1
|
Tian YL, Fu TY, Zhong QE, Lin YG, Zheng SC, Xu GF. Homeobox protein A1-like and DNA methylation regulate embryo-specific Zinc finger protein 615 gene expression and embryonic development in the silkworm Bombyx mori. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:1063-1080. [PMID: 36419227 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13152] [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: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation and transcription factors play roles in gene expression and animal development. In insects, DNA methylation modifies gene bodies, but how DNA methylation and transcription factors regulate gene expression is unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism that regulates the expression of Bombyx mori Zinc finger protein 615 (ZnF 615), which is a downstream gene of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1), and its effects on the regulation of embryonic development. By progressively truncating the ZnF 615 promoter, it was found that the -223 and -190 nt region, which contains homeobox (Hox) protein cis-regulatory elements (CREs), had the greatest impact on the transcription of ZnF 615. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown and overexpression of Hox family genes showed that Hox A1-like can enhance the messenger RNA level of ZnF 615. Further studies showed that Hox A1-like regulates ZnF 615 expression by directly binding to the -223 and -190 nt region of its promoter. Simultaneous RNAi-mediated knockdown or overexpression of Hox A1-like and Dnmt1 significantly inhibited or enhanced the regulatory effect of either gene alone on ZnF 615 expression, suggesting that both DNA methylation of gene bodies and binding of transcription factors to promoters are essential for gene expression. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Hox A1-like and Dnmt1 showed that the embryonic development was retarded and the hatching rate was decreased. Taken together, these data suggest that Hox A1-like and DNA methylation enhance the expression of ZnF 615, thereby affecting the development of B. mori embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lin Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong-Yu Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi-En Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Guang Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si-Chun Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guan-Feng Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Adaptation of Helicoverpa armigera to Soybean Peptidase Inhibitors Is Associated with the Transgenerational Upregulation of Serine Peptidases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214301. [PMID: 36430785 PMCID: PMC9693090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular phenotypes induced by environmental stimuli can be transmitted to offspring through epigenetic inheritance. Using transcriptome profiling, we show that the adaptation of Helicoverpa armigera larvae to soybean peptidase inhibitors (SPIs) is associated with large-scale gene expression changes including the upregulation of genes encoding serine peptidases in the digestive system. Furthermore, approximately 60% of the gene expression changes induced by SPIs persisted in the next generation of larvae fed on SPI-free diets including genes encoding regulatory, oxidoreductase, and protease functions. To investigate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating SPI adaptation, the methylome of the digestive system of first-generation larvae (fed on a diet with and without SPIs) and of the progeny of larvae exposed to SPIs were characterized. A comparative analysis between RNA-seq and Methyl-seq data did not show a direct relationship between differentially methylated and differentially expressed genes, while trypsin and chymotrypsin genes were unmethylated in all treatments. Rather, DNA methylation potential epialleles were associated with transcriptional and translational controls; these may play a regulatory role in the adaptation of H. armigera to SPIs. Altogether, our findings provided insight into the mechanisms of insect adaptation to plant antiherbivore defense proteins and illustrated how large-scale transcriptional reprograming of insect genes can be transmitted across generations.
Collapse
|
3
|
Kausar S, Abbas MN, Gul I, Liu R, Li Q, Zhao E, Lv M, Cui H. Molecular Identification of Two DNA Methyltransferase Genes and Their Functional Characterization in the Anti-Bacterial Immunity of Antheraea pernyi. Front Immunol 2022; 13:855888. [PMID: 35651618 PMCID: PMC9149099 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.855888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Under different physiological conditions, such as microbial infection, epigenetic mechanisms regulate genes at the transcription level in living organisms. DNA methylation is a type of epigenetic mechanism in which DNA methyltransferases modify the expression of target genes. Here, we identified a full-length sequence of DNMT-1 and DNMT-2 from the Chinese oak silkworm, A. pernyi, which was highly similar to the homologous sequences of Bombyx mori. ApDNMT-1 and ApDNMT-2 have unique domain architectures of insect DNMTs, highlighting their conserved functions in A. pernyi. ApDNMT-1 and ApDNMT-2 were found to be widely expressed in various tissues, with the highest levels of expression in hemocytes, the ovary, testis, and fat bodies. To understand the biological role of these genes in microbial resistance, we challenged the fifth instar larvae of A. pernyi by administrating Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The results revealed that transcript levels of ApDNMT-1 and ApDNMT-2 were increased compared to the control group. The inhibition of these genes by a DNMTs inhibitor [5-azacytidine (5-AZA)] significantly reduced bacterial replication and larvae mortality. In addition, 5-AZA treatment modified the expression patterns of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the A. pernyi larvae. Our results suggest that ApDNMT-1 and ApDNMT-2 seem to have a crucial role in innate immunity, mediating antimicrobial peptide responses against bacterial infection in A. pernyi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saima Kausar
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Isma Gul
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruochen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qianqian Li
- Department of Psychology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Muhan Lv
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhao, China
- *Correspondence: Muhan Lv, ; Hongjuan Cui,
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Muhan Lv, ; Hongjuan Cui,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Aigner GP, Nenning P, Fiechtner B, Šrut M, Höckner M. DNA Methylation and Detoxification in the Earthworm Lumbricus terrestris Exposed to Cadmium and the DNA Demethylation Agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. TOXICS 2022; 10:100. [PMID: 35202286 PMCID: PMC8879108 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10020100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Earthworms are well-established model organisms for testing the effects of heavy metal pollution. How DNA methylation affects cadmium (Cd) detoxification processes such as the expression of metallothionein 2 (MT2), however, is largely unknown. We therefore exposed Lumbricus terrestris to 200 mg concentrations of Cd and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (Aza), a demethylating agent, and sampled tissue and coelomocytes, cells of the innate immune system, for 48 h. MT2 transcription significantly increased in the Cd- and Cd-Aza-treated groups. In tissue samples, a significant decrease in MT2 in the Aza-treated group was detected, showing that Aza treatment inhibits basal MT2 gene activity but has no effect on Cd-induced MT2 levels. Although Cd repressed the gene expression of DNA-(cytosine-5)-methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1), which is responsible for maintaining DNA methylation, DNMT activity was unchanged, meaning that methylation maintenance was not affected in coelomocytes. The treatment did not influence DNMT3, which mediates de novo methylation, TET gene expression, which orchestrates demethylation, and global levels of hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), a product of the demethylation process. Taken together, this study indicates that Aza inhibits basal gene activity, in contrast to Cd-induced MT2 gene expression, but does not affect global DNA methylation. We therefore conclude that Cd detoxification based on the induction of MT2 does not relate to DNA methylation changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Martina Höckner
- Department of Zoology, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (G.P.A.); (P.N.); (B.F.); (M.Š.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Planques A, Kerner P, Ferry L, Grunau C, Gazave E, Vervoort M. DNA methylation atlas and machinery in the developing and regenerating annelid Platynereis dumerilii. BMC Biol 2021; 19:148. [PMID: 34340707 PMCID: PMC8330077 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01074-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methylation of cytosines in DNA (5mC methylation) is a major epigenetic modification that modulates gene expression and constitutes the basis for mechanisms regulating multiple aspects of embryonic development and cell reprogramming in vertebrates. In mammals, 5mC methylation of promoter regions is linked to transcriptional repression. Transcription regulation by 5mC methylation notably involves the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase complex (NuRD complex) which bridges DNA methylation and histone modifications. However, less is known about regulatory mechanisms involving 5mC methylation and their function in non-vertebrate animals. In this paper, we study 5mC methylation in the marine annelid worm Platynereis dumerilii, an emerging evolutionary and developmental biology model capable of regenerating the posterior part of its body post-amputation. RESULTS Using in silico and experimental approaches, we show that P. dumerilii displays a high level of DNA methylation comparable to that of mammalian somatic cells. 5mC methylation in P. dumerilii is dynamic along the life cycle of the animal and markedly decreases at the transition between larval to post-larval stages. We identify a full repertoire of mainly single-copy genes encoding the machinery associated with 5mC methylation or members of the NuRD complex in P. dumerilii and show that this repertoire is close to the one inferred for the last common ancestor of bilaterians. These genes are dynamically expressed during P. dumerilii development and regeneration. Treatment with the DNA hypomethylating agent Decitabine impairs P. dumerilii larval development and regeneration and has long-term effects on post-regenerative growth. CONCLUSIONS Our data reveal high levels of 5mC methylation in the annelid P. dumerilii, highlighting that this feature is not specific to vertebrates in the bilaterian clade. Analysis of DNA methylation levels and machinery gene expression during development and regeneration, as well as the use of a chemical inhibitor of DNA methylation, suggest an involvement of 5mC methylation in P. dumerilii development and regeneration. We also present data indicating that P. dumerilii constitutes a promising model to study biological roles and mechanisms of DNA methylation in non-vertebrate bilaterians and to provide new knowledge about evolution of the functions of this key epigenetic modification in bilaterian animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anabelle Planques
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Kerner
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Laure Ferry
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, F-66860, Perpignan, France
| | - Eve Gazave
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006, Paris, France.
| | - Michel Vervoort
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lyu H, Xu G, Peng X, Gong C, Peng Y, Song Q, Feng Q, Zheng S. Interacting C/EBPg and YBP regulate DNA methyltransferase 1 expression in Bombyx mori embryos and ovaries. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 134:103583. [PMID: 34010702 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103583] [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: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification. DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), which catalyze the formation of 5-methylcytosine, play a role in ovarian and embryonic development in some insects. However, the underlying mechanism of Dnmt in mediating ovarian and embryonic development remains unclear. In this study, the regulation and function of Bombyx mori Dnmt1 were investigated. By progressively deleting the sequence upstream of Dnmt1, a region located between -580 and -560 region from the transcription initiation site was found to have the most transcriptional activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that transcription factor Y box binding protein (YBP), a homolog of human Y box binding protein 1 (YBX1), bound to the -580 to -560 region. YBP knockdown and overexpression in a Bombyx cell line indicated that YBP activates Dnmt1 expression. Furthermore, GST-pulldown and co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that YBP and ovarian CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBPg) could bind each other. Simultaneous knockdown of C/EBPg and YBP was more effective than single-gene RNAi in inhibiting Dnmt1 expression and reducing the hatching rate. These results demonstrated that the interaction of C/EBPg and YBP activated Dnmt1 expression. Correlated with the expression profiles of the studies genes, our results suggest that high-level expression and interaction of C/EBPg and YBP in ovaries and embryos enhance the expression of Dnmt1, thus ensuring high reproduction rate in B. mori.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Lyu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Guanfeng Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Xuezhen Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Chengcheng Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yuling Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Sichun Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gegner J, Vogel H, Billion A, Förster F, Vilcinskas A. Complete Metamorphosis in Manduca sexta Involves Specific Changes in DNA Methylation Patterns. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.646281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition between morphologically distinct phenotypes during complete metamorphosis in holometabolous insects is accompanied by fundamental transcriptional reprogramming. Using the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta), a powerful model for the analysis of insect evolution and development, we conducted a genome-wide comparative analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation in caterpillars and adults to determine whether complete metamorphosis has an epigenetic basis in this species. Bisulfite sequencing indicated a generally low level of DNA methylation with a unimodal CpGO/E distribution. Expression analysis revealed that 24 % of all known M. sexta genes (3.729) were upregulated in last-instar larvae relative to the adult moth, whereas 26 % (4.077) were downregulated. We also identified 4.946 loci and 4.960 regions showing stage-specific differential methylation. Interestingly, genes encoding histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases were differentially methylated in the larvae and adults, indicating there is crosstalk between different epigenetic mechanisms. The distinct sets of methylated genes in M. sexta larvae and adults suggest that complete metamorphosis involves epigenetic modifications associated with profound transcriptional reprogramming, involving approximately half of all the genes in this species.
Collapse
|
8
|
Cui T, Huang J, Sun Y, Ning B, Mu F, You X, Guo Y, Li H, Wang N. KLF2 Inhibits Chicken Preadipocyte Differentiation at Least in Part via Directly Repressing PPARγ Transcript Variant 1 Expression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:627102. [PMID: 33634127 PMCID: PMC7901985 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.627102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is the master regulatory factor of preadipocyte differentiation. As a result of alternative splicing and alternative promoter usage, PPARγ gene generates multiple transcript variants encoding two protein isoforms. Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) plays a negative role in preadipocyte differentiation. However, its underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrated that KLF2 inhibited the P1 promoter activity of the chicken PPARγ gene. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the P1 promoter harbored a conserved putative KLF2 binding site, and mutation analysis showed that the KLF2 binding site was required for the KLF2-mediated transcription inhibition of the P1 promoter. ChIP, EMSA, and reporter gene assays showed that KLF2 could directly bind to the P1 promoter regardless of methylation status and reduced the P1 promoter activity. Consistently, histone modification analysis showed that H3K9me2 was enriched and H3K27ac was depleted in the P1 promoter upon KLF2 overexpression in ICP1 cells. Furthermore, gene expression analysis showed that KLF2 overexpression reduced the endogenous expression of PPARγ transcript variant 1 (PPARγ1), which is driven by the P1 promoter, in DF1 and ICP1 cells, and that the inhibition of ICP1 cell differentiation by KLF2 overexpression was accompanied by the downregulation of PPARγ1 expression. Taken together, our results demonstrated that KLF2 inhibits chicken preadipocyte differentiation at least inpart via direct downregulation of PPARγ1 expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.,College of Life Science and Agriculture Forestry, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, China.,Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Jiaxin Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Yingning Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.,College of Life Science and Agriculture Forestry, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, China.,Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Bolin Ning
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Fang Mu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Xin You
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Yaqi Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Hui Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Ning Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Xu G, Lyu H, Yi Y, Peng Y, Feng Q, Song Q, Gong C, Peng X, Palli SR, Zheng S. Intragenic DNA methylation regulates insect gene expression and reproduction through the MBD/Tip60 complex. iScience 2021; 24:102040. [PMID: 33521602 PMCID: PMC7820559 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification. However, the regulations and functions of insect intragenic DNA methylation remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that a regulatory mechanism involving intragenic DNA methylation controls ovarian and embryonic developmental processes in Bombyx mori. In B. mori, DNA methylation is found near the transcription start site (TSS) of ovarian genes. By promoter activity analysis, we observed that 5′ UTR methylation enhances gene expression. Moreover, methyl-DNA-binding domain protein 2/3 (MBD2/3) binds to the intragenic methyl-CpG fragment and recruits acetyltransferase Tip60 to promote histone H3K27 acetylation and gene expression. Additionally, genome-wide analyses showed that the peak of H3K27 acetylation appears near the TSS of methyl-modified genes, and DNA methylation is enriched in genes involved in protein synthesis in the B. mori ovary, with MBD2/3 knockdown resulting in decreased fecundity. These data uncover a mechanism of gene body methylation for regulating insect gene expression and reproduction. Insect intragenic 5mC enhances gene expression through histone H3K27 acetylation MBD2/3 binds the intragenic 5mC and recruits Tip60 to promote H3K27 acetylation Intragenic 5mCs modify protein synthesis-related genes in insect ovaries The intragenic 5mC plays a role in insect reproduction
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guanfeng Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Hao Lyu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yangqin Yi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yuling Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Chengcheng Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Xuezhen Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Sichun Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Identification, expression, and artificial selection of silkworm epigenetic modification enzymes. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:740. [PMID: 33096977 PMCID: PMC7585183 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07155-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the genetic basis of phenotype variations during domestication and breeding is of great interest. Epigenetics and epigenetic modification enzymes (EMEs) may play a role in phenotypic variations; however, no comprehensive study has been performed to date. Domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori) may be utilized as a model in determining how EMEs influence domestication traits. Results We identified 44 EMEs in the genome of silkworm (Bombyx mori) using homology searching. Phylogenetic analysis showed that genes in a subfamily among different animals were well clustered, and the expression pattern of EMEs is constant among Bombyx mori, Drosophila melanogaster, and Mus musculus. These are most highly expressed in brain, early embryo, and internal genitalia. By gene-related selective sweeping, we identified five BmEMEs under artificial selection during the domestication and breeding of silkworm. Among these selected genes, BmSuv4–20 and BmDNMT2 harbor selective mutations in their upstream regions that alter transcription factor-binding sites. Furthermore, these two genes are expressed higher in the testis and ovary of domesticated silkworm compared to wild silkworms, and correlations between their expression pattern and meiosis of the sperm and ova were observed. Conclusions The domestication of silkworm has induced artificial selection on epigenetic modification markers that may have led to phenotypic changes during domestication. We present a novel perspective to understand the genetic basis underlying animal domestication and breeding. Supplementary information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s12864-020-07155-z.
Collapse
|
11
|
Xu G, Yi Y, Lyu H, Gong C, Feng Q, Song Q, Peng X, Liu L, Zheng S. DNA methylation suppresses chitin degradation and promotes the wing development by inhibiting Bmara-mediated chitinase expression in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Epigenetics Chromatin 2020; 13:34. [PMID: 32887667 PMCID: PMC7472703 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-020-00356-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA methylation, as an essential epigenetic modification found in mammals and plants, has been implicated to play an important role in insect reproduction. However, the functional role and the regulatory mechanism of DNA methylation during insect organ or tissue development are far from being clear. RESULTS Here, we found that DNA methylation inhibitor (5-aza-dC) treatment in newly molted pupae decreased the chitin content of pupal wing discs and adult wings and resulted in wing deformity of Bombyx mori. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the up-regulation of chitinase 10 (BmCHT10) gene might be related to the decrease of chitin content induced by 5-aza-dC treatment. Further, the luciferase activity assays demonstrated that DNA methylation suppressed the promoter activity of BmCHT10 by down-regulating the transcription factor, homeobox protein araucan (Bmara). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay, DNA pull-down and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that Bmara directly bound to the BmCHT10 promoter. Therefore, DNA methylation is involved in keeping the structural integrity of the silkworm wings from unwanted chitin degradation, as a consequence, it promotes the wing development of B. mori. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that DNA methylation plays an important role in the wing development of B. mori. Our results support that the indirect transcriptional repression of a chitin degradation-related gene BmCHT10 by DNA methylation is necessary to keep the proper wing development in B. mori.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guanfeng Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yangqin Yi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Hao Lyu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Chengcheng Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Xuezhen Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Sichun Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China. .,Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lievers R, Kuperus P, Groot AT. DNA methylation patterns in the tobacco budworm, Chloridea virescens. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 121:103370. [PMID: 32251721 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103370] [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: 10/19/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that is prone to stochastic variation and is responsive to environmental factors. Yet changes in DNA methylation could persist across generations and thus play an important role in evolution. In this study, we used methylation-sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphisms (MS-AFLP) to evaluate whether DNA methylation could contribute to the evolution of the sexual communication signal in the noctuid moth Chloridea virescens. We found that most DNA methylation was consistent across tissues, although some methylation sites were specifically found in pheromone glands. We also found significant DNA methylation differences among families and two pheromone phenotype selection lines, and these differences correlated with genetic variation. Most DNA methylation patterns were inherited, although some sites were subject to spontaneous de novo DNA methylation across generations. Thus, DNA methylation likely plays a role in a wide range of processes in moths. Together, our results present an important initial step towards understanding the potential role of DNA methylation in the evolution of sexual communication signals in moths.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rik Lievers
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Peter Kuperus
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Astrid T Groot
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Entomology, Hans Knoell strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Omar MA, Li M, Liu F, He K, Qasim M, Xiao H, Jiang M, Li F. The Roles of DNA Methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1) in Regulating Sexual Dimorphism in the Cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11020121. [PMID: 32059417 PMCID: PMC7074402 DOI: 10.3390/insects11020121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis, is an invasive pest that can cause massive damage to many host plants of agricultural importance. P. solenopsis is highly polyphagous, and shows extreme sexual dimorphism between males and females. The functions of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes in the cotton mealybug have not been well studied. Here, we carried out an investigation of DNMTs in cotton mealybug to study their roles in sexual dimorphism. We found that the cotton mealybug has two copies of PsDnmt1, but Dnmt3 is absent. We then amplified the full-length cDNAs of PsDnmt1A (2,225 bp) and PsDnmt1B (2,862 bp) using rapid amplification cDNA ends (RACE). Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR shows that both PsDnmt1A and PsDnmt1B are highly expressed in adult males, while the expression of PsDnmt1B is 30-fold higher in gravid females than in virgin females. We knocked down PsDnmt1A and PsDnmt1B with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and both genes were successfully down-regulated after 24 h or 72 h in adult females and pupa (t-test, p < 0.05). Down-regulating the expression of these two DNMT genes led to offspring lethality and abnormal body color in adult females. Furthermore, the silencing of PsDnmt1B induced abnormal wing development in emerged adult males. Our results provide evidence that PsDnmt1 plays a crucial role in regulating sexual dimorphism in the cotton mealybug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A.A. Omar
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects/Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China (M.L.); (F.L.); (K.H.); (M.Q.); (H.X.); (M.J.)
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Alexandria 21531, Egypt
| | - Meizhen Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects/Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China (M.L.); (F.L.); (K.H.); (M.Q.); (H.X.); (M.J.)
| | - Feiling Liu
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects/Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China (M.L.); (F.L.); (K.H.); (M.Q.); (H.X.); (M.J.)
| | - Kang He
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects/Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China (M.L.); (F.L.); (K.H.); (M.Q.); (H.X.); (M.J.)
| | - Muhammad Qasim
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects/Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China (M.L.); (F.L.); (K.H.); (M.Q.); (H.X.); (M.J.)
| | - Huamei Xiao
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects/Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China (M.L.); (F.L.); (K.H.); (M.Q.); (H.X.); (M.J.)
- College of Life Sciences and Resource Environment/Key Laboratory of Crop Growth and Development Regulation, Yichun University, Jiangxi Province, Yichun 336000, China
| | - Mingxing Jiang
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects/Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China (M.L.); (F.L.); (K.H.); (M.Q.); (H.X.); (M.J.)
| | - Fei Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects/Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China (M.L.); (F.L.); (K.H.); (M.Q.); (H.X.); (M.J.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhang J, Xu G, Qiu B, Zhang X, Feng Q, Yang Q, Zheng S. BR-C Z4 and FoxJ interact to regulate expression of a chitin synthase gene CHSA-2b in the pupal wing discs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 116:103264. [PMID: 31707207 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103264] [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: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Elaborate regulation of tissue- and stage-specific expression of genes is prerequisite for insect development. The hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) initiates metamorphosis by regulating the expression of a series of genes. However, how 20E orderly regulates the pupa-specific expression of genes remains unclear. In this study, we report a regulatory mechanism for the pupa-specific expression of chitin synthase A 2b (CHSA-2b) in Bombyx mori. We found that Broad-Complex Z4 (BR-C Z4) was up-regulated by 20E just before pupation, while transcription factor FoxJ and CHSA-2b were up-regulated during the pupal stage. There is a Fox cis-regulatory element in the CHSA-2b promoter region, and FoxJ protein bound to this element, enhancing the CHSA-2b transcription during the pupal stage. In addition to CHSA-2b, FoxJ also up-regulated the expression of 16 out of 19 pupa-specific genes tested. However, at the prepupal stage, 20E-induced BR-C Z4 inhibited the FoxJ transcription, indirectly inhibiting the CHSA-2b transcription. These data suggest that at the pre-pupation stage, 20E-induced BR-C Z4 inhibited the expression of pupa-stage genes like CHSA-2b by inhibiting the expression of FoxJ; by the pupal stage, the expression of BR-C Z4 decreased, releasing its inhibition on FoxJ, which then up-regulated the expression of the pupa-specific genes. This study explains the elaborate regulation of the pupa-specific gene expression during metamorphosis in B. mori.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Guanfeng Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Binbin Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Sichun Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Baradaran E, Moharramipour S, Asgari S, Mehrabadi M. Induction of DNA methyltransferase genes in Helicoverpa armigera following injection of pathogenic bacteria modulates expression of antimicrobial peptides and affects bacterial proliferation. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 118:103939. [PMID: 31493391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.103939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Following pathogen attack in a host, widespread changes are induced in the host's gene expression, in particular those involved in the immune system, growth and survival. Epigenetic mechanisms have been suggested to be involved in the regulation of these changes through a number of mechanisms. DNA methylation is one of the important epigenetic processes that is carried out by DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase (DNMT) and alters expression of target genes. Here, we identified two putative sequences of DNMT (i.e. DNMT1 and DNMT2) from the transcriptome dataset of Helicoverpa armigera that showed high similarity to the homologous sequences in Bombyx mori. Domain architectures of DNMT1 and DNMT2 exhibit the unique pattern of DNMTs that highlights conserved function of these genes in different insects. To see if these genes play any role in bacterial infection, we challenged the fifth instar larvae of H. armigera by injecting Bacillus thuringiensis and Serratia marcescens cells into the hemolymph. Transcript levels of the DNMTs were analyzed by RT-qPCR. The results showed that the expression levels of DNMT1 and DNMT2 increased in the bacteria-injected larvae. Injection of the heat-killed bacteria also induced the expression of the DNMTs, but lower than that of the live bacteria. To determine whether these genes function during bacterial infection, we injected the inhibitor of DNMTs, 5-azacytidine (5-AZA), into the larvae and 24 h later, the bacterial cells were also injected into the larvae. Bacterial replication and larval mortality were analyzed in the treated and control insects. We found that 5-AZA reduced bacterial replication and also mortality of the bacterial-injected larvae regardless of the pathogenic bacterial species. Interestingly, the expression levels of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were also modulated following 5-AZA treatment. In conclusion, we showed that upregulation of the DNMTs in H. armigera following bacterial infections modulates AMPs and thereby affects the insect-bacteria interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Baradaran
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Moharramipour
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mohammad Mehrabadi
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Liu Y, Ma S, Chang J, Zhang T, Chen X, Liang Y, Xia Q. Programmable targeted epigenetic editing using CRISPR system in Bombyx mori. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 110:105-111. [PMID: 31022512 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation has been proven to play roles in regulating gene expression, cell fate, disease determination, and chromatin architecture organization in mammals and plants, and is a significant component of epigenetic modification. Compared to mammals or plants, the status and function of DNA methylation are poorly understood in insects, which is partially due to the lack of efficient manipulation tools. In this study, we show that fusion protein of catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9) with TET1 can efficiently demethylate genomic DNA of silkworm Bombyx mori, in a programmable target region specific manner. We first developed an all-in-one vector to maximize the targeting efficiency of dCas9-TET1. Then we selected 3 endogenous genes that were previously found to harbor methylated DNA, and designed gRNAs within the methylated region. Co-transfection of dCas9-TET1 and gRNA successfully erased methylation marks near the targeting region, with efficiencies from about 17.50% to 40.00%. Furthermore, targeted demethylation on gene body resulted in increased mRNA transcription level. Unlike the previously widely used decitabine, a methylation inhibitor, dCas9-TET1 is more effective and specific, and has no unwanted impact on whole-genome methylation. DCas9-TET1 provides a powerful tool for investigating the functional significance of DNA methylation in a locus-specific manner, and for exploring the unknown links between methylation and development in insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Liu
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Sanyuan Ma
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Jiasong Chang
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Xiaoxu Chen
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.
| |
Collapse
|