1
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Xie L, Slotsbo S, Damgaard C, Holmstrup M. Exposure to teflubenzuron reduces drought tolerance of collembolans. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142448. [PMID: 38823429 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs) are commonly used insecticides compromising cuticle formation and structure in arthropods. Arthropods rely on intact cuticles to maintain water balance and cellular homeostasis to survive in different weather conditions. We hypothesized that physiological impacts of CSIs may make arthropods more vulnerable to harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme heat, cold or drought. The aim of this study was to investigate if pre-exposure to teflubenzuron (a common CSI) would influence Folsomia candida's (Collembola: Isotomidae) sensitivity to natural stressors. Here, we exposed adult collembolans to teflubenzuron through food for two weeks, then survivors were immediately divided into three groups for subsequent acute heat, cold, and drought exposure. After acute exposure to these natural stressors, the collembolans were moved to optimal conditions for a one-week recovery period during which their survival, time to regain reproduction, and egg production were examined. We analyzed the interaction between effects of teflubenzuron and natural stressors using a multiplicative model. No interaction between effects of teflubenzuron and heat was observed in any test endpoints. A synergistic interaction between effects of teflubenzuron and cold was observed in the time to regain reproduction. Both survival and egg production, on the other hand, showed synergistic interaction between effects of teflubenzuron and drought, as well as a tendency for longer reproduction recovery times. Our results suggest that pre-exposure to teflubenzuron reduces drought tolerance in F. candida, while its impact on heat or cold tolerance is minor or absent. This study is among the first to explore the combined effects of CSI and natural stressors on soil arthropods, providing more insight on potential risks posed by such chemicals in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Xie
- Aarhus University, Department of Ecoscience, Section for Terrestrial Ecology, C.F. Møllers Allé 4, Building 1120, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Stine Slotsbo
- Aarhus University, Department of Ecoscience, Section for Terrestrial Ecology, C.F. Møllers Allé 4, Building 1120, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Christian Damgaard
- Aarhus University, Department of Ecoscience, Section for Terrestrial Ecology, C.F. Møllers Allé 4, Building 1120, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Martin Holmstrup
- Aarhus University, Department of Ecoscience, Section for Terrestrial Ecology, C.F. Møllers Allé 4, Building 1120, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
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2
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Xu ML, Gao Y, Han XX. Structure information analysis and relative content determination of protein and chitin from yellow mealworm larvae using Raman spectroscopy. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 272:132787. [PMID: 38844284 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Insect protein extract is one of the high-quality protein sources and is frequently viewed as a potential nutrition alternative. However, a more precise method for protein measurement is still needed due to protein overestimation by the Kjeldahl method due to the presence of a large amount of chitin in insects. Therefore, we demonstrated the monitoring of chitin and protein extracted from yellow mealworm larvae through the information on molecular vibration obtained using Raman spectroscopy and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The NH vibration at 3475 cm-1 is the characteristic peak of chitin in defatted product observed in the Raman spectra. The nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor in protein extracted from larvae by the Raman method was determined based on the NH vibration and found to be 5.66 ± 0.01. We also compared these experimental data to theoretical Raman and IR spectra and determined the possible reasons for why nitrogen elements in chitin affect the determination of protein content. The method of sequentially removing fat and protein could provide more accurate quantification of protein and chitin. Raman spectroscopy is feasible for various types of insects with high chitin content. Compared with the Kjeldahl method, the Raman method is a faster and more accurate measurement method. Moreover, it provides the content of impurities, purity, and structural information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lei Xu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Functional Food College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, PR China
| | - Yu Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University/Key Laboratory of Soybean Disease and Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Changchun 130118, PR China.
| | - Xiao Xia Han
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, PR China
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3
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Saberi Riseh R, Gholizadeh Vazvani M, Vatankhah M, Kennedy JF. Chitin-induced disease resistance in plants: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131105. [PMID: 38531527 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Chitin is composed of N-acetylglucosamine units. Chitin a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi and exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans, can elicit a potent defense response in plants. Through the activation of defense genes, stimulation of defensive compound production, and reinforcement of physical barriers, chitin enhances the plant's ability to defend against pathogens. Chitin-based treatments have shown efficacy against various plant diseases caused by fungal, bacterial, viral, and nematode pathogens, and have been integrated into sustainable agricultural practices. Furthermore, chitin treatments have demonstrated additional benefits, such as promoting plant growth and improving tolerance to abiotic stresses. Further research is necessary to optimize treatment parameters, explore chitin derivatives, and conduct long-term field studies. Continued efforts in these areas will contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable strategies for disease management in agriculture, ultimately leading to improved crop productivity and reduced reliance on chemical pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roohallah Saberi Riseh
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, 7718897111 Rafsanjan, Iran.
| | - Mozhgan Gholizadeh Vazvani
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, 7718897111 Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Vatankhah
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, 7718897111 Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - John F Kennedy
- Chembiotech Laboratories Ltd, WR15 8FF Tenbury Wells, United Kingdom.
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4
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Kozisek F, Cenovic J, Armendariz S, Muthukrishnan S, Park Y, Thomas VC, Chaudhari SS. An optimized artificial blood feeding assay to study tick cuticle biology. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 168:104113. [PMID: 38527710 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104113] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Ticks, ectoparasitic arachnids, are prominent disease vectors impacting both humans and animals. Their unique blood-feeding phase involves significant abdominal cuticle expansion, sharing certain similarities with insects. However, vital aspects, including the mechanisms of cuticle expansion, changes in cuticular protein composition, chitin synthesis, and cuticle function, remain poorly understood. Given that the cuticle expansion is crucial for complete engorgement of the ticks, addressing these knowledge gaps is essential. Traditional tick research involving live animal hosts has inherent limitations, such as ethical concerns and host response variability. Artificial membrane feeding systems provide an alternative approach, offering controlled experimental conditions and reduced ethical dilemmas. These systems enable precise monitoring of tick attachment, feeding parameters, and pathogen acquisition. Despite the existence of various methodologies for artificial tick-feeding systems, there is a pressing need to enhance their reproducibility and effectiveness. In this context, we introduce an improved tick-feeding system that incorporates adjustments related to factors like humidity, temperature, and blood-feeding duration. These refinements markedly boost tick engorgement rates, presenting a valuable tool for in-depth investigations into tick cuticle biology and facilitating studies on molting. This refined system allows for collecting feeding ticks at specific stages, supporting research on tick cuticle biology, and evaluating chemical agents' efficacy in the engorgement process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Kozisek
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States
| | - Jonathon Cenovic
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States
| | - Savannah Armendariz
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, United States
| | - Yoonseong Park
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, United States
| | - Vinai C Thomas
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States
| | - Sujata S Chaudhari
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States.
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5
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Tang B, Hu S, Luo Y, Shi D, Liu X, Zhong F, Jiang X, Hu G, Li C, Duan H, Wu Y. Impact of Three Thiazolidinone Compounds with Piperine Skeletons on Trehalase Activity and Development of Spodoptera frugiperda Larvae. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:8423-8433. [PMID: 38565327 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Trehalases (TREs) are pivotal enzymes involved in insect development and reproduction, making them prime targets for pest control. We investigated the inhibitory effect of three thiazolidinones with piperine skeletons (6a, 7b, and 7e) on TRE activity and assessed their impact on the growth and development of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda. The compounds were injected into FAW larvae, while the control group was treated with 2% DMSO solvent. All three compounds effectively inhibited TRE activity, resulting in a significant extension of the pupal development stage. Moreover, the treated larvae exhibited significantly decreased survival rates and a higher incidence of abnormal phenotypes related to growth and development compared to the control group. These results suggest that these TRE inhibitors affect the molting of larvae by regulating the chitin metabolism pathway, ultimately reducing their survival rates. Consequently, these compounds hold potential as environmentally friendly insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Tang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Shangrong Hu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yujia Luo
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Dongmei Shi
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiangyu Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management of Invasive Alien Species, Guizhou Education Department, Department of Biology and Engineering of Environment, Guiyang University, Guiyang 550005, China
| | - Fan Zhong
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xinyi Jiang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Gao Hu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Can Li
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management of Invasive Alien Species, Guizhou Education Department, Department of Biology and Engineering of Environment, Guiyang University, Guiyang 550005, China
| | - Hongxia Duan
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management of Invasive Alien Species, Guizhou Education Department, Department of Biology and Engineering of Environment, Guiyang University, Guiyang 550005, China
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6
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Liang Q, Hou C, Tan Y, Wei N, Sun S, Zhang S, Feng J. Construction and biological effects of a redox-enzyme dual-responsive lufenuron nano-controlled release formulation. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:1314-1324. [PMID: 37903714 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7862] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pesticide formulations based on nanotechnology can effectively improve the efficiency of pesticide utilization and reduce pesticide residues in the environment. In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing disulfide bonds were synthesized by the sol-gel method, carboxylated and adsorbed with lufenuron, and grafted with cellulose to obtain a lufenuron-loaded nano-controlled release formulation (Luf@MSNs-ss-cellulose). RESULTS The structure and properties of Luf@MSNs-ss-cellulose were characterized. The results showed that Luf@MSNs-ss-cellulose exhibits a regular spherical shape with 12.41% pesticide loading. The highest cumulative release rate (73.46%) of this pesticide-loaded nanoparticle was observed at 7 days in the environment of glutathione and cellulase, which shows redox-enzyme dual-responsive performance. As a result of cellulose grafting, Luf@MSNs-ss-cellulose had a small contact angle and high adhesion work on corn leaves, indicating good wetting and adhesion properties. After 14 days of spraying with 20 mg L-1 formulations in the long-term control efficacy experiment, the mortality of Luf@MSNs-ss-cellulose against Ostrinia furnacalis larvae (56.67%) was significantly higher than that of commercial Luf@EW (36.67%). Luf@MSNs-ss-cellulose is safer for earthworms and L02 cells. CONCLUSION The nano-controlled release formulation obtained in this study achieved intelligent pesticide delivery in time and space under the environmental stimulation of glutathione and cellulase, providing an effective method for the development of novel pesticide delivery systems. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwei Liang
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Chaoqun Hou
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yifei Tan
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Nuo Wei
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Shaoyang Sun
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Shengfu Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jianguo Feng
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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7
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Carlassara M, Khorramnejad A, Oker H, Bahrami R, Lozada-Chávez AN, Mancini MV, Quaranta S, Body MJA, Lahondère C, Bonizzoni M. Population-specific responses to developmental temperature in the arboviral vector Aedes albopictus: Implications for climate change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17226. [PMID: 38454541 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17226] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The increase of environmental temperature due to current global warming is not only favouring the expansion of the distribution range of many insect species, but it is also changing their phenology. Insect phenology is tightly linked to developmental timing, which is regulated by environmental temperatures. However, the degree to which the effects of developmental temperatures extend across developmental stages and their inter-stage relationships have not been thoroughly quantified in mosquitoes. Here, we used the mosquito Aedes albopictus, which is an aggressive invasive species and an arboviral vector, to study how developmental temperature influences fitness across developmental stages, thermal traits, energy reserves, transcriptome and Wolbachia prevalence in laboratory-reared populations originally collected from either temperate or tropical regions. We show that hatchability, larval and pupal viability and developmental speed are strongly influenced by temperature, and these effects extend to wing length, body mass, longevity and content of water, protein and lipids in adults in a population-specific manner. On the contrary, neither adult thermal preference nor heat resistance significantly change with temperature. Wolbachia density was generally lower in adult mosquitoes reared at 18°C than at other tested temperatures, and transcriptome analysis showed enrichment for functions linked to stress responses (i.e. cuticle proteins and chitin, cytochrome p450 and heat shock proteins) in mosquitoes reared at both 18 and 32°C. Our data showed an overall reduced vector fitness performance when mosquitoes were reared at 32°C, and the absence of isomorphy in the relationship between developmental stages and temperature in the laboratory population deriving from larvae collected in northern Italy. Altogether, these results have important implications for reliable model projections of the invasion potentials of Ae. albopictus and its epidemiological impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Carlassara
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Ayda Khorramnejad
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Helen Oker
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Romina Bahrami
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefano Quaranta
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mélanie J A Body
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Chloé Lahondère
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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8
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Galvez-Llompart M, Zanni R, Vela-Corcía D, Polonio Á, Perez-Gimenez F, Martínez-Cruz J, Romero D, Fernández-Ortuño D, Pérez-García A, Galvez J. Rational Design of a Potential New Nematicide Targeting Chitin Deacetylase. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:2482-2491. [PMID: 38264997 PMCID: PMC10853968 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05258] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
In a previously published study, the authors devised a molecular topology QSAR (quantitative structure-activity relationship) approach to detect novel fungicides acting as inhibitors of chitin deacetylase (CDA). Several of the chosen compounds exhibited noteworthy activity. Due to the close relationship between chitin-related proteins present in fungi and other chitin-containing plant-parasitic species, the authors decided to test these molecules against nematodes, based on their negative impact on agriculture. From an overall of 20 fungal CDA inhibitors, six showed to be active against Caenorhabditis elegans. These experimental results made it possible to develop two new molecular topology-based QSAR algorithms for the rational design of potential nematicides with CDA inhibitor activity for crop protection. Linear discriminant analysis was employed to create the two algorithms, one for identifying the chemo-mathematical pattern of commercial nematicides and the other for identifying nematicides with activity on CDA. After creating and validating the QSAR models, the authors screened several natural and synthetic compound databases, searching for alternatives to current nematicides. Finally one compound, the N2-(dimethylsulfamoyl)-N-{2-[(2-methyl-2-propanyl)sulfanyl]ethyl}-N2-phenylglycinamide or nematode chitin deacetylase inhibitor, was selected as the best candidate and was further investigated both in silico, through molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations, and in vitro, through specific experimental assays. The molecule shows favorable binding behavior on the catalytic pocket of C. elegans CDA and the experimental assays confirm potential nematicide activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Galvez-Llompart
- Department
of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology
and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia 46100, Spain
- Molecular
Topology and Drug Design Unit. Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia 46100, Spain
| | - Riccardo Zanni
- Molecular
Topology and Drug Design Unit. Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia 46100, Spain
| | - David Vela-Corcía
- Department
of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Instituto de Hortofruticultura
Subtropical y Mediterránea La Mayora, IHSM-UMA-CSIC, University of Málaga, Málaga 29071, Spain
| | - Álvaro Polonio
- Department
of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Instituto de Hortofruticultura
Subtropical y Mediterránea La Mayora, IHSM-UMA-CSIC, University of Málaga, Málaga 29071, Spain
| | - Facundo Perez-Gimenez
- Molecular
Topology and Drug Design Unit. Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia 46100, Spain
| | - Jesús Martínez-Cruz
- Department
of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Instituto de Hortofruticultura
Subtropical y Mediterránea La Mayora, IHSM-UMA-CSIC, University of Málaga, Málaga 29071, Spain
| | - Diego Romero
- Department
of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Instituto de Hortofruticultura
Subtropical y Mediterránea La Mayora, IHSM-UMA-CSIC, University of Málaga, Málaga 29071, Spain
| | - Dolores Fernández-Ortuño
- Department
of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Instituto de Hortofruticultura
Subtropical y Mediterránea La Mayora, IHSM-UMA-CSIC, University of Málaga, Málaga 29071, Spain
| | - Alejandro Pérez-García
- Department
of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Instituto de Hortofruticultura
Subtropical y Mediterránea La Mayora, IHSM-UMA-CSIC, University of Málaga, Málaga 29071, Spain
| | - Jorge Galvez
- Molecular
Topology and Drug Design Unit. Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia 46100, Spain
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Jia Z, Hasi S, Zhan D, Vogl C, Burger PA. Transcriptomic profiling of different developmental stages reveals parasitic strategies of Wohlfahrtia magnifica, a myiasis-causing flesh fly. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:111. [PMID: 38297211 PMCID: PMC10829477 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09949-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wohlfahrtia magnifica is an obligatory parasite that causes myiasis in several warm-blooded vertebrates. Adult females deposit the first-stage larvae directly onto wounds or natural body orifices (e.g., genitalia) of the host, from where they quickly colonize the host tissue and feed on it for development. The infestation of W. magnifica can lead to health issues, welfare concerns, and substantial economic losses. To date, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of the W. magnifica-causing myiasis. RESULTS In this study, we collected parasitic-stage larvae of W. magnifica from wounds of naturally infested Bactrian camels, as well as pupae and adult flies reared in vitro from the wound-collected larvae, for investigating the gene expression profiles of the different developmental stages of W. magnifica, with a particular focus on examining gene families closely related to the parasitism of the wound-collected larvae. As key proteins related to the parasite-host interaction, 2049 excretory/secretory (ES) proteins were identified in W. magnifica through the integration of multiple bioinformatics approaches. Functional analysis indicates that these ES proteins are primarily involved in cuticle development, peptidase activity, immune response, and metabolic processes. The global investigation of gene expression at different developmental stages using pairwise comparisons and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) showed that the upregulated genes during second-stage larvae were related to cuticle development, peptidase activity, and RNA transcription and translation; during third-stage larvae to peptidase inhibitor activity and nutrient reservoir activity; during pupae to cell and tissue morphogenesis and cell and tissue development; and during adult flies to signal perception, many of them involved in light perception, and adult behavior, e.g., feeding, mating, and locomotion. Specifically, the expression level analysis of the likely parasitism-related genes in parasitic wound-collected larvae revealed a significant upregulation of 88 peptidase genes (including 47 serine peptidase genes), 110 cuticle protein genes, and 21 heat shock protein (hsp) genes. Interestingly, the expression of 2 antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes, including 1 defensin and 1 diptericin, was also upregulated in the parasitic larvae. CONCLUSIONS We identified ES proteins in W. magnifica and investigated their functional distribution. In addition, gene expression profiles at different developmental stages of W. magnifica were examined. Specifically, we focused on gene families closely related to parasitism of wound-collected larvae. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the life cycle of the myiasis-causing fly, especially during the parasitic larval stages, and provide guidance for the development of control measures against W. magnifica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Jia
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1, Vienna, 1160, Austria
| | - Surong Hasi
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Deng Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Claus Vogl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Pamela A Burger
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1, Vienna, 1160, Austria.
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10
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Mannucci A, Panariello L, Abenaim L, Coltelli MB, Ranieri A, Conti B, Santin M, Castagna A. From Food Waste to Functional Biopolymers: Characterization of Chitin and Chitosan Produced from Prepupae of Black Soldier Fly Reared with Different Food Waste-Based Diets. Foods 2024; 13:278. [PMID: 38254579 PMCID: PMC10814476 DOI: 10.3390/foods13020278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of food waste as a rearing substrate to grow insects is an ecofriendly and sustainable alternative to food waste disposal. In the present research, Hermetia illucens prepupae were reared with a standard diet, different food waste-based diets based on vegetables, fruits, and meat, and a mixed one, where the previous three components were present equally. The demineralization and deproteination of the prepupae allowed for the obtainment of chitin that was then deacetylated to produce chitosan. Also, the bleaching of chitosan was attempted for further purification. The yield of the different reactions was investigated, and the infrared spectra of the obtained materials were analyzed to obtain information on the quantity and acetylation degree trend of the chitin and chitosan as a function of the diet. The possibility to slightly modulate the yield and acetylation degree of both biopolymers thanks to the specific diet was enlightened. Interestingly, the standard diet resulted in the highest fraction of chitin having the highest acetylation degree, and in the highest fraction of chitosan having the lowest acetylation degree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Mannucci
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.A.); (A.R.); (B.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Luca Panariello
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy; (L.P.); (M.B.C.)
| | - Linda Abenaim
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.A.); (A.R.); (B.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Maria Beatrice Coltelli
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy; (L.P.); (M.B.C.)
| | - Annamaria Ranieri
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.A.); (A.R.); (B.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Barbara Conti
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.A.); (A.R.); (B.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Marco Santin
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.A.); (A.R.); (B.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonella Castagna
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.A.); (A.R.); (B.C.); (A.C.)
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11
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Li Z, Ouyang L, Wu Q, Peng Q, Zhang B, Qian W, Liu B, Wan F. Cuticular proteins in codling moth (Cydia pomonella) respond to insecticide and temperature stress. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 270:115852. [PMID: 38141334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115852] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
The insect cuticle consists of chitin and cuticular proteins (CPs), which stabilize the body shape and provide an effective physical barrier against the external environment. They are also potential target sites for developing environmentally friendly insect management through the utilization of physiology-based methods. The codling moth, Cydia pomonella, is a pest afflicting fruit orchards worldwide. This study used a comparative genomic approach, whole-genome resequencing, and transcriptome data to understand the role that CPs played in the environmental adaptation of the codling moth. A total of 182 putative CPs were identified in the codling moth genome, which were classified into 12 CP families. 119 CPR genes, including 54 RR-1, 60 RR-2, and 5 RR-3 genes were identified and accounted for 65.4% of the total CPs. Eight and seven gene clusters are formed in RR1 and RR2 subfamily and the ancestor-descendant relationship was explained. Five CPAP genes were highly expressed during the egg stage and exposed to high temperature, which indicated their potential role in aiding codling moth eggs in acclimating to varying external heat conditions. Moreover, six CPs belonging to the CPR and CPLCP families were identified in association with insecticide resistance by population resequencing. Their expression levels increased after exposure to insecticides, suggesting they might be involved in codling moth resistance to the insecticides azinphos-methyl or deltamethrin. Our results provide insight into the evolution of codling moth CPs and their association with high temperature adaptation and insecticide resistance, and provide an additional information required for further analysis of CPs in environmental adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaiyuan Li
- College of Plant Health & Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Lan Ouyang
- College of Plant Health & Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Qi Peng
- College of Plant Health & Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- College of Plant Health & Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Wanqiang Qian
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- College of Plant Health & Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China.
| | - Fanghao Wan
- College of Plant Health & Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China.
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12
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Fan L, Li X, Li H, Li B, Wang J, He L, Wang Z, Lin Y. Comparative transcriptome analysis to unveil genes affecting the host cuticle destruction in Metarhizium rileyi. Curr Genet 2023; 69:253-265. [PMID: 37726495 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-023-01274-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Insect pathogenic fungi, also known as entomopathogenic fungi, are one of the largest insect pathogenic microorganism communities, represented by Beauveria spp. and Metarhizium spp. Entomopathogenic fungi have been proved to be a great substitute for chemical pesticide in agriculture. In fact, a lot of functional genes were also already characterized in entomopathogenic fungi, but more depth of exploration is still needed to reveal their complicated pathogenic mechanism to insects. Metarhizium rileyi (Nomuraea rileyi) is a great potential biocontrol fungus that can parasitize more than 40 distinct species (mainly Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to cause large-scale infectious diseases within insect population. In this study, a comparative analysis of transcriptome profile was performed with topical inoculation and hemolymph injection to character the infectious pattern of M. rileyi. Appressorium and multiple hydrolases are indispensable constituents to break the insect host primary cuticle defense in entomopathogenic fungi. Within our transcriptome data, numerous transcripts related to destruction of insect cuticle rather growth regulations were obtained. Most importantly, some unreported ribosomal protein genes and novel unannotated protein (hypothetical protein) genes were proved to participate in the course of pathogenic regulation. Our current data provide a higher efficiency gene library for virulence factors screen in M. rileyi, and this library may be also useful for furnishing valuable information on entomopathogenic fungal pathogenic mechanisms to host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Fan
- Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, 466001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinxin Li
- Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, 466001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongli Li
- Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, 466001, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingjie Li
- Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, 466001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahui Wang
- Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, 466001, People's Republic of China
| | - Le He
- Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, 466001, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongkang Wang
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunlong Lin
- Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, 466001, People's Republic of China.
- Chongqing Precision Medical Industry Technology Research Institute, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Liang B, Song W, Xing R, Liu S, Yu H, Li P. The source, activity influencing factors and biological activities for future development of chitin deacetylase. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 321:121335. [PMID: 37739548 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Chitin deacetylase (CDA), a prominent member of the carbohydrate esterase enzyme family 4 (CE4), is found ubiquitously in bacteria, fungi, insects, and crustaceans. This metalloenzyme plays a pivotal role in recognizing and selectively removing acetyl groups from chitin, thus offering an environmentally friendly and biologically-driven preparation method for chitosan with immense industrial potential. Due to its diverse origins, CDAs sourced from different organisms exhibit unique functions, optimal pH ranges, and temperature preferences. Furthermore, certain organic reagents can induce structural changes in CDAs, influencing their catalytic activity. Leveraging CDA's capabilities extends beyond chitosan biocatalysis, as it demonstrates promising application value in agricultural pest control. In this paper, the source, reaction mechanism, influencing factors, the fermentation methods and applications of CDA are reviewed, which provides theoretical help for the research and application of CDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bicheng Liang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Wen Song
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Ronge Xing
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China.
| | - Song Liu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Huahua Yu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Pengcheng Li
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China
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14
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Boguś MI, Kazek M, Drozdowski M, Kaczmarek A, Wrońska AK. The Entomopathogenic Fungus Conidiobolus coronatus Has Similar Effects on the Cuticular Free Fatty Acid Profile of Sensitive and Resistant Insects. INSECTS 2023; 14:895. [PMID: 37999094 PMCID: PMC10671882 DOI: 10.3390/insects14110895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the recognition of a susceptible host by a fungus and the role of cuticular compounds (CCs) in this process remain unclear; however, accumulated data suggest that this is influenced to a great degree by cuticular lipids. Two insect species differing in their sensitivity to fungal infection, viz. the highly sensitive Galleria mellonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the resistant Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae), exhibited significant qualitative and quantitative changes in cuticular free fatty acid (FFA) profiles after exposure to Conidiobolus coronatus (Constantin) Batko (Entomopthorales). Despite being systematically distant, leading different lifestyles in different habitats, both insect species demonstrated similar changes in the same FFAs following exposure to the fungus (C12:0, C13:0, C14:0, C15:0, C16:1, C16:0, C18:1, C18:0), suggesting that these are involved in a contact-induced defense response. As it was not possible to distinguish the share of FFAs present in the conidia that were attached to the cuticle from the FFAs of the cuticle itself in the total number of extracted FFAs, further research is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland; (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Michalina Kazek
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Centre of Advanced Materials and Technology CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, ul. Poleczki 19, 02-822 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Mikołaj Drozdowski
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland; (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Agata Kaczmarek
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland; (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland; (M.D.); (A.K.)
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15
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Zhang R, Liu W, Fu J, Zhang Z. MicroRNA-989 controls Aedes albopictus pupal-adult transition process by influencing cuticle chitin metabolism in pupae. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:397. [PMID: 37919799 PMCID: PMC10623821 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05976-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes albopictus is a vector of numerous devastating arboviruses and places heavy burdens on global public health. Chitin is one of the important components of cuticles and targeting chitin metabolism is a promising strategy for preventing mosquito dispersal and mosquito-borne diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in various physiological processes of insects. METHODS A previous analysis suggested that the microRNA miR-989 is potentially involved in chitin metabolism in Ae. albopictus pupae. In the present study, we found that the expression level of miR-989 was significantly overexpressed after injection of agomir. A dual-luciferase assay was used to determine the direct target of miR-989. Survival rate, eclosion rate and malformation rate were statistically analyzed to evaluate the potential effect of miR-989. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and chitin staining were used to evaluate the microstructural changes in the cuticles of Ae. albopictus pupae. RESULTS Overexpression of miR-989 resulted in a significantly reduced survival rate and eclosion rate of pupae and an elevated malformation rate of adults. The results suggested that miR-989 acted as a regulator of chitin metabolism in Ae. albopictus pupae by affecting the transcript levels of the Ae. albopictus genes encoding chitin synthase 1 (AaCHS1) and chitinase 10 (AaCht10). The altered expression levels of the two chitin metabolism-related enzymes (CHS1 and Cht10, respectively) caused the structural changes in cuticles and further affected the pupal-adult transition process of Ae. albopictus. XM_029863591.1 was proven to be the target gene of miR-989 and displayed similar effects on pupae as miR-989. CONCLUSIONS The microRNA miR-989 was found to be essential for chitin metabolism in old and new cuticles of Ae. albopictus pupae. The results of the current study suggested that miR-989 could be used as a potential target to control Ae. albopictus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiling Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China.
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, China.
- School of Laboratory Animal (Shandong Laboratory Animal Center), Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, China.
| | - Wenjuan Liu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Jingwen Fu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Zhong Zhang
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, China.
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16
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Accoti A, Becker M, Abu AEI, Vulcan J, Yun R, Widen S, Sylla M, Popov VL, Weaver SC, Dickson LB. Dehydration induced AePer50 regulates midgut infection in Ae. aegypti. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.11.561962. [PMID: 37873391 PMCID: PMC10592720 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.11.561962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
In the face of climate change, mosquitoes will experience evolving climates including longer periods of drought. An important physiological response to dry environments is the protection against water loss or dehydration, here defined as desiccation tolerance. Various environmental factors including temperature are known to alter interactions between the mosquito, Aedes aegypti , and the arboviruses it transmits, but little is known about how low humidity impacts arboviral infection. Here, we report that a gene upregulated in response to desiccation is important for controlling midgut infection. We have identified two genetically diverse lines of Ae. aegypti with marked differences in desiccation tolerance. To understand if the genetic basis underlying desiccation tolerance is the same between the contrasting lines, we compared gene expression profiles between desiccant treated and non-desiccant treated individuals in both the desiccation tolerant and susceptible lines by RNAseq. Gene expression analysis demonstrates that different genes are differentially expressed in response to desiccation stress between desiccation tolerant and susceptible lines. The most highly expressed transcript under desiccation stress in the desiccation susceptible line encodes a peritrophin protein, Ae Per50. Peritrophins play a crucial role in peritrophic matrix formation after a bloodmeal. Gene silencing of Ae Per50 by RNAi demonstrates that expression of Ae Per50 is required for survival of the desiccation susceptible line under desiccation stress, but not for the desiccation tolerant line. Moreover, the knockdown of Ae Per50 results in higher infection rates and viral replication rates of ZIKV and higher infection rates of CHIKV. Finally, following a bloodmeal, the desiccation susceptible line develops a thicker peritrophic matrix than the desiccation tolerant line. Together these results provide a functional link between the protection against desiccation and midgut infection which has important implications in predicting how climate change will impact mosquito-borne viruses.
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17
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Tahir A, Siddiqi AR, Maryam A, Chaitanya Vedithi S, Blundell TL. Structure-guided computational insecticide discovery targeting β-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase of Ostrinia furnacalis. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-14. [PMID: 37814544 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2264394] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Ostrinia furnacalis is a species of moth in the Crambidae family that is harmful to maize and other corn crops in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific regions. Ostrinia furnacalis causes devastating losses to economically important corn fields. The β-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase is an essential enzyme in O. furnacalis and its substrate binding +1 active site is different from that of the plants and humans β-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidases. To develop environment-friendly insecticides against OfHex1, we conducted structure-guided computational insecticide discovery to identify potential inhibitors that can bind the active site and inhibit the substrate binding and activity of the enzyme. We adopted a three-pronged strategy to conduct virtual screening using Glide and virtual screening workflow (VSW) in Schrödinger Suite-2022-3, against crystal structures of OfHex1 (PDB Id:3NSN), its homologue in humans (PDB Id: 1NP0) and Alphafold model of β-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase from Trichogramma pretiosum, an egg parasitoid that protects the crops from O. furnacalis. A library of 20,313 commercially available and "insecticide-like" compounds was extracted from published literature. LigPrep enabled 44,943 ready-to-dock conformers generation. Glide docking revealed 18 OfHex1-specific hits that were absent in human and T. pretiosum screens. Reference docking was conducted using inhibitors/natural ligands in the crystal structures and hits with better docking scores than the reference were selected for MD simulations using Desmond to understand the stability of hit-target interactions. We noted five compounds that bound to OfHex1 TMX active-site based on their docking scores, consistent binding as noted by MD simulations and their insecticide/pesticide likeliness as noted by the Comprehensive Pesticide Likeness Analysis.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeena Tahir
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Rauf Siddiqi
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Arooma Maryam
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sundeep Chaitanya Vedithi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Heart and Lung Research Institute (HLRI), Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tom L Blundell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Heart and Lung Research Institute (HLRI), Cambridge, United Kingdom
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18
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Lee Y, Muthukrishnan S, Kramer KJ, Sakamoto T, Tabunoki H, Arakane Y, Noh MY. Functional importance of groups I and II chitinases in cuticle chitin turnover during molting in a wood-boring beetle, Monochamus alternatus. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 194:105496. [PMID: 37532355 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Insects must periodically replace their old cuticle/exoskeleton with a new one in a process called molting or ecdysis to allow for continuous growth through sequential developmental stages. Many RNA interference (RNAi) studies have demonstrated that certain chitinases (CHTs) play roles in this vital physiological event because knockdown of these CHT genes resulted in developmental arrest during the ensuing molting period in several insect species. In this research we analyzed the functions of group I (MaCHT5) and group II (MaCHT10) CHT genes in molting of the Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus, an important forest pest known as a major vector of the pinewood nematode. Real-time qPCR revealed that these two CHT genes differ in their expression patterns during late stages of development. Depletion of either MaCHT5 or MaCHT10 transcripts by RNAi resulted in lethal larval-pupal and pupal-adult molting defects depending on the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) injection timing during development. The insects were unable to shed their old cuticle and died. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that, unlike dsEGFP-treated controls, dsMaCHT5- and dsMaCHT10-treated pharate adults exhibited a failure of degradation of the endocuticular layer of their old pupal cuticle, retaining nearly intact horizontal chitinous laminae and vertical pore canal fibers. Both enzymes were indispensable for complete turnover of the chitinous old endocuticle, which is critical for insect molting. The possible functions of two spliced variants of MaCHT10, namely, MaCHT10a and MaCHT10b, are also discussed. Our results add to the knowledge base for further functional studies of insect chitin catabolism by revealing the relative importance of both MaCHT5 and MaCHT10 in chitin turnover with subtle differences in their action. These essential genes and their encoded proteins are potential targets to manipulate for controlling populations of M. alternatus and other pest insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngseo Lee
- Department of Forest Resources, AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
| | - Karl J Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
| | - Takuma Sakamoto
- Department of Science of Biological Production, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Hiroko Tabunoki
- Department of Science of Biological Production, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Department of Applied Biology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea.
| | - Mi Young Noh
- Department of Forest Resources, AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea.
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19
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Thakur D, Bairwa A, Dipta B, Jhilta P, Chauhan A. An overview of fungal chitinases and their potential applications. PROTOPLASMA 2023; 260:1031-1046. [PMID: 36752884 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-023-01839-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Chitin, the world's second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose, is composed of β-1,4-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues. It is the key structural component of many organisms, including crustaceans, mollusks, marine invertebrates, algae, fungi, insects, and nematodes. There has been a significant increase in the generation of chitinous waste from seafood businesses, resulting in a big amount of scrap. Although several organisms, such as plants, crustaceans, insects, nematodes, and animals, produce chitinases, microorganisms are promising candidates and a sustainable option that mediates chitin degradation. Fungi are the dominant group of chitinase producers among microorganisms. In fungi, chitinases are involved in morphogenesis, cell division, autolysis, chitin acquisition for nutritional purposes, and mycoparasitism. Many efficient chitinolytic fungi with potential applications have been identified in a variety of environments, including soil, water, marine wastes, and plants. The current review highlights the key sources of chitinolytic fungi and the characterization of fungal chitinases. It also discusses the applications of fungal chitinases and the cloning of fungal chitinase genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepali Thakur
- Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Aarti Bairwa
- ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, 171001, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Bhawna Dipta
- ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, 171001, Himachal Pradesh, India.
| | - Prakriti Jhilta
- Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Anjali Chauhan
- Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India
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20
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Jacobs E, Chrissian C, Rankin-Turner S, Wear M, Camacho E, Broderick NA, McMeniman CJ, Stark RE, Casadevall A. Cuticular profiling of insecticide resistant Aedes aegypti. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10154. [PMID: 37349387 PMCID: PMC10287657 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36926-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Insecticides have made great strides in reducing the global burden of vector-borne disease. Nonetheless, serious public health concerns remain because insecticide-resistant vector populations continue to spread globally. To circumvent insecticide resistance, it is essential to understand all contributing mechanisms. Contact-based insecticides are absorbed through the insect cuticle, which is comprised mainly of chitin polysaccharides, cuticular proteins, hydrocarbons, and phenolic biopolymers sclerotin and melanin. Cuticle interface alterations can slow or prevent insecticide penetration in a phenomenon referred to as cuticular resistance. Cuticular resistance characterization of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is lacking. In the current study, we utilized solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy to gain insights into the cuticle composition of congenic cytochrome P450 monooxygenase insecticide resistant and susceptible Ae. aegypti. No differences in cuticular hydrocarbon content or phenolic biopolymer deposition were found. In contrast, we observed cuticle thickness of insecticide resistant Ae. aegypti increased over time and exhibited higher polysaccharide abundance. Moreover, we found these local cuticular changes correlated with global metabolic differences in the whole mosquito, suggesting the existence of novel cuticular resistance mechanisms in this major disease vector.
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Peral-Aranega E, Saati-Santamaría Z, Ayuso-Calles M, Kostovčík M, Veselská T, Švec K, Rivas R, Kolařik M, García-Fraile P. New insight into the bark beetle ips typographus bacteriome reveals unexplored diversity potentially beneficial to the host. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2023; 18:53. [PMID: 37296446 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-023-00510-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ips typographus (European spruce bark beetle) is the most destructive pest of spruce forests in Europe. As for other animals, it has been proposed that the microbiome plays important roles in the biology of bark beetles. About the bacteriome, there still are many uncertainties regarding the taxonomical composition, insect-bacteriome interactions, and their potential roles in the beetle ecology. Here, we aim to deep into the ecological functions and taxonomical composition of I. typographus associated bacteria. RESULTS We assessed the metabolic potential of a collection of isolates obtained from different life stages of I. typographus beetles. All strains showed the capacity to hydrolyse one or more complex polysaccharides into simpler molecules, which may provide an additional carbon source to its host. Also, 83.9% of the strains isolated showed antagonistic effect against one or more entomopathogenic fungi, which could assist the beetle in its fight against this pathogenic threat. Using culture-dependent and -independent techniques, we present a taxonomical analysis of the bacteriome associated with the I. typographus beetle during its different life stages. We have observed an evolution of its bacteriome, which is diverse at the larval phase, substantially diminished in pupae, greater in the teneral adult phase, and similar to that of the larval stage in mature adults. Our results suggest that taxa belonging to the Erwiniaceae family, and the Pseudoxanthomonas and Pseudomonas genera, as well as an undescribed genus within the Enterobactereaceae family, are part of the core microbiome and may perform vital roles in maintaining beetle fitness. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that isolates within the bacteriome of I. typographus beetle have the metabolic potential to increase beetle fitness by proving additional and assimilable carbon sources for the beetle, and by antagonizing fungi entomopathogens. Furthermore, we observed that isolates from adult beetles are more likely to have these capacities but those obtained from larvae showed strongest antifungal activity. Our taxonomical analysis showed that Erwinia typographi, Pseudomonas bohemica, and Pseudomonas typographi species along with Pseudoxanthomonas genus, and putative new taxa belonging to the Erwiniaceae and Enterobacterales group are repeatedly present within the bacteriome of I. typographus beetles, indicating that these species might be part of the core microbiome. In addition to Pseudomonas and Erwinia group, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Curtobacterium, Streptomyces, and Bacillus genera seem to also have interesting metabolic capacities but are present in a lower frequency. Future studies involving bacterial-insect interactions or analysing other potential roles would provide more insights into the bacteriome capacity to be beneficial to the beetle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezequiel Peral-Aranega
- Microbiology and Genetics Department, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain.
- Institute for Agribiotechnology Research (CIALE), Salamanca, 37185, Spain.
| | - Zaki Saati-Santamaría
- Microbiology and Genetics Department, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
- Institute for Agribiotechnology Research (CIALE), Salamanca, 37185, Spain
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Miguel Ayuso-Calles
- Microbiology and Genetics Department, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
- Institute for Agribiotechnology Research (CIALE), Salamanca, 37185, Spain
| | - Martin Kostovčík
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Veselská
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Švec
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Raúl Rivas
- Microbiology and Genetics Department, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
- Institute for Agribiotechnology Research (CIALE), Salamanca, 37185, Spain
- Associated Research Unit of Plant-Microorganism Interaction, Universidad de Salamanca-IRNASA-CSIC, Salamanca, 37008, Spain
| | - Miroslav Kolařik
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Paula García-Fraile
- Microbiology and Genetics Department, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
- Institute for Agribiotechnology Research (CIALE), Salamanca, 37185, Spain
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic
- Associated Research Unit of Plant-Microorganism Interaction, Universidad de Salamanca-IRNASA-CSIC, Salamanca, 37008, Spain
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Chewaka LS, Park CS, Cha YS, Desta KT, Park BR. Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Tenebrio molitor (Mealworm) Using Nuruk Extract Concentrate and an Evaluation of Its Nutritional, Functional, and Sensory Properties. Foods 2023; 12:foods12112188. [PMID: 37297433 DOI: 10.3390/foods12112188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic protein hydrolysis is a well-established method for improving the quality of dietary proteins, including edible insects. Finding effective enzymes from natural sources is becoming increasingly important. This study used nuruk extract concentrate (NEC), an enzyme-rich fermentation starter, to produce protein hydrolysate from defatted Tenebrio molitor (also called mealworm, MW). The nutritional, functional, and sensorial properties of the hydrolysate were then compared to those obtained using commercial proteases (alcalase and flavourzyme). The protease activities of the crude nuruk extract (CNE), NEC, alcalase, and flavourzyme were 6.78, 12.71, 11.07, and 12.45 units/mL, respectively. The degree of hydrolysis and yield of MW hydrolysis by NEC were 15.10 and 35.92% (w/w), respectively. MW hydrolysate was obtained using NEC and had a significantly higher free amino acid content (90.37 mg/g) than alcalase (53.01 mg/g) and flavourzyme (79.64 mg/g) hydrolysates. Furthermore, the NEC hydrolysis of MW increased the antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 3.07 and 0.15 mg/mL, respectively. The enzymatic hydrolysis also improved sensory properties, including umaminess, sweetness, and saltiness. Overall, this study found that the NEC hydrolysis of MW outperformed commercial proteases regarding nutritional quality, sensory attributes, and biological activity. Therefore, nuruk could potentially replace commercial proteases, lowering the cost of enzymatic protein hydrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Legesse Shiferaw Chewaka
- Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Soon Park
- Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Soo Cha
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Kebede Taye Desta
- National Agrobiodiversity Center, National Institute of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Jeonju 54874, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Ram Park
- Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea
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Liu W, An S, Cheng P, Zhang K, Gong M, Zhang Z, Zhang R. Whole-transcriptome profiling across different developmental stages of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) provides insights into chitin-related non-coding RNA and competing endogenous RNA networks. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:33. [PMID: 36703236 PMCID: PMC9878986 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05648-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is one of the most invasive species and a vector of numerous arboviruses. The deleterious effects of long-term and inappropriate use of chemical pesticides have stimulated the exploration of new, environmentally friendly control strategies. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been proven to participate in almost all biological processes of insects. METHODS In this study, circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) covering five developmental stages [egg, early larvae, late larvae, pupae, adult (female and male)] of A. albopictus were obtained using whole-transcriptome sequencing technology. Combined with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) from previous research, circRNA/lncRNA‒miRNA‒mitochondrial RNA (mRNA) networks were constructed. RESULTS A total of 1434 circRNAs and 208 miRNAs were identified. More differentially expressed circRNAs (DE circRNAs) and miRNAs (DE miRNAs) were found in the egg versus early larvae comparison group. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that most of the circRNA/lncRNA‒miRNA‒mRNA networks were involved in chitin metabolism. Hub genes of each circRNA/lncRNA‒miRNA‒mRNA network were screened out, which can be used as novel targets to disturb the molting process of A. albopictus. CONCLUSIONS Regulatory relationships obtained from competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks provide more information to manipulate the metamorphosis process and are helpful for developing effective and sustainable methods to control mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Liu
- grid.410587.fSchool of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117 China
| | - Sha An
- grid.410587.fSchool of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117 China
| | - Peng Cheng
- grid.410638.80000 0000 8910 6733Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jining, 272033 China
| | - Kexin Zhang
- grid.410587.fSchool of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117 China
| | - Maoqing Gong
- grid.410638.80000 0000 8910 6733Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jining, 272033 China
| | - Zhong Zhang
- grid.410587.fSchool of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117 China ,grid.410587.fSchool of Laboratory Animal (Shandong Laboratory Animal Center), Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117 China
| | - Ruiling Zhang
- grid.410587.fSchool of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117 China ,grid.410587.fSchool of Laboratory Animal (Shandong Laboratory Animal Center), Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250117 China
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24
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Jacobs E, Chrissian C, Rankin-Turner S, Wear M, Camacho E, Scott JG, Broderick NA, McMeniman CJ, Stark RE, Casadevall A. Cuticular profiling of insecticide resistant Aedes aegypti. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.13.523989. [PMID: 36712033 PMCID: PMC9882251 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.13.523989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Insecticides have made great strides in reducing the global burden of vector-borne disease. Nonetheless, serious public health concerns remain because insecticide-resistant vector populations continue to spread globally. To circumvent insecticide resistance, it is essential to understand all contributing mechanisms. Contact-based insecticides are absorbed through the insect cuticle, which is comprised mainly of chitin polysaccharides, cuticular proteins, hydrocarbons, and phenolic biopolymers sclerotin and melanin. Cuticle interface alterations can slow or prevent insecticide penetration in a phenomenon referred to as cuticular resistance. Cuticular resistance characterization of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti , is lacking. In the current study, we utilized solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to gain insights into the cuticle composition of congenic cytochrome P450 monooxygenase insecticide resistant and susceptible Ae. aegypti . No differences in cuticular hydrocarbon content or phenolic biopolymer deposition were found. In contrast, we observed cuticle thickness of insecticide resistant Ae. aegypti increased over time and exhibited higher polysaccharide abundance. Moreover, we found these local cuticular changes correlated with global metabolic differences in the whole mosquito, suggesting the existence of novel cuticular resistance mechanisms in this major disease vector.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christine Chrissian
- The City College of New York and CUNY Institute for Macromolecular Assemblies
| | | | - Maggie Wear
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Emma Camacho
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | | | | | | | - Ruth E. Stark
- The City College of New York and CUNY Institute for Macromolecular Assemblies
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25
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Lucchesi V, Grimaldi L, Mastrantonio V, Porretta D, Di Bella L, Ruspandini T, Di Salvo ML, Vontas J, Bellini R, Negri A, Epis S, Caccia S, Bandi C, Urbanelli S. Cuticle Modifications and Over-Expression of the Chitin-Synthase Gene in Diflubenzuron-Resistant Phenotype. INSECTS 2022; 13:1109. [PMID: 36555019 PMCID: PMC9782986 DOI: 10.3390/insects13121109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Insecticide resistance is a major threat challenging the control of harmful insect species. The study of resistant phenotypes is, therefore, pivotal to understand molecular mechanisms underpinning insecticide resistance and plan effective control and resistance management strategies. Here, we further analysed the diflubenzuron (DFB)-resistant phenotype due to the point-mutation I1043M in the chitin-synthase 1 gene (chs1) in the mosquito Culex pipiens. By comparing susceptible and resistant strains of Cx. pipiens through DFB bioassays, molecular analyses and scanning electron microscopy, we showed that the I1043M-resistant mosquitoes have: (i) a striking level of DFB resistance (i.e., resistance ratio: 9006); (ii) a constitutive 11-fold over-expression of the chs1 gene; (iii) enhanced cuticle thickness and cuticular chitin content. Culex pipiens is one of the most important vector species in Europe and the rapid spread of DFB resistance can threaten its control. Our results, by adding new data about the DFB-resistant phenotype, provide important information for the control and management of insecticide resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lucchesi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Grimaldi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Daniele Porretta
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Di Bella
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Tania Ruspandini
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Martino Luigi Di Salvo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - John Vontas
- Department of Crop Science, Pesticide Science Lab, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, P.O. Box 1385, GR-711 10 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “G. Nicoli”, 40014 Bologna, Italy
| | - Agata Negri
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Caccia
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Sandra Urbanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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26
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Das J, Kumar R, Shah V, Sharma AK. Functional characterization of chitin synthesis pathway genes, HaAGM and HaUAP, reveal their crucial roles in ecdysis and survival of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:105273. [PMID: 36464378 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The chitin metabolic pathway is one of the most lucrative targets for designing pest management regimes. Inhibition of the chitin synthesis pathway causes detrimental effects on the normal growth and development of insects. Phospho-N-acetylglucosamine mutase (AGM) and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP) are two key chitin biosynthesis enzymes in insects including Helicoverpa armigera, a pest of global significance. In the present study, we have identified, cloned and recombinantly expressed AGM and UAP from H. armigera (HaAGM and HaUAP). Biochemical characterization of recombinant HaAGM and HaUAP exhibited high affinities for their natural substrates N-acetyl glucosamine-6-phosphate (Km 38.72 ± 2.41) and N-acetyl glucosamine-1-phosphate (Km 3.66 ± 0.13), respectively. In the coupled enzyme-catalytic assay, HaAGM and HaUAP yielded the end-products, inorganic pyrophosphate and UDP-GlcNAc, confirming their active participation in the chitin synthesis pathway of H. armigera. Gene expression profiling revealed that HaAGM and HaUAP genes were expressed in all developmental stages and key tissues. These genes also showed substantial responses towards the moulting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone and chitin biosynthesis inhibitor, novaluron. Remarkably, the RNAi-mediated knockdown of either HaAGM or HaUAP led to severe developmental deformities and significant mortality ranging from 65.61 to 72.54%. Overall findings suggest that HaAGM and HaUAP play crucial roles in the ecdysis and survival of H. armigera. Further, these genes could serve as potential targets for designing pest management strategies for H. armigera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Das
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India; ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India; ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vivek Shah
- ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar Sharma
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India.
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27
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Silva HKTDA, Barbosa TM, Santos MCD, Silva LG, de Lima LAS, Morais CLM, Bicudo TC, Gama RA, de Lima KMG. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with chemometric methods to identify and estimate taxonomic relationships of flies with forensic potential (Diptera: Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae). Acta Trop 2022; 235:106672. [PMID: 36041495 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106672] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Infrared spectroscopy has been gaining prominence in entomology, such as for solving taxonomic problems, sexing adult specimens, determining the age of immature specimens, detecting drugs of abuse in fly larvae, and can be an important technique in Forensic Entomology. In order to help identify the species of Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae families, the present study aimed to evaluate the use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with chemometric methods for separating fly specimens into taxonomic categories and understanding the taxonomic relationship between them. Spectra collected from nine species of flies were subjected to unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), in which we sought to visualize the relationship between the samples (segregation of genera and families) with subsequent identification. In PCA, the best model was achieved using five principal components (PCs), which explained 99.16% of total variance of the original data set. The first principal component (PC1) and the fourth principal component (PC4) provided the best segregation, the latter being more important in the segregation of the species Chrysomya albiceps, Lucilia eximia, and Ravinia belforti from the others. In the HCA dendrogram, there was a clear separation between the specimens by family (Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae) and genera (Chrysomya, Lucilia, Oxysarcodexia, Peckia and Ravinia). This study shows that NIRS is efficient to identify flies' taxonomic properties, such as family and genera, providing quick evidence for the tested species identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellyda K T de Andrade Silva
- Laboratório de Química Biológica e Quimiometria, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil
| | - Taciano M Barbosa
- Laboratório de Insetos e Vetores, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil
| | - Marfran C D Santos
- Laboratório de Química Biológica e Quimiometria, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil.; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Sertão Pernambucano - Campus Floresta, Floresta 56400-000, Brasil
| | - Lidiane G Silva
- Laboratório de Química Biológica e Quimiometria, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil
| | - Leomir A S de Lima
- Laboratório de Química Biológica e Quimiometria, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil
| | - Camilo L M Morais
- Laboratório de Química Biológica e Quimiometria, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil
| | - Tatiana C Bicudo
- Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Centro de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil
| | - Renata A Gama
- Laboratório de Insetos e Vetores, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil
| | - Kássio M G de Lima
- Laboratório de Química Biológica e Quimiometria, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil..
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Zhang L, Yan S, Li M, Wang Y, Shi X, Liang P, Yin M, Shen J, Gao X. Nanodelivery System Alters an Insect Growth Regulator's Action Mode: From Oral Feeding to Topical Application. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:35105-35113. [PMID: 35867633 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c08239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Insect growth regulators (IGRs) guide animal development through injection, oral feeding, or topical application. Among them, lufenuron is a widely used insect cuticle inhibitor but only shows a gastric toxic effect. Lacking contact toxicity limits the effective utilization when spraying the lufenuron pesticide. To overcome this shortcoming, a nanocarrier (star polycation, SPc)-based transdermal delivery system was applied to improve the penetrability and contact toxicity of lufenuron. The fluoride groups in lufenuron could interact with the tertiary amines in the branch-chain of the SPc through electrostatic interaction to form a lufenuron/SPc complex. The above interaction reduced the particle size of lufenuron from 933 to 70 nm. Interestingly, the contact toxicity of SPc-loaded lufenuron was remarkably improved with effects of higher larval mortality and lower egg hatching rate of the devastating pest fall armyworm. The physiological and molecular toxic mechanism was revealed by RNA-Seq analysis. The SPc-loaded lufenuron apparently down-regulated cuticle-related genes and thus inhibited insect cuticle formation. Such contact toxicity was achieved by the transdermal nanodelivery of lufenuron, which up-regulated endocytosis-related genes for drug uptake. This study is the first successful application of a nanoparticle-mediated transdermal delivery system to explore the contact toxicity of an IGR, which alters the IRG's action mode from oral feeding to topical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Shuo Yan
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Mingjian Li
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Ye Wang
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Xueyan Shi
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Pei Liang
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Meizhen Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15, North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Jie Shen
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Xiwu Gao
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
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29
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Baek S, Noh MY, Mun S, Lee SJ, Arakane Y, Kim JS. Ultrastructural analysis of beetle larva cuticles during infection with the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3356-3364. [PMID: 35509233 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6962] [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: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beauveria bassiana is one of the commercially available entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), and a number of isolates with high virulence and broad host spectrum have been used to control agricultural and forest pests. Although the functional importance of genes in EPFs' pathogenesis have been extensively studied, the precise ultrastructural mechanism of the fungal infection, particularly penetration of the host insect cuticles, is not well understood. RESULTS In this study, we investigated the morphology and ultrastructure of the larval cuticle of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, after treatment with B. bassiana ERL1170 expressing an enhanced green fluorescent protein (Bb-eGFP). The Bb-eGFP showed high virulence against the larvae, with approximately 90% mortality at 48 h after treatment (HAT) and 100% at 72 HAT under our infection conditions. In these larvae, the regions of the body wall with flexible cuticles, such as the ventral and ventrolateral thorax and abdomen, became darkly melanized, but there was little to no melanization in the rigid dorsal cuticular structures. Confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that germinated conidia on the surface of the larval cuticle were evident at 6 HAT, which formed penetration pegs and began to penetrate the several cuticle layers/laminae by 12 HAT. The penetration pegs then developed invading hyphae, some of which passed through the cuticle and reached the epidermal cells by 24 HAT. The larval cuticle was aggressively and extensively disrupted by 48 HAT, and a number of outgrowing hyphae were observed at 72 HAT. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that Bb-eGFP is capable of infection and penetrating T. castaneum larvae shortly after inoculation (~24 HAT) at the body regions with apparently flexible and membranous cuticles, such as the ventral intersegmental regions and the ventrolateral pleura. This study provides details on the histopathogenesis of the host cuticle by infection and penetration of EPFs, which can facilitate the management of insect pests. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehyeon Baek
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Mi Young Noh
- Department of Forest Resources, AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Seulgi Mun
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Se Jin Lee
- Department of Agricultural Life Science, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jae Su Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
- Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
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Abstract
We show that interfering with insect chitin deacetylation by down-regulation of specific chitin deacetylase (CDA) isoforms, belonging to subfamily group I, causes breakage of the chitinous internal tendon cuticle at the femur–tibia joint, muscle detachment from both internal and external tendon cells, and defective locomotion. Our studies reveal a previously unrecognized role of CDA-like proteins in cooperation with zona pellucida domain-containing proteins in musculoskeletal connectivity, maintenance of tendon cell microtubule integrity, muscle force transmission, limb movement, and locomotion. We propose an essential function for group I CDAs, which are highly conserved among insect and other arthropod species, in invertebrate musculoskeletal connectivity involving partially deacetylated chitin in the extracellular matrix overlying the tendon cells. Muscle attachment sites (MASs, apodemes) in insects and other arthropods involve specialized epithelial cells, called tendon cells or tenocytes, that adhere to apical extracellular matrices containing chitin. Here, we have uncovered a function for chitin deacetylases (CDAs) in arthropod locomotion and muscle attachment using a double-stranded RNA-mediated gene-silencing approach targeted toward specific CDA isoforms in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Tc). Depletion of TcCDA1 or the alternatively spliced TcCDA2 isoform, TcCDA2a, resulted in internal tendon cuticle breakage at the femur–tibia joint, muscle detachment from both internal and external tendon cells, and defective locomotion. TcCDA deficiency did not affect early muscle development and myofiber growth toward the cuticular MASs but instead resulted in aborted microtubule development, loss of hemiadherens junctions, and abnormal morphology of tendon cells, all features consistent with a loss of tension within and between cells. Moreover, simultaneous depletion of TcCDA1 or TcCDA2a and the zona pellucida domain protein, TcDumpy, prevented the internal tendon cuticle break, further supporting a role for force-dependent interactions between muscle and tendon cells. We propose that in T. castaneum, the absence of N-acetylglucosamine deacetylation within chitin leads to a loss of microtubule organization and reduced membrane contacts at MASs in the femur, which adversely affect musculoskeletal connectivity, force transmission, and physical mobility.
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Pathogen infection routes and host innate immunity: Lessons from insects. Immunol Lett 2022; 247:46-51. [PMID: 35667452 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in insect-pathogen interactions have started to reveal the role of insect tissues and organs as natural infection routes for parasites and microbial pathogens. Here we summarize this information highlighting the micro- and macro-parasites that enter insects through distinct infection routes and link them to innate immune activity. We also examine whether the infection route determines the insect immune response and if the resulting immunological and physiological processes underpinning these different routes of infection are clearly distinct. Understanding how the infection route is associated with the robustness in insect host defense will help us identify conserved evolutionary and ecological patterns in order to design novel strategies for the management of destructive agricultural pests and disease vectors.
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Yu HZ, Zhang Q, Lu ZJ, Deng MJ. Validamycin treatment significantly inhibits the glycometabolism and chitin synthesis in the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:840-854. [PMID: 34414659 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12963] [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: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Validamycin, as a broadly applied antibiotic, has been used to control rice sheath blight disease. Furthermore, validamycin was considered as an insecticide to control agricultural pests. Insight into the mechanism of validamycin's action on insects can provide molecular targets for the control of agricultural pests. In this study, a toxicological test analysis revealed that Spodoptera litura larval growth and development was significantly inhibited and the pupation rate was significantly reduced with the increase of the concentration of validamycin. According to the NMR-based metabolomic analysis, a total of 15 metabolites involved in glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) pathways were identified. Additionally, trehalase activities, glucose and chitin contents were significantly downregulated, but the trehalose content was upregulated after exposure to validamycin. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the expression level of genes involved in glycolysis, TCA and chitin synthesis were upregulated after treating with validamycin. Further chitin staining also confirmed that chitin content was downregulated at 12 h after validamycin treatment. Our results indicated that validamycin worked via two different molecular mechanisms, one through inhibiting glycometabolism and the other by inhibiting chitin synthesis in S. litura. The information lays a theoretical foundation for further control of S. litura.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Zhong Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China
- National Navel Orange Engineering Research Center, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Zhan-Jun Lu
- College of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China
- National Navel Orange Engineering Research Center, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Ming-Jie Deng
- Analytical and Testing Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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33
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Bonduriansky R, Creak C. Exoskeleton ageing and its relation to longevity and fecundity in female Australian leaf insects (. AUST J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/zo21052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Senescence is a decline in reproduction and survival rate with advancing age resulting from deterioration of somatic tissues and systems throughout the body. Age-related somatic changes (somatic ageing) have been studied extensively in vertebrates but are less well known in other animals, including insects. Since adult insects have very limited ability to repair their exoskeleton, somatic ageing could involve deterioration and discolouration of the cuticle. We investigated age-related changes in wing pigmentation and abdominal cuticle necrosis in females of the Australian leaf insect Phyllium monteithi. Adult females varied markedly in the extent and pattern of pigmentation on their bodies, and we found that pigment spots on the forewings increased in size with age in most individuals. As females aged, most individuals also exhibited increasing levels of abdominal cuticle necrosis, resulting in the loss of abdominal cuticle along the margin of the abdomen. Neither the extent of pigmentation nor cuticle loss were clearly associated with reduced fecundity or longevity in the protected laboratory environment, but it remains unknown whether these age-related changes have functional implications in the wild. Our results show that the P. monteithi exoskeleton undergoes complex changes with age, with potential implications for functional traits and fitness.
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Gong Q, Chen L, Wang J, Yuan F, Ma Z, Chen G, Huang Y, Miao Y, Liu T, Zhang XX, Yang Q, Yu J. Coassembly of a New Insect Cuticular Protein and Chitosan via Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:2562-2571. [PMID: 35561014 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Insect cuticle is a fiber-reinforced composite material that consists of polysaccharide chitin fibers and a protein matrix. The molecular interactions between insect cuticle proteins and chitin that govern the assembly and evolution of cuticles are still not well understood. Herein, we report that Ostrinia furnacalis cuticular protein hypothetical-1 (OfCPH-1), a newly discovered and most abundant cuticular protein from Asian corn borer O. furnacalis, can form coacervates in the presence of chitosan. The OfCPH-1-chitosan coacervate microdroplets are initially liquid-like but become gel-like with increasing time or salt concentration. The liquid-to-gel transition is driven by hydrogen-bonding interactions, during which an induced β-sheet structure of OfCPH-1 is observed. Given the abundance of OfCPH-1 in the cuticle of O. furnacalis, this liquid-liquid phase separation process and its aging behavior could play critical roles in the formation of the cuticle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyu Gong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Lei Chen
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, (Shenzhen Branch), Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 440307, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection and Shenzhen Agricultural Genome Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China.,School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, P. R. China
| | - Jining Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.,Singapore Membrane Technology Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637141, Singapore
| | - Fenghou Yuan
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, P. R. China
| | - Zhiming Ma
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Guoxin Chen
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, P. R. China
| | - Yinjuan Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Yansong Miao
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Tian Liu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, P. R. China
| | - Xin-Xing Zhang
- School of Physics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, P. R. China
| | - Qing Yang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, (Shenzhen Branch), Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 440307, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection and Shenzhen Agricultural Genome Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Jing Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
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35
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Liu W, Cheng P, Zhang K, Gong M, Zhang Z, Zhang R. Systematic identification and characterization of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) during Aedes albopictus development. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010245. [PMID: 35417446 PMCID: PMC9007367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Aedes albopictus originated in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and can currently be found on all continents. As one of the main arboviral vectors, the control of Ae. albopictus requires novel strategies, informed by a deep knowledge of its biology. Little is known regarding mosquito long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that lack protein-coding potential and have roles in developmental regulation.
Results
Based on RNA-seq data from five developmental time points, eggs, early larvae, late larvae, pupae, and adults (female and male) of Ae. albopictus, 21,414 lncRNAs were characterized in this study. Differential expression analysis revealed that lncRNAs exhibited developmental stage specificity. The expression of most lncRNAs was upregulated at the onset of metamorphosis developmental stages. More differentially expressed lncRNAs were observed between eggs and early larvae. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) further confirmed that the expression patterns of lncRNAs were obviously correlated with specific developmental time points. Functional annotation using co-expression analysis revealed that lncRNAs may be involved in the regulation of metamorphic developmental transitions of Ae. albopictus. The hub lncRNAs and hub gene clusters were identified for each module that were highly associated with specific developmental time points.
Conclusions
The results of this study will facilitate future researches to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs in the development of Ae. albopictus and utilize lncRNAs to assist with mosquito control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai’an, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai’an, China
| | - Peng Cheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai’an, China
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jining, China
| | - Kexin Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai’an, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai’an, China
| | - Maoqing Gong
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai’an, China
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jining, China
- * E-mail: (MG); (ZZ); (RZ)
| | - Zhong Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai’an, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai’an, China
- * E-mail: (MG); (ZZ); (RZ)
| | - Ruiling Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai’an, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai’an, China
- * E-mail: (MG); (ZZ); (RZ)
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The Role of Chitooligosaccharidolytic β- N-Acetylglucosamindase in the Molting and Wing Development of the Silkworm Bombyx mori. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073850. [PMID: 35409210 PMCID: PMC8998872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The insect glycoside hydrolase family 20 β-N-acetylhexosaminidases (HEXs) are key enzymes involved in chitin degradation. In this study, nine HEX genes in Bombyx mori were identified by genome-wide analysis. Bioinformatic analysis based on the transcriptome database indicated that each gene had a distinct expression pattern. qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression pattern of the chitooligosaccharidolytic β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (BmChiNAG). BmChiNAG was highly expressed in chitin-rich tissues, such as the epidermis. In the wing disc and epidermis, BmChiNAG has the highest expression level during the wandering stage. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated BmChiNAG deletion was used to study the function. In the BmChiNAG-knockout line, 39.2% of female heterozygotes had small and curly wings. The ultrastructure of a cross-section showed that the lack of BmChiNAG affected the stratification of the wing membrane and the formation of the correct wing vein structure. The molting process of the homozygotes was severely hindered during the larva to pupa transition. Epidermal sections showed that the endocuticle of the pupa was not degraded in the mutant. These results indicate that BmChiNAG is involved in chitin catabolism and plays an important role in the molting and wing development of the silkworm, which highlights the potential of BmChiNAG as a pest control target.
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Improving Polysaccharide-Based Chitin/Chitosan-Aerogel Materials by Learning from Genetics and Molecular Biology. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15031041. [PMID: 35160985 PMCID: PMC8839503 DOI: 10.3390/ma15031041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Improved wound healing of burnt skin and skin lesions, as well as medical implants and replacement products, requires the support of synthetical matrices. Yet, producing synthetic biocompatible matrices that exhibit specialized flexibility, stability, and biodegradability is challenging. Synthetic chitin/chitosan matrices may provide the desired advantages for producing specialized grafts but must be modified to improve their properties. Synthetic chitin/chitosan hydrogel and aerogel techniques provide the advantages for improvement with a bioinspired view adapted from the natural molecular toolbox. To this end, animal genetics provide deep knowledge into which molecular key factors decisively influence the properties of natural chitin matrices. The genetically identified proteins and enzymes control chitin matrix assembly, architecture, and degradation. Combining synthetic chitin matrices with critical biological factors may point to the future direction with engineering materials of specific properties for biomedical applications such as burned skin or skin blistering and extensive lesions due to genetic diseases.
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Fukamizo T, Yang Q. Chitin Biology and Beyond: Chemical Biology Aiming to Enhanced Chitin Utilization and Insect Pest Control. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:3507. [DOI: 10.2174/138161282629200730113058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tamo Fukamizo
- Department of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
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