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Xu KK, Yan Y, Yan SY, Xia PL, Yang WJ, Li C, Yang H. Disruption of the Serine/Threonine Kinase Akt Gene Affects Ovarian Development and Fecundity in the Cigarette Beetle, Lasioderma serricorne. Front Physiol 2021; 12:765819. [PMID: 34690822 PMCID: PMC8529032 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.765819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine/threonine kinase Akt, an important component of the insulin signaling pathway, plays an essential role in many physiological processes. In this study, we identified and characterized an Akt gene (designated LsAkt) from the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne. LsAkt contains a 1614 bp open reading frame encoding a 537 amino acid protein that possesses a conserved pleckstrin homology domain and a serine/threonine kinase domain. The expression of LsAkt was high in pupal stages and peaked in day-4 female pupae. In adult tissues, LsAkt was highly expressed in the thorax, ovary, and midgut. The expression of LsAkt was induced by methoprene or bovine insulin in vivo, but significantly decreased by 20-hydroxyecdysone. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of LsAkt resulted in severely blocked ovarian development and reduced fecundity and hatchability. The vitellogenin (Vg) content and juvenile hormone (JH) titers of LsAkt-depletion beetles were decreased, and expressions of Vg and four JH signaling and biosynthetic genes were significantly decreased. Silencing of LsAkt reduced the amounts of glucose, glycogen, and trehalose in female adults and affected the expressions of seven key carbohydrate metabolic genes. Taken together, it is inferred that Akt implicates in L. serricorne reproduction by modification of Vg synthesis, juvenile hormone production and carbohydrate metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Kang Xu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yi Yan
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shu-Yan Yan
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | | | - Wen-Jia Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Can Li
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,College of Tobacco Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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Crucial Role of Juvenile Hormone Receptor Components Methoprene-Tolerant and Taiman in Sexual Maturation of Adult Male Desert Locusts. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020244. [PMID: 33572050 PMCID: PMC7915749 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently (2020), Africa and Asia are experiencing the worst desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) plague in decades. Exceptionally high rainfall in different regions caused favorable environmental conditions for very successful reproduction and population growth. To better understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for this remarkable reproductive capacity, as well as to fill existing knowledge gaps regarding the regulation of male reproductive physiology, we investigated the role of methoprene-tolerant (Scg-Met) and Taiman (Scg-Tai), responsible for transducing the juvenile hormone (JH) signal, in adult male locusts. We demonstrated that knockdown of these components by RNA interference strongly inhibits male sexual maturation, severely disrupting reproduction. This was evidenced by the inability to show mating behavior, the absence of a yellow-colored cuticle, the reduction of relative testes weight, and the drastically reduced phenylacetonitrile (PAN) pheromone levels of the treated males. We also observed a reduced relative weight, as well as relative protein content, of the male accessory glands in Scg-Met knockdown locusts. Interestingly, in these animals the size of the corpora allata (CA), the endocrine glands where JH is synthesized, was significantly increased, as well as the transcript level of JH acid methyltransferase (JHAMT), a rate-limiting enzyme in the JH biosynthesis pathway. Moreover, other endocrine pathways appeared to be affected by the knockdown, as evidenced by changes in the expression levels of the insulin-related peptide and two neuroparsins in the fat body. Our results demonstrate that JH signaling pathway components play a crucial role in male reproductive physiology, illustrating their potential as molecular targets for pest control.
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Sun Y, Dai L, Kang X, Fu D, Gao H, Chen H. Isolation and expression of five genes in the mevalonate pathway of the Chinese white pine beetle, Dendroctonus armandi (Curculionidae: Scolytinae). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 106:e21760. [PMID: 33231898 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21760] [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: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese white pine beetle Dendroctonus armandi (Tsai and Li) is a significant pest of the Qinling and Bashan Mountains pine forests of China. The Chinese white pine beetle can overcome the defences of Chinese white pine Pinus armandi (Franch) through pheromone-assisted aggregation that results in a mass attack of host trees. We isolated five full-length complementary DNAs encoding mevalonate pathway-related enzyme genes from the Chinese white pine beetle (D. armandi), which are acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (AACT), geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS), mevalonate kinase (MK), mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase (MPDC), and phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK). Bioinformatic analyses were performed on the full-length deduced amino acid sequences. Differential expression of these five genes was observed between sexes, and within these significant differences among topically applied juvenile hormone III (JH III), fed on phloem of P. armandi, tissue distribution, and development stage. Mevalonate pathway genes expression were induced by JH III and feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaya Sun
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lulu Dai
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaotong Kang
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Danyang Fu
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haiming Gao
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Chen
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources (South China Agricultural University), College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Guo K, Zhang X, Dong Z, Ni Y, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Li H, Xia Q, Zhao P. Ultrafine and High-Strength Silk Fibers Secreted by Bimolter Silkworms. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2537. [PMID: 33143336 PMCID: PMC7693878 DOI: 10.3390/polym12112537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrafine fibers are widely employed because of their lightness, softness, and warmth retention. Although silkworm silk is one of the most applied natural silks, it is coarse and difficult to transform into ultrafine fibers. Thus, to obtain ultrafine high-performance silk fibers, we employed anti-juvenile hormones in this study to induce bimolter silkworms. We found that the bimolter cocoons were composed of densely packed thin fibers and small apertures, wherein the silk diameter was 54.9% less than that of trimolter silk. Further analysis revealed that the bimolter silk was cleaner and lighter than the control silk. In addition, it was stronger (739 MPa versus 497 MPa) and more stiffness (i.e., a higher Young's modulus) than the trimolter silk. FTIR and X-ray diffraction results revealed that the excellent mechanical properties of bimolter silk can be attributed to the higher β-sheet content and crystallinity. Chitin staining of the anterior silk gland suggested that the lumen is narrower in bimolters, which may lead to the formation of greater numbers of β-sheet structures in the silk. Therefore, this study reveals the relationship between the structures and mechanical properties of bimolter silk and provides a valuable reference for producing high-strength and ultrafine silk fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (K.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.N.); (Y.C.); (H.L.)
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (Z.D.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.)
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Xiaolu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (K.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.N.); (Y.C.); (H.L.)
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (Z.D.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.)
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Zhaoming Dong
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (Z.D.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.)
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Yuhui Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (K.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.N.); (Y.C.); (H.L.)
| | - Yuqing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (K.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.N.); (Y.C.); (H.L.)
| | - Yan Zhang
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (Z.D.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.)
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Haoyun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (K.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.N.); (Y.C.); (H.L.)
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (Z.D.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.)
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (Z.D.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.)
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (K.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.N.); (Y.C.); (H.L.)
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (Z.D.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.)
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Chongqing 400716, China
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Zhang W, Ma L, Xiao H, Liu C, Chen L, Wu S, Liang G. Identification and characterization of genes involving the early step of Juvenile Hormone pathway in Helicoverpa armigera. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16542. [PMID: 29185447 PMCID: PMC5707400 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16319-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile hormones (JHs) are crucial regulators for multiple physiological processes in insects. In the current study, 10 genes in mevalonate pathway involved in JH biosynthesis were identified from Helicoverpa armigera. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that six genes were highly expressed in the head which contained the JH biosynthetic gland (corpora allata). Temporal expression pattern showed that 10 of 12 genes were highly transcribed in the late 2nd-instar when the in vivo JH titer reached the peak, indicating a tight correlation between JH titer and the transcription of JH synthetic pathway genes. Moreover, ingestion of methoprene, a JH analogue, significantly suppressed the transcription of nine JH biosynthetic genes and caused a feedback upregulation of the JH degradation enzyme. Particularly, the Acetoacetyl CoA thiolase (HaAce) and Farnesyl diphosphate synthase gene 4 (HaFpps4) showed high transcript abundance, and their temporal expressions keep pace with JH fluctuations. Further study by RNAi showed that knockdown of HaFpps4 caused the decrease of JH titer, led to a negative effect on the transcript levels of other genes in JH pathway, and resulted in molting disturbance in larvae. Altogether, these results contribute to our understanding of JH biosynthesis in H. armigera and provide target genes for pest control based on JH-dependent regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanna Zhang
- Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China.,State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Long Ma
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, China
| | - Haijun Xiao
- Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shaolong Wu
- China Tobacco Midsouth Agricultural Experimental Station, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Gemei Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Thounaojam B, Keshan B. Modulation of gene expression by nutritional state and hormones in Bombyx larvae in relation to its growth period. Gene Expr Patterns 2017; 25-26:175-183. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 08/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Liu W, Tan QQ, Zhu L, Li Y, Zhu F, Lei CL, Wang XP. Absence of juvenile hormone signalling regulates the dynamic expression profiles of nutritional metabolism genes during diapause preparation in the cabbage beetle Colaphellus bowringi. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 26:530-542. [PMID: 28544235 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Temperate insects have evolved diapause, a period of programmed developmental arrest during specific life stages, to survive unfavourable conditions. During the diapause preparation phase (DPP), diapause-destined individuals generally store large amounts of fat by regulating nutrition distribution for the energy requirement during diapause maintenance and postdiapause development. Although nutritional patterns during the DPP have been investigated at physiological and biochemical levels in many insects, it remains largely unknown how nutritional metabolism is regulated during the DPP at molecular levels. We used RNA sequencing to compare gene expression profiles of adult female cabbage beetles Colaphellus bowringi during the preoviposition phase (POP) and the DPP. Most differentially expressed genes were involved in specific metabolic pathways during the DPP. Genes related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolic pathways were clearly highly expressed during the DPP, whereas genes related to protein metabolic pathways were highly expressed during the POP. Hormone challenge and RNA interference experiments revealed that juvenile hormone via its nuclear receptor methoprene-tolerant mediated the expression of genes associated with nutritional metabolism during the DPP. This work not only sheds light on the mechanisms of diapause preparation, but also provides new insights into the molecular basis of environmental plasticity in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Liu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Q-Q Tan
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - L Zhu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Y Li
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - F Zhu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - C-L Lei
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - X-P Wang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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