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Ning SF, Huo LX, Lv L, Wang Y, Zhang LS, Che WN, Dong H, Zhou JC. The identification and expression pattern of the sex determination genes and their sex-specific variants in the egg parasitoid Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Front Physiol 2023; 14:1243753. [PMID: 37693004 PMCID: PMC10485257 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1243753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Trichogramma wasps are egg parasitoids of agricultural lepidopteran pests. The sex of Trichogramma is determined by its ploidy as well as certain sex ratio distorters, such as the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia spp. and the paternal sex ratio (PSR) chromosome. The sex determination systems of hymenopterans, such as Trichogramma spp., involve cascades of the genes transformer (tra), transformer-2 (tra2), and doublesex (dsx) and are associated with sex-specific tra and dsx splicing. First, these genes and their sex-specific variants must be identified to elucidate the interactions between the sex ratio disorders and the sex determination mechanism of Trichogramma. Methods: Here, we characterized the sex determination genes tra, tra2, and dsx in Trichogramma dendrolimi. Sex-specific tra and dsx variants were detected in cDNA samples obtained from both male and female Trichogramma wasps. They were observed in the early embryos (1-10 h), late embryos (12-20 h), larvae (32 h and 48 h), pre-pupae (96 h), and pupae (144 h, 168 h, 192 h, and 216 h) of both male and female T. dendrolimi offspring. Results: We detected female-specific tra variants throughout the entire early female offspring stage. The male-specific variant began to express at 9-10 h as the egg was not fertilized. However, we did not find any maternally derived, female-specific tra variant in the early male embryo. This observation suggests that the female-specific tra variant expressed in the female embryo at 1-9 h may not have originated from the maternal female wasp. Discussion: The present study might be the first to identify the sex determination genes and sex-specific gene splicing in Trichogramma wasps. The findings of this study lay the foundation for investigating the sex determination mechanisms of Trichogramma and other wasps. They also facilitate sex identification in immature T. dendrolimi and the application of this important egg parasitoid in biological insect pest control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Fang Ning
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liang-Xiao Huo
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lin Lv
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Li-Sheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wu-Nan Che
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui Dong
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jin-Cheng Zhou
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Miyakawa MO, Miyakawa H. Transformer gene regulates feminization under two complementary sex determination loci in the ant, Vollenhovia emeryi. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 156:103938. [PMID: 37028496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Organisms that reproduce sexually have evolved well-organized mechanisms to determine two sexes. Some hymenopterans (such as ants, bees, and wasps) have a complementary sex-determination system in which heterozygosity at one CSD locus induces female development, whereas hemi- or homozygosity at the locus induces male development. This system can generate a high cost of inbreeding, as individuals that are homozygous at the locus become sterile, diploid males. On the other hand, some hymenopterans have evolved a multi-locus, complementary, sex-determination system in which heterozygosity in at least one CSD locus induces female development. This system effectively reduces the proportion of sterile diploid males; however, how these multiple
primary signals based on CSD pass through a molecular cascade to regulate downstream genes has remained unclear. To clarify this matter, we used a backcross to investigate the molecular cascade in the ant, Vollenhovia emeryi, with two CSD loci. Here we show by gene disruption that transformer (tra) is necessary for proper feminization. Expression analysis of tra and doublesex (dsx) showed that heterozygosity in at least one of the two CSD loci is sufficient to promote female sex determination. Analysis of overexpression suggested that female-type Tra protein promotes splicing of tra pre-mRNA to female isoform by a positive-regulatory-feedback loop. Our data also showed that tra affects splicing of dsx. We conclude that two-loci sex determination system in V. emeryi evolved based on tra-dsx splicing cascade that is well conserved in other insect species. Finally, we suggest a cascade model to arrive at a binary determination of sex under multiple primary signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misato Okamoto Miyakawa
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, 350, Minemachi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 321-8505, Japan.
| | - Hitoshi Miyakawa
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, 350, Minemachi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 321-8505, Japan
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Wittmeyer KT, Oppenheim SJ, Hopper KR. Assemblies of the genomes of parasitic wasps using meta-assembly and scaffolding with genetic linkage. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 12:6423991. [PMID: 34751385 PMCID: PMC8727961 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Safe, effective biological-control introductions against invasive pests depend on narrowly host-specific natural enemies with the ability to adapt to a changing environment. As part of a project on the genetic architectures of these traits, we assembled and annotated the genomes of two aphid parasitoids, Aphelinus atriplicis and Aphelinus certus. We report here several assemblies of A. atriplicis made with Illumina and PacBio data, which we combined into a meta-assembly. We scaffolded the meta-assembly with markers from a genetic map of hybrids between A. atriplicis and A. certus. We used this genetic-linkage scaffolded (GLS) assembly of A. atriplicis to scaffold a de novo assembly of A. certus. The de novo assemblies of A. atriplicis differed in contiguity, and the meta-assembly of these assemblies was more contiguous than the best de novo assembly. Scaffolding with genetic-linkage data allowed chromosomal-level assembly of the A. atriplicis genome and scaffolding a de novo assembly of A. certus with this GLS assembly, greatly increased the contiguity of the A. certus assembly to the point where it was also at the chromosomal-level. However, completeness of the A. atriplicis assembly, as measured by percent complete, single-copy BUSCO hymenopteran genes, varied little among de novo assemblies and was not increased by meta-assembly or genetic scaffolding. Furthermore, the greater contiguity of the meta-assembly and GLS assembly had little or no effect on the numbers of genes identified, the proportions with homologs or functional annotations. Increased contiguity of the A. certus assembly provided modest improvement in assembly completeness, as measured by percent complete, single-copy BUSCO hymenopteran genes. The total genic sequence increased, and while the number of genes declined, gene length increased, which together suggest greater accuracy of gene models. More contiguous assemblies provide uses other than gene annotation, for example, identifying the genes associated with quantitative trait loci and understanding of chromosomal rearrangements associated with speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kameron T Wittmeyer
- USDA-ARS, Beneficial Insect Introductions Research Unit, Newark, DE 19713, USA
| | | | - Keith R Hopper
- USDA-ARS, Beneficial Insect Introductions Research Unit, Newark, DE 19713, USA,Corresponding author: USDA-ARS, Beneficial Insect Introductions Research Unit, 501 South Chapel Street, Newark, DE 19713, USA.
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Ulrich GF, Zemp N, Vorburger C, Boulain H. Quantitative trait locus analysis of parasitoid counteradaptation to symbiont-conferred resistance. Heredity (Edinb) 2021; 127:219-232. [PMID: 34012059 PMCID: PMC8322320 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-021-00444-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect hosts and parasitoids are engaged in an intense struggle of antagonistic coevolution. Infection with heritable bacterial endosymbionts can substantially increase the resistance of aphids to parasitoid wasps, which exerts selection on parasitoids to overcome this symbiont-conferred protection (counteradaptation). Experimental evolution in the laboratory has produced counteradapted populations of the parasitoid wasp Lysiphlebus fabarum. These populations can parasitize black bean aphids (Aphis fabae) protected by the bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa, which confers high resistance against L. fabarum. We used two experimentally evolved parasitoid populations to study the genetic architecture of the counteradaptation to symbiont-conferred resistance by QTL analysis. With simple crossing experiments, we showed that the counteradaptation is a recessive trait depending on the maternal genotype. Based on these results, we designed a customized crossing scheme to genotype a mapping population phenotyped for the ability to parasitize Hamiltonella-protected aphids. Using 1835 SNP markers obtained by ddRAD sequencing, we constructed a high-density linkage map consisting of six linkage groups (LGs) with an overall length of 828.3 cM and an average marker spacing of 0.45 cM. We identified a single QTL associated with the counteradaptation to Hamiltonella in L. fabarum on linkage group 2. Out of 120 genes located in this QTL, several genes encoding putative venoms may represent candidates for counteradaptation, as parasitoid wasps inject venoms into their hosts during oviposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel F. Ulrich
- grid.418656.80000 0001 1551 0562EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland ,grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Universitätsstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Niklaus Zemp
- Genetic Diversity Centre, Department of Environmental Systems Sciences, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Vorburger
- grid.418656.80000 0001 1551 0562EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland ,grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Universitätsstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hélène Boulain
- grid.418656.80000 0001 1551 0562EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland ,grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Present Address: Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Dennis AB, Ballesteros GI, Robin S, Schrader L, Bast J, Berghöfer J, Beukeboom LW, Belghazi M, Bretaudeau A, Buellesbach J, Cash E, Colinet D, Dumas Z, Errbii M, Falabella P, Gatti JL, Geuverink E, Gibson JD, Hertaeg C, Hartmann S, Jacquin-Joly E, Lammers M, Lavandero BI, Lindenbaum I, Massardier-Galata L, Meslin C, Montagné N, Pak N, Poirié M, Salvia R, Smith CR, Tagu D, Tares S, Vogel H, Schwander T, Simon JC, Figueroa CC, Vorburger C, Legeai F, Gadau J. Functional insights from the GC-poor genomes of two aphid parasitoids, Aphidius ervi and Lysiphlebus fabarum. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:376. [PMID: 32471448 PMCID: PMC7257214 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6764-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parasitoid wasps have fascinating life cycles and play an important role in trophic networks, yet little is known about their genome content and function. Parasitoids that infect aphids are an important group with the potential for biological control. Their success depends on adapting to develop inside aphids and overcoming both host aphid defenses and their protective endosymbionts. RESULTS We present the de novo genome assemblies, detailed annotation, and comparative analysis of two closely related parasitoid wasps that target pest aphids: Aphidius ervi and Lysiphlebus fabarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae). The genomes are small (139 and 141 Mbp) and the most AT-rich reported thus far for any arthropod (GC content: 25.8 and 23.8%). This nucleotide bias is accompanied by skewed codon usage and is stronger in genes with adult-biased expression. AT-richness may be the consequence of reduced genome size, a near absence of DNA methylation, and energy efficiency. We identify missing desaturase genes, whose absence may underlie mimicry in the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of L. fabarum. We highlight key gene groups including those underlying venom composition, chemosensory perception, and sex determination, as well as potential losses in immune pathway genes. CONCLUSIONS These findings are of fundamental interest for insect evolution and biological control applications. They provide a strong foundation for further functional studies into coevolution between parasitoids and their hosts. Both genomes are available at https://bipaa.genouest.org.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice B Dennis
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Gabriel I Ballesteros
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
- Centre for Molecular and Functional Ecology in Agroecosystems, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
- Laboratorio de Control Biológico, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Stéphanie Robin
- IGEPP, Agrocampus Ouest, INRAE, Université de Rennes, 35650, Le Rheu, France
- Université de Rennes 1, INRIA, CNRS, IRISA, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Lukas Schrader
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jens Bast
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Université de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Zoology, Universität zu Köln, 50674, Köln, Germany
| | - Jan Berghöfer
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Leo W Beukeboom
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maya Belghazi
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, INP, Inst Neurophysiopathol, PINT, PFNT, Marseille, France
| | - Anthony Bretaudeau
- IGEPP, Agrocampus Ouest, INRAE, Université de Rennes, 35650, Le Rheu, France
- Université de Rennes 1, INRIA, CNRS, IRISA, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Jan Buellesbach
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Cash
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | | | - Zoé Dumas
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Université de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mohammed Errbii
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Jean-Luc Gatti
- Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, ISA, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Elzemiek Geuverink
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joshua D Gibson
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, 30460, USA
| | - Corinne Hertaeg
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Sciences, D-USYS, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Hartmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly
- INRAE, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Université Paris Diderot, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, iEES-Paris, F-78000, Versailles, France
| | - Mark Lammers
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Blas I Lavandero
- Laboratorio de Control Biológico, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Ina Lindenbaum
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Camille Meslin
- INRAE, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Université Paris Diderot, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, iEES-Paris, F-78000, Versailles, France
| | - Nicolas Montagné
- INRAE, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Université Paris Diderot, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, iEES-Paris, F-78000, Versailles, France
| | - Nina Pak
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Marylène Poirié
- Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, ISA, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Rosanna Salvia
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Chris R Smith
- Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, IN, 47374, USA
| | - Denis Tagu
- IGEPP, Agrocampus Ouest, INRAE, Université de Rennes, 35650, Le Rheu, France
| | - Sophie Tares
- Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, ISA, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Tanja Schwander
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Université de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Christian C Figueroa
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
- Centre for Molecular and Functional Ecology in Agroecosystems, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Christoph Vorburger
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Fabrice Legeai
- IGEPP, Agrocampus Ouest, INRAE, Université de Rennes, 35650, Le Rheu, France
- Université de Rennes 1, INRIA, CNRS, IRISA, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Jürgen Gadau
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany.
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