The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone binds to dopamine receptor to repress lepidopteran insect feeding and promote pupation

Population Density-Dependent Developmental Regulation in Migratory Locust

Insect development is intricately governed by hormonal signaling pathways, yet the pivotal upstream regulator that potentiates hormone activation remains largely elusive. The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, exhibits population density-dependent phenotypic plasticity, encompassing traits such as flight capability, body coloration, and behavior. In this study, we elucidated a negative correlation between population density and ontogenetic development during the nymphal stage of locusts. We found that the level of density influences the developmental trajectory by modulating transcript abundance within the ecdysone signaling pathway, with knockdown of the prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) resulting in developmental delay. Transcriptomic analysis of locust brains across solitary and gregarious phases revealed significant differential expression of genes involved in various pathways, including protein synthesis, energy metabolism, hormonal regulation, and immunity. Notably, knockdown experiments targeting two energy regulators, adipokinetic hormone (AKH) and insulin-like polypeptide 1 (ilp1), failed to elicit changes in the developmental process in solitary locusts. However, knockdown of immunoglobulin (IG) significantly shortened the developmental time in higher-density populations. Collectively, our findings underscore the regulatory role of population density in determining developmental duration and suggest that an immune-related gene contributes to the observed differences in developmental patterns.

The pharyngeal taste organ of a blood-feeding insect functions in food recognition

BACKGROUND

Obligate blood-feeding insects obtain the nutrients and water necessary to ensure survival from the vertebrate blood. The internal taste sensilla, situated in the pharynx, evaluate the suitability of the ingested food. Here, through multiple approaches, we characterized the pharyngeal organ (PO) of the hematophagous kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus to determine its role in food assessment. The PO, located antero-dorsally in the pharynx, comprises eight taste sensilla that become bathed with the incoming blood.

RESULTS

We showed that these taste sensilla house gustatory receptor neurons projecting their axons through the labral nerves to reach the subesophageal zone in the brain. We found that these neurons are electrically activated by relevant appetitive and aversive gustatory stimuli such as NaCl, ATP, and caffeine. Using RNA-Seq, we examined the expression of sensory-related gene families in the PO. We identified gustatory receptors, ionotropic receptors, transient receptor potential channels, pickpocket channels, opsins, takeouts, neuropeptide precursors, neuropeptide receptors, and biogenic amine receptors. RNA interference assays demonstrated that the salt-related pickpocket channel Rproppk014276 is required during feeding of an appetitive solution of NaCl and ATP.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide evidence of the role of the pharyngeal organ in food evaluation. This work shows a comprehensive characterization of a pharyngeal taste organ in a hematophagous insect.

A cell atlas of the larval Aedes aegypti ventral nerve cord

Mosquito-borne diseases account for nearly 1 million human deaths annually, yet we have a limited understanding of developmental events that influence host-seeking behavior and pathogen transmission in mosquitoes. Mosquito-borne pathogens are transmitted during blood meals, hence adult mosquito behavior and physiology have been intensely studied. However, events during larval development shape adult traits, larvae respond to many of the same sensory cues as adults, and larvae are susceptible to infection by many of the same disease-causing agents as adults. Hence, a better understanding of larval physiology will directly inform our understanding of physiological processes in adults. Here, we use single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to provide a comprehensive view of cellular composition in the Aedes aegypti larval ventral nerve cord (VNC), a central hub of sensory inputs and motor outputs which additionally controls multiple aspects of larval physiology. We identify more than 35 VNC cell types defined in part by neurotransmitter and neuropeptide expression. We also explore diversity among monoaminergic and peptidergic neurons that likely control key elements of larval physiology and developmental timing, and identify neuroblasts and immature neurons, providing a view of neuronal differentiation in the VNC. Finally, we find that larval cell composition, number, and position are preserved in the adult abdominal VNC, suggesting studies of larval VNC form and function will likely directly inform our understanding adult mosquito physiology. Altogether, these studies provide a framework for targeted analysis of VNC development and neuronal function in Aedes aegypti larvae.

Involvement of a silkworm D2-like dopamine receptor in the promotion of feeding and related behaviors

The biogenic amine dopamine (DA) regulates various physiological and behavioral processes in insects through binding with specific receptors. Three types of typical receptors are known to date. Previously, we achieved functional and pharmacological characterization of the three DA receptors in the silkworm Bombyx mori (BmDopR1-3). BmDopR1 and BmDopR2 are functionally classified as D1-like DA receptors, and BmDopR3 as D2-like. The present pharmacological data and our previous studies suggested that bromocriptine (Bro), which acts as an agonist on the DA D2 receptors and also interacts with various serotonin and adrenergic receptors in vertebrates, is an agonist that also acts specifically on BmDopR3, with little effect on BmDopR1 and BmDopR2 in silkworms. Exploiting this subtype specificity of Bro, to offer clues on the involvement of DA and its receptors in silkworm feeding behavior, Bro was injected into fifth instar larvae and subsequent feeding and related behaviors (feeding amount, excretion amount, mandibular movement, and feeding behavior observation) were quantitatively evaluated. Bro injection increased feeding and excretion amounts but did not affect mandibular chewing speed. Visual observation of feeding behavior for 1 h revealed the prolongation of feeding and related moving time in Bro-injected larvae. Collectively, these results suggest that Bro directly acted on BmDopR3 as an agonist and promoted feeding and related behaviors in silkworm larvae.

Toll-interacting protein participates in immunity and development of the lepidopteran insect Antheraea pernyi

Toll-interacting protein (Tollip) participates in multiple biological processes. However, the biological functions of Tollip proteins in insects remain to be further explored. Here, the genomic sequence of tollip gene from Antheraea pernyi (named Ap-Tollip) was identified with a length of 15,060 bp, including eight exons and seven introns. The predicted Ap-Tollip protein contained conserved C2 and CUE domains and was highly homologous to those tollips from invertebrates. Ap-Tollip was highly expressed in fat body compared with other determined tissues. As far as the developmental stages were concerned, the highest expression level was found at the 14th day in eggs or the 3rd day of the 1st instar. Ap-Tollip was also obviously regulated by lipopolysaccharide, polycytidylic acid or 20E in different tissues. In addition, the interaction between Ap-Tollip and ubiquitin was confirmed by western blotting and pull-down assay. RNAi of Ap-Tollip significantly affected the expression levels of apoptosis and autophagy-related genes. These results indicated that Ap-Tollip was involved in immunity and development of A. pernyi.

Genome-wide analysis of long noncoding RNAs and their association in regulating the metamorphosis of the Sarcophaga peregrina (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

BACKGROUND

The flesh fly, Sarcophaga peregrina (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), is an important hygiene pest, that causes myiasis in humans and other mammals, typically livestock, and as a vector for various parasitic agents, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in regulating gene expression during metamorphosis of the flesh fly has not been well established.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

In this study, we performed genome-wide identification and characterization of lncRNAs from the early pupal stage (1-days pupae), mid-term pupal stage (5-days pupae), and late pupal stage (9-days pupae) of S. peregrina by RNA-seq, and a total of 6921 lncRNAs transcripts were identified. RT-qPCR and enrichment analyses revealed the differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs) that might be associated with insect metamorphosis development. Furthermore, functional analysis revealed that the DE lncRNA (SP_lnc5000) could potentially be involved in regulating the metamorphosis of S. peregrina. RNA interference of SP_lnc5000 caused reduced expression of metamorphosis-related genes in 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling (Br-c, Ftz-F1), cuticle tanning pathway (TH, DOPA), and chitin related pathway (Cht5). Injection of dsSP_lnc5000 in 3rd instar larvae of S. peregrina resulted in deformed pupae, stagnation of pupal-adult metamorphosis, and a decrease in development time of pupal, pupariation rates and eclosion rates. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E), scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and cuticle hydrocarbons (CHCs) analysis indicated that SP_lnc5000 had crucial roles in the metamorphosis developmental by modulating pupal cuticular development.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

We established that the lncRNA SP_lnc5000 potentially regulates the metamorphosis of S. peregrina by putatively affecting the structure and composition of the pupal cuticle. This study enhances our understanding of lncRNAs as regulators of metamorphosis in S. peregrina, and provide valuable insights into the identification of potential targets for vector control and the development of effective strategies for controlling the spread of myiasis and parasitic diseases.

'Sharpshooter' in Botanic Garden: the tale of a rare plant-insect interaction

Here we report a unique plant-insect interaction between the leafhopper Aloka depressa (tribe Phlogisini) and the host liana, Diploclisia glaucescens, from a Botanic Garden located at the southern edge of Western Ghats in India. Field observations and SEM micrographs were employed to derive evidences on this rare plant-insect interaction. 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E), insect moulting hormone, was detected and quantified in the host plant D. glaucescens using HPTLC-densitometry. 20E was isolated and characterized from D. glaucescens using column chromatography, 1H-, 13C-NMR and HR-MS. 20E was also detected in A. depressa excrement using HPTLC-densitometry. The leafhopper A. depressa is functioning as a 'sharpshooter' drawing nutrients from the host liana, D. glaucescens, and flinging the waste fluid as droplets through their tail ends. SEM micrographs of A. depressa revealed its external morphological features, characteristic of a sharpshooter. We quantified 20E (0.44-1.44%, dry wt.) in various parts of D. glaucescens. 20E (1.47%, dry wt.) was also detected in the excrement of A. depressa. This plant (D. glaucescens)-insect (A. depressa) association crucially is not damaging the host liana. Considering the diseases caused by sharpshooting leafhoppers in the Americas, this association and the survival of the host plant (D. glaucescens) is illustrating a unique plant-insect interaction.

Steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone disturbs fat body lipid metabolism and negatively regulates gluconeogenesis in Hyphantria cunea larvae

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) has been described to regulate fat body lipid metabolism in insects, but its accurate regulatory mechanism, especially the crosstalk between 20E-induced lipid metabolism and gluconeogenesis remains largely unclear. Here, we specially investigated the effect of 20E on lipid metabolism and gluconeogenesis in the fat body of Hyphantria cunea larvae, a notorious pest in forestry. Lipidomics analysis showed that a total of 1 907 lipid species were identified in the fat body of H. cunea larvae assigned to 6 groups and 48 lipid classes. The differentially abundant lipids analysis showed a significant difference between 20E-treated and control samples, indicating that 20E caused a remarkable alteration of lipidomics profiles in the fat body of H. cunea larvae. Further studies demonstrated that 20E accelerated fatty acid β-oxidation, inhibited lipid synthesis, and promoted lipolysis. Meanwhile, the activities of pyruvate carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, and glucose-6-phosphatase were dramatically suppressed by 20E in the fat body of H. cunea larvae. As well, the transcriptions of genes encoding these 4 rate-limiting gluconeogenic enzymes were significantly downregulated in the fat body of H. cunea larvae after treatment with 20E. Taken together, our results revealed that 20E disturbed fat body lipid homeostasis, accelerated fatty acid β-oxidation and promoted lipolysis, but negatively regulated gluconeogenesis in H. cunea larvae. The findings might provide a new insight into hormonal regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in insect fat body.

20-Hydroxyecdysone counteracts insulin to promote programmed cell death by modifying phosphoglycerate kinase 1

BACKGROUND

The regulation of glycolysis and autophagy during feeding and metamorphosis in holometabolous insects is a complex process that is not yet fully understood. Insulin regulates glycolysis during the larval feeding stage, allowing the insects to grow and live. However, during metamorphosis, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) takes over and regulates programmed cell death (PCD) in larval tissues, leading to degradation and ultimately enabling the insects to transform into adults. The precise mechanism through which these seemingly contradictory processes are coordinated remains unclear and requires further research. To understand the coordination of glycolysis and autophagy during development, we focused our investigation on the role of 20E and insulin in the regulation of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1). We examined the glycolytic substrates and products, PGK1 glycolytic activity, and the posttranslational modification of PGK1 during the development of Helicoverpa armigera from feeding to metamorphosis.

RESULTS

Our findings suggest that the coordination of glycolysis and autophagy during holometabolous insect development is regulated by a balance between 20E and insulin signaling pathways. Glycolysis and PGK1 expression levels were decreased during metamorphosis under the regulation of 20E. Insulin promoted glycolysis and cell proliferation via PGK1 phosphorylation, while 20E dephosphorylated PGK1 via phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) to repress glycolysis. The phosphorylation of PGK1 at Y194 by insulin and its subsequent promotion of glycolysis and cell proliferation were important for tissue growth and differentiation during the feeding stage. However, during metamorphosis, the acetylation of PGK1 by 20E was key in initiating PCD. Knockdown of phosphorylated PGK1 by RNA interference (RNAi) at the feeding stage led to glycolysis suppression and small pupae. Insulin via histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) deacetylated PGK1, whereas 20E via acetyltransferase arrest-defective protein 1 (ARD1) induced PGK1 acetylation at K386 to stimulate PCD. Knockdown of acetylated-PGK1 by RNAi at the metamorphic stages led to PCD repression and delayed pupation.

CONCLUSIONS

The posttranslational modification of PGK1 determines its functions in cell proliferation and PCD. Insulin and 20E counteractively regulate PGK1 phosphorylation and acetylation to give it dual functions in cell proliferation and PCD.

An entomopathogenic fungus exploits its host humoral antibacterial immunity to minimize bacterial competition in the hemolymph

BACKGROUND

The insect hemolymph (blood-equivalent fluid), composed of a large number of hemocytes (blood cells) and a variety of soluble immune effectors, is hostile for pathogens including fungi. In order to survive in the insect hemocoel (body cavity), the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) has evolved two classical coping strategies, namely evasion and suppression of the host immune reactions. However, it remains unclear whether EPF has other ways of coping with host immunity.

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrated that Metarhizium rileyi (an EPF) infection by injection of blastospores into the hemocoel enhanced the plasma antibacterial activity of cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), which was partially due to the enhanced expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The early stage of M. rileyi infection induced the translocation of gut bacteria into the hemocoel, where they were subsequently cleared due to the enhanced plasma antibacterial activity. Further, we showed that the enhanced plasma antibacterial activity and AMP expression were attributable to M. rileyi but not the invasive gut bacteria (opportunistic bacteria). Elevated ecdysone (major steroid hormone in insects) levels in the hemolymph at 48 h post-M. rileyi infection might contribute to the enhanced expression of AMPs. The fungus-elicited AMPs, such as cecropin 3 or lebocin, exhibited potent inhibitory activity against the opportunistic bacteria but not against hyphal bodies. In addition, the opportunistic bacteria competed with hyphal bodies for amino acid nutrients.

CONCLUSIONS

M. rileyi infection induced the translocation of gut bacteria, and then the fungi activated and exploited its host humoral antibacterial immunity to eliminate opportunistic bacteria, preventing them from competing for nutrients in the hemolymph. Unlike the classical strategies, EPF utilizes to evade or suppress host immunity, our findings reveal a novel strategy of interaction between EPF and host immunity. Video Abstract.

The multimodal action of G alpha q in coordinating growth and homeostasis in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc

Background

G proteins mediate cell responses to various ligands and play key roles in organ development. Dysregulation of G-proteins or Ca ²⁺ signaling impacts many human diseases and results in birth defects. However, the downstream effectors of specific G proteins in developmental regulatory networks are still poorly understood.

Methods

We employed the Gal4/UAS binary system to inhibit or overexpress Gαq in the wing disc, followed by phenotypic analysis. Immunohistochemistry and next-gen RNA sequencing identified the downstream effectors and the signaling cascades affected by the disruption of Gαq homeostasis.

Results

Here, we characterized how the G protein subunit Gαq tunes the size and shape of the wing in the larval and adult stages of development. Downregulation of Gαq in the wing disc reduced wing growth and delayed larval development. Gαq overexpression is sufficient to promote global Ca ²⁺ waves in the wing disc with a concomitant reduction in the Drosophila final wing size and a delay in pupariation. The reduced wing size phenotype is further enhanced when downregulating downstream components of the core Ca ²⁺ signaling toolkit, suggesting that downstream Ca ²⁺ signaling partially ameliorates the reduction in wing size. In contrast, Gαq -mediated pupariation delay is rescued by inhibition of IP ₃ R, a key regulator of Ca ²⁺ signaling. This suggests that Gαq regulates developmental phenotypes through both Ca ²⁺ -dependent and Ca ²⁺ -independent mechanisms. RNA seq analysis shows that disruption of Gαq homeostasis affects nuclear hormone receptors, JAK/STAT pathway, and immune response genes. Notably, disruption of Gαq homeostasis increases expression levels of Dilp8, a key regulator of growth and pupariation timing.

Conclusion

Gαq activity contributes to cell size regulation and wing metamorphosis. Disruption to Gαq homeostasis in the peripheral wing disc organ delays larval development through ecdysone signaling inhibition. Overall, Gαq signaling mediates key modules of organ size regulation and epithelial homeostasis through the dual action of Ca ²⁺ -dependent and independent mechanisms.

20-Hydroxyecdysone and Receptor Interplay in the Regulation of Hemolymph Glucose Level in Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Larvae

The hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the ecdysone receptors (ECR and USP) play critical roles in the growth and metabolism of insects, including honeybees. In this study, we investigated the effect of 20E on the growth and development of honeybee larvae by rearing them in vitro and found reduced food consumption and small-sized pupae with increasing levels of 20E. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based analysis of widely targeted metabolomics was used to examine the changes in the metabolites after an exogenous 20E application to honeybee larvae and the underlying mechanisms. A total of 374 different metabolites were detected between the control group and the 20E treatment group, covering 12 subclasses. The most significant changes occurred in 7-day-old larvae, where some monosaccharides, such as D-Glucose and UDP-galactose, were significantly upregulated. In addition, some metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and galactose metabolism, were affected by the 20E treatment, suggesting that the 20E treatment disrupts the metabolic homeostasis of honeybee larvae hemolymph and that the response of honeybee larvae to the 20E treatment is dynamic and contains many complex pathways. Many genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, including genes of the glycolysis and glycogen synthesis pathways, were downregulated during molting and pupation after the 20E treatment. In contrast, the expression levels of the genes related to gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis were significantly increased, which directly or indirectly upregulated glucose levels in the hemolymph, whereas RNA interference with the 20E receptor EcR-USP had an opposite effect to that of the 20E treatment. Taken together, 20E plays a critical role in the changes in carbohydrate metabolism during metamorphosis.

Functional characterization of putative ecdysone transporters in lepidopteran pests

The insect steroid hormone ecdysone plays a critical role in insect development. Several recent studies have shown that ecdysone enters cells through Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides (OATPs) in insects such as flies and mosquitoes. However, the conservation of this mechanism across other arthropods and the role of this transporter in canonical ecdysone pathways are less well studied. Herein we functionally characterized the putative ecdysone importer (EcI) from two major agricultural moth pests: Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm) and Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm). Phylogenetic analysis of OATP transporters across the superphylum Ecdysozoa revealed that EcI likely appeared only at the root of the arthropod lineage. Partial disruption of EcI in S. frugiperda decreased embryo hatching rate and larval survival, suggesting that this gene is essential for development in vivo. Depletion and re-expression of EcI in the lepidoptera cell line RP-HzGUT-AW1(MG) demonstrated this protein's ability to control ecdysone mediated signaling in gene regulation, its role in ecdysone mediated cell death, and its sensitivity to rifampicin, a well-known organic anion transporter inhibitor. Overall, this work sheds light on ecdysone uptake mechanisms across insect species and broadens our knowledge of the physiological roles of OATPs in the transportation of endogenous substrates.

Cyclosporin A as a Source for a Novel Insecticidal Product for Controlling Spodoptera frugiperda

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, causes substantial annual agricultural production losses worldwide due to its resistance to many insecticides. Therefore, new insecticides are urgently needed to more effectively control FAW. Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a secondary metabolite of fungi; little is known about its insecticidal activity, especially for the control of FAW. In this study, we demonstrate that CsA shows excellent insecticidal activity (LC₅₀ = 9.69 μg/g) against FAW through significant suppression of calcineurin (CaN) activity, which is a new target for pest control. Combinations of CsA and indoxacarb, emamectin benzoate, or Vip3Aa showed independent or synergistic toxicity against FAW; however, the combination of CsA and chlorantraniliprole showed no toxicity. Sublethal doses of CsA led to decreases in FAW larval and pupal weight, pupation, emergence, mating rates, adult longevity, extended development of FAW larvae and pupae and the pre-oviposition period of adults, and increases in the proportion of pupal malformation. Importantly, CsA treatment reduced FAW ovarian size and female fecundity, which suggests that it has great potential to suppress FAW colony formation. Taken together, these results indicate that CsA has high potential as an insecticide for controlling FAW.

The uncommon function and mechanism of the common enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in the metamorphosis of Helicoverpa armigera

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a key enzyme in glycolysis, is commonly used as an internal reference gene in humans, mice, and insects. However, the function of GAPDH in insect development, especially in metamorphosis, has not been reported. In the present study, Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera frugiperda ovarian cell lines (Sf9 cells) were used as materials to study the function and molecular mechanism of GAPDH in larval metamorphosis. The results showed that HaGAPDH was more closely related to GAPDH of S. frugiperda and Spodoptera litura. The transcript peaks of HaGAPDH in sixth instar larvae were 6L-3 (epidermal and midgut) and 6L-1 (fat body) days, and 20E and methoprene significantly upregulated the transcripts of HaGAPDH of larvae in qRT-PCR. HaGAPDH–GFP–His was specifically localized in mitochondria in Sf9 cells. Knockdown of HaGAPDH by RNA interference (RNAi) in sixth instar larvae resulted in weight loss, increased mortality, and decreases in the pupation rate and emergence rates. HaGAPDH is directly bound to soluble trehalase (HaTreh1) physically and under 20E treatment in yeast two-hybrid, coimmunoprecipitation, and colocalization experiments. In addition, knockdown of HaGAPDH increased the Treh1 activity, which in turn decreased the trehalose content but increased the glucose content in larvae. Therefore, these data demonstrated that GAPDH controlled the glucose content within the normal range to ensure glucose metabolism and metamorphosis by directly binding with HaTreh1.

Krüppel-like factor 15 integrated autophagy and gluconeogenesis to maintain glucose homeostasis under 20-hydroxyecdysone regulation

The regulation of glycometabolism homeostasis is vital to maintain health and development of animal and humans; however, the molecular mechanisms by which organisms regulate the glucose metabolism homeostasis from a feeding state switching to a non-feeding state are not fully understood. Using the holometabolous lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera, cotton bollworm, as a model, we revealed that the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) upregulated the expression of transcription factor Krüppel-like factor (identified as Klf15) to promote macroautophagy/autophagy, apoptosis and gluconeogenesis during metamorphosis. 20E via its nuclear receptor EcR upregulated Klf15 transcription in the fat body during metamorphosis. Knockdown of Klf15 using RNA interference delayed pupation and repressed autophagy and apoptosis of larval fat body during metamorphosis. KLF15 promoted autophagic flux and transiting to apoptosis. KLF15 bound to the KLF binding site (KLF bs) in the promoter of Atg8 (autophagy-related gene 8/LC3) to upregulate Atg8 expression. Knockdown Atg8 reduced free fatty acids (FFAs), glycerol, free amino acids (FAAs) and glucose levels. However, knockdown of Klf15 accumulated FFAs, glycerol, and FAAs. Glycolysis was switched to gluconeogenesis, trehalose and glycogen synthesis were changed to degradation during metamorphosis, which were accompanied by the variation of the related genes expression. KLF15 upregulated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pepck) expression by binding to KLF bs in the Pepck promoter for gluconeogenesis, which utilised FFAs, glycerol, and FAAs directly or indirectly to increase glucose in the hemolymph. Taken together, 20E via KLF15 integrated autophagy and gluconeogenesis by promoting autophagy-related and gluconeogenesis-related genes expression.

Glucose is the direct substrate for energy production in animal and humans. Autophagy and gluconeogenesis are known to help organisms maintaining energy substrates; however, the mechanism of integration of autophagy and gluconeogenesis is unclear. Holometabolous insects stop feeding during metamorphosis under steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulation, providing a good model for the study. Using lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera, cotton bollworm, as a model, we revealed that Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) integrated autophagy and gluconeogenesis to maintain glucose homeostasis under 20E regulation. 20E increased Klf15 expression, and KLF15 in turn promoted autophagy-related and gluconeogenesis-related genes expression during metamorphosis. Autophagy and apoptosis of the fat body provided substrates for gluconeogenesis. This work clarified the important functions and mechanisms of KLF15 in autophagy and glycometabolism reprogramming for glucose homeostasis after feeding stop during insect metamorphosis.

Calcium and integrin-binding protein 1-like interacting with an integrin α-cytoplasmic domain facilitates cellular immunity in Helicoverpa armigera

Integrins are transmembrane receptor heterodimers composed of α and β subunits. They are known to mediate extracellular signals to promote cell adhesion and spreading, and are therefore essential for cellular immunity. However, proteins that bind to integrin cytoplasmic domains and mediate intracellular signaling to promote cell adhesion require identification. Calcium and integrin-binding protein 1 (CIB1) that binds to the integrin α-cytoplasmic domain has rarely been examined in insects. In this study, we found that 20-hydroxyecdysone promoted cell phagocytosis and spreading in Helicoverpa armigera. Transcriptomic analyses of hemocytes identified an integrin α gene (HaINTα-PS1) whose expression could be induced by either 20-hydroxyecdysone injection or bead challenge. Isothermal titration calorimetry assays showed that H. armigera CIB1-like (HaCIB1-like) weakly bound to the cytoplasmic domain of HaINTα-PS1 in the presence of calcium. HaINTα-PS1 or HaCIB1-like knockdown inhibited hemocytic encapsulation and phagocytosis, and plasmatocyte spreading. Moreover, HaCIB1-like overexpression in a H. armigera epidermal cell line overexpanded cells and impaired cell phagocytosis. Thus, insect CIB1-like potentially interacted with integrin α-cytoplasmic domain and facilitated cell adhesion. This study enriches our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying integrin-mediated cellular immunity in insects.

Identification and characterization of G protein-coupled receptors in Spodoptera frugiperda (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

Spodoptera frugiperda (Insecta: Lepidoptera) is a destructive invasive pest feeding on various plants and causing serious damage to several economically-important crops. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cellular receptors that coordinate diverse signaling processes, associated with many physiological processes and disease states. However, less information about GPCRs had been reported in S. frugiperda, limiting the recognition of signaling system and in-depth studies of this pest. Here, a total of 167 GPCRs were identified in S. frugiperda. Compared with other insects, the GPCRs of S. frugiperda were significantly expanded. A large of tandem duplication and segmental duplication events were observed, which may be the key factor to increase the size of GPCR family. In detail, these expansion events mainly concentrate on biogenic amine receptors, neuropeptide and protein hormone receptors, which may be involved in feeding, reproduction, life span, and tolerance of S. frugiperda. Additionally, 17 Mth/Mthl members were identified in S. frugiperda, which may be similar to the evolutionary pattern of 16 Mth/Mthl members in Drosophila. Moreover, the expression patterns across different developmental stages of all GPCR genes were also analyzed. Among these, most of the GPCR genes are poorly expressed in S. frugiperda and some highly expressed GPCR genes help S. frugiperda adapt to the environment better, such as Rh6 and AkhR. In this study, all GPCRs in S. frugiperda were identified for the first time, which provided a basis for further revealing the role of these receptors in the physiological and behavioral regulation of this pest.

Time-course RNASeq of Camponotus floridanus forager and nurse ant brains indicate links between plasticity in the biological clock and behavioral division of labor

Background

Circadian clocks allow organisms to anticipate daily fluctuations in their environment by driving rhythms in physiology and behavior. Inter-organismal differences in daily rhythms, called chronotypes, exist and can shift with age. In ants, age, caste-related behavior and chronotype appear to be linked. Brood-tending nurse ants are usually younger individuals and show “around-the-clock” activity. With age or in the absence of brood, nurses transition into foraging ants that show daily rhythms in activity. Ants can adaptively shift between these behavioral castes and caste-associated chronotypes depending on social context. We investigated how changes in daily gene expression could be contributing to such behavioral plasticity in Camponotus floridanus carpenter ants by combining time-course behavioral assays and RNA-Sequencing of forager and nurse brains.

Results

We found that nurse brains have three times fewer 24 h oscillating genes than foragers. However, several hundred genes that oscillated every 24 h in forager brains showed robust 8 h oscillations in nurses, including the core clock genes Period and Shaggy. These differentially rhythmic genes consisted of several components of the circadian entrainment and output pathway, including genes said to be involved in regulating insect locomotory behavior. We also found that Vitellogenin, known to regulate division of labor in social insects, showed robust 24 h oscillations in nurse brains but not in foragers. Finally, we found significant overlap between genes differentially expressed between the two ant castes and genes that show ultradian rhythms in daily expression.

Conclusion

This study provides a first look at the chronobiological differences in gene expression between forager and nurse ant brains. This endeavor allowed us to identify a putative molecular mechanism underlying plastic timekeeping: several components of the ant circadian clock and its output can seemingly oscillate at different harmonics of the circadian rhythm. We propose that such chronobiological plasticity has evolved to allow for distinct regulatory networks that underlie behavioral castes, while supporting swift caste transitions in response to colony demands. Behavioral division of labor is common among social insects. The links between chronobiological and behavioral plasticity that we found in C. floridanus, thus, likely represent a more general phenomenon that warrants further investigation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08282-x.

The vital hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone controls ATP production by upregulating binding of trehalase 1 with ATP synthase subunit α in Helicoverpa armigera

Trehalose is the major “blood sugar” of insects and it plays a crucial role in energy supply and as a stress protectant. The hydrolysis of trehalose occurs only under the enzymatic control of trehalase (Treh), which plays important roles in growth and development, energy supply, chitin biosynthesis, and abiotic stress responses. Previous reports have revealed that the vital hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulates Treh, but the detailed mechanism underlying 20E regulating Treh remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of HaTreh1 in Helicoverpa armigera larvae. The results showed that the transcript levels and enzymatic activity of HaTreh1 were elevated during molting and metamorphosis stages in the epidermis, midgut, and fat body, and that 20E upregulated the transcript levels of HaTreh1 through the classical nuclear receptor complex EcR-B1/USP1. HaTreh1 is a mitochondria protein. We also found that knockdown of HaTreh1 in the fifth- or sixth-instar larvae resulted in weight loss and increased mortality. Yeast two-hybrid, coimmunoprecipitation, and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down experiments demonstrated that HaTreh1 bound with ATP synthase subunit alpha (HaATPs-α) and that this binding increased under 20E treatment. In addition, 20E enhanced the transcript level of HaATPs-α and ATP content. Finally, the knockdown of HaTreh1 or HaATPs-α decreased the induction effect of 20E on ATP content. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that 20E controls ATP production by up-regulating the binding of HaTreh1 to HaATPs-α in H. armigera.

Identification and Functional Analysis of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in 20-Hydroxyecdysone Signaling From the Helicoverpa armigera Genome

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane receptors in animals and humans, which transmit various signals from the extracellular environment into cells. Studies have reported that several GPCRs transmit the same signal; however, the mechanism is unclear. In the present study, we identified all 122 classical GPCRs from the genome of Helicoverpa armigera, a lepidopteran pest species. Twenty-four GPCRs were identified as upregulated at the metamorphic stage by comparing the transcriptomes of the midgut at the metamorphic and feeding stages. Nine of them were confirmed to be upregulated at the metamorphic stage. RNA interference in larvae revealed the prolactin-releasing peptide receptor (PRRPR), smoothened (SMO), adipokinetic hormone receptor (AKHR), and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (HTR) are involved in steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)-promoted pupation. Frizzled 7 (FZD7) is involved in growth, while tachykinin-like peptides receptor 86C (TKR86C) had no effect on growth and pupation. Via these GPCRs, 20E regulated the expression of different genes, respectively, including Pten (encoding phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase), FoxO (encoding forkhead box O), BrZ7 (encoding broad isoform Z7), Kr-h1 (encoding Krüppel homolog 1), Wnt (encoding Wingless/Integrated) and cMyc, with hormone receptor 3 (HHR3) as their common regulating target. PRRPR was identified as a new 20E cell membrane receptor using a binding assay. These data suggested that 20E, via different GPCRs, regulates different gene expression to integrate growth and development.

Insects as a New Complex Model in Hormonal Basis of Obesity

Nowadays, one of the biggest problems in healthcare is an obesity epidemic. Consumption of cheap and low-quality energy-rich diets, low physical activity, and sedentary work favor an increase in the number of obesity cases within many populations/nations. This is a burden on society, public health, and the economy with many deleterious consequences. Thus, studies concerning this disorder are extremely needed, including searching for new, effective, and fitting models. Obesity may be related, among other factors, to disrupting adipocytes activity, disturbance of metabolic homeostasis, dysregulation of hormonal balance, cardiovascular problems, or disorders in nutrition which may lead to death. Because of the high complexity of obesity, it is not easy to find an ideal model for its studies which will be suitable for genetic and physiological analysis including specification of different compounds’ (hormones, neuropeptides) functions, as well as for signaling pathways analysis. In recent times, in search of new models for human diseases there has been more and more attention paid to insects, especially in neuro-endocrine regulation. It seems that this group of animals might also be a new model for human obesity. There are many arguments that insects are a good, multidirectional, and complex model for this disease. For example, insect models can have similar conservative signaling pathways (e.g., JAK-STAT signaling pathway), the presence of similar hormonal axis (e.g., brain–gut axis), or occurrence of structural and functional homologues between neuropeptides (e.g., neuropeptide F and human neuropeptide Y, insulin-like peptides, and human insulin) compared to humans. Here we give a hint to use insects as a model for obesity that can be used in multiple ways: as a source of genetic and peptidomic data about etiology and development correlated with obesity occurrence as well as a model for novel hormonal-based drug activity and their impact on mechanism of disease occurrence.

RNA interference shows that Spook, the precursor gene of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), regulates the molting of Macrobrachium nipponense

The aim of this study was to explore the function of the Mn-Spook gene, which was found in the ovary transcriptome of the Oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense). The Spook gene, which is the precursor gene of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), plays an important role in the process of molting in many arthropods, but its function in M. nipponense is unclear. We cloned the full-length Mn-Spook gene from the ovary of M. nipponense and found that it had the same conserved domains as the P450 gene of the Halloween family of genes. The Mn-Spook gene was highly expressed in ovary and gill tissue during the breeding period. During ovarian development, Mn-spook gene expression was highest at the nearly-ripe stage, and it also was highly expressed in the zoea developmental stage. Cellular localization analysis showed that Mn-Spook signals accumulated in the cytoplasmic membrane and nucleus of oocytes. Finally, we used RNA interference to evaluate the function of the Mn-Spook gene. Compared with the control group, in vivo injection of Mn-Spook dsRNA effectively downregulated the expression of Mn-Spook and the content of 20E. The molting frequency of M. nipponense in the experimental group also was significantly inhibited. These results demonstrated that the Mn-Spook gene played an important role in the molting process of M. nipponense.

A Novel Dop2/Invertebrate-Type Dopamine Signaling System Potentially Mediates Stress, Female Reproduction, and Early Development in the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas)

The dopaminergic signaling pathway is involved in many physiological functions in vertebrates, but poorly documented in protostome species except arthropods. We functionally characterized a novel dopamine receptor in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), activated by dopamine and tyramine with different efficacy and potency orders. This receptor - Cragi-DOP2R - belongs to the D₁-like family of receptors and corresponds to the first representative of the Dop2/invertebrate-type dopamine receptor (Dop2/INDR) group ever identified in Lophotrochozoa. Cragi-DOP2R transcripts were expressed in various adult tissues, with higher expression levels in the visceral ganglia and the gills. Following an experiment under acute osmotic conditions, Cragi-DOP2R transcripts significantly increased in the visceral ganglia and decreased in the gills, suggesting a role of dopamine signaling in the mediation of osmotic stress. Furthermore, a role of the Cragi-DOP2R signaling pathway in female gametogenesis and in early oyster development was strongly suggested by the significantly higher levels of receptor transcripts in mature female gonads and in the early embryonic stages.

New insights on the effects of spinosad on the development of Helicoverpa armigera

Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm) is one of the most destructive pests worldwide. Due to resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis and conventional insecticides, an effective management strategy to control this pest is urgently needed. Spinosad, a natural pesticide, is considered an alternative; however, the mechanism underlying the developmental effects of sublethal spinosad exposure remains elusive. In this study, the mechanism was examined using an insect model of H. armigera. Results confirmed that exposure to sublethal spinosad led to reduced larval wet weight, delayed larval developmental period, caused difficulty in molting, and deformed pupae. Further investigation demonstrated that exposure to sublethal spinosad caused a significant decrease in 20E titer and increase in JH titer, thereby leading to the discordance between 20E and JH titers, and consequently alteration in the expression levels of HR3 and Kr-h1. These results suggested that sublethal spinosad caused hormonal disorders in larvae, which directly affect insect development. Our study serves as a reference and basis for the toxicity evaluation of spinosad on molting and pupation in insect metamorphosis, which may contribute to identifying targets for effective control of cotton bollworm.

Genome-Wide Identification of Neuropeptides and Their Receptors in an Aphid Endoparasitoid Wasp, Aphidius gifuensi

In insects, neuropeptides and their receptors not only play a critical role in insect physiology and behavior but also are the potential targets for novel pesticide discoveries. Aphidius gifuensis is one of the most important and widespread aphid parasitoids, and has been successfully used to control aphid. In the present work, we systematically identified neuropeptides and their receptors from the genome and head transcriptome of A. gifuensis. A total of 35 neuropeptide precursors and 49 corresponding receptors were identified. The phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that 35 of these receptors belong to family-A, four belong to family-B, two belong to leucine-rich repeat-containing GPCRs, four belong to receptor guanylyl cyclases, and four belong to receptor tyrosine kinases. Oral ingestion of imidacloprid significantly up-regulated five neuropeptide precursors and four receptors whereas three neuropeptide precursors and eight receptors were significantly down-regulated, which indicated that these neuropeptides and their receptors are potential targets of some commercial insecticides. The RT-qPCR results showed that dopamine receptor 1, dopamine receptor 2, octopamine receptor, allatostatin-A receptor, neuropeptides capa receptor, SIFamide receptor, FMRFamide receptor, tyramine receptor and short neuropeptide F predominantly were expressed in the head whilst the expression of ion transport peptide showed widespread distribution in various tissues. The high expression levels of these genes suggest their important roles in the central nervous system. Taken together, our study provides fundamental information that may further our understanding of neuropeptidergic signaling systems in the regulation of the physiology and behavior of solitary wasps. Furthermore, this information could also aid in the design and discovery of specific and environment-friendly insecticides.

BmNPV-induced hormone metabolic disorder in silkworm leads to enhanced locomotory behavior

Many parasites alter the host locomotory behaviors in a way that increases their fitness and progeny transmission. Baculoviruses can manipulate host physiology and alter the locomotory behavior by inducing 'hyperactivity' (increased locomotion) or 'tree-top disease' (climbing high up to the top before dying). However, the detailed molecular mechanism underlying virus-induced this hyperactive behavior remains elusive. In the present study, we showed that BmNPV invaded into silkworm brain tissue, resulting in severe brain damage. Moreover, BmNPV infection disturbed the insect hormone balance. The content of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in hemolymph was much lower during the hyperactive stage, while the dopamine (DA) titer was higher than mock infection. Exogenous hormone treatment assays demonstrated that 20E inhibits virus-induced ELA (enhanced locomotory activity), while dopamine stimulates this behavior. More specificity, injection of dopamine or its agonist promote this hyperactive behavior in BmNPV-infected larvae. Taking together, our findings revealed the important role of hormone metabolism in BmNPV-induced ELA.

G protein-coupled receptors as candidates for modulation and activation of the chemical senses in decapod crustaceans

Many studies have characterized class A GPCRs in crustaceans; however, their expression in crustacean chemosensory organs has yet to be detailed. Class A GPCRs comprise several subclasses mediating diverse functions. In this study, using sequence homology, we classified all putative class A GPCRs in two chemosensory organs (antennular lateral flagellum [LF] and walking leg dactyls) and brain of four species of decapod crustaceans (Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus, American lobster Homarus americanus, red-swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii, and blue crab Callinectes sapidus). We identified 333 putative class A GPCRs– 83 from P. argus, 81 from H. americanus, 102 from P. clarkii, and 67 from C. sapidus–which belong to five distinct subclasses. The numbers of sequences for each subclass in the four decapod species are (in parentheses): opsins (19), small-molecule receptors including biogenic amine receptors (83), neuropeptide receptors (90), leucine-rich repeat-containing GPCRs (LGRs) (24), orphan receptors (117). Most class A GPCRs are predominately expressed in the brain; however, we identified multiple transcripts enriched in the LF and several in the dactyl. In total, we found 55 sequences with higher expression in the chemosensory organs relative to the brain across three decapod species. We also identified novel transcripts enriched in the LF including a metabotropic histamine receptor and numerous orphan receptors. Our work establishes expression patterns for class A GPCRs in the chemosensory organs of crustaceans, providing insight into molecular mechanisms mediating neurotransmission, neuromodulation, and possibly chemoreception.

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in Insects-A Potential Target for New Insecticide Development

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play important roles in cell biology and insects' physiological processes, toxicological response and the development of insecticide resistance. New information on genome sequences, proteomic and transcriptome analysis and expression patterns of GPCRs in organs such as the central nervous system in different organisms has shown the importance of these signaling regulatory GPCRs and their impact on vital cell functions. Our growing understanding of the role played by GPCRs at the cellular, genome, transcriptome and tissue levels is now being utilized to develop new targets that will sidestep many of the problems currently hindering human disease control and insect pest management. This article reviews recent work on the expression and function of GPCRs in insects, focusing on the molecular complexes governing the insect physiology and development of insecticide resistance and examining the genome information for GPCRs in two medically important insects, mosquitoes and house flies, and their orthologs in the model insect species Drosophila melanogaster. The tissue specific distribution and expression of the insect GPCRs is discussed, along with fresh insights into practical aspects of insect physiology and toxicology that could be fundamental for efforts to develop new, more effective, strategies for pest control and resistance management.

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): Signaling Pathways, Characterization, and Functions in Insect Physiology and Toxicology

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are known to play central roles in the physiology of many organisms. Members of this seven α-helical transmembrane protein family transduce the extracellular signals and regulate intracellular second messengers through coupling to heterotrimeric G-proteins, adenylate cyclase, cAMPs, and protein kinases. As a result of the critical function of GPCRs in cell physiology and biochemistry, they not only play important roles in cell biology and the medicines used to treat a wide range of human diseases but also in insects’ physiological functions. Recent studies have revealed the expression and function of GPCRs in insecticide resistance, improving our understanding of the molecular complexes governing the development of insecticide resistance. This article focuses on the review of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways in insect physiology, including insects’ reproduction, growth and development, stress responses, feeding, behaviors, and other physiological processes. Hormones and polypeptides that are involved in insect GPCR regulatory pathways are reviewed. The review also gives a brief introduction of GPCR pathways in organisms in general. At the end of the review, it provides the recent studies on the function of GPCRs in the development of insecticide resistance, focusing in particular on our current knowledge of the expression and function of GPCRs and their downstream regulation pathways and their roles in insecticide resistance and the regulation of resistance P450 gene expression. The latest insights into the exciting technological advances and new techniques for gene expression and functional characterization of the GPCRs in insects are provided.

Subunit P60 of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase promotes cell proliferation or apoptosis depending on its phosphorylation status

The regulatory subunits (P60 in insects, P85 in mammals) determine the activation of the catalytic subunits P110 in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) in the insulin pathway for cell proliferation and body growth. However, the regulatory subunits also promote apoptosis via an unclear regulatory mechanism. Using Helicoverpa armigera, an agricultural pest, we showed that H. armigera P60 (HaP60) was phosphorylated under insulin-like peptides (ILPs) regulation at larval growth stages and played roles in the insulin/ insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling (IIS) to determine HaP110 phosphorylation and cell membrane translocation; whereas, HaP60 was dephosphorylated and its expression increased under steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulation during metamorphosis. Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 6 (HaPTPN6, also named tyrosine-protein phosphatase corkscrew-like isoform X1 in the genome) was upregulated by 20E to dephosphorylate HaP60 and HaP110. 20E blocked HaP60 and HaP110 translocation to the cell membrane and reduced their interaction. The phosphorylated HaP60 mediated a cascade of protein phosphorylation and forkhead box protein O (HaFOXO) cytosol localization in the IIS to promote cell proliferation. However, 20E, via G protein-coupled-receptor-, ecdysone receptor-, and HaFOXO signaling axis, upregulated HaP60 expression, and the non-phosphorylated HaP60 interacted with phosphatase and tensin homolog (HaPTEN) to induce apoptosis. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of HaP60 and HaP110 in larvae repressed larval growth and apoptosis. Thus, HaP60 plays dual functions to promote cell proliferation and apoptosis by changing its phosphorylation status under ILPs and 20E regulation, respectively.

The regulatory subunits of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) play very important roles in various pathways by promoting cell proliferation or apoptosis. However, the upstream regulatory mechanism of their opposite functions is unclear. Using a seriously agricultural pest Helicoverpa armigera as a model, we show that ILPs induce HaP60 phosphorylation to increase HaP110 phosphorylation and cell membrane location to promote cell proliferation. 20E promotes HaP60 and HaP110 dephosphorylation that resulted in the cytosol localization and inhibition of PI3K activity. Moreover, 20E elevates HaP60 expression to promote apoptosis. Our study revealed that HaP60 plays dual functions to regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis by changing its phosphorylated status.

A single QTL with large effect is associated with female functional virginity in an asexual parasitoid wasp

During the transition from sexual to asexual reproduction, a suite of reproduction-related sexual traits become superfluous, and may be selected against if costly. Female functional virginity refers to asexual females resisting to mate or not fertilizing eggs after mating. These traits appear to be among the first that evolve during transitions from sexual to asexual reproduction. The genetic basis of female functional virginity remains elusive. Previously, we reported that female functional virginity segregates as expected for a single recessive locus in the asexual parasitoid wasp Asobara japonica. Here, we investigate the genetic basis of this trait by quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and candidate gene analyses. Consistent with the segregation of phenotypes, we found a single QTL of large effect, spanning over 4.23 Mb and comprising at least 131 protein-coding genes, of which 15 featured sex-biased expression in the related sexual species Asobara tabida. Two of the 15 sex-biased genes were previously identified to differ between related sexual and asexual population/species: CD151 antigen and nuclear pore complex protein Nup50. A third gene, hormone receptor 4, is involved in steroid hormone mediated mating behaviour. Overall, our results are consistent with a single locus, or a cluster of closely linked loci, underlying rapid evolution of female functional virginity in the transition to asexuality. Once this variant, causing rejection to mate, has swept through a population, the flanking region does not get smaller owing to lack of recombination in asexuals.

The homotetramerization of a GPCR transmits the 20-hydroxyecdysone signal and increases its entry into cells for insect metamorphosis

Animal steroid hormones initiate signaling by passive diffusion into cells and binding to their nuclear receptors to regulate gene expression. Animal steroid hormones can initiate signaling via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we show that a newly discovered ecdysone-responsive GPCR, ErGPCR-3, transmits the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signal by binding 20E and promoting its entry into cells in the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera Knockdown of ErGPCR-3 in larvae caused delayed and abnormal pupation, inhibited remodeling of the larval midgut and fat body, and repressed 20E-induced gene expression. Also, 20E induced both the interaction of ErGPCR-3 with G proteins and rapid intracellular increase in calcium, cAMP and protein phosphorylation. ErGPCR-3 was endocytosed by GPCR kinase 2-mediated phosphorylation, and interacted with β-arrestin-1 and clathrin, to terminate 20E signaling under 20E induction. We found that 20E bound to ErGPCR-3 and induced the ErGPCR-3 homodimer to form a homotetramer, which increased 20E entry into cells. Our study revealed that homotetrameric ErGPCR-3 functions as a cell membrane receptor and increases 20E diffusion into cells to transmit the 20E signal and promote metamorphosis.

Dissecting the roles of FTZ-F1 in larval molting and pupation, and the sublethal effects of methoxyfenozide on Helicoverpa armigera

BACKGROUND

In holometabolous insects, the major developmental transitions - larval molting and pupation - are triggered by a pulse of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and coordinated by juvenile hormone. Methoxyfenozide (MF), an ecdysteroid agonist, represents a new class of insect growth regulators and is effective against lepidopteran pests. Fushi-tarazu factor 1 (FTZ-F1) is an ecdysone-inducible transcription factor. To date, the effect of MF on 20E-response genes remains unclear, and we speculate the involvement of FTZ-F1 in MF's growth regulating effect.

RESULTS

MF at LC₂₅ and LC₁₀ caused severe ecdysis failure in Helicoverpa armigera, extended their larval duration, lowered their pupal weight, and reduced the respiratory, pupation and emergence rates. Furthermore, sublethal doses of MF inhibited ecdysteroidogenesis and lowered the intrinsic 20E titer, but showed an inductive effect on 20E-response genes including HaFTZ-F1. HaFTZ-F1, predominantly expressed in larval epidermis, was markedly upregulated before or right after larval ecdysis, and maintained a high level in prepupal stage. Knockdown of HaFTZ-F1 in 4th-instar larvae severely impaired larval ecdysis, whereas its knockdown in final-instar larvae caused abnormal pupation. Moreover, knocking down HaFTZ-F1 downregulated three critical ecdysteroidogenesis genes, lowered 20E titer, and suppressed the expression of 20E receptors and 20E-response genes. The introduction of 20E into HaFTZ-F1-RNAi larvae partly relieved the negative effects on the 20E-induced signaling cascade.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal the adverse effects of sublethal doses of MF on the development of H. armigera and elucidate the resulting perturbations on the 20E-induced signaling cascade; we propose that HaFTZ-F1 regulates ecdysis and pupation by mediating 20E titer and its signaling pathway. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling as a promising target for the chemical control of malaria vectors

With the rapid development and spread of resistance to insecticides among anopheline malaria vectors, the efficacy of current World Health Organization (WHO)-approved insecticides targeting these vectors is under threat. This has led to the development of novel interventions, including improved and enhanced insecticide formulations with new targets or synergists or with added sterilants and/or antimalarials, among others. To date, several studies in mosquitoes have revealed that the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling pathway regulates both vector abundance and competence, two parameters that influence malaria transmission. Therefore, insecticides which target 20E signaling (e.g. methoxyfenozide and halofenozide) may be an asset for malaria vector control. While such insecticides are already commercially available for lepidopteran and coleopteran pests, they still need to be approved by the WHO for malaria vector control programs. Until recently, chemicals targeting 20E signaling were considered to be insect growth regulators, and their effect was mostly studied against immature mosquito stages. However, in the last few years, promising results have been obtained by applying methoxyfenozide or halofenozide (two compounds that boost 20E signaling) to Anopheles populations at different phases of their life-cycle. In addition, preliminary studies suggest that methoxyfenozide resistance is unstable, causing the insects substantial fitness costs, thereby potentially circumventing one of the biggest challenges faced by current vector control efforts. In this review, we first describe the 20E signaling pathway in mosquitoes and then summarize the mechanisms whereby 20E signaling regulates the physiological processes associated with vector competence and vector abundance. Finally, we discuss the potential of using chemicals targeting 20E signaling to control malaria vectors.

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone counteracts insulin signaling via insulin receptor dephosphorylation

The insulin receptor (INSR) binds insulin to promote body growth and maintain normal blood glucose levels. While it is known that steroid hormones such as estrogen and 20-hydroxyecdysone counteract insulin function, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this attenuation remain unclear. In the present study, using the agricultural pest lepidopteran Helicoverpa armigera as a model, we proposed that the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) induces dephosphorylation of INSR to counteract insulin function. We observed high expression and phosphorylation of INSR during larval feeding stages that decreased during metamorphosis. Insulin upregulated INSR expression and phosphorylation, whereas 20E repressed INSR expression and induced INSR dephosphorylation in vivo. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B, encoded by Ptpn1) dephosphorylated INSR in vivo. PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) was critical for 20E-induced INSR dephosphorylation by maintaining the transcription factor Forkhead box O (FoxO) in the nucleus, where FoxO promoted Ptpn1 expression and repressed Insr expression. Knockdown of Ptpn1 using RNA interference maintained INSR phosphorylation, increased 20E production, and accelerated pupation. RNA interference of Insr in larvae repressed larval growth, decreased 20E production, delayed pupation, and accumulated hemolymph glucose levels. Taken together, these results suggest that a high 20E titer counteracts the insulin pathway by dephosphorylating INSR to stop larval growth and accumulate glucose in the hemolymph.

Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis of insect larval and metamorphic molts

Background

Molting is an essential biological process occurring characteristic times throughout the life cycle of holometabolous insects. However, it is not clear how insects determine the direction of molting to remain status quo or to initiate metamorphosis. To explore the functional factors that determine the direction of molts, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify the molecules involved in larval and metamorphic molting, and the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were compared in the two processes.

Results

There were 321 and 1140 DEPs identified in larval and metamorphic molting process, respectively. Bioinformatics analyses show that the amino sugar pathway was up-regulated in both processes. The up-regulated protease contributed to the metamorphosis. In addition, several proteins with different expression patterns in larval-larval and larval-pupal transitions, including Endochitinase, GRIM-19 (Genes associated with retinoid-IFN-induced mortality-19), IDE (Insulin-degrading enzyme), Sorcin (Soluble resistance related calcium binding protein), OBP (Odorant-binding protein-2 precursor), TRAP1(Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated protein-1), etc., were further identified by parallel reaction monitoring, which may play diverse functions in larval-larval and larval-pupal transitions.

Conclusions

These results provide a proteomic insight into molecules involved in larval and metamorphic molts, and will likely improve the current understanding of determination of direction of molts.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12861-020-00227-z.

Assessment of Insecticidal Activity of Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloids from Chilean Rhamnaceae Plants against Fruit-Fly Drosophila melanogaster and the Lepidopteran Crop Pest Cydia pomonella

The Chilean plants Discaria chacaye, Talguenea quinquenervia (Rhamnaceae), Peumus boldus (Monimiaceae), and Cryptocarya alba (Lauraceae) were evaluated against Codling moth: Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae), which is one of the most widespread and destructive primary pests of Prunus (plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, almonds), pear, walnuts, and chestnuts, among other. Four benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (coclaurine, laurolitsine, boldine, and pukateine) were isolated from the above mentioned plant species and evaluated regarding their insecticidal activity against the codling moth and fruit fly. The results showed that these alkaloids possess acute and chronic insecticidal effects. The most relevant effect was observed at 10 µg/mL against D. melanogaster and at 50 µg/mL against C. pomonella, being the alteration of the feeding, deformations, failure in the displacement of the larvae in the feeding medium of D. melanogaster, and mortality visible effects. In addition, the docking results show that these type of alkaloids present a good interaction with octopamine and ecdysone receptor showing a possible action mechanism.

Integrated mRNA and Small RNA Sequencing Reveals Regulatory Expression of Larval Metamorphosis of the Razor Clam

The razor clam, Sinonovacula constricta, is an important economic marine shellfish, and its larval development involves obvious morphological and physiological changes. MicroRNA plays a key role in the physiological changes of the organism through regulating targeted mRNA. This study performed miRNA-mRNA sequencing for eight different developmental stages of S. constricta using Illumina sequencing. A total of 2156 miRNAs were obtained, including 2069 known miRNAs and 87 novel miRNAs. In addition, target genes were predicted for key miRNAs differentially expressed between adjacent development samples by integrating the mRNA transcriptome. Further analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were enriched in complement activation, alternative pathways, translation, and negative regulation of monocyte molecular protein-1 production. KEGG pathway annotation showed significant enrichment in the regulation of the ribosome, phagosome, tuberculosis and fluid shear stress, and atherosclerosis. Ten mRNAs and ten miRNAs that are related to larval metamorphosis were identified using real-time PCR. Furthermore, the double luciferase experiment validated the negative regulatory relationship between miR-133 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). These results indicated that the target genes regulated by these differentially expressed miRNAs may play an important regulatory role in the metamorphosis development of S. constricta.

G protein-coupled receptors function as cell membrane receptors for the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell membrane receptors for various ligands. Recent studies have suggested that GPCRs transmit animal steroid hormone signals. Certain GPCRs have been shown to bind steroid hormones, for example, G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) binds estrogen in humans, and Drosophila dopamine/ecdysteroid receptor (DopEcR) binds the molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in insects. This review summarizes the research progress on GPCRs as animal steroid hormone cell membrane receptors, including the nuclear and cell membrane receptors of steroid hormones in mammals and insects, the 20E signaling cascade via GPCRs, termination of 20E signaling, and the relationship between genomic action and the nongenomic action of 20E. Studies indicate that 20E induces a signal via GPCRs to regulate rapid cellular responses, including rapid Ca²⁺ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and influx from the extracellular medium, as well as rapid protein phosphorylation and subcellular translocation. 20E via the GPCR/Ca²⁺/PKC/signaling axis and the GPCR/cAMP/PKA-signaling axis regulates gene transcription by adjusting transcription complex formation and DNA binding activity. GPCRs can bind 20E in the cell membrane and after being isolated, suggesting GPCRs as cell membrane receptors of 20E. This review deepens our understanding of GPCRs as steroid hormone cell membrane receptors and the GPCR-mediated signaling pathway of 20E (20E-GPCR pathway), which will promote further study of steroid hormone signaling via GPCRs, and presents GPCRs as targets to explore new pharmaceutical materials to treat steroid hormone-related diseases or control pest insects.

Identification and Characterization of Genes Involved in Ecdysteroid Esterification Pathway Contributing to the High 20-Hydroxyecdysone Resistance of Helicoverpa armigera

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E), the most important regulator for insect development, is also a major component in phytoecdysteroids in plants. Therefore, this plant-derived hormone is considered as a potential natural product for use in pest management. However, some insects show high resistance to it, and the molecular mechanism of their resistance is still unclear. In this study, we find that the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera larvae show high tolerance to artificial foods containing up to 50 μg 20E without any detrimental effects on growth and development. High performance liquid chromatography analysis indicates that high efficiency to transform the ingested 20E through an ecdysteroid esterification pathway may contribute to the resistance. Furthermore, comparative transcriptome analysis of the larvae's midgut after 20E treatment identifies two genes (long-chain-fatty-acid-CoA ligase, Long-FACL; sterol O-acyltransferase, SATF) involved in the pathway. Transcriptome and real-time PCR show the Long-FACL gene can be significantly induced by 20E, and this induction is only detected in the midgut. However, 20E has no effect on the transcript of the SATF gene. Moreover, the heterologously expressed protein of the SATF gene shows the ecdysteroid-22-O-acyltransferase activity that requires fatty acyl-CoA, which is produced by Long-FACL. Taken together, our results identify and demonstrate the genes involved in the ecdysteroid esterification pathway conferring high resistance to 20E in the cotton bollworm, H. armigera.

Going gentle into that pathogen-induced goodnight

A diverse set of pathogens have evolved extended phenotypes that manipulate the moribund behavior of their various insect hosts. By elevating host positioning at death, a phenomenon called "summit disease", these pathogens have been shown to have higher fitness. Though a few summit disease systems have been intensively characterized, in particular the Ophiocordyceps-ant system, summit diseases lack an overarching theory for the underlying mechanisms of this complex behavioral manipulation. In this article, we combine the gamut of summiting systems into a cohesive framework: we propose two types of summit disease (juvenile and adult), which both exploit natural insect behaviors during periods of quiescence. We place this framework in the context of available literature and propose investigations that follow from this comprehensive understanding of summit disease in insects.

Significance of DopEcR, a G-protein coupled dopamine/ecdysteroid receptor, in physiological and behavioral response to stressors

Organisms respond to various environmental stressors by modulating physiology and behavior to maintain homeostasis. Steroids and catecholamines are involved in the highly conserved signaling pathways crucial for mounting molecular and cellular events that ensure immediate or long-term survival under stress conditions. The insect dopamine/ecdysteroid receptor (DopEcR) is a dual G-protein coupled receptor for the catecholamine dopamine and the steroid hormone ecdysone. DopEcR acts in a ligand-dependent manner, mediating dopaminergic signaling and unconventional "nongenomic" ecdysteroid actions through various intracellular signaling pathways. This unique feature of DopEcR raises the interesting possibility that DopEcR may serve as an integrative hub for complex molecular cascades activated under stress conditions. Here, we review previously published studies of Drosophila DopEcR in the context of stress response and also present newly discovered DopEcR loss-of-function phenotypes under different stress conditions. These findings provide corroborating evidence that DopEcR plays vital roles in responses to various stressors, including heat, starvation, alcohol, courtship rejection, and repeated neuronal stimulation in Drosophila. We further discuss what is known about DopEcR in other insects and DopEcR orthologs in mammals, implicating their roles in stress responses. Overall, this review highlights the importance of dual GPCRs for catecholamines and steroids in modulating physiology and behavior under stress conditions. Further multidisciplinary studies of Drosophila DopEcR will contribute to our basic understanding of the functional roles and underlying mechanisms of this class of GPCRs.