can activate the transcription factor Smad1, which binds to the promoter region of the ecdysone receptor (EcR) gene and increases its expression. In the presence of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), EcR can bind to USP and increase the expression of 20E-response genes, including HR3, for pupal-adult development. In contrast, high levels of ROS in brains of diapause-destined pupae up-regulate p-AKT, which in turn decreases GSK3β activity. Low GSK3β activity causes low expression of EcR/HR3 via down-regulation of Smad1 activity, leading to diapause initiation. These results suggest that low GSK3β activity plays a key role in pupal diapause via ROS/AKT/GSK3β/Smad/EcR/HR3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Song
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Lin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zihan Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Di Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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21
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Cao J, Zheng HS, Zhang R, Xu YP, Pan H, Li S, Liu C, Cheng TC. Dimmed gene knockout shortens larval growth and reduces silk yield in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 32:26-35. [PMID: 36082617 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12810] [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: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The bHLH domain transcription factor, Bombyx mori-derived dimmed (Bmdimm), is directly regulated by the JH-BmMet/BmSRC-BmKr-h1 pathway and plays a key role in regulating the expression of FibH, which codes the main component of silk protein. However, the other roles of Bmdimm in silk protein synthesis remain unclear. Here, we established a Bmdimm knockout (KO) line containing a 7-bp deletion via CRISPR/Cas9 system, which led to the absence of the bHLH domain. The expression level of silk protein genes and silk yield decreased significantly in the Bmdimm KO line. Moreover, knocking out Bmdimm led to shortened larval stages and significant weight loss in larvae and adults. Bmdimm was found to be highly expressed in the silk gland, but it was also expressed in the fat body. The expression level of Bmkr-h1 in the fat body was significantly downregulated in the Bmdimm KO line. Exogenous JHA treatment upregulated Bmkr-h1 and rescued the phenotype of larval growth in the Bmdimm KO line. In conclusion, knocking out Bmdimm led to a shortened larval stage via the inhibition of Bmkr-h1 expression, then reduced silk yield. These findings help to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of fibroin synthesis and larval development in silkworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong-Ping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting-Cai Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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22
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Albishi NM, Palli SR. Autophagy genes AMBRA1 and ATG8 play key roles in midgut remodeling of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1113871. [PMID: 38469502 PMCID: PMC10926384 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1113871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The function of two autophagy genes, an activating molecule BECN1 regulated autophagy (AMBRA1) and autophagy-related gene 8 (ATG8) in the midgut remodeling of Aedes aegypti was investigated. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis of RNA samples collected from the last instar larvae and pupae showed that these two genes are predominantly expressed during the last 12 h and first 24 h of the last larval and pupal stages, respectively. Stable ecdysteroid analog induced and juvenile hormone (JH) analog suppressed these genes. RNA interference (RNAi) studies showed that the ecdysone-induced transcription factor E93 is required for the expression of these genes. JH-induced transcription factor krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1) suppressed the expression of these genes. RNAi-mediated silencing of AMBRA1 and ATG8 blocked midgut remodeling. Histological studies of midguts from insects at 48 h after ecdysis to the final larval stage and 12 h after ecdysis to the pupal stage showed that ATG gene knockdown blocked midgut remodeling. AMBRA1 and ATG8 double-stranded (dsRNA)-treated insects retained larval midgut cells and died during the pupal stage. Together, these results demonstrate that ecdysteroid induction of ATG genes initiates autophagy programmed cell death during midgut remodeling. JH inhibits midgut remodeling during metamorphosis by interfering with the expression of ATG genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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23
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Benrabaa S, Orchard I, Lange AB. A critical role for ecdysone response genes in regulating egg production in adult female Rhodnius prolixus. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283286. [PMID: 36940230 PMCID: PMC10027210 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecdysteroids control ovary growth and egg production through a complex gene hierarchy. In the female Rhodnius prolixus, a blood-gorging triatomine and the vector of Chagas disease, we have identified the ecdysone response genes in the ovary using transcriptomic data. We then quantified the expression of the ecdysone response gene transcripts (E75, E74, BR-C, HR3, HR4, and FTZ-F1) in several tissues, including the ovary, following a blood meal. These results confirm the presence of these transcripts in several tissues in R. prolixus and show that the ecdysone response genes in the ovary are mostly upregulated during the first three days post blood meal (PBM). Knockdown of E75, E74, or FTZ-F1 transcripts using RNA interference (RNAi) was used to understand the role of the ecdysone response genes in vitellogenesis and egg production. Knockdown significantly decreases the expression of the transcripts for the ecdysone receptor and Halloween genes in the fat body and the ovaries and reduces the titer of ecdysteroid in the hemolymph. Knockdown of each of these transcription factors typically alters the expression of the other transcription factors. Knockdown also significantly decreases the expression of vitellogenin transcripts, Vg1 and Vg2, in the fat body and ovaries and reduces the number of eggs produced and laid. Some of the laid eggs have an irregular shape and smaller volume, and their hatching rate is decreased. Knockdown also influences the expression of the chorion gene transcripts Rp30 and Rp45. The overall effect of knockdown is a decrease in number of eggs produced and a severe reduction in number of eggs laid and their hatching rate. Clearly, ecdysteroids and ecdysone response genes play a significant role in reproduction in R. prolixus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiha Benrabaa
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Angela B Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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24
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Zhao H, Long S, Liu S, Yuan D, Huang D, Xu J, Ma Q, Wang G, Wang J, Li S, Tian L, Li K. Atg1 phosphorylation is activated by AMPK and indispensable for autophagy induction in insects. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 152:103888. [PMID: 36493962 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorylation is a key post-translational modification in regulating autophagy in yeast and mammalians, yet it is not fully illustrated in invertebrates such as insects. ULK1/Atg1 is a functionally conserved serine/threonine protein kinase involved in autophagosome initiation. As a result of alternative splicing, Atg1 in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, is present as three mRNA isoforms, with BmAtg1c showing the highest expression levels. Here, we found that BmAtg1c mRNA expression, BmAtg1c protein expression and phosphorylation, and autophagy simultaneously peaked in the fat body during larval-pupal metamorphosis. Importantly, two BmAtg1c phosphorylation sites were identified at Ser269 and Ser270, which were activated by BmAMPK, the major energy-sensing kinase, upon stimulation with 20-hydroxyecdysone and starvation; additionally, these Atg1 phosphorylation sites are evolutionarily conserved in insects. The two BmAMPK-activated phosphorylation sites in BmAtg1c were found to be required for BmAMPK-induced autophagy. Moreover, the two corresponding DmAtg1 phosphorylation sites in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, are functionally conserved for autophagy induction. In conclusion, AMPK-activated Atg1 phosphorylation is indispensable for autophagy induction and evolutionarily conserved in insects, shedding light on how various groups of organisms differentially regulate ULK1/Atg1 phosphorylation for autophagy induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haigang Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Key Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China; ChemPartner PharmaTech Co., Ltd, Jiangmen, 529081, China; Quantum Hi-Tech (Guangdong) Biological Co., Ltd, Jiangmen, 529081, China
| | - Shihui Long
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Suning Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Dongwei Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Key Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Danyan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Qiuqin Ma
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Guirong Wang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture (Shenzhen Branch), Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China
| | - Ling Tian
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Kang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China.
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25
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Matsumura Y, To TK, Kunieda T, Kohno H, Kakutani T, Kubo T. Mblk-1/E93, an ecdysone related-transcription factor, targets synaptic plasticity-related genes in the honey bee mushroom bodies. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21367. [PMID: 36494426 PMCID: PMC9734179 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23329-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Among hymenopteran insects, aculeate species such as bees, ants, and wasps have enlarged and morphologically elaborate mushroom bodies (MBs), a higher-order brain center in the insect, implying their relationship with the advanced behavioral traits of aculeate species. The molecular bases leading to the acquisition of complicated MB functions, however, remains unclear. We previously reported the constitutive and MB-preferential expression of an ecdysone-signaling related transcription factor, Mblk-1/E93, in the honey bee brain. Here, we searched for target genes of Mblk-1 in the worker honey bee MBs using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequence analyses and found that Mblk-1 targets several genes involved in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory abilities. We also demonstrated that Mblk-1 expression is self-regulated via Mblk-1-binding sites, which are located upstream of Mblk-1. Furthermore, we showed that the number of the Mblk-1-binding motif located upstream of Mblk-1 homologs increased associated with evolution of hymenopteran insects. Our findings suggest that Mblk-1, which has been focused on as a developmental gene transiently induced by ecdysone, has acquired a novel expression pattern to play a role in synaptic plasticity in honey bee MBs, raising a possibility that molecular evolution of Mblk-1 may have partly contributed to the elaboration of MB function in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Matsumura
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taiko Kim To
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takekazu Kunieda
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kohno
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Kakutani
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeo Kubo
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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26
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Zhu GH, Gaddelapati SC, Jiao Y, Koo J, Palli SR. CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing Uncovers the Mode of Action of Methoprene in the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti. CRISPR J 2022; 5:813-824. [PMID: 36374965 PMCID: PMC9805843 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methoprene, a juvenile hormone (JH) analog, is widely used for insect control, but its mode of action is not known. To study methoprene action in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, the E93 (ecdysone-induced transcription factor) was knocked out using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. The E93 mutant pupae retained larval tissues similar to methoprene-treated insects. These insects completed pupal ecdysis and died as pupa. In addition, the expression of transcription factors, broad complex and Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1), increased and that of programmed cell death (PCD) and autophagy genes decreased in E93 mutants. These data suggest that methoprene functions through JH receptor, methoprene-tolerant, and induces the expression of Kr-h1, which suppresses the expression of E93, resulting in a block in PCD and autophagy of larval tissues. Failure in the elimination of larval tissues and the formation of adult structures results in their death. These results answered long-standing questions on the mode of action of methoprene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Heng Zhu
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Sharath Chandra Gaddelapati
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Yaoyu Jiao
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jinmo Koo
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.,Address correspondence to: Subba Reddy Palli, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
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27
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Xie J, Peng G, Wang M, Zhong Q, Song X, Bi J, Tang J, Feng F, Gao H, Li B. RR-1 cuticular protein TcCPR69 is required for growth and metamorphosis in Tribolium castaneum. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1612-1628. [PMID: 35312233 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cuticle is not only critical for protecting insects from noxious stimuli but is also involved in a variety of metabolic activities. Cuticular proteins (CPs) affect cuticle structure and mechanical properties during insect growth, reproduction, and environmental adaptation. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of a member of the RR-1 subfamily of CPs with an R&R consensus (CPR) in Tribolium castaneum (TcCPR69). Although it was previously reported to be highly expressed in the wings, we found that knocking down TcCPR69 by RNA interference (RNAi) did not cause obvious wing abnormalities but markedly disrupted the growth and metamorphosis of beetles with 100% cumulative mortality; additionally, the chitin content of the pharate adult was decreased and the new abdominal cuticle was significantly thinner before molting. TcCPR69 showed chitin-binding ability and the expression levels of key genes involved in chitin metabolism (trehalase [TcTRE], chitin synthase [TcCHSA and TcCHSB], and chitinase [TcCHT5 and TcCHT10]) were also decreased by TcCPR69 knockdown. TcCPR69 gene expression peaked shortly after molting and was increased 2.61 fold at 12 h after 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) injection. This was reversed by RNAi of the ecdysone-related genes ecdysone receptor (TcECR) and fushi tarazu transcription factor 1 (TcFTZ-F1). These results indicate that TcCPR69 is positively regulated by 20E signaling to contribute to cuticle formation and maintain chitin accumulation during the growth and metamorphosis of beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xie
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Guifang Peng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Miao Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qisheng Zhong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaowen Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingxiu Bi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fan Feng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Han Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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28
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Knockdown of Ecdysone-Induced Protein 93F Causes Abnormal Pupae and Adults in the Eggplant Lady Beetle. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11111640. [DOI: 10.3390/biology11111640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Ecdysone-induced protein 93F (E93) plays triple roles during post-embryonic development in insects whose juvenile instars are more than four. However, it only acts as a specifier of adult structures in Drosophila flies whose larval instars are fixed at three. In this study, we determined the functions of E93 in the eggplant lady beetle (Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata), which has four larval instars. We uncovered that E93 was abundantly expressed at the prepupal and pupal stages. A precocious inhibition of the juvenile hormone signal by RNA interference (RNAi) of HvKr-h1 or HvHairy, two vital downstream developmental effectors, at the penultimate instar larval stage increased the expression of E93, Conversely, ingestion of JH by the third-instar larvae stimulated the expression of HvKr-h1 but repressed the transcription of either HvE93X1 or HvE93X2. However, disturbance of the JH signal neither drove premature metamorphosis nor caused supernumerary instars. In contrast, depletion of E93 at the third- and fourth-instar larval and prepupal stages severely impaired pupation and caused a larval-pupal mixed phenotype: pupal spines and larval scoli were simultaneously presented on the cuticle. RNAi of E93 at the pupal stage affected adult eclosion. When the beetles had suffered from a dsE93 injection at the fourth-instar larval and pupal stages, a few resultant adults emerged, with separated elytra, abnormally folded hindwings, a small body size and short appendages. Taken together, our results suggest the larval instars are fixed in H. vigintioctopunctata; E93 serves as a repressor of larval characters and a specifier of adult structures during the larval–pupal–adult transition.
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Li GY, Liu XJ, Fang GQ, Yang J, Zhan S, Li MW. Functional characterization of a low-density lipoprotein receptor in the lepidopteran model, Bombyx mori. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1262-1274. [PMID: 35411705 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13018] [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: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The growth and development of metabolous insects are mainly regulated by ecdysone and juvenile hormone. As a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family, megalin (mgl) is involved in the lipoprotein transport of cholesterol which is an essential precursor for the synthesis of ecdysone. Despite extensive studies in mammals, the function of mgl is still largely unknown in insects. In this study, we characterize the function of mgl in the silkworm Bombyx mori, the model species of Lepidoptera. We find that mgl is broadly present in the genomes of lepidopteran species and evolved with divergence between lepidopterans and Drosophila. The expression pattern suggests a ubiquitous role of mgl in the growth and development in the silkworm. We further perform clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated protein 9-based mutagenesis of Bmmgl and find that both the development and the silk production of the silkworm are seriously affected by the disruption of Bmmgl. Our results not only explore the function of mgl in Lepidoptera but also add to our understanding of how cholesterol metabolism is involved in the development of insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Yun Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang-Qi Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Zhan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Mu-Wang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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Wang Y, Zhou L, Liang W, Dang Z, Wang S, Zhang Y, Zhao P, Lu Z. Cytokine receptor DOME controls wing disc development in Bombyx mori. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 148:103828. [PMID: 36002096 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103828] [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: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, the JAK/STAT signaling pathway is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune regulation. Through activation of the Stat92E transcription factor, JAK/STAT signaling induced proper wing development in Drosophila. Domeless (DOME) was the first identified invertebrate JAK/STAT receptor. However, the function of DOME in Bombyx mori development remains unclear, especially in wing morphogenesis. In this study, we isolated the cytokine receptor DOME gene in B. mori and evaluated its function in DOME-knockout models. We found that overexpression of DOME at the cellular level upregulated the expression of JAK/STAT pathway-related genes, promoted proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis. The results of the interference with DOME had the opposite effects with those of overexpression at the cellular level. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we constructed a DOME-knockout transgenic silkworm strain (KO-DOME) and found that the wings of the pupa and moth stages were vesicle-shaped and smaller than those of the wild-type silkworm. Some KO-DOME silkworms were unable to extend their wings from the pupal case after eclosion. We detected the expression of cyclin and apoptosis-related genes in the wing disc of the moth stage and found that some cyclin genes, such as CyclinA, CyclinB, and CyclinD, were downregulated, whereas apoptotic genes, such as Caspase1, Caspase3, and Caspase8, were upregulated. We propose that DOME regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis by affecting the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, ultimately influencing the development of wing discs. Our study provides empirical evidence for the biological function of the silkworm DOME gene, which is essential for the normal development of wings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China.
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Wenjuan Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Zhuo Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Shiyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Zhongyan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China.
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Gao X, Zhang J, Wu P, Shu R, Zhang H, Qin Q, Meng Q. Conceptual framework for the insect metamorphosis from larvae to pupae by transcriptomic profiling, a case study of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). BMC Genomics 2022; 23:591. [PMID: 35963998 PMCID: PMC9375380 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08807-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insect metamorphosis from larvae to pupae is one of the most important stages of insect life history. Relatively comprehensive information related to gene transcription profiles during lepidopteran metamorphosis is required to understand the molecular mechanism underlying this important stage. We conducted transcriptional profiling of the brain and fat body of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) during its transition from last instar larva into pupa to explore the physiological processes associated with different phases of metamorphosis. RESULTS During metamorphosis, the differences in gene expression patterns and the number of differentially expressed genes in the fat body were found to be greater than those in the brain. Each stage had a specific gene expression pattern, which contributed to different physiological changes. A decrease in juvenile hormone levels at the feeding stage is associated with increased expression levels of two genes (juvenile hormone esterase, juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase). The expression levels of neuropeptides were highly expressed at the feeding stage and the initiation of the wandering stage and less expressed at the prepupal stage and the initiation of the pupal stage. The transcription levels of many hormone (or neuropeptide) receptors were specifically increased at the initiation of the wandering stage in comparison with other stages. The expression levels of many autophagy-related genes in the fat body were found to be gradually upregulated during metamorphosis. The activation of apoptosis was probably related to enhanced expression of many key genes (Apaf1, IAP-binding motif 1 like, cathepsins, caspases). Active proliferation might be associated with enhanced expression levels in several factors (JNK pathway: jun-D; TGF-β pathway: decapentaplegic, glass bottom boat; insulin pathway: insulin-like peptides from the fat body; Wnt pathway: wntless, TCF/Pangolin). CONCLUSIONS This study revealed several vital physiological processes and molecular events of metamorphosis and provided valuable information for illustrating the process of insect metamorphosis from larvae to pupae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jihong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peipei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruihao Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qilian Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Du J, Zhao P, Wang J, Ma S, Yao L, Zhu X, Yang X, Zhang X, Sun Z, Liang S, Xing D, Duan J. Pupal Diapause Termination and Transcriptional Response of Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) Triggered by 20-Hydroxyecdysone. Front Physiol 2022; 13:888643. [PMID: 35721532 PMCID: PMC9204484 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.888643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The pupal diapause of univoltine Antheraea pernyi hampers sericultural and biotechnological applications, which requires a high eclosion incidence after artificial diapause termination to ensure production of enough eggs. The effect of pupal diapause termination using 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) on the eclosion incidence has not been well-documented in A. pernyi. Here, the dosage of injected 20E was optimized to efficiently terminate pupal diapause of A. pernyi, showing that inappropriate dosage of 20E can cause pupal lethality and a low eclosion incidence. The optimal ratio of 20E to 1-month-old pupae was determined as 6 μg/g. Morphological changes showed visible tissue dissociation at 3 days post-injection (dpi) and eye pigmentation at 5 dpi. Comprehensive transcriptome analysis identified 1,355/1,592, 494/203, 584/297, and 1,238/1,404 upregulated and downregulated genes at 1, 3, 6, and 9 dpi, respectively. The 117 genes enriched in the information processing pathways of “signal transduction” and “signaling molecules and interaction” were upregulated at 1 and 3 dpi, including the genes involved in FOXO signaling pathway. One chitinase, three trehalase, and five cathepsin genes related to energy metabolism and tissue dissociation showed high expression levels at the early stage, which were different from the upregulated expression of four other chitinase genes at the later stage. Simultaneously, the expression of several genes involved in molting hormone biosynthesis was also activated between 1 and 3 dpi. qRT-PCR further verified the expression patterns of two ecdysone receptor genes (EcRB1 and USP) and four downstream response genes (E93, Br-C, βFTZ-F1, and cathepsin L) at the pupal and pharate stages, respectively. Taken together, these genes serve as a resource for unraveling the mechanism underlying pupal-adult transition; these findings facilitate rearing of larvae more than once a year and biotechnological development through efficient termination of pupal diapause in A. pernyi in approximately half a month.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Du
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiazhen Wang
- Laboratory of Tussah Genetics and Breeding, Henan Institute of Sericulture Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sanyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lunguang Yao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, China
| | - Xuwei Zhu
- Laboratory of Tussah Genetics and Breeding, Henan Institute of Sericulture Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinfeng Yang
- Laboratory of Tussah Genetics and Breeding, Henan Institute of Sericulture Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, China
| | - Zhenbo Sun
- Sericulture and Agri-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shimei Liang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, China
| | - Dongxu Xing
- Sericulture and Agri-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Duan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, China
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Liu XJ, Jun G, Liang XY, Zhang XY, Zhang TT, Liu WM, Zhang JZ, Zhang M. Silencing of transcription factor E93 inhibits adult morphogenesis and disrupts cuticle, wing and ovary development in Locusta migratoria. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:333-343. [PMID: 34117716 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12924] [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: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Ecdysone-induced protein 93F (E93) plays important roles during the metamorphosis process in insects. In this study, a cDNA of the LmE93 gene was identified from the transcriptome of Locusta migratoria, which consists of the 3378-nucleotide open-reading frame (ORF) and encodes 1125 amino acids with helix-turn-helix (HTH) motifs. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that LmE93 was highest expressed in ovary. The LmE93 expression level was markedly low from the 3rd to 4th instar nymphs, and greatly increased in 1-day-old 5th instar nymphs with a peak on middle nymphal days, then declined in the late nymphal days. Moreover, injected dsLmE93 into 4th and 5th instar nymphs greatly reduced LmE93 transcripts, respectively, and prevented the process of metamorphosis, causing supernumerary nymphal stages. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the integument showed that the apolysis occurred in advance in 4th instar nymphs, and old cuticle degradation was decreased in dsLmE93-injected locusts of 5th instar nymphs. Smaller and no fully developed wings with reduced columns between the anterior and posterior regions were found in N6 and N7 supernumerary nymphs. In addition, the development of the ovary in dsLmE93-injected locusts was severely blocked, the yolk was almost not formed and there was no development of ovarioles. The results indicated that LmE93 play key roles in the metamorphosis, cuticle, wing and ovarian development of locusts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jian Liu
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Guo Jun
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Liang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xue-Yao Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ting-Ting Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Wei-Min Liu
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jian-Zhen Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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Li R, Xiao Y, Li K, Tian L. Transcription and Post-translational Regulation of Autophagy in Insects. Front Physiol 2022; 13:825202. [PMID: 35283796 PMCID: PMC8916536 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.825202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy attracts great attention, and numerous progresses have been obtained in the last two decades. Autophagy is implicated in mammalian neurodegenerative diseases, tumorigenesis, as well as development in insects. The regulatory mechanism of autophagy is well documented in yeast and mammals, whereas it is not fully illustrated in insects. Drosophila melanogaster and Bombyx mori are the two well-studied insects for autophagy, and several insect-mammalian evolutionarily conserved or insect-specific mechanisms in regulating autophagy are reported. In this review, we summarize the most recent studies of autophagy regulated at both transcriptional and post-translational levels by insect hormone in cooperation with other signals, such as nutrient, which will provide a reference and deep thinking for studies on autophagy in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongsong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Sericulture and Mulberry Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Sericulture and Southern Medicine Resources Utilization, The Sericultural and Agri-Food Research Institute of the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kang Li
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Sericulture and Mulberry Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ling Tian,
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35
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Zhang X, Li S, Liu S. Juvenile Hormone Studies in Drosophila melanogaster. Front Physiol 2022; 12:785320. [PMID: 35222061 PMCID: PMC8867211 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.785320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In the field of insect endocrinology, juvenile hormone (JH) is one of the most wondrous entomological terms. As a unique sesquiterpenoid hormone produced and released by the endocrine gland, corpus allatum (CA), JH is a critical regulator in multiple developmental and physiological processes, such as metamorphosis, reproduction, and behavior. Benefited from the precise genetic interventions and simplicity, the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is an indispensable model in JH studies. This review is aimed to present the regulatory factors on JH biosynthesis and an overview of the regulatory roles of JH in Drosophila. The future directions of JH studies are also discussed, and a few hot spots are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshuai Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, South China Normal University, Meizhou, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, South China Normal University, Meizhou, China
| | - Suning Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, South China Normal University, Meizhou, China
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36
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Ye ZF, Zhang P, Gai TT, Lou JH, Dai FY, Tong XL. Sob gene is critical to wing development in Bombyx mori and Tribolium castaneum. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:65-77. [PMID: 33822467 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The development of insect appendages requires the expression of multiple genes in a strict spatial and temporal order. The odd-skipped family genes are vital transcriptional factors involved in embryonic development. The development and morphogenesis of the insect wing requires multiple transcription factors to regulate the expression of wing patterning genes at the transcriptional level. However, the function of odd-related genes in insect wing morphogenesis and development during postembryonic stages is unclear. We focused on the roles of the sister of odd and bowl (sob) gene, a member of odd-skipped family genes, during the wing morphopoiesis in Bombyx mori using the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 system and in Tribolium castaneum by RNA interference. The results showed that the wings were significantly smaller and degenerated, and wing veins were indistinct in the sob gene loss-of-function group in both B. mori and T. castaneum. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that the Tcsob gene regulated the expression of wing development genes, such as the cht 7 and the vg gene. The findings suggest the importance of sob gene in insect wing morphology formation during postembryonic stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan-Feng Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting-Ting Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing-Hou Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fang-Yin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Ling Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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37
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Cuticular protein genes showing peaks at different stages are probably regulated by different ecdysone responsive transcription factors during larval-pupal transformation. Gene 2022; 809:146002. [PMID: 34648919 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.146002] [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: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to explain the reason and function of the successive expression of ecdysone-responsive transcription factors (ERTFs) and related cuticular protein (CP) genes during transformation from larva to pupa. The regulation of the expression of CP genes by ERTFs was examined by in vitro wing disc culture and reporter assay using a gene gun transduction system. Two CP genes that showed expression peaks at different stages-BmorCPG12 at W3L and BmorCPH2 at P0 stage-were selected and examined. Reporter constructs conveying putative BHR3, ßFTZ-F1, BHR39, and E74A binding sites of BmorCPG12 and BmorCPH2 showed promoter activity when introduced into wing discs. In the present study, we showed the functioning of the putative BHR3 and E74A binding sites, together with putative ßFTZ-F1 binding sites, on the activation of CP genes, and different ERTF binding sites functioned in one CP gene. From these, we conclude that BHR3, ßFTZ-F1, and E74A that are successively expressed bring about the successive expression of CP genes, resulting in insect metamorphosis. In addition to this, reporter constructs conveying putative BHR39 binding sites of BmorCPG12 and BmorCPH2 showed negative regulation.
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38
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Ma Q, Long S, Gan Z, Tettamanti G, Li K, Tian L. Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Autophagy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030441. [PMID: 35159248 PMCID: PMC8833990 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a widely conserved process in eukaryotes that is involved in a series of physiological and pathological events, including development, immunity, neurodegenerative disease, and tumorigenesis. It is regulated by nutrient deprivation, energy stress, and other unfavorable conditions through multiple pathways. In general, autophagy is synergistically governed at the RNA and protein levels. The upstream transcription factors trigger or inhibit the expression of autophagy- or lysosome-related genes to facilitate or reduce autophagy. Moreover, a significant number of non-coding RNAs (microRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA) are reported to participate in autophagy regulation. Finally, post-transcriptional modifications, such as RNA methylation, play a key role in controlling autophagy occurrence. In this review, we summarize the progress on autophagy research regarding transcriptional regulation, which will provide the foundations and directions for future studies on this self-eating process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuqin Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.M.); (Z.G.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Sericulture and Mulberry Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shihui Long
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China;
| | - Zhending Gan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.M.); (Z.G.)
| | - Gianluca Tettamanti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy;
- BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Napoli Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Kang Li
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China;
- Correspondence: (K.L.); (L.T.)
| | - Ling Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.M.); (Z.G.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Sericulture and Mulberry Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (K.L.); (L.T.)
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Lam G, Nam HJ, Velentzas PD, Baehrecke EH, Thummel CS. Drosophila E93 promotes adult development and suppresses larval responses to ecdysone during metamorphosis. Dev Biol 2022; 481:104-115. [PMID: 34648816 PMCID: PMC8665130 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Pulses of the steroid hormone ecdysone act through transcriptional cascades to direct the major developmental transitions during the Drosophila life cycle. These include the prepupal ecdysone pulse, which occurs 10 hours after pupariation and triggers the onset of adult morphogenesis and larval tissue destruction. E93 encodes a transcription factor that is specifically induced by the prepupal pulse of ecdysone, supporting a model proposed by earlier work that it specifies the onset of adult development. Although a number of studies have addressed these functions for E93, little is known about its roles in the salivary gland where the E93 locus was originally identified. Here we show that E93 is required for development through late pupal stages, with mutants displaying defects in adult differentiation and no detectable effect on the destruction of larval salivary glands. RNA-seq analysis demonstrates that E93 regulates genes involved in development and morphogenesis in the salivary glands, but has little effect on cell death gene expression. We also show that E93 is required to direct the proper timing of ecdysone-regulated gene expression in salivary glands, and that it suppresses earlier transcriptional programs that occur during larval and prepupal stages. These studies support the model that the stage-specific induction of E93 in late prepupae provides a critical signal that defines the end of larval development and the onset of adult differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geanette Lam
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, 15 N 2030 E Rm 5100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - Hyuck-Jin Nam
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, 15 N 2030 E Rm 5100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - Panagiotis D. Velentzas
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Eric H. Baehrecke
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Carl S. Thummel
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, 15 N 2030 E Rm 5100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA,Corresponding author. (C.S. Thummel)
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Lu X, Zhang Z, Yuan D, Zhou Y, Cao J, Zhang H, da Silva Vaz I, Zhou J. The ecdysteroid receptor regulates salivary gland degeneration through apoptosis in Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:612. [PMID: 34930413 PMCID: PMC8686549 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05052-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is well established that ecdysteroid hormones play an important role in arthropod development and reproduction, mediated by ecdysteroid receptors. Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods and vectors of pathogens. The salivary gland plays an essential role in tick growth and reproduction and in the transmission of pathogens to vertebrate hosts. During tick development, the salivary gland undergoes degeneration triggered by ecdysteroid hormones and activated by apoptosis. However, it is unknown how the ecdysteroid receptor and apoptosis regulate salivary gland degeneration. Here, we report the functional ecdysteroid receptor (a heterodimer of the ecdysone receptor [EcR] and ultraspiracle [USP]) isolated from the salivary gland of the tick Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and explore the molecular mechanism of ecdysteroid receptor regulation of salivary gland degeneration. Methods The full length of RhEcR and RhUSP open reading frames (ORFs) was obtained from the transcriptome. The RhEcR and RhUSP proteins were expressed in a bacterial heterologous system, Escherichia coli. Polyclonal antibodies were produced against synthetic peptides and were able to recognize recombinant and native proteins. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were used to detect the distribution of RhEcR, RhUSP, and RhCaspases in the R. haemaphysaloides organs. A proteomics approach was used to analyze the expression profiles of the ecdysteroid receptors, RhCaspases, and other proteins. To analyze the function of the ecdysteroid receptor, RNA interference (RNAi) was used to silence the genes in adult female ticks. Finally, the interaction of RhEcR and RhUSP was identified by heterologous co-expression assays in HEK293T cells. Results We identified the functional ecdysone receptor (RhEcR/RhUSP) of 20-hydroxyecdysone from the salivary gland of the tick R. haemaphysaloides. The RhEcR and RhUSP genes have three and two isoforms, respectively, and belong to a nuclear receptor family but with variable N-terminal A/B domains. The RhEcR gene silencing inhibited blood-feeding, blocked engorgement, and restrained salivary gland degeneration, showing the biological role of the RhEcR gene in ticks. In the ecdysteroid signaling pathway, RhEcR silencing inhibited salivary gland degeneration by suppressing caspase-dependent apoptosis. The heterologous expression in mammalian HEK293T cells showed that RhEcR1 interacts with RhUSP1 and induces caspase-dependent apoptosis. Conclusions These data show that RhEcR has an essential role in tick physiology and represents a putative target for the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05052-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Zhipeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Dongqi Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yongzhi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jie Cao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Houshuang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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Jin W, Tan E, Ghartey-Kwansah G, Jia Y, Xi G. Expression of 20-hydroxyecdysone-related genes during gonadal development of Teleogryllus emma (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 108:e21824. [PMID: 34272758 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21824] [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: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Insect gonads develop under endocrine signals. In this study, we assessed the characters of partial complementary DNAs encoding the Teleogryllus emma orthologs of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)-related genes (RXR, E75, HR3, Hsc70, and Hsp90) and analyzed their expression patterns in both nymph and adult crickets. 20E treatment suppressed expression of TeEcR, TeRXR, TeE75, TeHR3, TeHsc70, and TeHsp90. Temporal expression analysis demonstrated that TeERR and 20E-related genes were expressed in four stages of gonadal development from the fourth-instar nymph stage to the adult stage. The expression pattern of these genes differed in testicular and ovarian development. TeRXR, HR3, TeHsc70, and TeHsp90 were irregularly expressed in gonads of the same developmental stages, while mRNAs encoding TeERR, TeEcR, and TeE75 accumulated in higher levels in ovaries than in testes. RNA interference (RNAi) of TeEcR expression led to decrease of the expression levels of TeEcR, TeRXR, TeHR3, and TeHsc70, while it enhanced TeE75 and TeHsp90 expressions. These results demonstrate that the TeERR and 20E-related genes help regulate gonadal development, while TeEcR appears to inhibit TeE75 expression, TeE75 inhibits HR3 expression. Hsc70 indirectly regulated the expression of the primary and secondary response genes E74A, E75B, and HR3. Hsp90 regulated Usp expression with no direct regulatory relationship with EcR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - E Tan
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - George Ghartey-Kwansah
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yishu Jia
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Gengsi Xi
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
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Li P, Li X, Wang W, Tan X, Wang X, Yang X. Transcriptional identification of differentially expressed genes during the prepupal-pupal transition in the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 111:485-498. [PMID: 33745467 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485321000171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) is a serious pest of agriculture that does particular damage to Gramineae crops in Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Metamorphosis is a key developmental stage in insects, although the genes underlying the metamorphic transition in M. separata remain largely unknown. Here, we sequenced the transcriptomes of five stages; mature larvae (ML), wandering (W), and pupation (1, 5, and 10 days after pupation, designated P1, P5, and P10) to identify transition-associated genes. Four libraries were generated, with 22,884, 23,534, 26,643, and 33,238 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for the ML-vs-W, W-vs-P1, P1-vs-P5, and P5-vs-P10, respectively. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that genes regulating the biosynthesis of the membrane and integral components of the membrane, which includes the cuticular protein (CP), 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), and juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis, were enriched. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that DEGs were enriched in the metabolic pathways. Of these DEGs, thirty CP, seventeen 20E, and seven JH genes were differentially expressed across the developmental stages. For transcriptome validation, ten CP, 20E, and JH-related genes were selected and verified by real-time PCR quantitative. Collectively, our results provided a basis for further studies of the molecular mechanism of metamorphosis in M. separata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peirong Li
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang110866, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Economical and Applied Entomology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang110866, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinru Li
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang110866, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Economical and Applied Entomology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang110866, Liaoning, China
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang110866, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Economical and Applied Entomology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang110866, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoling Tan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100193, China
| | - Xiaoqi Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang110866, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Economical and Applied Entomology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang110866, Liaoning, China
| | - Xueqing Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang110866, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Economical and Applied Entomology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang110866, Liaoning, China
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He YZ, Ding Y, Wang X, Zou Z, Raikhel AS. E93 confers steroid hormone responsiveness of digestive enzymes to promote blood meal digestion in the midgut of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 134:103580. [PMID: 33901693 PMCID: PMC8947147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Anautogenous female mosquitoes obtain the nutrients needed for egg development from vertebrate blood, and consequently they transmit numerous pathogens of devastating human diseases. Digestion of blood proteins into amino acids that are used for energy production, egg maturation and replenishment of maternal reserves is an essential part of the female mosquito reproductive cycle. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unknown. Here, we report that the transcription factor E93 is a critical factor promoting blood meal digestion in adult females of the major arboviral vector Aedes aegypti in response to the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). E93 was upregulated in the female mosquito midgut after a blood meal, and RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of E93 inhibited midgut blood digestion. E93 RNAi depletion repressed late trypsin (LT), serine protease I (SPI), SPVI and SPVII, and activated early trypsin (ET) expression in the female mosquito midgut after a blood meal. Injection of 20E activated E93, LT, SPI, SPVI and SPVII, and repressed ET expression, whereas RNAi knockdown of the ecdysone receptor (EcR) repressed E93, LT, SPI, SPVI and SPVII, and activated ET expression in the midgut. Furthermore, E93 depletion resulted in a complete loss of 20E responsiveness of LT, SPVI and SPVII. Our findings reveal important mechanisms regulating blood meal digestion in disease-transmitting mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Zhou He
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA; Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Yike Ding
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA; Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Xueli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Alexander S Raikhel
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA; Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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Fat Body-Multifunctional Insect Tissue. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12060547. [PMID: 34208190 PMCID: PMC8230813 DOI: 10.3390/insects12060547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Efficient and proper functioning of processes within living organisms play key roles in times of climate change and strong human pressure. In insects, the most abundant group of organisms, many important changes occur within their tissues, including the fat body, which plays a key role in the development of insects. Fat body cells undergo numerous metabolic changes in basic energy compounds (i.e., lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins), enabling them to move and nourish themselves. In addition to metabolism, the fat body is involved in the development of insects by determining the time an individual becomes an adult, and creates humoral immunity via the synthesis of bactericidal proteins and polypeptides. As an important tissue that integrates all signals from the body, the processes taking place in the fat body have an impact on the functioning of the entire body. Abstract The biodiversity of useful organisms, e.g., insects, decreases due to many environmental factors and increasing anthropopressure. Multifunctional tissues, such as the fat body, are key elements in the proper functioning of invertebrate organisms and resistance factors. The fat body is the center of metabolism, integrating signals, controlling molting and metamorphosis, and synthesizing hormones that control the functioning of the whole body and the synthesis of immune system proteins. In fat body cells, lipids, carbohydrates and proteins are the substrates and products of many pathways that can be used for energy production, accumulate as reserves, and mobilize at the appropriate stage of life (diapause, metamorphosis, flight), determining the survival of an individual. The fat body is the main tissue responsible for innate and acquired humoral immunity. The tissue produces bactericidal proteins and polypeptides, i.e., lysozyme. The fat body is also important in the early stages of an insect’s life due to the production of vitellogenin, the yolk protein needed for the development of oocytes. Although a lot of information is available on its structure and biochemistry, the fat body is an interesting research topic on which much is still to be discovered.
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Wang X, Ding Y, Lu X, Geng D, Li S, Raikhel AS, Zou Z. The ecdysone-induced protein 93 is a key factor regulating gonadotrophic cycles in the adult female mosquito Aedes aegypti. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2021910118. [PMID: 33593917 PMCID: PMC7923369 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021910118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated blood feedings are required for adult female mosquitoes to maintain their gonadotrophic cycles, enabling them to be important pathogen carriers of human diseases. Elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying developmental switches between these mosquito gonadotrophic cycles will provide valuable insight into mosquito reproduction and could aid in the identification of targets to disrupt these cycles, thereby reducing disease transmission. We report here that the transcription factor ecdysone-induced protein 93 (E93), previously implicated in insect metamorphic transitions, plays a key role in determining the gonadotrophic cyclicity in adult females of the major arboviral vector Aedes aegypti Expression of the E93 gene in mosquitoes is down-regulated by juvenile hormone (JH) and up-regulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). We find that E93 controls Hormone Receptor 3 (HR3), the transcription factor linked to the termination of reproductive cycles. Moreover, knockdown of E93 expression via RNAi impaired fat body autophagy, suggesting that E93 governs autophagy-induced termination of vitellogenesis. E93 RNAi silencing prior to the first gonadotrophic cycle affected normal progression of the second cycle. Finally, transcriptomic analysis showed a considerable E93-dependent decline in the expression of genes involved in translation and metabolism at the end of a reproductive cycle. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that E93 acts as a crucial factor in regulating reproductive cycle switches in adult female mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yike Ding
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
| | - Xiangyang Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Danqian Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Alexander S Raikhel
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521;
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, People's Republic of China;
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Martín D, Chafino S, Franch-Marro X. How stage identity is established in insects: the role of the Metamorphic Gene Network. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 43:29-38. [PMID: 33075581 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Proper formation of adult insects requires the integration of spatial and temporal regulatory axes. Whereas spatial information confers identity to each tissue, organ and appendage, temporal information specifies at which stage of development the animal is. Regardless of the type of post-embryonic development, either hemimetabolous or holometabolous, temporal specificity is achieved through interactions between the temporal identity genes Kr-h1, E93 and Br-C, whose sequential expression is controlled by the two major developmental hormones, 20-hydroxyecdysone and Juvenile hormone. Given the intimate regulatory connection between these three factors to specify life stage identity, we dubbed the regulatory axis that comprises these genes as the Metamorphic Gene Network (MGN). In this review, we survey the molecular mechanisms underlying the control by the MGN of stage identity and progression in hemimetabolous and holometabolous insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Martín
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Silvia Chafino
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Franch-Marro
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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Niederhuber MJ, McKay DJ. Mechanisms underlying the control of dynamic regulatory element activity and chromatin accessibility during metamorphosis. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 43:21-28. [PMID: 32979530 PMCID: PMC7985040 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Cis-regulatory modules of metazoan genomes determine the when and where of gene expression during development. Here we discuss insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms behind cis-regulatory module usage that have come from recent application of genomics assays to insect metamorphosis. Assays including FAIRE-seq, ATAC-seq, and CUT&RUN indicate that sequential changes in chromatin accessibility play a key role in mediating stage-specific cis-regulatory module activity and gene expression. We review the current understanding of what controls precisely coordinated changes in chromatin accessibility during metamorphosis and describe evidence that points to systemic hormone signaling as a primary signal to trigger genome-wide shifts in accessibility patterns and cis-regulatory module usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Niederhuber
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States; Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States; Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States; Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Daniel J McKay
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States; Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States; Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States.
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Kamsoi O, Belles X. E93-depleted adult insects preserve the prothoracic gland and molt again. Development 2020; 147:dev.190066. [PMID: 33077428 DOI: 10.1242/dev.190066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Insect metamorphosis originated around the middle Devonian, associated with the innovation of the final molt; this occurs after histolysis of the prothoracic gland (PG; which produces the molting hormone) in the first days of adulthood. We previously hypothesized that transcription factor E93 is crucial in the emergence of metamorphosis, because it triggers metamorphosis in extant insects. This work on the cockroach Blattella germanica reveals that E93 also plays a crucial role in the histolysis of PG, which fits the above hypothesis. Previous studies have shown that the transcription factor FTZ-F1 is essential for PG histolysis. We have found that FTZ-F1 depletion towards the end of the final nymphal instar downregulates the expression of E93, whereas E93-depleted nymphs molt to adults that retain a functional PG. Interestingly, these adults are able to molt again, which is exceptional in insects. The study of insects able to molt again in the adult stage may reveal clues about how nymphal epidermal cells definitively become adult cells, and whether it is possible to reverse this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orathai Kamsoi
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Maritim 37, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Belles
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Maritim 37, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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Gijbels M, Marchal E, Verdonckt TW, Bruyninckx E, Vanden Broeck J. RNAi-Mediated Knockdown of Transcription Factor E93 in Nymphs of the Desert Locust ( Schistocerca gregaria) Inhibits Adult Morphogenesis and Results in Supernumerary Juvenile Stages. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7518. [PMID: 33053862 PMCID: PMC7590052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Postembryonic development of insects is coordinated by juvenile hormone (JH) together with ecdysteroids. Whereas the JH early response gene krüppel-homolog 1 (Kr-h1) plays a crucial role in the maintenance of juvenile characteristics during consecutive larval stages, the ecdysteroid-inducible early gene E93 appears to be a key factor promoting metamorphosis and adult morphogenesis. Here, we report on the developmental and molecular consequences of an RNAi-mediated knockdown of SgE93 in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, a hemimetabolan species. Our experimental data show that injection of gregarious locust nymphs with a double-stranded RNA construct targeting the SgE93 transcript inhibited the process of metamorphosis and instead led to supernumerary nymphal stages. These supernumerary nymphal instars still displayed juvenile morphological features, such as a nymphal color scheme and body shape, while they reached the physical body size of the adult locusts, or even surpassed it after the next supernumerary molt. Interestingly, when compared to control locusts, the total duration of the fifth and normally final nymphal (N5) stage was shorter than normal. This appeared to correspond with temporal and quantitative changes in hemolymph ecdysteroid levels, as well as with altered expression of the rate-limiting Halloween gene, Spook (SgSpo). In addition, the levels of the ecdysone receptor (SgEcR) and retinoïd X receptor (SgRXR) transcripts were altered, indicating that silencing SgE93 affects both ecdysteroid synthesis and signaling. Upon knockdown of SgE93, a very potent upregulation of the SgKr-h1 transcript levels was observed in both head and fat body, while no significant changes were detected in the transcript levels of SgJHAMT and SgCYP15A1, the enzymes that catalyze the two final steps in JH biosynthesis. Moreover, the process of molting was disturbed in these supernumerary nymphs. While attempting ecdysis to the next stage, 50% of the N6 and all N7 nymphal instars eventually died. S. gregaria is a very harmful, swarm-forming pest species that destroys crops and threatens food security in many of the world's poorest countries. We believe that a better knowledge of the mechanisms of postembryonic development may contribute to the discovery of novel, more selective and sustainable strategies for controlling gregarious locust populations. In this context, identification of molecular target candidates that are capable of significantly reducing the fitness of this devastating swarming pest will be of crucial importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijke Gijbels
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.G.); (E.M.); (T.W.V.); (E.B.)
| | - Elisabeth Marchal
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.G.); (E.M.); (T.W.V.); (E.B.)
- Life Science Technologies, Imec, Kapeldreef 75, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Wolf Verdonckt
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.G.); (E.M.); (T.W.V.); (E.B.)
| | - Evert Bruyninckx
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.G.); (E.M.); (T.W.V.); (E.B.)
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.G.); (E.M.); (T.W.V.); (E.B.)
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Tip60 Phosphorylation at Ser 99 Is Essential for Autophagy Induction in Bombyx mori. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186893. [PMID: 32962211 PMCID: PMC7555017 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tip60, a key histone acetyltransferase of the MYST family and member of the nuclear multimeric protein complex (NuA4), regulates the activity and stability of proteins involved in the cell cycle, DNA damage responses, autophagy, etc. However, the function and regulatory mechanism of Tip60 homolog in Bombyx mori are not elucidated. In the present study, Bombyx Tip60 (BmTip60) was functionally identified. Developmental profiles showed that the protein levels and nuclear localization of BmTip60 peaked in fat body during the larval–pupal metamorphosis when autophagy was intensive; simultaneously, the BmTip60 protein migrated to form an upper band as detected by Western blot. Interestingly, the upper band of BmTip60 was reduced by λ-phosphatase treatment, indicating that it was a phosphorylated form of BmTip60. Results showed that BmTip60 was promoted by starvation but not 20-hydroxyecdysone treatment. Transcription factor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) affected by starvation was pivotal for BmTip60 protein migration. In addition, one mammalian phosphorylation site was identified in BmTip60 at Ser99, the constitutive-activation mutation of Ser99 to Asp99 but not its inactive mutation to Ala99 significantly upregulated autophagy, showing the critical role of phosphorylation at Ser99 for BmTip60-mediated autophagy. In conclusion, the starvation-AMPK axis promotes BmTip60 in B. mori, which was requisite for autophagy induction. These results reveal a regulatory mechanism of histone acetyltransferase Tip60 homologs by phosphorylation in insects, and sheds light on further related studies of acetylation regulation.
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