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Frydrychová RČ, Konopová B, Peska V, Brejcha M, Sábová M. Telomeres and telomerase: active but complex players in life-history decisions. Biogerontology 2024; 25:205-226. [PMID: 37610666 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10060-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Studies on human telomeres have established that telomeres exert a significant influence on lifespan and health of organisms. However, recent research has indicated that the original idea that telomeres affect lifespan in a universal and central manner across all eukaryotic species is an oversimplification. Indeed, findings from a variety of animal species revealed that the role of telomere biology in aging is more subtle and intricate than previously recognized. Here, we show how telomere biology varies depending on the taxon. We also show how telomere biology corresponds to basic life history traits and affects the life table of a species and investments in growth, body size, reproduction, and lifespan; telomeres are hypothesized to shape evolutionary perspectives for species in an active but complex manner. Our evaluation is based on telomere biology data from many examples from throughout the animal kingdom that vary according to the degree of organismal complexity and life history strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radmila Čapková Frydrychová
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Barbora Konopová
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Vratislav Peska
- Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miloslav Brejcha
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michala Sábová
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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Tasaki E, Yamamoto Y, Iuchi Y. Higher levels of the lipophilic antioxidants coenzyme Q 10 and vitamin E in long-lived termite queens than in short-lived workers. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:201-210. [PMID: 37279723 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Termite queens and kings live longer than nonreproductive workers. Several molecular mechanisms contributing to their long lifespan have been investigated; however, the underlying biochemical explanation remains unclear. Coenzyme Q (CoQ), a component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, plays an essential role in the lipophilic antioxidant defense system. Its beneficial effects on health and longevity have been well studied in several organisms. Herein, we demonstrated that long-lived termite queens have significantly higher levels of the lipophilic antioxidant CoQ10 than workers. Liquid chromatography analysis revealed that the levels of the reduced form of CoQ10 were 4 fold higher in the queen's body than in the worker's body. In addition, queens showed 7 fold higher levels of vitamin E, which plays a role in antilipid peroxidation along with CoQ, than workers. Furthermore, the oral administration of CoQ10 to termites increased the CoQ10 redox state in the body and their survival rate under oxidative stress. These findings suggest that CoQ10 acts as an efficient lipophilic antioxidant along with vitamin E in long-lived termite queens. This study provides essential biochemical and evolutionary insights into the relationship between CoQ10 concentrations and termite lifespan extension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eisuke Tasaki
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yorihiro Yamamoto
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Iuchi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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Just P, Šťáhlavský F, Kovařík F, Štundlová J. Tracking the trends of karyotype differentiation in the phylogenetic context of Gint, a scorpion genus endemic to the Horn of Africa (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Zool J Linn Soc 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
To determine the mechanisms of karyotype differentiation in scorpions of the genus Gint, we employed an integrative approach, combining cytogenetic data and sequence-based phylogeny. We cytogenetically examined six species with emphasis on multivalent meiotic configurations, 18S rDNA and (TTAGG)n distribution and compared chromosomal data with genetic divergence based on analysis of 16S rRNA and COI gene markers. Our results show that Gint species exhibit substantial karyotype diversity (2n = 18–45) and a high incidence of chromosome heterozygosity. Meiotic chromosome chains formed by up to six elements were found in 85% of analysed individuals, causing intraspecific chromosome variation in three species. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that the 18S rDNA distribution pattern differed in Gint species, including at the intrapopulation level, but the chromosomal localization of (TTAGG)n motif was stable across species. Conspicuous interspecific differences in chromosome counts broadly corresponded with genetic divergence among Gint species. Our findings indicate that Gint karyotypes have undergone dynamic reorganization through independent fusions, fissions and reciprocal translocations. Owing to present chromosomal polymorphism, such structural changes shaping the genome architecture appear to be still ongoing in the populations of some Gint species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Just
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University , Viničná, Prague , Czech Republic
| | - František Šťáhlavský
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University , Viničná, Prague , Czech Republic
| | - František Kovařík
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University , Viničná, Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Jana Štundlová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University , Viničná, Prague , Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská, České Budějovice , Czech Republic
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Harrison MC, Dohmen E, George S, Sillam-Dussès D, Séité S, Vasseur-Cognet M. Complex regulatory role of DNA methylation in caste- and age-specific expression of a termite. Open Biol 2022; 12:220047. [PMID: 35857972 PMCID: PMC9256085 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220047] [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] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The reproductive castes of eusocial insects are often characterized by extreme lifespans and reproductive output, indicating an absence of the fecundity/longevity trade-off. The role of DNA methylation in the regulation of caste- and age-specific gene expression in eusocial insects is controversial. While some studies find a clear link to caste formation in honeybees and ants, others find no correlation when replication is increased across independent colonies. Although recent studies have identified transcription patterns involved in the maintenance of high reproduction throughout the long lives of queens, the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of these genes is unknown. We carried out a comparative analysis of DNA methylation in the regulation of caste-specific transcription and its importance for the regulation of fertility and longevity in queens of the higher termite Macrotermes natalensis. We found evidence for significant, well-regulated changes in DNA methylation in mature compared to young queens, especially in several genes related to ageing and fecundity in mature queens. We also found a strong link between methylation and caste-specific alternative splicing. This study reveals a complex regulatory role of fat body DNA methylation both in the division of labour in termites, and during the reproductive maturation of queens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C. Harrison
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Elias Dohmen
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - David Sillam-Dussès
- University Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology (LEEC), UR4443, Villetaneuse, France
| | - Sarah Séité
- UMR IRD 242, UPEC, CNRS 7618, UPMC 113, INRAE 1392, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, Paris 7 113, Bondy, France,University of Paris-Est, Créteil, France
| | - Mireille Vasseur-Cognet
- UMR IRD 242, UPEC, CNRS 7618, UPMC 113, INRAE 1392, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, Paris 7 113, Bondy, France,University of Paris-Est, Créteil, France,INSERM, Paris, France
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Milacek M, Bittova L, Tumova S, Luksan O, Hanus R, Kyjakova P, Machara A, Marek A, Jindra M. Binding of de novo synthesized radiolabeled juvenile hormone (JH III) by JH receptors from the Cuban subterranean termite Prorhinotermes simplex and the German cockroach Blattella germanica. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 139:103671. [PMID: 34656795 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103671] [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] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile hormone (JH) controls insect reproduction and development through an intracellular receptor complex comprising two bHLH-PAS proteins, the JH-binding Methoprene-tolerant (Met) and its partner Taiman (Tai). Many hemimetabolous insects including cockroaches strictly depend on JH for stimulation of vitellogenesis. In termites, the eusocial hemimetabolans, JH also regulates the development of caste polyphenism. Studies addressing the agonist ligand binding to recombinant JH receptors currently include three species belonging to two holometabolous insect orders, but none that would represent any of the hemimetabolous orders. Here, we examined JH receptors in two representatives of Blattodea, the cockroach Blattella germanica and the termite Prorhinotermes simplex. To test the JH-binding capacity of Met proteins from these species, we performed chemical synthesis and tritium labeling of the natural blattodean JH homolog, JH III. Our improved protocol increased the yield and specific activity of [10-3H]JH III relative to formerly available preparations. Met proteins from both species specifically bound [3H]JH III with high affinity, whereas Met variants mutated at a critical position within the ligand-binding domain were incapable of such binding. Furthermore, JH III and the synthetic JH mimic fenoxycarb stimulated dimerization between Met and Tai components of the respective JH receptors of both species. These data present primary evidence for agonist binding by JH receptors in any hemimetabolous species and provide a molecular basis for JH action in cockroaches and termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Milacek
- Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, 370 05, Czech Republic; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Bittova
- Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Sarka Tumova
- Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Luksan
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Hanus
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Kyjakova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Machara
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Marek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 166 10, Czech Republic.
| | - Marek Jindra
- Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, 370 05, Czech Republic; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 370 05, Czech Republic.
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