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Bai Y, Lv YN, Zeng M, Yan ZY, Huang DY, Wen JZ, Lu HN, Zhang PY, Wang YF, Ban N, Yuan DW, Li S, Luan YX. E93 is indispensable for reproduction in ametabolous and hemimetabolous insects. Development 2024; 151:dev202518. [PMID: 38646855 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202518] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Ecdysone-induced protein 93 (E93), known as the 'adult-specifier' transcription factor in insects, triggers metamorphosis in both hemimetabolous and holometabolous insects. Although E93 is conserved in ametabolous insects, its spatiotemporal expression and physiological function remain poorly understood. In this study, we first discover that, in the ametabolous firebrat Thermobia domestica, the previtellogenic ovary exhibits cyclically high E93 expression, and E93 mRNA is broadly distributed in previtellogenic ovarioles. E93 homozygous mutant females of T. domestica exhibit severe fecundity deficiency due to impaired previtellogenic development of the ovarian follicles, likely because E93 induces the expression of genes involved in ECM (extracellular matrix)-receptor interactions during previtellogenesis. Moreover, we reveal that in the hemimetabolous cockroach Blattella germanica, E93 similarly promotes previtellogenic ovarian development. In addition, E93 is also essential for vitellogenesis that is necessary to guarantee ovarian maturation and promotes the vitellogenesis-previtellogenesis switch in the fat body of adult female cockroaches. Our findings deepen the understanding of the roles of E93 in controlling reproduction in insects, and of E93 expression and functional evolution, which are proposed to have made crucial contributions to the origin of insect metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514000, China
| | - Ya-Nan Lv
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Mei Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Zi-Yu Yan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Dan-Yan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jia-Zhen Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Hu-Na Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Pei-Yan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yi-Fan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Ning Ban
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Dong-Wei Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514000, China
| | - Yun-Xia Luan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Development Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou 514000, China
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Cao MH, Zou MM, Liu LL, Dong SJ, Huang MQ, Zheng JH, Li RN, Cui JD, Peng L. Sast1-mediated manifold effects inhibit Plutella xylostella fertility. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:2596-2609. [PMID: 38252701 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7966] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) is a destructive pest of cruciferous crops due to its strong reproductive capacity and extensive resistance to pesticides. Seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) are the main effective factors that determine the reproductive physiology and behaviour of both sexes. Although an increasing number of SFPs have been identified, the effects of astacins in SFPs on agricultural pests have not yet been reported. Here, we elucidated the mechanisms by which Sast1 (seminal astacin 1) regulates the fertility of Plutella xylostella (L.). RESULTS PxSast1 was specifically expressed in the testis and accesssory gland. CRISPR/Cas9-induced PxSast1 knockout successfully constructed two homozygous mutant strains. Sast1 impaired the fertility of P. xylostella by separately regulating the reproductive capacity of males and females. Loss of PxSast1, on the one hand, significantly decreased the ability of males to mate and fertilize, mainly manifested as shortened mating duration, reduced mating competitiveness and decreased eupyrene sperm production; on the other hand, it significantly inhibited the expression of chorion genes in females, resulting in oogenesis deficits. Simultaneously, for mated females, the differentially expressed genes in signalling pathways related to oogenesis and chorion formation were significantly enriched after PxSast1 knockout. CONCLUSION These analyses of the functions of PxSast1 as the regulator of spermatogenesis and oogenesis establish its importance in the fertility process of P. xylostella, as well as its potential as a promising target for genetic regulation-based pest control. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Hui Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ming-Min Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Li-Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shi-Jie Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Meng-Qi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jun-Hao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ruo-Nan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jin-Dong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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Le ZJ, Ma LX, Zhou YF, Xu KK, Li C, Yang WJ. Functional analysis of nuclear receptor genes in molting and metamorphosis of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132459. [PMID: 38763254 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-regulated transcription factors that are important for the normal growth and development of insects. However, systematic function analysis of NRs in the molting process of Lasioderma serricorne has not been reported. In this study, we identified and characterized 16 NR genes from L. serricorne. Spatiotemporal expression analysis revealed that six NRs were mainly expressed in 3-d-old 4th-instar larvae; five NRs were primarily expressed in 5-d-old adults and four NRs were predominately expressed in prepupae. All the NRs were highly expressed in epidermis, fat body and foregut. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments revealed that knockdown of 15 NRs disrupted the larva-pupa-adult transitions and caused 64.44-100 % mortality. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that depletion of 12 NRs prevented the formation of new cuticle and disrupted apolysis of old cuticle. Silencing of LsHR96, LsSVP and LsE78 led to newly formed cuticle that was thinner than the controls. The 20E titer and chitin content significantly decreased by 17.67-95.12 % after 15 NR dsRNA injection and the gene expression levels of 20E synthesis genes and chitin metabolism genes were significantly reduced. These results demonstrated that 15 NR genes are essential for normal molting and metamorphosis of L. serricorne by regulating 20E synthesis and chitin metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Jun Le
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management of Invasive Alien Species in Guizhou Education Department, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang 550005, China
| | - Li-Xin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management of Invasive Alien Species in Guizhou Education Department, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang 550005, China
| | - Yang-Fan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management of Invasive Alien Species in Guizhou Education Department, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang 550005, China
| | - Kang-Kang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management of Invasive Alien Species in Guizhou Education Department, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang 550005, China
| | - Can Li
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management of Invasive Alien Species in Guizhou Education Department, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang 550005, China
| | - Wen-Jia Yang
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management of Invasive Alien Species in Guizhou Education Department, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang 550005, China.
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Wang CX, Bao HQ, Yan ZC, Wang J, Wang S, Li YX. Knockdown of vitellogenin receptor based on minute insect RNA interference methods affects the initial mature egg load in the pest natural enemy Trichogramma dendrolimi. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38783625 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) plays a crucial role in oogenesis by mediating endocytosis of vitellogenin and a portion of the yolk proteins in many insect species. However, the function of VgR in minute parasitoid wasps is largely unknown. Here, we applied Trichogramma dendrolimi, a minute egg parasitoid, as a study model to investigate the function of VgR in parasitoids. We developed RNA interference (RNAi) methods based on microinjection of prepupae in T. dendrolimi. RNAi employs nanomaterial branched amphipathic peptide capsules (BAPC) as a carrier for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), significantly enhancing delivery efficiency. Also, artificial hosts without medium were used to culture the injected prepupae in vitro. Utilizing these methods, we found that ovarian growth was disrupted after knockdown of TdVgR, as manifested by the suppressed development of the ovariole and the inhibition of nurse cell internalization by oocytes. Also, the initial mature egg load in the ovary was significantly reduced. Notably, the parasitic capacity of the female adult with ovarian dysplasia was significantly decreased, possibly resulting from the low availability of mature eggs. Moreover, ovarian dysplasia in T. dendrolimi caused by VgR deficiency are conserved despite feeding on different hosts. The results confirmed a critical role of TdVgR in the reproductive ability of T. dendrolimi and provided a reference for gene functional studies in minute insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Xing Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui-Qiao Bao
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Chao Yan
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Su Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan-Xi Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Zhang XQ, Jin L, Guo WC, Fu KY, Li GQ. RNA Interference-Mediated Suppression of Ecdysone Signaling Inhibits Choriogenesis in Two Coleoptera Species. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4555. [PMID: 38674140 PMCID: PMC11050585 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
During choriogenesis in insects, chorion (eggshell) is formed by surrounding follicular epithelial cells in ovarioles. However, the regulatory endocrine factor(s) activating choriogenesis and the effect of chemical components on eggshell deserve further exploration. In two representative coleopterans, a coccinellid Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata and a chrysomelid Leptinotarsa decemlineata, genes encoding the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) receptor heterodimer, ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP), and two chitin biosynthesis enzymes UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP) and chitin synthase (ChS1), were highly expressed in ovaries of the young females. RNA interference (RNAi)-aided knockdown of either HvEcR or Hvusp in H. vigintioctopunctata inhibited oviposition, suppressed the expression of HvChS1, and lessened the positive signal of Calcofluor staining on the chorions, which suggests the reduction of a chitin-like substance (CLS) deposited on eggshells. Similarly, RNAi of LdEcR or Ldusp in L. decemlineata constrained oviposition, decreased the expression of LdUAP1 and LdChS1, and reduced CLS contents in the resultant ovaries. Knockdown of LdUAP1 or LdChS1 caused similar defective phenotypes, i.e., reduced oviposition and CLS contents in the L. decemlineata ovaries. These results, for the first time, indicate that 20E signaling activates choriogenesis in two coleopteran species. Moreover, our findings suggest the deposition of a CLS on the chorions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qing Zhang
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.-Q.Z.); (L.J.)
| | - Lin Jin
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.-Q.Z.); (L.J.)
| | - Wen-Chao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Intergraded Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Oasis, Ministry of Agriculture, Urumqi 830091, China; (W.-C.G.); (K.-Y.F.)
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety, Institute of Plant Protection, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China
| | - Kai-Yun Fu
- Key Laboratory of Intergraded Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Oasis, Ministry of Agriculture, Urumqi 830091, China; (W.-C.G.); (K.-Y.F.)
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety, Institute of Plant Protection, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China
| | - Guo-Qing Li
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.-Q.Z.); (L.J.)
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Rios T, Bomfim L, Pereira J, Miranda K, Majerowicz D, Pane A, Ramos I. Knockdown of Sec16 causes early lethality and defective deposition of the protein Rp30 in the eggshell of the vector Rhodnius prolixus. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1332894. [PMID: 38711619 PMCID: PMC11070790 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1332894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
In nearly every species of insect, embryonic development takes place outside of the mother's body and is entirely dependent on the elements that the mother had previously stored within the eggs. It is well known that the follicle cells (FCs) synthesize the eggshell (chorion) components during the process of choriogenesis, the final step of oogenesis before fertilization. These cells have developed a specialization in the massive production of chorion proteins, which are essential for the protection and survival of the embryo. Here, we investigate the function of Sec16, a protein crucial for the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to Golgi traffic, in the oocyte development in the insect Rhodnius prolixus. We discovered that Sec16 is strongly expressed in vitellogenic females' ovaries, particularly in the choriogenic oocyte and it is mainly associated with the FCs. Silencing of Sec16 by RNAi caused a sharp decline in oviposition rates, F1 viability, and longevity in adult females. In the FCs, genes involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR), the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), and autophagy were massively upregulated, whereas the mRNAs of Rp30 and Rp45-which code for the two major chorion proteins - were downregulated as a result of Sec16 silencing, indicating general proteostasis disturbance. As a result, the outer surface ultrastructure of Sec16-silenced chorions was altered, with decreased thickness, dityrosine crosslinking, sulfur signals, and lower amounts of the chorion protein Rp30. These findings collectively demonstrate the critical role Sec16 plays in the proper functioning of the FCs, which impacts the synthesis and deposition of particular components of the chorion as well as the overall reproduction of this vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thamara Rios
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Larissa Bomfim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Pereira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kildare Miranda
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Attilio Pane
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Ramos
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Berg C, Sieber M, Sun J. Finishing the egg. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad183. [PMID: 38000906 PMCID: PMC10763546 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gamete development is a fundamental process that is highly conserved from early eukaryotes to mammals. As germ cells develop, they must coordinate a dynamic series of cellular processes that support growth, cell specification, patterning, the loading of maternal factors (RNAs, proteins, and nutrients), differentiation of structures to enable fertilization and ensure embryonic survival, and other processes that make a functional oocyte. To achieve these goals, germ cells integrate a complex milieu of environmental and developmental signals to produce fertilizable eggs. Over the past 50 years, Drosophila oogenesis has risen to the forefront as a system to interrogate the sophisticated mechanisms that drive oocyte development. Studies in Drosophila have defined mechanisms in germ cells that control meiosis, protect genome integrity, facilitate mRNA trafficking, and support the maternal loading of nutrients. Work in this system has provided key insights into the mechanisms that establish egg chamber polarity and patterning as well as the mechanisms that drive ovulation and egg activation. Using the power of Drosophila genetics, the field has begun to define the molecular mechanisms that coordinate environmental stresses and nutrient availability with oocyte development. Importantly, the majority of these reproductive mechanisms are highly conserved throughout evolution, and many play critical roles in the development of somatic tissues as well. In this chapter, we summarize the recent progress in several key areas that impact egg chamber development and ovulation. First, we discuss the mechanisms that drive nutrient storage and trafficking during oocyte maturation and vitellogenesis. Second, we examine the processes that regulate follicle cell patterning and how that patterning impacts the construction of the egg shell and the establishment of embryonic polarity. Finally, we examine regulatory factors that control ovulation, egg activation, and successful fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Berg
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-5065USA
| | - Matthew Sieber
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390USA
| | - Jianjun Sun
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269USA
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Zhao Z, Li L, Zeng R, Lin L, Yuan D, Wen Y, Li N, Cui Y, Zhu S, Zhang ZM, Li S, Ren C. 5mC modification orchestrates choriogenesis and fertilization by preventing prolonged ftz-f1 expression. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8234. [PMID: 38086980 PMCID: PMC10716119 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43987-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation at the fifth position of cytosine (5-methylcytosine, 5mC) is a crucial epigenetic modification for regulating gene expression, but little is known about how it regulates gene expression in insects. Here, we pursue the detailed molecular mechanism by which DNMT1-mediated 5mC maintenance regulates female reproduction in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. Our results show that Dnmt1 knockdown decreases the level of 5mC in the ovary, upregulating numerous genes during choriogenesis, especially the transcription factor ftz-f1. The hypomethylation at the ftz-f1 promoter region increases and prolongs ftz-f1 expression in ovarian follicle cells during choriogenesis, which consequently causes aberrantly high levels of 20-hydroxyecdysone and excessively upregulates the extracellular matrix remodeling gene Mmp1. These changes further impair choriogenesis and disrupt fertilization by causing anoikis of the follicle cells, a shortage of chorion proteins, and malformation of the sponge-like bodies. This study significantly advances our understanding of how DNA 5mC modification regulates female reproduction in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China
| | - Liang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Ruichen Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Liangguan Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Dongwei Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yejie Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Na Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China
| | - Yingying Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Shiming Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Zhi-Min Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China.
| | - Chonghua Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China.
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9
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Noh MY, Kramer KJ, Muthukrishnan S, Arakane Y. Ovariole-specific Yellow-g and Yellow-g2 proteins are required for fecundity and egg chorion rigidity in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 159:103984. [PMID: 37391088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Most insects reproduce by laying eggs that have an eggshell/chorion secreted by follicle cells, which serves as a protective barrier for developing embryos. Thus, eggshell formation is vital for reproduction. Insect yellow family genes encode for secreted extracellular proteins that perform different, context-dependent functions in different tissues at various stages of development involving, for example, cuticle/eggshell coloration and morphology, molting, courtship behavior and embryo hatching. In this study we investigated the function of two of this family's genes, yellow-g (TcY-g) and yellow-g2 (TcY-g2), on the formation and morphology of the eggshell of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that both TcY-g and TcY-g2 were specifically expressed in the ovarioles of adult females. Loss of function produced by injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for either TcY-g or TcY-g2 gene resulted in failure of oviposition. There was no effect on maternal survival. Ovaries dissected from those dsRNA-treated females exhibited ovarioles containing not only developing oocytes but also mature eggs in their egg chambers. However, the ovulated eggs were collapsed and ruptured, resulting in swollen lateral oviducts and calyxes. TEM analysis showed that lateral oviducts were filled with electron-dense material, presumably from some cellular content leakage out of the collapsed eggs. In addition, morphological abnormalities in lateral oviduct epithelial cells and the tubular muscle sheath were evident. These results support the hypothesis that both TcY-g and TcY-g2 proteins are required for maintaining the rigidity and integrity of the chorion, which is critical for resistance to mechanical stress and/or rehydration during ovulation and egg activation in the oviducts of T. castaneum. Because Yellow-g and Yellow-g2 are highly conserved among insect species, both genes are potential targets for development of gene-based insect pest population control methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Young Noh
- Department of Forest Resources, AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea.
| | - Karl J Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea.
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10
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Choi DY, Kim Y. PGE 2 mediation of egg development in Western flower thrip, Frankliniella occidentalis. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 112:e21949. [PMID: 35749583 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21949] [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: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Eicosanoids mediate various insect physiological processes, including reproduction. Especially, the eicosanoid prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) is known to mediate oocyte development in some insects. The explosive reproductive potential of the Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, damages various agricultural crops. However, little is known about the underlying physiological processes of egg development in this pest. This study found that treatment with aspirin (ASP) (a specific cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor) used to inhibit PGE2 biosynthesis during ovarian development significantly suppressed the reproduction of female F. occidentalis. However, the addition of PGE2 to ASP-treated females significantly rescued the suppressed reproduction. PGE2 was detected in growing ovarian follicles in an immunofluorescence assay. The hypothetical biosynthetic machinery of PGE2 was predicted from the F. occidentalis genome and included phospholipase A2 (PLA2 ), COX-like peroxidase (POX), and PGE2 synthase (PGES). Three specific PLA2 s were highly expressed in female adults during active oogenesis. Specific POX and PGES genes also showed high expression during active oogenesis. The adverse effect of ASP treatment on oogenesis was observed in follicle formation in the germarium where the follicle numbers in an ovariole were decreased, which resulted in hypotrophied ovaries. This impairment was rescued by the addition of PGE2 . ASP treatment also significantly inhibited chorion formation and suppressed gene expression associated with choriogenesis, which included chorion protein, mucin, and yellow while it did not inhibit vitellogenin gene expression. However, the addition of PGE2 induced the expression of the target genes suppressed by ASP treatment and rescued chorion formation. These results suggest that PGE2 mediated ovarian development by affecting follicle formation and choriogenesis in F. occidentalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Du-Yeol Choi
- Department of Plant Medicals, College of Life Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | - Yonggyun Kim
- Department of Plant Medicals, College of Life Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
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11
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Vitelline Membrane Protein 26 Mutagenesis, Using CRISPR/Cas9, Results in Egg Collapse in Plutella xylostella. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179538. [PMID: 36076934 PMCID: PMC9455775 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179538] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitelline membrane proteins (VMPs) are the main proteins that form the inner shell (vitelline membrane layer) of insect eggs and are an integral part of egg formation and embryo development. Here, we characterized the molecular structure and expression patterns of the VMP26 gene and analyzed its reproductive functions in diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), a worldwide migratory pest of cruciferous plants. The PxVMP26 gene was shown to be a single exon gene that contained an open reading frame of 852 base pairs (bp) encoding 283 amino acids. Both qPCR and western blot analyses showed that PxVMP26 was specifically expressed in female adults and was significantly highly expressed in the ovary. Further anatomical analysis indicated that the expression level of PxVMP26 in the ovarian tube with an incomplete yolk was significantly higher than that in the ovarian tube with a complete yolk. CRISPR/Cas9-induced PxVMP26 knockout successfully created two homozygous strains with 8- and 46-bp frameshift mutations. The expression deficiency of the PxVMP26 protein was detected in the mutant strains using immunofluorescence and western blot. No significant difference was found in the number of eggs laid within three days between wild and mutant individuals, but there was a lower egg hatchability. The loss of the PxVMP26 gene changed the mean egg size, damaged the structure of the vitelline membrane, and increased the proportion of abnormal eggs due to water loss, resulting in egg collapse. This first analysis of the roles of the VMP gene in the oocyte formation and embryonic development of P. xylostella, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, provides a basis for screening new genetic control targets of P. xylostella.
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12
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Borovsky D, Breyssens H, Buytaert E, Peeters T, Laroye C, Stoffels K, Rougé P. Cloning and Characterization of Drosophila melanogaster Juvenile Hormone Epoxide Hydrolases (JHEH) and Their Promoters. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070991. [PMID: 35883546 PMCID: PMC9313241 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) plays an important role in the metabolism of JH III in insects. To study the control of JHEH in female Drosophila melanogaster, JHEH 1, 2 and 3 cDNAs were cloned and sequenced. Northern blot analyses showed that the three transcripts are expressed in the head thorax, the gut, the ovaries and the fat body of females. Molecular modeling shows that the enzyme is a homodimer that binds juvenile hormone III acid (JH IIIA) at the catalytic groove better than JH III. Analyses of the three JHEH promoters and expressing short promoter sequences behind a reporter gene (lacZ) in D. melanogaster cell culture identified a JHEH 3 promoter sequence (626 bp) that is 10- and 25-fold more active than the most active promoter sequences of JHEH 2 and JHEH 1, respectively. A transcription factor (TF) Sp1 that is involved in the activation of JHEH 3 promoter sequence was identified. Knocking down Sp1 using dsRNA inhibited the transcriptional activity of this promoter in transfected D. melanogaster cells and JH III and 20HE downregulated the JHEH 3 promoter. On the other hand, JH IIIA and farnesoic acid did not affect the promoter, indicating that JH IIIA is JHEH's preferred substrate. A transgenic D. melanogaster expressing a highly activated JHEH 3 promoter behind a lacZ reporter gene showed promoter transcriptional activity in many D. melanogaster tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dov Borovsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Hilde Breyssens
- Zoological Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (H.B.); (E.B.); (T.P.); (C.L.); (K.S.)
| | - Esther Buytaert
- Zoological Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (H.B.); (E.B.); (T.P.); (C.L.); (K.S.)
| | - Tom Peeters
- Zoological Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (H.B.); (E.B.); (T.P.); (C.L.); (K.S.)
- Open BioLab Brussels, Erasmushogeschool Brussels, 1210 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carole Laroye
- Zoological Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (H.B.); (E.B.); (T.P.); (C.L.); (K.S.)
| | - Karolien Stoffels
- Zoological Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (H.B.); (E.B.); (T.P.); (C.L.); (K.S.)
| | - Pierre Rougé
- Faculte des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, 31400 Tolouse, France;
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13
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Pereira J, Dias R, Ramos I. Knockdown of E1- and E2-ubiquitin enzymes triggers defective chorion biogenesis and modulation of autophagy-related genes in the follicle cells of the vector Rhodnius prolixus. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:3356-3368. [PMID: 35670557 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In insects, the last stage of oogenesis is the process where the chorion layers (eggshell) are synthesized and deposited on the surface of the oocytes by the follicle cells. Protein homeostasis is determined by the fine-tuning of translation and degradation pathways, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system is one of the major degradative routes in eukaryotic cells. The conjugation of ubiquitin to targeted substrates is mediated by the ordered action of E1-activating, E2-conjugating, and E3-ligase enzymes, which covalently link ubiquitin to degradation-targeted proteins delivering them to the proteolytic complex proteasome. Here, we found that the mRNAs encoding polyubiquitin (pUbq), E1, and E2 enzymes are highly expressed in the ovaries of the insect vector of Chagas Disease Rhodnius prolixus. RNAi silencing of pUbq was lethal whereas the silencing of E1 and E2 enzymes resulted in drastic decreases in oviposition and embryo viability. Eggs produced by the E1- and E2-silenced insects presented particular phenotypes of altered chorion ultrastructure observed by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy as well as readings for dityrosine cross-linking and X-ray elemental microanalysis, suggesting a disruption in the secretory routes responsible for the chorion biogenesis. In addition, the ovaries from silenced insects presented altered levels of autophagy-related genes as well as a tendency of upregulation in ER chaperones, indicating a disturbance in the general biosynthetic-secretory pathway. Altogether, we found that E1 and E2 enzymes are essential for chorion biogenesis and that their silencing triggers the modulation of autophagy genes suggesting a coordinated function of both pathways for the progression of choriogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Pereira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raphael Dias
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Ramos
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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14
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Feng M, Swevers L, Sun J. Hemocyte Clusters Defined by scRNA-Seq in Bombyx mori: In Silico Analysis of Predicted Marker Genes and Implications for Potential Functional Roles. Front Immunol 2022; 13:852702. [PMID: 35281044 PMCID: PMC8914287 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.852702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the hemolymph, insect hemocytes constitute a heterogeneous population of macrophage-like cells that play important roles in innate immunity, homeostasis and development. Classification of hemocytes in different subtypes by size, morphology and biochemical or immunological markers has been difficult and only in Drosophila extensive genetic analysis allowed the construction of a coherent picture of hemocyte differentiation from pro-hemocytes to granulocytes, crystal cells and plasmatocytes. However, the advent of high-throughput single cell technologies, such as single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), is bound to have a high impact on the study of hemocytes subtypes and their phenotypes in other insects for which a sophisticated genetic toolbox is not available. Instead of averaging gene expression across all cells as occurs in bulk-RNA-seq, scRNA-seq allows high-throughput and specific visualization of the differentiation status of individual cells. With scRNA-seq, interesting cell types can be identified in heterogeneous populations and direct analysis of rare cell types is possible. Next to its ability to profile the transcriptomes of individual cells in tissue samples, scRNA-seq can be used to propose marker genes that are characteristic of different hemocyte subtypes and predict their functions. In this perspective, the identities of the different marker genes that were identified by scRNA-seq analysis to define 13 distinct cell clusters of hemocytes in larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, are discussed in detail. The analysis confirms the broad division of hemocytes in granulocytes, plasmatocytes, oenocytoids and perhaps spherulocytes but also reveals considerable complexity at the molecular level and highly specialized functions. In addition, predicted hemocyte marker genes in Bombyx generally show only limited convergence with the genes that are considered characteristic for hemocyte subtypes in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Xia X, Peng CW, Cui JR, Jin PY, Yang K, Hong XY. Wolbachia affects reproduction in the spider mite Tetranychus truncatus (Acari: Tetranychidae) by regulating chorion protein S38-like and Rop. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 30:18-29. [PMID: 32945029 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12669] [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: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Wolbachia-induced reproductive regulation in hosts has been used to control pest populations, but little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying Wolbachia regulation of host genes. Here, reproductive regulation by Wolbachia in the spider mite Tetranychus truncatus was studied at the molecular level. Infection with Wolbachia resulted in decreasing oviposition and cytoplasmic incompatibility in T. truncatus. Further RNA-seq revealed genes regulated by Wolbachia in T. truncatus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed that genes, including chorion protein S38-like and Rop were down-regulated by Wolbachia. RNA interference (RNAi) of chorion protein S38-like and Rop in Wolbachia-uninfected T. truncatus decreased oviposition, which was consistent with Wolbachia-induced oviposition decrease. Interestingly, suppressing Rop in Wolbachia-infected T. truncatus led to increased Wolbachia titres in eggs; however, this did not occur after RNAi of chorion protein S38-like. This is the first study to show that chorion protein S38-like and Rop facilitate Wolbachia-mediated changes in T. truncatus fertility. In addition, RNAi of Rop turned the body colour of Wolbachia-uninfected T. truncatus black, which indicates that the role of Rop is not limited to the reproductive regulation of T. truncatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Xia
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - C-W Peng
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - J-R Cui
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - P-Y Jin
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - K Yang
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - X-Y Hong
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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16
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Ahmed S, Seo K, Kim Y. An ovary-specific mucin is associated with choriogenesis mediated by prostaglandin signaling in Spodoptera exigua. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 106:e21748. [PMID: 33038048 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Polytrophic ovarioles of Spodoptera exigua, a lepidopteran insect, begins with the development of oocytes and differentiation of nurse cells followed by vitellogenesis and choriogenesis. Compared with previtellogenic and vitellogenic developments, choriogenesis has not been clearly understood yet in endocrine control. This study investigated the expression and function of a mucin-like structural protein of S. exigua called Se-Mucin1 in choriogenesis. It was highly expressed in ovarioles containing chorionated oocytes. The expression level of Se-Mucin1 was increased during adult stage as early as 18 h after adult emergence, reaching the maximal level at 24 h and later. Interestingly, DNA amount of Se-Mucin1 was increased by almost four folds during early adult stage while other genes (hexokinase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) not directly associated with chorion formation did not show genomic DNA increase, suggesting specific gene amplification of Se-Mucin1. RNA interference (RNAi) suppressed Se-Mucin1 expression by injecting 1 μg of double-strand RNA to teneral females (<5 h after emergence), which exhibited significantly impaired fecundity and egg hatching rate. Eggs laid by RNAi-treated females were malformed in eggshell structures with loss of mesh-like fibers. Treatment with aspirin, a prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis inhibitor, suppressed the induction of Se-Mucin1 expression during early adult stage and impaired egg development. An addition of PGE2 significantly rescued such impairment in Se-Mucin1 expression and subsequent egg development. These results suggest that PGs mediate choriogenesis of S. exigua by activating the expression of chorion-associated genes including Se-Mucin1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabbir Ahmed
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | - Kiwon Seo
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | - Yonggyun Kim
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
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17
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Lee J, Nishiyama T, Shigenobu S, Yamaguchi K, Suzuki Y, Shimada T, Katsuma S, Kiuchi T. The genome sequence of Samia ricini, a new model species of lepidopteran insect. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 21:327-339. [PMID: 32985129 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Samia ricini, a gigantic saturniid moth, has the potential to be a novel lepidopteran model species. Samia ricini is far more resistant to diseases than the current model species Bombyx mori, and therefore can be more easily reared. In addition, genetic resources available for S. ricini rival those for B. mori: at least 26 ecoraces of S. ricini are reported and S. ricini can hybridize with wild Samia species, which are distributed throughout Asian countries, and produce fertile progenies. Physiological traits such as food preference, integument colour and larval spot pattern differ among S. ricini strains and wild Samia species so that those traits can be targeted in forward genetic analyses. To facilitate genetic research in S. ricini, we determined its whole genome sequence. The assembled genome of S. ricini was 458 Mb with 155 scaffolds, and the scaffold N50 length of the assembly was ~ 21 Mb. In total, 16,702 protein coding genes were predicted. While the S. ricini genome was mostly collinear with that of B. mori with some rearrangements and few S. ricini-specific genes were discovered, chorion genes and fibroin genes seemed to have expanded in the S. ricini lineage. As the first step of genetic analyses, causal genes for "Blue," "Yellow," "Spot," and "Red cocoon" phenotypes were mapped to chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Lee
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science/Graduate School of Science, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Nishiyama
- Advanced Science Research Center, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- Functional Genomics Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Katsushi Yamaguchi
- Functional Genomics Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Laboratory of Systems Genomics, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toru Shimada
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science/Graduate School of Science, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Susumu Katsuma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Kiuchi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Md Abdullah AB, Lee DW, Jung J, Kim Y. Deletion mutant of sPLA 2 using CRISPR/Cas9 exhibits immunosuppression, developmental retardation, and failure of oocyte development in legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 103:103500. [PMID: 31589887 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes release of free fatty acids linked to phospholipids at sn-2 position. Some of these released free fatty acids are used to synthesize eicosanoids that mediate various physiological processes in insects. Although a large number of PLA2s form a superfamily consisting of at least 16 groups, few PLA2s have been identified and characterized in insects. Furthermore, physiological functions of insect PLA2s remain unclear. Clustered regularly interspaced short parlindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) has been a useful research tool to validate gene function. This study identified and characterized a secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) from legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), and validated its physiological functions using CRISPR/Cas9. An open reading frame of M. vitrata sPLA2 (Mv-sPLA2) encoding 192 amino acids contained signal peptide, calcium-binding domain, and catalytic site. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Mv-sPLA2 was related to other Group III sPLA2s. Mv-sPLA2 was expressed in both larval and adult stages. It was inducible by immune challenge. RNA interference (RNAi) of Mv-sPLA2 significantly suppressed cellular immunity and impaired larval development. Furthermore, RNAi treatment in female adults prevented oocyte development. These physiological alterations were also observed in a mutant line of M. vitrata with Mv-sPLA2 deleted by using CRISPR/Cas9. Mv-sPLA2 was not detected in the mutant line from western blot analysis. Addition of an eicosanoid, PGE2, significantly rescued oocyte development of females of the mutant line. These results suggest that Mv-sPLA2 plays crucial role in immune, developmental, and reproductive processes of M. vitrata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Al Baki Md Abdullah
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, 36729, South Korea
| | - Dae-Weon Lee
- School of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Kyungsung University, Busan, 48434, South Korea
| | - Jinkyo Jung
- Division of Crop Cultivation and Environment Research, Department of Central Area Crop Science, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, 16429, South Korea
| | - Yonggyun Kim
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, 36729, South Korea.
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19
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Lou YH, Lu JB, Li DT, Ye YX, Luo XM, Zhang CX. Amelogenin domain-containing NlChP38 is necessary for normal ovulation in the brown planthopper. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 28:605-615. [PMID: 30771250 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, is a major threat to rice production. The eggshell plays an important role in insect reproduction. The constituents and formation process of BPH eggshells remains largely unknown. Here, we report a novel eggshell-associated protein, NlChP38, containing an amelogenin domain, that is essential for normal ovulation in the BPH. NlChP38 is specifically expressed in the follicular cells from egg chambers at both RNA and protein levels. RNA interference of NlChP38 resulted in oocytes with loose and thin eggshell structure and caused ovulation difficulties. Immunofluorescence localization showed NlChP38 is deposited between follicular cells and oocytes during late choriogenesis. These results indicate that NlChP38 plays an important role in eggshell formation and could be a potential target for RNA interference control of the BPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-H Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - J-B Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - D-T Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Y-X Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - X-M Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - C-X Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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20
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Huang J, Fang L, Wang S, Liu X, Chen Y, Chen Y, Tian H, Lin S, Tian S, Wei H, Gu X. Molecular cloning, expression profiling, and functional analysis of a broad-complex isoform 2/3 (Br-Z2/Z3) transcription factor in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 101:e21549. [PMID: 30941822 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21549] [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: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a widespread and destructive pest of cruciferous crops. New strategies for controlling it are needed because it is rapidly developing resistance to conventional pesticides. In insects, transcription factors (TFs) including broad-complex (Br-C) are thought to be useful for insecticide development because they are able to regulate the transcription of functional genes involved in responses to external stimuli including insecticides. In the present study, we cloned and sequenced the open reading frames (ORFs) of three BTB-ZF encoding genes from the diamondback moth deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database under accessions MG753773, MG288674, and MG753772. The lengths of these ORFs were 1,680, 1,428, and 1,647 bp, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis based on the predicted amino acid sequences of ZF domains showed that MG753773 and MG288674 belonged to Z2/Z3 and Z7 of Br-C while MG753772 belonged to Ttk types. In the agreement, the highest expression level of MG753773 occurred during the prepupal stage, MG288674 and MG753772 were expressed during all stages and peaked in the adult and egg stages, respectively. RNA interference silencing of MG753773 in the late third instar larvae significantly decreased survival and pupation of the insects. With precocene II, transcription of MG753773 increased (4×) in the fourth instar larva 24 hr later; 48 hr later the rate of prepupation and pupation was significantly higher. These findings will contribute to the development of new regulators of the growth and development for diamondback moth control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingfei Huang
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Ling Fang
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yixin Chen
- Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Houjun Tian
- Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shuo Lin
- Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Sufen Tian
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Hui Wei
- Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pests, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiaojun Gu
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
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21
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Wei D, Zhang YX, Liu YW, Li WJ, Chen ZX, Smagghe G, Wang JJ. Gene expression profiling of ovary identified eggshell proteins regulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone in Bactrocera dorsalis. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2019; 30:206-216. [PMID: 30909163 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is one of the most destructive pests worldwide. The frequent use of chemical insecticides has led B. dorsalis to develop resistance to many insecticides in recent decades. New high-throughput-sequenced transcriptomes, as well as genomes, have revealed a large number of reference genes for functional target identification. Here, we performed digital gene expression profiling of ovary and testis of B. dorsalis adults. Various genes were identified to be highly expressed in B. dorsalis ovary. The genes encoding components of eggshell, vitelline membrane proteins (Vmps) and chorion-related proteins, were identified to be tissue-specifically expressed in ovary. Five cytochrome P450 genes were also identified to be highly expressed in ovary. Three of them were ecdysone synthesis pathway genes indicating the ovary as a potential synthesis site of female. The up-regulated expression of Vmps by exogenous 20-hydroxyecdysone implied the hormonal regulation of eggshell formation during ovarian development. Many other genes with potential functions in ovarian development were also identified, including vitellogenin receptor, insulin receptor, NASP protein, and odorant binding protein. These findings should promote our understanding of the regulation of vitellogenesis and eggshell formation and enable exploration of potentially novel pest control targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering of Chongqing, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Ying-Xin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering of Chongqing, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yu-Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering of Chongqing, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Wei-Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering of Chongqing, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zhi-Xian Chen
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering of Chongqing, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering of Chongqing, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering of Chongqing, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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22
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Swevers L. An update on ecdysone signaling during insect oogenesis. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 31:8-13. [PMID: 31109678 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
An overview is presented of the different functions of ecdysone signaling during insect oogenesis. An extensive genetic toolkit allowed analysis with unprecedented temporal and spatial detail in Drosophila where functions were revealed in stem cell proliferation and niche maintenance, germline cyst differentiation and follicle formation, integration of nutrient and lipid signaling, follicle maturation and ovulation. Besides putative autocrine/paracrine signaling, hormonal networks were identified that integrate ecdysone with other endocrine signaling pathways. In other insects, progress in oogenesis has lagged behind although recently RNAi emerged as a new tool to analyze gene function in ovaries in hemimetabolous insects and Tribolium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, NCSR "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi, Greece.
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23
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Farder-Gomes CF, Santos HCP, Oliveira MA, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE. Morphology of ovary and spermathecae of the parasitoid Eibesfeldtphora tonhascai Brown (Diptera: Phoridae). PROTOPLASMA 2019; 256:3-11. [PMID: 29909451 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-018-1276-3] [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: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Eibesfeldtphora tonhascai (Diptera: Phoridae) is a parasitoid of leaf-cutting ants and a potential biological control agent against these insect pests. This study describes the morphology of the ovary and spermatheca of E. tonhascai. The female reproductive tract of this parasitoid has a pair of meroistic polytrophic ovaries, two lateral oviducts that open into a common oviduct, an elongated accessory gland, and two spermathecae. Young oocytes are small and spherical, and their size increases as yolk is stored in the cytoplasm. This process is followed by chorion production by follicular cells. Mature oocytes are elliptical or torpedo-shaped. The reservoir wall of the spermatheca has type III glandular cells with cytoplasm rich in free ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and secretory vesicles. The apical surface of these cells has microvilli associated with mitochondria. The reservoir lumen is lined by a cuticle and filled with spermatozoa. This is the first report of the ovary and spermatheca morphology of E. tonhascai and contributes to the comprehension of the reproductive biology of this parasitoid of leaf-cutting ants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen Cristina Pinto Santos
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Minas Gerais campus Congonhas, Congonhas, Minas Gerais, 36415-000, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio Oliveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Viçosa campus Florestal, Florestal, Minas Gerais, 35690-000, Brazil
| | - José Cola Zanuncio
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
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24
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Guo Z, Qin J, Zhou X, Zhang Y. Insect Transcription Factors: A Landscape of Their Structures and Biological Functions in Drosophila and beyond. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113691. [PMID: 30469390 PMCID: PMC6274879 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) play essential roles in the transcriptional regulation of functional genes, and are involved in diverse physiological processes in living organisms. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a simple and easily manipulated organismal model, has been extensively applied to study the biological functions of TFs and their related transcriptional regulation mechanisms. It is noteworthy that with the development of genetic tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 and the next-generation genome sequencing techniques in recent years, identification and dissection the complex genetic regulatory networks of TFs have also made great progress in other insects beyond Drosophila. However, unfortunately, there is no comprehensive review that systematically summarizes the structures and biological functions of TFs in both model and non-model insects. Here, we spend extensive effort in collecting vast related studies, and attempt to provide an impartial overview of the progress of the structure and biological functions of current documented TFs in insects, as well as the classical and emerging research methods for studying their regulatory functions. Consequently, considering the importance of versatile TFs in orchestrating diverse insect physiological processes, this review will assist a growing number of entomologists to interrogate this understudied field, and to propel the progress of their contributions to pest control and even human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojiang Guo
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Jianying Qin
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
- Longping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China.
| | - Xiaomao Zhou
- Longping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China.
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
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25
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Ye YX, Pan PL, Xu JY, Shen ZF, Kang D, Lu JB, Hu QL, Huang HJ, Lou YH, Zhou NM, Zhang CX. Forkhead box transcription factor L2 activates Fcp3C to regulate insect chorion formation. Open Biol 2018; 7:rsob.170061. [PMID: 28615473 PMCID: PMC5493777 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.170061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Most animals are oviparous. However, the genes regulating egg shell formation remain not very clear. In this study, we found that Nilaparvata lugens Forkhead box transcription factor L2 (NlFoxL2) directly activated follicle cell protein 3C (NlFcp3C) to regulate chorion formation. NlFoxL2 and NlFcp3C had a similar expression pattern, both highly expressed in the follicular cells of female adults. Knockdown of NlFoxL2 or NlFcp3C also resulted in the same phenotypes: obesity and female infertility. RNA interference (RNAi) results suggested that NlFcp3C is a downstream gene of NlFoxL2. Furthermore, transient expression showed that NlFoxL2 could directly activate the NlFcp3C promoter. These results suggest that NlFcp3C is a direct target gene of NlFoxL2. Depletion of NlFoxL2 or NlFcp3C prevented normal chorion formation. Our results first revealed the functions of Fcp3C and FoxL2 in regulation of oocyte maturation in an oviparous animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xuan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng-Lu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji-Yu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhang-Fei Shen
- College of life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Bao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Lin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Jian Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Han Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Nai-Ming Zhou
- College of life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuan-Xi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
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26
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Shu L, Qiu J, Räsänen K. De novo oviduct transcriptome of the moor frog Rana arvalis: a quest for maternal effect candidate genes. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5452. [PMID: 30128207 PMCID: PMC6098945 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5452] [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: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal effects can substantially affect ecological and evolutionary processes in natural populations. However, as they often are environmentally induced, establishing their genetic basis is challenging. One important, but largely neglected, source of maternal effects are egg coats (i.e., the maternally derived extracellular matrix that surrounds the embryo). In the moor frog, the gelatinous egg coats (i.e., egg jelly) are produced in the mother’s oviduct and consist primarily of highly glycosylated mucin type O-glycans. These O-glycans affect jelly water balance and, subsequently, contribute to adaptive divergence in embryonic acid tolerance. To identify candidate genes for maternal effects, we conducted RNAseq transcriptomics on oviduct samples from seven R. arvalis females, representing the full range of within and among population variation in embryonic acid stress tolerance across our study populations. De novo sequencing of these oviduct transcriptomes detected 124,071 unigenes and functional annotation analyses identified a total of 57,839 unigenes, of which several identified genes likely code for variation in egg jelly coats. These belonged to two main groups: mucin type core protein genes and five different types of glycosylation genes. We further predict 26,711 gene-linked microsatellite (simple sequence repeats) and 231,274 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Our study provides the first set of genomic resources for R. arvalis, an emerging model system for the study of ecology and evolution in natural populations, and gives insight into the genetic architecture of egg coat mediated maternal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Shu
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.,Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jie Qiu
- Institutue of Crop Science and Institute of Bioinformatics, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Katja Räsänen
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.,Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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27
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Lou YH, Pan PL, Ye YX, Cheng C, Xu HJ, Zhang CX. Identification and functional analysis of a novel chorion protein essential for egg maturation in the brown planthopper. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 27:393-403. [PMID: 29465791 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In insect eggs, the chorion has the essential function of protecting the embryo from external agents during development while allowing gas exchange for respiration. In this study, we found a novel gene, Nilaparvata lugens chorion protein (NlChP), that is involved in chorion formation in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. NlChP was highly expressed in the follicular cells of female adult brown planthoppers. Knockdown of NlChP resulted in oocyte malformation and the inability to perform oviposition, and electron microscopy showed that the malformed oocytes had thin and rough endochorion layers compared to the control group. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the eggshell components revealed four unique peptides that were matched to NlChP. Our results demonstrate that NlChP is a novel chorion protein essential for egg maturation in N. lugens, a hemipteran insect with telotrophic meroistic ovaries. NlChP may be a potential target in RNA interference-based insect pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-H Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - P-L Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Y-X Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - C Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - H-J Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - C-X Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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28
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Abstract
All animal oocytes are surrounded by a glycoproteinaceous egg coat, a specialized extracellular matrix that serves both structural and species-specific roles during fertilization. Egg coat glycoproteins polymerize into the extracellular matrix of the egg coat using a conserved protein-protein interaction module-the zona pellucida (ZP) domain-common to both vertebrates and invertebrates, suggesting that the basic structural features of egg coats have been conserved across hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Egg coat proteins, as with other proteins involved in reproduction, are frequently found to be rapidly evolving. Given that gamete compatibility must be maintained for the fitness of sexually reproducing organisms, this finding is somewhat paradoxical and suggests a role for adaptive diversification in reproductive protein evolution. Here we review the structure and function of metazoan egg coat proteins, with an emphasis on the potential role their evolution has played in the creation and maintenance of species boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Killingbeck
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
| | - Willie J Swanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
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29
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Cao X, Jiang H. An analysis of 67 RNA-seq datasets from various tissues at different stages of a model insect, Manduca sexta. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:796. [PMID: 29041902 PMCID: PMC5645894 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4147-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Manduca sexta is a large lepidopteran insect widely used as a model to study biochemistry of insect physiological processes. As a part of its genome project, over 50 cDNA libraries have been analyzed to profile gene expression in different tissues and life stages. While the RNA-seq data were used to study genes related to cuticle structure, chitin metabolism and immunity, a vast amount of the information has not yet been mined for understanding the basic molecular biology of this model insect. In fact, the basic features of these data, such as composition of the RNA-seq reads and lists of library-correlated genes, are unclear. From an extended view of all insects, clear-cut tempospatial expression data are rarely seen in the largest group of animals including Drosophila and mosquitoes, mainly due to their small sizes. Results We obtained the transcriptome data, analyzed the raw reads in relation to the assembled genome, and generated heatmaps for clustered genes. Library characteristics (tissues, stages), number of mapped bases, and sequencing methods affected the observed percentages of genome transcription. While up to 40% of the reads were not mapped to the genome in the initial Cufflinks gene modeling, we identified the causes for the mapping failure and reduced the number of non-mappable reads to <8%. Similarities between libraries, measured based on library-correlated genes, clearly identified differences among tissues or life stages. We calculated gene expression levels, analyzed the most abundantly expressed genes in the libraries. Furthermore, we analyzed tissue-specific gene expression and identified 18 groups of genes with distinct expression patterns. Conclusion We performed a thorough analysis of the 67 RNA-seq datasets to characterize new genomic features of M. sexta. Integrated knowledge of gene functions and expression features will facilitate future functional studies in this biochemical model insect. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article doi: (10.1186/s12864-017-4147-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.,Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
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30
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Peng L, Wang L, Yang YF, Zou MM, He WY, Wang Y, Wang Q, Vasseur L, You MS. Transcriptome profiling of the Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) ovary reveals genes involved in oogenesis. Gene 2017; 637:90-99. [PMID: 28916376 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a specialized organ, the insect ovary performs valuable functions by ensuring fecundity and population survival. Oogenesis is the complex physiological process resulting in the production of mature eggs, which are involved in epigenetic programming, germ cell behavior, cell cycle regulation, etc. Identification of the genes involved in ovary development and oogenesis is critical to better understand the reproductive biology and screening for the potential molecular targets in Plutella xylostella, a worldwide destructive pest of economically major crops. RESULTS Based on transcriptome sequencing, a total of 7.88Gb clean nucleotides was obtained, with 19,934 genes and 1861 new transcripts being identified. Expression profiling indicated that 61.7% of the genes were expressed (FPKM≥1) in the P. xylostella ovary. GO annotation showed that the pathways of multicellular organism reproduction and multicellular organism reproduction process, as well as gamete generation and chorion were significantly enriched. Processes that were most likely relevant to reproduction included the spliceosome, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, endocytosis, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, and focal adhesion were identified in the top 20 'highly represented' KEGG pathways. Functional genes involved in oogenesis were further analyzed and validated by qRT-PCR to show their potential predominant roles in P. xylostella reproduction. CONCLUSIONS Our newly developed P. xylostella ovary transcriptome provides an overview of the gene expression profiling in this specialized tissue and the functional gene network closely related to the ovary development and oogenesis. This is the first genome-wide transcriptome dataset of P. xylostella ovary that includes a subset of functionally activated genes. This global approach will be the basis for further studies on molecular mechanisms of P. xylostella reproduction aimed at screening potential molecular targets for integrated pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yi-Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Ming-Min Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Wei-Yi He
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Qing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Liette Vasseur
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Min-Sheng You
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian-Taiwan Crops and College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Innovation Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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Zhang Q, Sun W, Sun BY, Xiao Y, Zhang Z. The dynamic landscape of gene regulation during Bombyx mori oogenesis. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:714. [PMID: 28893182 PMCID: PMC5594438 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4123-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oogenesis in the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) is a complex process involving previtellogenesis, vitellogenesis and choriogenesis. During this process, follicles show drastic morphological and physiological changes. However, the genome-wide regulatory profiles of gene expression during oogenesis remain to be determined. RESULTS In this study, we obtained time-series transcriptome data and used these data to reveal the dynamic landscape of gene regulation during oogenesis. A total of 1932 genes were identified to be differentially expressed among different stages, most of which occurred during the transition from late vitellogenesis to early choriogenesis. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we identified six stage-specific gene modules that correspond to multiple regulatory pathways. Strikingly, the biosynthesis pathway of the molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) was enriched in one of the modules. Further analysis showed that the ecdysteroid 20-hydroxylase gene (CYP314A1) of steroidgenesis genes was mainly expressed in previtellogenesis and early vitellogenesis. However, the 20E-inactivated genes, particularly the ecdysteroid 26-hydroxylase encoding gene (Cyp18a1), were highly expressed in late vitellogenesis. These distinct expression patterns between 20E synthesis and catabolism-related genes might ensure the rapid decline of the hormone titer at the transition point from vitellogenesis to choriogenesis. In addition, we compared landscapes of gene regulation between silkworm (Lepidoptera) and fruit fly (Diptera) oogeneses. Our results show that there is some consensus in the modules of gene co-expression during oogenesis in these insects. CONCLUSIONS The data presented in this study provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying oogenesis in insects with polytrophic meroistic ovaries. The results also provide clues for further investigating the roles of epigenetic reconfiguration and circadian rhythm in insect oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044 China
| | - Wei Sun
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044 China
| | - Bang-Yong Sun
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044 China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Sericulture & Agri-food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agriculture Science, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044 China
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331 China
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De Loof A, Schoofs L, Huybrechts R. The endocrine system controlling sexual reproduction in animals: Part of the evolutionary ancient but well conserved immune system? Gen Comp Endocrinol 2016; 226:56-71. [PMID: 26707056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Drastic changes in hormone titers, in particular of steroid hormones, are intuitively interpreted as necessary and beneficial for optimal functioning of animals. Peaks in progesterone- and estradiol titers that accompany the estrus cycle in female vertebrates as well as in ecdysteroids at each molt and during metamorphosis of holometabolous insects are prominent examples. A recent analysis of insect metamorphosis yielded the view that, in general, a sharp rise in sex steroid hormone titer signals that somewhere in the body some tissue(s) is undergoing programmed cell death/apoptosis. Increased steroid production is part of this process. Typical examples are ovarian follicle cells in female vertebrates and invertebrates and the prothoracic gland cells, the main production site of ecdysteroids in larval insects. A duality emerges: programmed cell death-apoptosis is deleterious at the cellular level, but it may yield beneficial effects at the organismal level. Reconciling both opposites requires reevaluating the probable evolutionary origin and role of peptidic brain hormones that direct steroid hormone synthesis. Do e.g. Luteinizing Hormone in vertebrates and Prothoracicotropic Hormone (PTTH: acting through the Torso receptor) in insects still retain an ancient role as toxins in the early immune system? Does the functional link of some neuropeptides with Ca(2+)-induced apoptosis make sense in endocrine archeology? The endocrine system as a remnant of the ancient immune system is undoubtedly counterintuitive. Yet, we will argue that such paradigm enables the logical framing of many aspects, the endocrine one inclusive of both male and female reproductive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnold De Loof
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roger Huybrechts
- Insect Physiology and Molecular Ethology Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Belgium
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A Diversity of Conserved and Novel Ovarian MicroRNAs in the Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142243. [PMID: 26556800 PMCID: PMC4640560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of animal development and other processes, and impart robustness to living systems through post-transcriptional regulation of specific mRNA transcripts. It is postulated that newly emergent miRNAs are generally expressed at low levels and with spatiotemporally restricted expression domains, thus minimising effects of spurious targeting on animal transcriptomes. Here we present ovarian miRNA transcriptome data for two geographically distinct populations of the Speckled Wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria). A total of 74 miRNAs were identified, including 11 newly discovered and evolutionarily-young miRNAs, bringing the total of miRNA genes known from P. aegeria up to 150. We find a positive correlation between miRNA age and expression level. A common set of 55 miRNAs are expressed in both populations. From this set, we identify seven that are consistently either ovary-specific or highly upregulated in ovaries relative to other tissues. This ‘ovary set’ includes miRNAs with known contributions to ovarian function in other insect species with similar ovaries and mode of oogenesis, including miR-989 and miR-2763, plus new candidates for ovarian function. We also note that conserved miRNAs are overrepresented in the ovary relative to the whole body.
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34
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Chen Z, Nohata J, Guo H, Li S, Liu J, Guo Y, Yamamoto K, Kadono-Okuda K, Liu C, Arunkumar KP, Nagaraju J, Zhang Y, Liu S, Labropoulou V, Swevers L, Tsitoura P, Iatrou K, Gopinathan KP, Goldsmith MR, Xia Q, Mita K. A comprehensive analysis of the chorion locus in silkmoth. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16424. [PMID: 26553298 PMCID: PMC4639761 DOI: 10.1038/srep16424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite more than 40 years of intense study, essential features of the silkmoth chorion (eggshell) are still not fully understood. To determine the precise structure of the chorion locus, we performed extensive EST analysis, constructed a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contig, and obtained a continuous genomic sequence of 871,711 base pairs. We annotated 127 chorion genes in two segments interrupted by a 164 kb region with 5 non-chorion genes, orthologs of which were on chorion bearing scaffolds in 4 ditrysian families. Detailed transcriptome analysis revealed expression throughout choriogenesis of most chorion genes originally categorized as “middle”, and evidence for diverse regulatory mechanisms including cis-elements, alternative splicing and promoter utilization, and antisense RNA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed multigene family associations and faster evolution of early chorion genes and transcriptionally active pseudogenes. Proteomics analysis identified 99 chorion proteins in the eggshell and micropyle localization of 1 early and 6 Hc chorion proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing 400716, China
| | | | - Huizhen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Shenglong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Jianqiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Youbing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Kimiko Yamamoto
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba 305-8634, Japan
| | | | - Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing 400716, China
| | | | | | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Shiping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Vassiliki Labropoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences &Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences &Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece
| | - Panagiota Tsitoura
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences &Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece
| | - Kostas Iatrou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences &Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece
| | | | | | - Qingyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Kazuei Mita
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing 400716, China
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Shirk PD, Perera OP, Shelby KS, Furlong RB, LoVullo ED, Popham HJR. Unique synteny and alternate splicing of the chitin synthases in closely related heliothine moths. Gene 2015; 574:121-39. [PMID: 26253161 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chitin is an extracellular biopolymer that contributes to the cuticular structural matrix in arthropods. As a consequence of its rigid structure, the chitinous cuticle must be shed and replaced to accommodate growth. Two chitin synthase genes that encode for chitin synthase A (ChSA), which produces cuticular exoskeleton, and chitin synthase B (ChSB), which produces peritrophic membrane, were characterized in the genomes of two heliothine moths: the corn earworm/cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In both moths, the two genes were arranged in tandem with the same orientation on the same strand with ChSB located 5' of ChSA. Sequence comparisons showed that the coding sequences were highly conserved with homologues from other species but that the tandem juxtaposed genomic arrangement of the two genes was unique in these insects. The mechanism that has led to this arrangement is unclear but is most likely a recent recombinational event. Transcript mapping of HzChSB and HzChSA in H. zea demonstrated that both transcripts were differentially spliced in various tissues and larval stages. The identification of the HzChSB-E12b alternate spliced transcript is the first report of alternate splicing for the ChSB group. The importance of this splice form is not clear because the protein produced would lack any enzymatic activity but retain the membrane insertion motifs. As for other insects, these genes provide an important target for potential control through RNAi but also provide a subject for broad scale genomic recombinational events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Shirk
- USDA ARS CMAVE, 1700 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608 USA.
| | | | - Kent S Shelby
- USDA ARS BCIRL, 1503 S. Providence, Columbia, MO 65203 USA.
| | | | - Eric D LoVullo
- USDA ARS CMAVE, 1700 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608 USA.
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Shu L, Suter MJF, Räsänen K. Evolution of egg coats: linking molecular biology and ecology. Mol Ecol 2015; 24:4052-73. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Shu
- Department of Aquatic Ecology; Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology; Eawag; 8600 Duebendorf Switzerland
- Institute of Integrative Biology; ETH Zurich; 8092 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Marc J.-F. Suter
- Department of Environmental Toxicology; Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology; Eawag; 8600 Duebendorf Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science; Swiss Federal Institute of Technology; ETH Zurich; 8092 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Katja Räsänen
- Department of Aquatic Ecology; Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology; Eawag; 8600 Duebendorf Switzerland
- Institute of Integrative Biology; ETH Zurich; 8092 Zurich Switzerland
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