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Luo LL, Lin Y, Linghu JH, Gong W, Luo YH, Liu M, Jin DC, Smagghe G, Liu TX, Gui SH, Yi TC. Genomics, transcriptomics, and peptidomics of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella neuropeptides and their expression in response to lead stress. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:773-791. [PMID: 37689966 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are crucial in regulation of a rich variety of developmental, physiological, and behavioral functions throughout the life cycle of insects. Using an integrated approach of multiomics, we identified neuropeptide precursors in the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella, which is a harmful pest of honeybee hives with a worldwide distribution. Here, a total of 63 and 67 neuropeptide precursors were predicted and annotated in the G. mellonella genome and transcriptome, in which 40 neuropeptide precursors were confirmed in the G. mellonella peptidome. Interestingly, we identified 12 neuropeptide precursor genes present in G. mellonella but absent in honeybees, which may be potential novel pesticide target sites. Honeybee hives were contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, enabling its bioaccumulation in G. mellonella bodies through the food chain, we performed transcriptome sequencing to analyze the effects of Pb stress on the mRNA expression level of G. mellonella neuropeptide precursors. After treatment by Pb, the expression of neuropeptide F1 was found to be significantly downregulated, implying that this neuropeptide might be associated with responding to the heavy metal stress in G. mellonella. This study comprehensively identified neuropeptide precursors in G. mellonella, and discussed the effects of heavy metals on insect neuropeptides, with the example of G. mellonella. The results are valuable for future elucidation of how neuropeptides regulate physiological functions in G. mellonella and contribute to our understanding of the insect's environmental plasticity and identify potential new biomarkers to assess heavy metal toxicity in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Lin Luo
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Guizhou Institute of Biology, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
| | - Yang Lin
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Jun-Hong Linghu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wei Gong
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yuan-Hong Luo
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Man Liu
- Guizhou Institute of Biology, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
| | - Dao-Chao Jin
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Tong-Xian Liu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Institute of Plant Health and Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shun-Hua Gui
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Institute of Plant Health and Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Tian-Ci Yi
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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Galambos N, Vincent-Monegat C, Vallier A, Parisot N, Heddi A, Zaidman-Rémy A. Cereal weevils' antimicrobial peptides: at the crosstalk between development, endosymbiosis and immune response. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230062. [PMID: 38497254 PMCID: PMC10945404 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Interactions between animals and microbes are ubiquitous in nature and strongly impact animal physiology. These interactions are shaped by the host immune system, which responds to infections and contributes to tailor the associations with beneficial microorganisms. In many insects, beneficial symbiotic associations not only include gut commensals, but also intracellular bacteria, or endosymbionts. Endosymbionts are housed within specialized host cells, the bacteriocytes, and are transmitted vertically across host generations. Host-endosymbiont co-evolution shapes the endosymbiont genome and host immune system, which not only fights against microbial intruders, but also ensures the preservation of endosymbionts and the control of their load and location. The cereal weevil Sitophilus spp. is a remarkable model in which to study the evolutionary adaptation of the immune system to endosymbiosis owing to its binary association with a unique, relatively recently acquired nutritional endosymbiont, Sodalis pierantonius. This Gram-negative bacterium has not experienced the genome size shrinkage observed in long-term endosymbioses and has retained immunogenicity. We focus here on the sixteen antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) identified in the Sitophilus oryzae genome and their expression patterns in different tissues, along host development or upon immune challenges, to address their potential functions in the defensive response and endosymbiosis homeostasis along the insect life cycle. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sculpting the microbiome: how host factors determine and respond to microbial colonization'.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Galambos
- INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | | | - A. Vallier
- INRAE, INSA Lyon, BF2I, UMR203, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - N. Parisot
- INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - A. Heddi
- INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - A. Zaidman-Rémy
- INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
- Institut universitaire de France (IUF), 75005 Paris, France
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Lu JM, Shang F, Ding BY, Wang L, Li QC, Wang JJ, Dou W. Characterization of two Bursicon genes and their association with wing development in the brown citrus aphid, Aphis citricidus. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38339808 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The tanning hormone, Bursicon, is a neuropeptide secreted by the insect nervous system that functions as a heterodimer composed of Burs-α and Burs-β subunits. It plays a critical role in the processes of cuticle tanning and wing expansion in insects. In this study, we successfully identified the AcBurs-α and AcBurs-β genes in Aphis citricidus. The open reading frames of AcBurs-α and AcBurs-β were 480 and 417 bp in length, respectively. Both AcBurs-α and AcBurs-β exhibited 11 conserved cysteine residues. AcBurs-α and AcBurs-β were expressed during all developmental stages of A. citricidus and showed high expression levels in the winged aphids. To investigate the potential role of AcBurs-α and AcBurs-β in wing development, we employed RNA interference (RNAi) techniques. With the efficient silencing of AcBurs-α (44.90%) and AcBurs-β (52.31%), malformed wings were induced in aphids. The proportions of malformed wings were 22.50%, 25.84%, and 38.34% in dsAcBurs-α-, dsAcBur-β-, and dsAcBurs-α + dsAcBur-β-treated groups, respectively. Moreover, feeding protein kinase A inhibitors (H-89) also increased the proportion of malformed wings to 30.00%. Feeding both double-stranded RNA and inhibitors (H-89) significantly downregulated the wing development-related genes nubbin, vestigial, notch and spalt major. Silence of vestigial through RNAi also led to malformed wings. Meanwhile, the exogenous application of 3 hormones that influence wing development did not affect the expression level of AcBursicon genes. These findings indicate that AcBursicon genes plays a crucial role in wing development in A. citricidus; therefore, it represents a potential molecular target for the control of this pest through RNAi-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ming Lu
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Shang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bi-Yue Ding
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing-Chun Li
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Dou
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Zhou ZX, Dou W, Wang M, Shang F, Wang JJ. Bursicon regulates wing expansion via PKA in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:388-396. [PMID: 37708392 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bursicon is a heterodimeric neuropeptide that is involved in many physiological activities such as cuticle tanning, wing expansion, reproduction and immunity in insects. In this study, the role of bursicon in the wing expansion was investigated in Bactrocera dorsalis, an important invasive insect pest in agriculture. RESULTS The cDNA sequences and deduced amino acids of bursicon genes (named BdBurs-α and BdBurs-β) were determined, and two proteins typically contained 11 cysteine residues in conserved positions that were highly conserved in other insect species. The spatiotemporal expressions of bursicon genes showed that higher expression occurred at the pupal, early adult stage and ovaries, and lower expression at the late larval stage and in wing tissue (8-day-old pupae). Dysfunction of bursicon genes by dsRNA microinjection into 5-day-old pupae reduced PKA (a downstream component of the bursicon pathway) activity and resulted in malformed adult wings. PKA inhibitor injection into 5-day-old pupae also resulted in similar phenotypes. Hematoxylin & eosin staining of the adult wing showed that RNAi and PKA inhibitor treatment reduced the thickness of the wing cuticle, which wing cuticle thickness were ≈50% thinner than in the control. Furthermore, the expression of hedgehog (Bdhh) (one of 10 tested genes related to wing development) was significantly upregulated after RNAi and PKA inhibitor application. CONCLUSION The results indicate that bursicon plays a crucial role in the wing expansion of B. dorsalis, suggesting bursicon genes have potential to be the targets for B. dorsalis control. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Xiong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Academy of Agricultural Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Dou
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Academy of Agricultural Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Shang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Academy of Agricultural Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Academy of Agricultural Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Yu H, Yang B, Wang L, Wang S, Wang K, Song Q, Zhang H. Neuropeptide hormone bursicon mediates female reproduction in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1277439. [PMID: 37854192 PMCID: PMC10579919 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1277439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Bursicon, a neuropeptide hormone comprising two subunits-bursicon (burs) and partner of burs (pburs), belongs to the cystine-knot protein family. Bursicon heterodimers and homodimers bind to the lucine-rich G-protein coupled receptor (LGR) encoded by rickets to regulate multiple physiological processes in arthropods. Notably, these processes encompass the regulation of female reproduction, a recent revelation in Tribolium castaneum. In this study we investigated the role of burs/pburs/rickets in mediating female vitellogenesis and reproduction in a hemipteran insect, the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. Our investigation unveiled a synchronized expression of burs, pburs and rickets, with their transcripts persisting detectable in the days following eclosion. RNAi-mediated knockdown of burs, pburs or rickets significantly suppressed the transcript levels of vitellogenin (Vg) and Vg receptor in the female whiteflies. These effects also impaired ovarian maturation and female fecundity, as evidenced by a reduction in the number of eggs laid per female, a decrease in egg size and a decline in egg hatching rate. Furthermore, knockdown of burs, pburs or rickets led to diminished juvenile hormone (JH) titers and reduced transcript level of Kruppel homolog-1. However, this impact did not extend to genes in the insulin pathway or target of rapamycin pathway, deviating from the results observed in T. castaneum. Taken together, we conclude that burs/pburs/rickets regulates the vitellogenesis and reproduction in the whiteflies by coordinating with the JH signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yu
- Department of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Liuhao Wang
- Department of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Sijia Wang
- Department of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Kui Wang
- Department of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, China
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Hrithik MTH, Kim Y. Immune responses of the Asian onion moth, Acrolepiopsis sapporensis, and their genetic factors from RNA-Seq analysis. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 114:1-21. [PMID: 37459157 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
A nonmodel insect, Acrolepiopsis sapporensis, has been analyzed in immune responses. The total hemocytes in the fifth instar larvae were 2.33 × 106 cells/mL. These hemocytes comprised at least five different types and different relative ratios: 47% granulocytes, 26% plasmatocytes, 11% oenocytoid, 8% prohemocytes, and 5% spherulocytes. Upon bacterial challenge, some of the hemocytes exhibited typical hemocyte-spreading behaviors, such as focal adhesion, and filopodial and lamellipodial cytoplasmic extensions. The hemocyte behaviors induced cellular immune responses demonstrated by nodule formation. In addition, the plasma collected from the immune-challenged larvae exhibited humoral immune responses by bacterial growth inhibition along with enhanced phenoloxidase enzyme activity. These cellular and humoral immune responses were further analyzed by determining the immune-associated genes from a transcriptome generated by RNA-Seq. A total of about 12 Gb sequences led to about 218,116 contigs, which were predicted to encode about 46,808 genes. Comparative expression analysis showed 8392 uniquely expressed genes in the immune-challenged larvae. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis among the commonly expressed genes indicated that 782 genes were upregulated and 548 genes were downregulated in the expressions after bacterial challenge. These immune-associated genes included pattern recognition receptors, immune mediation/signaling genes, and various immune effectors. Specifically, the genetic components of the Toll, IMD, and JAK/STAT immune signaling pathways were included in the DEG database. These results demonstrate the immune responses of A. sapporensis larvae and suggest the genes associated with the immune responses in this nonmodel insect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yonggyun Kim
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
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Li J, Lyu B, Bi J, Shan R, Stanley D, Feng Q, Song Q. Partner of neuropeptide bursicon homodimer pburs mediates a novel antimicrobial peptide Ten3LP via Dif/Dorsal2 in Tribolium castaneum. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 247:125840. [PMID: 37454995 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Bursicon is a cystine knot family neuropeptide, composed of two subunits, bursicon (burs) and partner of burs (pburs). The subunits can form heterodimers to regulate cuticle tanning and wing maturation and homodimers to signal different biological functions in innate immunity, midgut stem cell proliferation and energy homeostasis, and reproductive physiology in the model insects Drosophila melanogaster or Tribolium castaneum. Here, we report on the role of the pburs homodimer in signaling innate immunity in T. castaneum larvae. Through transcriptome analysis we identified a set of immune-related genes that respond to pburs RNAi. Treating larvae with recombinant-pburs protein led to up-regulation of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes in vivo and in vitro. The upregulation of most AMP genes was dependent on the NF-κB transcription factor Relish. Most importantly, we identified a novel AMP, Tenecin 3-like peptide (Ten3LP), regulated by pburs via NF-κB transcription factor Dorsal-related immunity factor (Dif)/Dorsal2, but not Relish. We conducted Ten3LP RNAi, synthesized recombinant Ten3LP protein for microbial inhibition assays and functionally characterized Ten3LP as an AMP specific for fungi and Gram-positive bacteria. We demonstrate that expression of Ten3LP is activated by pburs via the Toll pathway. These findings identify new molecular targets for development of potential antibiotics for treating microbial infections and perhaps for RNAi based pest management technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - Bo Lyu
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - Jingxiu Bi
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Institution of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-product, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
| | - Ruiqi Shan
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - David Stanley
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Biological Control of Insect Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Station (USDA/ARS), Columbia, MO 65203, USA.
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Lyu B, Li J, Niemeyer B, Stanley D, Song Q. Identification and characterization of ecdysis-related neuropeptides in the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1256618. [PMID: 37693356 PMCID: PMC10490126 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1256618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is an important ectoparasite known for transmitting diseases to humans and animals. Ecdysis-related neuropeptides (ERNs) control behaviors crucial for arthropods to shed exoskeletons. However, ERN identification and characterization in A. americanum remain incomplete. Methods We investigated ERNs in A. americanum, assessing their evolutionary relationships, protein properties, and functions. Phylogeny, sequence alignment, and domain structures of ERNs were analyzed. ERN functionality was explored using enrichment analysis, and developmental and tissue-specific ERN expression profiles were examined using qPCR and RNAi experiments. Results and discussion The study shows that ERN catalogs (i.e., eclosion hormone, corazonin, and bursicon) are found in most arachnids, and these ERNs in A. americanum have high evolutionary relatedness with other tick species. Protein modeling analysis indicates that ERNs primarily consist of secondary structures and protein stabilizing forces (i.e., hydrophobic clusters, hydrogen bond networks, and salt bridges). Gene functional analysis shows that ENRs are involved in many ecdysis-related functions, including ecdysis-triggering hormone activity, neuropeptide signaling pathway, and corazonin receptor binding. Bursicon proteins have functions in chitin binding and G protein-coupled receptor activity and strong interactions with leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5. ERNs were expressed in higher levels in newly molted adults and synganglia. RNAi-mediated knockdown of burs α and burs β expression led to a significant decrease in the expression of an antimicrobial peptide, defensin, suggesting they might act in signaling or regulatory pathways that control the expression of immune-related genes. Arthropods are vulnerable immediately after molting because new cuticles are soft and susceptible to injury and pathogen infections. Bursicon homodimers act in prophylactic immunity during this vulnerable period by increasing the synthesis of transcripts encoding antimicrobial peptides to protect them from microbial invasion. Collectively, the expression pattern and characterization of ERNs in this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the physiological processes in A. americanum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Lyu
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Jingjing Li
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Brigid Niemeyer
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - David Stanley
- Biological Control of Insect Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Station (USDA/ARS), Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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Wang G, Wang J, Nie L. Transcriptome sequencing of the central nervous system to identify the neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors of Antheraea pernyi. Int J Biol Macromol 2023:125411. [PMID: 37327925 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors are crucial regulators for the behavior, lifecycle, and physiology of insects and are mainly produced and released from the neurosecretory cells of the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, RNA-seq was employed to investigate the transcriptome profile of the CNS which is composed of the brain and ventral nerve cord (VNC) of Antheraea pernyi. From the data sets, a total of 18 and 42 genes were identified, which respectively encode the neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors involved in regulating multiple behaviors including feeding, reproductive behavior, circadian locomotor, sleep, and stress response and physiological processes such as nutrient absorption, immunity, ecdysis, diapause, and excretion. Comparison of the patterns of expression of those genes between the brain and VNC showed that most had higher levels of expression in the brain than VNC. Besides, 2760 differently expressed genes (DEGs) (1362 up-regulated and 1398 down-regulated ones between the B and VNC group) were also screened and further analyzed via gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The results of this study could provide comprehensive profiles of the neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors of A. pernyi CNS and lay the foundation for further research into their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guobao Wang
- College of Biology and Oceanography, Weifang University, Weifang 261061, China.
| | - Jiangrun Wang
- College of Biology and Oceanography, Weifang University, Weifang 261061, China
| | - Lei Nie
- Shandong Sericulture Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yantai 264002, China
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Li J, Lyu B, Song Q. TGF-β Type II Receptor Punt Suppresses Antimicrobial Peptide Expression and Influences Development in Tribolium castaneum. INSECTS 2023; 14:515. [PMID: 37367331 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily in insects regulated various physiological events, including immune response, growth and development, and metamorphosis. This complex network of signaling pathways involves conserved cell-surface receptors and signaling co-receptors that allow for precisely coordinated cellular events. However, the roles of TGF-β receptors, particularly the type II receptor Punt, in mediating the innate immunity in insects remains unclear. In this study, we used the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, as a model species to investigate the role of TGF-β type II receptor Punt in mediating antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression. Developmental and tissue-specific transcript profiles revealed Punt was constitutively expressed throughout development, with the highest transcript level in 1-day female pupae and the lowest transcript level in 18-day larvae. Tissue specific expression profiles showed the highest transcript level of Punt was observed in the Malpighian tubule and ovary in 18-day larvae and 1-day female adults, respectively, suggesting Punt might have distinct functions in larvae and adults. Further results indicated that Punt RNAi in the 18-day larvae led to increased transcript level of AMP genes through transcription factor Relish, leading to inhibition of Escherichia coli proliferation. Knockdown of Punt in larvae also led to splitting of adult elytra and abnormal compound eyes. Furthermore, knockdown of Punt during the female pupal stage resulted in increased transcript levels of AMP genes, as well as abnormal ovary, reduced fecundity, and failure of eggs to hatch. This study deepens our understanding of the biological significance of Punt in insect TGF-β signaling and lays the groundwork for further research of its role in insect immune response, development, and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Bo Lyu
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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11
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Stanley D, Haas E, Kim Y. Beyond Cellular Immunity: On the Biological Significance of Insect Hemocytes. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040599. [PMID: 36831266 PMCID: PMC9954174 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect immunity is assorted into humoral and cellular immune reactions. Humoral reactions involve the regulated production of anti-microbial peptides, which directly kill microbial invaders at the membrane and intracellular levels. In cellular immune reactions, millions of hemocytes are mobilized to sites of infection and replaced by hematopoiesis at a high biological cost after the immune defense. Here, we considered that the high biological costs of maintaining and replacing hemocytes would be a better investment if hemocytes carried out meaningful biological actions unrelated to cellular immunity. This idea allows us to treat a set of 10 hemocyte actions that are not directly involved in immunity, some of which, so far, are known only in Drosophila melanogaster. These include (1) their actions in molting and development, (2) in surviving severe hypoxia, (3) producing phenoloxidase precursor and its actions beyond immunity, (4) producing vitellogenin in a leafhopper, (5) recognition and responses to cancer in Drosophila, (6) non-immune actions in Drosophila, (7) clearing apoptotic cells during development of the central nervous system, (8) developing hematopoietic niches in Drosophila, (9) synthesis and transport of a lipoprotein, and (10) hemocyte roles in iron transport. We propose that the biological significance of hemocytes extends considerably beyond immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Stanley
- Biological Control of Insect Research Laboratory, USDA/ARS, 1503 S Providence Road, Columbia, MO 65203, USA
- Correspondence: (D.S.); (Y.K.)
| | - Eric Haas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Yonggyun Kim
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (D.S.); (Y.K.)
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12
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Choi B, Park WR, Kim YJ, Mun S, Park SJ, Jeong JH, Choi HS, Kim DK. Nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor modulates antimicrobial peptide expression for host innate immunity in Tribolium castaneum. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 148:103816. [PMID: 35926689 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are core components of innate immunity to protect insects against microbial infections. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-dependent transcription factors that can regulate the expression of genes critical for insect development including molting and metamorphosis. However, the role of NRs in host innate immune response to microbial infection remains poorly understood in Tribolium castaneum (T. castaneum). Here, we show that estrogen-related receptor (ERR), an insect ortholog of the mammalian ERR family of NRs, is a novel transcriptional regulator of AMP genes for innate immune response of T. castaneum. Tribolium ERR (TcERR) expression was induced by immune deficiency (IMD)-Relish signaling in response to infection by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a Gram-negative bacterium, as demonstrated in TcIMD-deficient beetles. Interestingly, genome-wide transcriptome analysis of TcERR-deficient old larvae using RNA-sequencing analysis showed that TcERR expression was positively correlated with gene transcription levels of AMPs including attacins, defensins, and coleoptericin. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that TcERR could directly bind to ERR-response elements on promoters of genes encoding defensin3 and coleoptericin, critical for innate immune response of T. castaneum. Finally, TcERR-deficient old larvae infected with E. coli displayed enhanced bacterial load and significantly less host survival. These findings suggest that TcERR can coordinate transcriptional regulation of AMPs and host innate immune response to bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byungyoon Choi
- Department of Integrative Food, Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Woo-Ram Park
- Department of Integrative Food, Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yu-Ji Kim
- Department of Integrative Food, Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seulgi Mun
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Su-Jin Park
- Functional Biomaterial Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup, 56212, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Ho Jeong
- Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, 61468, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hueng-Sik Choi
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Don-Kyu Kim
- Department of Integrative Food, Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Im Y, Park SE, Lee SY, Kim JC, Kim JS. Early-Stage Defense Mechanism of the Cotton Aphid Aphis gossypii Against Infection With the Insect-Killing Fungus Beauveria bassiana JEF-544. Front Immunol 2022; 13:907088. [PMID: 35720408 PMCID: PMC9201107 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.907088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aphis gossypii, commonly known as the cotton aphid, is a widely distributed pest of agricultural crops and acts as a vector for many serious plant viruses. Cotton aphid shows high resistance to chemical insecticides due to rapid rates of genetic diversity as a result of its short life cycle, seasonal migration, and host alteration. As an alternative, entomopathogenic fungi can be used to control cotton aphids in an environmentally sound manner. However, little is known about how cotton aphids respond to fungal infection. In this work, a new Beauveria bassiana strain JEF-544 (Bb JEF-544) was selected and isolated through bioassays with high virulence against cotton aphid. Early response of cotton aphid to Bb JEF-544 infection was analyzed at the transcriptome level. Infected aphids were collected two days after treatment at 25% lethal time (LT25), and total RNA of non-infected and Bb JEF-544-infected aphids was independently subjected to sequencing. Infected aphids showed significant up-regulation of the insect hormone biosynthesis pathway. Bursicon (Burs) and crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) receptors involved in molting along with ecdysone synthesis were also strongly up-regulated in the aphid response to the fungal infection. In the immune response, melanization in the hemocoel was significantly up-regulated, while phagocytosis was less actively transcribed. In conclusion, cotton aphids protect themselves from Bb JEF-544 infection by activating the immune response including melanization and insect molting hormones to shed infected cuticles. In addition to describing the initial stages of Bb JEF-544 infection at the transcriptome level, this work provides potential treatment targets and insight into how fungal isolates can effectively be used to control this serious aphid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeram Im
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - So-Eun Park
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Sue Yeon Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Jong-Cheol Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Jae Su Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
- Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
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14
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Zhang CS, Sun LL, Xie JM, Cao CW. RNAi-based functional analysis of bursicon genes related to wing expansion in gypsy moths. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 139:104398. [PMID: 35537524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Bursicon is a heterodimeric neuropeptide composed of Burs-α and Burs-β subunits that plays an important role in cuticle tanning and wing expansion in insects. In this study, full-length cDNAs of Burs-α (LdBurs-α) and Burs-β (LdBurs-β) genes were identified in gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) and cloned. The 480 bp and 420 bp open reading frames (ORFs) encode 159 and 129 amino acid polypeptides, respectively. LdBurs-α and LdBurs-β have 11 conserved cysteine residues, and LdBurs-α and LdBurs-β genes were expressed during all developmental stages according to quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), with highest expression in the egg stage. High expression levels were also detected in the haemolymph, cuticle and head. To explore the physiological functions of LdBurs-α and LdBurs-β, the genes were knocked down in larvae and pupae using RNA interference (RNAi), and expression levels of LdBurs-α and LdBurs-β were decreased by 42.26-80.09%. Wing defects were observed in L. dispar pupae following Ldbursion silencing, with a phenotypic percentage ranging from 10.17% to 15.00%. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Ldbursicon prevented the expansion of male and female L. dispar adult wings, with malformation rates ranging from 6.38% and 30.00% to 57.69% and 69.23%, but no cuticle tanning defects were observed in pupae or adults. The results indicate that bursicon plays a key role in wing expansion in L. dispar adults, making it a potentially novel molecular target for insecticide-based control of this pest species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Shu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Li-Li Sun
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Jia-Ming Xie
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Chuan-Wang Cao
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China.
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15
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The gut hormone Allatostatin C/Somatostatin regulates food intake and metabolic homeostasis under nutrient stress. Nat Commun 2022; 13:692. [PMID: 35121731 PMCID: PMC8816919 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28268-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe intestine is a central regulator of metabolic homeostasis. Dietary inputs are absorbed through the gut, which senses their nutritional value and relays hormonal information to other organs to coordinate systemic energy balance. However, the gut-derived hormones affecting metabolic and behavioral responses are poorly defined. Here we show that the endocrine cells of the Drosophila gut sense nutrient stress through a mechanism that involves the TOR pathway and in response secrete the peptide hormone allatostatin C, a Drosophila somatostatin homolog. Gut-derived allatostatin C induces secretion of glucagon-like adipokinetic hormone to coordinate food intake and energy mobilization. Loss of gut Allatostatin C or its receptor in the adipokinetic-hormone-producing cells impairs lipid and sugar mobilization during fasting, leading to hypoglycemia. Our findings illustrate a nutrient-responsive endocrine mechanism that maintains energy homeostasis under nutrient-stress conditions, a function that is essential to health and whose failure can lead to metabolic disorders.
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16
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Xu Z, Wei Y, Huang H, Guo S, Ye H. Immunomodulatory role of short neuropeptide F in the mud crab Scylla paramamosain. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 126:104260. [PMID: 34536467 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104260] [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: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Short neuropeptide F (sNPF) is bioactive peptide secreted by neurons of invertebrates. It is one of the important pleiotropic neural molecules that is associated with a variety of physiological processes in invertebrates. However, little is known about the role of sNPF in the immune response. This study aimed to determine the distribution, localization, functional characteristics and signaling mechanisms of the sNPF gene and sNPF receptor (sNPF-R) gene in the mud crab Scylla paramamosain. Results of this study showed that Sp-sNPF and Sp-sNPF-R were widely expressed in neural tissue and other tissues including hemocytes. Further, in situ hybridization analysis revealed that Sp-sNPF and Sp-sNPF-R have specific localization in cerebral ganglion and hemocytes. It was also found that immune stimuli significantly induced Sp-sNPF expression in cerebral ganglion. The hemocyte-derived Sp-sNPF and Sp-sNPF-R were also efficiently activated upon immune stimulation. In vitro sNPF peptide administration enhanced phagocytic ability of hemocytes. However, this activity could be blocked through knockdown of sNPF-R-dsRNA or using adenylate cyclase inhibitors SQ 22536. The results of this study also demonstrated that the contents of signaling molecule adenylyl cyclase (AC), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) in hemocytes can be up-regulated after incubation with sNPF peptide. In addition, the results of in vivo experiments showed that sNPF increased concentration of nitric oxide (NO) and enhanced phagocytic potential in S. paramamosain. The sNPF also significantly induced the expression of immune-related molecules at the gene level in S. paramamosain. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that sNPF mediates hemocyte phagocytosis via sNPF-R receptor-coupled AC-cAMP-PKA pathway and influences the innate immune processes in S. paramamosain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanning Xu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yujie Wei
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Huiyang Huang
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Songlin Guo
- College of Fisheries, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Haihui Ye
- College of Fisheries, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China.
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17
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Li J, Zhu Z, Bi J, Feng Q, Beerntsen BT, Song Q. Neuropeptide Bursicon Influences Reproductive Physiology in Tribolium Castaneum. Front Physiol 2021; 12:717437. [PMID: 34744761 PMCID: PMC8567023 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.717437] [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: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bursicon is a neuropeptide belonging to the cystine knot family and is composed of burs and partner of burs (pburs) subunits. It can form heterodimers or homodimers to execute different biological functions. Bursicon heterodimers regulate cuticle sclerotization and wing maturation, whereas bursicon homodimers mediate innate immunity and midgut stem cell proliferation. A recent study has shown that bursicon potentially induces the expression of vitellogenin (Vg) in the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of bursicon in the reproductive physiology of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. The knockdown of burs, pburs, or its receptor T. castaneum rickets (Tcrk) in 2-day pupae significantly downregulated the expression levels of Vg1, Vg2, and Vg receptor (VgR) genes in females 3- and 5-day post-adult emergence, leading to abnormal oocytes with limited Vg content. The silencing of burs repressed the number of eggs laid and completely inhibited egg hatch, whereas the silencing of pburs dramatically decreased the number of eggs laid, hatch rate, and offspring larval size, and this RNA interference (RNAi) effects persisted to the next generation. Furthermore, the knockdown of burs or pburs downregulated the expression of the insulin/insulin-like signaling/target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling genes encoding insulin receptor (InR), protein kinase B (Akt), TOR, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K). Most importantly, the injection of recombinant pburs (r-pburs) protein was able to upregulate the expression of Vg, VgR, InR, Akt, TOR, S6K, JH synthesis (JHAMT), Methoprene-tolerant (Met), and Taiman (Tai) in normal females and rescue the expression of Vg and VgR in pburs RNAi females but failed to rescue Vg and VgR in Tcrk knockdown females. We infer that bursicon homodimers influence Vg expression via the receptor Tcrk, possibly by mediating the expression of the juvenile hormone (JH) and IIS/TOR pathway genes, thereby regulating reproduction in T. castaneum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Zidan Zhu
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingxiu Bi
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Institution of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Product, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, China
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Brenda T Beerntsen
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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18
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Christesen D, Yang YT, Chen W, Batterham P, Perry T. Loss of the Dβ1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit disrupts bursicon-driven wing expansion and diminishes adult viability in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2021; 219:6320792. [PMID: 34849910 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic signaling dominates the insect central nervous system, contributing to numerous fundamental pathways and behavioral circuits. However, we are only just beginning to uncover the diverse roles different cholinergic receptors may play. Historically, insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have received attention due to several subunits being key insecticide targets. More recently, there has been a focus on teasing apart the roles of these receptors, and their constituent subunits, in native signaling pathways. In this study, we use CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to generate germline and somatic deletions of the Dβ1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit and investigate the consequences of loss of function in Drosophila melanogaster. Severe impacts on movement, male courtship, longevity, and wing expansion were found. Loss of Dβ1 was also associated with a reduction in transcript levels for the wing expansion hormone bursicon. Neuron-specific somatic deletion of Dβ1 in bursicon-producing neurons (CCAP-GAL4) was sufficient to disrupt wing expansion. Furthermore, CCAP-GAL4-specific expression of Dβ1 in a germline deletion background was sufficient to rescue the wing phenotype, pinpointing CCAP neurons as the neuronal subset requiring Dβ1 for the wing expansion pathway. Dβ1 is a known target of multiple commercially important insecticides, and the fitness costs exposed here explain why field-isolated target-site resistance has only been reported for amino acid replacements and not loss of function. This work reveals the importance of Dβ1-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in CCAP neurons for robust bursicon-driven wing expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Christesen
- School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ying Ting Yang
- School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Wei Chen
- School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Philip Batterham
- School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Trent Perry
- School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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19
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Hu X, Zhang K, Pan G, Hao X, Li C, Li C, Gul I, Kausar S, Abbas MN, Zhu Y, Cui H. The identification of nuclear factor Akirin with immune defense role in silkworm, Bombyx mori. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 188:32-42. [PMID: 34352318 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.07.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Akirins, highly conserved nuclear factors, regulate diverse physiological processes such as innate immunity. The biological functions of Akirins have extensively been studied in vertebrates and many invertebrates; however, there is no report so far on lepidopteran insects. In the present study, we identified and characterized a novel Akirin from the silkworm, Bombyx mori (designated as BmAkirin), and explored its potential roles in innate immunity. The expression analysis revealed the unequal mRNA levels of BmAkirin in all the tested tissues; however, the gene's transcription level was highest in testis, followed by ovaries and hemocytes. It also had significant expression levels at the early stages of embryonic development. Expression of BmAkirin in fat bodies and hemocytes exhibited an increase in various degrees when challenged with virus, fungus, Gram-negative bacteria, and Gram-positive bacteria. Immunofluorescence analysis showed BmAkirin protein was prominently localized in the nucleus. Knockdown of BmAkirin strongly reduced the expression of AMPs and decreased the survival ability of larva upon immune stimulation. Moreover, the bacterial clearance ability of larvae was also decreased following the depletion of BmAkirin. Collectively, our results demonstrate that BmAkirin plays an indispensable role in the innate immunity of Bombyx mori (B. mori) by positively modulating AMPs expression in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Kui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Guangzhao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Xiangwei Hao
- Chongqing Reproductive and Genetics Institute, Chongqing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, No. 64, Jintang Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Chongyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Changhong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Isma Gul
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Saima Kausar
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
| | - Yong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
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20
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Zieger E, Calcino AD, Robert NSM, Baranyi C, Wanninger A. Ecdysis-related neuropeptide expression and metamorphosis in a non-ecdysozoan bilaterian. Evolution 2021; 75:2237-2250. [PMID: 34268730 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Ecdysis-related neuropeptides (ERNs), including eclosion hormone, crustacean cardioactive peptide, myoinhibitory peptide, bursicon alpha, and bursicon beta regulate molting in insects and crustaceans. Recent evidence further revealed that ERNs likely play an ancestral role in invertebrate life cycle transitions, but their tempo-spatial expression patterns have not been investigated outside Arthropoda. Using RNA-seq and in situ hybridization, we show that ERNs are broadly expressed in the developing nervous system of a mollusk, the polyplacophoran Acanthochitona fascicularis. While some ERN-expressing neurons persist from larval to juvenile stages, others are only present during settlement and metamorphosis. These transient neurons belong to the "ampullary system," a polyplacophoran-specific larval sensory structure. Surprisingly, however, ERN expression is absent from the apical organ, another larval sensory structure that degenerates before settlement is completed in A. fascicularis. Our findings thus support a role of ERNs in A. fascicularis metamorphosis but contradict the common notion that the apical organ-like structures shared by various aquatic invertebrates (i.e., cnidarians, annelids, mollusks, echinoderms) are of general importance for this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Zieger
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Unit for Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrew D Calcino
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Unit for Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicolas S M Robert
- Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Baranyi
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Unit for Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Wanninger
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Unit for Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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21
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Xu Z, Wei Y, Wang G, Ye H. B-type allatostatin regulates immune response of hemocytes in mud crab Scylla paramamosain. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 120:104050. [PMID: 33631272 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104050] [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: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
B-type allatostatins (AST-B) are neuropeptides that have important physiological roles in arthropods, they have also been identified in a number of crustacean species. Recent research on neuroendocrine-immune (NEI) regulatory system in invertebrates has exploded, it reveals that the NEI network plays an indispensable role in optimizing the immune response and maintaining homeostasis. Herein, mud crab Scylla paramamosain provides a primitive and ancient model to study crosstalk between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. In this study, qRT-PCR analysis showed that the nervous system was the main production site for Sp-AST-B mRNA in S. paramamosain, while its receptor gene (Sp-AST-BR) mRNA could be detected in all the analyzed tissues including hemocytes. This reveals that AST-B might act as a pleiotropic neuropeptide. In situ hybridization further confirmed that granular cells of hemocyte subpopulations express Sp-AST-BR. Time-course analysis revealed that bacteria-analog LPS or virus-analog Poly (I:C) challenge significantly induced Sp-AST-B expression in the thoracic ganglion, and the expression of Sp-AST-BR in hemocytes were also positively changed. Furthermore, mud crabs treated with a synthetic AST-B peptide significantly increased the mRNA levels of AST-BR, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factor (Dorsal and Relish), pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-16) and immune-effector molecules, and also dramatically enhanced the nitric oxide (NO) production and phagocytic activity in hemocytes. Meanwhile dsRNA-mediated knockdown of Sp-AST-B remarkably suppressed the NO concentrations, phagocytic activity and the expression of immune related genes, resulting in markedly impaired ability of crabs to inhibit bacterial proliferation in vivo. Combined, these data demonstrate that AST-B induced innate immune in the mud crab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanning Xu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yujie Wei
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Guizhong Wang
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Haihui Ye
- College of Fisheries, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China.
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22
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Ramos LFC, Rangel JHDO, Andrade GC, Lixa C, de Castilho LVA, Nogueira FCS, Pinheiro AS, Gomes FM, AnoBom CD, Almeida RV, de Oliveira DMP. Identification and recombinant expression of an antimicrobial peptide (cecropin B-like) from soybean pest Anticarsia gemmatalis. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20200127. [PMID: 33796137 PMCID: PMC7970720 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2020-0127] [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: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Insects can be found in numerous diverse environments, being exposed to pathogenic organisms like fungi and bacteria. Once these pathogens cross insect physical barriers, the innate immune system operates through cellular and humoral responses. Antimicrobial peptides are small molecules produced by immune signaling cascades that develop an important and generalist role in insect defenses against a variety of microorganisms. In the present work, a cecropin B-like peptide (AgCecropB) sequence was identified in the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis and cloned in a bacterial plasmid vector for further heterologous expression and antimicrobial tests. METHODS AgCecropB sequence (without the signal peptide) was cloned in the plasmid vector pET-M30-MBP and expressed in the Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) expression host. Expression was induced with IPTG and a recombinant peptide was purified using two affinity chromatography steps with Histrap column. The purified peptide was submitted to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and structural analyses. Antimicrobial tests were performed using gram-positive (Bacillus thuringiensis) and gram-negative (Burkholderia kururiensis and E. coli) bacteria. RESULTS AgCecropB was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) at 28°C with IPTG 0.5 mM. The recombinant peptide was purified and enriched after purification steps. HRMS confirmed AgCrecropB molecular mass (4.6 kDa) and circular dichroism assay showed α-helix structure in the presence of SDS. AgCrecropB inhibited almost 50% of gram-positive B. thuringiensis bacteria growth. CONCLUSIONS The first cecropin B-like peptide was described in A. gemmatalis and a recombinant peptide was expressed using a bacterial platform. Data confirmed tertiary structure as predicted for the cecropin peptide family. AgCecropB was capable to inhibit B. thuringiensis growth in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Felipe Costa Ramos
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - João Henrique de Oliveira Rangel
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Caldas Andrade
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carolina Lixa
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Livia Vieira Araujo de Castilho
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute of Graduate Studies and Research (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fábio César Sousa Nogueira
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Anderson S Pinheiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fabio Mendonça Gomes
- Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Dinis AnoBom
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Volcan Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Danielle Maria Perpétua de Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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23
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Kong H, Jing W, Yuan L, Dong C, Zheng M, Tian Z, Hou Q, Cheng Y, Zhang L, Jiang X, Luo L. Bursicon mediates antimicrobial peptide gene expression to enhance crowded larval prophylactic immunity in the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 115:103896. [PMID: 33075371 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
It has been reported that a high population density alters insect prophylactic immunity. Bursicon plays a key role in the prophylactic immunity of newly emerged adults. In this paper, full-length cDNAs encoding the alpha and beta subunits of bursicon in Mythimna separata larvae (Msburs α and Msburs β) were identified. The cDNAs of Msburs α and Msburs β contain open reading frames (ORFs) encoding 145- and 139-amino acid residue proteins, respectively. Multiple alignment sequences and phylogenetic analysis indicated that Msbursicons (Msburs α and Msburs β) are orthologous to bursicons in other lepidopterans. The Msbursicons were expressed throughout all developmental states with higher relative expression during the egg, pupae, and adult stages. Msbursicons (Msburs α and Msburs β) were highly expressed in the ventral nerve cord and brain relative to other tested tissues. Msbursicon expression of larvae subject to high-density treatment (10 larvae per jar) was significantly increased compared with that of the larvae subject to low-density treatment (1 larva per jar) in the whole fourth and fifth instar stages. The trend in the expression of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes cecropin C and defensin in the test stage was accorded and delayed with increased expression of bursicons. Silencing Msburs α (or Msburs β) expression by dsRNA injection in larvae subject to high-density treatment significantly decreased the expression levels of the cecropin C and defensin genes. Recombinant Msbursicon homodimers significantly induced the expression of the cecropin C and defensin genes. There was a notable decrease in the survival rate of the Msburs α (or Msburs β or Mscecropin C or Msdefensin) knockdown larvae infected by Beauveria thuringiensis. Our findings provide the first insights into how larval density mediates AMP gene expression, which subsequently affects the prophylactic immunity of insects under high-density conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Kong
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Wenhui East Road, NO. 48, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China.
| | - Wanghui Jing
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Wenhui East Road, NO. 48, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China
| | - Lin Yuan
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Wenhui East Road, NO. 48, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China
| | - Chuanlei Dong
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Wenhui East Road, NO. 48, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China
| | - Minyuan Zheng
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Wenhui East Road, NO. 48, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China
| | - Zhen Tian
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Wenhui East Road, NO. 48, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China
| | - Qiuli Hou
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Wenhui East Road, NO. 48, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China
| | - Yunxia Cheng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmingyuan West Road, No. 2, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmingyuan West Road, No. 2, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Xingfu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmingyuan West Road, No. 2, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
| | - Lizhi Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmingyuan West Road, No. 2, Beijing, 100193, PR China
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24
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Querat B. Unconventional Actions of Glycoprotein Hormone Subunits: A Comprehensive Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:731966. [PMID: 34671318 PMCID: PMC8522476 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.731966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The glycoprotein hormones (GPH) are heterodimers composed of a common α subunit and a specific β subunit. They act by activating specific leucine-rich repeat G protein-coupled receptors. However, individual subunits have been shown to elicit responses in cells devoid of the receptor for the dimeric hormones. The α subunit is involved in prolactin production from different tissues. The human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit (βhCG) plays determinant roles in placentation and in cancer development and metastasis. A truncated form of the thyrotropin (TSH) β subunit is also reported to have biological effects. The GPH α- and β subunits are derived from precursor genes (gpa and gpb, respectively), which are expressed in most invertebrate species and are still represented in vertebrates as GPH subunit paralogs (gpa2 and gpb5, respectively). No specific receptor has been found for the vertebrate GPA2 and GPB5 even if their heterodimeric form is able to activate the TSH receptor in mammals. Interestingly, GPA and GPB are phylogenetically and structurally related to cysteine-knot growth factors (CKGF) and particularly to a group of antagonists that act independently on any receptor. This review article summarizes the observed actions of individual GPH subunits and presents the current hypotheses of how these actions might be induced. New approaches are also proposed in light of the evolutionary relatedness with antagonists of the CKGF family of proteins.
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25
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Ancestral Role of Ecdysis-Related Neuropeptides in Animal Life Cycle Transitions. Curr Biol 2021; 31:207-213.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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26
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Koyama T, Texada MJ, Halberg KA, Rewitz K. Metabolism and growth adaptation to environmental conditions in Drosophila. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:4523-4551. [PMID: 32448994 PMCID: PMC7599194 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03547-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Organisms adapt to changing environments by adjusting their development, metabolism, and behavior to improve their chances of survival and reproduction. To achieve such flexibility, organisms must be able to sense and respond to changes in external environmental conditions and their internal state. Metabolic adaptation in response to altered nutrient availability is key to maintaining energy homeostasis and sustaining developmental growth. Furthermore, environmental variables exert major influences on growth and final adult body size in animals. This developmental plasticity depends on adaptive responses to internal state and external cues that are essential for developmental processes. Genetic studies have shown that the fruit fly Drosophila, similarly to mammals, regulates its metabolism, growth, and behavior in response to the environment through several key hormones including insulin, peptides with glucagon-like function, and steroid hormones. Here we review emerging evidence showing that various environmental cues and internal conditions are sensed in different organs that, via inter-organ communication, relay information to neuroendocrine centers that control insulin and steroid signaling. This review focuses on endocrine regulation of development, metabolism, and behavior in Drosophila, highlighting recent advances in the role of the neuroendocrine system as a signaling hub that integrates environmental inputs and drives adaptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Koyama
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael J Texada
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kenneth A Halberg
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim Rewitz
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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27
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Nunes C, Sucena É, Koyama T. Endocrine regulation of immunity in insects. FEBS J 2020; 288:3928-3947. [PMID: 33021015 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Organisms have constant contact with potentially harmful agents that can compromise their fitness. However, most of the times these agents fail to cause serious disease by virtue of the rapid and efficient immune responses elicited in the host that can range from behavioural adaptations to immune system triggering. The immune system of insects does not comprise the adaptive arm, making it less complex than that of vertebrates, but key aspects of the activation and regulation of innate immunity are conserved across different phyla. This is the case for the hormonal regulation of immunity as a part of the broad organismal responses to external conditions under different internal states. In insects, depending on the physiological circumstances, distinct hormones either enhance or suppress the immune response integrating individual (and often collective) responses physiologically and behaviourally. In this review, we provide an overview of our current knowledge on the endocrine regulation of immunity in insects, its mechanisms and implications on metabolic adaptation and behaviour. We highlight the importance of this multilayered regulation of immunity in survival and reproduction (fitness) and its dependence on the hormonal integration with other mechanisms and life-history traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Élio Sucena
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.,Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Takashi Koyama
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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28
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Cao X, Zhang C, Zhang R, Wang K, Dai X, Huang X, Ren Q. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 2 (LGR2) can regulate PO activity and AMP genes expression in Macrobrachium nipponense. Mol Immunol 2020; 126:14-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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29
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Xu Z, Wei Y, Guo S, Lin D, Ye H. B-type allatostatin modulates immune response in hepatopancreas of the mud crab Scylla paramamosain. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 110:103725. [PMID: 32376281 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103725] [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: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
B-type allatostatin (AST-B) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide, widely found in arthropods. However, the information about its immune effect in crustaceans is unknown. In this study, we identified the nervous tissue as the main site for Sp-AST-B expression, while its receptor gene (Sp-AST-BR) is widely expressed in various tissues, including the hepatopancreas. This suggests the peptide's potential role in diverse physiological processes in the mud crab Scylla paramamosain. In situ hybridization revealed that Sp-AST-BR is mainly localized in the F-cell of hepatopancreas. Furthermore, we found a significant up-regulation of Sp-AST-BR transcripts in the hepatopancreas following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (Poly (I:C)). Results from in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that treatment with a synthetic AST-B peptide mediated significant upregulation in expression of AST-BR, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway components (Dorsal and Relish), pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-16) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the hepatopancreas. In addition, AST-B treatment mediated significant elevation of nitric oxide (NO) production and enhanced the bacteriostasis capacity of the hepatopancreas tissue in vitro. Taken together, these findings reveal the existence of a basic neuroendocrine-immune (NEI) network in crabs, and indicate that AST-B could couple with its receptor to trigger downstream signaling pathways and induce immune responses in the hepatopancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanning Xu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yujie Wei
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Songlin Guo
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Dongdong Lin
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Haihui Ye
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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30
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Xu Z, Liu A, Li S, Wang G, Ye H. Hepatopancreas immune response during molt cycle in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13102. [PMID: 32753724 PMCID: PMC7403367 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70139-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Molt is a critical developmental process in crustaceans. Recent studies have shown that the hepatopancreas is an important source of innate immune molecules, yet hepatopancreatic patterns of gene expression during the molt cycle which may underlie changes in immune mechanism are unknown. In this study, we performed Illumina sequencing for the hepatopancreas of the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain during molt cycle (pre-molt stage, post-molt stage, and inter-molt stage). A total of 44.55 Gb high-quality reads were obtained from the normalized cDNA of hepatopancreas. A total of 70,591 transcripts were assembled; 55,167 unigenes were identified. Transcriptomic comparison revealed 948 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hepatopancreas from the three molt stages. We found that genes associated with immune response patterns changed in expression during the molt cycle. Antimicrobial peptide genes, inflammatory response genes, Toll signaling pathway factors, the phenoloxidase system, antioxidant enzymes, metal-binding proteins and other immune related genes are significantly up-regulated at the post-molt stage and inter-molt stage compared with the pre-molt stage, respectively. These genes are either not expressed or are expressed at low levels at the pre-molt stage. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic transcriptome analysis of genes capable of mobilizing a hepatopancreas immune response during the molt cycle in crustaceans, and this study will contribute to a better understanding of the hepatopancreas immune system and mud crab prophylactic immune mechanisms at the post-molt stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanning Xu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - An Liu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Shengkang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Guizhong Wang
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Haihui Ye
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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31
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Xu Z, Wei Y, Guo S, Lin D, Ye H. Short neuropeptide F enhances the immune response in the hepatopancreas of mud crab (Scylla paramamosain). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 101:244-251. [PMID: 32272259 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Short neuropeptide F (sNPF), a highly conserved neuropeptide, displays pleiotropic functions on multiple aspects of physiological processes, such as feeding, metabolic stress, locomotion, circadian clock and reproduction. However, to date there has no any report on the possible immunoregulation of sNPF in crustaceans. In the present study, we found that the Sp-sNPF was mainly expressed in the nervous tissue in the mud crab Scylla paramamosain, while the sNPF receptor gene (Sp-sNPF-R) was expressed in a wide variety of tissues, including the hepatopancreas. In situ hybridization further showed that the Sp-sNPF-R positive signal mainly localized in the F-cells of the hepatopancreas. Moreover, the Sp-sNPF-R transcription could be significantly up-regulated after the challenge of bacteria-analog LPS or virus-analog Poly (I:C). Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the synthetic sNPF peptide significantly increased the gene expressions of sNPF-R, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling genes and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the hepatopancreas. Simultaneously, the administration of sNPF peptide in vitro also increased the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) and the bacteriostasis of the culture medium of hepatopancreas. These results indicated that sNPF up-regulated hepatopancreas immune responses, which may bring new insight into the neuroendocrine-immune regulatory system in crustacean species, and could potentially provide a new strategy for disease prevention and control for mud crab aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanning Xu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yujie Wei
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Songlin Guo
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Dongdong Lin
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Haihui Ye
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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32
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Wei Y, Lin D, Xu Z, Gao X, Zeng C, Ye H. A Possible Role of Crustacean Cardioactive Peptide in Regulating Immune Response in Hepatopancreas of Mud Crab. Front Immunol 2020; 11:711. [PMID: 32425935 PMCID: PMC7204942 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP), a cyclic amidated non-apeptide, is widely found in arthropods. The functions of CCAP have been revealed to include regulation of heart rate, intestinal peristalsis, molting, and osmotic pressure. However, to date, there has not been any report on the possible involvement of CCAP in immunoregulation in crustaceans. In this study, a CCAP precursor (designated as Sp-CCAP) was identified in the commercially important mud crab Scylla paramamosain, which could be processed into four CCAP-associated peptides and one mature peptide (PFCNAFTGC-NH2). Bioinformatics analysis indicated that Sp-CCAP was highly conserved in crustaceans. RT-PCR results revealed that Sp-CCAP was expressed in nerve tissues and gonads, whereas the Sp-CCAP receptor gene (Sp-CCAPR) was expressed in 12 tissues of S. paramamosain, including hepatopancreas. In situ hybridization further showed that an Sp-CCAPR-positive signal is mainly localized in the F-cells of hepatopancreas. Moreover, the mRNA expression level of Sp-CCAPR in the hepatopancreas was significantly up-regulated after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)] challenge. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression level of Sp-CCAPR, nuclear transcription factor NF-κB homologs (Sp-Dorsal and Sp-Relish), member of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway (Sp-P38), pro-inflammatory cytokines factor (Sp-TNFSF and Sp-IL16), and antimicrobial peptide (Sp-Lysozyme, Sp-ALF, Sp-ALF4, and Sp-ALF5) in the hepatopancreas were all up-regulated after the administration of synthetic Sp-CCAP mature peptide both in vivo and in vitro. The addition of synthetic Sp-CCAP mature peptide in vitro also led to an increase in nitric oxide (NO) concentration and an improved bacterial clearance ability in the hepatopancreas culture medium. The present study suggested that Sp-CCAP signaling system might be involved in the immune responses of S. paramamosain by activating immune molecules on the hepatopancreas. Collectively, our findings shed new light on neuroendocrine-immune regulatory system in arthropods and could potentially provide a new strategy for disease prevention and control for mud crab aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Wei
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dongdong Lin
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhanning Xu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaoman Gao
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chaoshu Zeng
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Haihui Ye
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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Zhang HW, Xie GH, Ren XH, Yang YZ, Song Q, Yu H. Bursicon homodimers induce the innate immunity via Relish in Procambarus clarkii. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 99:555-561. [PMID: 32109610 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Bursicon (burs) is a neuropeptide hormone consisting of two cystine-knot proteins (burs α and burs β), and burs α-β is responsible for cuticle tanning in insects. Further studies show that burs homodimers induce prophylactic immunity. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that burs homodimers act in regulating immunity in the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. We found that burs α and burs β are expressed in neural system of crayfish. Treating crayfish with recombinant burs-homodimer proteins led to up-regulation of several anti-microbial peptide (AMP) genes, and RNAi-mediated knockdown of burs led to decreased expression of AMP genes. The burs proteins also facilitated bacterial clearance and decreased crayfish mortality upon bacterial infection. Furthermore, burs proteins activated the transcriptional factor Relish, and knockdown of Relish abolished the influence of recombinant burs homodimers on AMP induction. We infer the burs homodimers induce expression of AMP genes via Relish in crayfish and this study extends this immune signaling pathway from insects to crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Wei Zhang
- Division of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, China
| | - Guo-Hong Xie
- Division of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, China
| | - Xiang-Hui Ren
- Division of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, China
| | - Yun-Zhi Yang
- Division of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, China
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
| | - Hao Yu
- Division of Natural Resources, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, China.
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Xu G, Teng ZW, Gu GX, Qi YX, Guo L, Xiao S, Wang F, Fang Q, Wang F, Song QS, Stanley D, Ye GY. Genome-wide characterization and transcriptomic analyses of neuropeptides and their receptors in an endoparasitoid wasp, Pteromalus puparum. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 103:e21625. [PMID: 31565815 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In insects, neuropeptides constitute a group of signaling molecules that act in regulation of multiple physiological and behavioral processes by binding to their corresponding receptors. On the basis of the bioinformatic approaches, we screened the genomic and transcriptomic data of the parasitoid wasp, Pteromalus puparum, and annotated 36 neuropeptide precursor genes and 33 neuropeptide receptor genes. Compared to the number of precursor genes in Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera), Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera), Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera), Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera), Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera), and Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera), P. puparum (Hymenoptera) has the lowest number of neuropeptide precursor genes. This lower number may relate to its parasitic life cycle. Transcriptomic data of embryos, larvae, pupae, adults, venom glands, salivary glands, ovaries, and the remaining carcass revealed stage-, sex-, and tissue-specific expression patterns of the neuropeptides, and their receptors. These data provided basic information about the identity and expression profiles of neuropeptides and their receptors that are required to functionally address their biological significance in an endoparasitoid wasp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Wen Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gui-Xiang Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Xiang Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Sheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - David Stanley
- USDA/ARS Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Gong-Yin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Yang L, Wang J, Jin H, Fang Q, Yan Z, Lin Z, Zou Z, Song Q, Stanley D, Ye G. Immune signaling pathways in the endoparasitoid, Pteromalus puparum. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 103:e21629. [PMID: 31599031 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Parasitoids serve as effective biocontrol agents for agricultural pests. However, they face constant challenges from host immune defense and numerous pathogens and must develop potent immune defense against these threats. Despite the recent advances in innate immunity, little is known about the immunological mechanisms of parasitoids. Here, we identified and characterized potential immune-related genes of the endoparasitoid, Pteromalus puparum, which act in regulating populations of some members of the Pieridae. We identified 216 immune-related genes based on interrogating the P. puparum genome and transcriptome databases. We categorized the cognate gene products into recognition molecules, signal moieties and effector proteins operating in four pathways, Toll, IMD, JAK/STAT, and JNK. Comparative analyses of immune-related genes from seven insect species indicate that recognition molecules and effector proteins are more expanded and diversified than signaling genes in these signal pathways. There are common 1:1 orthologs between the endoparasitoid P. puparum and its relative, the ectoparasitoid Nasonia vitripennis. The developmental expression profiles of immune genes randomly selected from the transcriptome analysis were verified by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our work provides comprehensive analyses of P. puparum immune genes, some of which may be exploited in advancing parasitoid-based biocontrol technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculturaland Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base for Zhejiang Sustainable Pest and Disease Control, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiale Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculturaland Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongxia Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculturaland Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculturaland Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhichao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculturaland Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - David Stanley
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, 1503 S. Providence Rd, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculturaland Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Rocco DA, Paluzzi JPV. Expression Profiling, Downstream Signaling, and Inter-subunit Interactions of GPA2/GPB5 in the Adult Mosquito Aedes aegypti. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:158. [PMID: 32296389 PMCID: PMC7137729 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
GPA2/GPB5 and its receptor constitute a glycoprotein hormone-signaling system native to the genomes of most vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. Unlike the well-studied gonadotropins and thyrotropin, the exact function of GPA2/GPB5 remains elusive, and whether it elicits its functions as heterodimers, homodimers or as independent monomers remains unclear. Here, the glycoprotein hormone signaling system was investigated in adult mosquitoes, where GPA2 and GPB5 subunit expression was mapped and modes of its signaling were characterized. In adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, GPA2 and GPB5 transcripts co-localized to bilateral pairs of neuroendocrine cells, positioned within the first five abdominal ganglia of the central nervous system. Unlike GPA2/GPB5 homologs in human and fly, GPA2/GPB5 subunits in A. aegypti lacked evidence of heterodimerization. Rather, cross-linking analysis to determine subunit interactions revealed A. aegypti GPA2 and GPB5 subunits may form homodimers, although treatments with independent subunits did not demonstrate receptor activity. Since mosquito GPA2/GPB5 heterodimers were not evident by heterologous expression, a tethered fusion construct was generated for expression of the subunits as a single polypeptide chain to mimic heterodimer formation. Our findings revealed A. aegypti LGR1 elicited constitutive activity with elevated levels of cAMP. However, upon treatment with recombinant tethered GPA2/GPB5, an inhibitory G protein (Gi/o) signaling cascade is initiated and forskolin-induced cAMP production is inhibited. These results further support the notion that heterodimerization is a requirement for glycoprotein hormone receptor activation and provide novel insight to how signaling is achieved for GPA2/GPB5, an evolutionary ancient neurohormone.
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Antimicrobial activity and mechanism of action of a novel peptide present in the ecdysis process of centipede Scolopendra subspinipes subspinipes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13631. [PMID: 31541146 PMCID: PMC6754450 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50061-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most important cellular events in arthropods is the moulting of the cuticle (ecdysis). This process allows them to grow until they reach sexual maturity. Nevertheless, during this stage, the animals are highly exposed to pathogens. Consequently, it can be assumed that arthropods counter with an efficient anti-infective strategy that facilitates their survival during ecdysis. Herein, we characterized a novel antimicrobial peptide called Pinipesin, present in the exuviae extract of the centipede Scolopendra subspinipes subspinipes. The antimicrobial activity of Pinipesin was tested. The haemolytic activity of the peptide was evaluated and its possible mechanism of action was investigated. Identification was carried out by mass spectrometry analysis. Pinipesin displayed potent antimicrobial effects against different microorganisms and showed low haemolytic effects against human erythrocytes at high concentrations. It has a monoisotopic mass of 1213.57 Da, its sequence exhibited high similarity with some cuticular proteins, and it might act intracellularly by interfering with protein synthesis. Our data suggest that Pinipesin might be part of a prophylactic immune response during the ecdysis process of centipedes. Therefore, it is a promising candidate for the development of non-conventional antibiotics that could help fight infectious diseases and represents an exciting discovery for this taxon.
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Li R, Weng J, Wang X, Meng Q, Wang Y, Sun J. Bursicon homodimers induce innate immune by activating the expression of anti-microbial peptide genes in the shrimp Neocaridina heteropoda. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 84:906-911. [PMID: 30385246 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.10.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Bursicon is a neurohormone belonging to the cystine knot protein family. It consists of two subunits (burs α and burs β) and plays a pivotal role in cuticle tanning and wing expansion in insects. Recent studies show that homologous crustacean bursicon stimulates cuticle thickening and granulation of hemocytes in the crab Callinectes sapidus. Here we investigate whether bursicon homodimers function in immunoprotective defense systems of shrimp. We found that abdominal ganglion was the main neurohemal release site of bursicon in Neocaridina heteropoda. Bacterial infections induced overexpression of burs α (bursicon α) and burs β (bursicon β). RNAi of burs α, burs β or both inhibited the expression of anti-microbial peptide (AMP) genes. Treating shrimp adults with r-bursicon (recombinant bursicon) homodimers led to up-regulation of three AMP genes. Besides, through the induced AMPs, r-bursicon homodimers enhanced the bacteriostasis of shrimp in vivo and in vitro. These findings demonstrate a novel function of bursicon in crustacean that it induces innate immune via up-regulating the expression of genes encoding AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, People's Republic of China
| | - Jieyang Weng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinghao Meng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongyong Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinsheng Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, People's Republic of China.
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Li YX, Sibon OCM, Dijkers PF. Inhibition of NF-κB in astrocytes is sufficient to delay neurodegeneration induced by proteotoxicity in neurons. J Neuroinflammation 2018; 15:261. [PMID: 30205834 PMCID: PMC6134576 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-018-1278-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most neurodegenerative diseases associated with protein aggregation are hallmarked by activation of astrocytes. However, how astrocytes are activated or which signaling pathways in astrocytes contribute to pathogenesis is not clear. One long-standing question is whether the responses in astrocytes are due to stress or damage in astrocytes themselves, or because of astrocytic responses to cellular stress or damage in neurons. Here, we examine responses in astrocytes induced by expression of disease-associated, aggregation-prone proteins in other cells. We also examine the consequences of these responses in astrocytes in a model for neurodegeneration. METHODS We first examined a role for intracellular astrocytic responses in a Drosophila model for Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3, also known as Machado-Joseph disease), a disease caused by expansion of the polyglutamine (polyQ) stretch in the ATXN3 gene. In this Drosophila SCA3 model, eye-specific expression of a biologically relevant portion of the ATXN3 gene, containing expanded polyQ repeats (SCA3polyQ78) was expressed. In a candidate RNAi screen in the Drosophila SCA3 model, we analyzed whether downregulation of expression of specific genes in astrocytes affected degeneration induced by SCA3polyQ78 expression in Drosophila eyes. We next examined the role of astrocytes in response to proteotoxic stress in neurons induced by SCA3polyQ78 expression or amyloid beta peptides, associated with Alzheimer's disease. RESULTS Eye-specific expression of SCA3polyQ78 resulted in the presence of astrocytes in the eye, suggesting putative involvement of astrocytes in SCA3. In a candidate RNAi screen, we identified genes in astrocytes that can enhance or suppress SCA3polyQ78-induced eye degeneration. Relish, a conserved NF-κB transcription factor, was identified as an enhancer of degeneration. Activity of Relish was upregulated in our SCA3 model. Relish can exert its effect via Relish-specific AMPs, since downregulation of these AMPs attenuated degeneration. We next examined Relish signaling in astrocytes on neurodegeneration. Selective inhibition of Relish expression specifically in astrocytes extended lifespan of flies that expressed SCA3polyQ78 exclusively in neurons. Inhibition of Relish signaling in astrocytes also extended lifespan in a Drosophila model for Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that astrocytes respond to proteotoxic stress in neurons, and that these astrocytic responses are important contributors to neurodegeneration. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that activation of NF-κB transcription factor Relish in astrocytes, induced by proteotoxic stress in neurons, enhances neurodegeneration, and that specific Relish inhibition in astrocytes extends lifespan. Our data provide direct evidence for cell-non-autonomous contributions of astrocytes to neurodegeneration, with possible implications for therapeutic interventions in multiple neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y X Li
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - O C M Sibon
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - P F Dijkers
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AV, Groningen, The Netherlands. .,Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Kim D, Jaworski DC, Cheng C, Nair AD, Ganta RR, Herndon N, Brown S, Park Y. The transcriptome of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, reveals molecular changes in response to infection with the pathogen, Ehrlichia chaffeensis. JOURNAL OF ASIA-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 21:852-863. [PMID: 34316264 PMCID: PMC8312692 DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is an obligatory ectoparasite of many vertebrates and the primary vector of Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the causative agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis. This study aimed to investigate the comparative transcriptomes of A. americanum underlying the processes of pathogen acquisition and of immunity towards the pathogen. Differential expression of the whole body transcripts in six different treatments were compared: females and males that were E. chaffeensis non-exposed, E. chaffeensis-exposed/uninfected, and E. chaffeensis-exposed/infected. The Trinity assembly pipeline produced 140,574 transcripts from trimmed and filtered total raw sequence reads (approximately 117M reads). The gold transcript set of the transcriptome data was established to minimize noise by retaining only transcripts homologous to official peptide sets of Ixodes scapularis and A. americanum ESTs and transcripts covered with high enough frequency from the raw data. Comparison of the gene ontology term enrichment analyses for the six groups tested here revealed an up-regulation of genes for defense responses against the pathogen and for the supply of intracellular Ca++ for pathogen proliferation in the pathogen-exposed ticks. Analyses of differential expression, focused on functional subcategories including immune, sialome, neuropeptides, and G protein-coupled receptor, revealed that E. chaffeensis-exposed ticks exhibited an upregulation of transcripts involved in the immune deficiency (IMD) pathway, antimicrobial peptides, Kunitz, an insulin-like peptide, and bursicon receptor over unexposed ones, while transcripts for metalloprotease were down-regulated in general. This study found that ticks exhibit enhanced expression of genes responsible for defense against E. chaffeensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghun Kim
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Deborah C. Jaworski
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Chuanmin Cheng
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Arathy D.S. Nair
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Roman R. Ganta
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Nic Herndon
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Susan Brown
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Yoonseong Park
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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Kim Y, Ahmed S, Stanley D, An C. Eicosanoid-mediated immunity in insects. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 83:130-143. [PMID: 29225005 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Eicosanoid is a collective term for oxygenated metabolites of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids. As seen in mammals, eicosanoids play crucial roles in mediating various physiological processes, including immune responses, in insects. Upon microbial pathogen infection, non-self recognition signals are propagated to nearly immune effectors such as hemocytes and fat body using various immune mediators, in which eicosanoid signals act as the ultimate downstream mediator. The chemical diversity of eicosanoids may operate to mediate various immune responses. Some entomopathogenic bacteria suppress eicosanoid biosynthesis, which inhibits host insect immunity and promotes their pathogenicity. This review introduces immune responses mediated by various eicosanoids. Then it explains the cross-talks of eicosanoids with other immune mediators including cytokines, biogenic monoamines, and nitric oxide to clarify the complexity of insect immune mediation. Finally, we highlight the biological significance of eicosanoids by demonstrating bacterial pathogenicity inhibiting a key enzyme - phospholipase A2 - in eicosanoid biosynthesis using their secondary metabolites to defend host insect immune attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggyun Kim
- Department of Plant Medicals, College of Natural Sciences, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea.
| | - Shabbir Ahmed
- Department of Plant Medicals, College of Natural Sciences, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea
| | - David Stanley
- USDA- ARS, Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, 1503 S. Providence Road, Columbia MO 65203, USA
| | - Chunju An
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Ye XQ, Shi M, Huang JH, Chen XX. Parasitoid polydnaviruses and immune interaction with secondary hosts. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 83:124-129. [PMID: 29352983 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Polydnaviruses (PDVs) are obligatory symbionts with parasitoid wasps. The PDV virions are produced solely in wasp (the primary host) calyx cells. They are injected into caterpillar hosts (the secondary host) during parasitoid oviposition, where they express irreplaceable actions to ensure survival and development of wasp larvae. Some of PDV gene products suppress host immune responses while others alter host growth, metabolism or endocrine system. Here, we treat new findings on PDV gene products and their action on immunity within secondary hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Qian Ye
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Min Shi
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jian-Hua Huang
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xue-Xin Chen
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Zhang L, Ringbauer JA, Goodman CL, Reall T, Jiang XF, Stanley D. Prostaglandin-mediated recovery from bacteremia delays larval development in fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 97. [PMID: 29377226 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Insect immunity includes a surveillance system that detects and signals infections, coupled with hemocytic and humoral immune functions. These functions are signaled and coordinated by several biochemicals, including biogenic amines, insect cytokines, peptides, and prostaglandins (PGs). The actions of these mediators are coordinated within cells by various forms of cross-talk among the signaling systems and they result in effective reactions to infection. While this is well understood, we lack information on how immune-mediated recovery influences subsequent juvenile development in surviving insects. We investigated this point by posing the hypothesis that PG signaling is necessary for larval recovery, although the recovery imposes biological costs, registered in developmental delays and failures in surviving individuals. Here, we report that nodulation responses to infections by the bacterium, Serratia marcescens, increased over time up to 5 h postinfection, with no further nodulation; it increased in a linear manner with increasing bacterial dosages. Larval survivorship decreased with increasing bacterial doses. Treating larvae with the PG-biosynthesis inhibitor, indomethacin, led to sharply decreased nodulation reactions to infection, which were rescued in larvae cotreated with indomethacin and the PG-precursor, arachidonic acid. Although nodulation was fully rescued, all bacterial challenged larvae suffered reduced survivorship compared to controls. Bacterial infection led to reduced developmental rates in larvae, but not pupae. Adult emergence from pupae that developed from experimental larvae was also decreased. Taken together, our data potently bolster our hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Joseph A Ringbauer
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory (BCIRL), USDA/Agricultural Research Service, DC, USA
| | - Cynthia L Goodman
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory (BCIRL), USDA/Agricultural Research Service, DC, USA
| | - Tamra Reall
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory (BCIRL), USDA/Agricultural Research Service, DC, USA
| | - Xing-Fu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - David Stanley
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory (BCIRL), USDA/Agricultural Research Service, DC, USA
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Zuo H, Yuan J, Niu S, Yang L, Weng S, He J, Xu X. A molting-inhibiting hormone-like protein from Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei is involved in immune responses. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 72:544-551. [PMID: 29158205 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The molting-inhibiting hormones (MIHs) from the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) family are a group of neuropeptides that are implicated in regulation of molting and reproduction in crustaceans. In this study, a novel protein containing a typical crustacean neuropeptide domain was identified from Litopenaeus vannamei. The protein showed high homology with other shrimp MIHs and was then designated as a MIH-like protein (MIHL). Among the detected tissues, the heart expressed the highest level of MIHL. The expression of MIHL could be significantly up-regulated after infection with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), gram-negative bacterium Vibro parahaemolyticus and gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, indicating that MIHL could be involved in immune responses. The promoter of MIHL was predicted to contain two NF-κB binding sites and could be regulated by the NF-κB family protein Relish but not Dorsal, suggesting that MIHL could be an effector gene of the IMD/Relish pathway. Silencing of MIHL in vivo by RNAi strategy significantly down-regulated the expression of many immune effector genes and increased the mortalities of shrimp infected by V. parahaemolyticus and WSSV and their copy numbers in tissues. These confirmed that MIHL could play a role in antiviral and antibacterial immune responses in shrimp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Zuo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Safety/State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provice Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Jia Yuan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Safety/State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provice Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Shengwen Niu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Safety/State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provice Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Linwei Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Safety/State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provice Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Shaoping Weng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Safety/State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provice Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Jianguo He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Safety/State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provice Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Xiaopeng Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Safety/State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provice Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center, Guangzhou, PR China.
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Zhang H, Dong S, Chen X, Stanley D, Beerntsen B, Feng Q, Song Q. Relish2 mediates bursicon homodimer-induced prophylactic immunity in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43163. [PMID: 28225068 PMCID: PMC5320557 DOI: 10.1038/srep43163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bursicon is a neuropeptide hormone consisting of two cystine-knot proteins (burs α and burs β), responsible for cuticle tanning and other developmental processes in insects. Recent studies show that each bursicon subunit forms homodimers that induce prophylactic immunity in Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that bursicon homodimers act in prophylactic immunity in insects, and possibly arthropods, generally, using the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. We found that burs α and burs β are expressed in larvae, pupae and newly emerged adults. Treating newly emerged Ae. aegypti and D. melanogaster adults with recombinant bursicon (r-bursicon) heterodimer led to cuticle tanning in both species. Treating larvae and adults with r-bursicon homodimers led to up-regulation of five anti-microbial peptide (AMP) genes, noting the possibility that bursicon heterodimers also lead to up-regulation of these genes can not been excluded. The induced AMPs effectively suppressed the growth of bacteria in vitro. RNAi knock-down of the transcriptional factor Relish2 abolished the influence of r-bursicon homodimers on AMP production. We infer the bursicon homodimers induce expression of AMP genes via Relish2 in Ae. aegypti, as prophylactic immunity to protect mosquitoes during the vulnerable stages of each molt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Zhang
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Shengzhang Dong
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - David Stanley
- USDA/Agricultural Research Service, Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Brenda Beerntsen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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Fang SL, Wang L, Fang Q, Chen C, Zhao XS, Qian C, Wei GQ, Zhu BJ, Liu CL. Characterization and functional study of a Cecropin-like peptide from the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 94:e21368. [PMID: 28008655 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In present study, a Cecropin-like peptide from Antheraea pernyi (ApCec) was cloned and characterized. The full-length ApCec cDNA encoded a protein with 64 amino acids including a putative 22-amino-acid signal peptide, a 4-amino-acid propeptide, and a 38-amino-acid mature peptide. ApCec gene was highly expressed in Malpighian tubules of A. pernyi after induction for 24 h by Escherichia coli in PBS. Pro-ApCec (including propeptide and mature peptide) and M-ApCec (just mature peptide) were synthesized chemically and analyzed by HPLC and mass spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of M-ApCec is more potent than pro-ApCec against E. coli K12 or B. subtilus in both minimum inhibitory concentration and inhibition zone assays. Hemolytic assay results showed M-ApCec possessed a low cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. The secondary structure of M-ApCec forms α-helical structure, shown by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy analysis suggested that M-ApCec killed bacteria by disrupting bacterial cell membrane integrity. Our results indicate ApCec may play an important role in defending from pathogenic bacteria in A. pernyi, and it may be as a potential candidate for applications in antibacterial drug development and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Liang Fang
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chen Chen
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-San Zhao
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Cen Qian
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Guo-Qing Wei
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Bao-Jian Zhu
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chao-Liang Liu
- College of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Costa CP, Elias-Neto M, Falcon T, Dallacqua RP, Martins JR, Bitondi MMG. RNAi-Mediated Functional Analysis of Bursicon Genes Related to Adult Cuticle Formation and Tanning in the Honeybee, Apis mellifera. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167421. [PMID: 27907116 PMCID: PMC5132263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bursicon is a heterodimeric neurohormone that acts through a G protein-coupled receptor named rickets (rk), thus inducing an increase in cAMP and the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the cuticular tanning pathway. In insects, the role of bursicon in the post-ecdysial tanning of the adult cuticle and wing expansion is well characterized. Here we investigated the roles of the genes encoding the bursicon subunits during the adult cuticle development in the honeybee, Apis mellifera. RNAi-mediated knockdown of AmBurs α and AmBurs β bursicon genes prevented the complete formation and tanning (melanization/sclerotization) of the adult cuticle. A thinner, much less tanned cuticle was produced, and ecdysis toward adult stage was impaired. Consistent with these results, the knockdown of bursicon transcripts also interfered in the expression of genes encoding its receptor, AmRk, structural cuticular proteins, and enzymes in the melanization/sclerotization pathway, thus evidencing roles for bursicon in adult cuticle formation and tanning. Moreover, the expression of AmBurs α, AmBurs β and AmRk is contingent on the declining ecdysteroid titer that triggers the onset of adult cuticle synthesis and deposition. The search for transcripts of AmBurs α, AmBurs β and candidate targets in RNA-seq libraries prepared with brains and integuments strengthened our data on transcript quantification through RT-qPCR. Together, our results support our premise that bursicon has roles in adult cuticle formation and tanning, and are in agreement with other recent studies pointing for roles during the pharate-adult stage, in addition to the classical post-ecdysial ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudinéia Pereira Costa
- Departamento de Genética; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia; Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Moysés Elias-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia; Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tiago Falcon
- Departamento de Genética; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Pires Dallacqua
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde; Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul; Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Juliana Ramos Martins
- Departamento de Genética; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcia Maria Gentile Bitondi
- Departamento de Biologia; Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Rocco DA, Paluzzi JPV. Functional role of the heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone, GPA2/GPB5, and its receptor, LGR1: An invertebrate perspective. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2016; 234:20-7. [PMID: 26704853 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In vertebrates, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), chorionic gonadotropin (CG) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are glycoprotein hormones that play central roles in metabolism, reproduction and development. Recently, a novel heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone, called GPA2/GPB5, was discovered in humans; however, contrary to its vertebrate glycoprotein hormone relatives, the physiological role of GPA2/GPB5 has not yet been fully elucidated in any vertebrate or invertebrate. Moreover, it is unclear as to whether GPA2/GPB5 functions as a heterodimer or as individual GPA2 and GPB5 monomers in these organisms. GPA2- and GPB5-like subunits have been identified or predicted in a wide array of animal phyla including the nematodes, chordates, hemichordates, arthropods, molluscs, echinoderms and annelids. So far, molecular studies on transcript expression of the GPA2/GPB5 subunits and its putative receptor, the leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 1 (LGR1), suggests this glycoprotein hormone system plays a developmental role and may also function in hydromineral balance in invertebrates. This mini-review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the physiological actions and activity of this evolutionarily ancient heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone with a particular focus on its known functions in the invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Rocco
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Jean-Paul V Paluzzi
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada.
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Xu G, Gu GX, Teng ZW, Wu SF, Huang J, Song QS, Ye GY, Fang Q. Identification and expression profiles of neuropeptides and their G protein-coupled receptors in the rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28976. [PMID: 27353701 PMCID: PMC4926255 DOI: 10.1038/srep28976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In insects, neuropeptides play important roles in the regulation of multiple physiological processes by binding to their corresponding receptors, which are primarily G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The genes encoding neuropeptides and their associated GPCRs in the rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis were identified by a transcriptomic analysis and were used to identify potential targets for the disruption of physiological processes and the protection of crops. Forty-three candidate genes were found to encode the neuropeptide precursors for all known insect neuropeptides except for arginine-vasopressin-like peptide (AVLP), CNMamide, neuropeptide-like precursors 2-4 (NPLP2-4), and proctolin. In addition, novel alternative splicing variants of three neuropeptide genes (allatostatin CC, CCHamide 1, and short neuropeptide F) are reported for the first time, and 51 putative neuropeptide GPCRs were identified. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that 44 of these GPCRs belong to the A-family (or rhodopsin-like), 5 belong to the B-family (or secretin-like), and 2 are leucine-rich repeat-containing GPCRs. These GPCRs and their likely ligands were also described. qRT-PCR analyses revealed the expression profiles of the neuropeptide precursors and GPCR genes in various tissues of C. suppressalis. Our study provides fundamental information that may further our understanding of neuropeptidergic signaling systems in Lepidoptera and aid in the design of peptidomimetics, pseudopeptides or small molecules capable of disrupting the physiological processes regulated by these signaling molecules and their receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology &Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Gui-Xiang Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology &Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zi-Wen Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology &Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shun-Fan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology &Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,College of Plant Protection, State &Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jia Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology &Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qi-Sheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, Missouri University, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Gong-Yin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology &Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology &Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Scopelliti A, Bauer C, Cordero JB, Vidal M. Bursicon-α subunit modulates dLGR2 activity in the adult Drosophila melanogaster midgut independently to Bursicon-β. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:1538-44. [PMID: 27191973 PMCID: PMC4934083 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1121334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bursicon is the main regulator of post molting and post eclosion processes during arthropod development. The active Bursicon hormone is a heterodimer of Burs-α and Burs-β. However, adult midguts express Burs-α to regulate the intestinal stem cell niche. Here, we examined the potential expression and function of its heterodimeric partner, Burs-β in the adult midgut. Unexpectedly, our evidence suggests that Burs-β is not significantly expressed in the adult midgut. burs-β mutants displayed the characteristic developmental defects but showed wild type-like adult midguts, thus uncoupling the developmental and adult phenotypes seen in burs-α mutants. Gain of function data and ex vivo experiments using a cAMP biosensor, demonstrated that Burs-α is sufficient to drive stem cell quiescence and to activate dLGR2 in the adult midgut. Our evidence suggests that the post developmental transactivation of dLGR2 in the adult midgut is mediated by Burs-α and that the β subunit of Bursicon is dispensable for these activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christin Bauer
- a The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Garscube Estate , Glasgow , UK
| | | | - Marcos Vidal
- a The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Garscube Estate , Glasgow , UK
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