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Kumar D, Budachetri K, Rikihisa Y, Karim S. Analysis of Amblyomma americanum microRNAs in response to Ehrlichia chaffeensis infection and their potential role in vectorial capacity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.03.592465. [PMID: 38765993 PMCID: PMC11100627 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.03.592465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a subset of small noncoding RNAs and carry tremendous potential for regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. They play pivotal roles in distinct cellular mechanisms including inhibition of bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections via immune response pathways. Intriguingly, pathogens have developed strategies to manipulate the host's miRNA profile, fostering environments conducive to successful infection. Therefore, changes in an arthropod host's miRNA profile in response to pathogen invasion could be critical in understanding host-pathogen dynamics. Additionally, this area of study could provide insights into discovering new targets for disease control and prevention. The main objective of the present study is to investigate the functional role of differentially expressed miRNAs upon Ehrlichia chaffeensis, a tick-borne pathogen, infection in tick vector, Amblyomma americanum. Methods Small RNA libraries from uninfected and E. chaffeensis-infected Am. americanum midgut and salivary gland tissues were prepared using the Illumina Truseq kit. Small RNA sequencing data was analyzed using miRDeep2 and sRNAtoolbox to identify novel and known miRNAs. The differentially expressed miRNAs were validated using a quantitative PCR assay. Furthermore, a miRNA inhibitor approach was used to determine the functional role of selected miRNA candidates. Results The sequencing of small RNA libraries generated >147 million raw reads in all four libraries and identified a total of >250 miRNAs across the four libraries. We identified 23 and 14 differentially expressed miRNAs in salivary glands, and midgut tissues infected with E. chaffeensis, respectively. Three differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-87, miR-750, and miR-275) were further characterized to determine their roles in pathogen infection. Inhibition of target miRNAs significantly decreased the E. chaffeensis load in tick tissues, which warrants more in-depth mechanistic studies. Conclusions The current study identified known and novel miRNAs and suggests that interfering with these miRNAs may impact the vectorial capacity of ticks to harbor Ehrlichia. This study identified several new miRNAs for future analysis of their functions in tick biology and tick-pathogen interaction studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Khemraj Budachetri
- Laboratory of Molecular, Cellular, and Environmental Rickettsiology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Yasuko Rikihisa
- Laboratory of Molecular, Cellular, and Environmental Rickettsiology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Shahid Karim
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
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Mahalle RM, Mota-Sanchez D, Pittendrigh BR, Kim YH, Seong KM. miRNA Dynamics for Pest Management: Implications in Insecticide Resistance. INSECTS 2024; 15:238. [PMID: 38667368 PMCID: PMC11049821 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Utilizing chemical agents in pest management in modern agricultural practices has been the predominant approach since the advent of synthetic insecticides. However, insecticide resistance is an emerging issue, as pest populations evolve to survive exposure to chemicals that were once effective in controlling them, underlining the need for advanced and innovative approaches to managing pests. In insects, microRNAs (miRNAs) serve as key regulators of a wide range of biological functions, characterized by their dynamic expression patterns and the ability to target genes. Recent studies are increasingly attributed to the significance of miRNAs in contributing to the evolution of insecticide resistance in numerous insect species. Abundant miRNAs have been discovered in insects using RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis and are known to play vital roles in regulation at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Globally, there is growing research interest in the characterization and application of miRNAs, especially for their potential role in managing insecticide resistance. This review focuses on how miRNAs contribute to regulating insecticide resistance across various insect species. Furthermore, we discuss the gain and loss of functions of miRNAs and the techniques for delivering miRNAs into the insect system. The review emphasizes the application of miRNA-based strategies to studying their role in diminishing insecticide resistance, offering a more efficient and lasting approach to insect management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Manohar Mahalle
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea;
| | - David Mota-Sanchez
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | | | - Young Ho Kim
- Department of Ecological Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea;
| | - Keon Mook Seong
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
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Zhang R, Zhang W, Zheng J, Xu J, Wang H, Du J, Zhou D, Sun Y, Shen B. Toxic Effects of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. Essential Oil and Its Main Component on Culex pipiens pallens (Diptera: Culicidae). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1516. [PMID: 37050142 PMCID: PMC10096719 DOI: 10.3390/plants12071516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable control of mosquitoes, vectors of many pathogens and parasites, is a critical challenge. Chemical insecticides are gradually losing their effectiveness because of development of resistance, and plant metabolites are increasingly being recognized as potential alternatives to chemical insecticides. This study aimed to analyze the main components of Perilla frutescens essential oil (PE-EO), investigate the specific activity of PE-EO as a botanical insecticide and mosquito repellent, and explore whether its main constituents are potential candidates for further research. The larvicidal activity assay showed that LC50 of PE-EO and 2-hexanoylfuran was 45 and 25 mg/L, respectively. In the ovicidal activity assay, both 120 mg/L PE-EO and 80 mg/L 2-hexanoylfuran could achieve 98% egg mortality. Moreover, PE-EO and 2-hexanoylfuran showed repellency and oviposition deterrence effects. Notably, 10% PE-EO maintained a high rate of protection for 360 min. Although PE-EO and its main component had certain toxic effects on zebrafish, no significant harmful effects were detected in human embryonic kidney cells. Therefore, perilla essential oil is an effective agent for mosquito control at several life stages and that its main component, 2-hexanoylfuran, is a potential candidate for developing novel plant biopesticides.
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Das S, Máquina M, Phillips K, Cuamba N, Marrenjo D, Saúte F, Paaijmans KP, Huijben S. Fine-scale spatial distribution of deltamethrin resistance and population structure of Anopheles funestus and Anopheles arabiensis populations in Southern Mozambique. Malar J 2023; 22:94. [PMID: 36915131 PMCID: PMC10010967 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04522-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insecticide resistance in malaria vectors can be spatially highly heterogeneous, yet population structure analyses frequently find relatively high levels of gene flow among mosquito populations. Few studies have contemporaneously assessed phenotypic, genotypic and population structure analysis on mosquito populations and none at fine geographical scales. In this study, genetic diversity, population structure, and insecticide resistance profiles of Anopheles funestus and Anopheles arabiensis were examined across mosquito populations from and within neighbouring villages. METHODS Mosquitoes were collected from 11 towns in southern Mozambique, as well as from different neighbourhoods within the town of Palmeira, during the peak malaria transmission season in 2016. CDC bottle bioassay and PCR assays were performed with Anopheles mosquitoes at each site to determine phenotypic and molecular insecticide resistance profiles, respectively. Microsatellite analysis was conducted on a subsample of mosquitoes to estimate genetic diversity and population structure. RESULTS Phenotypic insecticide resistance to deltamethrin was observed in An. funestus sensu stricto (s.s.) throughout the area, though a high level of mortality variation was seen. However, 98% of An. funestus s.s. were CYP6P9a homozygous resistant. An. arabiensis was phenotypically susceptible to deltamethrin and 99% were kdr homozygous susceptible. Both Anopheles species exhibited high allelic richness and heterozygosity. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed, and high linkage disequilibrium was seen for An. funestus s.s., supporting population subdivision. However, the FST values were low for both anophelines (- 0.00457 to 0.04213), Nm values were high (9.4-71.8 migrants per generation), AMOVA results showed almost 100% genetic variation among and within individuals, and Structure analysis showed no clustering of An. funestus s.s. and An. arabiensis populations. These results suggest high gene flow among mosquito populations. CONCLUSION Despite a relatively high level of phenotypic variation in the An. funestus population, molecular analysis shows the population is admixed. These data indicate that CYP6P9a resistance markers do not capture all phenotypic variation in the area, but also that resistance genes of high impact are likely to easily spread in the area. Conversely, other strategies, such as transgenic mosquito release programmes will likely not face challenges in this locality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smita Das
- The Center for Evolution & Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
- PATH, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mara Máquina
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Fundação Manhiça, Manhica, Mozambique
| | - Keeley Phillips
- The Center for Evolution & Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Nelson Cuamba
- Programa Nacional de Controlo da Malária, Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
- PMI VectorLink Project, Abt Associates Inc., Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Dulcisaria Marrenjo
- Programa Nacional de Controlo da Malária, Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Francisco Saúte
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Fundação Manhiça, Manhica, Mozambique
| | - Krijn P Paaijmans
- The Center for Evolution & Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
- Simon A. Levin Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
- The Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvie Huijben
- The Center for Evolution & Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
- Simon A. Levin Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
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You C, Zhang L, Song J, Zhang L, Zhen C, Gao X. The variation of a cytochrome P450 gene, CYP6G4, drives the evolution of Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) resistance to insecticides in China. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 236:123399. [PMID: 36775219 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Long term and excessive insecticide use has resulted in some environmental problems and especially, insecticide resistance evolution in insect pests. The variation of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), associated with the metabolic detoxification of toxic xenobiotics, is often involved in insecticide resistance. Here, we found that the variation in a P450 gene, CYP6G4, is the most important driver of carbamates resistance in the house fly (Musca domestica). Deciphering the detailed molecular mechanisms of the insecticide resistance is critical for performing suitable insecticide resistance management strategies. Our research results revealed that the combination of amino acid mutations (110C-330E-360N/S, 110C-330E-360S) of CYP6G4 could improve the resistance to propoxur. The nucleotide variations in the promoter region of CYP6G4 significantly increased the luciferase activity by the reporter gene assays. Additionally, miR-281-1-5p was confirmed to post-transcriptionally down-regulate the expression of CYP6G4. These findings suggest that three independent mechanisms; amino acid mutations of the P450 protein, mutations in the promoter region and low expression of post-trans-regulatory factors, as the powerful strategies for the insect resistance to toxic compounds, play a crucial role in the evolutionary processes of insecticide resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei You
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiajia Song
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Congai Zhen
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiwu Gao
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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Genome-Wide Identification, Expression Profiling, and Characterization of Cyclin-like Genes Reveal Their Role in the Fertility of the Diamondback Moth. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101493. [PMID: 36290396 PMCID: PMC9598266 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Cyclin genes are known as cell cycle regulators and play a significant role in the fertility of different organisms, including mice and insects. Until now, no study has been performed on the complete identification of the cyclin genes in insects. Here, we identified 21 cyclin genes in the diamondback moth (DBM) genome through a comprehensive genome-wide analysis and evaluated the gene structure, genomic location, and evolutionary relationship. Cis-regulatory elements and potential miRNA targeting the cyclin genes were also assessed. By analyzing the transcriptomic and RT-qPCR based expression profiling at different stages and tissues, we found that the majority of the cyclin genes were significantly expressed in the reproductive tissues. Moreover, RNAi-mediated characterization of PxCyc B1 showed its role in female fertility. The current study provides a basis for further evaluation of the cyclin genes, which may be used as a potential target for pest management programs. Abstract Cyclin-like genes are primarily considered as cell cycle regulators and have shown to be crucial for insect growth, development, reproduction, and fertility. However, no research has been performed on the cyclin-like genes in the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Here, we identified the 21 cyclin genes in the genome of P. xylostella and clustered them into four groups. Most cyclin genes showed a well-maintained gene structure and motif distribution within the same group. The putative promoter regions of cyclin genes contained several transcription binding factors related to reproduction, along with growth and development. Furthermore, 16 miRNAs were identified targeting the 13 cyclin genes. Transcriptome and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)-based expression profiling of cyclin-like genes at different stages and tissues were evaluated, revealing that 16 out of 21 cyclin genes were highly expressed in reproductive tissues of adult females and males. The Cyclin B1 gene (PxCyc B1) was only expressed in the ovary of the adult female and selected for the subsequent analysis. RNAi-mediated suppression of PxCyc B1 interrupted the external genitalia and length of the ovariole of female adults. Furthermore, the egg-laying capacity and hatching rate were also significantly decreased by suppressing the PxCyc B1, indicating the importance of cyclin genes in the reproduction and fertility of P. xylostella. The current study explained the detailed genome-wide analysis of cyclin-like genes in P. xylostella, which provided a basis for subsequent research to assess the roles of cyclin genes in reproduction, and the cyclin gene may be considered an effective target site to control this pest.
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Li Z, Mao K, Jin R, Cai T, Qin Y, Zhang Y, He S, Ma K, Wan H, Ren X, Li J. miRNA novel_268 targeting NlABCG3 is involved in nitenpyram and clothianidin resistance in Nilaparvata lugens. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 217:615-623. [PMID: 35853504 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), is one of the most destructive pests that seriously threatens the high-quality and safe production of rice. However, due to the unscientific use of chemical insecticides, N. lugens has developed varying levels of resistance to insecticides, including nitenpyram and clothianidin. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter plays a nonnegligible role in phase III of the detoxification process, which may play an important role in insecticide resistance. In the present study, NlABCG3 was significantly overexpressed in both the NR and CR populations compared with susceptible populations. Silencing NlABCG3 significantly increased the susceptibility of BPH to nitenpyram and clothianidin. In addition, RNAi-mediated knockdown of three key genes in the miRNA biogenesis pathway altered the level of NlABCG3. Subsequently, the luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that novel_268 binds to the NlABCG3 coding region and downregulates its expression. Furthermore, injection of miRNA inhibitors or mimics of novel_268 significantly altered the susceptibility of N. lugens to nitenpyram and clothianidin. These results suggest that miRNA novel_268 targeting NlABCG3 is involved in nitenpyram and clothianidin resistance in N. lugens. These findings may help to enhance our knowledge of the transcriptional regulation of the ABC transporter that mediate insecticide resistance in N. lugens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Li
- Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 40 Nongkenan Road, Hefei 230031, PR China; Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Kaikai Mao
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Ruoheng Jin
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Tingwei Cai
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Yao Qin
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Yunhua Zhang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Shun He
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Kangsheng Ma
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Hu Wan
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Xuexiang Ren
- Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 40 Nongkenan Road, Hefei 230031, PR China.
| | - Jianhong Li
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
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