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Yuan F, Xie Z, Li Z, Lian P, Wei C. Screening of reference genes for gene expression study in different tissues from the transcriptome data of the vector leafhopper Psammotettix striatus. Gene 2024; 927:148696. [PMID: 38878986 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Selecting appropriate reference genes is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of gene expression study using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). To screen the optimal reference genes for analyzing gene expression in different tissues of the vector leafhopper Psammotettix striatus which causes extensive damage to a wide range of crops by vectoring multiple plant pathogenic microorganisms, the transcriptome data from Malpighian tubules (MTs) of P. striatus were mined. Twenty alternative candidate reference genes were initially selected for screening, among which seven genes with diverse Gene Ontology (GO) annotations were choosed as candidate reference genes, i.e., ribosomal protein L7A (RPL7A), ribosomal protein S28 (RPS28), ribosomal protein L22 (RPL22), ribosomal protein LP2 (RPLP2), H3 histone family 3A (H3F3A), elongation factor 1γ (EF-1γ), and elongation factor 1α (EF-1α). Gene expression levels in different tissues of P. striatus adults were examined using RT-qPCR, and their expression stability was analyzed using multiple reference gene screening software. This study revealed EF-1α as the most abundantly expressed gene, while RPL22 exhibited the lowest expression levels. EF-1α showed the most stable expression, whereas RPS28 showed the least stability. Various software tools confirmed EF-1α as the most stable single reference gene, and EF-1α and RPLP2 an optimal combination. This study provides a foundation for future investigation of the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms mediated by the vector leafhoppers, the function of the MTs, the biosynthesis of brochosomes, the coevolutionary processes and nutritional interactions of symbionts and host insects, and the gene expression study of other sap-sucking insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feimin Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management On Crops in Northwest Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhen Xie
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management On Crops in Northwest Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zi Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management On Crops in Northwest Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pengcheng Lian
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management On Crops in Northwest Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Cong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management On Crops in Northwest Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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Halberg KV, Denholm B. Mechanisms of Systemic Osmoregulation in Insects. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 69:415-438. [PMID: 37758224 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-040323-021222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Water is essential to life. Terrestrial insects lose water by evaporation from the body surface and respiratory surfaces, as well as in the excretory products, posing a challenge made more acute by their high surface-to-volume ratio. These losses must be kept to a minimum and be offset by water gained from other sources. By contrast, insects such as the blood-sucking bug Rhodnius prolixus consume up to 10 times their body weight in a single blood meal, necessitating rapid expulsion of excess water and ions. How do insects manage their ion and water budgets? A century of study has revealed a great deal about the organ systems that insects use to maintain their ion and water balance and their regulation. Traditionally, a taxonomically wide range of species were studied, whereas more recent research has focused on model organisms to leverage the power of the molecular genetic approach. Key advances in new technologies have become available for a wider range of species in the past decade. We document how these approaches have already begun to inform our understanding of the diversity and conservation of insect systemic osmoregulation. We advocate that these technologies be combined with traditional approaches to study a broader range of nonmodel species to gain a comprehensive overview of the mechanism underpinning systemic osmoregulation in the most species-rich group of animals on earth, the insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Veland Halberg
- Section for Cell and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Barry Denholm
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Sarkar P, Lin CY, Buritica JR, Killiny N, Levy A. Crossing the Gateless Barriers: Factors Involved in the Movement of Circulative Bacteria Within Their Insect Vectors. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2023; 113:1805-1816. [PMID: 37160668 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-07-22-0249-ia] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Plant bacterial pathogens transmitted by hemipteran vectors pose a large threat to the agricultural industry worldwide. Although virus-vector relationships have been widely investigated, a significant gap exists in our understanding of the molecular interactions between circulative bacteria and their insect vectors, mainly leafhoppers and psyllids. In this review, we will describe how these bacterial pathogens adhere, invade, and proliferate inside their insect vectors. We will also highlight the different transmission routes and molecular factors of phloem-limited bacteria that maintain an effective relationship with the insect host. Understanding the pathogen-vector relationship at the molecular level will help in the management of vector-borne bacterial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poulami Sarkar
- Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
| | - Chun-Yi Lin
- Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
| | - Jacobo Robledo Buritica
- Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Nabil Killiny
- Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Amit Levy
- Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
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Wu W, Lei JN, Mao Q, Tian YZ, Shan HW, Chen JP. Insights into Brochosome Distribution, Synthesis, and Novel Rapid-Release Mechanism in Maiestas dorsalis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). INSECTS 2023; 14:734. [PMID: 37754701 PMCID: PMC10531587 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The leafhopper family Cicadellidae, comprising over 22,000 species, exhibits a unique behavior of anointing their bodies with excretions containing brochosomes. Brochosomes are synthesized in the distal segment of the Malpighian tubules and serve various functions, including hydrophobic protection and defense against pathogens and predators. In this study, we investigated the distribution, synthesis, and release mechanisms of brochosomes in the rice pest leafhopper Maiestas dorsalis. Using SEM and TEM, we observed brochosomes' consistent coverage on the integument throughout the insect's life cycle. Moreover, we identified four distinct developmental stages of brochosome synthesis within the distal segment of the Malpighian tubules, originating from the Golgi region. Most importantly, our research revealed a novel and highly efficient release mechanism involving the fusion of brochosome-containing vesicles, leading to a rapid and substantial release of brochosomes into the tubule lumen after molting. These findings shed light on the intricate processes of brochosome synthesis and release in leafhoppers, offering valuable insights into their functional significance and ecological role in these fascinating insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Jian-Ping Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
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Huang Q, Shan HW, Chen JP, Wu W. Diversity and Dynamics of Bacterial Communities in the Digestive and Excretory Systems across the Life Cycle of Leafhopper, Recilia dorsalis. INSECTS 2023; 14:545. [PMID: 37367361 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Recilia dorsalis is a notorious rice pest that harbors numerous symbiotic microorganisms. However, the structure and dynamics of bacterial communities in various tissues of R. dorsalis throughout its life cycle remain unclear. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the bacterial communities in the digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems of R. dorsalis at different developmental stages. The results showed that the initial microbiota in R. dorsalis mostly originated from vertical transmission via the ovaries. After the second-instar nymphs, the diversity of bacterial communities in the salivary gland and Malpighian tubules gradually decreased, while the midgut remained stable. Principal coordinate analysis revealed that the structure of bacterial communities in R. dorsalis was primarily influenced by the developmental stage, with minimal variation in bacterial species among different tissues but significant variation in bacterial abundance. Tistrella was the most abundant bacterial genus in most developmental stages, followed by Pantoea. The core bacterial community in R. dorsalis continuously enriched throughout development and contributed primarily to food digestion and nutrient supply. Overall, our study enriches our knowledge of the bacterial community associated with R. dorsalis and provides clues for developing potential biological control technologies against this rice pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyan Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Hong-Wei Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Jian-Ping Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
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Yuan F, Su M, Li T, Zhang Y, Dietrich CH, Webb MD, Wei C. Functional and evolutionary implications of protein and metal content of leafhopper brochosomes. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 157:103962. [PMID: 37178742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103962] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Brochosomes derived from the specialized glandular segments of the Malpighian tubules (MTs) form superhydrophobic coatings for insects of Membracoidea, and have multiple hypothetical functions. However, the constituents, biosynthesis and evolutionary origin of brochosomes remain poorly understood. We investigated general chemical and physical characteristics of the integumental brochosomes (IBs) of the leafhopper Psammotettix striatus, determined the constituents of IBs, identified the unigenes involved in brochosomal protein synthesis, and investigated the potential associations among brochosomal protein synthesis, amino acid composition of food source, and the possible roles of endosymbionts in brochosome production. The results show that IBs are mainly composed of glycine- and tyrosine-rich proteins and some metal elements, which contain both essential and non-essential amino acids (EAAs and NEAAs) for insects, including EAAs deficient in the sole food source. All 12 unigenes involved in synthesizing the 12 brochosomal proteins (BPs) with high confidence are exclusively highly expressed in the glandular segment of MTs, confirming that brochosomes are synthesized by this segment. The synthesis of BPs is one of the key synapomorphies of Membracoidea but may be lost secondarily in a few lineages. The synthesis of BPs might be related to the symbiosis of leafhoppers/treehoppers with endosymbionts that provide these insects with EAAs, including those are deficient in the sole diet (i.e., plant sap) and could only be made available by the symbionts. We hypothesize that the functional modification of MTs have combined with the application of BPs enabling Membracoidea to colonize and adapt to novel ecological niches, and evolve to the dramatic diversification of this hemipteran group (in particular the family Cicadellidae). This study highlights the importance of evolutionary plasticity and multiple functions of MTs in driving the adaptations and evolution of sap-sucking insects of Hemiptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feimin Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Minjing Su
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Tiantian Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Yalin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Christopher H Dietrich
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - Michael D Webb
- Department of Science (Insects), The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD, London, UK
| | - Cong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
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Orchard I, Al-Dailami AN, Leyria J, Lange AB. Malpighian tubules of Rhodnius prolixus: More than post-prandial diuresis. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1167889. [PMID: 38469518 PMCID: PMC10926411 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1167889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Rhodnius prolixus, a major vector of Chagas disease, may be considered the model upon which the foundations of insect physiology and biochemistry were built. It is an obligate blood feeder in which the blood meal triggers growth, development and reproduction. The blood meal also triggers a post-prandial diuresis to maintain osmotic homeostasis. In R. prolixus, as with other insects, the Malpighian tubules play a critical role in this diuresis, and much has been learned about diuresis in R. prolixus, and in other model insects. But the post-genomic era has brought new insights, identifying functions quite apart from diuresis for Malpighian tubules. Indeed, microarrays, transcriptomes, and proteomics have revealed the major roles that Malpighian tubules play in immunity, detoxification, pesticide resistance, and in tolerance to overall stress. This is particularly relevant to R. prolixus since gorging on blood creates several challenges in addition to osmotic balance. Xenobiotics may be present in the blood or toxins may be produced by metabolism of blood; and these must be neutralized and excreted. These processes have not been well described at the molecular level for Malpighian tubules of R. prolixus. This paper will review the involvement of Malpighian tubules in immunity and detoxification, identifying new aspects for Malpighian tubule physiology of R. prolixus by virtue of a transcriptome analysis. The transcriptome analysis indicates the potential of Malpighian tubules of R. prolixus to mount a robust innate immune response, and to contribute to antioxidant production and heme detoxification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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