1
|
Kmet P, Kucerova L, Sehadova H, Chia-Hsiang Wu B, Wu YL, Zurovec M. Identification of Silk Components in the Bombycoid Moth Andraca theae (Endromidae) Reveals Three Fibroin Subunits Resembling Those of Bombycidae and Sphingidae. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 147:104523. [PMID: 37187341 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The silk produced by Lepidoptera caterpillars is a mixture of proteins secreted by the transformed labial glands, the silk glands (SG). The silk fiber consists of insoluble filamentous proteins that form a silk core and are produced in the posterior part of the SG and soluble coat proteins consisting of sericins and various other polypeptides secreted in the middle part of the SG. We constructed a silk gland specific transcriptome of Andraca theae and created a protein database required for peptide mass fingerprinting. We identified major silk components by proteomic analysis of cocoon silk and by searching for homologies with known silk protein sequences from other species. We identified 30 proteins including a heavy chain fibroin, a light chain fibroin and fibrohexamerin (P25) that form the silk core, as well as members of several structural families that form the silk coating. To uncover the evolutionary relationships among silk proteins, we included orthologs of silk genes from several recent genome projects and performed phylogenetic analyses. Our results confirm the recent molecular classification that the family Endromidae appears to be slightly more distant from the family Bombycidae. Our study provides important information on the evolution of silk proteins in the Bombycoidea, which is needed for proper annotation of the proteins and future functional studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kmet
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Kucerova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Sehadova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Bulah Chia-Hsiang Wu
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Yueh-Lung Wu
- Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Michal Zurovec
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Genome sequence and silkomics of the spindle ermine moth, Yponomeuta cagnagella, representing the early diverging lineage of the ditrysian Lepidoptera. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1281. [PMID: 36418465 PMCID: PMC9684489 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04240-9] [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: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many lepidopteran species produce silk, cocoons, feeding tubes, or nests for protection from predators and parasites for caterpillars and pupae. Yet, the number of lepidopteran species whose silk composition has been studied in detail is very small, because the genes encoding the major structural silk proteins tend to be large and repetitive, making their assembly and sequence analysis difficult. Here we have analyzed the silk of Yponomeuta cagnagella, which represents one of the early diverging lineages of the ditrysian Lepidoptera thus improving the coverage of the order. To obtain a comprehensive list of the Y. cagnagella silk genes, we sequenced and assembled a draft genome using Oxford Nanopore and Illumina technologies. We used a silk-gland transcriptome and a silk proteome to identify major silk components and verified the tissue specificity of expression of individual genes. A detailed annotation of the major genes and their putative products, including their complete sequences and exon-intron structures is provided. The morphology of silk glands and fibers are also shown. This study fills an important gap in our growing understanding of the structure, evolution, and function of silk genes and provides genomic resources for future studies of the chemical ecology of Yponomeuta species.
Collapse
|
3
|
Stewart RJ, Frandsen PB, Pauls SU, Heckenhauer J. Conservation of Three-Dimensional Structure of Lepidoptera and Trichoptera L-Fibroins for 290 Million Years. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27185945. [PMID: 36144689 PMCID: PMC9504780 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The divergence of sister orders Trichoptera (caddisflies) and Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) from a silk-spinning ancestor occurred around 290 million years ago. Trichoptera larvae are mainly aquatic, and Lepidoptera larvae are almost entirely terrestrial—distinct habitats that required molecular adaptation of their silk for deployment in water and air, respectively. The major protein components of their silks are heavy chain and light chain fibroins. In an effort to identify molecular changes in L-fibroins that may have contributed to the divergent use of silk in water and air, we used the ColabFold implementation of AlphaFold2 to predict three-dimensional structures of L-fibroins from both orders. A comparison of the structures revealed that despite the ancient divergence, profoundly different habitats, and low sequence conservation, a novel 10-helix core structure was strongly conserved in L-fibroins from both orders. Previously known intra- and intermolecular disulfide linkages were accurately predicted. Structural variations outside of the core may represent molecular changes that contributed to the evolution of insect silks adapted to water or air. The distributions of electrostatic potential, for example, were not conserved and present distinct order-specific surfaces for potential interactions with or modulation by external factors. Additionally, the interactions of L-fibroins with the H-fibroin C-termini are different for these orders; lepidopteran L-fibroins have N-terminal insertions that are not present in trichopteran L-fibroins, which form an unstructured ribbon in isolation but become part of an intermolecular β-sheet when folded with their corresponding H-fibroin C-termini. The results are an example of protein structure prediction from deep sequence data of understudied proteins made possible by AlphaFold2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Russell J. Stewart
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Paul B. Frandsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84062, USA
| | - Steffen U. Pauls
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Heckenhauer
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yazawa K, Tatebayashi Y, Kajiura Z. Eri silkworm spins mechanically robust silk fibers regardless of reeling speed. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:274025. [PMID: 35037048 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243458] [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: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Wild silkworms survive in the environmental habitats in which temperature and humidity vary based on weather. In contrast, domesticated silkworms live in mild environments where temperature and humidity are generally maintained at constant levels. Previous studies showed that the mechanical strengths and molecular orientation of the silk fibers reeled from domesticated silkworms are significantly influenced by the reeling speed. Here we investigated the effects of the reeling speeds on the mechanical properties of eri silk fibers produced by wild silkworms, Samia cynthia ricini, which belong to the family of Saturniidae. We found that the structural, morphological, and mechanical features of eri silk fibers are maintained irrespective of the reeling speed in contrast to those of domesticated silkworm silk fibers. The obtained results are useful not only for understanding the biological basis underlying the natural formation of silk fibers but also for contributing to the design of artificial spinning systems for producing synthetic silk fibers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenjiro Yazawa
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda City, Nagano 386-8567, Japan.,Division of Biological and Medical Fiber, Institute for Fiber Engineering, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda City, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Yuka Tatebayashi
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda City, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Zenta Kajiura
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda City, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tsubota T, Yoshioka T, Jouraku A, Suzuki TK, Yonemura N, Yukuhiro K, Kameda T, Sezutsu H. Transcriptomic analysis of the bagworm moth silk gland reveals a number of silk genes conserved within Lepidoptera. INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:885-900. [PMID: 32589338 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lepidopteran insects produce cocoons with unique properties. The cocoons are made of silk produced in the larval tissue silk gland and our understanding of the silk genes is still very limited. Here, we investigated silk genes in the bagworm moth Eumeta variegata, a species that has recently been found to produce extraordinarily strong and tough silk. Using short-read transcriptomic analysis, we identified a partial sequence of the fibroin heavy chain gene and its product was found to have a C-terminal structure that is conserved within nonsaturniid species. This is in accordance with the presence of fibroin light chain/fibrohexamerin genes and it is suggested that the bagworm moth is producing silk composed of fibroin ternary complex. This indicates that the fibroin structure has been evolutionarily conserved longer than previously thought. Other than fibroins we identified candidates for sericin genes, expressed strongly in the middle region of the silk gland and encoding serine-rich proteins, and other silk genes, that are structurally conserved with other lepidopteran homologues. The bagworm moth is thus considered to be producing conventional lepidopteran type of silk. We further found a number of genes expressed in a specific region of the silk gland and some genes showed conserved expression with Bombyx mori counterparts. This is the first study allowing comprehensive silk gene identification and expression analysis in the lepidopteran Psychidae family and should contribute to the understanding of silk gene evolution as well as to the development of novel types of silk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Tsubota
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Taiyo Yoshioka
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Silk Materials Research Unit, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Akiya Jouraku
- Insect Genome Research and Engineering Unit, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takao K Suzuki
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Yonemura
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kenji Yukuhiro
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Silk Materials Research Unit, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tsunenori Kameda
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Silk Materials Research Unit, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hideki Sezutsu
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rouhova L, Kludkiewicz B, Sehadova H, Sery M, Kucerova L, Konik P, Zurovec M. Silk of the common clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella, a cosmopolitan pest belonging to the basal ditrysian moth line. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 130:103527. [PMID: 33476773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Many lepidopteran larvae produce silk secretions to build feeding tubes and cocoons that play important protective roles in their lives. Recent research on the silk of bombycoid and pyralid moths has shown that it contains several highly abundant silk components with remarkable mechanical properties. It was also found to contain a number of other proteins of which the functions have yet to be identified. To gain an overview of the silk composition in more primitive lepidopteran species and to identify the core silk components common to most species, we analyzed the cocoon proteins of Tineola bisselliella, which belongs to the basal ditrysian moth line. Using de novo transcriptome sequencing combined with mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, we detected more than 100 secretory proteins in the silk cocoons. Fibroin, sericins, and protease inhibitors were found to be the most abundant proteins, along with several novel candidate silk components. We also verified the tissue and developmental stage specificity of the silk protein expression and characterized the morphology of both the silk glands and silk in T. bisselliella. Our study provides a detailed analysis of silk in the primitive moth, expands the known set of silk-specific genes in Lepidoptera, and helps to elucidate their evolutionary relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Rouhova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Barbara Kludkiewicz
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Sehadova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Sery
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Kucerova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Konik
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Zurovec
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lee J, Nishiyama T, Shigenobu S, Yamaguchi K, Suzuki Y, Shimada T, Katsuma S, Kiuchi T. The genome sequence of Samia ricini, a new model species of lepidopteran insect. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 21:327-339. [PMID: 32985129 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Samia ricini, a gigantic saturniid moth, has the potential to be a novel lepidopteran model species. Samia ricini is far more resistant to diseases than the current model species Bombyx mori, and therefore can be more easily reared. In addition, genetic resources available for S. ricini rival those for B. mori: at least 26 ecoraces of S. ricini are reported and S. ricini can hybridize with wild Samia species, which are distributed throughout Asian countries, and produce fertile progenies. Physiological traits such as food preference, integument colour and larval spot pattern differ among S. ricini strains and wild Samia species so that those traits can be targeted in forward genetic analyses. To facilitate genetic research in S. ricini, we determined its whole genome sequence. The assembled genome of S. ricini was 458 Mb with 155 scaffolds, and the scaffold N50 length of the assembly was ~ 21 Mb. In total, 16,702 protein coding genes were predicted. While the S. ricini genome was mostly collinear with that of B. mori with some rearrangements and few S. ricini-specific genes were discovered, chorion genes and fibroin genes seemed to have expanded in the S. ricini lineage. As the first step of genetic analyses, causal genes for "Blue," "Yellow," "Spot," and "Red cocoon" phenotypes were mapped to chromosomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Lee
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science/Graduate School of Science, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Nishiyama
- Advanced Science Research Center, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- Functional Genomics Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Katsushi Yamaguchi
- Functional Genomics Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Laboratory of Systems Genomics, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toru Shimada
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science/Graduate School of Science, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Susumu Katsuma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Kiuchi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen Q, Zhao H, Wen M, Li J, Zhou H, Wang J, Zhou Y, Liu Y, Du L, Kang H, Zhang J, Cao R, Xu X, Zhou JJ, Ren B, Wang Y. Genome of the webworm Hyphantria cunea unveils genetic adaptations supporting its rapid invasion and spread. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:242. [PMID: 32183717 PMCID: PMC7079503 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6629-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fall webworm Hyphantria cunea is an invasive and polyphagous defoliator pest that feeds on nearly any type of deciduous tree worldwide. The silk web of H. cunea aids its aggregating behavior, provides thermal regulation and is regarded as one of causes for its rapid spread. In addition, both chemosensory and detoxification genes are vital for host adaptation in insects. RESULTS Here, a high-quality genome of H. cunea was obtained. Silk-web-related genes were identified from the genome, and successful silencing of the silk protein gene HcunFib-H resulted in a significant decrease in silk web shelter production. The CAFE analysis showed that some chemosensory and detoxification gene families, such as CSPs, CCEs, GSTs and UGTs, were expanded. A transcriptome analysis using the newly sequenced H. cunea genome showed that most chemosensory genes were specifically expressed in the antennae, while most detoxification genes were highly expressed during the feeding peak. Moreover, we found that many nutrient-related genes and one detoxification gene, HcunP450 (CYP306A1), were under significant positive selection, suggesting a crucial role of these genes in host adaptation in H. cunea. At the metagenomic level, several microbial communities in H. cunea gut and their metabolic pathways might be beneficial to H. cunea for nutrient metabolism and detoxification, and might also contribute to its host adaptation. CONCLUSIONS These findings explain the host and environmental adaptations of H. cunea at the genetic level and provide partial evidence for the cause of its rapid invasion and potential gene targets for innovative pest management strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Hanbo Zhao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Ming Wen
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Haifeng Zhou
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiatong Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuxin Zhou
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Yulin Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Lixin Du
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Hui Kang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Rui Cao
- Meihekou Forest Pest Control Station, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaoming Xu
- Garden and Plant Protection Station of Changchun, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jing-Jiang Zhou
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Bingzhong Ren
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Yinliang Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kucerova L, Zurovec M, Kludkiewicz B, Hradilova M, Strnad H, Sehnal F. Modular structure, sequence diversification and appropriate nomenclature of seroins produced in the silk glands of Lepidoptera. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3797. [PMID: 30846749 PMCID: PMC6405961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40401-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Seroins are small lepidopteran silk proteins known to possess antimicrobial activities. Several seroin paralogs and isoforms were identified in studied lepidopteran species and their classification required detailed phylogenetic analysis based on complete and verified cDNA sequences. We sequenced silk gland-specific cDNA libraries from ten species and identified 52 novel seroin cDNAs. The results of this targeted research, combined with data retrieved from available databases, form a dataset representing the major clades of Lepidoptera. The analysis of deduced seroin proteins distinguished three seroin classes (sn1-sn3), which are composed of modules: A (includes the signal peptide), B (rich in charged amino acids) and C (highly variable linker containing proline). The similarities within and between the classes were 31–50% and 22.5–25%, respectively. All species express one, and in exceptional cases two, genes per class, and alternative splicing further enhances seroin diversity. Seroins occur in long versions with the full set of modules (AB1C1B2C2B3) and/or in short versions that lack parts or the entire B and C modules. The classes and the modular structure of seroins probably evolved prior to the split between Trichoptera and Lepidoptera. The diversity of seroins is reflected in proposed nomenclature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Kucerova
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske, Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Zurovec
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske, Budejovice, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske, Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Barbara Kludkiewicz
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske, Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Miluse Hradilova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague, 4, Czech Republic
| | - Hynek Strnad
- Institute of Molecular Genetics CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague, 4, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Sehnal
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske, Budejovice, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske, Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zurovec M, Yonemura N, Kludkiewicz B, Sehnal F, Kodrik D, Vieira LC, Kucerova L, Strnad H, Konik P, Sehadova H. Sericin Composition in the Silk of Antheraea yamamai. Biomacromolecules 2016; 17:1776-87. [PMID: 27049111 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The silks produced by caterpillars consist of fibroin proteins that form two core filaments, and sericin proteins that seal filaments into a fiber and conglutinate fibers in the cocoon. Sericin genes are well-known in Bombyx mori (Bombycidae) but have received little attention in other insects. This paper shows that Antheraea yamamai (Saturniidae) contains five sericin genes very different from the three sericin genes of B. mori. In spite of differences, all known sericins are characterized by short exons 1 and 2 (out of 3-12 exons), expression in the middle silk gland section, presence of repeats with high contents of Ser and charged amino acid residues, and secretion as a sticky silk component soluble in hot water. The B. mori sericins represent tentative phylogenetic lineages (I) BmSer1 and orthologs in Saturniidae, (II) BmSer2, and (III) BmSer3 and related sericins of Saturniidae and of the pyralid Galleria mellonella. The lineage (IV) seems to be limited to Saturniidae. Concerted evolution of the sericin genes was apparently associated with gene amplifications as well as gene loses. Differences in the silk fiber morphology indicate that the cocktail of sericins linking the filaments and coating the fiber is modified during spinning. Silks are composite biomaterials of conserved function in spite of great diversity of their composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michal Zurovec
- Entomological Institute, Biology Centre ASCR , Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia , Branišovská 1760, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Naoyuki Yonemura
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Barbara Kludkiewicz
- Entomological Institute, Biology Centre ASCR , Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - František Sehnal
- Entomological Institute, Biology Centre ASCR , Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Dalibor Kodrik
- Entomological Institute, Biology Centre ASCR , Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia , Branišovská 1760, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ligia Cota Vieira
- Entomological Institute, Biology Centre ASCR , Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Kucerova
- Entomological Institute, Biology Centre ASCR , Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hynek Strnad
- Institute of Molecular Genetics ASCR , Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Praha 4, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Konik
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia , Branišovská 1760, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Sehadova
- Entomological Institute, Biology Centre ASCR , Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tsubota T, Tomita S, Uchino K, Kimoto M, Takiya S, Kajiwara H, Yamazaki T, Sezutsu H. A Hox Gene, Antennapedia, Regulates Expression of Multiple Major Silk Protein Genes in the Silkworm Bombyx mori. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:7087-96. [PMID: 26814126 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.699819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Hoxgenes play a pivotal role in the determination of anteroposterior axis specificity during bilaterian animal development. They do so by acting as a master control and regulating the expression of genes important for development. Recently, however, we showed that Hoxgenes can also function in terminally differentiated tissue of the lepidopteranBombyx mori In this species,Antennapedia(Antp) regulates expression of sericin-1, a major silk protein gene, in the silk gland. Here, we investigated whether Antpcan regulate expression of multiple genes in this tissue. By means of proteomic, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization analyses, we demonstrate that misexpression of Antpin the posterior silk gland induced ectopic expression of major silk protein genes such assericin-3,fhxh4, and fhxh5 These genes are normally expressed specifically in the middle silk gland as is Antp Therefore, the evidence strongly suggests that Antpactivates these silk protein genes in the middle silk gland. The putativesericin-1 activator complex (middle silk gland-intermolt-specific complex) can bind to the upstream regions of these genes, suggesting that Antpdirectly activates their expression. We also found that the pattern of gene expression was well conserved between B. moriand the wild species Bombyx mandarina, indicating that the gene regulation mechanism identified here is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism and not an artifact of the domestication of B. mori We suggest that Hoxgenes have a role as a master control in terminally differentiated tissues, possibly acting as a primary regulator for a range of physiological processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Tsubota
- From the Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan,
| | - Shuichiro Tomita
- From the Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Keiro Uchino
- From the Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | | | - Shigeharu Takiya
- Graduate School of Life Science and Division of Biological Science and Center for Genome Dynamics, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, North 10, West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan, and
| | - Hideyuki Kajiwara
- Biomolecular Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2-1-2 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Toshimasa Yamazaki
- Biomolecular Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2-1-2 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Hideki Sezutsu
- From the Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan,
| |
Collapse
|