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Domingues G, Moraes J, Fonseca RND, Campos E. Inorganic polyphosphate's role in energy production and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in tick mitochondria. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 114:e22029. [PMID: 37278151 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is a biopolymer composed of phosphoanhydride-linked orthophosphate molecules. PolyP is engaged in a variety of cellular functions, including mitochondrial metabolism. Here, we examined the effects of polyP on electron transport chain enzymes and F1 Fo ATP synthase in tick embryos during embryonic development. The study found that polyPs containing medium and long chains (polyP15 and polyP65 ) enhanced the activity of complex I, complex II, complex III, and F1 Fo ATP synthase, while short polyP chains (polyP3 ) had no effect. The study also examined the activity of exopolyphosphatases (PPX) in various energy-demand situations. PPX activity was stimulated when ADP concentrations are high, characterizing a low-energy context. When complexes I-III and F1 Fo ATP synthase inhibitors were added in energized mitochondria, PPX activity decreased, whereas the mitochondrial uncoupler FCCP had no impact on PPX activity. Additionally, the study investigated the effect of polyP on mitochondrial swelling, finding that polyP causes mitochondrial swelling by increasing calcium effects on the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. The findings presented here to increase our understanding of the function of polyP in mitochondrial metabolism and its relationship to mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in an arthropod model.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Domingues
- NUPEM/UFRJ, Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica-Hatisaburo Masuda, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade, Macaé, Brazil
| | - Jorge Moraes
- NUPEM/UFRJ, Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica-Hatisaburo Masuda, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade, Macaé, Brazil
- INCT-EM, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia-Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Nunes da Fonseca
- NUPEM/UFRJ, Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica-Hatisaburo Masuda, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade, Macaé, Brazil
- INCT-EM, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia-Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eldo Campos
- NUPEM/UFRJ, Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica-Hatisaburo Masuda, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade, Macaé, Brazil
- INCT-EM, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia-Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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James ER, Wen Y, Overby J, Pluchino K, McTighe S, Matheny S, Eappen A, Hoffman SL, Billingsley PF. Cryopreservation of Anopheles stephensi embryos. Sci Rep 2022; 12:43. [PMID: 34997079 PMCID: PMC8741979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04113-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to cryopreserve mosquitoes would revolutionize work on these vectors of major human infectious diseases by conserving stocks, new isolates, lab-bred strains, and transgenic lines that currently require continuous life cycle maintenance. Efforts over several decades to develop a method for cryopreservation have, until now, been fruitless: we describe here a method for the cryopreservation of Anopheles stephensi embryos yielding hatch rates of ~ 25%, stable for > 5 years. Hatched larvae developed into fertile, fecund adults and blood-fed females, produced fully viable second generation eggs, that could be infected with Plasmodium falciparum at high intensities. The key components of the cryopreservation method are: embryos at 15-30 min post oviposition, two incubation steps in 100% deuterated methanol at - 7 °C and - 14.5 °C, and rapid cooling. Eggs are recovered by rapid warming with concomitant dilution of cryoprotectant. Eggs of genetically modified A. stephensi and of A. gambiae were also successfully cryopreserved. This enabling methodology will allow long-term conservation of mosquitoes as well as acceleration of genetic studies and facilitation of mass storage of anopheline mosquitoes for release programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shane McTighe
- Sanaria Inc, Rockville, MD, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Rockville, MD, USA
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Farnesi LC, Belinato TA, Gesto JSM, Martins AJ, Bruno RV, Moreira LA. Embryonic development and egg viability of wMel-infected Aedes aegypti. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:211. [PMID: 31060581 PMCID: PMC6503365 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3474-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aedes aegypti is a major disease vector in urban habitats, involved in the transmission of dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Despite innumerous attempts to contain disease outbreaks, there are neither efficient vaccines nor definite vector control methods nowadays. In recent years, an innovative strategy to control arboviruses, which exploits the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis, emerged with great expectations. The success of the method depends on many aspects, including Wolbachia’s cytoplasmic incompatibility and pathogen interference phenotypes, as well as its effect on host fitness. In this work, we investigated the influence the Wolbachia strain wMel exerts on embryo development and egg viability and speculate on its field release use. Methods Wild-type (Br or Rockefeller) and Wolbachia-harboring specimens (wMelBr) were blood-fed and submitted to synchronous egg laying for embryo development assays. Samples were analyzed for morphological markers, developmental endpoint and egg resistance to desiccation (ERD). Quiescent egg viability over time was also assessed. Results wMelBr samples completed embryogenesis 2–3 hours later than wild-type. This delay was also observed through the onset of both morphological and physiological markers, respectively by the moments of germband extension and ERD acquisition. Following the end of embryonic development, wMelBr eggs were slightly less resistant to desiccation and showed reduced viability levels, which rapidly decayed after 40 days into quiescence, from approximately 75% to virtually 0% in less than a month. Conclusions Our data revealed that the wMel strain of Wolbachia slightly delays embryogenesis and also affects egg quality, both through reduced viability and desiccation resistance. These findings suggest that, although embryonic fitness is somehow compromised by wMel infection, an efficient host reproductive manipulation through cytoplasmic incompatibility seems sufficient to overcome these effects in nature and promote bacterial invasion, as shown by successful ongoing field implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Cristina Farnesi
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thiago Affonso Belinato
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - João Silveira Moledo Gesto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ademir Jesus Martins
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Vieira Bruno
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciano Andrade Moreira
- Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. .,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Braz V, Gomes H, Galina A, Saramago L, Braz G, da Silva Vaz I, Logullo C, da Fonseca RN, Campos E, Moraes J. Inhibition of energy metabolism by 3-bromopyruvate in the hard tick Rhipicephalus microplus. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 218:55-61. [PMID: 30580107 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The cattle tick R. microplus is the biggest obstacle to livestock rearing in tropical countries. It is responsible for billions of dollars in losses every year, affecting meat and milk production, beef and dairy cattle, and the leather industry. The lack of knowledge and strategies to combat the tick only increases the losses, it leads to successive and uncontrolled applications of acaricides, favouring the selection of strains resistant to commercially available chemical treatments. In this paper, we tested 3‑bromopyruvate (3‑BrPA), an alkylating agent with a high affinity for cysteine residues, on the R. microplus metabolism. We found that 3-BrPA was able to induce cell death in an assay using BME26 strain cell cultures derived from embryos, it was also able to reduce cellular respiration in developing embryos. 3-BrPA is a nonspecific inhibitor, affecting enzymes of different metabolic pathways in R. microplus. In our experiments, we demonstrated that 3-BrPA was able to affect the glycolytic enzyme hexokinase, reducing its activity by approximately 50%; and it strongly inhibited triose phosphate isomerase, which is an enzyme involved in both glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Also, the mitochondrial respiratory chain was affected, NADH cytochrome c reductase (complex I-III) and succinate cytochrome c reductase (complex II-III) were strongly inhibited by 3-BrPA. Glutamate dehydrogenase was also affected by 3-BrPA, showing a gradual inhibition of activity in all the 3-BrPA concentrations tested. Altogether, these results show that 3-BrPA is a harmful compound to the tick organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valdir Braz
- Laboratory of Biochemistry Hatisaburo Masuda, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, NUPEM - UFRJ/Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto 764, São José do Barreto, Macaé, RJ CEP 27971-550, Brazil
| | - Helga Gomes
- Laboratory of Biochemistry Hatisaburo Masuda, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, NUPEM - UFRJ/Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto 764, São José do Barreto, Macaé, RJ CEP 27971-550, Brazil
| | - Antônio Galina
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz Saramago
- Laboratory of Biochemistry Hatisaburo Masuda, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, NUPEM - UFRJ/Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto 764, São José do Barreto, Macaé, RJ CEP 27971-550, Brazil; Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Glória Braz
- Chemical Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Center of Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91501-970, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology -Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos Logullo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry Hatisaburo Masuda, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, NUPEM - UFRJ/Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto 764, São José do Barreto, Macaé, RJ CEP 27971-550, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology -Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Nunes da Fonseca
- Laboratory of Biochemistry Hatisaburo Masuda, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, NUPEM - UFRJ/Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto 764, São José do Barreto, Macaé, RJ CEP 27971-550, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology -Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eldo Campos
- Laboratory of Biochemistry Hatisaburo Masuda, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, NUPEM - UFRJ/Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto 764, São José do Barreto, Macaé, RJ CEP 27971-550, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology -Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge Moraes
- Laboratory of Biochemistry Hatisaburo Masuda, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, NUPEM - UFRJ/Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto 764, São José do Barreto, Macaé, RJ CEP 27971-550, Brazil; Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology -Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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5
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Hu W, Criscione F, Liang S, Tu Z. MicroRNAs of two medically important mosquito species: Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 24:240-52. [PMID: 25420875 PMCID: PMC4361387 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, single-stranded small RNAs that have important regulatory functions at the post-transcriptional level. In the present study, we characterize miRNAs in two divergent mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi, through deep sequencing of small RNAs spanning all developmental stages. We discovered eight novel miRNAs in Ae. aegypti and 20 novel miRNAs in An. stephensi, which enabled the first systematic analysis of miRNA evolution in mosquitos. We traced the phylogenetic history of all miRNAs in both species and report a rate of 0.055-0.13 miRNA net gain per million years. Most novel miRNAs originate de novo. Duplications that produced miRNA clusters and families are more common in Ae. aegypti than in An. stephensi. We also identified arm-switch as a source of new miRNAs. Expression profile analysis identified mosquito-specific miRNAs that showed strong stage-specific expression in one or both lineages. For example, the aae-miR-2941/2946 family represents the most abundant maternally deposited and zygotically transcribed miRNAs in Ae. aegypti. miR-2943 is a highly expressed zygotic miRNA in both Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi. Such information provides the basis from which to study the function of these miRNAs in biology common to all mosquitos or unique to one particular lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Hu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Kaiser ML, Duncan FD, Brooke BD. Embryonic development and rates of metabolic activity in early and late hatching eggs of the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114381. [PMID: 25479444 PMCID: PMC4257673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Anopheles gambiae eggs generally hatch at the completion of embryo development; two-three days post oviposition. However, staggered or delayed hatching has been observed whereby a single batch of eggs shows marked variation in time-to-hatch, with some eggs hatching 18 days post oviposition or later. The mechanism enabling delayed hatch has not been clearly elucidated but is likely mediated by environmental and genetic factors that either induce diapause or slow embryo development. This study aimed to compare metabolic activity and embryonic development between eggs collected from sub-colonies of the baseline Anopheles gambiae GAH colony previously selected for early or late time-to-hatch. Egg batches from early and late hatch sub-colonies as well as from the baseline colony were monitored for hatching. For both time-to-hatch selected sub-colonies and the baseline colony the majority of eggs hatched on day two post oviposition. Nevertheless, eggs produced by the late hatch sub-colony showed a significantly longer mean time to hatch than those produced by the early hatch sub-colony. The overall proportions that hatched were similar for all egg batches. CO2 output between eggs from early and late hatch sub-colonies showed significant differences only at 3 and 7 days post oviposition where eggs from the early hatch and the late hatch sub-colony were more metabolically active, respectively. No qualitative differences were observed in embryo development between the sub-colonies. It is concluded that all viable embryos develop to maturity at the same rate and that a small proportion then enter a state of diapause enabling them to hatch later. As it has previously been shown that it is possible to at least partially select for late hatch, this characteristic is likely to involve genetic as well as environmental factors. Delayed hatching in An. gambiae is likely an adaptation to maximise reproductive output despite the increased risk of desiccation in an unstable aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L. Kaiser
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical & Hospital Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, NHLS, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Frances D. Duncan
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Basil D. Brooke
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical & Hospital Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, NHLS, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
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da Rocha Fernandes M, Martins R, Pessoa Costa E, Casagrande Pacidônio E, Araujo de Abreu L, da Silva Vaz I, Moreira LA, da Fonseca RN, Logullo C. The modulation of the symbiont/host interaction between Wolbachia pipientis and Aedes fluviatilis embryos by glycogen metabolism. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98966. [PMID: 24926801 PMCID: PMC4057193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia pipientis, a maternally transmitted bacterium that colonizes arthropods, may affect the general aspects of insect physiology, particularly reproduction. Wolbachia is a natural endosymbiont of Aedes fluviatilis, whose effects in embryogenesis and reproduction have not been addressed so far. In this context, we investigated the correlation between glucose metabolism and morphological alterations during A. fluviatilis embryo development in Wolbachia-positive (W+) and Wolbachia-negative (W-) mosquito strains. While both strains do not display significant morphological and larval hatching differences, larger differences were observed in hexokinase activity and glycogen contents during early and mid-stages of embryogenesis, respectively. To investigate if glycogen would be required for parasite-host interaction, we reduced Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3) levels in adult females and their eggs by RNAi. GSK-3 knock-down leads to embryonic lethality, lower levels of glycogen and total protein and Wolbachia reduction. Therefore, our results suggest that the relationship between A. fluviatilis and Wolbachia may be modulated by glycogen metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana da Rocha Fernandes
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos and Unidade de Experimentação Animal - RJ, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renato Martins
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos and Unidade de Experimentação Animal - RJ, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Evenilton Pessoa Costa
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos and Unidade de Experimentação Animal - RJ, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo Araujo de Abreu
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos and Unidade de Experimentação Animal - RJ, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda (LIBHM), Núcleo de Pesquisas Ecológicas e Socioambientais de Macaé (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ/Macaé), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luciano A. Moreira
- Laboratório de Malária, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Nunes da Fonseca
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda (LIBHM), Núcleo de Pesquisas Ecológicas e Socioambientais de Macaé (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ/Macaé), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos Logullo
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos and Unidade de Experimentação Animal - RJ, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Vargas HCM, Farnesi LC, Martins AJ, Valle D, Rezende GL. Serosal cuticle formation and distinct degrees of desiccation resistance in embryos of the mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2014; 62:54-60. [PMID: 24534672 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Revised: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Given their medical importance, mosquitoes have been studied as vectors of parasites since the late 1800's. However, there are still many gaps concerning some aspects of their biology, such as embryogenesis. The embryonic desiccation resistance (EDR), already described in Aedes and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, is a peculiar trait. Freshly laid eggs are susceptible to water loss, a condition that can impair their viability. EDR is acquired during embryogenesis through the formation of the serosal cuticle (SC), protecting eggs from desiccation. Nevertheless, conservation of both traits (SC presence and EDR acquisition) throughout mosquito evolution is unknown. Comparative physiological studies with mosquito embryos from different genera, exhibiting distinct evolutionary histories and habits is a feasible approach. In this sense, the process of EDR acquisition of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus at 25°C was evaluated. Completion of embryogenesis occurs in Ae. aegypti, An. aquasalis and Cx. quinquefasciatus at, respectively 77.4, 51.3 and 34.3hours after egg laying, Cx. quinquefasciatus embryonic development taking less than half the time of Ae. aegypti. In all cases, EDR is acquired in correlation with SC formation. For both Ae. aegypti and An. aquasalis, EDR and SC appear at 21% of total embryonic development, corresponding to the morphological stage of complete germ band elongation/beginning of germ band retraction. Although phylogenetically closer to Ae. aegypti than to An. aquasalis, Cx. quinquefasciatus acquires both EDR and serosal cuticle later, with 35% of total development, when the embryo already progresses to the middle of germ band retraction. EDR confers distinct egg viability in these species. While Ae. aegypti eggs demonstrated high viability when left up to 72hours in a dry environment, those of An. aquasalis and Cx. quinquefasciatus supported these conditions for only 24 and 5hours, respectively. Our data suggest that serosa development is at least partially uncoupled from embryo development and that, depending upon the mosquito species, EDR bestows distinct levels of egg viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Carolina Martins Vargas
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, IOC, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil; Laboratório de Entomologia, Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20911-270, Brazil.
| | - Luana Cristina Farnesi
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, IOC, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil; Laboratório de Entomologia, Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20911-270, Brazil.
| | - Ademir Jesus Martins
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, IOC, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil; Laboratório de Entomologia, Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20911-270, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Denise Valle
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil; Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil..
| | - Gustavo Lazzaro Rezende
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
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Gokhale K, Patil DP, Dhotre DP, Dixit R, Mendki MJ, Patole MS, Shouche YS. Transcriptome analysis of Anopheles stephensi embryo using expressed sequence tags. J Biosci 2013; 38:301-9. [PMID: 23660664 DOI: 10.1007/s12038-013-9320-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Germ band retraction (GBR) stage is one of the important stages during insect development. It is associated with an extensive epithelial morphogenesis and may also be pivotal in generation of morphological diversity in insects. Despite its importance, only a handful of studies report the transcriptome repertoire of this stage in insects. Here, we report generation, annotation and analysis of ESTs from the embryonic stage (16-22 h post fertilization) of laboratoryreared Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes. A total of 1002 contigs were obtained upon clustering of 1140 high-quality ESTs, which demonstrates an astonishingly low transcript redundancy (12.1 percent). Putative functions were assigned only to 213 contigs (21 percent), comprising mainly of transcripts encoding protein synthesis machinery. Approximately 78 percent of the transcripts remain uncharacterized, illustrating a lack of sequence information about the genes expressed in the embryonic stages of mosquitoes. This study highlights several novel transcripts, which apart from insect development, may significantly contribute to the essential biological complexity underlying insect viability in adverse environments. Nonetheless, the generated sequence information from this work provides a comprehensive resource for genome annotation, microarray development, phylogenetic analysis and other molecular biology applications in entomology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaustubh Gokhale
- National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411 007, India
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Fraga A, Moraes J, da Silva JR, Costa EP, Menezes J, da Silva Vaz I, Logullo C, da Fonseca RN, Campos E. Inorganic polyphosphates regulate hexokinase activity and reactive oxygen species generation in mitochondria of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus embryo. Int J Biol Sci 2013; 9:842-52. [PMID: 23983617 PMCID: PMC3753448 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.6628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The physiological roles of polyphosphates (poly P) recently found in arthropod mitochondria remain obscure. Here, the possible involvement of poly P with reactive oxygen species generation in mitochondria of Rhipicephalus microplus embryos was investigated. Mitochondrial hexokinase and scavenger antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione reductase were assayed during embryogenesis of R. microplus. The influence of poly P3 and poly P15 were analyzed during the period of higher enzymatic activity during embryogenesis. Both poly Ps inhibited hexokinase activity by up to 90% and, interestingly, the mitochondrial membrane exopolyphosphatase activity was stimulated by the hexokinase reaction product, glucose-6-phosphate. Poly P increased hydrogen peroxide generation in mitochondria in a situation where mitochondrial hexokinase is also active. The superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase activities were higher during embryo cellularization, at the end of embryogenesis and during embryo segmentation, respectively. All of the enzymes were stimulated by poly P3. However, superoxide dismutase was not affected by poly P15, catalase activity was stimulated only at high concentrations and glutathione reductase was the only enzyme that was stimulated in the same way by both poly Ps. Altogether, our results indicate that inorganic polyphosphate and mitochondrial membrane exopolyphosphatase regulation can be correlated with the generation of reactive oxygen species in the mitochondria of R. microplus embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Fraga
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica-Hatisaburo Masuda, UFRJ, Polo Barreto, Av. São José do Barreto nº 764, São Jose do Barreto, CEP 27971-550 Macaé, RJ, Brazil
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11
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A mitochondrial membrane exopolyphosphatase is modulated by, and plays a role in, the energy metabolism of hard tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus embryos. Int J Mol Sci 2011; 12:3525-35. [PMID: 21747692 PMCID: PMC3131576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12063525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2011] [Revised: 05/14/2011] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiological roles of polyphosphates (polyP) recently found in arthropod mitochondria remain obscure. Here, the relationship between the mitochondrial membrane exopolyphosphatase (PPX) and the energy metabolism of hard tick Rhipicephalus microplus embryos are investigated. Mitochondrial respiration was activated by adenosine diphosphate using polyP as the only source of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and this activation was much greater using polyP3 than polyP15. After mitochondrial subfractionation, most of the PPX activity was recovered in the membrane fraction and its kinetic analysis revealed that the affinity for polyP3 was 10 times stronger than that for polyP15. Membrane PPX activity was also increased in the presence of the respiratory substrate pyruvic acid and after addition of the protonophore carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. Furthermore, these stimulatory effects disappeared upon addition of the cytochrome oxidase inhibitor potassium cyanide and the activity was completely inhibited by 20 μg/mL heparin. The activity was either increased or decreased by 50% upon addition of dithiothreitol or hydrogen peroxide, respectively, suggesting redox regulation. These results indicate a PPX activity that is regulated during mitochondrial respiration and that plays a role in adenosine-5′-triphosphate synthesis in hard tick embryos.
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Vital W, Rezende GL, Abreu L, Moraes J, Lemos FJA, Vaz IDS, Logullo C. Germ band retraction as a landmark in glucose metabolism during Aedes aegypti embryogenesis. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2010; 10:25. [PMID: 20184739 PMCID: PMC2838828 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-10-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 02/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background The mosquito A. aegypti is vector of dengue and other viruses. New methods of vector control are needed and can be achieved by a better understanding of the life cycle of this insect. Embryogenesis is a part of A. aegypty life cycle that is poorly understood. In insects in general and in mosquitoes in particular energetic metabolism is well studied during oogenesis, when the oocyte exhibits fast growth, accumulating carbohydrates, lipids and proteins that will meet the regulatory and metabolic needs of the developing embryo. On the other hand, events related with energetic metabolism during A. aegypti embryogenesis are unknown. Results Glucose metabolism was investigated throughout Aedes aegypti (Diptera) embryonic development. Both cellular blastoderm formation (CBf, 5 h after egg laying - HAE) and germ band retraction (GBr, 24 HAE) may be considered landmarks regarding glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) destination. We observed high levels of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity at the very beginning of embryogenesis, which nevertheless decreased up to 5 HAE. This activity is correlated with the need for nucleotide precursors generated by the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), of which G6PDH is the key enzyme. We suggest the synchronism of egg metabolism with carbohydrate distribution based on the decreasing levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activity and on the elevation observed in protein content up to 24 HAE. Concomitantly, increasing levels of hexokinase (HK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) activity were observed, and PEPCK reached a peak around 48 HAE. Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3) activity was also monitored and shown to be inversely correlated with glycogen distribution during embryogenesis. Conclusions The results herein support the hypothesis that glucose metabolic fate changes according to developmental embryonic stages. Germ band retraction is a moment that was characterized as a landmark in glucose metabolism during Aedes aegypti embryogenesis. Furthermore, the results also suggest a role for GSK3 in glycogen balance/distribution during morphological modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wagner Vital
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos and Laboratório de Biotecnologia-CBB-UENF, Horto, CEP 28015-620 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
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13
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Exopolyphosphatases in nuclear and mitochondrial fractions during embryogenesis of the hard tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2008; 151:311-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2008.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2008] [Revised: 07/22/2008] [Accepted: 07/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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14
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Rezende GL, Martins AJ, Gentile C, Farnesi LC, Pelajo-Machado M, Peixoto AA, Valle D. Embryonic desiccation resistance in Aedes aegypti: presumptive role of the chitinized serosal cuticle. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2008; 8:82. [PMID: 18789161 PMCID: PMC2561029 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-8-82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2007] [Accepted: 09/13/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background One of the major problems concerning dengue transmission is that embryos of its main vector, the mosquito Aedes aegypti, resist desiccation, surviving several months under dry conditions. The serosal cuticle (SC) contributes to mosquito egg desiccation resistance, but the kinetics of SC secretion during embryogenesis is unknown. It has been argued that mosquito SC contains chitin as one of its components, however conclusive evidence is still missing. Results We observed an abrupt acquisition of desiccation resistance during Ae. aegypti embryogenesis associated with serosal cuticle secretion, occurring at complete germ band extension, between 11 and 13 hours after egglaying. After SC formation embryos are viable on dry for at least several days. The presence of chitin as one of the SC constituents was confirmed through Calcofluor and WGA labeling and chitin quantitation. The Ae. aegypti Chitin Synthase A gene (AaCHS1) possesses two alternatively spliced variants, AaCHS1a and AaCHS1b, differentially expressed during Ae. aegypti embryonic development. It was verified that at the moment of serosal cuticle formation, AaCHS1a is the sole variant specifically expressed. Conclusion In addition to the peritrophic matrix and exoskeleton, these findings confirm chitin is also present in the mosquito serosal cuticle. They also point to the role of the chitinized SC in the desiccation resistance of Ae. aegypti eggs. AaCHS1a expression would be responsible for SC chitin synthesis. With this embryological approach we expect to shed new light regarding this important physiological process related to the Ae. aegypti life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Lazzaro Rezende
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ and Laboratório de Entomologia, Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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15
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Juhn J, Marinotti O, Calvo E, James AA. Gene structure and expression of nanos (nos) and oskar (osk) orthologues of the vector mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 17:545-52. [PMID: 18828840 PMCID: PMC3721150 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2008.00823.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The products of the maternal-effect genes, nanos (nos) and oskar (osk), are important for the development of germ cells in insects. Furthermore, these genes have been proposed as candidates for donating functional DNA regulatory sequences for use in gene drive systems to control transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens. The nos and osk genes of the cosmopolitan vector mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, encode proteins with domains common to orthologues found in other mosquitoes. Expression analyses support the conclusion that the role of these genes is conserved generally among members of the nematocera. Hybridization in situ analyses reveal differences in mRNA distribution in early embryos in comparison with the cyclorraphan, Drosophila melanogaster, highlighting a possible feature in the divergence of the clades each insect represents.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Juhn
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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16
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Campos E, Façanha A, Moraes J, da Silva Vaz I, Masuda A, Logullo C. A mitochondrial exopolyphosphatase activity modulated by phosphate demand in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus embryo. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2007; 37:1103-7. [PMID: 17785198 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2007.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2007] [Revised: 06/05/2007] [Accepted: 06/12/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
This study describes Exopolyphosphatases (PPX) activity in mitochondria of Rhipicephalus microplus embryos. Mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation and PPX activity was analyzed through the hydrolysis of the substrate Polyphosphate (Poly P(15)). We investigated the influence of NADH, NAD+, Pi and ADP in a concentration range of 0.1-2.0 mM. Poly P hydrolysis was stimulated about two-fold by NADH and strongly inhibited by Pi. The PPX activity also increased in the presence of the respiratory substrates pyruvic and succinic acids, and this stimulatory effect disappeared upon addition of KCN. Mitochondrial respiration was activated by ADP using poly P as the only source of Pi. Endogenous poly P content changed following PPX activity during embryogenesis from the first up to 18th day of development. The data describe exopoly P as being modulated by Pi demand and related to energy supply during embryogenesis of hard ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eldo Campos
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos and Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual-CBB-UENF, Avenida Alberto Lamego 2000, Horto, CEP 28015-620 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
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17
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Koutsos AC, Blass C, Meister S, Schmidt S, MacCallum RM, Soares MB, Collins FH, Benes V, Zdobnov E, Kafatos FC, Christophides GK. Life cycle transcriptome of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae and comparison with the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:11304-9. [PMID: 17563388 PMCID: PMC2040894 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0703988104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The African mosquito Anopheles gambiae is the major vector of human malaria. We report a genome-wide survey of mosquito gene expression profiles clustered temporally into developmental programs and spatially into adult tissue-specific patterns. Global expression analysis shows that genes that belong to related functional categories or that encode the same or functionally linked protein domains are associated with characteristic developmental programs or tissue patterns. Comparative analysis of our data together with data published from Drosophila melanogaster reveal an overall strong and positive correlation of developmental expression between orthologous genes. The degree of correlation varies, depending on association of orthologs with certain developmental programs or functional groups. Interestingly, the similarity of gene expression is not correlated with the coding sequence similarity of orthologs, indicating that expression profiles and coding sequences evolve independently. In addition to providing a comprehensive view of temporal and spatial gene expression during the A. gambiae life cycle, this large-scale comparative transcriptomic analysis has detected important evolutionary features of insect transcriptomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios C. Koutsos
- *Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Blass
- *Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Meister
- *Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Schmidt
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert M. MacCallum
- *Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Frank H. Collins
- Center for Tropical Disease Research and Training, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556; and
| | - Vladimir Benes
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Evgeny Zdobnov
- **Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fotis C. Kafatos
- *Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
- To whom correspondence may be addressed at:
Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Room 6167, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom. E-mail: or
| | - George K. Christophides
- *Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
- To whom correspondence may be addressed at:
Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Room 6167, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom. E-mail: or
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18
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Negre B, Ruiz A. HOM-C evolution in Drosophila: is there a need for Hox gene clustering? Trends Genet 2006; 23:55-9. [PMID: 17188778 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2006.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2006] [Revised: 09/05/2006] [Accepted: 12/12/2006] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The conservation of Homeotic (Hox) gene clustering and colinearity in many metazoans indicates that functional constraints operate on this genome organization. However, several studies have questioned its relevance in Drosophila. Here, we analyse the genomic organization of Hox and Hox-derived genes in 13 fruitfly species and the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. We found that at least seven different Homeotic complex (HOM-C) arrangements exist among Drosophila species, produced by three major splits, five microinversions and six gene transpositions. This dynamism contrasts with the stable organization of the complex in many other taxa. Although there is no evidence of an absolute requirement for Hox gene clustering in Drosophila, we found that strong functional constraints act on the individual genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Negre
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.
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19
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Campos E, Moraes J, Façanha AR, Moreira E, Valle D, Abreu L, Manso PPA, Nascimento A, Pelajo-Machado M, Lenzi H, Masuda A, Vaz IDS, Logullo C. Kinetics of energy source utilization in Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) (Acari: Ixodidae) embryonic development. Vet Parasitol 2006; 138:349-57. [PMID: 16569482 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2005] [Revised: 01/23/2006] [Accepted: 02/05/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The present work evaluates the kinetics of utilization of the main potential energy sources throughout the embryonic developmental stages of Boophilus microplus. The embryonic development of this arthropod is completed in 21 days. Cellularization of the blastoderm occurs on the 6th day and is rapidly followed by germ band extension and segmentation, whose first signs are visible on the 7th day. Cellularization is typically a maternal-driven process, carried out by molecular determinants deposited in the oocyte during oogenesis. On the other hand, segmentation is of zygotic nature, being the consequence of the synthesis of various components by the growing embryo. The enhancement in total B. microplus RNA was observed after cellularization, corroborating the replacement of maternal-driven processes by embryonic zygotic expression. An abrupt increase in oxygen consumption was observed from cellularization until the 8th day of development. The reduction in dry weight at the same period and the susceptibility of oxygen consumption to KCN suggest that the respiration process is activated during early embryonic development. A marked decrease in total lipid content occurred between the 5th and 7th days of development, suggesting this is the main energy source for cellularization. A major reduction in carbohydrate content occurred later, between the 7th and 9th days, and it could be assigned to the morphological segmentation of the embryo. Although the total amount of proteins remains unchanged from oviposition to hatching, a 15% reduction in vitellin (VT) content was observed before cellularization, up to the 4th day after egglaying. This observation was correlated to the synthesis of new proteins needed to support early embryo development. Additional 20% of VT was consumed thereafter, mainly at the end of embryogenesis, and in this case VT is probably used as energy source to the older embryo. Altogether, these data indicate different energy sources for maternal and zygotic driven processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eldo Campos
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos and Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, CBB, UENF, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Horto, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28015-620, Brazil
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20
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Bullock SL, Stauber M, Prell A, Hughes JR, Ish-Horowicz D, Schmidt-Ott U. Differential cytoplasmic mRNA localisation adjusts pair-rule transcription factor activity to cytoarchitecture in dipteran evolution. Development 2004; 131:4251-61. [PMID: 15280214 DOI: 10.1242/dev.01289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Establishment of segmental pattern in the Drosophila syncytial blastoderm embryo depends on pair-rule transcriptional regulators. mRNA transcripts of pair-rule genes localise to the apical cytoplasm of the blastoderm via a selective dynein-based transport system and signals within their 3′-untranslated regions. However, the functional and evolutionary significance of this process remains unknown. We have analysed subcellular localisation of mRNAs from multiple dipteran species both in situ and by injection into Drosophila embryos. We find that although localisation of wingless transcripts is conserved in Diptera, localisation of even-skipped and hairy pair-rule transcripts is evolutionarily labile and correlates with taxon-specific changes in positioning of nuclei. We show in Drosophila that localised pair-rule transcripts target their proteins in close proximity to the nuclei and increase the reliability of the segmentation process by augmenting gene activity. Our data suggest that mRNA localisation signals in pair-rule transcripts affect nuclear protein uptake and thereby adjust gene activity to a variety of dipteran blastoderm cytoarchitectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon L Bullock
- Cancer Research UK, Developmental Genetics Laboratory, PO Box 123, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK
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21
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Buckley MS, Chau J, Hoppe PE, Coulter DE. odd-skipped homologs function during gut development in C. elegans. Dev Genes Evol 2003; 214:10-8. [PMID: 14648222 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-003-0369-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2003] [Accepted: 10/17/2003] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Genes in the odd-skipped (odd) family encode a discrete subset of C2H2 zinc finger proteins that are widely distributed among metazoan phyla. Although the initial member (odd) was identified as a Drosophila pair-rule gene, various homologs are expressed within each of the three germ layers in complex patterns that suggest roles in many pathways beyond segmentation. To further investigate the evolutionary history and extant functions of genes in this family, we have initiated a characterization of two homologs, odd-1 and odd-2, identified in the genome of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Sequence comparisons with homologs from insects (Drosophila and Anopheles) and mammals suggest that two paralogs were present within an ancestral metazoan; additional insect paralogs and both extant mammalian genes likely resulted from gene duplications that occurred after the split between the arthropods and chordates. Analyses of gene function using RNAi indicate that odd-1 and odd-2 play essential and distinct roles during gut development. Specific expression of both genes in the developing intestine and other cells in the vicinity of the gut was shown using GFP-reporters. These results indicate primary functions for both genes that are most like those of the Drosophila paralogs bowel and drumstick, and support a model in which gut specification represents the ancestral role for genes in this family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin S Buckley
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, MO 63103-2010, USA
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de Carvalho SCG, Martins Junior ADJ, Lima JBP, Valle D. Temperature influence on embryonic development of Anopheles albitarsis and Anopheles aquasalis. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2002; 97:1117-20. [PMID: 12563476 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762002000800009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Temperature influence on the embryonic development of Anopheles aquasalis and An. albitarsis was investigated. At 26 degrees C, 75% and 60% of respectively An. aquasalis and An. albitarsis eggs hatched, with one peak of eclosion, between the 2nd and 3rd day after oviposition. At 20 +/- 2 degrees C, around 66-70% of An. aquasalis eggs hatched, with one eclosion peak, on the 5th day. On the other hand, An. albitarsis eclosion at 21+/- 2 degrees C decreased to 10-22%, with two eclosion peaks, on the 4th-5th day and on the 9th-12th day. These data indicate a stronger temperature influence over An.albitarsis than over An. aquasalis embryos.
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Zdobnov EM, von Mering C, Letunic I, Torrents D, Suyama M, Copley RR, Christophides GK, Thomasova D, Holt RA, Subramanian GM, Mueller HM, Dimopoulos G, Law JH, Wells MA, Birney E, Charlab R, Halpern AL, Kokoza E, Kraft CL, Lai Z, Lewis S, Louis C, Barillas-Mury C, Nusskern D, Rubin GM, Salzberg SL, Sutton GG, Topalis P, Wides R, Wincker P, Yandell M, Collins FH, Ribeiro J, Gelbart WM, Kafatos FC, Bork P. Comparative genome and proteome analysis of Anopheles gambiae and Drosophila melanogaster. Science 2002; 298:149-59. [PMID: 12364792 DOI: 10.1126/science.1077061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 392] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Comparison of the genomes and proteomes of the two diptera Anopheles gambiae and Drosophila melanogaster, which diverged about 250 million years ago, reveals considerable similarities. However, numerous differences are also observed; some of these must reflect the selection and subsequent adaptation associated with different ecologies and life strategies. Almost half of the genes in both genomes are interpreted as orthologs and show an average sequence identity of about 56%, which is slightly lower than that observed between the orthologs of the pufferfish and human (diverged about 450 million years ago). This indicates that these two insects diverged considerably faster than vertebrates. Aligned sequences reveal that orthologous genes have retained only half of their intron/exon structure, indicating that intron gains or losses have occurred at a rate of about one per gene per 125 million years. Chromosomal arms exhibit significant remnants of homology between the two species, although only 34% of the genes colocalize in small "microsyntenic" clusters, and major interarm transfers as well as intra-arm shuffling of gene order are detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny M Zdobnov
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
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