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Leyria J, Orchard I, Lange AB. Octopamine is required for successful reproduction in the classical insect model, Rhodnius prolixus. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306611. [PMID: 38995904 PMCID: PMC11244822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In insects, biogenic amines function as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and neurohormones, influencing various behaviors, including those related to reproduction such as response to sex pheromones, oogenesis, oviposition, courtship, and mating. Octopamine (OA), an analog of the vertebrate norepinephrine, is synthesized from the biogenic amine tyramine by the enzyme tyramine β-hydroxylase (TβH). Here, we investigate the mechanisms and target genes underlying the role of OA in successful reproduction in females of Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease, by downregulating TβH mRNA expression (thereby reducing OA content) using RNA interference (RNAi), and in vivo and ex vivo application of OA. Injection of females with dsTβH impairs successful reproduction at least in part, by decreasing the transcript expression of enzymes involved in juvenile hormone biosynthesis, the primary hormone for oogenesis in R. prolixus, thereby interfering with oogenesis, ovulation and oviposition. This study offers valuable insights into the involvement of OA for successful reproduction in R. prolixus females. Understanding the reproductive biology of R. prolixus is crucial in a medical context for controlling the spread of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Angela B. Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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Leyria J, Fruttero LL, Canavoso LE. Lipids in Insect Reproduction: Where, How, and Why. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38874891 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2024_809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Modern insects have inhabited the earth for hundreds of millions of years, and part of their successful adaptation lies in their many reproductive strategies. Insect reproduction is linked to a high metabolic rate that provides viable eggs in a relatively short time. In this context, an accurate interplay between the endocrine system and the nutrients synthetized and metabolized is essential to produce healthy offspring. Lipids guarantee the metabolic energy needed for egg formation and represent the main energy source consumed during embryogenesis. Lipids availability is tightly regulated by a complex network of endocrine signals primarily controlled by the central nervous system (CNS) and associated endocrine glands, the corpora allata (CA) and corpora cardiaca (CC). This endocrine axis provides hormones and neuropeptides that significatively affect tissues closely involved in successful reproduction: the fat body, which is the metabolic center supplying the lipid resources and energy demanded in egg formation, and the ovaries, where the developing oocytes recruit lipids that will be used for optimal embryogenesis. The post-genomic era and the availability of modern experimental approaches have advanced our understanding of many processes involved in lipid homeostasis; therefore, it is crucial to integrate the findings of recent years into the knowledge already acquired in the last decades. The present chapter is devoted to reviewing major recent contributions made in elucidating the impact of the CNS/CA/CC-fat body-ovary axis on lipid metabolism in the context of insect reproduction, highlighting areas of fruitful research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, CP 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Leonardo L Fruttero
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, CP 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Lilián E Canavoso
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, CP 5000, Argentina.
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina.
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Law STS, Nong W, Li C, Chong TK, Yip HY, Swale T, Chiu SW, Chung RYN, Lam HM, Wong SYS, Wong H, Hui JHL. Genome of tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus (Cimicidae, Hemiptera) reveals tetraspanin expanded in bed bug ancestor. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38830803 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Cimex species are ectoparasites that exclusively feed on warm-blooded animals such as birds and mammals. Three cimicid species are known to be persistent pests for humans, including the tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus, common bed bug Cimex lectularius, and Eastern bat bug Leptocimex boueti. To date, genomic information is restricted to the common bed bug C. lectularius, which limits understanding their biology and to provide controls of bed bug infestations. Here, a chromosomal-level genome assembly of C. hemipterus (495 Mb [megabase pairs]) contained on 16 pseudochromosomes (scaffold N50 = 34 Mb), together with 9 messenger RNA and small RNA transcriptomes were obtained. In comparison between hemipteran genomes, we found that the tetraspanin superfamily was expanded in the Cimex ancestor. This study provides the first genome assembly for the tropical bed bug C. hemipterus, and offers an unprecedented opportunity to address questions relating to bed bug infestations, as well as genomic evolution to hemipterans more widely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Tsz Sum Law
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenyan Nong
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chade Li
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tze Kiu Chong
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho Yin Yip
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Siu Wai Chiu
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Roger Yat-Nork Chung
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hon-Ming Lam
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Samuel Y S Wong
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hung Wong
- Department of Social Work, CUHK Institute of Health Equity, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jerome H L Hui
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Leyria J. Endocrine factors modulating vitellogenesis and oogenesis in insects: An update. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 587:112211. [PMID: 38494046 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The endocrine system plays a pivotal role in shaping the mechanisms that ensure successful reproduction. With over a million known insect species, understanding the endocrine control of reproduction has become increasingly complex. Some of the key players include the classic insect lipid hormones juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysteroids, and neuropeptides such as insulin-like peptides (ILPs). Individual endocrine factors not only modulate their own target tissue but also play crucial roles in crosstalk among themselves, ensuring successful vitellogenesis and oogenesis. Recent advances in omics, gene silencing, and genome editing approaches have accelerated research, offering both fundamental insights and practical applications for studying in-depth endocrine signaling pathways. This review provides an updated and integrated view of endocrine factors modulating vitellogenesis and oogenesis in insect females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
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Silva RBV, Coelho Júnior VG, de Paula Mattos Júnior A, Julidori Garcia H, Siqueira Caixeta Nogueira E, Mazzoni TS, Ramos Martins J, Rosatto Moda LM, Barchuk AR. Farnesol, a component of plant-derived honeybee-collected resins, shows JH-like effects in Apis mellifera workers. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 154:104627. [PMID: 38373613 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104627] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Farnesol, a sesquiterpene found in all eukaryotes, precursor of juvenile hormone (JH) in insects, is involved in signalling, communication, and antimicrobial defence. Farnesol is a compound of floral volatiles, suggesting its importance in pollination and foraging behaviour. Farnesol is found in the resin of Baccharis dracunculifolia, from which honeybees elaborate the most worldwide marketable propolis. Bees use propolis to seal cracks in the walls, reinforce the wax combs, and as protection against bacteria and fungi. The introduction within a honeybee hive of a compound with potential hormonal activity can be a challenge to the colony survival, mainly because the transition from within-hive to outside activities of workers is controlled by JH. Here, we tested the hypothesis that exogenous farnesol alters the pacing of developing workers. The first assays showed that low doses of the JH precursor (0.1 and 0.01 µg) accelerate pharate-adult development, with high doses being toxic. The second assay was conducted in adult workers and demonstrated bees that received 0.2 µg farnesol showed more agitated behaviour than the control bees. If farnesol was used by corpora allata (CA) cells as a precursor of JH and this hormone was responsible for the observed behavioural alterations, these glands were expected to be larger after the treatment. Our results on CA measurements after 72 h of treatment showed bees that received farnesol had glands doubled in size compared to the control bees (p < 0.05). Additionally, we expected the expression of JH synthesis, JH degradation, and JH-response genes would be upregulated in the treated bees. Our results showed that indeed, the mean transcript levels of these genes were higher in the treated bees (significant for methyl farnesoate epoxidase and juvenile hormone esterase, p < 0.05). These results suggest farnesol is used in honeybees as a precursor of JH, leading to increasing JH titres, and thus modulating the pacing of workers development. This finding has behavioural and ecological implications, since alterations in the dynamics of the physiological changes associated to aging in young honeybees may significantly impact colony balance in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raissa Bayker Vieira Silva
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Valdeci Geraldo Coelho Júnior
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adolfo de Paula Mattos Júnior
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Henrique Julidori Garcia
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ester Siqueira Caixeta Nogueira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Talita Sarah Mazzoni
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Juliana Ramos Martins
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lívia Maria Rosatto Moda
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Angel Roberto Barchuk
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Xu TT, Wu X, Luo ZB, Tang LD, Gao JY, Zang LS. Light intensity differentially mediates the life cycle of lepidopteran leaf feeders and stem borers. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38619050 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leaf feeders, such as Spodoptera frugiperda and Spodoptera litura, and stem borers Ostrinia furnacalis and Chilo suppressalis, occupy two different niches and are well adapted to their particular environments. Borer larvae burrow and inhabit the interior of stems, which are relatively dark. By contrast, the larvae of leaf feeders are exposed to sunlight during feeding. We therefore designed series of experiments to evaluate the effect of light intensity (0, 2000, and 10 000 lx) on these pests with different feeding modes. RESULTS The development of all four pests was significantly delayed at 0 lx. Importantly, light intensity affected the development of both male and female larvae of borers, but only significantly affected male larvae of leaf feeders. Furthermore, the proportion of female offspring of leaf feeders increased with increasing light intensity (S. frugiperda: 33.89%, 42.26%, 57.41%; S. litura: 38.90%, 51.75%, 65.08%), but no significant differences were found in stem borers. This research also revealed that the survival rate of female leaf feeders did not vary across light intensities, but that of males decreased with increasing light intensity (S. frugiperda: 97.78%, 85.86%, 61.21%; S. litura: 95.83%, 73.54%, 58.99%). CONCLUSION These results improve our understanding of how light intensity affects sex differences in important lepidopteran pests occupying different feeding niches and their ecological interactions with abiotic factors in agroecosystems. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Ting Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xian Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhen-Bao Luo
- Bijie Tobacco Company of Guizhou Province, Bijie, China
| | - Liang-De Tang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jun-Yi Gao
- Bijie Tobacco Company of Guizhou Province, Bijie, China
| | - Lian-Sheng Zang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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Li C, Nong W, Boncan DAT, So WL, Yip HY, Swale T, Jia Q, Vicentin IG, Chung G, Bendena WG, Ngo JCK, Chan TF, Lam HM, Hui JHL. Elucidating the ecophysiology of soybean pod-sucking stinkbug Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) based on de novo genome assembly and transcriptome analysis. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:327. [PMID: 38565997 PMCID: PMC10985886 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10232-2] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Food security is important for the ever-growing global population. Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., is cultivated worldwide providing a key source of food, protein and oil. Hence, it is imperative to maintain or to increase its yield under different conditions including challenges caused by abiotic and biotic stresses. In recent years, the soybean pod-sucking stinkbug Riptortus pedestris has emerged as an important agricultural insect pest in East, South and Southeast Asia. Here, we present a genomics resource for R. pedestris including its genome assembly, messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) transcriptomes at different developmental stages and from different organs. As insect hormone biosynthesis genes (genes involved in metamorphosis) and their regulators such as miRNAs are potential targets for pest control, we analyzed the sesquiterpenoid (juvenile) and ecdysteroid (molting) hormone biosynthesis pathway genes including their miRNAs and relevant neuropeptides. Temporal gene expression changes of these insect hormone biosynthesis pathways were observed at different developmental stages. Similarly, a diet-specific response in gene expression was also observed in both head and salivary glands. Furthermore, we observed that microRNAs (bantam, miR-14, miR-316, and miR-263) of R. pedestris fed with different types of soybeans were differentially expressed in the salivary glands indicating a diet-specific response. Interestingly, the opposite arms of miR-281 (-5p and -3p), a miRNA involved in regulating development, were predicted to target Hmgs genes of R. pedestris and soybean, respectively. These observations among others highlight stinkbug's responses as a function of its interaction with soybean. In brief, the results of this study not only present salient findings that could be of potential use in pest management and mitigation but also provide an invaluable resource for R. pedestris as an insect model to facilitate studies on plant-pest interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chade Li
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shat-in, HKSAR, China
| | - Wenyan Nong
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shat-in, HKSAR, China
| | - Delbert Almerick T Boncan
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
| | - Wai Lok So
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shat-in, HKSAR, China
| | - Ho Yin Yip
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shat-in, HKSAR, China
| | | | - Qi Jia
- Key Laboratory for Genetics Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education/College of Crop Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, PR China
| | - Ignacio G Vicentin
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria, Avenida Rivadavia, Ciudad de Buenos, 1439, Argentina
| | - Gyuhwa Chung
- Department of Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, 59626, Korea
| | - William G Bendena
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Jacky C K Ngo
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
| | - Ting Fung Chan
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
- Institute of Environment, Institute of Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
| | - Hon-Ming Lam
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
- Institute of Environment, Institute of Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
| | - Jerome H L Hui
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shat-in, HKSAR, China.
- Institute of Environment, Institute of Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China.
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Lee IHT, Nong W, So WL, Cheung CKH, Xie Y, Baril T, Yip HY, Swale T, Chan SKF, Wei Y, Lo N, Hayward A, Chan TF, Lam HM, Hui JHL. The genome and sex-dependent responses to temperature in the common yellow butterfly, Eurema hecabe. BMC Biol 2023; 21:200. [PMID: 37749565 PMCID: PMC10521528 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01703-1] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) is one of the most geographically widespread insect orders in the world, and its species play important and diverse ecological and applied roles. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges to biodiversity this century, and lepidopterans are vulnerable to climate change. Temperature-dependent gene expression differences are of relevance under the ongoing climate crisis. However, little is known about how climate affects gene expression in lepidopterans and the ecological consequences of this, particularly with respect to genes with biased expression in one of the sexes. The common yellow butterfly, Eurema hecabe (Family Pieridae), is one of the most geographically widespread lepidopterans that can be found in Asia, Africa, and Australia. Nevertheless, what temperature-dependent effects there may be and whether the effects differ between the sexes remain largely unexplored. RESULTS Here, we generated high-quality genomic resources for E. hecabe along with transcriptomes from eight developmental stages. Male and female butterflies were subjected to varying temperatures to assess sex-specific gene expression responses through mRNA and microRNA transcriptomics. We find that there are more temperature-dependent sex-biased genes in females than males, including genes that are involved in a range of biologically important functions, highlighting potential ecological impacts of increased temperatures. Further, by considering available butterfly data on sex-biased gene expression in a comparative genomic framework, we find that the pattern of sex-biased gene expression identified in E. hecabe is highly species-specific, rather than conserved across butterfly species, suggesting that sex-biased gene expression responses to climate change are complex in butterflies. CONCLUSIONS Our study lays the foundation for further understanding of differential responses to environmental stress in a widespread lepidopteran model and demonstrates the potential complexity of sex-specific responses of lepidopterans to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivy H T Lee
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenyan Nong
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Lok So
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chris K H Cheung
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yichun Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Ho Yin Yip
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Simon K F Chan
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yingying Wei
- Department of Statistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nathan Lo
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Ting Fung Chan
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hon-Ming Lam
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jerome H L Hui
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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9
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Leyria J, Guarneri AA, Lorenzo MG, Nouzova M, Noriega FG, Benrabaa SAM, Fernandez-Lima F, Valadares Tose L, Orchard I, Lange AB. Effects of mating on female reproductive physiology in the insect model, Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of the causative parasite of Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011640. [PMID: 37729234 PMCID: PMC10545099 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-sucking hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus is one of the main vectors of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that affects several million people worldwide. Consuming a blood meal and mating are events with a high epidemiological impact since after each meal, mated females can lay fertile eggs that result in hundreds of offspring. Thus, a better knowledge of the control of R. prolixus reproductive capacity may provide targets for developing novel strategies to control vector populations, thereby reducing vector-host contacts and disease transmission. Here, we have used a combination of gene transcript expression analysis, biochemical assays, hormone measurements and studies of locomotory activity to investigate how mating influences egg development and egg laying rates in R. prolixus females. The results demonstrate that a blood meal increases egg production capacity and leads to earlier egg laying in mated females compared to virgins. Virgin females, however, have increased survival rate over mated females. Circulating juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysteroid titers are increased in mated females, a process mainly driven through an upregulation of the transcripts for their biosynthetic enzymes in the corpus allatum and ovaries, respectively. Mated females display weaker locomotory activity compared to virgin females, mainly during the photophase. In essence, this study shows how reproductive output and behaviour are profoundly influenced by mating, highlighting molecular, biochemical, endocrine and behavioral features differentially expressed in mated and virgin R. prolixus females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | | | - Marcelo G. Lorenzo
- Instituto René Rachou, Avenida Augusto de Lima, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología (INBIOTEC-CONICET), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela Nouzova
- Biology Center of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Fernando G. Noriega
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Parasitology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Francisco Fernandez-Lima
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lilian Valadares Tose
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | - Angela B. Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
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10
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Yi G, Ba R, Luo J, Zou L, Huang M, Li Y, Li H, Li X. Simultaneous Detection and Distribution of Five Juvenile Hormones in 58 Insect Species and the Absolute Configuration in 32 Insect Species. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:7878-7890. [PMID: 37191197 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile hormone (JH) plays an important role in regulating various insect physiological processes. Herein, a novel method (chiral and achiral) for the simultaneous detection of five JHs was established by processing a whole insect without complicated hemolymph extraction. The proposed method was used to determine the distribution of JHs in 58 insect species and the absolute configuration of JHs in 32 species. The results showed that JHSB3 was uniquely synthesized in Hemiptera, JHB3 was unique to Diptera, and JH I and JH II were unique to Lepidoptera. JH III was present in most insect species surveyed, with social insects having generally higher JH III titers. Interestingly, JHSB3 and JHB3, both double epoxidation JHs, were found in insects with sucking mouthparts. The absolute conformation of JH III and the 10C of the detected JHs were all R stereoisomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Yi
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-products Safety, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Rikang Ba
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-products Safety, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-products Safety, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Lixia Zou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-products Safety, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Mingfeng Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-products Safety, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-products Safety, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Honghong Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-products Safety, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Xuesheng Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-products Safety, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
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11
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Elya C, Lavrentovich D, Lee E, Pasadyn C, Duval J, Basak M, Saykina V, de Bivort B. Neural mechanisms of parasite-induced summiting behavior in 'zombie' Drosophila. eLife 2023; 12:e85410. [PMID: 37184212 PMCID: PMC10259475 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85410] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
For at least two centuries, scientists have been enthralled by the "zombie" behaviors induced by mind-controlling parasites. Despite this interest, the mechanistic bases of these uncanny processes have remained mostly a mystery. Here, we leverage the Entomophthora muscae-Drosophila melanogaster "zombie fly" system to reveal the mechanistic underpinnings of summit disease, a manipulated behavior evoked by many fungal parasites. Using a high-throughput approach to measure summiting, we discovered that summiting behavior is characterized by a burst of locomotion and requires the host circadian and neurosecretory systems, specifically DN1p circadian neurons, pars intercerebralis to corpora allata projecting (PI-CA) neurons and corpora allata (CA), the latter being solely responsible for juvenile hormone (JH) synthesis and release. Using a machine learning classifier to identify summiting animals in real time, we observed that PI-CA neurons and CA appeared intact in summiting animals, despite invasion of adjacent regions of the "zombie fly" brain by E. muscae cells and extensive host tissue damage in the body cavity. The blood-brain barrier of flies late in their infection was significantly permeabilized, suggesting that factors in the hemolymph may have greater access to the central nervous system during summiting. Metabolomic analysis of hemolymph from summiting flies revealed differential abundance of several compounds compared to non-summiting flies. Transfusing the hemolymph of summiting flies into non-summiting recipients induced a burst of locomotion, demonstrating that factor(s) in the hemolymph likely cause summiting behavior. Altogether, our work reveals a neuro-mechanistic model for summiting wherein fungal cells perturb the fly's hemolymph, activating a neurohormonal pathway linking clock neurons to juvenile hormone production in the CA, ultimately inducing locomotor activity in their host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Elya
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Danylo Lavrentovich
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Emily Lee
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Cassandra Pasadyn
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Jasper Duval
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Maya Basak
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Valerie Saykina
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Benjamin de Bivort
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
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12
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Khalil SMS, Alahmed AM, Munawar K. RNAi-mediated mortality of Culex quinquefasciatus using two delivery methods of potential field application. Acta Trop 2023; 243:106938. [PMID: 37146864 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106938] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
With increasing reports of resistance to traditional insecticides, there is a need for innovative ways for mosquito control. RNAi is a sequence-specific molecular biology technique for gene silencing through degradation of mRNA and prevention of protein translation. Some genes are essential for insect life and their silencing can lead to insect morbidity and/or mortality. Searching for lethal genes in Culex quinquefasciatus, we found dynamin, ROP, HMGR and JHAMT to be lethal targets for RNAi in initial screening through larval soaking in dsRNA solution. Two delivery methods, chitosan nanoparticles and genetically modified yeast cells, were used in this study and proved effective in inducing high larval mortality and low adult emergence. Adult emergence after chitosan nanoparticles/dsRNA treatment was 12.67% ± 1.76 (HMGR), 17.33% ± 1.76 (dynamin), 18.67% ± 0.67 (ROP), and 35.33% ± 0.67 (JHAMT). Genetically modified yeast increased mortalities as adult emergence was 8.33% ± 1.67 (HMGR), 13.33% ± 3.33 (dynamin), and 10% ± 2.89 (JHAMT and ROP). Chitosan nanoparticles retained 75% of its biological activity whereas yeast cells retained >95% of their activities after 7 days of incubation in water. In conclusion, our results showed that these four genes are good targets for C. quinquefasciatus control using RNAi packaged in either chitosan nanoparticles or genetically modified yeast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayed M S Khalil
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia; Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 9 Gamaa Street, Giza, 12619, Egypt.
| | - Azzam M Alahmed
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kashif Munawar
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
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13
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Chi X, Wang Z, Wang Y, Liu Z, Wang H, Xu B. Cross-Kingdom Regulation of Plant-Derived miRNAs in Modulating Insect Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097978. [PMID: 37175684 PMCID: PMC10178792 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding small RNAs, are crucial regulatory factors in plants and animals at the post-transcriptional level. These tiny molecules suppress gene expression by complementary oligonucleotide binding to sites in the target messenger. Recently, the discovery of plant-derived miRNAs with cross-kingdom abilities to regulate gene expression in insects has promoted exciting discussion, although some controversies exist regarding the modulation of insect development by plant-derived miRNAs. Here, we review current knowledge about the mechanisms of miRNA biogenesis, the roles of miRNAs in coevolution between insects and plants, the regulation of insect development by plant-derived miRNAs, the cross-kingdom transport mechanisms of plant-derived miRNAs, and cross-kingdom regulation. In addition, the controversy regarding the modulation of insect development by plant-derived miRNAs also was discussed. Our review provides new insights for understanding complex plant-insect interactions and discovering new strategies for pest management and even crop genetic improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuepeng Chi
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271002, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271002, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271002, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271002, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Hongfang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271002, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Baohua Xu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271002, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
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14
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Yu Z, Shi J, Jiang X, Song Y, Du J, Zhao Z. Neuropeptide F regulates feeding via the juvenile hormone pathway in Ostrinia furnacalis larvae. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1193-1203. [PMID: 36396604 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feeding by pests is one of the most important reasons for reductions in agricultural crop yield. This study aimed to reveal how juvenile hormone (JH) participates in larval feeding regulation of the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis. RESULTS Larvae of O. furnacalis exhibit a daily circadian feeding rhythm, with a peak at ZT18 and a trough at ZT6 under both photoperiod (LD) and constant dark (DD) conditions, which may be eliminated by application of fenoxycarb, a JH active analogue. JH negatively regulates larval feeding as a downstream factor of neuropeptide F (NPF), in which knocking down JH increases larval feeding amount along with body weight and length. The production of JH in the brain-corpora cardiaca-corpora allata (brain-CC-CA) is regulated by brain NPF rather than gut NPF, which was demonstrated in Drosophila larvae through GAL4/UAS genetic analysis. In addition, feeding regulation of JH is closely related to energy homeostasis in the fat body by inhibiting energy storage and promoting degradation. The JH analogue fenoxycarb is an effective pesticide against O. furnacalis, controlling feeding and metabolism. CONCLUSION The brain NPF system regulates JH, with functions in food consumption, feeding rhythms, energy homeostasis and body size. This study provides an important basis for understanding the feeding mechanism and potential pest control of O. furnacalis. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuofan Yu
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jian Shi
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xuemin Jiang
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yu Song
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhangwu Zhao
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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15
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Smykal V, Dolezel D. Evolution of proteins involved in the final steps of juvenile hormone synthesis. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 145:104487. [PMID: 36707023 PMCID: PMC10015273 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile hormone (JH), a sesquiterpenoid produced by the insect corpus allatum gland (CA), is a key regulator of insect metamorphosis, reproduction, caste differentiation, and polyphenism. The first part of JH biosynthesis occurs via the universal eukaryotic mevalonate pathway. The final steps involve epoxidation and methylation. However, the sequence of these steps might not be conserved among all insects and Crustacea. Therefore, we used available genomic and transcriptomic data and identified JH acid methyltransferase (JHAMT), analyzed their genomic duplications in selected model organisms, and reconstructed their phylogeny. We have further reconstructed phylogeny of FAMeT proteins and show that evolution of this protein group is more complicated than originally appreciated. The analysis delineates important milestones in the evolution of several JH biosynthetic enzymes in arthropods, reviews major literature data on the last steps of JH synthesis, and defines questions and some hypotheses worth pursuing experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vlastimil Smykal
- Biology Center of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - David Dolezel
- Biology Center of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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16
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Noncoding RNA Regulation of Hormonal and Metabolic Systems in the Fruit Fly Drosophila. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13020152. [PMID: 36837772 PMCID: PMC9967906 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020152] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of RNAs is commonly recognised thanks to protein-coding RNAs, whereas non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) were conventionally regarded as 'junk'. In the last decade, ncRNAs' significance and roles are becoming noticeable in various biological activities, including those in hormonal and metabolic regulation. Among the ncRNAs: microRNA (miRNA) is a small RNA transcript with ~20 nucleotides in length; long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is an RNA transcript with >200 nucleotides; and circular RNA (circRNA) is derived from back-splicing of pre-mRNA. These ncRNAs can regulate gene expression levels at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels through various mechanisms in insects. A better understanding of these crucial regulators is essential to both basic and applied entomology. In this review, we intend to summarise and discuss the current understanding and knowledge of miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA in the best-studied insect model, the fruit fly Drosophila.
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17
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Crosstalk between Nutrition, Insulin, Juvenile Hormone, and Ecdysteroid Signaling in the Classical Insect Model, Rhodnius prolixus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010007. [PMID: 36613451 PMCID: PMC9819625 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The rigorous balance of endocrine signals that control insect reproductive physiology is crucial for the success of egg production. Rhodnius prolixus, a blood-feeding insect and main vector of Chagas disease, has been used over the last century as a model to unravel aspects of insect metabolism and physiology. Our recent work has shown that nutrition, insulin signaling, and two main types of insect lipophilic hormones, juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysteroids, are essential for successful reproduction in R. prolixus; however, the interplay behind these endocrine signals has not been established. We used a combination of hormone treatments, gene expression analyses, hormone measurements, and ex vivo experiments using the corpus allatum or the ovary, to investigate how the interaction of these endocrine signals might define the hormone environment for egg production. The results show that after a blood meal, circulating JH levels increase, a process mainly driven through insulin and allatoregulatory neuropeptides. In turn, JH feeds back to provide some control over its own biosynthesis by regulating the expression of critical biosynthetic enzymes in the corpus allatum. Interestingly, insulin also stimulates the synthesis and release of ecdysteroids from the ovary. This study highlights the complex network of endocrine signals that, together, coordinate a successful reproductive cycle.
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18
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Leyria J, Orchard I, Lange AB. Impact of JH Signaling on Reproductive Physiology of the Classical Insect Model, Rhodnius prolixus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213832. [PMID: 36430311 PMCID: PMC9692686 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In adult females of several insect species, juvenile hormones (JHs) act as gonadotrophic hormones, regulating egg production. JH binds to its nuclear receptor, Methoprene tolerant (Met), triggering its dimerization with the protein Taiman (Tai). The resulting active complex induces transcription of JH response genes, such as Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1). In this study we report for the first time the participation of the isoform JH III skipped bisepoxide (JHSB3) and its signaling pathway in the reproductive fitness of the classical insect model Rhodnius prolixus. The topical application of synthetic JHSB3 increases transcript and protein expression of yolk protein precursors (YPPs), mainly by the fat body but also by the ovaries, the second source of YPPs. These results are also confirmed by ex vivo assays. In contrast, when the JH signaling cascade is impaired via RNA interference by downregulating RhoprMet and RhoprTai mRNA, egg production is inhibited. Although RhoprKr-h1 transcript expression is highly dependent on JHSB3 signaling, it is not involved in egg production but rather in successful hatching. This research contributes missing pieces of JH action in the insect model in which JH was first postulated almost 100 years ago.
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Zhou QH, Zhang Q, Yang RL, Yuan GR, Wang JJ, Dou W. RNAi-mediated knockdown of juvenile hormone acid O-methyltransferase disrupts larval development in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:105285. [PMID: 36464328 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), is a notoriously agricultural pest that causes serious economic losses to fruits and vegetables. Widespread insecticide resistance in B. dorsalis is a major obstacle in successful control. Therefore, new pest control strategies, such as those targeting specific genes that can block pest development, are urgently needed. In the current study, the function of JHAMT in B. dorsalis was systematically investigated. A methyltransferase gene in B. dorsalis (BdJHAMT) that is homologous to JHAMT of Drosophila melanogaster was cloned firstly. The subsequently spatiotemporal expression analysis indicated that BdJHAMT mRNA was continuously present in the larval stage, declined sharply immediately before pupation, and then increased in the adult. Subcellular localization showed that BdJHAMT was localized in the adult corpora allata and larval intestinal wall cells. The JH III titer in B. dorsalis was closely related to the transcription level of BdJHAMT in different developmental stages. The dsBdJHAMT feeding-based RNAi resulted in a greatly decreased JH III titer that disrupted fly development. The slow growth caused by BdJHAMT silencing was partially rescued by application of the JH mimic, methoprene. These results demonstrated that BdJHAMT was crucial for JH biosynthesis and thus regulated larval development in B. dorsalis, indicating it may serve as a prospective target for the development of novel control strategies against this pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Hao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Rui-Lin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guo-Rui Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Wei Dou
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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20
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Law STS, Nong W, So WL, Baril T, Swale T, Chan CB, Tobe SS, Kai ZP, Bendena WG, Hayward A, Hui JHL. Chromosomal-level reference genome of the moth Heortia vitessoides (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a major pest of agarwood-producing trees. Genomics 2022; 114:110440. [PMID: 35905835 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110440] [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: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The moth Heortia vitessoides Moore (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a major pest of ecologically, commercially and culturally important agarwood-producing trees in the genus Aquilaria. In particular, H. vitessoides is one of the most destructive defoliating pests of the incense tree Aquilaria sinesis, which produces a valuable fragrant wood used as incense and in traditional Chinese medicine [33]. Nevertheless, a genomic resource for H. vitessoides is lacking. Here, we present a chromosomal-level assembly for H. vitessoides, consisting of a 517 megabase (Mb) genome assembly with high physical contiguity (scaffold N50 of 18.2 Mb) and high completeness (97.9% complete BUSCO score). To aid gene annotation, 8 messenger RNA transcriptomes from different developmental stages were generated, and a total of 16,421 gene models were predicted. Expansion of gene families involved in xenobiotic metabolism and development were detected, including duplications of cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT) genes shared among lepidopterans. In addition, small RNA sequencing of 5 developmental stages of H. vitessoides facilitated the identification of 85 lepidopteran conserved microRNAs, 94 lineage-specific microRNAs, as well as several microRNA clusters. A large proportion of the H. vitessoides genome consists of repeats, with a 29.12% total genomic contribution from transposable elements, of which long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) are the dominant component (17.41%). A sharp decrease in the genome-wide percentage of LINEs with lower levels of genetic distance to family consensus sequences suggests that LINE activity has peaked in H. vitessoides. In contrast, opposing patterns suggest a substantial recent increase in DNA and LTR element activity. Together with annotations of essential sesquiterpenoid hormonal pathways, neuropeptides, microRNAs and transposable elements, the high-quality genomic and transcriptomic resources we provide for the economically important moth H. vitessoides provide a platform for the development of genomic approaches to pest management, and contribute to addressing fundamental research questions in Lepidoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean T S Law
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Wenyan Nong
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Lok So
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | | | - Chi Bun Chan
- School of Biological Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Stephen S Tobe
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Zhen-Peng Kai
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Jerome H L Hui
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Ramos LFC, Martins M, Murillo JR, Domont GB, de Oliveira DMP, Nogueira FCS, Maciel-de-Freitas R, Junqueira M. Interspecies Isobaric Labeling-Based Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Protein Changes in the Ovary of Aedes aegypti Coinfected With ZIKV and Wolbachia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:900608. [PMID: 35873163 PMCID: PMC9302590 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.900608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika is a vector-borne disease caused by an arbovirus (ZIKV) and overwhelmingly transmitted by Ae. aegypti. This disease is linked to adverse fetal outcomes, mostly microcephaly in newborns, and other clinical aspects such as acute febrile illness and neurologic complications, for example, Guillain-Barré syndrome. One of the most promising strategies to mitigate arbovirus transmission involves releasing Ae. aegypti mosquitoes carrying the maternally inherited endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia pipientis. The presence of Wolbachia is associated with a reduced susceptibility to arboviruses and a fitness cost in mosquito life-history traits such as fecundity and fertility. However, the mechanisms by which Wolbachia influences metabolic pathways leading to differences in egg production remains poorly known. To investigate the impact of coinfections on the reproductive tract of the mosquito, we applied an isobaric labeling-based quantitative proteomic strategy to investigate the influence of Wolbachia wMel and ZIKV infection in Ae. aegypti ovaries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most complete proteome of Ae. aegypti ovaries reported so far, with a total of 3913 proteins identified, were also able to quantify 1044 Wolbachia proteins in complex sample tissue of Ae. aegypti ovary. Furthermore, from a total of 480 mosquito proteins modulated in our study, we discuss proteins and pathways altered in Ae. aegypti during ZIKV infections, Wolbachia infections, coinfection Wolbachia/ZIKV, and compared with no infection, focusing on immune and reproductive aspects of Ae. aegypti. The modified aspects mainly were related to the immune priming enhancement by Wolbachia presence and the modulation of the Juvenile Hormone pathway caused by both microorganism’s infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Felipe Costa Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michele Martins
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jimmy Rodriguez Murillo
- Division of Chemistry I, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gilberto Barbosa Domont
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Fábio César Sousa Nogueira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Magno Junqueira, ; Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas,
| | - Magno Junqueira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Magno Junqueira, ; Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas,
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22
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Myriapod genomes reveal ancestral horizontal gene transfer and hormonal gene loss in millipedes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3010. [PMID: 35637228 PMCID: PMC9151784 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30690-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals display a fascinating diversity of body plans. Correspondingly, genomic analyses have revealed dynamic evolution of gene gains and losses among animal lineages. Here we sequence six new myriapod genomes (three millipedes, three centipedes) at key phylogenetic positions within this major but understudied arthropod lineage. We combine these with existing genomic resources to conduct a comparative analysis across all available myriapod genomes. We find that millipedes generally have considerably smaller genomes than centipedes, with the repeatome being a major contributor to genome size, driven by independent large gains of transposons in three centipede species. In contrast to millipedes, centipedes gained a large number of gene families after the subphyla diverged, with gains contributing to sensory and locomotory adaptations that facilitated their ecological shift to predation. We identify distinct horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events from bacteria to millipedes and centipedes, with no identifiable HGTs shared among all myriapods. Loss of juvenile hormone O-methyltransferase, a key enzyme in catalysing sesquiterpenoid hormone production in arthropods, was also revealed in all millipede lineages. Our findings suggest that the rapid evolution of distinct genomic pathways in centipede and millipede lineages following their divergence from the myriapod ancestor, was shaped by differing ecological pressures. Myriapods play an important ecological role in soil and forest ecosystems. Here the authors analyse nine myriapod genomes, showing rapid evolution of distinct genomic pathways in centipede and millipede lineages, shaped by differing ecological pressures.
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23
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So WL, Kai Z, Qu Z, Bendena WG, Hui JHL. Rethinking Sesquiterpenoids: A Widespread Hormone in Animals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23115998. [PMID: 35682678 PMCID: PMC9181382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The sesquiterpenoid hormone juvenile hormone (JH) controls development, reproduction, and metamorphosis in insects, and has long been thought to be confined to the Insecta. While it remains true that juvenile hormone is specifically synthesized in insects, other types or forms of sesquiterpenoids have also been discovered in distantly related animals, such as the jellyfish. Here, we combine the latest literature and annotate the sesquiterpenoid biosynthetic pathway genes in different animal genomes. We hypothesize that the sesquiterpenoid hormonal system is an ancestral system established in an animal ancestor and remains widespread in many animals. Different animal lineages have adapted different enzymatic routes from a common pathway, with cnidarians producing farnesoic acid (FA); non-insect protostomes and non-vertebrate deuterostomes such as cephalochordate and echinoderm synthesizing FA and methyl farnesoate (MF); and insects producing FA, MF, and JH. Our hypothesis revolutionizes the current view on the sesquiterpenoids in the metazoans, and forms a foundation for a re-investigation of the roles of this important and yet neglected type of hormone in different animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Lok So
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (W.L.S.); (Z.Q.)
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhenpeng Kai
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China;
| | - Zhe Qu
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (W.L.S.); (Z.Q.)
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - William G. Bendena
- Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Correspondence: (W.G.B.); (J.H.L.H.)
| | - Jerome H. L. Hui
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (W.L.S.); (Z.Q.)
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (W.G.B.); (J.H.L.H.)
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24
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Tu S, Tuo P, Xu D, Wang Z, Wang M, Xie X, Zhu D. Molecular Characterization of the Cytochrome P450 Epoxidase ( CYP15) in the Swimming Crab Portunus trituberculatus and Its Putative Roles in Methyl Farnesoate Metabolism. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2022; 242:75-86. [PMID: 35580030 DOI: 10.1086/719047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
CYP15, which encodes a microsomal cytochrome P450 enzyme, could be involved in juvenile hormone biosynthesis in insects. In this study, a full-length cDNA of CYP15 was cloned from the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus. This PtCYP15 amino acid sequence contains six conserved domains, which is a typical feature of the cytochrome P450 family. Phylogenetic tree analysis results showed that PtCYP15 clusters in a single branch of crustacean species, suggesting that CYP15 may be more widely present in crustaceans. The PtCYP15 mRNA has a broad pattern of tissue expression in P. trituberculatus, including high levels of expression in the hepatopancreas of both sexes and in the ovary of female crabs. During ovarian development stages, PtCYP15 mRNA is highly expressed in stages I and II and less so in stages III and IV in the hepatopancreas and the ovary of the female crabs. These expression profiles are opposite those of methyl farnesoate in hemolymph, suggesting that PtCYP15 might be involved in methyl farnesoate metabolism. In vitro studies show that only methyl farnesoate upregulated vitellogenin expression in the hepatopancreas, suggesting that methyl farnesoate might be the equivalent of juvenile hormone III in crustaceans. Methyl farnesoate treatment increased levels of PtCYP15 in explants of the hepatopancreas and ovary, while juvenile hormone III treatment reduced levels of PtCYP15 mRNA in ovary explants, suggesting that PtCYP15 might be involved in degrading methyl farnesoate. Furthermore, PtCYP15 mRNA expression levels were inhibited by adding juvenile hormone III to ovary explants. These findings provide foundational information for future research on methyl farnesoate metabolism in crustaceans.
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25
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Nong W, Yu Y, Aase-Remedios ME, Xie Y, So WL, Li Y, Wong CF, Baril T, Law STS, Lai SY, Haimovitz J, Swale T, Chen SS, Kai ZP, Sun X, Wu Z, Hayward A, Ferrier DEK, Hui JHL. Genome of the ramshorn snail Biomphalaria straminea-an obligate intermediate host of schistosomiasis. Gigascience 2022; 11:6528774. [PMID: 35166339 PMCID: PMC8848322 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, is a parasitic disease caused by trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. Infection by Schistosoma mansoni in humans results when cercariae emerge into water from freshwater snails in the genus Biomphalaria and seek out and penetrate human skin. The snail Biomphalaria straminea is native to South America and is now also present in Central America and China, and represents a potential vector host for spreading schistosomiasis. To date, genomic information for the genus is restricted to the neotropical species Biomphalaria glabrata. This limits understanding of the biology and management of other schistosomiasis vectors, such as B. straminea. FINDINGS Using a combination of Illumina short-read, 10X Genomics linked-read, and Hi-C sequencing data, our 1.005 Gb B. straminea genome assembly is of high contiguity, with a scaffold N50 of 25.3 Mb. Transcriptomes from adults were also obtained. Developmental homeobox genes, hormonal genes, and stress-response genes were identified, and repeat content was annotated (40.68% of genomic content). Comparisons with other mollusc genomes (including Gastropoda, Bivalvia, and Cephalopoda) revealed syntenic conservation, patterns of homeobox gene linkage indicative of evolutionary changes to gene clusters, expansion of heat shock protein genes, and the presence of sesquiterpenoid and cholesterol metabolic pathway genes in Gastropoda. In addition, hormone treatment together with RT-qPCR assay reveal a sesquiterpenoid hormone responsive system in B. straminea, illustrating that this renowned insect hormonal system is also present in the lophotrochozoan lineage. CONCLUSION This study provides the first genome assembly for the snail B. straminea and offers an unprecedented opportunity to address a variety of phenomena related to snail vectors of schistosomiasis, as well as evolutionary and genomics questions related to molluscs more widely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Nong
- School of Life Science, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yifei Yu
- School of Life Science, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Madeleine E Aase-Remedios
- The Scottish Oceans Institute, Gatty Marine Laboratory, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Yichun Xie
- School of Life Science, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Lok So
- School of Life Science, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yiqian Li
- School of Life Science, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cheuk Fung Wong
- School of Life Science, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Sean T S Law
- School of Life Science, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sheung Yee Lai
- School of Life Science, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | | | - Shan-Shan Chen
- Institute of Agro-food Standard and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen-Peng Kai
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Sun
- Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
| | | | | | - David E K Ferrier
- The Scottish Oceans Institute, Gatty Marine Laboratory, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Jerome H L Hui
- School of Life Science, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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26
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Pandey A, Bloch G. Krüppel-homologue 1 Mediates Hormonally Regulated Dominance Rank in a Social Bee. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10111188. [PMID: 34827180 PMCID: PMC8614866 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Dominance hierarchies are ubiquitous in invertebrates and vertebrates, but little is known on how genes influence dominance rank. Our gaps in knowledge are specifically significant concerning female hierarchies, particularly in insects. To start filling these gaps, we studied the social bumble bee Bombus terrestris, in which social hierarchies among females are common and functionally significant. Dominance rank in this bee is influenced by multiple factors, including juvenile hormone (JH) that is a major gonadotropin in this species. We tested the hypothesis that the JH responsive transcription factor Krüppel homologue 1 (Kr-h1) mediates hormonal influences on dominance behavior. We first developed and validated a perfluorocarbon nanoparticles-based RNA interference protocol for knocking down Kr-h1 expression. We then used this procedure to show that Kr-h1 mediates the influence of JH, not only on oogenesis and wax production, but also on aggression and dominance rank. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study causally linking a gene to dominance rank in social insects, and one of only a few such studies on insects or on female hierarchies. These findings are important for determining whether there are general molecular principles governing dominance rank across gender and taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul Pandey
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (G.B.)
| | - Guy Bloch
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (G.B.)
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27
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Epoxidation of juvenile hormone was a key innovation improving insect reproductive fitness. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2109381118. [PMID: 34697248 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109381118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Methyl farnesoate (MF) plays hormonal regulatory roles in crustaceans. An epoxidated form of MF, known as juvenile hormone (JH), controls metamorphosis and stimulates reproduction in insects. To address the evolutionary significance of MF epoxidation, we generated mosquitoes completely lacking either of the two enzymes that catalyze the last steps of MF/JH biosynthesis and epoxidation, respectively: the JH acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) and the P450 epoxidase CYP15 (EPOX). jhamt -/- larvae lacking both MF and JH died at the onset of metamorphosis. Strikingly, epox -/- mutants, which synthesized MF but no JH, completed the entire life cycle. While epox -/- adults were fertile, the reproductive performance of both sexes was dramatically reduced. Our results suggest that although MF can substitute for the absence of JH in mosquitoes, it is with a significant fitness cost. We propose that MF can fulfill most roles of JH, but its epoxidation to JH was a key innovation providing insects with a reproductive advantage.
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28
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Elgendy AM, Mohamed AA, Duvic B, Tufail M, Takeda M. Involvement of Cis-Acting Elements in Molecular Regulation of JH-Mediated Vitellogenin Gene 2 of Female Periplaneta americana. Front Physiol 2021; 12:723072. [PMID: 34526913 PMCID: PMC8435907 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.723072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitellogenins (Vgs) are yolk protein precursors that are regulated by juvenile hormone (JH) and/or 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in insects. JH acts as the principal gonadotropin that stimulates vitellogenesis in hemimetabolous insects. In this study, we cloned and characterized the Periplaneta americana Vitellogenin 2 (Vg2) promoter. Multiple sites for putative transcription factor binding were predicted for the 1,804 bp Vg2 promoter region, such as the Broad-Complex, ecdysone response element (EcRE), GATA, Hairy, JH response element (JHRE), and Methoprene (Met)-binding motif, among others. Luciferase reporter assay has identified that construct -177 bp is enough to support JH III induction but not 20E suppression. This 38 bp region (from -177 to -139 bp) contains two conserved response element half-sites separated by 2 nucleotides spacer (DR2) and is designated as Vg2RE (-168GAGTCACGGAGTCGCCGCTG-149). Mutation assay and luciferase assay data using mutated constructs verified the crucial role of G residues in Vg2RE for binding the isolated fat body nuclear protein. In Sf9 cells, a luciferase reporter placed under the control of a minimal promoter containing Vg2RE was induced by JH III in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Nuclear proteins isolated from previtellogenic female fat body cells bound to Vg2RE, and this binding was outcompeted by a 50-fold excess of cold Drosophila melanogaster DR4 and Galleria mellonella JH binding protein response elements (Chorion factor-I/Ultraspiracle). Affinity pull-down experiment with nuclear extracts of previtellogenic female fat body, using 31-bp probe Vg2RE as bait, yielded a 71 kDa candidate nuclear protein that may mediate the regulatory action of the JH III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza M Elgendy
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.,Department of Agrobioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Amr A Mohamed
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Muhammad Tufail
- Department of Agrobioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo, Japan.,Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Makio Takeda
- Department of Agrobioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo, Japan
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29
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Uy FMK, Jernigan CM, Zaba NC, Mehrotra E, Miller SE, Sheehan MJ. Dynamic neurogenomic responses to social interactions and dominance outcomes in female paper wasps. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009474. [PMID: 34478434 PMCID: PMC8415593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Social interactions have large effects on individual physiology and fitness. In the immediate sense, social stimuli are often highly salient and engaging. Over longer time scales, competitive interactions often lead to distinct social ranks and differences in physiology and behavior. Understanding how initial responses lead to longer-term effects of social interactions requires examining the changes in responses over time. Here we examined the effects of social interactions on transcriptomic signatures at two times, at the end of a 45-minute interaction and 4 hours later, in female Polistes fuscatus paper wasp foundresses. Female P. fuscatus have variable facial patterns that are used for visual individual recognition, so we separately examined the transcriptional dynamics in the optic lobe and the non-visual brain. Results demonstrate much stronger transcriptional responses to social interactions in the non-visual brain compared to the optic lobe. Differentially regulated genes in response to social interactions are enriched for memory-related transcripts. Comparisons between winners and losers of the encounters revealed similar overall transcriptional profiles at the end of an interaction, which significantly diverged over the course of 4 hours, with losers showing changes in expression levels of genes associated with aggression and reproduction in paper wasps. On nests, subordinate foundresses are less aggressive, do more foraging and lay fewer eggs compared to dominant foundresses and we find losers shift expression of many genes in the non-visual brain, including vitellogenin, related to aggression, worker behavior, and reproduction within hours of losing an encounter. These results highlight the early neurogenomic changes that likely contribute to behavioral and physiological effects of social status changes in a social insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floria M. K. Uy
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. Jernigan
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Natalie C. Zaba
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Eshan Mehrotra
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Sara E. Miller
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Sheehan
- Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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Ito-Harashima S, Matsuura M, Takada E, Kawanishi M, Nakagawa Y, Yagi T. Detection of juvenile hormone agonists by a new reporter gene assay using yeast expressing Drosophila methoprene-tolerant. FEBS Open Bio 2021; 11:2774-2783. [PMID: 34407562 PMCID: PMC8487040 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile hormones (JHs) are sesquiterpenoids that play important roles in the regulation of growth, metamorphosis, and reproduction in insects. Synthetic JH agonists (JHAs) have been used as insecticides and are categorized as a class of insect growth regulators (IGRs). Natural JHs and synthetic JHAs bind to the JH receptor methoprene‐tolerant (Met), which forms a functional JH‐receptor complex with steroid receptor coactivators, such as Drosophila melanogaster Taiman (Tai). The ligand‐bound Met–Tai complex induces the transcription of JH response genes by binding to specific DNA elements referred to as JH response elements (JHREs). In the present study, we established a reporter gene assay (RGA) for detecting natural JHs and synthetic JHAs in a yeast strain expressing D. melanogaster Met and Tai. The yeast RGA system detected various juvenoid ligands in a dose‐dependent manner. The rank order of the ligand potencies of the juvenoids examined in the yeast RGA linearly correlated with those of RGAs for Met–Tai established in mammalian and insect cells. Our new yeast RGA is rapid, easy to handle, cost‐effective, and valuable for screening novel JHAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayoko Ito-Harashima
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan
| | - Mai Matsuura
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan
| | - Eiji Takada
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kawanishi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Nakagawa
- Division of Applied Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Japan
| | - Takashi Yagi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan
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Molecular underpinnings of the early brain developmental response to differential feeding in the honey bee Apis mellifera. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2021; 1864:194732. [PMID: 34242825 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2021.194732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Brain differential morphogenesis in females is one of the major phenotypic manifestations of caste development in honey bees. Brain diphenism appears at the fourth larval phase as a result of the differential feeding regime developing females are submitted during early phases of larval development. Here, we used a forward genetics approach to test the early brain molecular response to differential feeding leading to the brain diphenism observed at later developmental phases. Using RNA sequencing analysis, we identified 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the brains of queens and workers at the third larval phase. Since miRNAs have been suggested to play a role in caste differentiation after horizontal and vertical transmission, we tested their potential participation in regulating the DEGs. The miRNA-mRNA interaction network, including the DEGs and the royal- and worker-jelly enriched miRNA populations, revealed a subset of miRNAs potentially involved in regulating the expression of DEGs. The interaction of miR-34, miR-210, and miR-317 with Takeout, Neurotrophin-1, Forked, and Masquerade genes was experimentally confirmed using a luciferase reporter system. Taken together, our results reconstruct the regulatory network that governs the development of the early brain diphenism in honey bees.
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32
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Mykles DL. Signaling Pathways That Regulate the Crustacean Molting Gland. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:674711. [PMID: 34234741 PMCID: PMC8256442 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.674711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A pair of Y-organs (YOs) are the molting glands of decapod crustaceans. They synthesize and secrete steroid molting hormones (ecdysteroids) and their activity is controlled by external and internal signals. The YO transitions through four physiological states over the molt cycle, which are mediated by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH; basal state), mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1; activated state), Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ)/Activin (committed state), and ecdysteroid (repressed state) signaling pathways. MIH, produced in the eyestalk X-organ/sinus gland complex, inhibits the synthesis of ecdysteroids. A model for MIH signaling is organized into a cAMP/Ca2+-dependent triggering phase and a nitric oxide/cGMP-dependent summation phase, which maintains the YO in the basal state during intermolt. A reduction in MIH release triggers YO activation, which requires mTORC1-dependent protein synthesis, followed by mTORC1-dependent gene expression. TGFβ/Activin signaling is required for YO commitment in mid-premolt. The YO transcriptome has 878 unique contigs assigned to 23 KEGG signaling pathways, 478 of which are differentially expressed over the molt cycle. Ninety-nine contigs encode G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), 65 of which bind a variety of neuropeptides and biogenic amines. Among these are putative receptors for MIH/crustacean hyperglycemic hormone neuropeptides, corazonin, relaxin, serotonin, octopamine, dopamine, allatostatins, Bursicon, ecdysis-triggering hormone (ETH), CCHamide, FMRFamide, and proctolin. Contigs encoding receptor tyrosine kinase insulin-like receptor, epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor and ligands EGF and FGF suggest that the YO is positively regulated by insulin-like peptides and growth factors. Future research should focus on the interactions of signaling pathways that integrate physiological status with environmental cues for molt control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald L. Mykles
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- University of California-Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, Bodega Bay, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Donald L. Mykles,
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Boncan DAT, Tsang SS, Li C, Lee IH, Lam HM, Chan TF, Hui JH. Terpenes and Terpenoids in Plants: Interactions with Environment and Insects. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7382. [PMID: 33036280 PMCID: PMC7583029 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The interactions of plants with environment and insects are bi-directional and dynamic. Consequently, a myriad of mechanisms has evolved to engage organisms in different types of interactions. These interactions can be mediated by allelochemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which include volatile terpenes (VTs). The emission of VTs provides a way for plants to communicate with the environment, including neighboring plants, beneficiaries (e.g., pollinators, seed dispersers), predators, parasitoids, and herbivores, by sending enticing or deterring signals. Understanding terpenoid distribution, biogenesis, and function provides an opportunity for the design and implementation of effective and efficient environmental calamity and pest management strategies. This review provides an overview of plant-environment and plant-insect interactions in the context of terpenes and terpenoids as important chemical mediators of these abiotic and biotic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delbert Almerick T. Boncan
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong;
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Stacey S.K. Tsang
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; (S.S.K.T.); (C.L.); (I.H.T.L.)
| | - Chade Li
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; (S.S.K.T.); (C.L.); (I.H.T.L.)
| | - Ivy H.T. Lee
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; (S.S.K.T.); (C.L.); (I.H.T.L.)
| | - Hon-Ming Lam
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong;
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Ting-Fung Chan
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong;
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Jerome H.L. Hui
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong;
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; (S.S.K.T.); (C.L.); (I.H.T.L.)
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