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Lee J, Fujimoto T, Yamaguchi K, Shigenobu S, Sahara K, Toyoda A, Shimada T. W chromosome sequences of two bombycid moths provide an insight into the origin of Fem. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17434. [PMID: 38867501 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17434] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Fem is a W-linked gene that encodes a piRNA precursor, and its product, Fem piRNA, is a master factor of female determination in Bombyx mori. Fem has low similarity to any known sequences, and the origin of Fem remains unclear. So far, two hypotheses have been proposed for the origin of Fem: The first hypothesis is that Fem is an allele of Masc, which assumes that the W chromosome was originally a homologous chromosome of the Z chromosome. The second hypothesis is that Fem arose by the transposition of Masc to the W chromosome. To explore the origin of Fem, we determined the W chromosome sequences of B. mori and, as a comparison, a closely relative bombycid species of Trilocha varians with a Fem-independent sex determination system. To our surprise, although the sequences of W and Z chromosomes show no homology to each other, a few pairs of homologues are shared by W and Z chromosomes, indicating the W chromosome of both species originated from Z chromosome. In addition, the W chromosome of T. varians lacks Fem, while the W chromosome of B. mori has over 100 copies of Fem. The high-quality assembly of the W chromosome of B. mori arose the third hypothesis about the origin of Fem: Fem is a chimeric sequence of multiple transposons. More than half of one transcriptional unit of Fem shows a significant homology to RTE-BovB. Moreover, the Fem piRNA-producing region could correspond to the boundary of the two transposons, gypsy and satellite DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Lee
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Fujimoto
- Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Katsushi Yamaguchi
- Trans-Omics Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- Trans-Omics Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Ken Sahara
- Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, Advanced Genomics Center, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Toru Shimada
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
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2
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Li X, Liu H, Bi H, Wang Y, Xu J, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Zhang Z, Huang Y. Masculinizer gene controls sexual differentiation in Hyphantria cunea. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:405-416. [PMID: 37464965 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
The Masculinizer gene, Masc, encodes a lepidopteran-specific novel CCCH-type zinc finger protein, which controls sex determination and dosage compensation in Bombyx mori. Considering the potential application of it in pest control, it is necessary to investigate the function of Masc gene in Hyphantria cunea, a globally invasive forest pest. In the present study, we identified and functionally characterized the Masc gene, HcMasc, in H. cunea. Sequence analysis revealed that HcMASC contained the conserved CCCH-type zinc finger domain, nuclear localization signal, and male determining domain, in which the last was confirmed to be required for its masculinization in BmN cell line. However, expression data showed that unlike male-biased expression in B. mori, HcMasc gene expresses in main all developmental stages or tissues in both sexes. Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated protein 9-based disruption of the common exons 1 and 3 of the HcMasc gene resulted in imbalanced sex ratio and abnormal external genitalia of both sexes. Our results suggest that the HcMasc gene is required for both male and female sexual differentiation and dosage compensation in H. cunea and provide a foundation for developing better strategies to control this pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Li
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
| | - Huihui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Protection, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, State Forestry Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Honglun Bi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaohui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
| | - Sufang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Protection, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, State Forestry Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Protection, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, State Forestry Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
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Fukui T, Kiuchi T, Tomihara K, Muro T, Matsuda-Imai N, Katsuma S. Expression of the Wolbachia male-killing factor Oscar impairs dosage compensation in lepidopteran embryos. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:331-337. [PMID: 37985236 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14777] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria in insects that can manipulate the sexual development and reproduction by male killing or other methods. We have recently identified a Wolbachia protein named Oscar that acts as a male-killing factor for lepidopteran insects. Oscar interacts with the Masculinizer (Masc) protein, which is required for both masculinization and dosage compensation (DC) in lepidopteran insects. Embryonic expression of Oscar inhibits masculinization and causes male killing in two lepidopteran species, Ostrinia furnacalis and Bombyx mori. However, it remains unknown whether Oscar-induced male killing is caused by a failure of DC. Here, we performed a transcriptome analysis of Oscar complementary RNA-injected O. furnacalis and B. mori embryos, and found that Oscar primarily targets the Masc protein, resulting in male killing by interfering with DC in lepidopteran insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Fukui
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Takashi Kiuchi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Kenta Tomihara
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Muro
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Noriko Matsuda-Imai
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Susumu Katsuma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
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4
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Pospíšilová K, Van't Hof AE, Yoshido A, Kružíková R, Visser S, Zrzavá M, Bobryshava K, Dalíková M, Marec F. Masculinizer gene controls male sex determination in the codling moth, Cydia pomonella. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 160:103991. [PMID: 37536576 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103991] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of sex determination in moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) with female heterogamety (WZ/ZZ) are poorly understood, except in the silkworm Bombyx mori. However, the Masculinizer (Masc) gene that controls male development and dosage compensation in B. mori, appears to be conserved in Lepidoptera, as its masculinizing function was recently confirmed in several moth species. In this work, we investigated the role of the Masc gene in sex determination of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (Tortricidae), a globally important pest of pome fruits and walnuts. The gene structure of the C. pomonella Masc ortholog, CpMasc, is similar to B. mori Masc. However, unlike B. mori, we identified 14 splice variants of CpMasc in the available transcriptomes. Subsequent screening for sex specificity and genetic variation using publicly available data and RT-PCR revealed three male-specific splice variants. Then qPCR analysis of these variants revealed sex-biased expression showing a peak only in early male embryos. Knockdown of CpMasc by RNAi during early embryogenesis resulted in a shift from male-to female-specific splicing of the C. pomonella doublesex (Cpdsx) gene, its downstream effector, in ZZ embryos, leading to a strongly female-biased sex ratio. These data clearly demonstrate that CpMasc functions as a masculinizing gene in the sex-determining cascade of C. pomonella. Our study also showed that CpMasc transcripts are provided maternally, as they were detected in unfertilized eggs after oviposition and in mature eggs dissected from virgin females. This finding is unique, as maternal provision of mRNA has rarely been studied in Lepidoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristýna Pospíšilová
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Arjen E Van't Hof
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Atsuo Yoshido
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Renata Kružíková
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Sander Visser
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; School of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9700 CC, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Magda Zrzavá
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Kseniya Bobryshava
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Martina Dalíková
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
| | - František Marec
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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Luo JY, Shen SQ, Xu HJ, Yang JS, Ma WM. The transcription factor masculinizer in sexual differentiation and achieved full functional sex reversal in prawn. iScience 2023; 26:106968. [PMID: 37534170 PMCID: PMC10391606 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Some Zinc finger (ZnF) proteins are required for masculinization in silkworms. In the present study, a masculinizer gene (Mr-Masc) with multi-tissue expression is identified in the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The Mr-Masc is clustered into a separate branch with ZnF proteins from decapoda by phylogenetic tree analysis. Moreover, Mr-Masc silencing in male postlarvae prawn results in functional sex reversal females known as neo-females, which are applied to all-male monosex offspring breeding. This manipulation has been significant in sexually dimorphic cultured species. In addition, several significantly expressed transcripts are enriched and the effects of crucial signal pathways are focused through the comparative transcriptomic analysis in Mr-Masc gene knockdown. The significantly differentially expressed epidermal growth factor, upregulated low-density lipoprotein receptor, flotillin, and sex-lethal unigenes, downregulated heat shock proteins and forkhead box homologs are focused. The finding offers an innovative perspective on Masc proteins' evolution and physiological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yu Luo
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuai-Qi Shen
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, People’s Republic of China
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai-Jing Xu
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jin-Shu Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen-Ming Ma
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, People’s Republic of China
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Fukui T, Shoji K, Kiuchi T, Suzuki Y, Katsuma S. Masculinizer is not post-transcriptionally regulated by female-specific piRNAs during sex determination in the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 156:103946. [PMID: 37075905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Lepidopteran insects are heterogametic in females, although most insect species are heterogametic in males. In a lepidopteran model species, the silkworm Bombyx mori (Bombycoidea), the uppermost sex determinant Feminizer (Fem) has been identified on the female-specific W chromosome. Fem is a precursor of PIWI-interacting small RNA (piRNA). Fem piRNA forms a complex with Siwi, one of the two B. mori PIWI-clade Argonaute proteins. In female embryos, Fem piRNA-Siwi complex cleaves the mRNA of the male-determining gene Masculinizer (Masc), directing the female-determining pathway. In male embryos, Masc activates the male-determining pathway in the absence of Fem piRNA. Recently, W chromosome-derived piRNAs complementary to Masc mRNA have also been identified in the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (Yponomeutoidea), indicating the convergent evolution of piRNA-dependent sex determination in Lepidoptera. Here, we show that this is not the case in the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Pyraloidea). Although our previous studies demonstrated that O. furnacalis Masc (OfMasc) has a masculinizing function in the embryonic stage, the expression level of OfMasc was indistinguishable between the sexes at the timing of sex determination. Deep sequencing analysis identified no female-specific small RNAs mapped onto OfMasc mRNA. Embryonic knockdown of two PIWI genes did not affect the expression level of OfMasc in either sex. These results demonstrated that piRNA-dependent reduction of Masc mRNA in female embryos is not a common strategy of sex determination, which suggests the possibility of divergent evolution of sex determinants across the order Lepidoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Fukui
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shoji
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
| | - Takashi Kiuchi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Computational Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8581, Japan
| | - Susumu Katsuma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
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Santos D, Feng M, Kolliopoulou A, Taning CNT, Sun J, Swevers L. What Are the Functional Roles of Piwi Proteins and piRNAs in Insects? INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14020187. [PMID: 36835756 PMCID: PMC9962485 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Research on Piwi proteins and piRNAs in insects has focused on three experimental models: oogenesis and spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster, the antiviral response in Aedes mosquitoes and the molecular analysis of primary and secondary piRNA biogenesis in Bombyx mori-derived BmN4 cells. Significant unique and complementary information has been acquired and has led to a greater appreciation of the complexity of piRNA biogenesis and Piwi protein function. Studies performed in other insect species are emerging and promise to add to the current state of the art on the roles of piRNAs and Piwi proteins. Although the primary role of the piRNA pathway is genome defense against transposons, particularly in the germline, recent findings also indicate an expansion of its functions. In this review, an extensive overview is presented of the knowledge of the piRNA pathway that so far has accumulated in insects. Following a presentation of the three major models, data from other insects were also discussed. Finally, the mechanisms for the expansion of the function of the piRNA pathway from transposon control to gene regulation were considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Santos
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Clauvis N. T. Taning
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
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A Wolbachia factor for male killing in lepidopteran insects. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6764. [PMID: 36376299 PMCID: PMC9663696 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34488-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial symbionts, such as Wolbachia species, can manipulate the sexual development and reproduction of their insect hosts. For example, Wolbachia infection induces male-specific death in the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis by targeting the host factor Masculinizer (Masc), an essential protein for masculinization and dosage compensation in lepidopteran insects. Here we identify a Wolbachia protein, designated Oscar, which interacts with Masc via its ankyrin repeats. Embryonic expression of Oscar inhibits Masc-induced masculinization and leads to male killing in two lepidopteran insects, O. furnacalis and the silkworm Bombyx mori. Our study identifies a mechanism by which Wolbachia induce male killing of host progeny.
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9
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Masculinizer and Doublesex as Key Factors Regulate Sexual Dimorphism in Ostrinia furnacalis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142161. [PMID: 35883604 PMCID: PMC9320909 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In animals, sexually dimorphic traits are ubiquitous and play vital roles in reproduction, courtship, and environmental adaptation, especially in insects. In this study, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system to generate somatic mutations of the Masculinizer (Masc) and doublesex (dsx) genes in the sex determination pathway of Ostrinia furnacalis. The OfMasc and Ofdsx genes are structural orthologs of the key sex regulation factors in Bombyx mori. Mutation of the OfMasc and Ofdsx genes induced abnormal external genitalia, adult sterility, and sex reversal of sexually dimorphic traits including wing pigmentation, gene expression patterns, and dsx sex-specific splicing. These results demonstrate that the Masc and dsx genes are conserved factors in sexually dimorphic traits, and therefore represent potential target genes in the effort to control O. furnacalis and other lepidopteran pests. Abstract Sex determination is an important and traditional biological process. In Lepidoptera, Masculinizer (Masc) and doublesex (dsx) are the essential genes for sex determination and play critical roles in sexual differentiation and development. The functions of Masc and dsx have been characterized in several model insect species. However, the molecular mechanism and sex determination functions of Masc and dsx in Ostrinia furnacalis, an agricultural pest, are still unknown. Here, we successfully used the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system to knock out OfMasc and Ofdsx. Mutation of OfMasc induced male external genital defects and sterility. Disruptions of the Ofdsx common region caused sex-specific defects in the external genitals and adult sterility. In addition, we found that OfMasc and Ofdsx can regulate the pigmentation genes that control wing pigmentation patterns. These results demonstrate that OfMasc and Ofdsx play key roles in the sex determination of O. furnacalis, and suggest novel genetic control approaches for the management of pests, including O. furnacalis.
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Kawamoto M, Kiuchi T, Katsuma S. SilkBase: an integrated transcriptomic and genomic database for Bombyx mori and related species. Database (Oxford) 2022; 2022:6603636. [PMID: 35670730 PMCID: PMC9216573 DOI: 10.1093/database/baac040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
We introduce SilkBase as an integrated database for transcriptomic and genomic resources of the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori and related species. SilkBase is the oldest B. mori database that was originally established as the expressed sequence tag database since 1999. Here, we upgraded the database by including the datasets of the newly assembled B. mori complete genome sequence, predicted gene models, bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-end and fosmid-end sequences, complementary DNA (cDNA) reads from 69 libraries, RNA-seq data from 10 libraries, PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) from 13 libraries, ChIP-seq data of 9 histone modifications and HP1 proteins and transcriptome and/or genome data of four B. mori-related species, i.e. Bombyx mandarina, Trilocha varians, Ernolatia moorei and Samia ricini. Our new integrated genome browser easily provides a snapshot of tissue- and stage-specific gene expression, alternative splicing, production of piRNAs and histone modifications at the gene locus of interest. Moreover, SilkBase is useful for performing comparative studies among five closely related lepidopteran insects. Database URL: https://silkbase.ab.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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Affiliation(s)
- Munetaka Kawamoto
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.,Infinity Matrix, Shiohama, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0043, Japan
| | - Takashi Kiuchi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Susumu Katsuma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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11
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Siddall A, Harvey-Samuel T, Chapman T, Leftwich PT. Manipulating Insect Sex Determination Pathways for Genetic Pest Management: Opportunities and Challenges. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:867851. [PMID: 35837548 PMCID: PMC9274970 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.867851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex determination pathways in insects are generally characterised by an upstream primary signal, which is highly variable across species, and that regulates the splicing of a suite of downstream but highly-conserved genes (transformer, doublesex and fruitless). In turn, these downstream genes then regulate the expression of sex-specific characteristics in males and females. Identification of sex determination pathways has and continues to be, a critical component of insect population suppression technologies. For example, "first-generation" transgenic technologies such as fsRIDL (Female-Specific Release of Insects carrying Dominant Lethals) enabled efficient selective removal of females from a target population as a significant improvement on the sterile insect technique (SIT). Second-generation technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 homing gene drives and precision-guided SIT (pgSIT) have used gene editing technologies to manipulate sex determination genes in vivo. The development of future, third-generation control technologies, such as Y-linked drives, (female to male) sex-reversal, or X-shredding, will require additional knowledge of aspects of sexual development, including a deeper understanding of the nature of primary signals and dosage compensation. This review shows how knowledge of sex determination in target pest species is fundamental to all phases of the development of control technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Siddall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Harvey-Samuel
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey Chapman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Philip T Leftwich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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12
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Identification and Characterization of the Masculinizing Function of the Helicoverpa armigera Masc Gene. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168650. [PMID: 34445352 PMCID: PMC8395511 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Masculinizer (Masc) gene has been known to control sex development and dosage compensation in lepidopterans. However, it remains unclear whether its ortholog exists and plays the same roles in distantly related lepidopterans such as Helicoverpa armigera. To address this question, we cloned Masc from H. armigera (HaMasc), which contains all essential functional domains of BmMasc, albeit with less than 30% amino acid sequence identity with BmMasc. Genomic PCR and qPCR analyses showed that HaMasc is a Z chromosome-linked gene since its genomic content in males (ZZ) was two times greater than that in females (ZW). RT-PCR and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that HaMasc expression was sex- and stage-biased, with significantly more transcripts in males and eggs than in females and other stages. Transfection of a mixture of three siRNAs of HaMasc into a male embryonic cell line of H. armigera led to the appearance of female-specific mRNA splicing isoforms of H. armigeradoublesex (Hadsx), a downstream target gene of HaMasc in the H. armigera sex determination pathway. The knockdown of HaMasc, starting from the third instar larvae resulted in a shift of Hadsx splicing from male to female isoforms, smaller male pupa and testes, fewer but larger/longer spermatocytes and sperm bundles, delayed pupation and internal fusion of the testes and follicles. These data demonstrate that HaMasc functions as a masculinizing gene in the H. armigera sex-determination cascade.
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Visser S, Voleníková A, Nguyen P, Verhulst EC, Marec F. A conserved role of the duplicated Masculinizer gene in sex determination of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009420. [PMID: 34339412 PMCID: PMC8360546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex determination in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, is based on Feminizer (Fem), a W-linked Fem piRNA that triggers female development in WZ individuals, and the Z-linked Masculinizer (Masc), which initiates male development and dosage compensation in ZZ individuals. While Fem piRNA is missing in a close relative of B. mori, Masc determines sex in several representatives of distant lepidopteran lineages. We studied the molecular mechanisms of sex determination in the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Pyralidae). We identified an E. kuehniella Masc ortholog, EkMasc, and its paralog resulting from a recent duplication, EkMascB. Both genes are located on the Z chromosome and encode a similar Masc protein that contains two conserved domains but has lost the conserved double zinc finger domain. We developed PCR-based genetic sexing and demonstrated a peak in the expression of EkMasc and EkMascB genes only in early male embryos. Simultaneous knock-down experiments of both EkMasc and EkMascB using RNAi during early embryogenesis led to a shift from male- to female-specific splicing of the E. kuehniella doublesex gene (Ekdsx), their downstream effector, in ZZ embryos and resulted in a strong female-biased sex-ratio. Our results thus confirmed the conserved role of EkMasc and/or EkMascB in masculinization. We suggest that the C-terminal proline-rich domain, we have identified in all functionally confirmed Masc proteins, in conjunction with the masculinizing domain, is important for transcriptional regulation of sex determination in Lepidoptera. The function of the Masc double zinc finger domain is still unknown, but appears to have been lost in E. kuehniella. The sex-determining cascade in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, differs greatly from those of other insects. In B. mori, female development is initiated by Fem piRNA expressed from the W chromosome during early embryogenesis. Fem piRNA silences Masculinizer (Masc) thereby blocking the male pathway resulting in female development. It is currently unknown whether this cascade is conserved across Lepidoptera. In the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella, we identified an ortholog of Masc and discovered its functional duplication on the Z chromosome, which has not yet been found in any other lepidopteran species. We provide two lines of evidence that the EkMasc and/or EkMascB genes play an essential role in masculinization: (i) they show a peak of expression during early embryogenesis in ZZ but not in WZ embryos and (ii) their simultaneous silencing by RNAi results in female-specific splicing of the E. kuehniella doublesex gene (Ekdsx) in ZZ embryos and in a female-biased sex ratio. Our results suggest a conserved role of the duplicated Masc gene in sex determination of E. kuehniella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander Visser
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Voleníková
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Nguyen
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Eveline C. Verhulst
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - František Marec
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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Evolution of sexual development and sexual dimorphism in insects. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 69:129-139. [PMID: 33848958 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Most animal species consist of two distinct sexes. At the morphological, physiological, and behavioral levels the differences between males and females are numerous and dramatic, yet at the genomic level they are often slight or absent. This disconnect is overcome because simple genetic differences or environmental signals are able to direct the sex-specific expression of a shared genome. A canonical picture of how this process works in insects emerged from decades of work on Drosophila. But recent years have seen an explosion of molecular-genetic and developmental work on a broad range of insects. Drawing these studies together, we describe the evolution of sexual dimorphism from a comparative perspective and argue that insect sex determination and differentiation systems are composites of rapidly evolving and highly conserved elements.
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Hirota K, Matsuda-Imai N, Kiuchi T, Katsuma S. Characterization of nuclear localization signal in Ostrinia furnacalis Masculinizer protein. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 106:e21768. [PMID: 33644912 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21768] [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: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bombyx mori Masculinizer protein (BmMasc) is essential for both masculinization and dosage compensation in B. mori. We previously identified a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) of BmMasc and two essential residues (lysine at 274 [K274] and arginine at 275 [R275]) implicated in its function. Sequence comparison showed the presence of putative NLSs in lepidopteran Masc proteins, but their functional properties and critical residues are unknown. Here we characterized a putative NLS of Ostrinia furnacalis Masc (OfMasc) using B. mori ovary-derived BmN-4 cell line. Deletion and alanine scanning mutagenesis revealed that a putative NLS is required for nuclear localization of OfMasc. However, mutations at both K227 and R228, which correspond to K274 and R275 of BmMasc, respectively, do not greatly abolish the NLS activity. Additional mutagenesis analysis revealed that triple mutations at K227, R228, and K240 almost completely inhibited OfMasc nuclear localization. These results suggest that lepidopteran Masc proteins possess a common functional NLS, but the critical residues for its activity are different. Moreover, we examined the masculinizing activity of OfMasc derivatives and found that nuclear localization is not required for the masculinizing activity of OfMasc. The results from our studies indicate that lepidopteran Masc proteins function in the cytoplasm to drive masculinizing cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Hirota
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Matsuda-Imai
- 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
| | - Susumu Katsuma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Yang X, Chen K, Wang Y, Yang D, Huang Y. The Sex Determination Cascade in the Silkworm. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020315. [PMID: 33672402 PMCID: PMC7926724 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In insects, sex determination pathways involve three levels of master regulators: primary signals, which determine the sex; executors, which control sex-specific differentiation of tissues and organs; and transducers, which link the primary signals to the executors. The primary signals differ widely among insect species. In Diptera alone, several unrelated primary sex determiners have been identified. However, the doublesex (dsx) gene is highly conserved as the executor component across multiple insect orders. The transducer level shows an intermediate level of conservation. In many, but not all examined insects, a key transducer role is performed by transformer (tra), which controls sex-specific splicing of dsx. In Lepidoptera, studies of sex determination have focused on the lepidopteran model species Bombyx mori (the silkworm). In B. mori, the primary signal of sex determination cascade starts from Fem, a female-specific PIWI-interacting RNA, and its targeting gene Masc, which is apparently specific to and conserved among Lepidoptera. Tra has not been found in Lepidoptera. Instead, the B. mori PSI protein binds directly to dsx pre-mRNA and regulates its alternative splicing to produce male- and female-specific transcripts. Despite this basic understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex determination, the links among the primary signals, transducers and executors remain largely unknown in Lepidoptera. In this review, we focus on the latest findings regarding the functions and working mechanisms of genes involved in feminization and masculinization in Lepidoptera and discuss directions for future research of sex determination in the silkworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.Y.); (K.C.); (Y.W.); (D.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.Y.); (K.C.); (Y.W.); (D.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yaohui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.Y.); (K.C.); (Y.W.); (D.Y.)
| | - Dehong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.Y.); (K.C.); (Y.W.); (D.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.Y.); (K.C.); (Y.W.); (D.Y.)
- Correspondence:
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Duan J, Li Y, Du J, Duan E, Lei Y, Liang S, Zhang X, Zhao X, Kan Y, Yao L, Yang X, Zhang X, Wu X. A chromosome‐scale genome assembly of
Antheraea pernyi
(Saturniidae, Lepidoptera). Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 20:1372-1383. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Duan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, Henan Engineering Lab of Insects Bio‐reactor College of Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University Nanyang China
| | - Ying Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, Henan Engineering Lab of Insects Bio‐reactor College of Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University Nanyang China
| | - Jie Du
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, Henan Engineering Lab of Insects Bio‐reactor College of Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University Nanyang China
| | - Erzhen Duan
- College of Biological Engineering Henan University of Technology Zhengzhou China
| | - Yuyu Lei
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, Henan Engineering Lab of Insects Bio‐reactor College of Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University Nanyang China
| | - Shimei Liang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, Henan Engineering Lab of Insects Bio‐reactor College of Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University Nanyang China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, Henan Engineering Lab of Insects Bio‐reactor College of Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University Nanyang China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, Henan Engineering Lab of Insects Bio‐reactor College of Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University Nanyang China
| | - Yunchao Kan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, Henan Engineering Lab of Insects Bio‐reactor College of Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University Nanyang China
| | - Lunguang Yao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, Henan Engineering Lab of Insects Bio‐reactor College of Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University Nanyang China
| | - Xinfeng Yang
- Henan Institute of Sericulture Science Zhengzhou China
| | - Xingtan Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Lab of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
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Harvey‐Samuel T, Norman VC, Carter R, Lovett E, Alphey L. Identification and characterization of a Masculinizer homologue in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 29:231-240. [PMID: 31793118 PMCID: PMC7079136 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a novel sex-determination system was identified in the silkworm (Bombyx mori) in which a piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) encoded on the female-specific W chromosome silences a Z-linked gene (Masculinizer) that would otherwise initiate male sex-determination and dosage compensation. Masculinizer provides various opportunities for developing improved genetic pest management tools. A pest lepidopteran in which a genetic pest management system has been developed, but which would benefit greatly from such improved designs, is the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. However, Masculinizer has not yet been identified in this species. Here, focusing on the previously described 'masculinizing' domain of B. mori Masculinizer, we identify P. xylostella Masculinizer (PxyMasc). We show that PxyMasc is Z-linked, regulates sex-specific alternative splicing of doublesex and is necessary for male survival. Similar results in B. mori suggest this survival effect is possibly through failure to initiate male dosage compensation. The highly conserved function and location of this gene between these two distantly related lepidopterans suggests a deep role for Masculinizer in the sex-determination systems of the Lepidoptera.
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Wang YH, Chen XE, Yang Y, Xu J, Fang GQ, Niu CY, Huang YP, Zhan S. The Masc gene product controls masculinization in the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon. INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 26:1037-1044. [PMID: 30088858 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Sex determination has been studied in the model lepidopteran species Bombyx mori, but it remains poorly understood in lepidopteran pests. In the present study, we identified and characterized the Masculinizer (Masc) gene in a Noctuidae pest species, Agrotis ipsilon. Sequence analysis revealed that AiMasc encodes a protein of 658 amino acids that has two CCCH-type zinc finger domains and two conserved cysteine residues (Cys-277 and Cys-280). We assessed the masculinizing activity of AiMasc in BmN cells and found that AiMasc induced expression of the male-specific doublesex isoform. Disruption of Masc via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) in A. ipsilon caused abnormalities in abdominal segments and external genitalia, resulting in male-specific sterility. These results suggest that Masc participates in the process of sex determination in A. ipsilon. Successful identification of sex-determination gene in a pest species may enable the development of novel genetic approaches for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Hui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi-En Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang-Qi Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang-Ying Niu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong-Ping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Zhan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, China
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Activity and inactivity of moth sex chromosomes in somatic and meiotic cells. Chromosoma 2019; 128:533-545. [PMID: 31410566 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-019-00722-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) are the most species-rich group of animals with female heterogamety, females mostly having a WZ, males a ZZ sex chromosome constitution. We studied chromatin conformation, activity, and inactivity of the sex chromosomes in the flour moth Ephestia kuehniella and the silkworm Bombyx mori, using immunostaining with anti-H3K9me2/3, anti-RNA polymerase II, and fluoro-uridine (FU) labelling of nascent transcripts, with conventional widefield fluorescence microscopy and 'spatial structured illumination microscopy' (3D-SIM). The Z chromosome is euchromatic in somatic cells and throughout meiosis. It is transcriptionally active in somatic cells and in the postpachaytene stage of meiosis. The W chromosome in contrast is heterochromatic in somatic cells as well as in meiotic cells at pachytene, but euchromatic and transcriptionally active like all other chromosomes at postpachytene. As the W chromosomes are apparently devoid of protein-coding genes, their transcripts must be non-coding. We found no indication of 'meiotic sex chromosome inactivation' (MSCI) in the two species.
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A Novel Splice Variant of the Masculinizing Gene Masc with piRNA-Cleavage-Site Defect Functions in Female External Genital Development in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9080318. [PMID: 31366115 PMCID: PMC6723575 DOI: 10.3390/biom9080318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In the silkworm, the sex-determination primary signal Fem controls sex differentiation by specific binding of Fem-derived piRNA to the cleavage site in Masc mRNA, thus inhibiting Masc protein production in the female. In this study, we identified a novel splicing isoform of Masc, named Masc-S, which lacks the intact sequence of the cleavage site, encoding a C-terminal truncated protein. Results of RT-PCR showed that Masc-S was expressed in both sexes. Over-expression of Masc-S and Masc in female-specific cell lines showed that Masc-S could be translated against the Fem-piRNA cut. By RNA-protein pull-down, LC/MS/MS, and EMSA, we identified a protein BmEXU that specifically binds to an exclusive RNA sequence in Masc compared to Masc-S. Knockdown of Masc-S resulted in abnormal morphology in female external genital and increased expression of the Hox gene Abd-B, which similarly occurred by Bmexu RNAi. These results suggest that the splice variant Masc-S against Fem-piRNA plays an important role in female external genital development, of which function is opposite to that of full-length Masc. Our study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanism of sex determination in the silkworm.
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Katsuma S, Shoji K, Sugano Y, Suzuki Y, Kiuchi T. Masc-induced dosage compensation in silkworm cultured cells. FEBS Open Bio 2019; 9:1573-1579. [PMID: 31294930 PMCID: PMC6722886 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Masculinizer (Masc) gene encodes a CCCH‐tandem zinc finger protein that controls both masculinization and dosage compensation in the silkworm Bombyx mori. We previously measured the masculinizing activity of the lepidopteran Masc proteins using B. mori ovary‐derived cell line BmN‐4. Here, we established an RNA‐seq data‐based assay system in which the level of B. mori Masc (BmMasc)‐induced dosage compensation can be estimated in BmN‐4 cells. Using this system, we found that a cysteine residue at position 301, which was shown to be essential for the masculinizing activity of BmMasc, is also required for dosage compensation. We further investigated the relationships between Masc‐induced cell growth inhibition, masculinizing activity, and the level of dosage compensation, using Masc genes from three lepidopteran insects. In summary, we have established a cell‐based system to monitor levels of Masc‐induced dosage compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Katsuma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shoji
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Agrobiology and Bioresources, School of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Japan
| | - Yudai Sugano
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takashi Kiuchi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
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Kiuchi T, Sugano Y, Shimada T, Katsuma S. Two CCCH-type zinc finger domains in the Masc protein are dispensable for masculinization and dosage compensation in Bombyx mori. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 104:30-38. [PMID: 30529581 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Masculinizer (Masc) gene encodes a novel lepidopteran-specific protein that controls both masculinization and dosage compensation in the silkworm Bombyx mori. The Masc protein possesses two CCCH-type zinc finger domains (ZFs), a nuclear localization signal, and an 11-amino-acid region that is highly conserved among lepidopteran insects. Using a cell-based assay system, we revealed that two cysteine residues localized in the conserved region, but not ZFs, are required for masculinization. In addition, nuclear localization of the Masc protein is not associated with masculinizing activity. Because dosage compensation is considered to occur in the nucleus, we inferred that the two ZFs play a role in the establishment of dosage compensation. To investigate this hypothesis at the organism level, we utilized the CRISPR/Cas9 system and established three B. mori strains whose Masc is partially deleted at different regions. The strain lacking the 210 C-terminal amino acids of the Masc protein showed male-specific embryonic lethality due to its low abundance and/or instability. The male embryos of this strain expressed the female-type splice variants of B. mori doublesex and did not express the male-type mRNA of B. mori IGF-II mRNA-binding protein. Furthermore, mRNA levels of Z-linked genes were abnormally enhanced only in male embryos. In contrast, the strain lacking both ZFs grew normally and did not show any defective phenotypes including sexual differentiation and the expression of Z-linked genes, demonstrating that the two CCCH-type ZFs, which are conserved in lepidopteran Masc homologs, are dispensable for masculinization and dosage compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kiuchi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
| | - Yudai Sugano
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Toru Shimada
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Susumu Katsuma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
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In vivo masculinizing function of the Ostrinia furnacalis Masculinizer gene. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:1768-1772. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.07.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Li DR, Ye HL, Yang JS, Yang F, Wang MR, De Vos S, Vuylsteke M, Sorgeloos P, Van Stappen G, Bossier P, Yang WJ. Identification and characterization of a Masculinizer (Masc) gene involved in sex differentiation in Artemia. Gene 2017; 614:56-64. [PMID: 28300613 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The sex of relatively primitive animals such as invertebrates is mostly determined by environmental factors and chromosome ploidy. Heteromorphic chromosomes may also play an important role, as in the ZW system in lepidopterans. However, the mechanisms of these various sex determination systems are still largely undefined. In the present study, a Masculinizer gene (Ar-Masc) was identified in the crustacean Artemia franciscana Kellogg 1906. Sequence analysis revealed that the 1140-bp full-length open reading frame of Ar-Masc encodes a 380-aa protein containing two CCCH-type zinc finger domains having a high degree of shared identities with the MASC protein characterized in the silkworm Bombyx mori, which has been determined to participate in the production of male-specific splice variants. Furthermore, although Ar-Masc could be detected in almost all stages in both sexual and parthenogenetic Artemia, there were significant variations in expression between these two reproductive modes. Firstly, qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that levels of both Ar-Masc mRNA and protein in sexual nauplii were much higher than in parthenogenetic nauplii throughout the hatching process. Secondly, both sexual and parthenogenetic Artemia had decreased levels of Ar-Masc along with the embryonic developmental stages, while the sexual ones had a relatively higher and more stable expression than those of parthenogenetic ones. Thirdly, immunofluorescence analysis determined that sexual individuals had higher levels of Ar-MASC protein than parthenogenetic individuals during embryonic development. Lastly, RNA interference with dsRNA showed that gene silencing of Ar-Masc in sexual A. franciscana caused the female-male ratio of progeny to be 2.19:1. These data suggest that Ar-Masc participates in the process of sex determination in A. franciscana, and provide insight into the evolution of sex determination in sexual organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Rui Li
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Li Ye
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Shu Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Mo-Ran Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, Department of Fisheries Science, Tianjin Agricultural University, People's Republic of China
| | - Stephanie De Vos
- Laboratory of Aquaculture &Artemia Reference center, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Marnik Vuylsteke
- Laboratory of Aquaculture &Artemia Reference center, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Patrick Sorgeloos
- Laboratory of Aquaculture &Artemia Reference center, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Gilbert Van Stappen
- Laboratory of Aquaculture &Artemia Reference center, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Peter Bossier
- Laboratory of Aquaculture &Artemia Reference center, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Wei-Jun Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
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Sakai H, Sumitani M, Chikami Y, Yahata K, Uchino K, Kiuchi T, Katsuma S, Aoki F, Sezutsu H, Suzuki MG. Transgenic Expression of the piRNA-Resistant Masculinizer Gene Induces Female-Specific Lethality and Partial Female-to-Male Sex Reversal in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006203. [PMID: 27579676 PMCID: PMC5007099 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In Bombyx mori (B. mori), Fem piRNA originates from the W chromosome and is responsible for femaleness. The Fem piRNA-PIWI complex targets and cleaves mRNAs transcribed from the Masc gene. Masc encodes a novel CCCH type zinc-finger protein and is required for male-specific splicing of B. mori doublesex (Bmdsx) transcripts. In the present study, several silkworm strains carrying a transgene, which encodes a Fem piRNA-resistant Masc mRNA (Masc-R), were generated. Forced expression of the Masc-R transgene caused female-specific lethality during the larval stages. One of the Masc-R strains weakly expressed Masc-R in various tissues. Females heterozygous for the transgene expressed male-specific isoform of the Bombyx homolog of insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein (ImpM) and Bmdsx. All examined females showed a lower inducibility of vitellogenin synthesis and exhibited abnormalities in the ovaries. Testis-like tissues were observed in abnormal ovaries and, notably, the tissues contained considerable numbers of sperm bundles. Homozygous expression of the transgene resulted in formation of the male-specific abdominal segment in adult females and caused partial male differentiation in female genitalia. These results strongly suggest that Masc is an important regulatory gene of maleness in B. mori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Sakai
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Megumi Sumitani
- Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Chikami
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Kensuke Yahata
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Keiro Uchino
- Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Takashi Kiuchi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Susumu Katsuma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Fugaku Aoki
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Hideki Sezutsu
- Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Masataka G. Suzuki
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
- * E-mail:
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27
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Sugano Y, Kokusho R, Ueda M, Fujimoto M, Tsutsumi N, Shimada T, Kiuchi T, Katsuma S. Identification of a bipartite nuclear localization signal in the silkworm Masc protein. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:2256-61. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yudai Sugano
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences; The University of Tokyo; Japan
| | - Ryuhei Kokusho
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences; The University of Tokyo; Japan
| | - Masamichi Ueda
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences; The University of Tokyo; Japan
| | - Masaru Fujimoto
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences; The University of Tokyo; Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Tsutsumi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences; The University of Tokyo; Japan
| | - Toru Shimada
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences; The University of Tokyo; Japan
| | - Takashi Kiuchi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences; The University of Tokyo; Japan
| | - Susumu Katsuma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences; The University of Tokyo; Japan
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28
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Katsuma S, Sugano Y, Kiuchi T, Shimada T. Two Conserved Cysteine Residues Are Required for the Masculinizing Activity of the Silkworm Masc Protein. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:26114-24. [PMID: 26342076 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.685362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently discovered that the Masculinizer (Masc) gene encodes a CCCH tandem zinc finger protein, which controls both masculinization and dosage compensation in the silkworm Bombyx mori. In this study, we attempted to identify functional regions or residues that are required for the masculinizing activity of the Masc protein. We constructed a series of plasmids that expressed the Masc derivatives and transfected them into a B. mori ovary-derived cell line, BmN-4. To assess the masculinizing activity of the Masc derivatives, we investigated the splicing patterns of B. mori doublesex (Bmdsx) and the expression levels of B. mori IGF-II mRNA-binding protein, a splicing regulator of Bmdsx, in Masc cDNA-transfected BmN-4 cells. We found that two zinc finger domains are not required for the masculinizing activity. We also identified that the C-terminal 288 amino acid residues are sufficient for the masculinizing activity of the Masc protein. Further detailed analyses revealed that two cysteine residues, Cys-301 and Cys-304, in the highly conserved region among lepidopteran Masc proteins are essential for the masculinizing activity in BmN-4 cells. Finally, we showed that Masc is a nuclear protein, but its nuclear localization is not tightly associated with the masculinizing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Katsuma
- From the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yudai Sugano
- From the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Takashi Kiuchi
- From the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Toru Shimada
- From the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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