1
|
Campli G, Volovych O, Kim K, Veldsman WP, Drage HB, Sheizaf I, Lynch S, Chipman AD, Daley AC, Robinson-Rechavi M, Waterhouse RM. The moulting arthropod: a complete genetic toolkit review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39039636 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Exoskeletons are a defining character of all arthropods that provide physical support for their segmented bodies and appendages as well as protection from the environment and predation. This ubiquitous yet evolutionarily variable feature has been instrumental in facilitating the adoption of a variety of lifestyles and the exploitation of ecological niches across all environments. Throughout the radiation that produced the more than one million described modern species, adaptability afforded by segmentation and exoskeletons has led to a diversity that is unrivalled amongst animals. However, because of the limited extensibility of exoskeleton chitin and cuticle components, they must be periodically shed and replaced with new larger ones, notably to accommodate the growing individuals encased within. Therefore, arthropods grow discontinuously by undergoing periodic moulting events, which follow a series of steps from the preparatory pre-moult phase to ecdysis itself and post-moult maturation of new exoskeletons. Each event represents a particularly vulnerable period in an arthropod's life cycle, so processes must be tightly regulated and meticulously executed to ensure successful transitions for normal growth and development. Decades of research in representative arthropods provide a foundation of understanding of the mechanisms involved. Building on this, studies continue to develop and test hypotheses on the presence and function of molecular components, including neuropeptides, hormones, and receptors, as well as the so-called early, late, and fate genes, across arthropod diversity. Here, we review the literature to develop a comprehensive overview of the status of accumulated knowledge of the genetic toolkit governing arthropod moulting. From biosynthesis and regulation of ecdysteroid and sesquiterpenoid hormones, to factors involved in hormonal stimulation responses and exoskeleton remodelling, we identify commonalities and differences, as well as highlighting major knowledge gaps, across arthropod groups. We examine the available evidence supporting current models of how components operate together to prepare for, execute, and recover from ecdysis, comparing reports from Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea, and Hexapoda. Evidence is generally highly taxonomically imbalanced, with most reports based on insect study systems. Biases are also evident in research on different moulting phases and processes, with the early triggers and late effectors generally being the least well explored. Our synthesis contrasts knowledge based on reported observations with reasonably plausible assumptions given current taxonomic sampling, and exposes weak assumptions or major gaps that need addressing. Encouragingly, advances in genomics are driving a diversification of tractable study systems by facilitating the cataloguing of putative genetic toolkits in previously under-explored taxa. Analysis of genome and transcriptome data supported by experimental investigations have validated the presence of an "ultra-conserved" core of arthropod genes involved in moulting processes. The molecular machinery has likely evolved with elaborations on this conserved pathway backbone, but more taxonomic exploration is needed to characterise lineage-specific changes and novelties. Furthermore, linking these to transformative innovations in moulting processes across Arthropoda remains hampered by knowledge gaps and hypotheses based on untested assumptions. Promisingly however, emerging from the synthesis is a framework that highlights research avenues from the underlying genetics to the dynamic molecular biology through to the complex physiology of moulting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Campli
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, Bâtiment Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Bâtiment Amphipôle, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Olga Volovych
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus - Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Kenneth Kim
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, Bâtiment Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Bâtiment Amphipôle, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Werner P Veldsman
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, Bâtiment Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Bâtiment Amphipôle, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Harriet B Drage
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Quartier UNIL-Mouline, Bâtiment Géopolis, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Idan Sheizaf
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus - Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Sinéad Lynch
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Quartier UNIL-Mouline, Bâtiment Géopolis, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Ariel D Chipman
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus - Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Allison C Daley
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Quartier UNIL-Mouline, Bâtiment Géopolis, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Marc Robinson-Rechavi
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, Bâtiment Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Bâtiment Amphipôle, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Robert M Waterhouse
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, Bâtiment Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Bâtiment Amphipôle, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen ZZ, Wang X, Kong X, Zhao YM, Xu MH, Gao YQ, Huang HY, Liu FH, Wang S, Xu YY, Kang ZW. Quantitative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses reveal the potential maintenance mechanism of female adult reproductive diapause in Chrysoperla nipponensis. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1897-1911. [PMID: 36683402 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The green lacewing Chrysoperla nipponensis is an important natural enemy of many insect pests and exhibits reproductive diapause to overwinter. Our previous studies showed that adult C. nipponensis enters reproductive diapause under a short-day photoperiod. However, the molecular mechanism underlying diapause maintenance in C. nipponensis is still unknown. RESULTS The total lipid and triglyceride content showed the reservation and degradation of energy during diapause in C. nipponensis. Thus, we performed combined transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of female reproductive diapause in C. nipponensis at three ecophysiological phases (initiation, maintenance and termination). A total of 64 388 unigenes and 5532 proteins were identified from the transcriptome and proteome. In-depth dissection of the gene-expression dynamics revealed that differentially expressed genes and proteins were predominately involved in the lipid and carbohydrate metabolic pathways, in particular fatty acid metabolism, metabolic pathways and the citrate cycle. Among of these genes, TIM, CLK, JHAMT2, PMK, HMGS, HMGR, FKBP39, Kr-h1, Phm, ECR, IR1, ILP3, ILP4, mTOR, ACC, LSD1 and LSD2 were differentially expressed in diapause and non-diapause female adults of C. nipponensis. The expression patterns of these genes were consistent with the occurrence of vitellogenesis and expression of either Vg or VgR. CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that diapause adult C. nipponensis accumulate energy resources to overwinter. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses suggested candidate key genes involved in the maintenance of C. nipponensis during adult reproductive diapause. Taken together, these results provide in-depth knowledge to understand the maintenance mechanism of C. nipponensis during adult reproductive diapause. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Zhen Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Xue Kong
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Yue-Ming Zhao
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Ming-Hui Xu
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Yu-Qing Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Hai-Yi Huang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Fang-Hua Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Su Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Yu Xu
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Kang
- School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gu SH, Chen CH, Lin PL. Changes in expressions of ecdysteroidogenic enzyme and ecdysteroid signaling genes in relation to Bombyx embryonic development. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2021; 335:477-488. [PMID: 33929096 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although the role of ecdysteroids in regulating egg diapause process in Bombyx mori is well documented, temporal changes in expression levels of genes involved in ecdysteroid biosynthesis and its downstream signaling are less well understood. In the present study, we studied changes in expression levels of genes involved in ecdysteroid biosynthesis and its downstream signaling during embryonic development of B. mori. Results showed that in diapause eggs, the expression of ecdysteroid-phosphate phosphatase (EPPase) gene and Halloween genes (Spook [Spo] and Shade [Shd]) remained at very low levels. However, in eggs whose diapause initiation was prevented by HCl, significant increases in the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of EPPase, Spo, and Shd were detected during embryonic development. Other Halloween genes (Neverland [Nvd] and Phantom [Phm]) also showed different changes between diapause and HCl-treated eggs. However, genes of Disembodied (Dib) and Shadow (Sad) showed similar changes in both diapause and HCl-treated eggs. We further investigated changes in expression levels of ecdysone receptor genes (EcRA, EcRB1, and USP) and downstream signaling genes (E75A, E75B, E74A, E74B, Br-C, HR3, HR4, KR-H1, and FTZ-F1). Results showed that genes of EcRA and the other nuclear receptors (E75A, E75B, E74A, HR3, HR4, KR-H1, and FTZ-F1) exhibited significant differential patterns between diapause and HCl-treated eggs, with increased levels being detected during later stages of embryonic development in HCl-treated eggs. Differential temporal changes in expressions of genes involved ecdysteroid biosynthesis and its downstream signaling found between diapause and HCl-treated eggs were further confirmed using nondiapause eggs. Our results showed that nondiapause eggs exhibited the same changing patterns as those in HCl-treated eggs, thus clearly indicating potential correlations between expressions of these genes and embryonic development in B. mori. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report to study the transcriptional regulation of ecdysteroidogenic and ecdysteroid signaling genes, thus providing useful information for a clearer understanding of insect egg diapause mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Hong Gu
- Department of Biology, National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chien-Hung Chen
- Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Ling Lin
- Department of Biology, National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhu J, Chen YR, Geng T, Tang SM, Zhao QL, Shen XJ. A 14-amino acids deletion in BmShadow results to non-moult on the 2nd instar in the bivoltine silkworm, Bombyx mori. Gene 2021; 777:145450. [PMID: 33516793 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145450] [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: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Bombyx mori Shadow gene (BmShadow) belongs to the superfamily of cytochrome P450 genes. To elucidate the function of the BmShadow gene and its association with diapause, we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system to knock out the BmShadow gene in the bivoltine strain Qiufeng. The mutant (BmShadow-/-) was obtained in G2, exhibiting a 42-base deletion corresponded exactly to the amino acids regions from positions 155 to 168. The larvae of BmShadow-/- cannot moult at the pre-moulting stage of the 2nd instar. When the BmShadow-/- larvae were fed with 20E analogue at the late stage of the 2nd instar, they were rescued and developed into the 3rd instar. Rescue experiments indicated that the 20E concentration of BmShadow-/- larvae was significantly lower than that in WT larvae, and the 20E concentration of BmShadow-/- larvae which fed 20E analogue was restored to normal levels. Interestingly, the BmShadow-/- larvae could not moult on the 1st instar when they hatched from eggs after being stored at 5 °C for 40 days or after hibernation, suggesting that the 20E transported from the mother was partially consumed in the diapause maintenance phase. Our study confirmed that BmShadow is involved in 20E synthesis and a 14-amino acids region from position 155 to 168 was essential for its function, also there appears to be no other compensation pathway in vivo, which offered an important potential target locus for the control of silkworm development and the biological control of agricultural and forestry pests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericutural Biology and Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212018, China; Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212018, China
| | | | - Tao Geng
- Environmental and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, Hainan 571101, China
| | - Shun-Ming Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericutural Biology and Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212018, China; Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Qiao-Ling Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericutural Biology and Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212018, China; Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Xing-Jia Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericutural Biology and Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212018, China; Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212018, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou X, Ye YZ, Ogihara MH, Takeshima M, Fujinaga D, Liu CW, Zhu Z, Kataoka H, Bao YY. Functional analysis of ecdysteroid biosynthetic enzymes of the rice planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 123:103428. [PMID: 32553573 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ecdysteroids, insect steroid hormones, play key roles in regulating insect development and reproduction. Hemipteran insects require ecdysteroids for egg production; however, ecdysteroid synthesis (ecdysteroidogenesis) details have not been elucidated. We identified all known genes encoding ecdysteroidogenic enzymes in Nilaparvata lugens and clarified their necessity during nymphal and ovarian development. We confirmed that N. lugens utilized 20-hydroxyecdysone as an active hormone. Assays using heterologous expression of enzymes in Drosophila S2 cells showed conserved functions of enzymes Neverland, CYP306A2, CYP314A1 and CYP315A1, but not CYP302A1. RNA interference and rescue analysis using 20-hydroxyecdysone demonstrated that most of the genes were necessary for nymphal development. The identified N. lugens enzymes showed conserved functions and pathways for ecdysteroidogenesis. Knockdown of ecdysteroidogenic enzyme genes in newly molted females caused failure of egg production: less vitellogenic and mature eggs in ovaries, fewer laid eggs and embryonic development deficiency of laid eggs. Considering the high expressions of ecdysteroidogenic enzyme genes in adults and ovaries, ecdysteroidogenesis in ovaries was critical for N. lugens ovarian development. Our study presents initial evidence that hemipteran insects require ecdysteroidogenesis for ovarian development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Ye
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduated School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Mari H Ogihara
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduated School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 277-8562, Japan; Present Address: Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 2 Ikenodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0901, Japan
| | - Mika Takeshima
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduated School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Daiki Fujinaga
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduated School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Cheng-Wen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhen Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduated School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kataoka
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduated School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 277-8562, Japan.
| | - Yan-Yuan Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li B, Li M, Wu J, Xu X. Transcriptomic analysis of differentially expressed genes in the oriental armyworm Mythimna separata Walker at different temperatures. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2019; 30:186-195. [PMID: 30889494 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2019.01.011] [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: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The oriental armyworm Mythimna separata Walker is a serious migratory and polyphagous pest that damages major crops and some pastures from the family Gramineae. Temperature is a crucial abiotic factor that affects its survival, development and reproduction, but the thermal responses of this moth at the molecular level are largely unknown. In this research, we sequenced the transcriptomes of oriental armyworms that were reared at three temperatures (20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C) using an Illumina high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) method. We obtained 54.0 Gb of clean reads and 113,396 transcripts. From a total of 46,681 unigenes identified, 22,911 were annotated to the non-redundant (NR) database. We identified 333 downregulated and 1588 upregulated genes in 20 °C versus 25 °C, and 1096 downregulated and 875 upregulated genes at 30 °C versus 25 °C by differential expression of genes (DEGs). GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analyses revealed several functional terms related to carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, and xenobiotics metabolism. DEGs involved in glycolysis, the citrate cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and the composition of myofilaments were significantly downregulated, while most heat shock protein genes (HSPs) and genes in the ubiquitin-mediated proteasome pathway were upregulated at 30 °C. Many cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes (CYPs) in clan 3 were upregulated at 20 °C, while two genes involved in ecdysteroid biosynthesis, CYP302A1 and CYP315A1, were upregulated at 30 °C. These data may improve the understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms involved in the thermal responses of M. separata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boliao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, No. 3 Taicheng Road, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Meimei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, No. 3 Taicheng Road, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Junxiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, No. 3 Taicheng Road, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiangli Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, No. 3 Taicheng Road, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cooperative Control of Ecdysone Biosynthesis in Drosophila by Transcription Factors Séance, Ouija Board, and Molting Defective. Genetics 2017; 208:605-622. [PMID: 29187506 PMCID: PMC5788525 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.300268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecdysteroids are steroid hormones that control many aspects of development and physiology. During larval development, ecdysone is synthesized in an endocrine organ called the prothoracic gland through a series of ecdysteroidogenic enzymes encoded by the Halloween genes. The expression of the Halloween genes is highly restricted and dynamic, indicating that their spatiotemporal regulation is mediated by their tight transcriptional control. In this study, we report that three zinc finger-associated domain (ZAD)-C2H2 zinc finger transcription factors—Séance (Séan), Ouija board (Ouib), and Molting defective (Mld)—cooperatively control ecdysone biosynthesis in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Séan and Ouib act in cooperation with Mld to positively regulate the transcription of neverland and spookier, respectively, two Halloween genes. Remarkably, loss-of-function mutations in séan, ouib, or mld can be rescued by the expression of neverland, spookier, or both, respectively. These results suggest that the three transcription factors have distinct roles in coordinating the expression of just two genes in Drosophila. Given that neverland and spookier are located in constitutive heterochromatin, Séan, Ouib, and Mld represent the first example of a transcription factor subset that regulates genes located in constitutive heterochromatin.
Collapse
|