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Pandey AK, Sharma V, Ravi Ram K. Drosophila ecdysone receptor activity-based ex vivo assay to assess the endocrine disruption potential of environmental chemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:56430-56441. [PMID: 35338461 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19789-5] [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: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Insect pollinators, critical for both agricultural output and the ecosystem, are declining at an alarming levels partly due to human-made chemicals. Majority of environmental chemicals hamper the endocrine function and studies on the same in insects remain neglected. Here, we report a Drosophila-based ex vivo assay system that employs a reproductive tissue from transgenic males carrying a reporter gene (lacZ) downstream of ecdysone receptor response element (EcRE) and permits the evaluation of chemical-mediated activity modulation of all three isoforms of ecdysone receptor, which are critical for male fertility. We show agonistic [plasticizers, cypermethrin, atrazine, methyl parathion, imidacloprid, cadmium chloride, mercuric chloride or 3-(4-methylbenzylidene) camphor] or antagonistic (apigenin, tributyltin chloride) effects or lack of effect thereof (rutin hydrate, dichlorvos, lead acetate, parabens) for seven different classes of environmental chemicals on ecdysone receptor activity reflecting the specificity and sensitivity of the developed ex vivo assay. Exposure to a few of these chemicals in vivo hampers the fertility of Drosophila males, thus linking the observed endocrine disruption to a quantifiable reproductive phenotype. The developed ex vivo assay offers a quick Drosophila-based screening tool for throughput monitoring of environmental chemicals for their ability to hamper the endocrine function of insect pollinators and other invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuj Kumar Pandey
- Embryotoxicology Laboratory, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhavan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vandana Sharma
- Embryotoxicology Laboratory, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhavan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad , 201002, India
| | - Kristipati Ravi Ram
- Embryotoxicology Laboratory, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhavan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad , 201002, India.
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He B, Liu Z, Wang Y, Cheng L, Qing Q, Duan J, Xu J, Dang X, Zhou Z, Li Z. Imidacloprid activates ROS and causes mortality in honey bees (Apis mellifera) by inducing iron overload. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 228:112709. [PMID: 34895731 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide widely used for insect pest control, has become a potential pollutant to pollinators. Previous reports have demonstrated the toxicity of this drug in activating oxidative stress resulting in high mortality in the honey bee Apis mellifera. However, the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of imidacloprid have not been fully elucidated. In this study, sublethal (36 ng/bee) and median lethal (132 ng/bee) doses of imidacloprid were administered to bees. The results showed dose-dependent increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS), Fe2+, and mortality in bees. Notably, imidacloprid also induced upregulation of the gene encoding ferritin (AmFth), which plays a pivotal role in reducing Fe2+ overload. Upregulation of AmFth has been suggested to be closely related to ROS accumulation and high mortality in bees. To confirm the role played by AmFth in imidacloprid-activated ROS, dsAmFth double-strand was orally administered to bees after exposure to imidacloprid. The results revealed aggravated Fe2+ overload, higher ROS activation, and elevated mortality in the bees, indicating that imidacloprid activated ROS and caused mortality in the bees, probably by inducing iron overload. This study helps to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity of imidacloprid from the perspective of iron metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao He
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhihao Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuedi Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lanchun Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiqian Qing
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiaxin Duan
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinshan Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoqun Dang
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zeyang Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China; The State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi Li
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.
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Cao X, Li Y, Li S, Tang T, Liu F. Two ferritin genes (MdFerH and MdFerL) are involved in iron homeostasis, antioxidation and immune defense in housefly Musca domestica. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 124:104073. [PMID: 32526234 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2020.104073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ferritin is a ubiquitous multi-subunit iron storage protein, made up of heavy chain and light chain subunits. In recent years, invertebrate ferritins have emerged as an important, yet largely underappreciated, component of host defense and antioxidant system. Here, two alternatively spliced transcripts encoding for a unique ferritin heavy chain homolog (MdFerH), and a transcript encoding for a light chain homolog (MdFerL) are cloned and characterized from Musca domestica. Comparing with MdFerH1, a fragment is absent at the 5' untranslated region of MdFerH2, where a putative iron response element is present. Amino acid sequence analysis shows that MdFerH possesses a strictly conserved ferroxidase site, while MdFerL has a putative atypical active center. Tissue distribution analysis indicates that MdFers are enriched expressed in gut. When the larvae receive diverse stimulations, including challenge by bacteria, exposure to excess Fe2+, doxorubicin or ultraviolet, the expression of MdFers is positively up-regulated in different degrees and different temporal patterns, indicating their potential roles in oxidative stress. The two mRNA isoforms of MdFerH appear to be differentially expressed in different tissues, but seem to show the similar expression patterns under diverse stress conditions. Further investigation reveals that silencing MdFers can alter the redox homeostasis, leading elevated mortalities of larvae following bacterial infection. Inspiringly, recombinant MdFerL produced in Pichia pastoris shows significant iron-chelating activity in vitro. These results suggest a pivotal role of ferritins from housefly in iron homeostasis, antibacterial immunity and redox balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinru Cao
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Yongbao Li
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Shuangshuang Li
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Ting Tang
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China.
| | - Fengsong Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China.
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Yang LA, Wang J, Toufeeq S, Zhu LB, Zhang SZ, You LL, Hu P, Yu HZ, Zhao K, Xu X, Xu JP. Identification of FerLCH, isolation of ferritin and functional analysis related to interaction with pathogens in Eri-silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 104:e21659. [PMID: 31976584 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21659] [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: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ferritin is a ubiquitous and conserved iron storage protein that plays a significant role in host detoxification, iron storage, and immune response. Although ferritin has been studied in many species, little is known about its role in the Eri-silkworm (Samia cynthia ricini). In this study, the ferritin light-chain subunit gene, named ScFerLCH, was identified from S. c. ricini. The full-length gene, ScFerLCH, was 1,155 bp and encoded a protein consisting of 231 amino acids with a deduced molecular weight of 26.38 kDa. Higher ScFerLCH expression levels were found in the midgut, silk gland, and fat body by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Injection of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa could induce upregulation of ScFerLCH in the hemolymph, fat body, and midgut, indicating that ScFerLCH may contribute to the host defense against invading pathogens. In addition, the native ferritin protein was isolated from S. c. ricini by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and its two subunits, ferritin heavy-chain subunit (ScFerHCH) and ferritin light-chain subunit (ScFerLCH), were identified by mass spectrometry. Specifically, we found that recombinant ferritin subunits could self-assemble into a protein complex in vitro; moreover, both recombinant subunits and the protein complex were found to bind different bacteria, including Escherichia coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. However, bactericidal tests showed that the protein complex could not inhibit the growth of bacteria directly. Taken together, our results suggest that ScFerritin might play an important role in mediating molecular interaction with pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ang Yang
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
| | - Shahzad Toufeeq
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
| | - Lin-Bao Zhu
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
| | - Shang-Zhi Zhang
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
| | - Ling-Ling You
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
| | - Pei Hu
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
| | - Hai-Zhong Yu
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
| | - Kang Zhao
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
| | - Jia-Ping Xu
- Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- National Fund Committee of China, Anhui International Joint Research and Developmental Center of Sericulture Resources Utilization, Hefei, China
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Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of secreted ferritin in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Biometals 2019; 32:757-769. [PMID: 31363876 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-019-00208-1] [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: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ferritin is a ubiquitous iron storage protein which plays key role in regulating iron homeostasis and metabolism. In this paper, the ferritin heavy chain homologs (HCH) and light chain homologs (LCH) from Bombyx mori (BmFerHCH and BmFerLCH) were amplified through PCR and cloned into the expression vector pET-30a(+). The recombinant BmFerHCH and BmFerLCH expressed in Escherichia coli were in the form of insoluble inclusion bodies, indicating that the two proteins were not in their natural structural conformation. In order to obtain refolded ferritin in vitro, the inclusion bodies (BmFerHCH and/or BmFerLCH) were dissolved in denaturing buffer (100 mM Tris, 50 mM Glycine, 8 M urea, 5 mM DTT, pH 8.0) and then refolded in refolding buffer (100 mM Tris, 400 mM L-arginine, 0.2 mM PMSF, 0.5 mM DTT). The result showed that it was only when both BmFerHCH and BmFerLCH were present together in the denaturing buffer that refolding was successful and resulted in the formation of heteropolymers (H-L chain dimers) over homopolymers (H-H chain or L-L chain dimers). Moreover, the molecules (NaCl, Triton and glycerol) were found to enhance protein refolding. The optimum temperature, pH and ratios of BmFerHCH/BmFerLCH required for refolding were found to be 10 °C, pH 7, 1:1 or 1:2, respectively. Finally, the refolded ferritin had the ability to store iron, exhibited ferroxidase activity, and could withstand high temperatures and pH treatment, which is consistent with ferritin in other species.
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Zhou Y, Wang Y, Li X, Peprah FA, Wang X, Liu H, Lin F, Gu J, Yu F, Shi H. Applying microarray-based technique to study and analyze silkworm (Bombyx mori) transcriptomic response to long-term high iron diet. Genomics 2018; 111:1504-1513. [PMID: 30391296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the biological processes affected by long-term iron supplementation, newly hatched silkworms were exposed to high iron mulberry diet (10 and 100 ppm) and its effect on silkworm transcriptom was determined. The results showed that the silkworm was responsive to iron by increasing iron concentration and ferritin levels in the hemolymph and by regulating the expression of many other genes. A total of 523 and 326 differentially expressed genes were identified in 10 and 100 ppm Fe group compared to the control, respectively. Of these genes, 249 were shared between in both the 10 ppm and 100 ppm Fe group, including 152 up-regulated and 97 down-regulated genes. These shared genes included 19 known Fe regulated, 24 immune-related, 12 serine proteases and serine proteases homologs, 41 cuticular and cuticle genes. Ten genes (carboxypeptidases A, serine protease homologs 85, fibrohexamerin/P25, transferrin, sex-specific storage-protein 2, fungal protease inhibitor F, insect intestinal mucin, peptidoglycan recognition protein B, cuticle protein CPH45, unknown gene) were involved in the regulation of iron overload responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Yingying Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Frank Addai Peprah
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Haitao Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Feng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Freshwater Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, PR China
| | - Jie Gu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Feng Yu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Haifeng Shi
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China.
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Diaz D, Care A, Sunna A. Bioengineering Strategies for Protein-Based Nanoparticles. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E370. [PMID: 30041491 PMCID: PMC6071185 DOI: 10.3390/genes9070370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the practical application of protein-based nanoparticles (PNPs) has expanded rapidly into areas like drug delivery, vaccine development, and biocatalysis. PNPs possess unique features that make them attractive as potential platforms for a variety of nanobiotechnological applications. They self-assemble from multiple protein subunits into hollow monodisperse structures; they are highly stable, biocompatible, and biodegradable; and their external components and encapsulation properties can be readily manipulated by chemical or genetic strategies. Moreover, their complex and perfect symmetry have motivated researchers to mimic their properties in order to create de novo protein assemblies. This review focuses on recent advances in the bioengineering and bioconjugation of PNPs and the implementation of synthetic biology concepts to exploit and enhance PNP's intrinsic properties and to impart them with novel functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Diaz
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Andrew Care
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Anwar Sunna
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
- Biomolecular Discovery and Design Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
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Expression and Characterization of Recombinant Serratia liquefaciens Nucleases Produced with Baculovirus-mediated Silkworm Expression System. Mol Biotechnol 2016; 58:393-403. [PMID: 27059494 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-016-9937-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Baculovirus-Bombyx mori protein expression system has mainly been used for translation of eukaryotic proteins. In contrast, information pertaining to bacterial protein expression using this system is not sufficient. Therefore, recombinant nucleases from Serratia liquefaciens (rSlNucAs) were expressed in a Baculovirus-B. mori protein expression system. rSlNucAs containing the native signal peptide (rSlNucA-NSP) or silkworm 30-K signal peptide (rSlNucA-30K) at the NH2-terminus were constructed to enable secretion into the extracellular fraction. Both rSlNucA-30K and rSlNucA-NSP were successfully secreted into hemolymph of B. mori larvae. Affinity-purified rSlNucAs showed high nuclease activity. Optimum pH was 7.5 and half of maximum activity was maintained between pH 7.0 and 9.5. Optimum temperature was 35 °C. rSlNucAs showed sufficient activity in twofold-diluted radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer and undiluted, mild lysis buffer. Genomic DNA of Escherichia coli was efficiently digested by rSlNucAs in the bacterial lysate. The results in this study suggest that rSlNucAs expressed by the Baculovirus-B. mori protein expression system will be a useful tool in molecular biology. Functional recombinant protein of bacteria was produced by Baculovirus-B. mori protein expression system. This system may be highly suitable for bacterial extracellular protein secreted via Sec pathway.
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Ferritin Assembly in Enterocytes of Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:27. [PMID: 26861293 PMCID: PMC4783870 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferritins are protein nanocages that accumulate inside their cavity thousands of oxidized iron atoms bound to oxygen and phosphates. Both characteristic types of eukaryotic ferritin subunits are present in secreted ferritins from insects, but here dimers between Ferritin 1 Heavy Chain Homolog (Fer1HCH) and Ferritin 2 Light Chain Homolog (Fer2LCH) are further stabilized by disulfide-bridge in the 24-subunit complex. We addressed ferritin assembly and iron loading in vivo using novel transgenic strains of Drosophila melanogaster. We concentrated on the intestine, where the ferritin induction process can be controlled experimentally by dietary iron manipulation. We showed that the expression pattern of Fer2LCH-Gal4 lines recapitulated iron-dependent endogenous expression of the ferritin subunits and used these lines to drive expression from UAS-mCherry-Fer2LCH transgenes. We found that the Gal4-mediated induction of mCherry-Fer2LCH subunits was too slow to effectively introduce them into newly formed ferritin complexes. Endogenous Fer2LCH and Fer1HCH assembled and stored excess dietary iron, instead. In contrast, when flies were genetically manipulated to co-express Fer2LCH and mCherry-Fer2LCH simultaneously, both subunits were incorporated with Fer1HCH in iron-loaded ferritin complexes. Our study provides fresh evidence that, in insects, ferritin assembly and iron loading in vivo are tightly regulated.
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Otho SA, Chen K, Zhang Y, Wang P, Lu Z. Silkworm ferritin 1 heavy chain homolog is involved in defense against bacterial infection through regulation of haemolymph iron homeostasis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 55:152-158. [PMID: 26522340 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2015.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Iron functions as a nutrient and a potential toxin in all organisms. It plays a key role in the interaction between microbes and their hosts as well. Microbial infection disrupts iron homeostasis in the host; meanwhile the host endeavors to keep the homeostasis through iron transport and storage. Transferrins and ferritins are the major iron-binding proteins that affect iron distribution in insects. In this study, we investigated a possible involvement of Bombyx mori ferritin 1 (BmFer1) heavy chain homolog in the defense against bacterial infection in the silkworm larvae. The BmFer1 mRNA abundance was up-regulated in hemocytes, but not in fat body, after Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus infection. The infection resulted in elevated iron levels in the hemolymph. Injection of recombinant BmFer1 protein into hemocoel reduced the plasma iron level after infection, limited the bacterial growth in the hemolymph, and resulted in a lower mortality caused by infection. Our study indicated that B. mori ferritin-1 may restrict iron access of the invading bacteria to block their growth as a defense strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohail Ahmed Otho
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Kangkang Chen
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yongdong Zhang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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Genome-wide comparison of ferritin family from Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya, and Viruses: its distribution, characteristic motif, and phylogenetic relationship. Naturwissenschaften 2015; 102:64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-015-1314-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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12
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Wei D, Li HM, Yang WJ, Wei DD, Dou W, Huang Y, Wang JJ. Transcriptome profiling of the testis reveals genes involved in spermatogenesis and marker discovery in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 24:41-57. [PMID: 25255964 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The testis is a highly specialized tissue that plays a vital role in ensuring fertility by producing spermatozoa, which are transferred to the female during mating. Spermatogenesis is a complex process, resulting in the production of mature sperm, and involves significant structural and biochemical changes in the seminiferous epithelium of the adult testis. The identification of genes involved in spermatogenesis of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is critical for a better understanding of its reproductive development. In this study, we constructed a cDNA library of testes from male B. dorsalis adults at different ages, and performed de novo transcriptome sequencing to produce a comprehensive transcript data set, using Illumina sequencing technology. The analysis yielded 52 016 732 clean reads, including a total of 4.65 Gb of nucleotides. These reads were assembled into 47 677 contigs (average 443 bp) and then clustered into 30 516 unigenes (average 756 bp). Based on BLAST hits with known proteins in different databases, 20 921 unigenes were annotated with a cut-off E-value of 10(-5). The transcriptome sequences were further annotated using the Clusters of Orthologous Groups, Gene Orthology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases. Functional genes involved in spermatogenesis were analysed, including cell cycle proteins, metalloproteins, actin, and ubiquitin and antihyperthermia proteins. Several testis-specific genes were also identified. The transcripts database will help us to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis in B. dorsalis. Furthermore, 2913 simple sequence repeats and 151 431 single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified, which will be useful for investigating the genetic diversity of B. dorsalis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Wei
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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