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Liu J, Yang W, Liao W, Huang Y, Chen W, Bu X, Huang S, Jiang W, Swevers L. Immunological function of Bombyx Toll9-2 in the silkworm (Bombyx mori) larval midgut: Activation by Escherichia coli/lipopolysaccharide and regulation of growth. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 116:e22130. [PMID: 39118437 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22130] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Toll receptors are important regulators of insects' innate immune system which, upon binding of pathogen molecules, activate a conserved signal transduction cascade known as the Toll pathway. RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool to study the function of genes via reverse genetics. However, due to the reported refractory of RNAi efficiency in lepidopteran insects, successful reports of silencing of Toll receptors in the silkworm Bombyx mori have not been reported yet. In this study, a Toll receptor of the silkworm Bombyx Toll9-2 (BmToll9-2) was cloned and its expression and function were analyzed. The results showed that BmToll9-2 contains an ectodomain (ECD) with a signal peptide and nine leucine-rich repeats, a transmembrane helix, and a cytoplasmic region with a Toll/interleukin-1 domain. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that BmToll9-2 clusters with other insect Toll9 receptors and mammalian Toll-like receptor 4. Oral infection of exogenous pathogens showed that the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli and its main cell wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and its main cell wall component peptidoglycan, significantly induce BmToll9-2 expression in vivo. LPS also induced the expression of BmToll9-2 in BmN4 cells in vitro. These observations indicate its role as a sensor in the innate immunity to exogenous pathogens and as a pathogen-associated receptor that is responsive to LPS. RNAi of BmToll9-2 was effective in the midgut and epidermis. RNAi-mediated knock-down of BmToll9-2 reduced the weight and growth of the silkworm. Bacterial challenge following RNAi upregulated the expression of BmToll9-2 and rescued the weight differences of the silkworm, which may be related to its participation in the immune response and the regulation of the microbiota in the midgut lumen of the silkworm larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisheng Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weifeng Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenli Liao
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanling Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weijian Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Bu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiyi Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanyi Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Athens, Greece
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Becchimanzi A, Nicoletti R, Di Lelio I, Russo E. Immune Gene Repertoire of Soft Scale Insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4922. [PMID: 38732132 PMCID: PMC11084805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094922] [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: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects possess an effective immune system, which has been extensively characterized in several model species, revealing a plethora of conserved genes involved in recognition, signaling, and responses to pathogens and parasites. However, some taxonomic groups, characterized by peculiar trophic niches, such as plant-sap feeders, which are often important pests of crops and forestry ecosystems, have been largely overlooked regarding their immune gene repertoire. Here we annotated the immune genes of soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae) for which omics data are publicly available. By using immune genes of aphids and Drosophila to query the genome of Ericerus pela, as well as the transcriptomes of Ceroplastes cirripediformis and Coccus sp., we highlight the lack of peptidoglycan recognition proteins, galectins, thaumatins, and antimicrobial peptides in Coccidae. This work contributes to expanding our knowledge about the evolutionary trajectories of immune genes and offers a list of promising candidates for developing new control strategies based on the suppression of pests' immunity through RNAi technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Becchimanzi
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.B.); (I.D.L.); (E.R.)
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Nicoletti
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.B.); (I.D.L.); (E.R.)
- Research Centre for Olive, Fruit and Citrus Crops, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Lelio
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.B.); (I.D.L.); (E.R.)
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Elia Russo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.B.); (I.D.L.); (E.R.)
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Hao Z, Lu Q, Zhou Y, Liang Y, Gao Y, Ma H, Xu Y, Wang H. Molecular characterization of MyD88 as a potential biomarker for pesticide-induced stress in Bombyx mori. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 196:105610. [PMID: 37945249 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105610] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of pesticides hampers the immune system of non-target organisms, however, there is a lack of common biomarkers to detect such effects. Myeloid differentiation primary response factor 88 (MyD88) is a crucial junction protein in the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, which plays an important role in the inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated MyD88 as a potential biomarker for pesticide-induced stress. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MyD88 was a conserved protein in the evolution of vertebrates and invertebrates. MyD88s usually have death domain (DD) and Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain. Bombyx mori (B. mori) is an important economic insect that is sensitive to toxic substances. We found microbial pesticides enhanced the expression level of MyD88 in B. mori. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that MyD88 expression level was increased in the fatbody after dinotefuran exposure, a third-generation neonicotinoid pesticide. Moreover, the expression of MyD88 was upregulated in fatbody and midgut by imidacloprid, a first-generation neonicotinoid pesticide. Additionally, insect growth regulator (IGR) pesticides, such as methoprene and fenoxycarb, could induce MyD88 expression in the fatbody of B. mori. These results indicated that MyD88 is a potential biomarker for pesticide-induced stress in B. mori. This study provides novel insights into screening common biomarkers for multiple pesticide stresses and important implications for the development of more sustainable pest management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Hao
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingyu Lu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanyan Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanting Liang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Gao
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huanyan Ma
- Agricultural Technology Extension Center of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yusong Xu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huabing Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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4
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Prince BC, Chan K, Rückert C. Elucidating the role of dsRNA sensing and Toll6 in antiviral responses of Culex quinquefasciatus cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1251204. [PMID: 37712057 PMCID: PMC10499357 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1251204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The first step of any immune response is the recognition of foreign molecular structures inside the host organism. An important molecule that is generally foreign to eukaryotic cells is long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which can be generated during virus replication. The mechanisms of sensing viral dsRNA are well-studied in mammalian systems but are only poorly understood in insects, including disease vectors such as Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are vectors for important arboviruses, such as West Nile virus, and Culex species mosquitoes are distributed across the globe in many temperate and tropical regions. The major antiviral response triggered by dsRNA in mosquitoes is RNA interference - a sequence-specific response which targets complementary viral RNA for degradation. However, here, we aimed to identify whether sequence-independent dsRNA sensing, mimicked by poly(I:C), can elicit an antiviral response. We observed a significant reduction in replication of La Crosse virus (LACV) in Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito cells following poly(I:C) priming. We identified a number of antimicrobial peptides and Toll receptors that were upregulated at the transcript level by poly(I:C) stimulation. Notably, Toll6 was upregulated and we determined that a knockdown of Toll6 expression resulted also in increased LACV replication. Future efforts require genetic tools to validate whether the observed Toll6 antiviral activity is indeed linked to dsRNA sensing. However, large-scale functional genomic and proteomic approaches are also required to determine which downstream responses are part of the poly(I:C) elicited antiviral response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudia Rückert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
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Prince BC, Walsh E, Torres TZB, Rückert C. Recognition of Arboviruses by the Mosquito Immune System. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1159. [PMID: 37509194 PMCID: PMC10376960 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) pose a significant threat to both human and animal health worldwide. These viruses are transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, or biting midges to humans or animals. In humans, arbovirus infection often results in mild flu-like symptoms, but severe disease and death also occur. There are few vaccines available, so control efforts focus on the mosquito population and virus transmission control. One area of research that may enable the development of new strategies to control arbovirus transmission is the field of vector immunology. Arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes, have coevolved with arboviruses, resulting in a balance of virus replication and vector immune responses. If this balance were disrupted, virus transmission would likely be reduced, either through reduced replication, or even through enhanced replication, resulting in mosquito mortality. The first step in mounting any immune response is to recognize the presence of an invading pathogen. Recent research advances have been made to tease apart the mechanisms of arbovirus detection by mosquitoes. Here, we summarize what is known about arbovirus recognition by the mosquito immune system, try to generate a comprehensive picture, and highlight where there are still gaps in our current understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Prince
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Elizabeth Walsh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Tran Zen B Torres
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Claudia Rückert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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Prado Sepulveda CC, Alencar RM, Santana RA, Belém de Souza I, D'Elia GMA, Godoy RSM, Duarte AP, Lopes SCP, de Lacerda MVG, Monteiro WM, Nacif-Pimenta R, Secundino NFC, Koerich LB, Pimenta PFP. Evolution and assembly of Anopheles aquasalis's immune genes: primary malaria vector of coastal Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands. Open Biol 2023; 13:230061. [PMID: 37433331 PMCID: PMC10335856 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230061] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Anophelines are vectors of malaria, the deadliest disease worldwide transmitted by mosquitoes. The availability of genomic data from various Anopheles species allowed evolutionary comparisons of the immune response genes in search of alternative vector control of the malarial parasites. Now, with the Anopheles aquasalis genome, it was possible to obtain more information about the evolution of the immune response genes. Anopheles aquasalis has 278 immune genes in 24 families or groups. Comparatively, the American anophelines possess fewer genes than Anopheles gambiae s. s., the most dangerous African vector. The most remarkable differences were found in the pathogen recognition and modulation families like FREPs, CLIP and C-type lectins. Even so, genes related to the modulation of the expression of effectors in response to pathogens and gene families that control the production of reactive oxygen species were more conserved. Overall, the results show a variable pattern of evolution in the immune response genes in the anopheline species. Environmental factors, such as exposure to different pathogens and differences in the microbiota composition, could shape the expression of this group of genes. The results presented here will contribute to a better knowledge of the Neotropical vector and open opportunities for malaria control in the endemic-affected areas of the New World.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Camilo Prado Sepulveda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Maciel Alencar
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rosa Amélia Santana
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Igor Belém de Souza
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Gigliola Mayra Ayres D'Elia
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Raquel Soares Maia Godoy
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, FIOCRUZ – Belo Horizonte. Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Duarte
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Stefanie Costa Pinto Lopes
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinicius Guimarães de Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rafael Nacif-Pimenta
- Departament of Epidemiology of Microbial Disease, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nágila Francinete Costa Secundino
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, FIOCRUZ – Belo Horizonte. Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Barbosa Koerich
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Filemon Paolucci Pimenta
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, FIOCRUZ – Belo Horizonte. Minas Gerais, Brazil
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7
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Ali Mohammadie Kojour M, Jang HA, Lee YS, Jo YH, Han YS. Innate Immune Response of TmToll-3 Following Systemic Microbial Infection in Tenebrio molitor. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076751. [PMID: 37047723 PMCID: PMC10095136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although Toll-like receptors have been widely identified and functionally characterized in mammalian models and Drosophila, the immunological function of these receptors in other insects remains unclear. Here, we explored the relevant innate immune response of Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor) Toll-3 against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and fungal infections. Our findings indicated that TmToll-3 expression was mainly induced by Candida albicans infections in the fat bodies, gut, Malpighian tubules, and hemolymph of young T. molitor larvae. Surprisingly, Escherichia coli systemic infection caused mortality after TmToll-3 knockdown via RNA interference (RNAi) injection, which was not observed in the control group. Further analyses indicated that in the absence of TmToll-3, the final effector of the Toll signaling pathway, antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes and relevant transcription factors were significantly downregulated after E. coli challenge. Our results indicated that the expression of almost all AMP genes was suppressed in silenced individuals, whereas the expression of relevant genes was positively regulated after fungal injection. Therefore, this study revealed the immunological involvement of TmToll-3 in T. molitor in response to systematic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ali Mohammadie Kojour
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Am Jang
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Seok Lee
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Hun Jo
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Soo Han
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
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8
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Ali Mohammadie Kojour M, Jang HA, Lee YS, Jo YH, Han YS. Immunological Roles of TmToll-2 in Response to Escherichia coli Systemic Infection in Tenebrio molitor. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214490. [PMID: 36430968 PMCID: PMC9699188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The antimicrobial roles of Toll-like receptors have been mainly identified in mammalian models and Drosophila. However, its immunological function in other insects has yet to be fully clarified. Here, we determined the innate immune response involvement of TmToll-2 encountering Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and fungal infection. Our data revealed that TmToll-2 expression could be induced by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans infections in the fat bodies, gut, Malpighian tubules, and hemolymph of Tenebrio molitor young larvae. However, TmToll-2 silencing via RNAi technology revealed that sole E. coli systemic infection caused mortality in the double-strand RNA TmToll-2-injected group compared with that in the control group. Further investigation indicated that in the absence of TmToll-2, the final effector of Toll signaling pathway, antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes and relevant transcription factors were significantly downregulated, mainly E. coli post-insult. We showed that the expression of all AMP genes was suppressed in the main immune organ of insects, namely, fat bodies, in silenced individuals, while the relevant expressions were not affected after fungal infection. Thus, our research revealed the immunological roles of TmToll-2 in different organs of T. molitor in response to pathogenic insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ali Mohammadie Kojour
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Am Jang
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Seok Lee
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Hun Jo
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.H.J.); (Y.S.H.)
| | - Yeon Soo Han
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.H.J.); (Y.S.H.)
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9
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Iwasaki-Yokozawa S, Nanjo R, Akiyama-Oda Y, Oda H. Lineage-specific, fast-evolving GATA-like gene regulates zygotic gene activation to promote endoderm specification and pattern formation in the Theridiidae spider. BMC Biol 2022; 20:223. [PMID: 36203191 PMCID: PMC9535882 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01421-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
The process of early development varies across the species-rich phylum Arthropoda. Owing to the limited research strategies for dissecting lineage-specific processes of development in arthropods, little is known about the variations in early arthropod development at molecular resolution. The Theridiidae spider, Parasteatoda tepidariorum, has its genome sequenced and could potentially contribute to dissecting early embryonic processes. Results We present genome-wide identification of candidate genes that exhibit locally restricted expression in germ disc forming stage embryos of P. tepidariorum, based on comparative transcriptomes of isolated cells from different regions of the embryo. A subsequent pilot screen by parental RNA interference identifies three genes required for body axis formation. One of them is a GATA-like gene that has been fast evolving after duplication and divergence from a canonical GATA family gene. This gene is designated fuchi nashi (fuchi) after its knockdown phenotypes, where the cell movement toward the formation of a germ disc was reversed. fuchi expression occurs in cells outside a forming germ disc and persists in the endoderm. Transcriptome and chromatin accessibility analyses of fuchi pRNAi embryos suggest that early fuchi activity regulates chromatin state and zygotic gene activation to promote endoderm specification and pattern formation. We also show that there are many uncharacterized genes regulated by fuchi. Conclusions Our genome-based research using an arthropod phylogenetically distant from Drosophila identifies a lineage-specific, fast-evolving gene with key developmental roles in one of the earliest, genome-wide regulatory events, and allows for molecular exploration of the developmental variations in early arthropod embryos. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01421-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawa Iwasaki-Yokozawa
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Cell and Developmental Biology, JT Biohistory Research Hall, Takatsuki, Osaka, 569-1125, Japan
| | - Ryota Nanjo
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Cell and Developmental Biology, JT Biohistory Research Hall, Takatsuki, Osaka, 569-1125, Japan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Yasuko Akiyama-Oda
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Cell and Developmental Biology, JT Biohistory Research Hall, Takatsuki, Osaka, 569-1125, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan.,Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Hiroki Oda
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Cell and Developmental Biology, JT Biohistory Research Hall, Takatsuki, Osaka, 569-1125, Japan. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan.
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10
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Cheung YP, Park S, Pagtalunan J, Maringer K. The antiviral role of NF-κB-mediated immune responses and their antagonism by viruses in insects. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [PMID: 35510990 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The antiviral role of innate immune responses mediated by the NF-κB family of transcription factors is well established in vertebrates but was for a long time less clear in insects. Insects encode two canonical NF-κB pathways, the Toll and Imd ('immunodeficiency') pathways, which are best characterised for their role in antibacterial and antifungal defence. An increasing body of evidence has also implicated NF-κB-mediated innate immunity in antiviral responses against some, but not all, viruses. Specific pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and molecular events leading to NF-κB activation by viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) have been elucidated for a number of viruses and insect species. Particularly interesting are recent findings indicating that the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway detects viral RNA to activate NF-κB-regulated gene expression. We summarise the literature on virus-NF-κB pathway interactions across the class Insecta, with a focus on the dipterans Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti. We discuss potential reasons for differences observed between different virus-host combinations, and highlight similarities and differences between cGAS-STING signalling in insects versus vertebrates. Finally, we summarise the increasing number of known molecular mechanisms by which viruses antagonise NF-κB responses, which suggest that NF-κB-mediated immunity exerts strong evolutionary pressures on viruses. These developments in our understanding of insect antiviral immunity have relevance to the large number of insect species that impact on humans through their transmission of human, livestock and plant diseases, exploitation as biotechnology platforms, and role as parasites, pollinators, livestock and pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin P Cheung
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Sohyun Park
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Justine Pagtalunan
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Kevin Maringer
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
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Peng J, Svetec N, Zhao L. Intermolecular interactions drive protein adaptive and co-adaptive evolution at both species and population levels. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 39:6456312. [PMID: 34878126 PMCID: PMC8789070 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins are the building blocks for almost all the functions in cells. Understanding the molecular evolution of proteins and the forces that shape protein evolution is essential in understanding the basis of function and evolution. Previous studies have shown that adaptation frequently occurs at the protein surface, such as in genes involved in host–pathogen interactions. However, it remains unclear whether adaptive sites are distributed randomly or at regions associated with particular structural or functional characteristics across the genome, since many proteins lack structural or functional annotations. Here, we seek to tackle this question by combining large-scale bioinformatic prediction, structural analysis, phylogenetic inference, and population genomic analysis of Drosophila protein-coding genes. We found that protein sequence adaptation is more relevant to function-related rather than structure-related properties. Interestingly, intermolecular interactions contribute significantly to protein adaptation. We further showed that intermolecular interactions, such as physical interactions, may play a role in the coadaptation of fast-adaptive proteins. We found that strongly differentiated amino acids across geographic regions in protein-coding genes are mostly adaptive, which may contribute to the long-term adaptive evolution. This strongly indicates that a number of adaptive sites tend to be repeatedly mutated and selected throughout evolution in the past, present, and maybe future. Our results highlight the important roles of intermolecular interactions and coadaptation in the adaptive evolution of proteins both at the species and population levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Peng
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Nicolas Svetec
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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