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Ribeiro TP, Martins-de-Sa D, Macedo LLP, Lourenço-Tessutti IT, Ruffo GC, Sousa JPA, Rósario Santana JMD, Oliveira-Neto OB, Moura SM, Silva MCM, Morgante CV, Oliveira NG, Basso MF, Grossi-de-Sa MF. Cotton plants overexpressing the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry23Aa and Cry37Aa binary-like toxins exhibit high resistance to the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis). PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 344:112079. [PMID: 38588981 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112079] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The cotton boll weevil (CBW, Anthonomus grandis) stands as one of the most significant threats to cotton crops (Gossypium hirsutum). Despite substantial efforts, the development of a commercially viable transgenic cotton event for effective open-field control of CBW has remained elusive. This study describes a detailed characterization of the insecticidal toxins Cry23Aa and Cry37Aa against CBW. Our findings reveal that CBW larvae fed on artificial diets supplemented exclusively with Cry23Aa decreased larval survival by roughly by 69%, while supplementation with Cry37Aa alone displayed no statistical difference compared to the control. However, the combined provision of both toxins in the artificial diet led to mortality rates approaching 100% among CBW larvae (LC50 equal to 0.26 PPM). Additionally, we engineered transgenic cotton plants by introducing cry23Aa and cry37Aa genes under control of the flower bud-specific pGhFS4 and pGhFS1 promoters, respectively. Seven transgenic cotton events expressing high levels of Cry23Aa and Cry37Aa toxins in flower buds were selected for greenhouse bioassays, and the mortality rate of CBW larvae feeding on their T0 and T1 generations ranged from 75% to 100%. Our in silico analyses unveiled that Cry23Aa displays all the hallmark characteristics of β-pore-forming toxins (β-PFTs) that bind to sugar moieties in glycoproteins. Intriguingly, we also discovered a distinctive zinc-binding site within Cry23Aa, which appears to be involved in protein-protein interactions. Finally, we discuss the major structural features of Cry23Aa that likely play a role in the toxin's mechanism of action. In view of the low LC50 for CBW larvae and the significant accumulation of these toxins in the flower buds of both T0 and T1 plants, we anticipate that through successive generations of these transgenic lines, cotton plants engineered to overexpress cry23Aa and cry37Aa hold promise for effectively managing CBW infestations in cotton crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuanne Pires Ribeiro
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Diogo Martins-de-Sa
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil; Genesilico Biotech, Brasília, DF 71503-508, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Lima Pepino Macedo
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Isabela Tristan Lourenço-Tessutti
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Caseca Ruffo
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; Graduate Program in Genomic Science and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, DF 71966-700, Brazil
| | - João Pedro Abreu Sousa
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; Graduate Program in Genomic Science and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, DF 71966-700, Brazil
| | - Julia Moura do Rósario Santana
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; Graduate Program in Genomic Science and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, DF 71966-700, Brazil
| | - Osmundo Brilhante Oliveira-Neto
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; Euroamerican University Center, Unieuro, Brasília, DF 70790-160, Brazil
| | - Stéfanie Menezes Moura
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Mattar Silva
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Carolina Vianna Morgante
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; Embrapa Semi-Arid, Pretrolina, PE 56302-970, Brazil
| | - Nelson Geraldo Oliveira
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Marcos Fernando Basso
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Maria Fatima Grossi-de-Sa
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, Embrapa, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil; Graduate Program in Genomic Science and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, DF 71966-700, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Catholic University Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS 79117-900, Brazil.
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Han S, Akhtar MR, Xia X. Functions and regulations of insect gut bacteria. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38884497 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The insect gut is a complicated ecosystem that inhabits a large number of symbiotic bacteria. As an important organ of the host insect, the symbiotic bacteria of the insect gut play very important roles in regulating physiological and metabolic processes. Recently, much progress has been made in the study of symbiotic bacteria in insect guts with the development of high-throughput sequencing technology and molecular biology. This review summarizes the primary functions of symbiotic bacteria in insect guts, such as enhancing insecticide resistance, facilitating food digestion, promoting detoxification, and regulating mating behavior and egg hatching. It also addresses some possible pathways of gut bacteria symbiont regulation governed by external habitats, physiological conditions and immunity of the host insect. This review provides solid foundations for further studies on novel theories, new technologies and practical applications of symbiotic bacteria in insect guts. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuncai Han
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Youxi-Yangzhong Vegetable Pest Prevention and Control, Fujian Observation and Research Station, Fuzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Rehan Akhtar
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Youxi-Yangzhong Vegetable Pest Prevention and Control, Fujian Observation and Research Station, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Youxi-Yangzhong Vegetable Pest Prevention and Control, Fujian Observation and Research Station, Fuzhou, China
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Guan F, He YZ, Wu Y. Genome-wide identification and phylogenetic analysis of the tetraspanin gene family in lepidopteran insects and expression profiling analysis in Helicoverpa armigera. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38880966 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The tetraspanin gene family encodes cell-surface proteins that span the membrane 4 times and play critical roles in a wide range of biological processes across numerous organisms. Recent findings highlight the involvement of a tetraspanin of the lepidopteran pest Helicoverpa armigera in resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry insecticidal proteins, which are extensively used in transgenic crops. Thus, a better understanding of lepidopteran tetraspanins is urgently needed. In the current study, genome scanning in 10 lepidopteran species identified a total of 283 sequences encoding potential tetraspanins. Based on conserved cysteine patterns in the large extracellular loop and their phylogenetic relationships, these tetraspanins were classified into 8 subfamilies (TspA to TspH). Six ancestral introns were identified within lepidopteran tetraspanin genes. Tetraspanins in TspA, TspB, TspC, and TspD subfamilies exhibit highly similar gene organization, while tetraspanins in the remaining 4 subfamilies exhibited variation in intron loss and/or gain during evolution. Analysis of chromosomal distribution revealed a lepidopteran-specific cluster of 10 to 11 tetraspanins, likely formed by tandem duplication events. Selective pressure analysis indicated negative selection across all orthologous groups, with ω values ranging between 0.004 and 0.362. However, positive selection was identified at 18 sites within TspB5, TspC5, TspE3, and TspF10. Furthermore, spatiotemporal expression analysis of H. armigera tetraspanins demonstrated variable expression levels across different developmental stages and tissues, suggesting diverse functions of tetraspanin members in this globally important insect pest. Our findings establish a solid foundation for subsequent functional investigations of tetraspanins in lepidopteran species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyang Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yinuo Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Fang Guan
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Ya-Zhou He
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yidong Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
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Niu X, Jiang J, Sun Y, Hull JJ, Ma W, Hua H, Lin Y. Knockdown of MAPK p38-linked genes increases the susceptibility of Chilo suppressalis larvae to various transgenic Bt rice lines. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:130815. [PMID: 38537847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130815] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins have provided exceptional control of agricultural insect pests, however, over reliance on the proteins would potentially contribute to the development of field tolerance. Developing new sustainable insect pest control methods that target the mechanisms underlying Bt tolerance can potentially support the Bt control paradigm while also providing insights into basic insect physiology. The MAPK p38 pathway is strongly associated with Bt tolerance in Chilo suppressalis, a major pest of rice. To gain insights into how this pathway impacts tolerance, high-throughput screening of C. suppressalis larval midguts initially identified eight novel target genes. Increased larval sensitivity to the transgenic cry1Ca rice strain T1C-19 was observed following RNA interference-mediated knockdown of four of the genes, Cscnc, Csgcp, Cszfp26 and CsZMYM1. Similar enhanced sensitivity to the TT51 (expressing Cry1Ab/1Ac) and T2A-1 (expressing Cry2Aa) transgenic rice lines occurred when Cszfp26 and CsZMYM1 were knocked down. All four target genes are downstream of the MAPK p38 pathway but do not participate in negative feedback loop of the pathway. These results implicate Cscnc, Csgcp, Cszfp and CsZMYM1 in the C. suppressalis transgenic cry1Ca rice tolerance mechanism regulated by MAPK p38. These findings further enhance our understanding of the MAPK p38-dependent molecular mechanisms underlying Bt tolerance in C. suppressalis and open new avenues of tolerance management to develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xurong Niu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Jialiang Jiang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Yajie Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - J Joe Hull
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Hongxia Hua
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
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5
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Washburn JD, LaFond HF, Lapadatescu MC, Pereira AE, Erb M, Hibbard BE. GWAS analysis of maize host plant resistance to western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) reveals candidate small effect loci for resistance breeding. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:2184-2192. [PMID: 37816495 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is the most serious economic pest of maize, Zea mays (L.) (Poales: Poaceae), in the U.S. Corn Belt and also threatens production in Europe. Traditional management options have repeatedly failed over time as western corn rootworm rapidly develops resistance to insecticides, transgenic maize and even crop rotation. Traits that improve host plant resistance and tolerance are highly sought after by plant breeders for crop protection and pest management. However, maize resistance to western corn rootworm appears to be highly complex and despite over 75 yr of breeding efforts, there are no naturally resistant hybrids available commercially. Using phenotypic data from field and greenhouse experiments on a highly diverse collection of 282 inbred lines, we screened and genetically mapped western corn rootworm-related traits to identify genetic loci which may be useful for future breeding or genetic engineering efforts. Our results confirmed that western corn rootworm resistance is complex with relatively low heritability due in part to strong genotype by environment impacts and the inherent difficulties of phenotyping below ground root traits. The results of the Genome Wide Associated Study identified 29 loci that are potentially associated with resistance to western corn rootworm. Of these loci, 16 overlap with those found in previous transcription or mapping studies indicating a higher likelihood they are truly involved in maize western corn rootworm resistance. Taken together with previous studies, these results indicate that breeding for natural western corn rootworm resistance will likely require the stacking of multiple small effect loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D Washburn
- United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, Plant Genetics Research Unit, 519 S College Avenue, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Harper F LaFond
- United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, Plant Genetics Research Unit, 519 S College Avenue, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Martian C Lapadatescu
- Division of Plant Science & Technology, University of Missouri, 2-64 Agriculture Building, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Adriano E Pereira
- United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, Plant Genetics Research Unit, 519 S College Avenue, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Matthias Erb
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bruce E Hibbard
- United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, Plant Genetics Research Unit, 519 S College Avenue, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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