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Morejon B, Michel K. The expanded immunoregulatory protease network in mosquitoes is governed by gene co-expression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.18.599423. [PMID: 38948760 PMCID: PMC11212970 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.18.599423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Serine protease cascades regulate key innate immune responses. In mosquitoes, these cascades involve clip-domain serine proteases and their non-catalytic homologs (CLIPs), forming a complex network whose make-up and structural organization is not fully understood. This study assessed the impact of 85 CLIPs on humoral immunity in Anopheles gambiae . By coupling RNAi with assays measuring antimicrobial activity and melanization, we identified 27 CLIPs as immunoregulators that together form two distinct subnetworks. CLIPs regulating antimicrobial activity were found to control infection resistance, as knockdowns reduced bacterial load and improved survival. Furthermore, our analysis of CLIP gene expression unveiled a novel immunoregulatory mechanism reliant on protease baseline co-expression rather than infection-induced upregulation. These findings underscore that despite its complexity mosquito immune regulation may be targeted for malaria interventions.
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Shan T, Wang Y, Bhattarai K, Jiang H. An evolutionarily conserved serine protease network mediates melanization and Toll activation in Drosophila. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadk2756. [PMID: 38117884 PMCID: PMC10732536 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Melanization and Toll pathway activation are essential innate immune mechanisms in insects, which result in the generation of reactive compounds and antimicrobial peptides, respectively, to kill pathogens. These two processes are mediated by phenoloxidase (PO) and Spätzle (Spz) through an extracellular network of serine proteases. While some proteases have been identified in Drosophila melanogaster in genetic studies, the exact order of proteolytic activation events remains controversial. Here, we reconstituted the serine protease framework in Drosophila by biochemical methods. This system comprises 10 proteases, i.e., ModSP, cSP48, Grass, Psh, Hayan-PA, Hayan-PB, Sp7, MP1, SPE and Ser7, which form cascade pathways that recognize microbial molecular patterns and virulence factors, and generate PO1, PO2, and Spz from their precursors. Furthermore, the serpin Necrotic negatively regulates the immune response progression by inhibiting ModSP and Grass. The biochemical approach, when combined with genetic analysis, is crucial for addressing problems that long stand in this important research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tisheng Shan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Krishna Bhattarai
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Zhang M, Dai Z, Chen X, Qin D, Zhu G, Zhu T, Chen G, Ding Y, Wu G, Gao X. Identification and functional analysis of serine protease inhibitor gene family of Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff). Front Physiol 2023; 14:1248354. [PMID: 37795265 PMCID: PMC10545863 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1248354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The predatory natural enemy Eocanthecona furcellata plays a crucial role in agricultural ecosystems due to its effective pest control measures and defensive venom. Predator venom contains serine protease inhibitors (SPIs), which are the primary regulators of serine protease activity and play key roles in digestion, development, innate immunity, and other physiological regulatory processes. However, the regulation mechanism of SPIs in the salivary glands of predatory natural enemies is still unknown. In this study, we sequenced the transcriptome of E. furcellata salivary gland and identified 38 SPIs genes named EfSPI1∼EfSPI38. Through gene structure, multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) expression profiles of different developmental stages and different tissues were analyzed. RNAi technology was used to explore the gene function of EFSPI20. The results showed that these 38 EfSPIs genes contained 8 SPI domains, which were serpin, TIL, Kunitz, Kazal, Antistasin, Pacifastin, WAP and A2M. The expression profile results showed that the expression of different types of EfSPIs genes was different at different developmental stages and different tissues. Most of the EfSPIs genes were highly expressed in the egg stage. The EfSPI20, EfSPI21, EfSPI22, and EfSPI24 genes of the Pacifastin subfamily and the EfSPI35 gene of the A2M subfamily were highly expressed in the nymphal and adult stages, which was consistent with the RT-qPCR verification results. These five genes are positively correlated with each other and have a synergistic effect on E. furcellata, and they were highly expressed in salivary glands. After interfering with the expression of the EfSPI20 gene, the survival rate and predatory amount of male and female adults were significantly decreased. Taken together, we speculated some EfSPIs may inhibit trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase, and some EfSPIs may be involved in autoimmune responses. EfSPI20 was essential for the predation and digestion of E. furcellata, and the functions of other EfSPIs were discussed. Our findings provide valuable insights into the diversity of EfSPIs in E. furcellata and the potential functions of regulating their predation, digestion and innate immunity, which may be of great significance for developing new pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhenlin Dai
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Deqiang Qin
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Guoyuan Zhu
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Yunan Tobacco Company Chuxiong Prefecture Company, Chuxiong, China
| | - Yishu Ding
- Yunan Tobacco Company Chuxiong Prefecture Company, Chuxiong, China
| | - Guoxing Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xi Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Jin Q, Wang Y, Yin H, Jiang H. Two clip-domain serine protease homologs, cSPH35 and cSPH242, act as a cofactor for prophenoloxidase-1 activation in Drosophila melanogaster. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1244792. [PMID: 37781370 PMCID: PMC10540698 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect phenoloxidases (POs) catalyze phenol oxygenation and o-diphenol oxidation to form reactive intermediates that kill invading pathogens and form melanin polymers. To reduce their toxicity to host cells, POs are produced as prophenoloxidases (PPOs) and activated by a serine protease cascade as required. In most insects studied so far, PPO activating proteases (PAPs) generate active POs in the presence of a high Mr cofactor, comprising two serine protease homologs (SPHs) each with a Gly residue replacing the catalytic Ser of an S1A serine protease (SP). These SPHs have a regulatory clip domain at the N-terminus, like most of the SP cascade members including PAPs. In Drosophila, PPO activation and PO-catalyzed melanization have been examined in genetic analyses but it is unclear if a cofactor is required for PPO activation. In this study, we produced the recombinant cSPH35 and cSPH242 precursors, activated them with Manduca sexta PAP3, and confirmed their predicted role as a cofactor for Drosophila PPO1 activation by MP2 (i.e., Sp7). The cleavage sites and mechanisms for complex formation and cofactor function are highly similar to those reported in M. sexta. In the presence of high Mr complexes of the cSPHs, PO at a high specific activity of 260 U/μg was generated in vitro. To complement the in vitro analysis, we measured hemolymph PO activity levels in wild-type flies, cSPH35, and cSPH242 RNAi lines. Compared with the wild-type flies, only 4.4% and 18% of the control PO level (26 U/μl) was detected in the cSPH35 and cSPH242 knockdowns, respectively. Consistently, percentages of adults with a melanin spot at the site of septic pricking were 82% in wild-type, 30% in cSPH35 RNAi, and 53% in cSPH242 RNAi lines; the survival rate of the control (45%) was significantly higher than those (30% and 15%) of the two RNAi lines. These data suggest that Drosophila cSPH35 and cSPH242 are components of a cofactor for MP2-mediated PPO1 activation, which are indispensable for early melanization in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
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Dong Y, Hou Q, Ye M, Li Z, Li J, You M, Yuchi Z, Lin J, You S. Clip-SP1 cleavage activates downstream prophenoloxidase activating protease (PAP) in Plutella xylostella. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 146:104737. [PMID: 37236330 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Melanization is a component of the humoral immune defense of insects and is induced by serine protease-mediated phenoloxidase (PO) catalysis. Prophenoloxidase (PPO) in the midgut of Plutella xylostella is activated by the CLIP domain serine protease (clip-SP) in response to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) infection, but the detailed signaling cascade following this activation is unknown. Here, we report that activation of clip-SP enhances PO activity in the P. xylostella midgut by cleaving three downstream PPO-activating proteases (PAPs). First, the expression level of clip-SP1 was increased in the midgut after Bt8010 infection of P. xylostella. Then, purified recombinant clip-SP1 was able to activate three PAPs - PAPa, PAPb and PAP3 - which in turn enhanced their PO activity in the hemolymph. Furthermore, clip-SP1 showed a dominant effect on PO activity compared to the individual PAPs. Our results indicate that Bt infection induces the expression of clip-SP1, which is upstream of a signaling cascade, to efficiently activate PO catalysis and mediate melanization in the midgut of P. xylostella. And it provides a basis for studying the complex PPO regulatory system in the midgut during Bt infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Dong
- State Key Laboratory for Ecological Pest Control of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Qing Hou
- State Key Laboratory for Ecological Pest Control of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Min Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Ecological Pest Control of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zeyun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Ecological Pest Control of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Jingge Li
- State Key Laboratory for Ecological Pest Control of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Minsheng You
- State Key Laboratory for Ecological Pest Control of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
| | - Zhiguang Yuchi
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Junhan Lin
- State Key Laboratory for Ecological Pest Control of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Department of Food and Biological Engineering, Fujian Vocational College of Bioengineering, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
| | - Shijun You
- State Key Laboratory for Ecological Pest Control of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
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Li W, Dou W, Wang JJ. BdcSP10 is a prophenoloxidase-activating protease in Bactrocera dorsalis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 138:104558. [PMID: 36167146 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104558] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Insects rely on a powerful and efficient innate immune system against microbial invaders. One of the most important immune processes is the melanization reaction, in which eumelanin is synthesized and deposited on the physically injured site or the surface of invading pathogens. The melanization reaction is mediated by prophenoloxidase (PPO), which is synthesized as an inactive zymogen and requires proteolytic activation through a clip serine protease cascade. This cascade has been characterized in several Lepidoptera insect species, but it is less understood in most Diptera insects. Here, with the means of reverse genetics and biochemistry, we characterized the function of a clip serine protease BdcSP10 from the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), a significant agriculture pest to a broad variety of fruit and vegetable crops. BdcSP10 knockdown inhibited the melanization reaction and rendered adult flies more vulnerable to pathogenic infections. In addition, purified and activated BdcSP10 proteases promoted the melanization reaction in larval hemolymph and directly cleaved and activated purified PPO1 and PPO2 in vitro. Taken together, we identified BdcSP10 as a PPO-activating protease and validated its important role in the defense against microbial infection in B. dorsalis. This work broadens the understanding of the activation mechanism of the melanization reaction in Diptera insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, 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, 400716, 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, 400716, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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Zhang C, Wei J, Naing ZL, Soe ET, Tang J, Liang G. Up-regulated serpin gene involved in Cry1Ac resistance in Helicoverpa armigera. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:105269. [PMID: 36464374 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105269] [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: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Insect resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a critical limiting factor for applying the Bt crops. Some studies indicated that decreased protoxin activation because of lower enzymatic activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin and increased expression of serpin might involve in Bt resistance. Our previous study identified an endogenous serpin could inhibit the midgut proteases to activate Cry1Ac and reduce the insecticide activity to Helicoverpa armigera. We hypothesis that up-regulated serpin involve in resistance via inhibiting enzymatic activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin to decrease protoxin activation. Herein, we found the serpin-e gene relative expression in midgut was significantly higher in the LF30 resistant strain than that in the susceptible strain during all developmental stages. Importantly, RNAi-mediated silencing of serpin-e gene expression caused 4.46-fold mortality changes in LF30 strain, but the trypsin and chymotrypsin proteases activities were only changed 0.79-fold and 2.22-fold. In addition, although proteases activities were significantly lower in LF30 strain than that in the susceptible strain, the resistance ratios of LF30 to Cry1Ac protoxin and to activated Cry1Ac toxin were no difference. The results indicated serpins caused insect resistance to Cry1Ac protoxins partly through inhibiting the trypsin and chymotrypsin proteases activities, but it also existed other mechanisms in LF30.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihong Zhang
- State key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Jizhen Wei
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, PR China
| | - Zaw Lin Naing
- State key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Ei Thinzar Soe
- State key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Jinrong Tang
- State key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Gemei Liang
- State key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China; Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji 831100,PR China.
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Salcedo-Porras N, Oliveira PL, Guarneri AA, Lowenberger C. A fat body transcriptome analysis of the immune responses of Rhodnius prolixus to artificial infections with bacteria. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:269. [PMID: 35906633 PMCID: PMC9335980 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05358-9] [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: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rhodnius prolixus is an important vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease in humans. Despite the medical importance of this and other triatomine vectors, the study of their immune responses has been limited to a few molecular pathways and processes. Insect immunity studies were first described for holometabolous insects such as Drosophila melanogaster, and it was assumed that their immune responses were conserved in all insects. However, study of the immune responses of triatomines and other hemimetabolous insects has revealed discrepancies between these and the Drosophila model. Methods To expand our understanding of innate immune responses of triatomines to pathogens, we injected fifth instar nymphs of R. prolixus with the Gram-negative (Gr−) bacterium Enterobacter cloacae, the Gram-positive (Gr+) bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and evaluated transcript expression in the fat body 8 and 24 h post-injection (hpi). We analyzed the differential expression of transcripts at each time point, and across time, for each treatment. Results At 8 hpi, the Gr− bacteria-injected group had a large number of differentially expressed (DE) transcripts, and most of the changes in transcript expression were maintained at 24 hpi. In the Gr+ bacteria treatment, few DE transcripts were detected at 8 hpi, but a large number of transcripts were DE at 24 hpi. Unexpectedly, the PBS control also had a large number of DE transcripts at 24 hpi. Very few DE transcripts were common to the different treatments and time points, indicating a high specificity of the immune responses of R. prolixus to different pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides known to be induced by the immune deficiency pathway were induced upon Gr− bacterial infection. Many transcripts of genes from the Toll pathway that are thought to participate in responses to Gr+ bacteria and fungi were induced by both bacteria and PBS treatment. Pathogen recognition receptors and serine protease cascade transcripts were also overexpressed after Gr− bacteria and PBS injections. Gr- injection also upregulated transcripts involved in the metabolism of tyrosine, a major substrate involved in the melanotic encapsulation response to pathogens. Conclusions These results reveal time-dependent pathogen-specific regulation of immune responses in triatomines, and hint at strong interactions between the immune deficiency and Toll pathways. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material, which is available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05358-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Salcedo-Porras
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Pedro Lagerblad Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco D. Prédio do CCS, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Aparecida Guarneri
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fiocruz, Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP, 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Carl Lowenberger
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
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Ji Y, Lu T, Zou Z, Wang Y. Aedes aegypti CLIPB9 activates prophenoloxidase-3 in the presence of CLIPA14 after fungal infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:927322. [PMID: 35967454 PMCID: PMC9365933 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.927322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanization is an integral part of the insect defense system and is often induced by pathogen invasion. Phenoloxidases (POs) are critical enzymes that catalyze melanin formation. PO3 is associated with the antifungal response of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, but the molecular mechanism of the prophenoloxidase-3 (PPO3) activation is unclear. Here we report that PPO3 cleavage activation is mediated by a clip-domain serine protease, CLIPB9. We purified recombinant CLIPB9 and found that it cleaved PPO3 and increased PO activity in the hemolymph. We then identified CLIPA14 (a serine protease homolog) by co-immunoprecipitation using anti-CLIPB9 antibody. After being cleaved by CLIPB9, Ae. aegypti CLIPA14 acted as a cofactor for PPO3 activation. In addition, dsRNA co-silencing of CLIPB9 and CLIPA14 genes reduced melanization after infection with the entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana, making the adult mosquitoes more sensitive to fungal infection. These results illustrate the roles of CLIPB9 and CLIPA14 in the PPO activation pathway and revealed the complexity of the upstream serine protease network controlling melanization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tengfei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of 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
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yanhong Wang, ; Zhen Zou,
| | - Yanhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yanhong Wang, ; Zhen Zou,
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Zhang S, Feng T, Ji J, Wang L, An C. Serine protease SP7 cleaves prophenoloxidase and is regulated by two serpins in Ostrinia furnacalis melanization. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 141:103699. [PMID: 34920078 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Melanization is an innate immune response in insects to defend against the invading pathogens and parasites. During melanization, prophenoloxidase (PPO) requires proteolytic activation by its upstream prophenoloxidase-activating protease (PAP). We here cloned a full-length cDNA for a serine protease, named as SP7, from Ostrinia furnacalis. The open reading frame of SP7 encodes 421-amino acid residue protein with a 19-residue signal peptide. qRT-PCR analysis showed that SP7 mRNA levels were significantly upregulated upon exposure to microbial infection. Recombinant SP7 zymogen was activated by serine protease SP2. The active SP7 could cleave O. furnacalis PPOs including PPO2, PPO1b and PPO3. Additionally, active SP7 could form covalent complexes with serine protease inhibitor serpin-3 and serpin-4. The activity of SP7 in cleaving a colorimetric substrate IEARpNA or O. furnacalis PPOs was efficiently blocked by either serpin-3 or serpin-4. Our work thus revealed that SP7 and SP2 partially constituted a PPO activation cascade in which SP7 was activated by SP2 and then likely worked as a PAP. SP7 was effectively regulated by serpin-3 and serpin-4. The results would allow further advances in the understanding of melanization mechanisms in O. furnacalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Zhang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Ting Feng
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Jiayue Ji
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Chunju An
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
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11
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Zhuang XN, Luan YY, Lv TR, Ren CM, Wang L, Li Q, Li DX. PAP1 activates the prophenoloxidase system against bacterial infection in Musca domestica. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 124:104184. [PMID: 34171367 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We previously identified three putative prophenoloxidase-activating proteinase (mdPAP1, mdPAP2, and mdPAP3) genes from housefly Musca domestica by transcriptomic analysis. In this study, mdPAP1 cDNA was cloned, and the function of its encoded protein was analyzed. The cDNA of mdPAP1 was 1358 bp, and it contained a single open reading frame of 1122 bp encoding a predicted MdPAP1 protein of 373 amino acids. The estimated molecular weight of MdPAP1 was 41267.08 Da with an isoelectric point of 6.25. The deduced amino acid sequence of MdPAP1 exhibited high similarity to known PAPs of insects. mdPAP1 was detected in larvae, pupae, and adult housefly, and the expression level of mdPAP1 was upregulated in bacterial challenged larvae. The recombinant protein of MdPAP1 expressed in Escherichia coli could cleave the prophenoloxidase into phenoloxidase in M. domestica hemolymph infected by bacteria and result in a significant increase of the total phenoloxidase activity. In addition, RNA interference-mediated gene silencing of mdPAP1 significantly increased the mortality of M. domestica larvae. Results indicated that mdPAP1 was involved in the activation of the prophenoloxidase against bacterial infection in M. domestica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Na Zhuang
- Biotechnology Department, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Luan
- Biotechnology Department, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Tong-Rui Lv
- Biotechnology Department, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Cheng-Ming Ren
- Biotechnology Department, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Biotechnology Department, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Biotechnology Department, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Dian-Xiang Li
- Biotechnology Department, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China.
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12
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Cerenius L, Söderhäll K. Immune properties of invertebrate phenoloxidases. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 122:104098. [PMID: 33857469 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Melanin production from different types of phenoloxidases (POs) confers immunity from a variety of pathogens ranging from viruses and microorganisms to parasites. The arthropod proPO expresses a variety of activities including cytokine, opsonin and microbiocidal activities independent of and even without melanin production. Proteolytic processing of proPO and its activating enzyme gives rise to several peptide fragments with a variety of separate activities in a process reminiscent of vertebrate complement system activation although proPO bears no sequence similarity to vertebrate complement factors. Pathogens influence proPO activation and thereby what types of immune effects that will be produced. An increasing number of specialised pathogens - from parasites to viruses - have been identified who can synthesise compounds specifically aimed at the proPO-system. In invertebrates outside the arthropods phylogenetically unrelated POs are participating in melanization reactions obviously aimed at intruders and/or aberrant tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lage Cerenius
- Department of Organismal Biology,Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Kenneth Söderhäll
- Department of Organismal Biology,Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
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13
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Spence MA, Mortimer MD, Buckle AM, Minh BQ, Jackson CJ. A Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis of the Serpin Superfamily. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:2915-2929. [PMID: 33744972 PMCID: PMC8233489 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) are found in all kingdoms of life and play essential roles in multiple physiological processes. Owing to the diversity of the superfamily, phylogenetic analysis is challenging and prokaryotic serpins have been speculated to have been acquired from Metazoa through horizontal gene transfer due to their unexpectedly high homology. Here, we have leveraged a structural alignment of diverse serpins to generate a comprehensive 6,000-sequence phylogeny that encompasses serpins from all kingdoms of life. We show that in addition to a central “hub” of highly conserved serpins, there has been extensive diversification of the superfamily into many novel functional clades. Our analysis indicates that the hub proteins are ancient and are similar because of convergent evolution, rather than the alternative hypothesis of horizontal gene transfer. This work clarifies longstanding questions in the evolution of serpins and provides new directions for research in the field of serpin biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Spence
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Matthew D Mortimer
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ashley M Buckle
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bui Quang Minh
- Research School of Computing and Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Colin J Jackson
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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14
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Zhang X, Li M, El Moussawi L, Saab S, Zhang S, Osta MA, Michel K. CLIPB10 is a Terminal Protease in the Regulatory Network That Controls Melanization in the African Malaria Mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:585986. [PMID: 33520733 PMCID: PMC7843523 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.585986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Humoral immune responses in animals are often tightly controlled by regulated proteolysis. This proteolysis is exerted by extracellular protease cascades, whose activation culminates in the proteolytic cleavage of key immune proteins and enzymes. A model for such immune system regulation is the melanization reaction in insects, where the activation of prophenoxidase (proPO) leads to the rapid formation of eumelanin on the surface of foreign entities such as parasites, bacteria and fungi. ProPO activation is tightly regulated by a network of so-called clip domain serine proteases, their proteolytically inactive homologs, and their serpin inhibitors. In Anopheles gambiae, the major malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa, manipulation of this protease network affects resistance to a wide range of microorganisms, as well as host survival. However, thus far, our understanding of the molecular make-up and regulation of the protease network in mosquitoes is limited. Here, we report the function of the clip domain serine protease CLIPB10 in this network, using a combination of genetic and biochemical assays. CLIPB10 knockdown partially reversed melanotic tumor formation induced by Serpin 2 silencing in the absence of infection. CLIPB10 was also partially required for the melanization of ookinete stages of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei in a refractory mosquito genetic background. Recombinant serpin 2 protein, a key inhibitor of the proPO activation cascade in An. gambiae, formed a SDS-stable protein complex with activated recombinant CLIPB10, and efficiently inhibited CLIPB10 activity in vitro at a stoichiometry of 1.89:1. Recombinant activated CLIPB10 increased PO activity in Manduca sexta hemolymph ex vivo, and directly activated purified M. sexta proPO in vitro. Taken together, these data identify CLIPB10 as the second protease with prophenoloxidase-activating function in An. gambiae, in addition to the previously described CLIPB9, suggesting functional redundancy in the protease network that controls melanization. In addition, our data suggest that tissue melanization and humoral melanization of parasites are at least partially mediated by the same proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Miao Li
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Layla El Moussawi
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sally Saab
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Shasha Zhang
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States.,Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Mike A Osta
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Kristin Michel
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
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15
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Sloan MA, Sadlova J, Lestinova T, Sanders MJ, Cotton JA, Volf P, Ligoxygakis P. The Phlebotomus papatasi systemic transcriptional response to trypanosomatid-contaminated blood does not differ from the non-infected blood meal. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:15. [PMID: 33407867 PMCID: PMC7789365 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04498-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmaniasis, caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania, is a disease that affects up to 8 million people worldwide. Parasites are transmitted to human and animal hosts through the bite of an infected sand fly. Novel strategies for disease control require a better understanding of the key step for transmission, namely the establishment of infection inside the fly. Methods The aim of this work was to identify sand fly systemic transcriptomic signatures associated with Leishmania infection. We used next generation sequencing to describe the transcriptome of whole Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies when fed with blood alone (control) or with blood containing one of three trypanosomatids: Leishmania major, L. donovani and Herpetomonas muscarum, the latter being a parasite not transmitted to humans. Results Of the trypanosomatids studied, only L. major was able to successfully establish an infection in the host P. papatasi. However, the transcriptional signatures observed after each parasite-contaminated blood meal were not specific to success or failure of a specific infection and they did not differ from each other. The transcriptional signatures were also indistinguishable after a non-contaminated blood meal. Conclusions The results imply that sand flies perceive Leishmania as just one feature of their microbiome landscape and that any strategy to tackle transmission should focus on the response towards the blood meal rather than parasite establishment. Alternatively, Leishmania could suppress host responses. These results will generate new thinking around the concept of stopping transmission by controlling the parasite inside the insect.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Sloan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Lestinova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mandy J Sanders
- The Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - James A Cotton
- The Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petros Ligoxygakis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
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16
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Wang Y, Yang F, Cao X, Zou Z, Lu Z, Kanost MR, Jiang H. Hemolymph protease-5 links the melanization and Toll immune pathways in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:23581-23587. [PMID: 32900946 PMCID: PMC7519321 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2004761117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolytic activation of phenoloxidase (PO) and the cytokine Spätzle during immune responses of insects is mediated by a network of hemolymph serine proteases (HPs) and noncatalytic serine protease homologs (SPHs) and inhibited by serpins. However, integration and conservation of the system and its control mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we present biochemical evidence that PO-catalyzed melanin formation, Spätzle-triggered Toll activation, and induced synthesis of antimicrobial peptides are stimulated via hemolymph (serine) protease 5 (HP5) in Manduca sexta Previous studies have demonstrated a protease cascade pathway in which HP14 activates proHP21; HP21 activates proPAP2 and proPAP3, which then activate proPO in the presence of a complex of SPH1 and SPH2. We found that both HP21 and PAP3 activate proHP5 by cleavage at ESDR176*IIGG. HP5 then cleaves proHP6 at a unique site of LDLH112*ILGG. HP6, an ortholog of Drosophila Persephone, activates both proHP8 and proPAP1. HP8 activates proSpätzle-1, whereas PAP1 cleaves and activates proPO. HP5 is inhibited by Manduca sexta serpin-4, serpin-1A, and serpin-1J to regulate its activity. In summary, we have elucidated the physiological roles of HP5, a CLIPB with unique cleavage specificity (cutting after His) that coordinates immune responses in the caterpillar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
| | - Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
| | - Zhen Zou
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
| | - Michael R Kanost
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078;
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17
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Ma L, Chen F, Wang W, Xu L, Lu ZQ. Identification of two clip domain serine proteases involved in the pea aphid's defense against bacterial and fungal infection. INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 27:735-744. [PMID: 30916875 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12673] [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: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Phenoloxidases (POs) are required for the pea aphid's defense against bacterial and fungal infection. Prophenoloxidases (PPOs) are proteolytically converted to its active form PO through a clip domain serine protease cascade. In this study, we identified five clip domain serine proteases in the pea aphids. The messenger RNA levels of two of them, Ap_SPLP and Ap_VP, were upregulated by Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and fungus Beauveria bassiana infections. Double-stranded RNA-based expression knockdown of these two genes resulted in reduced PO activity of the aphid hemolymph, higher loads of S. aureus and B. bassiana in the aphids, and lower survival rates of the aphids after infections. Our data suggest that Ap_SPLP and Ap_VP are involved in PPO activation pathway in the pea aphid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lu Xu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Lu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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18
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Prabu S, Jing D, Shabbir MZ, Yuan W, Wang Z, He K. Contribution of phenoloxidase activation mechanism to Bt insecticidal protein resistance in Asian corn borer. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 153:88-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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19
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Liu H, Heng J, Wang L, Tang X, Guo P, Li Y, Xia Q, Zhao P. Identification, characterization, and expression analysis of clip-domain serine protease genes in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 105:103584. [PMID: 31863792 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Clip-domain serine proteases (CLIPs), characterized by regulatory module clip domains, constitute an important serine protease family identified in insects and other arthropods. They participate in host immune response and embryonic development in a cascade-activated manner. Here, we present a genome-wide identification and expression analysis of CLIP genes in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. A total of 26 CLIP genes were identified in the silkworm genome. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that these CLIPs clustered into four subfamilies (CLIPA-D), and exhibit a close evolutionary relationship with CLIPs of Manduca sexta. Tissue expression profiling revealed that silkworm CLIP genes are mainly expressed in the integument, head, fat body, and hemocytes. Temporal expression profiles showed that 15 CLIP genes were predominantly expressed during the fifth-instar larval stage, early and later period of the pupal stage, and adult stage, whereas 10 CLIP genes were mainly expressed in the wandering stage and middle to later period of the pupal stage in the integument. Pathogens and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) induction analysis indicated that 14 CLIP genes were positively regulated by 20E, 9 were negatively regulated by 20E but positively regulated by pathogens, and 5 were positively regulated by both factors in the integument. Together, these results suggested that silkworm CLIP genes may play multiple functions in integument development, including melanization of new cuticle, molting and immune defense. Our data provide a comprehensive understanding of CLIP genes in the silkworm integument and lays a foundation for further functional studies of CLIP genes in the silkworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huawei Liu
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jingya Heng
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Luoling Wang
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xin Tang
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Pengchao Guo
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Youshan Li
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, 723001, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Biological Science Research Center Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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20
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Dudzic JP, Hanson MA, Iatsenko I, Kondo S, Lemaitre B. More Than Black or White: Melanization and Toll Share Regulatory Serine Proteases in Drosophila. Cell Rep 2019; 27:1050-1061.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.03.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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21
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Wang L, Liu H, Fu H, Zhang L, Guo P, Xia Q, Zhao P. Silkworm serpin32 functions as a negative-regulator in prophenoloxidase activation. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 91:123-131. [PMID: 30339875 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular serine protease cascade is an essential component of insect humoral immunity. Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) play an important regulatory role in the process of insect immunity by regulating the serine protease cascade pathway. We aimed to clarify the function of Bmserpin32 in this study. First, we performed homologous sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of Bmserpin32. Bmserpin32 was found to share 64% amino acid sequence identity with Manduca sexta serpin7, an immunomodulatory protein. Bmserpin32 cDNA was cloned, and the recombinant Bmserpin32 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity and gel filtration chromatography. The activity assay showed that Bmserpin32 had significant inhibitory activity against trypsin. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis combined with activity assays indicated that the cleavage site of Bmserpin32 is between Arg359 and Ile360. After infection with E. coli or Micrococcus luteus, the expression level of Bmserpin32 in immune-related tissues was significantly upregulated. In addition, Bmserpin32 could delay or inhibit the melanization of hemolymph by inhibiting the activation of prophenoloxidase in larval hemolymph. Furthermore, a physiological target of Bmserpin32 was identified as the clip protease, BmPAP3, an apparent ortholog of M. sexta propenoloxidase-activating protease-3. Our observations enable a better understanding of the physiological role of Bmserpin32 in regulating melanization in silkworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huawei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huanyi Fu
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pengchao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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22
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Widana Gamage SMK, Rotenberg D, Schneweis DJ, Tsai CW, Dietzgen RG. Transcriptome-wide responses of adult melon thrips (Thrips palmi) associated with capsicum chlorosis virus infection. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208538. [PMID: 30532222 PMCID: PMC6286046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Thrips palmi is a widely distributed major agricultural pest in the tropics and subtropics, causing significant losses in cucurbit and solanaceous crops through feeding damage and transmission of tospoviruses. Thrips palmi is a vector of capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) in Australia. The present understanding of transmission biology and potential effects of CaCV on T. palmi is limited. To gain insights into molecular responses to CaCV infection, we performed RNA-Seq to identify thrips transcripts that are differentially-abundant during virus infection of adults. De-novo assembly of the transcriptome generated from whole bodies of T. palmi adults generated 166,445 contigs, of which ~24% contained a predicted open reading frame. We identified 1,389 differentially-expressed (DE) transcripts, with comparable numbers up- (708) and down-regulated (681) in virus-exposed thrips compared to non-exposed thrips. Approximately 59% of these DE transcripts had significant matches to NCBI non-redundant proteins (Blastx) and Blast2GO identified provisional functional categories among the up-regulated transcripts in virus-exposed thrips including innate immune response-related genes, salivary gland and/or gut-associated genes and vitellogenin genes. The majority of the immune-related proteins are known to serve functions in lysosome activity and melanisation in insects. Most of the up-regulated oral and extra-oral digestion-associated genes appear to be involved in digestion of proteins, lipids and plant cell wall components which may indirectly enhance the likelihood or frequency of virus transmission or may be involved in the regulation of host defence responses. Most of the down-regulated transcripts fell into the gene ontology functional category of 'structural constituent of cuticle'. Comparison to DE genes responsive to tomato spotted wilt virus in Frankliniella occidentalis indicates conservation of some thrips molecular responses to infection by different tospoviruses. This study assembled the first transcriptome in the genus Thrips and provides important data to broaden our understanding of networks of molecular interactions between thrips and tospoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirani M. K. Widana Gamage
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dorith Rotenberg
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Derek J. Schneweis
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Chi-Wei Tsai
- Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ralf G. Dietzgen
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
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23
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Cao X, Jiang H. Building a platform for predicting functions of serine protease-related proteins in Drosophila melanogaster and other insects. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 103:53-69. [PMID: 30367934 PMCID: PMC6358214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Serine proteases (SPs) and serine protease homologs (SPHs) play essential roles in insect physiological processes including digestion, defense and development. Studies of insect genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes have generated a vast amount of information on these proteins, dwarfing the biological data acquired from a few model species. The large number and high diversity of homologous sequences makes it a challenge to use the limited functional information for making predictions across a broad taxonomic group of insects. In this work, we have extensively updated the framework of knowledge on the SP-related proteins in Drosophila melanogaster by identifying 52 new SPs/SPHs, classifying the 257 proteins into four groups (CLIP, gut, single- and multi-domain SPs/SPHs), and detecting inherent connections among phylogenetic relationships, genomic locations and expression profiles for 99 of the genes. Information on the existence of specific proteins in eggs, larvae, pupae and adults is presented to facilitate future research. More importantly, we have developed an approach to reveal close homologous or orthologous relationships among SPs/SPHs from D. melanogaster, Anopheles gambiae, Apis mellifera, Manduca sexta, and Tribolium castaneum thus inspiring functional studies in these and other holometabolous insects. This approach is useful for tackling similar problems on large and diverse protein families in other groups of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
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Kostin NN, Bobik TV, Shurdova EM, Ziganshin RH, Surina EA, Shagin DA, Shagina IA, Knorre VD, Isaev VA, Rudenskaya GN, Gabibov AG, Smirnov IV. Cloning and characterization of serpin from red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 81:99-107. [PMID: 30006043 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Serpins are a family of serine protease inhibitors that are involved in numerous physiological processes and are known to regulate innate immunity pathways. To advance our understanding of their role in P. camtschaticus, a commercially significant species, we cloned and characterized a serpin from this species, designated serpin PC, that has anticoagulant and anticomplement effects on human blood. We found that serpin PC is a secreted protein with a typical serpin-like primary structure that is similar to other known crustacean serpins. Recombinant serpin PC was found to have inhibitory activity against R/K-specific bovine cationic trypsin. The reaction proceeds through the formation of a stable covalent complex of peptidase with P1 residue R383 of serpin PC. This interaction is characterized by a relatively high overall inhibition constant kass=(2.3 ± 0.7) × 106 M-1s-1 and an SI of 4.7 ± 0.8. Protein localization by western blotting showed that serpin PC is present in the muscles and, to a lesser extent, the heart, whereas it is transcribed predominantly in hemocytes and the heart. Through peptidase activity profiling of hemocytes and plasma, we found that serpin PC inhibits at least two R/K-specific activities and showed that it inhibits phenoloxidase (PO) activity induction in hemocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N N Kostin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia; Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - T V Bobik
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - E M Shurdova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - R H Ziganshin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - E A Surina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - D A Shagin
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, Russia; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - I A Shagina
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - V D Knorre
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - V A Isaev
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - G N Rudenskaya
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A G Gabibov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - I V Smirnov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia.
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25
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Zumaya-Estrada FA, Martínez-Barnetche J, Lavore A, Rivera-Pomar R, Rodríguez MH. Comparative genomics analysis of triatomines reveals common first line and inducible immunity-related genes and the absence of Imd canonical components among hemimetabolous arthropods. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:48. [PMID: 29357911 PMCID: PMC5778769 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2561-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Insects operate complex humoral and cellular immune strategies to fend against invading microorganisms. The majority of these have been characterized in Drosophila and other dipterans. Information on hemipterans, including Triatominae vectors of Chagas disease remains incomplete and fractionated. Results We identified putative immune-related homologs of three Triatominae vectors of Chagas disease, Triatoma pallidipennis, T. dimidiata and T. infestans (TTTs), using comparative transcriptomics based on established immune response gene references, in conjunction with the predicted proteomes of Rhodnius prolixus, Cimex lecticularis and Acyrthosiphon pisum hemimetabolous. We present a compressive description of the humoral and cellular innate immune components of these TTTs and extend the immune information of other related hemipterans. Key homologs of the constitutive and induced immunity genes were identified in all the studied hemipterans. Conclusions Our results in the TTTs extend previous observations in other hemipterans lacking several components of the Imd signaling pathway. Comparison with other hexapods, using published data, revealed that the absence of various Imd canonical components is common in several hemimetabolous species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-017-2561-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesús Martínez-Barnetche
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas (CISEI), Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Andrés Lavore
- Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (CeBio) and Centro de Investigación y Transferencia del Noroeste de Buenos Aires (CITNOBA-CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Pergamino, Argentina
| | - Rolando Rivera-Pomar
- Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (CeBio) and Centro de Investigación y Transferencia del Noroeste de Buenos Aires (CITNOBA-CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Pergamino, Argentina.,Laboratorio de Genética y Genómica Funcional. Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Mario Henry Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas (CISEI), Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, México.
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Yang L, Lin Z, Fang Q, Wang J, Yan Z, Zou Z, Song Q, Ye G. The genomic and transcriptomic analyses of serine proteases and their homologs in an endoparasitoid, Pteromalus puparum. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 77:56-68. [PMID: 28713011 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In insects, serine proteases (SPs) and serine protease homologs (SPHs) constitute a large family of proteins involved in multiple physiological processes such as digestion, development, and immunity. Here we identified 145 SPs and 38 SPHs in the genome of an endoparasitoid, Pteromalus puparum. Gene duplication and tandem repeats were observed in this large SPs/SPHs family. We then analyzed the expression profiles of SP/SPH genes in response to different microbial infections (Gram-positive bacterium Micrococcus luteus, Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, and entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana), as well as in different developmental stages and tissues. Some SPs/SPHs also displayed distinct expression patterns in venom gland, suggesting their specific physiological functions as venom proteins. Our finding lays groundwork for further research of SPs and SPHs expressed in the venom glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiale Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhichao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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27
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Kausar S, Abbas MN, Qian C, Zhu B, Sun Y, Sun Y, Wang L, Wei G, Maqsood I, Liu CL. Serpin-14 negatively regulates prophenoloxidase activation and expression of antimicrobial peptides in Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 76:45-55. [PMID: 28545959 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Revised: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Genes encoding proteins of serpins superfamily are widely distributed in invertebrates. In insects, serpins play important roles in regulating immune responses and other physiological processes. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of cDNA of Apserpin-14 from Chinese oak silkworm (Antheraea pernyi). The Apserpin-14 gene contains 1206 bp open reading frame, encoding a predicted 401 amino acid residue protein. We expressed the recombinant Apserpin-14 protein in Escherichia coli and then purified protein was used to prepare rabbit anti-Apserpin-14 polyclonal antibodies. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that mRNA level of Apserpin-14 was highest in the fat body, whereas, among developmental stages the 5th instar and pupal stage showed greatest expression. Furthermore, Escherichia coli, Beauveria bassiana, Micrococcus luteus and nuclear polyhedrosis virus challenge enhanced Apserpin-14 transcript in both the fat body and hemocyte. Recombinant Apserpin-14 added to hemolymph inhibited spontaneous melanization and suppressed prophenoloxidase activation stimulated by M. luteus, but did not affect phenoloxidase (PO) activity. Injection of recombinant Apserpin-14 protein into A. pernyi larvae significantly reduced the transcript levels of antimicrobial peptides in the fat body, while its depletion by double stranded RNA enhanced their expression. We concluded that Apserpin-14 likely involved in regulation of proPO activation and production of antimicrobial peptides, implying its important role in the innate immune system of A. pernyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saima Kausar
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | | | - Cen Qian
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Baojian Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Yu Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Yuxuan Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Guoqing Wei
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Iram Maqsood
- College of Wildlife Resources, Department of Wildlife Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University Harbin, China.
| | - Chao-Liang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
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28
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Bombyx mori Serpin6 regulates prophenoloxidase activity and the expression of antimicrobial proteins. Gene 2017; 610:64-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Revised: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Serine protease SP105 activates prophenoloxidase in Asian corn borer melanization, and is regulated by serpin-3. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45256. [PMID: 28358031 PMCID: PMC5372168 DOI: 10.1038/srep45256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanization reaction, resulting from the activation of prophenoloxidase, is a vital immune response in insects for encapsulating and killing the invasive organisms. Prophenoloxidase needs to be proteolytically activated by its upstream prophenoloxidase-activating protease (PAP) in melanization. Identification and characterization of PAPs facilitates the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in insect immunity. We here cloned a full-length cDNA for a serine protease, named as SP105, from Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). The open reading frame of SP105 encodes 424-amino acid residue protein with a 19-residue signal peptide. Sequence comparison indicates that SP105 is most similar to Manduca sexta PAP3, a defined prophenoloxidase-activating protease. qRT-PCR analysis showed that SP105 mRNA levels increased significantly after a bacterial injection. Recombinant SP105 directly cleaved and activated Asian corn borer prophenoloxidase and therefore acted as the prophenoloxidase-activating protease. Additionally, SP105 formed SDS-stable complexes with a serine protease inhibitor, serpin-3, and its activity in activating prophenoloxidase was efficiently inhibited by serpin-3. Our work thus illustrated a prophenoloxidase-activating protease and revealed its regulation by serpin-3. The results would allow further advances in the understanding of the melanization in Asian corn borer and other insects.
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30
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Baxter RHG, Contet A, Krueger K. Arthropod Innate Immune Systems and Vector-Borne Diseases. Biochemistry 2017; 56:907-918. [PMID: 28072517 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Arthropods, especially ticks and mosquitoes, are the vectors for a number of parasitic and viral human diseases, including malaria, sleeping sickness, Dengue, and Zika, yet arthropods show tremendous individual variation in their capacity to transmit disease. A key factor in this capacity is the group of genetically encoded immune factors that counteract infection by the pathogen. Arthropod-specific pattern recognition receptors and protease cascades detect and respond to infection. Proteins such as antimicrobial peptides, thioester-containing proteins, and transglutaminases effect responses such as lysis, phagocytosis, melanization, and agglutination. Effector responses are initiated by damage signals such as reactive oxygen species signaling from epithelial cells and recognized by cell surface receptors on hemocytes. Antiviral immunity is primarily mediated by siRNA pathways but coupled with interferon-like signaling, antimicrobial peptides, and thioester-containing proteins. Molecular mechanisms of immunity are closely linked to related traits of longevity and fertility, and arthropods have the capacity for innate immunological memory. Advances in understanding vector immunity can be leveraged to develop novel control strategies for reducing the rate of transmission of both ancient and emerging threats to global health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard H G Baxter
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Alicia Contet
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Kathryn Krueger
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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31
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Hanson MA, Hamilton PT, Perlman SJ. Immune genes and divergent antimicrobial peptides in flies of the subgenus Drosophila. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:228. [PMID: 27776480 PMCID: PMC5078906 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0805-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Drosophila is an important model for studying the evolution of animal immunity, due to the powerful genetic tools developed for D. melanogaster. However, Drosophila is an incredibly speciose lineage with a wide range of ecologies, natural histories, and diverse natural enemies. Surprisingly little functional work has been done on immune systems of species other than D. melanogaster. In this study, we examine the evolution of immune genes in the speciose subgenus Drosophila, which diverged from the subgenus Sophophora (that includes D. melanogaster) approximately 25–40 Mya. We focus on D. neotestacea, a woodland species used to study interactions between insects and parasitic nematodes, and combine recent transcriptomic data with infection experiments to elucidate aspects of host immunity. Results We found that the vast majority of genes involved in the D. melanogaster immune response are conserved in D. neotestacea, with a few interesting exceptions, particularly in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs); until recently, AMPs were not thought to evolve rapidly in Drosophila. Unexpectedly, we found a distinct diptericin in subgenus Drosophila flies that appears to have evolved under diversifying (positive) selection. We also describe the presence of the AMP drosocin, which was previously thought to be restricted to the subgenus Sophophora, in the subgenus Drosophila. We challenged two subgenus Drosophila species, D. neotestacea and D. virilis with bacterial and fungal pathogens and quantified AMP expression. Conclusions While diptericin in D. virilis was induced by exposure to gram-negative bacteria, it was not induced in D. neotestacea, showing that conservation of immune genes does not necessarily imply conservation of the realized immune response. Our study lends support to the idea that invertebrate AMPs evolve rapidly, and that Drosophila harbor a diverse repertoire of AMPs with potentially important functional consequences. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0805-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Hanson
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
| | | | - Steve J Perlman
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.,Integrated Microbial Biodiversity Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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32
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Serpins in arthropod biology. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 62:105-119. [PMID: 27603121 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Serpins are the largest known family of serine proteinase inhibitors and perform a variety of physiological functions in arthropods. Herein, we review the field of serpins in arthropod biology, providing an overview of current knowledge and topics of interest. Serpins regulate insect innate immunity via inhibition of serine proteinase cascades that initiate immune responses such as melanization and antimicrobial peptide production. In addition, several serpins with anti-pathogen activity are expressed as acute-phase serpins in insects upon infection. Parasitoid wasps can downregulate host serpin expression to modulate the host immune system. In addition, examples of serpin activity in development and reproduction in Drosophila have also been discovered. Serpins also function in host-pathogen interactions beyond immunity as constituents of venom in parasitoid wasps and saliva of blood-feeding ticks and mosquitoes. These serpins have distinct effects on immunosuppression and anticoagulation and are of interest for vaccine development. Lastly, the known structures of arthropod serpins are discussed, which represent the serpin inhibitory mechanism and provide a detailed overview of the process.
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Li J, Ma L, Lin Z, Zou Z, Lu Z. Serpin-5 regulates prophenoloxidase activation and antimicrobial peptide pathways in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 73:27-37. [PMID: 27084699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The prophenoloxidase (PPO) activation pathway and Toll pathway are two critical insect immune responses against microbial infection. Activation of these pathways is mediated by an extracellular serine protease cascade, which is negatively regulated by serpins. In this study, we found that the mRNA abundance of silkworm serpin-5 (BmSpn-5) increased dramatically in the fat body after bacterial infection. The expression level of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), gloverin-3, cecropin-D and -E decreased in the silkworm larvae injected with recombinant BmSpn-5 protein. Meanwhile, the inhibition of beads melanization, systemic melanization and PPO activation by BmSpn-5 was also observed. By means of immunoaffinity purification and analysis by mass spectrometry, we identified that the silkworm clip domain serine proteases BmHP6 and BmSP21 form a complex with BmSpn-5, which suggests that BmHP6 and SP21 are the cognate proteases of BmSpn-5 and are essential in the serine protease cascade that activates the Toll and PPO pathways. Our study provides a comprehensive characterization of BmSpn-5 and sheds light on the multiple pathways leading to PPO activation and their regulation by serpins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlan Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
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Zhang X, An C, Sprigg K, Michel K. CLIPB8 is part of the prophenoloxidase activation system in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 71:106-15. [PMID: 26926112 PMCID: PMC4828722 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In insects and other arthropods the formation of eumelanin (melanization) is a broad spectrum and potent immune response that is used to encapsulate and kill invading pathogens. This immune response is regulated by the activation of prophenoxidase (proPO), which is controlled by proteinase cascades and its serpin inhibitors, together forming the proPO activation system. While the molecular composition of these protease cascades are well understood in insect model systems, major knowledge gaps remain in mosquitoes. Recently, a regulatory unit of melanization in Anopheles gambiae was documented, comprised of the inhibitory serpin-clip-serine proteinase, CLIPB9 and its inhibitor serpin-2 (SRPN2). Partial reversion of SRPN2 phenotypes in melanotic tumor formation and adult survival by SRPN2/CLIPB9 double knockdown suggested other target proteinases of SRPN2 in regulating melanization. Here we report that CLIPB8 supplements the SRPN2/CLIPB9 regulatory unit in controlling melanization in An. gambiae. As with CLIPB9, knockdown of CLIPB8 partially reversed the pleiotropic phenotype induced by SRPN2 silencing with regards to adult survival and melanotic tumor formation. Recombinant SRPN2 protein formed an SDS-stable protein complex with activated recombinant CLIPB8, however did not efficiently inhibit CLIPB8 activity in vitro. CLIPB8 did not directly activate proPO in vitro nor was it able to cleave and activate proCLIPB9. Nevertheless, epistasis analysis using RNAi placed CLIPB8 and CLIPB9 in the same pathway leading to melanization, suggesting that CLIPB8 either acts further upstream of CLIPB9 or is required for activation of a yet to be identified serine proteinase homolog. Taken together, this study identifies CLIPB8 as an additional player in proPO activation cascade and highlights the complexity of the proteinase network that regulates melanization in An. gambiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Chunju An
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - KaraJo Sprigg
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Kristin Michel
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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35
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Kanost MR, Jiang H. Clip-domain serine proteases as immune factors in insect hemolymph. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2015; 11:47-55. [PMID: 26688791 PMCID: PMC4680995 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
CLIP proteases are non-digestive serine proteases present in hemolymph of insects and other arthropods. They are composed of one or more amino-terminal clip domains followed by a linker sequence and a carboxyl-terminal S1A family serine protease domain. The genes for CLIP proteases have evolved as four clades (CLIPA, CLIPB, CLIPC, CLIPD), each present as multigene families in insect genomes. CLIP proteases in hemolymph function in innate immune responses. These include proteolytic activation of the cytokine Spätzle, to form an active Toll ligand leading to synthesis of antimicrobial peptides, and specific activation of prophenoloxidase, required for the melanization response. CLIP proteases act in cascade pathways. In the immune pathways that have been characterized, microbial surface molecules stimulate activation of an initiating modular serine protease, which then activates a CLIPC, which in turn activates a CLIPB. The active CLIPB then cleaves and activates an effector molecule (proSpätzle or prophenoloxidase). CLIPA proteins are pseudoproteases, lacking proteolytic activity, but some can function as regulators of the activity of other CLIP proteases and form high molecular weight immune complexes. A few three dimensional structures for CLIP proteases are now available for structure-function analysis of these immune factors, revealing structural features that may act in specific activation or in formation of immune complexes. The functions of most CLIP proteases are unknown, even in well studied insect species. It is very likely that additional proteins activated by CLIP proteases and acting in immunity remain to be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Kanost
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA
- Communicating author: Michael R. Kanost, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA, 785-532-6964,
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078 USA
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Transcriptomic Analysis of Musca domestica to Reveal Key Genes of the Prophenoloxidase-Activating System. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2015; 5:1827-41. [PMID: 26156588 PMCID: PMC4555219 DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.016899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The proPO system regulates melanization in arthropods. However, the genes that are involved in the proPO system in housefly Musca domestica remain unclear. Thus, this study analyzed the combined transcriptome obtained from M. domestica larvae, pupae, and adults that were either normal or bacteria-challenged by an Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus mixture. A total of 54,821,138 clean reads (4.93 Gb) were yielded by Illumina sequencing, which were de novo assembled into 89,842 unigenes. Of the 89,842 unigenes, based on a similarity search with known genes in other insects, 24 putative genes related to the proPO system were identified. Eight of the identified genes encoded for peptidoglycan recognition receptors, two encoded for prophenoloxidases, three encoded for prophenoloxidase-activating enzymes, and 11 encoded for serine proteinase inhibitors. The expression levels of these identified genes were investigated by qRT-PCR assay, which were consistent with expected activation process of the proPO system, and their activation functions were confirmed by the measurement of phenoloxidase activity in bacteria-infected larvae after proPO antibody blockage, suggesting these candidate genes might have potentially different roles in the activation of proPO system. Collectively, this study has provided the comprehensive transcriptomic data of an insect and some fundamental basis toward achieving understanding of the activation mechanisms and immune functions of the proPO system in M. domestica.
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Lu WX, Yue D, Hai ZJ, Daihua W, Yi ZM, Fu WC, Rong Z. Cloning, expression, and characterization of prophenoloxidase from Antheraea pernyi. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 88:45-63. [PMID: 25521627 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Prophenoloxidase (PPO) is an essential enzyme in insect innate immunity because of its role in humoral defense. In this study, we have cloned a full-length cDNA of Antheraea pernyi prophenoloxidase (ApPPO) with an open-reading frame encoding 683 amino acids, and the deduced amino acid sequence of ApPPO exhibited a high similarity with those of lepidoptera. The expression of ApPPO was inducible so that the mRNA level was significantly upregulated in the microbial challenged tissues, including fat body, hemocytes, and midgut. To better investigate the enzymatic and immunological properties of ApPPO, recombinant ApPPO (rApPPO) was produced in Escherichia coli. Several functional verification experiments were performed after studying the enzymatic properties. It was found that rApPPO could be stimulated by the microbial challenged larvae hemolymph and then killed bacteria in the radial diffusion assay. Furthermore, rApPPO also induced the transcription of cecropins after injected into the larvae 24 h later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Xia Lu
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, P. R. China; Benxi Institute of Medicines, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, P. R. China
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38
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Abstract
The route of infection can profoundly affect both the progression and outcome of disease. We investigated differences in Drosophila melanogaster defense against infection after bacterial inoculation into two sites--the abdomen and the thorax. Thorax inoculation results in increased bacterial proliferation and causes high mortality within the first few days of infection. In contrast, abdomen inoculation results in minimal mortality and lower bacterial loads than thorax inoculation. Inoculation into either site causes systemic infection. Differences in mortality and bacterial load are due to injury of the thorax and can be recapitulated by abdominal inoculation coupled with aseptic wounding of the thorax. This altered resistance appears to be independent of classical immune pathways and opens new avenues of research on the role of injury during defense against infection.
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39
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Lu A, Zhang Q, Zhang J, Yang B, Wu K, Xie W, Luan YX, Ling E. Insect prophenoloxidase: the view beyond immunity. Front Physiol 2014; 5:252. [PMID: 25071597 PMCID: PMC4092376 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect prophenoloxidase (PPO) is an important innate immunity protein due to its involvement in cellular and humoral defense. It belongs to a group of type-3 copper-containing proteins that occurs in almost all organisms. Insect PPO has been studied for over a century, and the PPO activation cascade is becoming clearer. The insect PPO activation pathway incorporates several important proteins, including pattern-recognition receptors (PGRP, β GRP, and C-type lectins), serine proteases, and serine protease inhibitors (serpins). Due to their complexity, PPO activation mechanisms vary among insect species. Activated phenoloxidase (PO) oxidizes phenolic molecules to produce melanin around invading pathogens and wounds. The crystal structure of Manduca sexta PPO shows that a conserved amino acid, phenylalanine (F), can block the active site pocket. During activation, this blocker must be dislodged or even cleaved at the N-terminal sequence to expose the active site pockets and allow substrates to enter. Thanks to the crystal structure of M. sexta PPO, some domains and specific amino acids that affect PPO activities have been identified. Further studies of the relationship between PPO structure and enzyme activities will provide an opportunity to examine other type-3 copper proteins, and trace when and why their various physiological functions evolved. Recent researches show that insect PPO has a relationship with neuron activity, longevity, feces melanization (phytophagous insects) and development, which suggests that it is time for us to look back on insect PPO beyond the view of immunity in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anrui Lu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, China
| | - Qiaoli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Wu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, China
| | - Yun-Xia Luan
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, China
| | - Erjun Ling
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, China
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40
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Kulkarni AD, Kiron V, Rombout JHWM, Brinchmann MF, Fernandes JMO, Sudheer NS, Singh BIS. Protein profiling in the gut of Penaeus monodon gavaged with oral WSSV-vaccines and live white spot syndrome virus. Proteomics 2014; 14:1660-73. [PMID: 24782450 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201300405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2013] [Revised: 03/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a pathogen that causes considerable mortality of the farmed shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Candidate 'vaccines', WSSV envelope protein VP28 and formalin-inactivated WSSV, can provide short-lived protection against the virus. In this study, P. monodon was orally intubated with the aforementioned vaccine candidates, and protein expression in the gut of immunised shrimps was profiled. The alterations in protein profiles in shrimps infected orally with live-WSSV were also examined. Seventeen of the identified proteins in the vaccine and WSSV-intubated shrimps varied significantly compared to those in the control shrimps. These proteins, classified under exoskeletal, cytoskeletal, immune-related, intracellular organelle part, intracellular calcium-binding or energy metabolism, are thought to directly or indirectly affect shrimp's immunity. The changes in the expression levels of crustacyanin, serine proteases, myosin light chain, and ER protein 57 observed in orally vaccinated shrimp may probably be linked to immunoprotective responses. On the other hand, altered expression of proteins linked to exoskeleton, calcium regulation and energy metabolism in WSSV-intubated shrimps is likely to symbolise disturbances in calcium homeostasis and energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amod D Kulkarni
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, University of Nordland, Bodø, Norway
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Zhao C, Ju J. Molecular cloning, expression, and anti-tumor activity of a novel serine protease from Arenicola cristata. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2014; 46:450-9. [PMID: 24709333 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmu020] [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] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenicola cristata, a marine annelid, is a well-known and prized traditional Chinese medicine. However, the serine protease gene of A. cristata has not been cloned yet. In this study, a novel protease of A. cristata was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the functions of this recombinant protease were also investigated. The whole complementary DNA (cDNA) of this novel protease was of 980 bp in length and consisted of an open reading frame of 861 bp encoding 286 aa. Sequence analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed that the protease belongs to the serine protease family. The active enzyme of the proposed A. cristata protease is composed of a signal peptide, a propeptide, and a mature polypeptide. The molecular weight of the recombinant mature protein was ~26 kDa after over-expression in E. coli. The recombinant protein significantly inhibited cell growth and induced cell apoptosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in vitro, and reduced tumorigenicity in vivo. Furthermore, administration of the recombinant protein led to the activation of caspase-9 as well as down-regulation of Mcl-1 and Bcl-2. Taken together, our findings indicated that the recombinant serine protease of A. cristata could inhibit ESCC cell growth by mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and might act as a potential pharmacological agent for ESCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunling Zhao
- College of Pharmacy and Biological Science, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Jiyu Ju
- College of Basic Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
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