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Nobre ICDS, Coelho RR, de Souza FMC, Reis MA, Torres JB, Antonino JD. Insights from different reproductive gene knockdowns via RNA interference in the lady beetle Eriopis connexa: Establishing a new model for molecular studies on natural enemies. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 116:e22125. [PMID: 38973236 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Insect pest control can be achieved by the application of RNA interference (RNAi), a key molecular tool in functional genomics. Whereas most RNAi research has focused on insect pests, few studies have been performed on natural enemies. Validating the efficacy of RNAi in natural enemies is crucial for assessing its safety and enabling molecular research on these organisms. Here, we assessed the efficacy of RNAi in the ladybird beetle Eriopis connexa Germar (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), focusing on genes related to reproduction, such as vitellogenin (Vg) and its receptor (VgR). In the transcriptome of E. connexa, we found one VgR (EcVgR) and two Vg genes (EcVg1 and EcVg2). These genes have been validated by in silico analyses of functional domains and evolutionary relationships. Five-day-old females were injected with 500 ng/µL of a specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) (dsEcVg1, dsEcVg2, or dsEcVgR) for RNAi tests, while nonspecific dsRNA (dsGFP or dsAgCE8.1) was used as a control. Interestingly, dsEcVg2 was able to knockdown both Vg genes, while dsEcVg1 could silence only EcVg1. Additionally, the viability of the eggs was significantly reduced when both Vg genes were knocked down at the same time (after treatment with dsEcVg2 or "dsEcVg1+dsEcVg2"). Ultimately, malformed, nonviable eggs were produced when EcVgR was silenced. Interestingly, no dsRNA treatment had an impact on the quantity of eggs laid. Therefore, the feasibility of RNAi in E. connexa has been confirmed, suggesting that this coccinellid is an excellent Neotropical model for molecular research on natural enemies and for studying RNAi nontarget effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberta Ramos Coelho
- Departamento de Agronomia-Entomologia, Universidade Federal Rural Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Manoely Abreu Reis
- Departamento de Agronomia-Entomologia, Universidade Federal Rural Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Jorge Braz Torres
- Departamento de Agronomia-Entomologia, Universidade Federal Rural Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - José Dijair Antonino
- Departamento de Agronomia-Entomologia, Universidade Federal Rural Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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2
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Wang CX, Bao HQ, Yan ZC, Wang J, Wang S, Li YX. Knockdown of vitellogenin receptor based on minute insect RNA interference methods affects the initial mature egg load in the pest natural enemy Trichogramma dendrolimi. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38783625 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) plays a crucial role in oogenesis by mediating endocytosis of vitellogenin and a portion of the yolk proteins in many insect species. However, the function of VgR in minute parasitoid wasps is largely unknown. Here, we applied Trichogramma dendrolimi, a minute egg parasitoid, as a study model to investigate the function of VgR in parasitoids. We developed RNA interference (RNAi) methods based on microinjection of prepupae in T. dendrolimi. RNAi employs nanomaterial branched amphipathic peptide capsules (BAPC) as a carrier for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), significantly enhancing delivery efficiency. Also, artificial hosts without medium were used to culture the injected prepupae in vitro. Utilizing these methods, we found that ovarian growth was disrupted after knockdown of TdVgR, as manifested by the suppressed development of the ovariole and the inhibition of nurse cell internalization by oocytes. Also, the initial mature egg load in the ovary was significantly reduced. Notably, the parasitic capacity of the female adult with ovarian dysplasia was significantly decreased, possibly resulting from the low availability of mature eggs. Moreover, ovarian dysplasia in T. dendrolimi caused by VgR deficiency are conserved despite feeding on different hosts. The results confirmed a critical role of TdVgR in the reproductive ability of T. dendrolimi and provided a reference for gene functional studies in minute insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Xing Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui-Qiao Bao
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Chao Yan
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Su Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan-Xi Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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3
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Dai Y, Yang F, Li J, Fu H, Wang X, Wan B, Cai M, Xin T, Xia B, Zhong L, Zou Z. Sublethal Effects of Emamectin Benzoate on Development and Reproduction and RNAi of the Vitellogenin Gene in Spodoptera frugiperda. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:200-208. [PMID: 38159287 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c06892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Spodoptera frugiperda, one of the most destructive corn pests in the world, invaded China in December 2018. In this study, sublethal concentrations (LC10 and LC30) of emamectin benzoate (EB) were used to treat pesticide-free treatment (PFT) and EB treatment (ET) of S. frugiperda. In PFT, compared with the control (CK), the pupal weight, hatching rate, and pupation rate of LC10 and LC30 groups were significantly reduced. The fecundity and the expression of vitellogenin gene (SfVg) were decreased after LC30 treatment, while the LC10 treatment groups showed no significant difference from the control group. In ET, compared to CK, the fecundity was increased by 11.14 and 18.8%. The expression of SfVg was upregulated by 2.6 times after LC30 treatment. Moreover, RNAi-mediated SfVg knockdown resulted in a nearly 70% reduction in oviposition. The result provided a theoretical basis for optimizing the application of EB and Vg-dsRNA in the control of S. frugiperda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Dai
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Fanqin Yang
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Jie Li
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Huinan Fu
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Xi Wang
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Industry Development & Service Center for Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330096, China
| | - Bin Wan
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Meiting Cai
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Tianrong Xin
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Bin Xia
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Ling Zhong
- Industry Development & Service Center for Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330096, China
| | - Zhiwen Zou
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
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4
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Sheng Y, Chen J, Jiang H, Lu Y, Dong Z, Pang L, Zhang J, Wang Y, Chen X, Huang J. The vitellogenin receptor gene contributes to mating and host-searching behaviors in parasitoid wasps. iScience 2023; 26:106298. [PMID: 36950109 PMCID: PMC10025991 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) is essential to vitellogenin uptaking and dominates ovary maturation in insects. However, the function of VgR in parasitoid wasps is largely unknown. Here, we applied the Drosophila parasitoid Leptopilina boulardi as a study model to investigate the function of VgR in parasitoids. Despite the conserved sequence characteristics with other insect VgRs, we found L. boulardi VgR (LbVgR) gene was highly expressed in head but lower in ovary. In addition, we found that LbVgR had no effects on ovary development, but participated in host-searching behavior of female L. boulardi and mating behavior of male L. boulardi. Comparative transcriptome analysis further revealed LbVgR might play crucial roles in regulating the expression of some important chemoreception genes to adjust the parasitoid behaviors. These results will broaden our knowledge of the function of VgR in insects, and contribute to develop advanced pest management strategies using parasitoids as biocontrol agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Sheng
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiani Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hanyu Jiang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yueqi Lu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhi Dong
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lan Pang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Junwei Zhang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xuexin Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianhua Huang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Corresponding author
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Liang Z, Yang Y, Sun X, Du J, Wang Q, Zhang G, Zhang J, Yin X, Singh D, Su P, Zhang X. Integrated Analysis of MicroRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles in the Fat Bodies of MbMNPV-Infected Helicoverpa armigera. Viruses 2022; 15:19. [PMID: 36680059 PMCID: PMC9861407 DOI: 10.3390/v15010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), are a novel class of gene expression regulators, that have been found to participate in regulating host-virus interactions. However, the function of insect-derived miRNAs in response to virus infection is poorly understood. We analyzed miRNA expression profiles in the fat bodies of Helicoverpa armigera (H. armigera) infected with Mamestra brassicae multiple nucleopolyhedroviruses (MbMNPV). A total of 52 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were filtered out through RNA-seq analysis. The targets of 52 DEmiRNAs were predicted and 100 miRNA-mRNA interaction pairs were obtained. The predicted targets of DEmiRNAs were mainly enriched in the Wnt signaling pathway, phagosome, and mTOR signaling pathway, which are related to the virus infection. Real-time PCR was used to verify the RNA sequencing results. ame-miR-317-3p, mse-miR-34, novel1-star, and sfr-miR-6094-5p were shown to be involved in the host response to MbMNPV infection. Results suggest that sfr-miR-6094-5p can negatively regulate the expression of four host genes eIF3-S7, CG7583, CG16901, and btf314, and inhibited MbMNPV infection significantly. Further studies showed that RNAi-mediated knockdown of eIF3-S7 inhibited the MbMNPV infection. These findings suggest that sfr-miR-6094-5p inhibits MbMNPV infection by negatively regulating the expression of eIF3-S7. This study provides new insights into MbMNPV and H. armigera interaction mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenpu Liang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Yanqing Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Junyang Du
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Qiuyun Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Guozhi Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jiran Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Xinming Yin
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Deepali Singh
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam, Buddha University, Greater Noida 201312, India
| | - Ping Su
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences of the 14th Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Kunyu 848116, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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6
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Molecular Characterization of Vitellogenin and Its Receptor in Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797), and Their Function in Reproduction of Female. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911972. [PMID: 36233286 PMCID: PMC9569576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911972] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a highly polyphagous invasive pest. The strong reproductive capacity is an important factor in the rapid colonization and expansion of S. frugiperda. Vitellogenin (Vg) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) play important roles in insect reproduction. As the precursor of vitellin (Vn), Vg provides essential nutrition for embryonic development, and VgR mediates the uptake of Vg by oocytes. In this context, we cloned and characterized these two genes of S. frugiperda (SfVg and SfVgR) and evaluated their expression profiles in different developmental stages and tissues. The RNA interference experiment was used to investigate their function in vitellogenesis. The ORF values of SfVg and SfVgR were 5250 and 5445 bp, encoding 1749 and 1815 amino acid residues, respectively. The qRT-PCR results revealed that both SfVg and SfVgR were highly expressed in female adults; SfVg was specifically expressed in the fat body, whereas SfVgR was highly expressed in the ovary. In addition, the depletion of either SfVg or SfVgR hindered oocyte maturation and ovarian development, leading to a significant decrease in fecundity. The present study reveals the importance of SfVg and SfVgR in the vitellogenesis of S. frugiperda, laying a theoretical foundation for the development of pollution-free pest control strategies with SfVg and SfVgR as new targets.
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7
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Lian Y, Peng S, Jia J, Li J, Wang A, Yang S, Zheng R, Yang X, Zhou S. Function of Vitellogenin receptor gene in reproductive regulation of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) after short-term high-temperature treatment. Front Physiol 2022; 13:995004. [PMID: 36267580 PMCID: PMC9577288 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.995004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change has increased the frequency of extreme heat events. Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) is an important tropical pest that typically changes its reproductive strategies in response to extremely high temperatures. Newly emerged adults of three consecutive generations (F1, F2, and F3) of Z. cucurbitae (Coquillett) were exposed to 25°C, 33°C, 37°C, 41°C, and 45°C treatments for 1 h to clarify the effects of short-term high temperatures on its reproduction. The influence of these temperatures on reproduction was evaluated using indicators, such as egg number. Newly emerged adults were exposed to 25°C and 45°C treatments for 1 h, and the expression of Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) gene in females was interfered with siRNA, and silencing efficiency of RNAi was evaluated. Results showed that short-term high temperatures, except for F1 treated at 45°C for 1 h to stimulate oviposition, exert a general adverse effect on the reproduction of Z. cucurbitae (Coquillett). All F3 died after the 45°C treatment for 1 h. Silencing of the VgR gene resulted in the significant downregulation of VgR gene expression at both 24 and 72 h. The egg number, oviposition days, and hatchability of eggs were significantly lower than those of other treatment groups after interference, and the inhibition effect of egg number was the most evident, with a decrease of 88.4% and 95.2% at 25°C and 45°C, respectively, compared with that of the Control Check (CK). Ovarian development speed and diameter were also significantly lower than those of other treatment groups after the interference. The results of this study can provide a theoretical reference for the integrated control of Z. cucurbitae (Coquillett) during high-temperature seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Lian
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Sihua Peng
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jingjing Jia
- Key Laboratory of Plant Disease and Pest Control of Hainan Province, Haikou, China
| | - Jinlei Li
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Aqiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Shuyan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Rongjiao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, China
| | - Shihao Zhou
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- *Correspondence: Shihao Zhou,
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Deng D, Xing S, Liu X, Ji Q, Zhai Z, Peng W. Transcriptome analysis of sex-biased gene expression in the spotted-wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6588685. [PMID: 35587603 PMCID: PMC9339319 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism occurs widely throughout insects and has profound influences on evolutionary path. Sex-biased genes are considered to account for most of phenotypic differences between sexes. In order to explore the sex-biased genes potentially associated with sexual dimorphism and sexual development in Drosophila suzukii, a major devastating and invasive crop pest, we conducted whole-organism transcriptome profiling and sex-biased gene expression analysis on adults of both sexes. We identified transcripts of genes involved in several sex-specific physiological and functional processes, including transcripts involved in sex determination, reproduction, olfaction, and innate immune signals. A total of 11,360 differentially expressed genes were identified in the comparison, and 1,957 differentially expressed genes were female-biased and 4,231 differentially expressed genes were male-biased. The pathway predominantly enriched for differentially expressed genes was related to spliceosome, which might reflect the differences in the alternative splicing mechanism between males and females. Twenty-two sex determination and 16 sex-related reproduction genes were identified, and expression pattern analysis revealed that the majority of genes were differentially expressed between sexes. Additionally, the differences in sex-specific olfactory and immune processes were analyzed and the sex-biased expression of these genes may play important roles in pheromone and odor detection, and immune response. As a valuable dataset, our sex-specific transcriptomic data can significantly contribute to the fundamental elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of sexual dimorphism in fruit flies, and may provide candidate genes potentially useful for the development of genetic sexing strains, an important tool for sterile insect technique applications against this economically important species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Deng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Hunan Normal University , Changsha 410081, China
| | - Shisi Xing
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Hunan Normal University , Changsha 410081, China
| | - Xuxiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Key Lab of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Biological Control, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Qinge Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Key Lab of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Biological Control, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zongzhao Zhai
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Hunan Normal University , Changsha 410081, China
| | - Wei Peng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Hunan Normal University , Changsha 410081, China
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Han H, Han S, Qin Q, Chen J, Wang D, He Y. Molecular Identification and Functional Characterization of Vitellogenin Receptor From Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:325-333. [PMID: 34922376 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toab224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Vitellogenin receptors (VgRs) have vital roles in reproduction by mediating endocytosis of the vitellogenin (Vg) in oviparous insects. Same as most insect species that possess only one VgR, in this study, a single VgR mRNA (HmVgR) was identified in an important natural enemy ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas). The open reading frame of HmVgR was 5,340 bases encoding a protein of 1,779 amino acids. Bioinformatic analyses showed that HmVgR had conserved domain motifs of low-density lipoprotein receptor family. Based on phylogenetic analysis, HmVgR had highly homologous within the Coleoptera. The transcriptional level of HmVgR was initially detected in the newly emerged female adults, gradually increased from day 3 to day 9, peaked on day 13, and then sharply decreased on day 15. Similar to most insects, HmVgR was expressed specifically in ovarian tissue. Moreover, RNA interference (RNAi) clearly decreased the transcription levels of HmVgR, which blocked the deposition of yolk protein in the ovaries, shortened the ovarian length, and led to negative impacts on reproductive-related parameters (i.e., prolonged preoviposition periods, reduced spawning and depressed hatchability). In sum, these results indicated that HmVgR may be critical for yolk protein deposition of oocytes and can play a key role in reproduction of female adults of H. axyridis. Our results provide conclusive proof for the important roles of HmVgR in fecundity, and establish a basis for further research on its interaction with vitellogenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Han
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - ShiPeng Han
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - QiuJu Qin
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Jie Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
- Laboratory of Plant Protection, Handan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Handan 056000, China
| | - Da Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Yunzhuan He
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
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Jin J, Li Y, Zhou Z, Zhang H, Guo J, Wan F. Heat Shock Factor Is Involved in Regulating the Transcriptional Expression of Two Potential Hsps ( AhHsp70 and AhsHsp21) and Its Role in Heat Shock Response of Agasicles hygrophila. Front Physiol 2020; 11:562204. [PMID: 33041860 PMCID: PMC7522579 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.562204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat shock proteins are molecular chaperones that are involved in numerous normal cellular processes and stress responses, and heat shock factors are transcriptional activators of heat shock proteins. Heat shock factors and heat shock proteins are coordinated in various biological processes. The regulatory function of heat shock factors in the expression of genes encoding heat shock proteins (Hsps) has been documented in some model insects, however, the role of transcription factors in modulating Hsps in other insects is still limited. In this study, one heat shock factor gene (AhHsf) was isolated and its two potential target genes (AhHsp70 and AhsHsp21) were confirmed from Agasicles hygrophila. AhHsf sequence analysis indicated that it belongs to the Hsfs gene family. RT-qPCR showed that expression levels of heat shock factors and of two heat shock proteins significantly increased under heat stress. Injection with double-stranded Hsf RNA in freshly emerged adult beetles significantly inhibited expression of AhHsp70 and AhsHsp21, shortened the adult survival, drastically reduced egg production, and ultimately led to a decrease in fecundity. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated suppression of AhHsp70 or AhsHsp21 expression also significantly affected expression of AhHsf. Our findings revealed a potential transcriptional function of AhHsf to regulate expression of AhHsp70 and AhsHsp21, which may play a key role in A. hygrophila thermotolerance. Our results improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the AhHsf - AhHsps signaling pathway in A. hygrophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisu Jin
- College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.,State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Youzhi Li
- College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhongshi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianying Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fanghao Wan
- College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.,State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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11
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Zhou C, Yang XB, Yang H, Long GY, Jin DC. Effects of Sublethal Concentrations of Insecticides on the Fecundity of Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) via the Regulation of Vitellogenin and Its Receptor. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2020; 20:14. [PMID: 33009912 PMCID: PMC7583268 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
White-backed planthopper (Sogatella furcifera, Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is an important migratory pest of rice. It causes severe economic losses by reducing crop production. Vg and VgR are important proteins that help in the successful reproduction of insects and have been studied in many insects. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of insecticides on white-backed planthopper reproduction, we studied the expression profiles of SfVg, SfVg-like, and SfVgR in white-backed planthopper exposed to insecticides. SfVg and SfVgR silencing inhibited the ovarian development, number of eggs laid by, and hatching rate of white-backed planthopper. Thiamethoxam LC10 significantly inhibited SfVg-like and SfVgR expression. In contrast, triazophos LC25 significantly promoted SfVg, SfVg-like, and SfVgR expression and increased vitellogenin content in white-backed planthopper. These results demonstrate that insecticides can regulate the reproduction of white-backed planthopper by altering the expression of SfVg and SfVgR, thereby affecting the population density of white-backed planthopper. These findings build a foundation for improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of insecticides on the reproduction and resurgence of pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cao Zhou
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University and Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions, Guiyang, China
| | - Xi-bin Yang
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University and Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University and Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions, Guiyang, China
- College of Tobacco Science of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Gui-yun Long
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University and Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions, Guiyang, China
| | - Dao-chao Jin
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University and Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions, Guiyang, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pest in Guiyang, Ministry of Agriculture, Guiyang, China
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12
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Husain M, Rasool KG, Tufail M, Aldawood AS. Molecular characterization, expression pattern and RNAi-mediated silencing of vitellogenin receptor gene in almond moth, Cadra cautella. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 29:417-430. [PMID: 32368832 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The almond moth is an important pest of date fruits worldwide. The females produce several eggs; however, role of vitellogenin receptor (VgR) in oocyte development by mediating endocytosis of major yolk protein precursor Vg remains yet unexplored. To investigate the role of vitellogenin receptor (VgR) in reproduction, Cadra cautella vitellogenin receptor (CcVgR) transcript was obtained using rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction. Expression analysis of CcVgR was performed using reverse transcriptase and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in different developmental stages. RNA interference was performed by injecting CcVgR-based double-stranded (ds)RNA at different exposure times. The results revealed that CcVgR is 5421 bp long, encoded 1807 amino acid, belongs to low-density lipoprotein receptor superfamily and contains all conserved domains. Expression analysis confirmed that CcVgR is sex-specific and starts to express in female larvae on day 19. Additionally, RNA interference (RNAi) of CcVgR-based dsRNA inhibited CcVgR expression up to 83% after 72 h, reduced fecundity and hatchability, and confirmed involvement of CcVgR in C. cautella reproduction. This report provides a basis for gene silencing in this species, and proposes RNAi technology potential for pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Husain
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - K G Rasool
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Tufail
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - A S Aldawood
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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13
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Peng L, Wang Q, Zou MM, Qin YD, Vasseur L, Chu LN, Zhai YL, Dong SJ, Liu LL, He WY, Yang G, You MS. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Vitellogenin Receptor Knockout Leads to Functional Deficiency in the Reproductive Development of Plutella xylostella. Front Physiol 2020; 10:1585. [PMID: 32038281 PMCID: PMC6989618 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The vitellogenin receptor (VgR) belongs to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene superfamily and plays an indispensable role in Vg transport, yolk deposition, and oocyte development. For this reason, it has become a promising target for pest control. The involvement of VgR in Vg transport and reproductive functions remains unclear in diamondback moths, Plutella xylostella (L.), a destructive pest of cruciferous crops. Here, we cloned and identified the complete cDNA sequence of P. xylostella VgR, which encoded 1805 amino acid residues and contained four conserved domains of LDLR superfamily. PxVgR was mainly expressed in female adults, more specifically in the ovary. PxVgR protein also showed the similar expression profile with the PxVgR transcript. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated PxVgR knockout created a homozygous mutant of P. xylostella with 5-bp-nucleotide deletion in the PxVgR. The expression deficiency of PxVgR protein was detected in the ovaries and eggs of mutant individuals. Vg protein was still detected in the eggs of the mutant individuals, but with a decreased expression level. However, PxVg transcripts were not significantly affected by the PxVgR knockout. Knockout of PxVgR resulted in shorter ovarioles of newly emerged females. No significant difference was detected between wild and mutant individuals in terms of the number of eggs laid in the first 3 days after mating. The loss of PxVgR gene resulted in smaller and whiter eggs and lower egg hatching rate. This study represents the first report on the functions of VgR in Vg transport, ovary development, oviposition, and embryonic development of P. xylostella using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This study lays the foundation for understanding molecular mechanisms of P. xylostella reproduction, and for making use of VgR as a potential genetic-based molecular target for better control of the P. xylostella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ming-Min Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yu-Dong Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liette Vasseur
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Li-Na Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yi-Long Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shi-Jie Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Li-Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wei-Yi He
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Min-Sheng You
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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14
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Miao LJ, Zhang N, Jiang H, Dong F, Yang XM, Xu X, Qian K, Meng XK, Wang JJ. Molecular characterization and functional analysis of the vitellogenin receptor in the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 103:e21636. [PMID: 31612557 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21636] [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] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
As a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) superfamily, vitellogenin (Vg) receptor (VgR) is responsible for the uptake of Vg into developing oocytes and is a potential target for pest control. Here, a full-length VgR complementary DNA (named as CsVgR) was isolated and characterized in the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis. The composite CsVgR gene contained an open reading frame of 5,484 bp encoding a protein of 1,827 amino acid residues. Structural analysis revealed that CsVgR contained two ligand-binding domains (LBDs) with four Class A (LDLRA ) repeats in LBD1 and seven in LBD2, which was structurally different from most non-Lepidopteran insect VgRs having five repeats in LBD1 and eight in LBD2. The developmental expression analysis showed that CsVgR messenger RNA expression was first detectable in 3-day-old pupae, sharply increased in newly emerged female adults, and reached a peak in 2-day-old female adults. Consistent with most other insects VgRs, CsVgR was exclusively expressed in the ovary. Notably, injection of dsCsVgR into late pupae resulted in fewer follicles in the ovarioles as well as reduced fecundity, suggesting a critical role of CsVgR in female reproduction. These results may contribute to the development of RNA interference-mediated disruption of reproduction as a control strategy of C. suppressalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jun Miao
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Heng Jiang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Fan Dong
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Mei Yang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xin Xu
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Kun Qian
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiang-Kun Meng
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Jun Wang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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15
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Hu K, Tian P, Tang Y, Yang L, Qiu L, He H, Ding W, Li Z, Li Y. Molecular Characterization of Vitellogenin and Its Receptor in Sogatella furcifera, and Their Function in Oocyte Maturation. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1532. [PMID: 31920726 PMCID: PMC6930921 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The yolk protein precursor, vitellogenin (Vg), provides nutrition for embryonic development whereas the vitellogenin receptor (VgR) is responsible for the uptake of yolk protein by maturing oocytes. These two proteins are key reproduction-related proteins in insects. We cloned and characterized Vg and VgR genes in Sogatella furcifera, and investigated their function in oocyte maturation. Cloned SfVg and SfVgR have open reading frames of 6,114 and 5,796 bp, encoding 2,037 and 1,931 amino acid residues, respectively. Structural analysis indicates that SfVg has the three conserved LPD_N, DUF1943, and VWFD domains, SfVgR contains all conservative motifs of the LDLR superfamily. Both genes were highly expressed in adult females; SfVg was most highly expressed in the fat body whereas SfVgR was mainly expressed in the ovary. Knockdown of either gene reduced yolk protein deposition in oocytes and arrested oocyte maturation. However, silencing one of these two genes did not affect the transcript level of the other. These results demonstrate the role of SfVgR in transporting SfVg into oocytes. Both SfVg and SfVgR are essential for oocyte maturation in S. furcifera and both genes could potentially be targeted as means of controlling this pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Hu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Ping Tian
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Tang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Lin Qiu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Hualiang He
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenbing Ding
- National Research Center of Engineering & Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Provincial Engineering & Technology Research Center for Biopesticide and Formulation Processing, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhongcai Li
- Plant Protection and Inspection Station, Agricultural Bureau of Hanshou County, Hanshou, China
| | - Youzhi Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Provincial Engineering & Technology Research Center for Biopesticide and Formulation Processing, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
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16
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Du L, Wang M, Li J, He S, Huang J, Wu J. Characterization of a Vitellogenin Receptor in the Bumblebee, Bombus lantschouensis (Hymenoptera, Apidae). INSECTS 2019; 10:E445. [PMID: 31842304 PMCID: PMC6955983 DOI: 10.3390/insects10120445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The vitellogenin receptor (VgR) belongs to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family, responsible for mediating the endocytosis of vitellogenin (Vg) into the ovaries to promote ovarian growth and oviposition. Here, we cloned and measured VgR gene expression characteristics in the bumblebee Bombus lantschouensis. RNA interference was used to validate VgR function. The results showed that the full length of the BLVgR cDNA was 5519 bp, which included a 5280 bp open reading frame encoding 1759 amino acids (AAs). Sequence alignment revealed that the protein contained 12 LDLa, 5 EGF, 2 EGF-CA and 10 LY domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that BLVgR and the VgR of Bombus terrestris clustered together and the tree of bumblebees (Bombus) appeared as one clade next to honeybees (Apis). Transcript expression analysis showed that BLVgR was expressed in all tested tissues and showed the highest abundance in the ovaries. BLVgR expression was present in all developmental stages. However, the expression level in larvae was extremely low. In addition, the expression of BLVgR was significantly upregulated after egg laying in both workers and queens. In new emerging workers injected with 5 µg of VgR dsRNA, the expression level of BLVgR was 4-fold lower than that in the GFP dsRNA-injected group after 72 h. Furthermore, BLVgR silencing significantly reduced the number of eggs laid (3.67 ± 1.96 eggs) and delayed the first egg-laying time (16.31 ± 2.07 days) in worker microcolonies when compared to dsGFP (37.31 ± 4.09 eggs, 8.15 ± 0.22 days) and DEPC-treated water injected controls (16.42 ± 2.24 eggs, 10.00 ± 0.37 days). In conclusion, the BLVgR gene and its reproductive function were explored in the bumblebee B. lantschouensis. This gene plays an important role in egg laying time and egg number.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Du
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (L.D.); (S.H.)
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China;
| | - Mingming Wang
- Nanchuan Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Chongqing 408400, China;
| | - Jilian Li
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China;
| | - Shaoyu He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (L.D.); (S.H.)
| | - Jiaxing Huang
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China;
| | - Jie Wu
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China;
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17
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Husain M, Tufail M, Mehmood K, Rasool KG, Aldawood AS. Transcriptome analysis of the almond moth, Cadra cautella, female abdominal tissues and identification of reproduction control genes. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:883. [PMID: 31752675 PMCID: PMC6869320 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6130-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The almond moth, Cadra cautella is a destructive pest of stored food commodities including dates that causes severe economic losses for the farming community worldwide. To date, no genetic information related to the molecular mechanism/strategies of its reproduction is available. Thus, transcriptome analysis of C. cautella female abdominal tissues was performed via next-generation sequencing (NGS) to recognize the genes responsible for reproduction. RESULTS The NGS was performed with an Illumina Hiseq 2000 sequencer (Beijing Genomics Institute: BGI). From the transcriptome data, 9,804,804,120 nucleotides were generated and their assemblage resulted in 62,687 unigenes. The functional annotation analyses done by different databases, annotated, 27,836 unigenes in total. The transcriptome data of C. cautella female abdominal tissue was submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (accession no: PRJNA484692). The transcriptome analysis yielded several genes responsible for C. cautella reproduction including six Vg gene transcripts. Among the six Vg gene transcripts, only one was highly expressed with 3234.95 FPKM value (fragments per kilobase per million mapped reads) that was much higher than that of the other five transcripts. Higher differences in the expression level of the six Vg transcripts were confirmed by running the RT-PCR using gene specific primers, where the expression was observed only in one transcript it was named as the CcVg. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to explore C. cautella reproduction control genes and it might be supportive to explore the reproduction mechanism in this pest at the molecular level. The NGS based transcriptome pool is valuable to study the functional genomics and will support to design biotech-based management strategies for C. cautella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mureed Husain
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, 2460, Riyadh, 11451 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Khalid Mehmood
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, 2460, Riyadh, 11451 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Khawaja Ghulam Rasool
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, 2460, Riyadh, 11451 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman Saad Aldawood
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, 2460, Riyadh, 11451 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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18
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Xiang M, Sang D, Dong B, Hu H, Ji R, Wang H. Molecular Features and Expression Patterns of Vitellogenin Receptor in Calliptamus italicus (Orthoptera: Acrididae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2019; 19:5669931. [PMID: 31812980 PMCID: PMC6899333 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iez119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) mediates the intake of vitellin via oocytes, thus exerting an important role in vitellogenesis. In this study, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid-amplification of cDNA ends techniques were adopted to clone the CiVgR gene, namely the VgR gene of Calliptamus italicus, i.e., Orthopteran. The full length of CiVgR was 5,589 bp, and the open reading frame was estimated to be 5,265 bp, which encoded 1,754 amino acids (aa). Sequence alignment analysis showed that CiVgR belonged to the superfamily of low-density lipoprotein receptor genes, which contained several conserved domains, including ligand-binding domains, epidermal growth factor precursor homology domains, transmembrane domains, and cytoplasmic domains. However, no O-linked sugar domain was identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CiVgR had the closest genetic relationship to Blattarias. RT-PCR showed that CiVgR was only specifically expressed in the ovarian tissue of females. quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction showed that the transcription of CiVgR already appeared in the fourth-instar nymph of C. italicus, which gradually increased after adult emergence, peaked at the previtellogenesis stage, and then started to decrease. The expression pattern of CiVgR was closely associated with vitellogenesis. The findings of this study further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the reproduction of C. italicus, and provide new ideas to control this insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Xiang
- International Research Center for the Collaborative Containment of Cross-Border Pests in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, China
| | - Di Sang
- International Research Center for the Collaborative Containment of Cross-Border Pests in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, China
| | - Bin Dong
- International Research Center for the Collaborative Containment of Cross-Border Pests in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, China
| | - Hongxia Hu
- International Research Center for the Collaborative Containment of Cross-Border Pests in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, China
| | - Rong Ji
- International Research Center for the Collaborative Containment of Cross-Border Pests in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, China
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Zhang H, Liu Y, Jin J, Zhou Z, Guo J. Identification and Characterization of the Vitellogenin Receptor Gene and Its Role in Reproduction in the Alligatorweed Flea Beetle, Agasicles hygrophila. Front Physiol 2019; 10:969. [PMID: 31417427 PMCID: PMC6684774 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Agasicles hygrophila is an effective biological control agent for the invasive weed Alternanthera philoxeroides, and because of this it has been introduced to many parts of the world where A. philoxeroides is a problem. Despite this, there are no reports at present about the reproduction of this important insect. Vitellogenin receptors (VgRs) belong to the superfamily of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs). One of the roles of VgRs is to regulate the absorption of yolk protein in insects. In this study, the full length vitellogenin receptor gene (AhVgR) from A. hygrophila was sequenced and found to encode a predicted protein of 1,642 amino acids. Sequence analysis of AhVgR revealed that it contains conserved structural motifs common to LDLR family members, and a phylogenetic analysis placed AhVgR as a separate group among the order Coleoptera. AhVgR was found to be specifically expressed in ovarian tissues, and it is first transcribed in the newly-emerged females. The expression patterns are consistent with VgR genes in other insects. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated suppression of AhVgR gene expression in adult A. hygrophila females inhibited yolk protein deposition in the ovaries, shortened the ovariole, drastically reduced egg production, and ultimately led to a decrease in fecundity. In summary, our work shows that AhVgR is critical for transporting Vg into the oocytes and plays an important role in A. hygrophila reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiran Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jisu Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongshi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianying Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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20
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Zhang H, Wang Y, Liu Y, Zhao M, Jin J, Zhou Z, Guo J. Identification and Expression Patterns of Three Vitellogenin Genes and Their Roles in Reproduction of the Alligatorweed Flea Beetle Agasicles hygrophila (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Front Physiol 2019; 10:368. [PMID: 31001144 PMCID: PMC6454870 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The alligatorweed flea beetle Agasicles hygrophila is an insect used for biological control of the aquatic weed Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligatorweed). Because these insects are oviparous, synthesis, and transportation of yolk proteins is integral to reproduction. Vitellin, the chief protein constituent in egg yolk, is mainly synthesized in the fat body and its synthesis is regulated by the transcript levels of Vitellogenin (Vg). In our study, we first cloned and characterized three Vg genes from A. hygrophila and quantified the expression levels of these Vgs in different tissues and developmental stages by RT-qPCR. Analysis of the full-length cDNA sequences of the three A. hygrophila Vg genes revealed that the open reading frames of AhVg1, AhVg2, and AhVg3 were 5175, 5346, and 5385 bp, encoding 1724, 1781, and 1794 amino acids, respectively. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that these three AhVgs have similar expression patterns; expression in the fat body was significantly higher than that in other tissues, and the highest expression was observed in the adult developmental stage. RNA interference was used to explore the functions of the AhVgs. A. hygrophila female adults injected with dsRNA targeting the AhVg genes showed decreased AhVg gene expression. Down regulation of all three AhVgs significantly affected ovary development, reduced egg laying capacity, and reduced the egg hatch rate compared with the control groups. Our findings provide the basis for further study of the functions of Vg genes in other insect species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiran Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meiting Zhao
- College of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai, China
| | - Jisu Jin
- College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhongshi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianying Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Ma L, Zhang W, Liu C, Chen L, Xu Y, Xiao H, Liang G. Methoprene-Tolerant (Met) Is Indispensable for Larval Metamorphosis and Female Reproduction in the Cotton Bollworm Helicoverpa armigera. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1601. [PMID: 30498452 PMCID: PMC6249418 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile hormone (JH) represses larval metamorphosis and induces adult reproduction in insects. Methoprene-tolerant (Met) is identified as an intranuclear receptor that mediates JH actions. In the present study, we characterized a Met from the severe agricultural pest, Helicoverpa armigera, namely HaMet. In the larval stage, HaMet is predominantly expressed in the epidermis and midgut, and is upregulated before each molting, whereas in adults HaMet is maximally expressed in the ovary, testis, and fat body. The immunofluorescence assay revealed that HaMet was distributed in the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of midgut in larvae, whereas in the ovary of female adults, HaMet was localized in the nucleus of the oolemma. Knockdown of HaMet in final-instar larvae shortened the time of pupation, induced abnormal pupation, and dampened pupation rate. In female adults, HaMet depletion severely suppressed the transcription of Vitellogenin (Vg) and Vitellogenin Receptor (VgR), disrupted the Vg accumulation in fat body and the yolk protein uptake in oocytes, and finally led to an impaired fecundity. Our findings therefore confirmed that HaMet acted as a nuclear receptor of JH and played an essential role in larval metamorphosis, vitellogenesis, and oocyte maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Ma
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wanna Zhang
- Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Haijun Xiao
- Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Gemei Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Dohanik VT, Gonçalves WG, Oliveira LL, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE. Vitellogenin transcytosis in follicular cells of the honeybee Apis mellifera and the wasp Polistes simillimus. PROTOPLASMA 2018; 255:1703-1712. [PMID: 29756169 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-018-1260-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) is a low-density lipoprotein receptor responsible for the mediated endocytosis of vitellogenin (Vg) during egg formation in insects. The maturing oocyte is enveloped by a follicular epithelium, which has large intercellular spaces during Vg accumulation (patency). However, Vg has been reported in the cytoplasm of follicular cells, indicating that there may be a transcellular route for its transport. This study verified the presence of VgR in the follicular cells of the ovaries of the honeybee Apis mellifera and the wasp Polistes simillimus in order to evaluate if Vg is transported via transcytosis in these insects. Antibodies specific for vitellogenin receptor (anti-VgR), vitellogenin (anti-Vg), and clathrin (anti-Clt) were used for immunolocalization. The results showed the presence of VgR on the apical and basal plasma membranes of follicular cells of the vitellogenic follicles in both species, indicating that VgR may have been transported from the basal to the apical cell domain, followed by its release into the perivitelline space, evidenced by the presence of apical plasma membrane projections containing VgR. Co-localization proved that Vg bind to VgR and that the transport of this protein is mediated by clathrin. These data suggest that, in these social insects, Vg is transported via clathrin-mediated VgR transcytosis in follicular cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgínia Teles Dohanik
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-000, Brazil
| | - Wagner Gonzaga Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-000, Brazil
| | - Leandro Licursi Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-000, Brazil
| | - José Cola Zanuncio
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-000, Brazil
| | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-000, Brazil.
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Yao Q, Xu S, Dong Y, Que Y, Quan L, Chen B. Characterization of Vitellogenin and Vitellogenin Receptor of Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley and Their Responses to Sublethal Concentrations of Insecticide. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1250. [PMID: 30279662 PMCID: PMC6154279 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley is the dominant borer pest of Litchi chinesis and Euphoria longan. Current management of C. sinensis relies upon insecticide application to adult moths. In addition to the direct mortality induced by insecticides, a sublethal dose of insecticides also affects growth, survival, and reproduction in the exposed insects. Vitellogenin (Vg) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) are normally identified as essential reproduction-related proteins in insects. In this study, we characterized these two genes from C. sinensis, and investigated their differential responses to sublethal concentrations of insecticide. Cloned CsVg and CsVgR consist of 5391 and 5424-bp open reading frames, which encode proteins of 1796 and 1807 amino acid residues, respectively. The CsVg protein contains the typical vitellogenin, DUF1943 and VWFD domains as other reported lepidopteran Vgs. The CsVgR was characterized as a typical low density lipoprotein receptor with two highly conserved LBD and EGF precursor domains, one hydrophobic transmembrane domain, one cytoplasmic domain, and 13 putative N-glycosylation sites. We next assessed the sublethal effect of four major insecticides on egg-laying in C. sinensis. The toxicity against C. sinensis varied among the insecticides tested, with LC50 values ranging from 0.23 ppm for chlorpyrifos to 20.00 ppm for β-cypermethrin, among which emamectin benzoate (EB) showed a significant negative impact on egg-laying, survival rate, ovarian development, and mating rate of C. sinensis at LC30 doses. Further investigation showed that the transcriptional level of CsVg and CsVgR were impaired in different way at 24, 48, and 72 h after EB exposure, and this result was in agreement with the diminished egg-laying of C. sinensis in the sublethal concentration EB-treated group. A repressed transcription level of CsVgR was observed at 48 h after treatment, suggesting that EB elicits a delayed response in the abundance of CsVgR. These results established different roles of CsVg and CsVgR in response to the sublethal effect of insecticides. CsVg might be a better parameter than CsVgR for assessing the effect of sublethal insecticides on reproduction in C. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Yao
- Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu Xu
- Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yizhi Dong
- Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinli Que
- Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linfa Quan
- Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bingxu Chen
- Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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24
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Zhang WN, Ma L, Liu C, Chen L, Xiao HJ, Liang GM. Dissecting the role of Krüppel homolog 1 in the metamorphosis and female reproduction of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 27:492-504. [PMID: 29719076 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In insects, metamorphosis and reproduction are controlled by juvenile hormone (JH) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1), a transcription factor, is regarded as a JH-early inducible gene responsible for the repression of metamorphosis. However, the role of Kr-h1 in reproduction of holometabolic insects is relatively less understood. In this study, we studied the role of Kr-h1 in larvae-pupae transition and female reproduction in the major agricultural pest Helicoverpa armigera. Two HaKr-h1 isoforms (HaKr-h1α and HaKr-h1ß) were identified, with HaKr-h1α predominant in the cotton bollworm. In larvae, HaKr-h1 was predominately expressed in the epidermis and markedly up-regulated during the moult stage, whereas in adults HaKr-h1 was mainly expressed in females and the highest transcription was detected in the ovaries. Considering the function of hormones in larval metamorphosis, we examined the modulation of gene expression in response to hormones, which showed that HaKr-h1 was significantly induced by both JH analogue (JHA) and 20E. Knockdown of HaKr-h1 in fifth-instar larvae resulted in precocious metamorphosis from larvae to pupae. Moreover, a fluorescence immunoassay coupled with heterologous expression revealed that HaKr-h1 was localized in the nucleus of oocyte membrane. In female adults, depletion of HaKr-h1 severely repressed the transcription of vitellogenin, disrupted oocyte maturation and reduced the number of eggs laid, suggesting that HaKr-h1 is required for vitellogenesis and egg production in H. armigera. The present study provides insight into the roles of HaKr-h1 in JH-mediated reproduction and highlights HaKr-h1 as a target for suppression of lepidopteran pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- W-N Zhang
- Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - L Ma
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - C Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - L Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - H-J Xiao
- Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - G-M Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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25
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Shang F, Niu JZ, Ding BY, Zhang Q, Ye C, Zhang W, Smagghe G, Wang JJ. Vitellogenin and its receptor play essential roles in the development and reproduction of the brown citrus aphid, Aphis (Toxoptera) citricidus. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 27:221-233. [PMID: 29226991 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Vitellogenin (Vg) and its receptor (VgR) play a key role in the reproductive process and development of insects. Aphids are a group of high-fecundity insect species with pseudoplacental viviparity, but the roles of their Vg and VgR genes have not been investigated yet. The brown citrus aphid, Aphis (Toxoptera) citricidus, is a major insect pest of citrus and the main vector of Citrus tristeza closterovirus. In this study, we identified and characterized these two genes, designated as AcVg and AcVgR, from the brown citrus aphid. We found that AcVg has lost the DUF1943 domain that is present in other insect Vgs. Silencing of AcVg and AcVgR led to a delay in the nymph-adult transition, a prolonged prereproductive period, and a shortened reproductive period, which in turn resulted in slower embryonic development and fewer new-born nymphs. Interestingly, silencing of AcVg decreased the transcript level of AcVgR, but silencing of AcVgR resulted in increased transcript levels of AcVg. In addition, silencing of Vg/VgR had similar phenotypes between alate and apterous morphs, suggesting that the functions of these two genes are the same in the two wing morphs of the aphid. Our results demonstrate that Vg and VgR are involved in various aspects of aphid development and reproduction. Further studies on the synthesis of Vg could help to elucidate the reproductive mechanism and provide information that will be useful for developing new pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Shang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - J-Z Niu
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - B-Y Ding
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Q Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - C Ye
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - W Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - G Smagghe
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - J-J Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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26
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Wu H, Jiang FZ, Guo JX, Yi JQ, Liu JB, Cao YS, Lai XS, Zhang GR. Molecular Characterization and Expression of Vitellogenin and Vitellogenin Receptor of Thitarodes pui (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), an Insect on the Tibetan Plateau. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2018; 18:4924664. [PMID: 29718485 PMCID: PMC5842397 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iey010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Vitellogenin (Vg) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) play important roles in the vitellogenesis of insects. In this study, we cloned and characterized the two corresponding genes (TpVg and TpVgR) in an economically important insect, Thitarodes pui (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), from the Tibetan plateau. The full length of TpVg is 5566 bp with a 5373 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 1,790 amino acids. Sequence alignment revealed that TpVg has three conserved domains: a Vitellogenin_N domain, a DUF1943 domain, and a von Willebrand factor type D domain (VWD). The full length of TpVgR is 5732 bp, with a 5397 bp ORF encoding 1798 amino acids. BLASTP showed that TpVgR belongs to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene superfamily. Structural analysis revealed that TpVgR has a group of four structural domains: a ligand-binding domain (LBD), an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-precursor homology domain, a transmembrane (TM) domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. In addition, TpVgR has four cysteine-rich LDL repeats in the first ligand-binding site and seven in the second. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the expression levels of TpVg and TpVgR are much higher in later pupa than in either the larval or adult stage, implying that the synthesis and uptake of Vg in T. pui occurs in the later pupal stage. These results will help us to understand the molecular mechanism of the reproductive capacity and will provide new insight into the mass rearing and utilization of T. pui.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng-Ze Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ji-Xing Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie-Qun Yi
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Shuai Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Shuang Lai
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gu-Ren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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27
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Zhang W, Ma L, Xiao H, Liu C, Chen L, Wu S, Liang G. Identification and characterization of genes involving the early step of Juvenile Hormone pathway in Helicoverpa armigera. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16542. [PMID: 29185447 PMCID: PMC5707400 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16319-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile hormones (JHs) are crucial regulators for multiple physiological processes in insects. In the current study, 10 genes in mevalonate pathway involved in JH biosynthesis were identified from Helicoverpa armigera. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that six genes were highly expressed in the head which contained the JH biosynthetic gland (corpora allata). Temporal expression pattern showed that 10 of 12 genes were highly transcribed in the late 2nd-instar when the in vivo JH titer reached the peak, indicating a tight correlation between JH titer and the transcription of JH synthetic pathway genes. Moreover, ingestion of methoprene, a JH analogue, significantly suppressed the transcription of nine JH biosynthetic genes and caused a feedback upregulation of the JH degradation enzyme. Particularly, the Acetoacetyl CoA thiolase (HaAce) and Farnesyl diphosphate synthase gene 4 (HaFpps4) showed high transcript abundance, and their temporal expressions keep pace with JH fluctuations. Further study by RNAi showed that knockdown of HaFpps4 caused the decrease of JH titer, led to a negative effect on the transcript levels of other genes in JH pathway, and resulted in molting disturbance in larvae. Altogether, these results contribute to our understanding of JH biosynthesis in H. armigera and provide target genes for pest control based on JH-dependent regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanna Zhang
- Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China.,State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Long Ma
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, China
| | - Haijun Xiao
- Institute of Entomology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shaolong Wu
- China Tobacco Midsouth Agricultural Experimental Station, Changsha, 410128, 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, China.
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28
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Seixas A, Alzugaray MF, Tirloni L, Parizi LF, Pinto AFM, Githaka NW, Konnai S, Ohashi K, Yates Iii JR, Termignoni C, da Silva Vaz I. Expression profile of Rhipicephalus microplus vitellogenin receptor during oogenesis. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:72-81. [PMID: 29054547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The vitellogenin receptor (VgR), which belongs to the low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR) family, regulates the absorption of yolk protein accumulated in developing oocytes during oogenesis. In the present study, the full sequence of Rhipicephalus microplus VgR (RmVgR) and the partial sequence of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus VgR (RaVgR) ORF were determined and cloned. The RmVgR amino acid sequence contains the five highly conserved structural motifs characteristic of LDLR superfamily members, the same overall structure as observed in other species. Phylogenetic analysis separated VgRs in two major groups, corresponding to receptors from acarines and insects. Consistent with observations from other arthropods, RmVgR was specifically expressed in the ovarian tissue and its peak of expression occurs in females that are detaching from the host. Silencing with RmVgR dsRNA reduced VgR expression, which resulted in reduced fertility, evidenced by a decrease in the number of larvae. The present study confirms RmVgR is a specific receptor involved in yolk protein uptake and oocyte maturation in R. microplus, playing an important role in tick reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Seixas
- Departamento de Farmacociências, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | - María Fernanda Alzugaray
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43421, Campus do Vale, Caixa Postal 15005, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil; Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la Republica, Alberto Lasplaces 1550 a 1620, Montevideo, Código Postal 11600, Uruguay.
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43421, Campus do Vale, Caixa Postal 15005, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil.
| | - Luis Fernando Parizi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43421, Campus do Vale, Caixa Postal 15005, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil.
| | - Antonio Frederico Michel Pinto
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 90037 USA; Centro de Pesquisas em Biologia Molecular e Funcional, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Tuberculose (INCT-TB), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Naftaly Wang'ombe Githaka
- Tick Unit, Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Satoru Konnai
- Department of Disease Control, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, 060-0818, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiko Ohashi
- Department of Disease Control, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, 060-0818, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - John R Yates Iii
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 90037 USA.
| | - Carlos Termignoni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43421, Campus do Vale, Caixa Postal 15005, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43421, Campus do Vale, Caixa Postal 15005, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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29
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Niu X, Kassa A, Hu X, Robeson J, McMahon M, Richtman NM, Steimel JP, Kernodle BM, Crane VC, Sandahl G, Ritland JL, Presnail JK, Lu AL, Wu G. Control of Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) Reproduction through Plant-Mediated RNA Interference. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12591. [PMID: 28974735 PMCID: PMC5626700 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12638-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) in transgenic maize has recently emerged as an alternative mode of action for western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) control which can be combined with protein-based rootworm control options for improved root protection and resistance management. Currently, transgenic RNAi-based control has focused on suppression of genes that when silenced lead to larval mortality. We investigated control of western corn rootworm reproduction through RNAi by targeting two reproductive genes, dvvgr and dvbol, with the goal of reducing insect fecundity as a new tool for pest management. The results demonstrated that exposure of adult beetles, as well as larvae to dvvgr or dvbol dsRNA in artificial diet, caused reduction of fecundity. Furthermore, western corn rootworm beetles that emerged from larval feeding on transgenic maize roots expressing dvbol dsRNA also showed significant fecundity reduction. This is the first report of reduction of insect reproductive fitness through plant-mediated RNAi, demonstrating the feasibility of reproductive RNAi as a management tool for western corn rootworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiping Niu
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
| | - Adane Kassa
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
| | - Xu Hu
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gary Sandahl
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
| | | | - James K Presnail
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA.,Evogene Ltd, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Albert L Lu
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
| | - Gusui Wu
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
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30
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Niu X, Kassa A, Hu X, Robeson J, McMahon M, Richtman NM, Steimel JP, Kernodle BM, Crane VC, Sandahl G, Ritland JL, Presnail JK, Lu AL, Wu G. Control of Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) Reproduction through Plant-Mediated RNA Interference. Sci Rep 2017. [PMID: 28974735 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12638-12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) in transgenic maize has recently emerged as an alternative mode of action for western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) control which can be combined with protein-based rootworm control options for improved root protection and resistance management. Currently, transgenic RNAi-based control has focused on suppression of genes that when silenced lead to larval mortality. We investigated control of western corn rootworm reproduction through RNAi by targeting two reproductive genes, dvvgr and dvbol, with the goal of reducing insect fecundity as a new tool for pest management. The results demonstrated that exposure of adult beetles, as well as larvae to dvvgr or dvbol dsRNA in artificial diet, caused reduction of fecundity. Furthermore, western corn rootworm beetles that emerged from larval feeding on transgenic maize roots expressing dvbol dsRNA also showed significant fecundity reduction. This is the first report of reduction of insect reproductive fitness through plant-mediated RNAi, demonstrating the feasibility of reproductive RNAi as a management tool for western corn rootworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiping Niu
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
| | - Adane Kassa
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
| | - Xu Hu
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gary Sandahl
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
| | | | - James K Presnail
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
- Evogene Ltd, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Albert L Lu
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
| | - Gusui Wu
- DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA, USA
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31
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Liao Z, Mao Q, Li J, Lu C, Wu W, Chen H, Chen Q, Jia D, Wei T. Virus-Induced Tubules: A Vehicle for Spread of Virions into Ovary Oocyte Cells of an Insect Vector. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:475. [PMID: 28382031 PMCID: PMC5360704 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many arthropod-borne viruses are persistently propagated and transovarially transmitted by female insect vectors through eggs, but the mechanism remains poorly understood. Insect oocytes are surrounded by a layer of follicular cells, which are connected to the oocyte through actin-based microvilli. Here, we demonstrate that a plant reovirus, rice gall dwarf virus (RGDV), exploits virus-containing tubules composed of viral non-structural protein Pns11 to pass through actin-based junctions between follicular cells or through actin-based microvilli from follicular cells into oocyte of its leafhopper vector Recilia dorsalis, thus overcoming transovarial transmission barriers. We further determine that the association of Pns11 tubules with actin-based cellular junctions or microvilli of the ovary is mediated by a specific interaction between Pns11 and actin. Interestingly, RGDV can replicate and assemble progeny virions in the oocyte cytoplasm. The destruction of the tubule assembly by RNA interference with synthesized double-stranded RNA targeting the Pns11 gene strongly inhibits transovarial transmission of RGDV by its vectors. For the first time, we show that a virus can exploit virus-induced tubule as a vehicle to overcome the transovarial transmission barrier by insect vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Taiyun Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhou, China
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32
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Chen Q, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Mao Q, Wei T. Tubules of plant reoviruses exploit tropomodulin to regulate actin-based tubule motility in insect vector. Sci Rep 2017; 7:38563. [PMID: 28067229 PMCID: PMC5220352 DOI: 10.1038/srep38563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant reoviruses are known to exploit virion-packaging tubules formed by virus-encoding non-structural proteins for viral spread in insect vectors. Tubules are propelled by actin-based tubule motility (ABTM) to overcome membrane or tissue barriers in insect vectors. To further understand which insect factors mediate ABTM, we utilized yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays to test interactions between tubule protein Pns10 of rice dwarf virus (RDV), a plant reovirus, and proteins of its insect vector, the leafhopper Nephotettix cincticeps. Tropomodulin (Tmod), vitellogenin, and lipophorin precursor of N. cincticep displayed positive and strong interaction with Pns10, and actin-associated protein Tmod interacted with Pns10 in pull-down assay and the co-immunoprecipitation system. Further, we determined Pns10 tubules associated with Tmod in cultured cells and midgut of N. cincticep. The expression dynamic of Tmod was consistent with that of Pns10 and the fluctuation of RDV accumulation. Knockdown of Tmod inhibited the Pns10 expression and viral accumulation, thus decreasing the viruliferous rates of leafhopper. These results suggested that Tmod was involved in viral spread by directly interacting with Pns10 tubules, finally promoting RDV infection. This study provided direct evidence of plant reoviruses utilizing an actin-associated protein to manipulate ABTM in insect vectors, thus facilitating viral spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Chen
- Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Linghua Zhang
- Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Yanshuang Zhang
- Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Qianzhuo Mao
- Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Taiyun Wei
- Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
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