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Leyria J, Orchard I, Lange AB. Octopamine is required for successful reproduction in the classical insect model, Rhodnius prolixus. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306611. [PMID: 38995904 PMCID: PMC11244822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In insects, biogenic amines function as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and neurohormones, influencing various behaviors, including those related to reproduction such as response to sex pheromones, oogenesis, oviposition, courtship, and mating. Octopamine (OA), an analog of the vertebrate norepinephrine, is synthesized from the biogenic amine tyramine by the enzyme tyramine β-hydroxylase (TβH). Here, we investigate the mechanisms and target genes underlying the role of OA in successful reproduction in females of Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease, by downregulating TβH mRNA expression (thereby reducing OA content) using RNA interference (RNAi), and in vivo and ex vivo application of OA. Injection of females with dsTβH impairs successful reproduction at least in part, by decreasing the transcript expression of enzymes involved in juvenile hormone biosynthesis, the primary hormone for oogenesis in R. prolixus, thereby interfering with oogenesis, ovulation and oviposition. This study offers valuable insights into the involvement of OA for successful reproduction in R. prolixus females. Understanding the reproductive biology of R. prolixus is crucial in a medical context for controlling the spread of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Angela B. Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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Ali AAB, Montasser AA, Mohamed SNA. Histopathological effects of the fruit extract of Citrullus colocynthis on the ovary of the tick Hyalomma dromedarii. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 92:275-295. [PMID: 38347254 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00895-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Hyalomma dromedarii is the predominant tick species parasitizing camels in Egypt which leads to mortalities in young animals that result in economic losses. It can transmit a lot of pathogens to animals and humans, such as the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, the Dhori virus, Kadam virus, Theileria annulata and spotted fever rickettsia. The continuous use of chemical acaricides has negative impact on the environment and almost led to acaricidal resistance, and hence the plant extracts represent alternative methods for controlling ticks. The present study was carried out to assess the histopathological effects on the ovary of fed female Hyalomma dromedarii following immersion in the ethanolic extract of fruits of Citrullus colocynthis (100 mg/mL). Light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy observations provided evidence that Citrullus colocynthis caused extensive damage to oocytes. Destruction of the internal organelles of oocytes, along with delay and/or inhibition of vitellogenesis were demonstrated. This is the first histological study that points to damage in H. dromedarii ovaries following treatment with the ethanolic extract of fruits of C. colocynthis. The data presented suggest that the plant extract affects the ovary either directly by entering the oocytes and/or indirectly by damaging the gut cells and digestion of blood that interfere with the development of oocytes, so it can be used as a promising agent for tick control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Ali Baioumy Ali
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
| | - Ashraf Ahmed Montasser
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
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Leyria J, Guarneri AA, Lorenzo MG, Nouzova M, Noriega FG, Benrabaa SAM, Fernandez-Lima F, Valadares Tose L, Orchard I, Lange AB. Effects of mating on female reproductive physiology in the insect model, Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of the causative parasite of Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011640. [PMID: 37729234 PMCID: PMC10545099 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-sucking hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus is one of the main vectors of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that affects several million people worldwide. Consuming a blood meal and mating are events with a high epidemiological impact since after each meal, mated females can lay fertile eggs that result in hundreds of offspring. Thus, a better knowledge of the control of R. prolixus reproductive capacity may provide targets for developing novel strategies to control vector populations, thereby reducing vector-host contacts and disease transmission. Here, we have used a combination of gene transcript expression analysis, biochemical assays, hormone measurements and studies of locomotory activity to investigate how mating influences egg development and egg laying rates in R. prolixus females. The results demonstrate that a blood meal increases egg production capacity and leads to earlier egg laying in mated females compared to virgins. Virgin females, however, have increased survival rate over mated females. Circulating juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysteroid titers are increased in mated females, a process mainly driven through an upregulation of the transcripts for their biosynthetic enzymes in the corpus allatum and ovaries, respectively. Mated females display weaker locomotory activity compared to virgin females, mainly during the photophase. In essence, this study shows how reproductive output and behaviour are profoundly influenced by mating, highlighting molecular, biochemical, endocrine and behavioral features differentially expressed in mated and virgin R. prolixus females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | | | - Marcelo G. Lorenzo
- Instituto René Rachou, Avenida Augusto de Lima, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología (INBIOTEC-CONICET), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela Nouzova
- Biology Center of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Fernando G. Noriega
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Parasitology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Francisco Fernandez-Lima
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lilian Valadares Tose
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | - Angela B. Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
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Cheng R, Li D, Duan DY, Parry R, Cheng TY, Liu L. Egg protein profile and dynamics during embryogenesis in Haemaphysalis flava ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102180. [PMID: 37011496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Tick eggs contain all essential proteins for embryogenesis, and egg proteins are a potential reservoir of tick-protective antigens. However, the protein profile and dynamics during embryonic development remain unknown. This study aimed to depict the protein profile and dynamics in tick embryogenesis, further providing protein candidates for targeted interventions. Eggs from Haemaphysalis flava ticks were incubated at 28 °C and 85% relative humidity. On days 0 (newly laid eggs without incubation), 7, 14 and 21, eggs were collected, dewaxed and subject to protein extraction. Extracted proteins were digested by filter-aided sample preparation and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). MS data were searched against an in-house H. flava protein database for tick-derived protein identification. Abundances of 40 selected high-confidence proteins were further quantified by LC-parallel reaction monitoring (PRM)/MS analysis throughout egg incubation. A total of 93 high-confidence proteins were identified in eggs on 0-day incubation. Identified proteins belonged to seven functional categories: transporters, enzymes, proteinase inhibitors, immunity-related proteins, cytoskeletal proteins, heat shock proteins and uncharacterized proteins. The enzyme category contained the most types of proteins. Neutrophil elastase inhibitors represented the most abundant proteins in terms of intensity-based absolute-protein-quantification. LC-PRM/MS revealed that the abundances of 20 proteins increased including enolase, calreticulin, actin, GAPDH et cetera, and the abundances of 11 proteins decreased including vitellogenins, neutrophil elastase inhibitor, carboxypeptidase Q, et cetera from 0- to 21-day incubation. This study provides the most comprehensive egg protein profile and dynamics during tick embryogenesis. Further investigations are needed to test the tick-control efficacy by targeting the egg proteins.
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Zhao Y, Liu W, Zhao X, Yu Z, Guo H, Yang Y, Moussian B, Zhu KY, Zhang J. Lipophorin receptor is required for the accumulations of cuticular hydrocarbons and ovarian neutral lipids in Locusta migratoria. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 236:123746. [PMID: 36806776 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123746] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Lipophorin is the most abundant lipoprotein particle in insect hemolymph. Lipophorin receptor (LPR) is a glycoprotein that binds to the lipophorin and mediates cellular uptake and metabolism of lipids by endocytosis. However, the roles of LPR in uptake of lipids in the integument and ovary remain unknown in the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). In present study, we characterized the molecular properties and biological roles of LmLPR in L. migratoria. The LmLPR transcript level was high in the first 2 days of the adults after eclosion, then gradually declined. LmLPR was predominately expressed in fat body, ovary and integument. Using immuno-detection methods, we revealed that LmLPR was mainly localized in the membrane of oenocytes, epidermal cells, fat body cells and follicular cells. RNAi-mediated silencing of LmLPR led to a slight decrease of the cuticle hydrocarbon contents but with little effect on the cuticular permeability. However, the neutral lipid content was significantly decreased in the ovary after RNAi against LmLPR, which led to a retarded ovarian development. Taken together, our results indicated that LmLPR is involved in the uptake and accumulation of lipids in the ovary and plays a crucial role in ovarian development in L. migratoria. Therefore, LmLPR could be a promising RNAi target for insect pest management by disrupting insect ovarian development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyan Zhao
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular, Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China; College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Weimin Liu
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular, Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China.
| | - Xiaoming Zhao
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular, Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Zhitao Yu
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular, Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Hongfang Guo
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular, Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China; College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular, Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China; College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, 06903 Sophia Antipolis CEDEX, France
| | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, 123 Waters Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular, Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China.
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Lamattina D, Salomón OD. Triatoma infestans, to be or not to be autogenic? Acta Trop 2023; 237:106727. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Leyria J, Orchard I, Lange AB. Impact of JH Signaling on Reproductive Physiology of the Classical Insect Model, Rhodnius prolixus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213832. [PMID: 36430311 PMCID: PMC9692686 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In adult females of several insect species, juvenile hormones (JHs) act as gonadotrophic hormones, regulating egg production. JH binds to its nuclear receptor, Methoprene tolerant (Met), triggering its dimerization with the protein Taiman (Tai). The resulting active complex induces transcription of JH response genes, such as Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1). In this study we report for the first time the participation of the isoform JH III skipped bisepoxide (JHSB3) and its signaling pathway in the reproductive fitness of the classical insect model Rhodnius prolixus. The topical application of synthetic JHSB3 increases transcript and protein expression of yolk protein precursors (YPPs), mainly by the fat body but also by the ovaries, the second source of YPPs. These results are also confirmed by ex vivo assays. In contrast, when the JH signaling cascade is impaired via RNA interference by downregulating RhoprMet and RhoprTai mRNA, egg production is inhibited. Although RhoprKr-h1 transcript expression is highly dependent on JHSB3 signaling, it is not involved in egg production but rather in successful hatching. This research contributes missing pieces of JH action in the insect model in which JH was first postulated almost 100 years ago.
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Dynamics of maternal gene expression in Rhodnius prolixus. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6538. [PMID: 35449214 PMCID: PMC9023505 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09874-7] [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: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of developmental processes in Rhodnius prolixus has recently advanced with the sequencing of the genome. In this work, we analyze the maternal gene expression driving oogenesis and early embryogenesis in R. prolixus. We examined the transcriptional profile of mRNAs to establish the genes expressed across the ovary, unfertilized eggs and different embryonic stages of R. prolixus until the formation of the germ band anlage (0, 12, 24, and 48 h post egg laying). We identified 81 putative maternal and ovary-related genes and validated their expression by qRT-PCR. We validate the function of the ortholog gene Bicaudal-D (Rp-BicD) by in situ hybridization and parental RNAi. Consistent with a role in oogenesis and early development of R. prolixus, we show that lack of Rp-BicD does not significantly affect oogenesis but impairs the formation of the blastoderm. Based on our findings, we propose three times of action for maternal genes during oogenesis and embryogenesis in R. prolixus.
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Gandara ACP, Dias FA, de Lemos PC, Stiebler R, Bombaça ACS, Menna-Barreto R, Oliveira PL. "Urate and NOX5 Control Blood Digestion in the Hematophagous Insect Rhodnius prolixus". Front Physiol 2021; 12:633093. [PMID: 33716782 PMCID: PMC7947236 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.633093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are now recognized as essential players in cell signaling. Here, we studied the role of two conserved enzymes involved in redox regulation that play a critical role in the control of ROS in the digestive physiology of a blood-sucking insect, the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus. RNAi-mediated silencing of RpNOX5 and RpXDH induced early mortality in adult females after a blood meal. Recently, a role for RpNOX5 in gut motility was reported, and here, we show that midgut peristalsis is also under the control of RpXDH. Together with impaired peristalsis, silencing either genes impaired egg production and hemoglobin digestion, and decreased hemolymph urate titers. Ultrastructurally, the silencing of RpNOX5 or RpXDH affected midgut cells, changing the cells of blood-fed insects to a phenotype resembling the cells of unfed insects, suggesting that these genes work together in the control of blood digestion. Injection of either allopurinol (an XDH inhibitor) or uricase recapitulated the gene silencing effects, suggesting that urate itself is involved in the control of blood digestion. The silencing of each of these genes influenced the expression of the other gene in a complex way both in the unfed state and after a blood meal, revealing signaling crosstalk between them that influences redox metabolism and nitrogen excretion and plays a central role in the control of digestive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Caroline P Gandara
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felipe A Dias
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paula C de Lemos
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renata Stiebler
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Pascual A, Vilardo ES, Taibo C, Sabio Y García J, Pomar RR. Bicaudal C is required for the function of the follicular epithelium during oogenesis in Rhodnius prolixus. Dev Genes Evol 2021; 231:33-45. [PMID: 33704576 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-021-00673-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The morphology and physiology of the oogenesis have been well studied in the vector of Chagas disease Rhodnius prolixus. However, the molecular interactions that regulate the process of egg formation, key for the reproductive cycle of the vector, is still largely unknown. In order to understand the molecular and cellular basis of the oogenesis, we examined the function of the gene Bicaudal C (BicC) during oogenesis and early development of R. prolixus. We show that R. prolixus BicC (Rp-BicC) gene is expressed in the germarium, with cytoplasmic distribution, as well as in the follicular epithelium of the developing oocytes. RNAi silencing of Rp-BicC resulted in sterile females that lay few, small, non-viable eggs. The ovaries are reduced in size and show a disarray of the follicular epithelium. This indicates that Rp-BicC has a central role in the regulation of oogenesis. Although the follicular cells are able to form the chorion, the uptake of vitelline by the oocytes is compromised. We show evidence that the polarity of the follicular epithelium and the endocytic pathway, which are crucial for the proper yolk deposition, are affected. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying oocyte development and show that Rp-BicC is important for de developmental of the egg and, therefore, a key player in the reproduction of this insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Pascual
- Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (UNNOBA-CICBA), CITNOBA (UNNOBA-CONICET), 2700, Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Emiliano S Vilardo
- Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos (Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, CREG-UNLP), 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Catalina Taibo
- Laboratorio de Microscopia Integral (LIM), (CICVyA, INTA), 1686, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julia Sabio Y García
- Laboratorio de Microscopia Integral (LIM), (CICVyA, INTA), 1686, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rolando Rivera Pomar
- Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (UNNOBA-CICBA), CITNOBA (UNNOBA-CONICET), 2700, Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos (Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, CREG-UNLP), 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Leyria J, El-Mawed H, Orchard I, Lange AB. Regulation of a Trehalose-Specific Facilitated Transporter (TRET) by Insulin and Adipokinetic Hormone in Rhodnius prolixus, a Vector of Chagas Disease. Front Physiol 2021; 12:624165. [PMID: 33643069 PMCID: PMC7902789 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.624165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Using the blood-sucking kissing bug, Rhodnius prolixus as an experimental model, we have studied the involvement of insulin-like peptides (ILPs) and adipokinetic hormone (AKH) signaling in carbohydrate metabolism, focusing on the regulation of the trehalose-specific facilitated transporter (Rhopr-TRET), particularly in the ovaries. We find that trehalose stores in ovaries increase after feeding, synchronously with the beginning of vitellogenesis, but that the transcript expression of enzymes involved in trehalose synthesis show no changes between unfed and blood-fed animals. However, an eightfold increase in Rhopr-TRET transcript expression is observed in the ovaries post-blood meal. In vivo and ex vivo assays using exogenous insulins and Rhopr-AKH, reveal that Rhopr-TRET is up-regulated in ovaries by both peptide families. In accordance with these results, when ILP and AKH signaling cascades are impaired using RNA interference, Rhopr-TRET transcript is down-regulated. In addition, trehalose injection induces an up-regulation of Rhopr-TRET transcript expression and suggests an activation of insulin signaling. Overall, the results support the hypothesis of a direct trehalose uptake by ovaries from the hemolymph through Rhopr-TRET, regulated by ILP and/or AKH. We also show that Rhopr-TRET may work cooperatively with AKH signaling to support the release of trehalose from the ovaries into the hemolymph during the unfed (starved) condition. In conclusion, the results indicate that in females of R. prolixus, trehalose metabolism and its hormonal regulation by ILP and AKH play critical roles in adapting to different nutritional conditions and physiological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Hanine El-Mawed
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Angela B Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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Sabadin GA, Salomon TB, Leite MS, Benfato MS, Oliveira PL, da Silva Vaz I. An insight into the functional role of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes in adult Rhipicephalus microplus female ticks. Parasitol Int 2020; 81:102274. [PMID: 33352319 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ticks have developed physiological adaptations to transport, store, metabolize and secrete toxic components from the diet and environment. Different classes of enzymes are involved in these processes, however, the role of several of them is not yet characterized in Rhipicephalus microplus. In this context, this work investigated the action of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes, as well as the levels of essential cellular reductants in R. microplus partially engorged females (PEF) and fully engorged females (FEF). Results demonstrated that enzymes transcriptional levels and enzymatic activity from ovary and fat body were higher in PEF than in FEF, except for ovary Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), which was the only enzyme showing highest activity in the FEF stage. These results indicated a higher demand for antioxidant potential in these organs at the initial feeding phase than during egg-laying. In midgut, however, there was more variability in the transcriptional levels and activity of the different enzymes between the PEF and FEF phases. Similar NADPH levels were found in PEF and FEF phases, suggesting a remarkable capacity to maintain a regular supply of reducing power, despite the developmental changes and large intake of heme and iron. However, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were variable between PEF and FEF when distinct organs were compared. Taken together, our data suggest a higher demand for reducing potential in FEF ticks. The silencing of catalase (CAT) or thioredoxin reductase (TRx) genes in females did not impair feeding, egg-laying capacity, or larvae hatching. CAT-silenced ticks had increased ovary peroxidase activity, a possible compensatory antioxidant mechanism. Altogether, the results shed light on the complexity of the antioxidant and detoxification enzyme system in ticks and its involvement in different physiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela A Sabadin
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tiago B Salomon
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Milane S Leite
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mara S Benfato
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Silva-Oliveira G, De Paula IF, Medina JM, Alves-Bezerra M, Gondim KC. Insulin receptor deficiency reduces lipid synthesis and reproductive function in the insect Rhodnius prolixus. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2020; 1866:158851. [PMID: 33160077 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2020.158851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease, is a hematophagous insect that feeds exclusively on blood. Each blood meal is digested within the first fourteen days after feeding, providing substrates for lipid synthesis for storage and egg production. These events are precisely regulated and emerging evidence points to a key function of insulin-like peptides (ILPs) in this control. Here we investigated the role of insulin receptor in the regulation of nutrient metabolism in fed adult females. The expression of insulin receptor (RhoprIR) gene was determined in adult organs, and it was highest in ovaries and previtellogenic follicles. We generated insects with RNAi-mediated knockdown of RhoprIR to address the physiological role of this receptor. RhoprIR deficiency improved longevity and reduced triacylglycerol storage in the fat body, whereas blood digestion remained unchanged for seven days after blood meal. The lower lipid content was attributable to decreased de novo lipogenesis as well as reduced incorporation of hemolymph-derived fatty acids into newly synthesized lipids within this organ. Consistent with that, fat bodies from RhoprIR-deficient insects exhibited decreased gene expression levels of lipophorin receptor (RhoprLpR), glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1 and 4 (RhoprGpat1 and RhoprGpat4), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (RhoprCpt1). Although hemolymph lipid profile was not affected by RhoprIR disruption, the concentration of circulating vitellogenin was increased. In line with these changes, RhoprIR-deficient females exhibited smaller ovaries and a marked reduction in oviposition. Taken together, these findings support a key role of insulin receptor in nutrient homeostasis, lipid synthesis and egg production following a blood meal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleidson Silva-Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Iron F De Paula
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge M Medina
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michele Alves-Bezerra
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Katia C Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Tirloni L, Braz G, Nunes RD, Gandara ACP, Vieira LR, Assumpcao TC, Sabadin GA, da Silva RM, Guizzo MG, Machado JA, Costa EP, Santos D, Gomes HF, Moraes J, dos Santos Mota MB, Mesquita RD, de Souza Leite M, Alvarenga PH, Lara FA, Seixas A, da Fonseca RN, Fogaça AC, Logullo C, Tanaka AS, Daffre S, Oliveira PL, da Silva Vaz I, Ribeiro JMC. A physiologic overview of the organ-specific transcriptome of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. Sci Rep 2020. [DOI: 10.1246/nikkashi.1979.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractTo further obtain insights into the Rhipicephalus microplus transcriptome, we used RNA-seq to carry out a study of expression in (i) embryos; (ii) ovaries from partially and fully engorged females; (iii) salivary glands from partially engorged females; (iv) fat body from partially and fully engorged females; and (v) digestive cells from partially, and (vi) fully engorged females. We obtained > 500 million Illumina reads which were assembled de novo, producing > 190,000 contigs, identifying 18,857 coding sequences (CDS). Reads from each library were mapped back into the assembled transcriptome giving a view of gene expression in different tissues. Transcriptomic expression and pathway analysis showed that several genes related in blood digestion and host-parasite interaction were overexpressed in digestive cells compared with other tissues. Furthermore, essential genes for the cell development and embryogenesis were overexpressed in ovaries. Taken altogether, these data offer novel insights into the physiology of production and role of saliva, blood digestion, energy metabolism, and development with submission of 10,932 novel tissue/cell specific CDS to the NCBI database for this important tick species.
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A physiologic overview of the organ-specific transcriptome of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18296. [PMID: 33106528 PMCID: PMC7588415 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75341-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To further obtain insights into the Rhipicephalus microplus transcriptome, we used RNA-seq to carry out a study of expression in (i) embryos; (ii) ovaries from partially and fully engorged females; (iii) salivary glands from partially engorged females; (iv) fat body from partially and fully engorged females; and (v) digestive cells from partially, and (vi) fully engorged females. We obtained > 500 million Illumina reads which were assembled de novo, producing > 190,000 contigs, identifying 18,857 coding sequences (CDS). Reads from each library were mapped back into the assembled transcriptome giving a view of gene expression in different tissues. Transcriptomic expression and pathway analysis showed that several genes related in blood digestion and host-parasite interaction were overexpressed in digestive cells compared with other tissues. Furthermore, essential genes for the cell development and embryogenesis were overexpressed in ovaries. Taken altogether, these data offer novel insights into the physiology of production and role of saliva, blood digestion, energy metabolism, and development with submission of 10,932 novel tissue/cell specific CDS to the NCBI database for this important tick species.
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16
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Leyria J, Orchard I, Lange AB. What happens after a blood meal? A transcriptome analysis of the main tissues involved in egg production in Rhodnius prolixus, an insect vector of Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008516. [PMID: 33057354 PMCID: PMC7591069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-sucking hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus is a vector of Chagas disease, one of the most neglected tropical diseases affecting several million people, mostly in Latin America. The blood meal is an event with a high epidemiological impact since adult mated females feed several times, with each meal resulting in a bout of egg laying, and thereby the production of hundreds of offspring. By means of RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) we have examined how a blood meal influences mRNA expression in the central nervous system (CNS), fat body and ovaries in order to promote egg production, focusing on tissue-specific responses under controlled nutritional conditions. We illustrate the cross talk between reproduction and a) lipids, proteins and trehalose metabolism, b) neuropeptide and neurohormonal signaling, and c) the immune system. Overall, our molecular evaluation confirms and supports previous studies and provides an invaluable molecular resource for future investigations on different tissues involved in successful reproductive events. These analyses serve as a starting point for new investigations, increasing the chances of developing novel strategies for vector population control by translational research, with less impact on the environment and more specificity for a particular organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Angela B. Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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17
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Parasite × vector relationship in Chagas disease: does Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) infection affect the spermatogenesis of Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834)? Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3517-3522. [PMID: 32617725 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06788-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The parasite-vector interaction of Chagas disease is still poorly understood and the understanding of this relationship can help in the development of new strategies to control Trypanosoma cruzi transmission, which is the etiological agent of this disease. Considering the need to know if T. cruzi can cause some pathology in the reproductive system of the Chagas disease vectors, we investigated the spermatogenesis of Triatoma infestans infected by T. cruzi through histological and cytogenetic analysis. Trypanosoma cruzi Bolivia strain infection was not pathogenic for the reproductive system of T. infestans, because all the analyzed males had normal spermatogenesis, with all phases (spermatocytogenesis, meiosis and spermiogenesis) happening without any change. Thus, we demonstrated that the presence of T. cruzi Bolivia strain does not have influence in the spermatogenesis of T. infestans and we suggest that the influences on reproductive system observed for other species were a result of the action of the parasite on gametogenesis of females.
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18
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Chagas-Lima AC, Pereira MG, Fampa P, Lima MS, Kluck GEG, Atella GC. Bioactive lipids regulate Trypanosoma cruzi development. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2609-2619. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06331-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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19
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Fruttero LL, Leyria J, Moyetta NR, Ramos FO, Settembrini BP, Canavoso LE. The Fat Body of the Hematophagous Insect, Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): Histological Features and Participation of the β-Chain of ATP Synthase in the Lipophorin-Mediated Lipid Transfer. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2019; 19:5539020. [PMID: 31346627 PMCID: PMC6658809 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iez078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
In insects, lipid transfer to the tissues is mediated by lipophorin, the major circulating lipoprotein, mainly through a nonendocytic pathway involving docking receptors. Currently, the role of such receptors in lipid metabolism remains poorly understood. In this work, we performed a histological characterization of the fat body of the Chagas' disease vector, Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister), subjected to different nutritional conditions. In addition, we addressed the role of the β-chain of ATP synthase (β-ATPase) in the process of lipid transfer from lipophorin to the fat body. Fifth-instar nymphs in either fasting or fed condition were employed in the assays. Histological examination revealed that the fat body was composed by diverse trophocyte phenotypes. In the fasting condition, the cells were smaller and presented a homogeneous cytoplasmic content. The fat body of fed insects increased in size mainly due to the enlargement of lipid stores. In this condition, trophocytes contained abundant lipid droplets, and the rough endoplasmic reticulum was highly developed and mitochondria appeared elongated. Immunofluorescence assays showed that the β-ATPase, a putative lipophorin receptor, was located on the surface of fat body cells colocalizing partially with lipophorin, which suggests their interaction. No changes in β-ATPase expression were found in fasting and fed insects. Blocking the lipophorin-β-ATPase interaction impaired the lipophorin-mediated lipid transfer to the fat body. The results showed that the nutritional status of the insect influenced the morphohistological features of the tissue. Besides, these findings suggest that β-ATPase functions as a lipophorin docking receptor in the fat body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo L Fruttero
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba CP, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Jimena Leyria
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba CP, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Natalia R Moyetta
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba CP, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Fabian O Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba CP, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Beatriz P Settembrini
- Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lilián E Canavoso
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba CP, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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Castellanos A, Ramirez CE, Michalkova V, Nouzova M, Noriega FG, Francisco FL. Three Dimensional Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Imaging (3D-SIMS) of Aedes aegypti ovarian follicles. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY 2019; 34:874-883. [PMID: 31680712 PMCID: PMC6824543 DOI: 10.1039/c8ja00425k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The mobilization of nutrient reserves into the ovaries of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes after sugar-feeding plays a vital role in the female's reproductive maturation. In the present work, three-dimensional secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging (3D-SIMS) was used to generate ultrahigh spatial resolution (~1 μm) chemical maps and study the composition and spatial distribution of lipids at the single ovarian follicle level (~100 μm in size). 3D-Mass Spectrometry Imaging (3D-MSI) allowed the identification of cellular types in the follicle (oocyte, nurse and follicular cells) using endogenous markers, and revealed that most of the triacyglycerides (TGs) were compartmentalized in the oocyte region. By comparing follicles from water-fed and sugar-fed females (n=2), 3D-MSI-Time of Flight-SIMS showed that TGs were more abundant in ovarian follicles of sugar-fed females; despite relative sample reproducibility per feeding condition, more biological replicates will better support the trends observed. While the current 3D-MSI-TOF-SIMS does not permit MS/MS analysis of the lipid species, complementary LC-MS/MS analysis of the ovarian follicles aided tentative lipid assignments of the SIMS data. The combination of these MS approaches is giving us a first glimpse of the distribution of functionally relevant ovarian lipid molecules at the cellular level. These new tools can be used to investigate the roles of different lipids on follicle fitness and overall mosquito reproductive output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Castellanos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
| | - Cesar E. Ramirez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
| | - Veronika Michalkova
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
| | - Marcela Nouzova
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske, Budejovice, Czech Republic; and
| | - Fernando G. Noriega
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
| | - Fernández-Lima Francisco
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
- Corresponding author: Francisco A. Fernández-Lima, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St AHC4-233, Miami, FL 33199, USA;
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Awan DA, Ahmad F, Saleem MA, Shakoori AR. Synergistic effect of piperonyl butoxide and emamectin benzoate on enzymatic activities in resistant populations of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:14200-14213. [PMID: 30864036 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04812-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to grain protectants in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) is a serious threat to international grain trade. Frequent and overdose application of chemical insecticides is becoming a serious health hazard and cause environmental pollution. Resistance management approaches by using various synergists along with novel compounds has become more imperative to increase efficacy of environmentally safe insecticides. We have evaluated piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and emamectin benzoate mixtures for management of resistant field populations of T. castaneum. The collected strains had demonstrated 50 to 200% resistance already developed against emamectin benzoate as compared with deltamethrin susceptible reference strain. The inclusion of PBO along with emamectin significantly reduced this resistance by at least 28% and the LC50 were lowered from 5.12 to 1.9 μg/ml with the highest synergism ration of 2.7 in resistant strain. Enzymatic assays clearly demonstrated that the specific activities of catalase and acetylcholinesterases were significantly decreased at an average of 80% and 60%, respectively, when PBO was included as a synergist at 1:2 ratio with emamectin benzoate. The results highlight the mechanism that renders the field population resistant to emamectin benzoate and suggests the synergistic role of piperonyl butoxide as a potent additive in grain protectants for resistance management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daud Ahmad Awan
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
| | - Faheem Ahmad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan.
| | - Mushtaq A Saleem
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Rauf Shakoori
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
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Santillán-Guayasamín S, Villacís AG, Grijalva MJ, Dujardin JP. Triatominae: does the shape change of non-viable eggs compromise species recognition? Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:543. [PMID: 30305182 PMCID: PMC6180597 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3104-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Eggs have epidemiological and taxonomic importance in the subfamily Triatominae, which contains Chagas disease vectors. The metric properties (size and shape) of eggs are useful for distinguishing between close species, or different geographical populations of the same species. Methods We examined the effects of egg viability on its metric properties, and the possible consequences on species recognition. Four species were considered: Panstrongylus chinai, P. howardi and Triatoma carrioni (tribe Triatomini), and Rhodnius ecuadoriensis (tribe Rhodniini). Digitization was performed on pictures taken when the viability of the egg could not clearly be predicted by visual inspection. We then followed development to separate viable from non-viable eggs, and the metric changes associated with viability status of the eggs were tested for species discrimination (interspecific difference). Results The shape of the complete contour of the egg provided satisfactory species classification (95% of correct assignments, on average), with improved scores (98%) when discarding non-viable eggs from the comparisons. Using only non-viable eggs, the scores dropped to 90%. The morphometric differences between viable and non-viable eggs were also explored (intraspecific comparison). A constant metric change observed was a larger variance of size and shape in non-viable eggs. For all species, larger eggs, or eggs with larger operculum, were more frequently non-viable. However, these differences did not allow for an accurate prediction regarding egg viability. Conclusions The strong taxonomic signal present in egg morphology was affected by the level of viability of the eggs. The metric properties as modified in non-viable eggs presented some general trends which could suggest the existence of an optimum phenotype for size and for shape. Globally, viable eggs tended to have intermediate or small sizes, and presented a less globular shape in the Triatomini, or a relatively wider neck in Rhodnius ecuadoriensis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3104-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Santillán-Guayasamín
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Calle Pambahacienda s/n y San Pedro del Valle, Campus Nayón, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Anita G Villacís
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Calle Pambahacienda s/n y San Pedro del Valle, Campus Nayón, Quito, Ecuador.
| | - Mario J Grijalva
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Calle Pambahacienda s/n y San Pedro del Valle, Campus Nayón, Quito, Ecuador.,Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Dujardin
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Calle Pambahacienda s/n y San Pedro del Valle, Campus Nayón, Quito, Ecuador.,IRD, UMR 177 IRD-CIRAD INTERTRYP, Campus international de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
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23
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Xavier MA, Tirloni L, Pinto AFM, Diedrich JK, Yates JR, Mulenga A, Logullo C, da Silva Vaz I, Seixas A, Termignoni C. A proteomic insight into vitellogenesis during tick ovary maturation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4698. [PMID: 29549327 PMCID: PMC5856802 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23090-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are arthropod ectoparasites of importance for public and veterinary health. The understanding of tick oogenesis and embryogenesis could contribute to the development of novel control methods. However, to date, studies on the temporal dynamics of proteins during ovary development were not reported. In the present study we followed protein profile during ovary maturation. Proteomic analysis of ovary extracts was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using shotgun strategy, in addition to dimethyl labelling-based protein quantification. A total of 3,756 proteins were identified, which were functionally annotated into 30 categories. Circa 80% of the annotated proteins belong to categories related to basal metabolism, such as protein synthesis and modification machineries, nuclear regulation, cytoskeleton, proteasome machinery, transcriptional machinery, energetic metabolism, extracellular matrix/cell adhesion, immunity, oxidation/detoxification metabolism, signal transduction, and storage. The abundance of selected proteins involved in yolk uptake and degradation, as well as vitellin accumulation during ovary maturation, was assessed using dimethyl-labelling quantification. In conclusion, proteins identified in this study provide a framework for future studies to elucidate tick development and validate candidate targets for novel control methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Amaral Xavier
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Antônio F M Pinto
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jolene K Diedrich
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Carlos Logullo
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos and Unidade de Experimentação Animal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Adriana Seixas
- Departamento de Farmacociências, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carlos Termignoni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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24
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Leyria J, Fruttero LL, Ligabue-Braun R, Defferrari MS, Arrese EL, Soulages JL, Settembrini BP, Carlini CR, Canavoso LE. DmCatD, a cathepsin D-like peptidase of the hematophagous insect Dipetalogaster maxima (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): Purification, bioinformatic analyses and the significance of its interaction with lipophorin in the internalization by developing oocytes. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 105:28-39. [PMID: 29325877 PMCID: PMC5892828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
DmCatD, a cathepsin D-like peptidase of the hematophagous insect Dipetalogaster maxima, is synthesized by the fat body and the ovary and functions as yolk protein precursor. Functionally, DmCatD is involved in vitellin proteolysis. In this work, we purified and sequenced DmCatD, performed bioinformatic analyses and investigated the events involved in its targeting and storage in developing oocytes. By ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography, DmCatD was purified from egg homogenates and its identity was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Approximately 73% of the full-length transcript was sequenced. The phylogeny indicated that DmCatD has features which suggest its distancing from "classical" cathepsins D. Bioinformatic analyses using a chimeric construct were employed to predict post-translational modifications. Structural modeling showed that DmCatD exhibited the expected folding for this type of enzyme, and an active site with conserved architecture. The interaction between DmCatD and lipophorin in the hemolymph was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation. Colocalization of both proteins in developing oocyte membranes and yolk bodies was detected by immunofluorescence. Docking assays favoring the interaction DmCatD-lipophorin were carried out after modeling lipophorin of a related triatomine species. Our results suggest that lipophorin acts as a carrier for DmCatD to facilitate its further internalization by the oocytes. The mechanisms involved in the uptake of peptidases within the oocytes of insects have not been reported. This is the first experimental work supporting the interaction between cathepsin D and lipophorin in an insect species, enabling us to propose a pathway for its targeting and storage in developing oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica-CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Leonardo L Fruttero
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica-CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Marina S Defferrari
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
| | - Estela L Arrese
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
| | - José L Soulages
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
| | | | - Celia R Carlini
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Lilián E Canavoso
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica-CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Nunes-da-Fonseca R, Berni M, Tobias-Santos V, Pane A, Araujo HM. Rhodnius prolixus: From classical physiology to modern developmental biology. Genesis 2017; 55. [DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Nunes-da-Fonseca
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais; Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socio-Ambiental de Macaé, Campus Macaé, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Desenvolvimento Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Mateus Berni
- Institute of Molecular Entomology; INCT-EM
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Desenvolvimento Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Vitória Tobias-Santos
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais; Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socio-Ambiental de Macaé, Campus Macaé, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
- Institute of Molecular Entomology; INCT-EM
| | - Attilio Pane
- Institute of Molecular Entomology; INCT-EM
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Desenvolvimento Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Helena Marcolla Araujo
- Institute of Molecular Entomology; INCT-EM
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Desenvolvimento Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
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Santillán-Guayasamín S, Villacís AG, Grijalva MJ, Dujardin JP. The modern morphometric approach to identify eggs of Triatominae. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:55. [PMID: 28143573 PMCID: PMC5286694 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-1982-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Egg morphometrics in the Triatominae has proved to be informative for distinguishing tribes or genera, and has been based generally on traditional morphometrics. However, more resolution is required, allowing species or even population recognition, because the presence of eggs in the domicile could be related to the species ability to colonize human dwellings, suggesting its importance as a vector. Results We explored the resolution of modern morphometric methods to distinguish not only tribes and genera, but also species or geographic populations in some important Triatominae. Four species were considered, representing two tribes and three genera: Panstrongylus chinai and P. howardi, Triatoma carrioni and Rhodnius ecuadoriensis. Within R. ecuadoriensis, two geographical populations of Ecuador were compared. For these comparisons, we selected the most suitable day of egg development, as well as the possible best position of the egg for data capture. The shape of the eggs in the Triatominae does not offer true anatomical landmarks as the ones used in landmark-based morphometrics, except for the egg cap, especially in eggs with an evident “neck”, such as those of the Rhodniini. To capture the operculum shape variation, we used the landmark- and semilandmark-based method. The results obtained from the metric properties of the operculum were compared with the ones provided by the simple contour of the whole egg, as analyzed by the Elliptic Fourier Analysis. Clear differences could be disclosed between the genera, between the species - among which two very close species (P. chinai and P. howardi), as well as between two allopatric, conspecific populations. The whole egg contour (including the operculum) produced reclassification scores much more satisfactory than the ones obtained using the operculum only. Conclusions We propose the outline-based approach as the most convenient characterization tool to identify unknown eggs at the species or population levels. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-1982-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Santillán-Guayasamín
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Av. 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Anita G Villacís
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Av. 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Mario J Grijalva
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Av. 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito, Ecuador. .,Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA.
| | - Jean-Pierre Dujardin
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Av. 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito, Ecuador.,IRD, UMR 177 IRD-CIRAD INTERTRYP, Campus international de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
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Fruttero LL, Leyria J, Canavoso LE. Lipids in Insect Oocytes: From the Storage Pathways to Their Multiple Functions. Results Probl Cell Differ 2017; 63:403-434. [PMID: 28779328 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-60855-6_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In insect physiology, the mechanisms involved in the buildup and regulation of yolk proteins in developing oocytes have been thoroughly researched during the last three decades. Comparatively, the study of lipid metabolism in oocytes had received less attention. The importance of this issue lies in the fact that lipids make up to 40% of the dry weight of an insect egg, being the most important supply of energy for the developing embryo. Since the oocyte has a very limited capacity to synthesize lipids de novo, most of the lipids in the mature eggs arise from the circulation. The main lipid carriers in the insect circulatory system are the lipoproteins lipophorin and vitellogenin. In some species, the endocytosis of lipophorin and vitellogenin may account for about 10% of the lipids present in mature eggs. Thus, most of the lipids are transferred by a lipophorin-mediated pathway, in which the lipoprotein unloads its lipid cargo at the surface of oocytes without internalization. This chapter recapitulates the current status on lipid storage and its utilization in insect oocytes and discusses the participation of key factors including lipoproteins, transfer proteins, lipolytic enzymes, and dynamic organelles such as lipid droplets. The new findings in the field of lipophorin receptors are presented in the context of lipid accumulation during egg maturation, and the roles of lipids beyond energy source are summarized from the perspective of oogenesis and embryogenesis. Finally, prospective and fruitful areas of future research are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo L Fruttero
- Instituto do Cerebro (InsCer). Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jimena Leyria
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, CP 5000, Argentina
| | - Lilián E Canavoso
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, CP 5000, Argentina.
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Hyra M, Rost-Roszkowska MM, Student S, Włodarczyk A, Deperas M, Janelt K, Poprawa I. Body cavity cells of Parachela during their active life. Zool J Linn Soc 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Hyra
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology; University of Silesia; Bankowa 9 Katowice 40-007 Poland
| | | | - Sebastian Student
- Institute of Automatic Control; Silesian University of Technology; Akademicka 16 Gliwice 44-100 Poland
| | - Agnieszka Włodarczyk
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology; University of Silesia; Bankowa 9 Katowice 40-007 Poland
| | - Marcin Deperas
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology; University of Silesia; Bankowa 9 Katowice 40-007 Poland
| | - Kamil Janelt
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology; University of Silesia; Bankowa 9 Katowice 40-007 Poland
| | - Izabela Poprawa
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology; University of Silesia; Bankowa 9 Katowice 40-007 Poland
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 is involved in glycogen metabolism control and embryogenesis of Rhodnius prolixus. Parasitology 2016; 143:1569-79. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYRhodnius prolixus is a blood-feeding insect that transmits Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli to vertebrate hosts. Rhodnius prolixus is also a classical model in insect physiology, and the recent availability of R. prolixus genome has opened new avenues on triatomine research. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) is classically described as a key enzyme involved in glycogen metabolism, also acting as a downstream component of the Wnt pathway during embryogenesis. GSK-3 has been shown to be highly conserved among several organisms, mainly in the catalytic domain region. Meanwhile, the role of GSK-3 during R. prolixus embryogenesis or glycogen metabolism has not been investigated. Here we show that chemical inhibition of GSK-3 by alsterpaullone, an ATP-competitive inhibitor of GSK3, does not affect adult survival rate, though it alters oviposition and egg hatching. Specific GSK-3 gene silencing by dsRNA injection in adult females showed a similar phenotype. Furthermore, bright field and 4’−6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining analysis revealed that ovaries and eggs from dsGSK-3 injected females exhibited specific morphological defects. We also demonstrate that glycogen content was inversely related to activity and transcription levels of GSK-3 during embryogenesis. Lastly, after GSK-3 knockdown, we observed changes in the expression of the Wingless (Wnt) downstream target β-catenin as well as in members of other pathways such as the receptor Notch. Taken together, our results show that GSK-3 regulation is essential for R. prolixus oogenesis and embryogenesis.
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Majerowicz D, Hannibal-Bach HK, Castro RSC, Bozaquel-Morais BL, Alves-Bezerra M, Grillo LAM, Masuda CA, Færgeman NJ, Knudsen J, Gondim KC. The ACBP gene family in Rhodnius prolixus: Expression, characterization and function of RpACBP-1. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 72:41-52. [PMID: 27001070 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBP) constitute a family of conserved proteins that bind acyl-CoA with high affinity and protect it from hydrolysis. Thus, ACBPs may have essential roles in basal cellular lipid metabolism. The genome of the insect Rhodnius prolixus encodes five ACBP genes similar to those described for other insect species. The qPCR analysis revealed that these genes have characteristic expression profiles in insect organs, suggesting that they have specific roles in insect physiology. Recombinant RpACBP-1 was able to bind acyl-CoA in an in vitro gel-shift assay. Moreover, heterologous RpACBP-1 expression in acb1Δ mutant yeast rescued the multi-lobed vacuole phenotype, indicating that RpACBP-1 acts as a bona fide acyl-CoA-binding protein. RpACBP-1 knockdown using RNAi caused triacylglycerol accumulation in the insect posterior midgut and a reduction in the number of deposited eggs. The amount of stored triacylglycerol was reduced in flight muscle, and the incorporation of fatty acids in cholesteryl esters was increased in the fat body. These results showed that RpACBP-1 participates in several lipid metabolism steps in R. prolixus.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Majerowicz
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institut for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi, Syddansk Universitet, Odense, Denmark
| | - Hans K Hannibal-Bach
- Institut for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi, Syddansk Universitet, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rodolfo S C Castro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno L Bozaquel-Morais
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michele Alves-Bezerra
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciano A M Grillo
- Escola de Enfermagem e Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Claudio A Masuda
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nils J Færgeman
- Institut for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi, Syddansk Universitet, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jens Knudsen
- Institut for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi, Syddansk Universitet, Odense, Denmark
| | - Katia C Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brazil.
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Blariza MJ, Leyria J, Canavoso LE, Soria NW, García BA. Dynamics of expression of two vitellogenin genes in the Chagas' disease vector Triatoma infestans: Analysis throughout pre-vitellogenesis and vitellogenesis. Acta Trop 2016; 156:100-7. [PMID: 26772448 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The reproductive success of all oviparous species depends on vitellogenin (Vg) biosynthesis and its accumulation in the developing oocytes. The expression levels of two Vg genes (Vg1 and Vg2) were analyzed by qPCR and western blot in fat body and ovaries of adult females, at different times after ecdysis (pre-vitellogenic phase) and after blood feeding of females (vitellogenic phase). Vg genes were also evaluated in fat bodies of adult males as well as in female fifth instar nymphs. No trace of Vg mRNA was detected in adult males or in nymphs. Vg1 and Vg2 were expressed in the fat bodies and ovaries of adult females. The Vg genes start to be expressed slightly in both tissues of adult females during pre-vitellogenesis. After blood feeding, Vg1 and Vg2 were up regulated and significant levels of Vg transcripts as well as protein expression were observed in fat bodies sampled throughout vitellogenesis. During this period however, the distribution patterns of Vg1 and Vg2 transcripts showed two peaks around early and advanced vitellogenesis (days 4 and 12 post-feeding, respectively). In the ovaries, levels of mRNAs increased from the day 10 post-blood feeding onwards. In addition, the immunofluorescence assays showed a strong signal for vitellin in the yolk bodies of terminal follicles of vitellogenic females. The involvement of fat body and ovary in the synthesis of Vg suggests different roles of Vgs in supporting the growth of oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- María J Blariza
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), CONICET and Cátedra de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Jimena Leyria
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Lilián E Canavoso
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Néstor W Soria
- Laboratorio de Análisis Clínicos Especializados (LACE), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Beatriz A García
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), CONICET and Cátedra de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Franco TA, Oliveira DS, Moreira MF, Leal WS, Melo ACA. Silencing the odorant receptor co-receptor RproOrco affects the physiology and behavior of the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 69:82-90. [PMID: 25747010 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction is one of the main sensory modalities that allow insects to interpret their environment. Several proteins, including odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs), are involved in this process. Odorant receptors are ion channels formed by a binding unit OR and an odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco). The main goal of this study was to characterize the Orco gene of Rhodnius prolixus (RproOrco) and to infer its biological functions using gene silencing. The full-length RproOrco gene sequence was downloaded from VectorBase. This gene has 7 introns and is located in the genome SuperContig GL563069: 1,017,713-1,023,165. RproOrco encodes a protein of 473 amino acids, with predicted 7 transmembrane domains, and is highly expressed in the antennae during all R. prolixus developmental stages. The RNAi technique effectively silenced RproOrco, reducing the gene's expression by approximately 73%. Interestingly, the effect of gene silencing persisted for more than 100 days, indicating a prolonged effect of dsRNA that was maintained even after molting. The phenotypic effects of silencing involved the following: (1) loss of the ability to find a vertebrate host in a timely manner, (2) decreased ingested blood volume, (3) delayed and decreased molt rate, (4) increased mortality rate, and (5) decreased egg laying. Our data strongly suggest that dsOrco disrupts R. prolixus host-finding behavior, which is further reflected in the blood ingestion, molting, mortality, and egg laying data. This study clearly demonstrates that Orco is an excellent target for controlling triatomine populations. Thus, the data presented here open new possibilities for the control of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago A Franco
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daniele S Oliveira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Monica F Moreira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Walter S Leal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, 95616, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ana C A Melo
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, 95616, Davis, CA, USA; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Histoarchitecture of the ovary of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus during pre- and postengorgement period. ScientificWorldJournal 2015; 2015:126584. [PMID: 25664337 PMCID: PMC4309210 DOI: 10.1155/2015/126584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The present communication describes the detailed day wise study of histological changes of the ovary of
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus in the postengorgement period together with the systematic
classification of their oocytes. The ovary of R. (B.) annulatus is panoistic type with an asynchronous
development of oocytes. All the stages (II, III, IV, and V) of oocytes except stage I were similar to R. (B.) microplus.
The stage I oocytes showed basophilia, which was not reported earlier in other species of ticks. Day wise changes were in the form of presence of oogonia in
partially fed and day one engorged adults, considerable degeneration of oocytes on day two, emergence of new wave of oocytes on day three,
presence of mature oocytes up to day eight, and complete degeneration of ovarian tissue from day eight onwards. The degenerative changes
in the ovary appeared initially in the oocytes followed by germinal epithelium.
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Leyria J, Fruttero LL, Aguirre SA, Canavoso LE. Ovarian nutritional resources during the reproductive cycle of the hematophagous Dipetalogaster maxima (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): focus on lipid metabolism. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2014; 87:148-163. [PMID: 25052220 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we have analyzed the changes of the ovarian nutritional resources in Dipetalogaster maxima at representative days of the reproductive cycle: previtellogenesis, vitellogenesis, as well as fasting-induced early and late atresia. As expected, the amounts of ovarian lipids, proteins, and glycogen increased significantly from previtellogenesis to vitellogenesis and then, diminished during atresia. However, lipids and protein stores found at the atretic stages were higher in comparison to those registered at previtellogenesis. Specific lipid staining of ovarian tissue sections evidenced remarkable changes in the shape, size, and distribution of lipid droplets throughout the reproductive cycle. The role of lipophorin (Lp) as a yolk protein precursor was analyzed by co-injecting Lp-OG (where OG is Oregon Green) and Lp-DiI (where DiI is 1,10-dioctadecyl-3,3,30,30-tetramethylindocarbocyanine) to follow the entire particle, demonstrating that both probes colocalized mainly in the yolk bodies of vitellogenic oocytes. Immunofluorescence assays also showed that Lp was associated to yolk bodies, supporting its endocytic pathway during vitellogenesis. The involvement of Lp in lipid delivery to oocytes was investigated in vivo by co-injecting fluorescent probes to follow the fate of the entire particle (Lp-DiI) and its lipid cargo (Lp-Bodipy-FA). Lp-DiI was readily incorporated by vitellogenic oocytes and no lipoprotein uptake was observed in terminal follicles of ovaries at atretic stages. Bodipy-FA was promptly transferred to vitellogenic oocytes and, to a much lesser extent, to previtellogenic follicles and to oocytes of ovarian tissue at atretic stages. Colocalization of Lp-DiI and Lp-Bodipy-FA inside yolk bodies indicated the relevance of Lp in the buildup of lipid and protein oocyte stores during vitellogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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Mustonen AM, Käkelä R, Paakkonen T, Nieminen P. Life stage-related differences in fatty acid composition of an obligate ectoparasite, the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi)-influence of blood meals and gender. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2014; 179:62-70. [PMID: 25223709 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Metamorphosis and diet often influence fatty acid (FA) signatures (FAS) of insects. We investigated FAS in a hematophagous ectoparasite, the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi). Deer keds shed their wings upon attachment on the host and, thus, the FAS of an individual blood-fed imago/pupa in the fur of its host can be traced back to the blood FA profile of a single moose (Alces alces). Host blood and different life stages of deer keds were investigated for FA by gas chromatography. The FAS of life stages resembled each other more closely than the diet. Blood meals modified the FAS of both sexes but the FAS of the blood-fed females were closer to those of the prepupae/pupae. The parasitizing males had higher proportions of major saturated FA (SFA) and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) than the females, which contained more monounsaturated FA (MUFA) with higher ratios of n-3/n-6 PUFA and unsaturated FA (UFA)/SFA. The proportions of 16:1n-7 were <1% in the blood but 18% (males) and 29% (females) in the blood-fed keds. Allocation of lipids to offspring by the females and possible accumulation of PUFA in male reproductive organs may have induced these sex-related differences. MUFA percentages and UFA/SFA ratios increased while SFA and many PUFA decreased from the reproducing females to the pupae. The diapausing pupae displayed lowered n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios and could have mobilized 16:0 and 18:3n-3 for the most fundamental metabolic processes. In conclusion, FAS are modified through the life stages of the deer ked possibly due to their different FA requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Mari Mustonen
- University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Science and Forestry, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland; University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine/Anatomy, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Reijo Käkelä
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 65, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tommi Paakkonen
- University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Science and Forestry, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland; University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine/Anatomy, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Petteri Nieminen
- University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Science and Forestry, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland; University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine/Anatomy, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
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Fellet MR, Lorenzo MG, Elliot SL, Carrasco D, Guarneri AA. Effects of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli on the reproductive performance of the vector Rhodnius prolixus. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105255. [PMID: 25136800 PMCID: PMC4138117 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The insect Rhodnius prolixus is responsible for the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, which is the etiological agent of Chagas disease in areas of Central and South America. Besides this, it can be infected by other trypanosomes such as Trypanosoma rangeli. The effects of these parasites on vectors are poorly understood and are often controversial so here we focussed on possible negative effects of these parasites on the reproductive performance of R. prolixus, specifically comparing infected and uninfected couples. While T. cruzi infection did not delay pre-oviposition time of infected couples at either temperature tested (25 and 30°C) it did, at 25°C, increase the e-value in the second reproductive cycle, as well as hatching rates. Meanwhile, at 30°C, T. cruzi infection decreased the e-value of insects during the first cycle and also the fertility of older insects. When couples were instead infected with T. rangeli, pre-oviposition time was delayed, while reductions in the e-value and hatching rate were observed in the second and third cycles. We conclude that both T. cruzi and T. rangeli can impair reproductive performance of R. prolixus, although for T. cruzi, this is dependent on rearing temperature and insect age. We discuss these reproductive costs in terms of potential consequences on triatomine behavior and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Raquel Fellet
- Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gustavo Lorenzo
- Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Simon Luke Elliot
- Department of Entomology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - David Carrasco
- Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Alessandra Aparecida Guarneri
- Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Souza-Ferreira PS, Moreira MF, Atella GC, Oliveira-Carvalho AL, Eizemberg R, Majerowicz D, Melo ACA, Zingali RB, Masuda H. Molecular characterization of Rhodnius prolixus' embryonic cuticle. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 51:89-100. [PMID: 24418313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The embryonic cuticle (EC) of Rhodnius prolixus envelopes the entire body of the embryo during hatching and provides physical protection, allowing the embryo to pass through a narrow chorionic border. Most of the knowledge about the EC of insects is derived from studies on ultrastructure and secretion processes during embryonic development, and little is known about the molecular composition of this structure. We performed a comprehensive molecular characterization of the major components extracted from the EC of R. prolixus, and we discuss the role of the different molecules that were identified during the eclosion process. The results showed that, similar to the post-embryonic cuticles of insects, the EC of R. prolixus is primarily composed of carbohydrates (57%), lipids (19%), and proteins (8%). Considering only the carbohydrates, chitin is by far the major component (approximately 70%), and it is found primarily along the body of the EC. It is scarce or absent in its prolongations, which are composed of glycosaminoglycans. In addition to chitin, we also identified amino (15%), neutral (12%) and acidic (3%) carbohydrates in the EC of R. prolixus. In addition carbohydrates, we also identified neutral lipids (64.12%) and phospholipids (35.88%). Proteomic analysis detected 68 proteins (55 were identified and 13 are hypothetical proteins) using the sequences in the R. prolixus genome (http://www.vectorbase.org). Among these proteins, 8 out of 15 are associated with cuticle metabolism. These proteins are unequivocally cuticle proteins, and they have been described in other insects. Approximately 35% of the total proteins identified were classified as having a structural function. Chitin-binding protein, amino peptidase, amino acid oxidase, oxidoreductase, catalase and peroxidase are all proteins associated with cuticle metabolism. Proteins known to be cuticle constituents may be related to the function of the EC in assisting the insect during eclosion. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the global molecular composition of an EC in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula S Souza-Ferreira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mônica F Moreira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Geórgia C Atella
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia Oliveira-Carvalho
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Roberto Eizemberg
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Escola de Educação Física e Desportos, 21941-599 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana C A Melo
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Russolina B Zingali
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Hatisaburo Masuda
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Cunha LR, Cudischevitch CDO, Carneiro AB, Macedo GB, Lannes D, Silva-Neto MACD. Triatominae biochemistry goes to school: evaluation of a novel tool for teaching basic biochemical concepts of Chagas disease vectors. BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION : A BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 42:323-330. [PMID: 24687369 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.20795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We evaluate a new approach to teaching the basic biochemistry mechanisms that regulate the biology of Triatominae, major vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. We have designed and used a comic book, "Carlos Chagas: 100 years after a hero's discovery" containing scientific information obtained by seven distinguished contemporary Brazilian researchers working with Triatominaes. Students (22) in the seventh grade of a public elementary school received the comic book. The study was then followed up by the use of Concept Maps elaborated by the students. Six Concept Maps elaborated by the students before the introduction of the comic book received an average score of 7. Scores rose to an average of 45 after the introduction of the comic book. This result suggests that a more attractive content can greatly improve the knowledge and conceptual understanding among students not previously exposed to insect biochemistry. In conclusion, this study illustrates an alternative to current strategies of teaching about the transmission of neglected diseases. It also promotes the diffusion of the scientific knowledge produced by Brazilian researchers that may stimulate students to choose a scientific career.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Rodrigues Cunha
- Laboratório de Sinalização Celular (LabSiCel) Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, CEP 21941-902; Prédio do Centro de Ciências da Saúde Bloco D Subsolo Sala 05, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, CEP 21941-902
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Entringer PF, Grillo LAM, Pontes EG, Machado EA, Gondim KC. Interaction of lipophorin with Rhodnius prolixus oocytes: biochemical properties and the importance of blood feeding. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2013; 108:836-44. [PMID: 24037104 PMCID: PMC3970653 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276130129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipophorin (Lp) is the main haemolymphatic lipoprotein in insects and transports lipids between different organs. In adult females, lipophorin delivers lipids to growing oocytes. In this study, the interaction of this lipoprotein with the ovaries of Rhodnius prolixus was characterised using an oocyte membrane preparation and purified radiolabelled Lp (125I-Lp). Lp-specific binding to the oocyte membrane reached equilibrium after 40-60 min and when 125I-Lp was incubated with increasing amounts of membrane protein, corresponding increases in Lp binding were observed. The specific binding of Lp to the membrane preparation was a saturable process, with a K(d) of 7.1 ± 0.9 x 10-8M and a maximal binding capacity of 430 ± 40 ng 125I-Lp/µg of membrane protein. The binding was calcium independent and pH sensitive, reaching its maximum at pH 5.2-5.7. Suramin inhibited the binding interaction between Lp and the oocyte membranes, which was completely abolished at 0.5 mM suramin. The oocyte membrane preparation from R. prolixus also showed binding to Lp from Manduca sexta. When Lp was fluorescently labelled and injected into vitellogenic females, the level of Lp-oocyte binding was much higher in females that were fed whole blood than in those fed blood plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petter Franco Entringer
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz-Fiocruz, Salvador, BA, Brasil
| | | | - Emerson Guedes Pontes
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular
| | - Ednildo Alcântara Machado
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular
| | - Katia Calp Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular
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40
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Triacylglycerol biosynthesis occurs via the glycerol-3-phosphate pathway in the insect Rhodnius prolixus. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2012; 1821:1462-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2012.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 07/21/2012] [Accepted: 08/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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41
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Seixas A, Oliveira P, Termignoni C, Logullo C, Masuda A, da Silva Vaz I. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus embryo proteins as target for tick vaccine. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2012; 148:149-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2011.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2010] [Revised: 03/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/02/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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42
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Majerowicz D, Alves-Bezerra M, Logullo R, Fonseca-de-Souza AL, Meyer-Fernandes JR, Braz GRC, Gondim KC. Looking for reference genes for real-time quantitative PCR experiments in Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 20:713-722. [PMID: 21929722 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2011.01101.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) has become one of the most used techniques to measure gene expression. However, normalization of gene expression data against reference genes is essential, although these are usually used without any kind of validation. The expression of seven genes was compared in organs of Rhodnius prolixus under diverse conditions, using published software to test gene expression stability. Rp18S and elongation factor 1 (RpEF -1) were the most reliable genes for normalization in qPCR when gene expression in different organs was compared. Moreover, both genes were found to be the best references when transcript levels were compared in the posterior midgut of insects infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Rp18S was also the best reference gene in the fat bodies of unfed and fed insects. By contrast, RpEF-1 was found to be the best reference gene for comparison between posterior midguts, and RpMIP or RpActin should be used to compare gene expression in the ovaries. Although Rp18S is indicated here as the best reference in most cases, reports from the literature show that it is difficult to find an optimum reference gene. Nevertheless, validation of candidate genes to be taken as references is important when new experimental conditions are tested to avoid incorrect data interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Majerowicz
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Ramos I, Gomes F, Koeller CM, Saito K, Heise N, Masuda H, Docampo R, de Souza W, Machado EA, Miranda K. Acidocalcisomes as calcium- and polyphosphate-storage compartments during embryogenesis of the insect Rhodnius prolixus Stahl. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27276. [PMID: 22096545 PMCID: PMC3214050 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The yolk of insect eggs is a cellular domain specialized in the storage of reserve components for embryo development. The reserve macromolecules are stored in different organelles and their interactions with the embryo cells are mostly unknown. Acidocalcisomes are lysosome-related organelles characterized by their acidic nature, high electron density and large content of polyphosphate bound to several cations. In this work, we report the presence of acidocalcisome-like organelles in eggs of the insect vector Rhodnius prolixus. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Characterization of the elemental composition of electron-dense vesicles by electron probe X-ray microanalysis revealed a composition similar to that previously described for acidocalcisomes. Following subcellular fractionation experiments, fractions enriched in acidocalcisomes were obtained and characterized. Immunofluorescence showed that polyphosphate polymers and the vacuolar proton translocating pyrophosphatase (V-H(+)-PPase, considered as a marker for acidocalcisomes) are found in the same vesicles and that these organelles are mainly localized in the egg cortex. Polyphosphate quantification showed that acidocalcisomes contain a significant amount of polyphosphate detected at day-0 eggs. Elemental analyses of the egg fractions showed that 24.5±0.65% of the egg calcium are also stored in such organelles. During embryogenesis, incubation of acidocalcisomes with acridine orange showed that these organelles are acidified at day-3 (coinciding with the period of yolk mobilization) and polyphosphate quantification showed that the levels of polyphosphate tend to decrease during early embryogenesis, being approximately 30% lower at day-3 compared to day-0 eggs. CONCLUSIONS We found that acidocalcisomes are present in the eggs and are the main storage compartments of polyphosphate and calcium in the egg yolk. As such components have been shown to be involved in a series of dynamic events that may control embryo growth, results reveal the potential involvement of a novel organelle in the storage and mobilization of inorganic elements to the embryo cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Ramos
- Intituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabio Gomes
- Intituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina M. Koeller
- Intituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Katsuharu Saito
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano, Japan
| | - Norton Heise
- Intituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hatisaburo Masuda
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Intituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Diretoria de Programas, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia Normalização e Qualidade Industrial, Xerém, Brazil
| | - Ednildo A. Machado
- Intituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Diretoria de Programas, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia Normalização e Qualidade Industrial, Xerém, Brazil
| | - Kildare Miranda
- Intituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Diretoria de Programas, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia Normalização e Qualidade Industrial, Xerém, Brazil
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Medeiros MN, Logullo R, Ramos IB, Sorgine MHF, Paiva-Silva GO, Mesquita RD, Machado EA, Coutinho MA, Masuda H, Capurro ML, Ribeiro JM, Cardoso Braz GR, Oliveira PL. Transcriptome and gene expression profile of ovarian follicle tissue of the triatomine bug Rhodnius prolixus. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 41:823-31. [PMID: 21736942 PMCID: PMC3740404 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2011] [Revised: 06/13/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Insect oocytes grow in close association with the ovarian follicular epithelium (OFE), which escorts the oocyte during oogenesis and is responsible for synthesis and secretion of the eggshell. We describe a transcriptome of OFE of the triatomine bug Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease, to increase our knowledge of the role of FE in egg development. Random clones were sequenced from a cDNA library of different stages of follicle development. The transcriptome showed high commitment to transcription, protein synthesis, and secretion. The most abundant cDNA was a secreted (S) small, proline-rich protein with maximal expression in the vitellogenic follicle, suggesting a role in oocyte maturation. We also found Rp45, a chorion protein already described, and a putative chitin-associated cuticle protein that was an eggshell component candidate. Six transcripts coding for proteins related to the unfolded-protein response (UPR) by were chosen and their expression analyzed. Surprisingly, transcripts related to UPR showed higher expression during early stages of development and downregulation during late stages, when transcripts coding for S proteins participating in chorion formation were highly expressed. Several transcripts with potential roles in oogenesis and embryo development are also discussed. We propose that intense protein synthesis at the FE results in reticulum stress (RS) and that lowering expression of a set of genes related to cell survival should lead to degeneration of follicular cells at oocyte maturation. This paradoxical suppression of UPR suggests that ovarian follicles may represent an interesting model for studying control of RS and cell survival in professional S cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo N. Medeiros
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - Raquel Logullo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - Isabela B. Ramos
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - Marcos H. F. Sorgine
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - Gabriela O. Paiva-Silva
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - Rafael D. Mesquita
- Instituto Federal de Educação do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - Ednildo Alcantara Machado
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - Maria Alice Coutinho
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - Hatisaburo Masuda
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - Margareth L. Capurro
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo; São Paulo; SP
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - José M.C. Ribeiro
- Section of Vector Biology, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Room 2E32, Rockville MD 20852 USA
| | - Glória Regina Cardoso Braz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Instituto Federal de Educação do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil
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45
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Medeiros MN, Ramos IB, Oliveira DMP, da Silva RCB, Gomes FM, Medeiros LN, Kurtenbach E, Chiarini LB, Masuda H, de Souza W, Machado EA. Microscopic and molecular characterization of ovarian follicle atresia in Rhodnius prolixus Stahl under immune challenge. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 57:945-953. [PMID: 21540034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2011.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Revised: 04/11/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In this work we characterized the degenerative process of ovarian follicles of the bug Rhodnius prolixus challenged with the non-entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus niger. An injection of A. niger conidia directly into the hemocoel of adult R. prolixus females at the onset of vitellogenesis caused no effect on host lifespan but elicited a net reduction in egg batch size. Direct inspection of ovaries from the mycosed insects revealed that fungal challenge led to atresia of the vitellogenic follicles. Light microscopy and DAPI staining showed follicle shrinkage, ooplasm alteration and disorganization of the monolayer of follicle cells in the atretic follicles. Transmission electron microscopy of thin sections of follicle epithelium also showed nuclei with condensed chromatin, electron dense mitochondria and large autophagic vacuoles. Occurrence of apoptosis of follicle cells in these follicles was visualized by TUNEL labeling. Resorption of the yolk involved an increase in protease activities (aspartyl and cysteinyl proteases) which were associated with precocious acidification of yolk granules and degradation of yolk protein content. The role of follicle atresia in nonspecific host-pathogen associations and the origin of protease activity that led to yolk resorption are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo N Medeiros
- Programa de Biologia Celular e Parasitologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho da UFRJ, Brazil
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Fruttero LL, Frede S, Rubiolo ER, Canavoso LE. The storage of nutritional resources during vitellogenesis of Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): the pathways of lipophorin in lipid delivery to developing oocytes. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 57:475-486. [PMID: 21277855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2011.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2010] [Revised: 01/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we have analyzed the pathways by which lipophorin (Lp) delivers its lipid cargo to developing oocytes of Panstrongylus megistus, a hematophagous vector of Chagas' disease. Lp, vitellin, total lipids and proteins were measured in ovarian tissues at different stages of the reproductive cycle. Localization of Lp in developing oocytes, mainly at their cortical area, was demonstrated by immunofluorescence assays using an anti-Lp antibody labeled with FITC. In vivo approaches injecting fluorescently labeled Lp to follow the course of the entire particle (Lp-DiI or Lp-Oregon Green) or its lipid cargo (Lp-Bodipy-FA) were monitored by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Significant increases in the amounts of lipids, proteins and vitellin were observed in ovarian tissue with the progress of vitellogenesis. Unexpectedly, an increase in the amount of Lp was also observed. The experiments in vivo demonstrated that the uptake of fluorescent Lp labeled on its protein or lipid moiety by developing oocytes occurred very fast, being impaired at low temperatures. The co-injection of fluorescent Lp and vitellogenin (Vg) showed that both particles co-localized inside yolk bodies, confirming the endocytic pathway for Lp. When the fate of lipids transferred to oocytes was evaluated in vitellogenic females by co-injecting Lp-Bodipy-FA and Lp-DiI, the signal for Bodipy-FA was found in both lipid droplets and yolk bodies. In contrast, in injected females kept at 4°C the fluorescence was reduced, being observed exclusively in lipid droplets, implying that lipid transfer to the oocyte was diminished but not abolished. Taken together, the results demonstrate that in the hematophagous P. megistus, the storage of lipid resources by developing oocytes occurs by the convergence of different pathways by which Lp maximizes the delivery of its lipid cargo. In addition, it was also shown that, to some extent, lipids stored in the oocyte lipid droplets can also originate from endocytosed Vg. The relevance of these events in the context of the physiology of reproduction in P. megistus is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo L Fruttero
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, CP 5000, Argentina
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Avila ML, Tekiel V, Moretti G, Nicosia S, Bua J, Lammel EM, Stroppa MM, Gerez de Burgos NM, Sánchez DO. Gene discovery in Triatoma infestans. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:39. [PMID: 21418565 PMCID: PMC3070679 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2010] [Accepted: 03/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triatoma infestans is the most relevant vector of Chagas disease in the southern cone of South America. Since its genome has not yet been studied, sequencing of Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) is one of the most powerful tools for efficiently identifying large numbers of expressed genes in this insect vector. RESULTS In this work, we generated 826 ESTs, resulting in an increase of 47% in the number of ESTs available for T. infestans. These ESTs were assembled in 471 unique sequences, 151 of which represent 136 new genes for the Reduviidae family. CONCLUSIONS Among the putative new genes for the Reduviidae family, we identified and described an interesting subset of genes involved in development and reproduction, which constitute potential targets for insecticide development.
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Affiliation(s)
- María L Avila
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín-CONICET, Av, Gral Paz 5445, Edificio 24, B1650KNA, San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Stiebler R, Timm BL, Oliveira PL, Hearne GR, Egan TJ, Oliveira MF. On the physico-chemical and physiological requirements of hemozoin formation promoted by perimicrovillar membranes in Rhodnius prolixus midgut. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2010; 40:284-292. [PMID: 20060043 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2009.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2009] [Revised: 12/21/2009] [Accepted: 12/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Triatomine insects are obligatory blood-feeders that detoxify most of the hemoglobin-derived heme through its crystallization into hemozoin (Hz). Previous evidence demonstrates the key role of midgut perimicrovillar membranes (PMVM) on heme crystallization in triatomines. Here, we investigated some of the physico-chemical and physiological aspects of heme crystallization induced by Rhodnius prolixus PMVM. Hz formation in vitro proceeded optimally at pH 4.8 and 28 degrees C, apparently involving three kinetically distinct mechanisms along this process. Furthermore, the insect feeding status and age affected PMVM-induced heme crystallization whereas pharmacological blockage of PMVM formation by azadirachtin, reduced hemoglobin digestion and Hz formation in vivo. Mössbauer spectrometry analyses of R. prolixus midgut showed that Hz represents the only measurable iron species found four days after a blood meal. Autocatalytic heme crystallization to Hz is revealed to be an inefficient process and this conversion is further reduced as the Hz concentration increases. Also, PMVM-derived lipids were able to induce rapid Hz formation, regardless of the diet composition. These results indicate that PMVM-driven Hz formation in R. prolixus midgut occurs at physiologically relevant physico-chemical conditions and that lipids derived from this structure play an important role in heme crystallization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Stiebler
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Redox, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Expression and activity of glycogen synthase kinase during vitellogenesis and embryogenesis of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Vet Parasitol 2009; 161:261-9. [PMID: 19285806 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2008] [Revised: 01/12/2009] [Accepted: 01/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) is classically described as a key enzyme involved in glycogen metabolism in mammals. GSK-3 belongs to a highly conserved family of serine/threonine protein kinases, whose members are involved in hormonal regulation, nuclear signaling, and cell fate determination in higher eukaryotes. We have cloned and characterized the RmGSK-3 gene from Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick embryos. DNA and protein sequence analysis depicted high similarity to the corresponding enzyme, from both vertebrate and invertebrate animals. In addition, the mRNA transcription profile identified during embryogenesis was analyzed. We observed that the RmGSK-3 mRNA rapidly decreases from the 1st to 3rd day of development, and increases from the 3rd to 15th day. After the 15th day of development, we observed a near 50% reduction in RmGSK-3 mRNA transcription in comparison to the 1st day. We detected the GSK-3beta isoform in egg homogenates throughout embryogenesis using Western blot analysis. RmGSK-3 mRNA was present in fat body, midgut and ovary from partially and fully engorged adult female ticks. The highest mRNA level was observed in ovaries from both developmental stages and in first-day eggs. Furthermore, RmGSK-3 activity correlated with glycogen content variation. Finally, kinase activity in egg homogenates was inhibited by the specific inhibitor, SB-216763. These data suggest that RmGSK-3beta may be involved in glycogen metabolism regulation during R. microplus embryogenesis.
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Medeiros MND, Belmonte R, Soares BCC, Medeiros LND, Canetti C, Freire-de-Lima CG, Maya-Monteiro CM, Bozza PT, Almeida IC, Masuda H, Kurtenbach E, Machado EA. Arrest of oogenesis in the bug Rhodnius prolixus challenged with the fungus Aspergillus niger is mediated by immune response-derived PGE2. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2009; 55:150-157. [PMID: 19059412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2008.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2008] [Revised: 10/15/2008] [Accepted: 10/30/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In this work we characterized the immune response of the insect Rhodnius prolixus to a direct injection into the hemocoel of the non-entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus niger, and evaluated its consequences on host oogenesis. These animals were able to respond by mounting effective cellular and humoral responses to this fungus; these responses were shown, however, to have reproductive fitness costs, as the number of eggs laid per female was significantly reduced. The disturbance of egg formation during infectious process correlated with an elevation in the titer of hemolymph prostaglandin E2 48 h post-challenge. Administration of Zymosan A as an immunogenic non-infectious challenge produced similar effects on phenoloxidase and prophenoloxidase activities, oocyte development and prostaglandin E2 titer, precluding the hypothesis of an effect mediated by fungal metabolites in animals challenged with fungus. Ovaries at 48 h post-challenge showed absence of vitellogenic ovarian follicles, and the in vivo administration of prostaglandin E2 or its receptor agonist misoprostol, partially reproduced this phenotype. Together these data led us to hypothesize that immune-derived prostaglandin E2 raised from the insect response to the fungal challenge is involved in disturbing follicle development, contributing to a reduction in host reproductive output and acting as a host-derived adaptive effector to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Neves de Medeiros
- Programa de Biologia Celular e Parasitologia, IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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