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Hart T, Lopes LE, Frank DD, Kronauer DJC. Pheromone representation in the ant antennal lobe changes with age. Curr Biol 2024; 34:3233-3240.e4. [PMID: 38876103 PMCID: PMC11265976 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.031] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
While the neural basis of age-related decline has been extensively studied,1,2,3 less is known about changes in neural function during the pre-senescent stages of adulthood. Adult neural plasticity is likely a key factor in social insect age polyethism, where individuals perform different tasks as they age and divide labor in an age-dependent manner.4,5,6,7,8,9 Primarily, workers transition from nursing to foraging tasks,5,10 become more aggressive, and more readily display alarm behavior11,12,13,14,15,16 as they get older. While it is unknown how these behavioral dynamics are neurally regulated, they could partially be generated by altered salience of behaviorally relevant stimuli.4,6,7 Here, we investigated how odor coding in the antennal lobe (AL) changes with age in the context of alarm pheromone communication in the clonal raider ant (Ooceraea biroi).17 Similar to other social insects,11,12,16 older ants responded more rapidly to alarm pheromones, the chemical signals for danger. Using whole-AL calcium imaging,18 we then mapped odor representations for five general odorants and two alarm pheromones in young and old ants. Alarm pheromones were represented sparsely at all ages. However, alarm pheromone responses within individual glomeruli changed with age, either increasing or decreasing. Only two glomeruli became sensitized to alarm pheromones with age, while at the same time becoming desensitized to general odorants. Our results suggest that the heightened response to alarm pheromones in older ants occurs via increased sensitivity in these two core glomeruli, illustrating the importance of sensory modulation in social insect division of labor and age-associated behavioral plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Hart
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Lindsey E Lopes
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Dominic D Frank
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel J C Kronauer
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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2
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Hart T, Lopes LE, Frank DD, Kronauer DJ. Pheromone representation in the ant antennal lobe changes with age. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.13.580193. [PMID: 38405746 PMCID: PMC10888935 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
While the neural basis of age-related decline has been extensively studied (1-3), less is known about changes in neural function during the pre-senescent stages of adulthood. Adult neural plasticity is likely a key factor in social insect age polyethism, where individuals perform different tasks as they age and divide labor in an age-dependent manner (4-9). Primarily, workers transition from nursing to foraging tasks (5, 10), become more aggressive, and more readily display alarm behavior (11-16) as they get older. While it is unknown how these behavioral dynamics are neurally regulated, they could partially be generated by altered salience of behaviorally relevant stimuli (4, 6, 7). Here, we investigated how odor coding in the antennal lobe (AL) changes with age in the context of alarm pheromone communication in the clonal raider ant (Ooceraea biroi) (17). Similar to other social insects (11, 12, 16), older ants responded more rapidly to alarm pheromones, the chemical signals for danger. Using whole-AL calcium imaging (18), we then mapped odor representations for five general odorants and two alarm pheromones in young and old ants. Alarm pheromones were represented sparsely at all ages. However, alarm pheromone responses within individual glomeruli changed with age, either increasing or decreasing. Only two glomeruli became sensitized to alarm pheromones with age, while at the same time becoming desensitized to general odorants. Our results suggest that the heightened response to alarm pheromones in older ants occurs via increased sensitivity in these two core glomeruli, illustrating the importance of sensory modulation in social insect division of labor and age-associated behavioral plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Hart
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lindsey E. Lopes
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Dominic D. Frank
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel J.C. Kronauer
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
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3
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Couto A, Marty S, Dawson EH, d'Ettorre P, Sandoz JC, Montgomery SH. Evolution of the neuronal substrate for kin recognition in social Hymenoptera. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:2226-2242. [PMID: 37528574 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13003] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
In evolutionary terms, life is about reproduction. Yet, in some species, individuals forgo their own reproduction to support the reproductive efforts of others. Social insect colonies for example, can contain up to a million workers that actively cooperate in tasks such as foraging, brood care and nest defence, but do not produce offspring. In such societies the division of labour is pronounced, and reproduction is restricted to just one or a few individuals, most notably the queen(s). This extreme eusocial organisation exists in only a few mammals, crustaceans and insects, but strikingly, it evolved independently up to nine times in the order Hymenoptera (including ants, bees and wasps). Transitions from a solitary lifestyle to an organised society can occur through natural selection when helpers obtain a fitness benefit from cooperating with kin, owing to the indirect transmission of genes through siblings. However, this process, called kin selection, is vulnerable to parasitism and opportunistic behaviours from unrelated individuals. An ability to distinguish kin from non-kin, and to respond accordingly, could therefore critically facilitate the evolution of eusociality and the maintenance of non-reproductive workers. The question of how the hymenopteran brain has adapted to support this function is therefore a fundamental issue in evolutionary neuroethology. Early neuroanatomical investigations proposed that social Hymenoptera have expanded integrative brain areas due to selection for increased cognitive capabilities in the context of processing social information. Later studies challenged this assumption and instead pointed to an intimate link between higher social organisation and the existence of developed sensory structures involved in recognition and communication. In particular, chemical signalling of social identity, known to be mediated through cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), may have evolved hand in hand with a specialised chemosensory system in Hymenoptera. Here, we compile the current knowledge on this recognition system, from emitted identity signals, to the molecular and neuronal basis of chemical detection, with particular emphasis on its evolutionary history. Finally, we ask whether the evolution of social behaviour in Hymenoptera could have driven the expansion of their complex olfactory system, or whether the early origin and conservation of an olfactory subsystem dedicated to social recognition could explain the abundance of eusocial species in this insect order. Answering this question will require further comparative studies to provide a comprehensive view on lineage-specific adaptations in the olfactory pathway of Hymenoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Couto
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
- Evolution, Genomes, Behaviour and Ecology (UMR 9191), IDEEV, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, 12 route 128, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91190, France
| | - Simon Marty
- Evolution, Genomes, Behaviour and Ecology (UMR 9191), IDEEV, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, 12 route 128, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91190, France
| | - Erika H Dawson
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology, UR 4443 (LEEC), Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, 99 avenue J.-B. Clément, Villetaneuse, 93430, France
| | - Patrizia d'Ettorre
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology, UR 4443 (LEEC), Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, 99 avenue J.-B. Clément, Villetaneuse, 93430, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 103 Boulevard Saint-Michel, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Sandoz
- Evolution, Genomes, Behaviour and Ecology (UMR 9191), IDEEV, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, 12 route 128, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91190, France
| | - Stephen H Montgomery
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
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Watanabe H, Ogata S, Nodomi N, Tateishi K, Nishino H, Matsubara R, Ozaki M, Yokohari F. Cuticular hydrocarbon reception by sensory neurons in basiconic sensilla of the Japanese carpenter ant. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1084803. [PMID: 36814868 PMCID: PMC9940637 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1084803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
To maintain the eusociality of a colony, ants recognize subtle differences in colony-specific sets of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). The CHCs are received by female-specific antennal basiconic sensilla and processed in specific brain regions. However, it is controversial whether a peripheral or central neural mechanism is mainly responsible for discrimination of CHC blends. In the Japanese carpenter ant, Camponotus japonicus, about 140 sensory neurons (SNs) are co-housed in a single basiconic sensillum and receive colony-specific blends of 18 CHCs. The complexity of this CHC sensory process makes the neural basis of peripheral nestmate recognition difficult to understand. Here, we electrophysiologically recorded responses of single basiconic sensilla to each of 18 synthesized CHCs, and identified CHC responses of each SN co-housed in a single sensillum. Each CHC activated different sets of SNs and each SN was broadly tuned to CHCs. Multiple SNs in a given sensillum fired in synchrony, and the synchronicity of spikes was impaired by treatment with a gap junction inhibitor. These results indicated that SNs in single basiconic sensilla were electrically coupled. Quantitative analysis indicated that the Japanese carpenter ants have the potential to discriminate chemical structures of CHCs based on the combinational patterns of activated SNs. SNs of ants from different colonies exhibited different CHC response spectra. In addition, ants collected from the same colony but bred in separate groups also exhibited different CHC response spectra. These results support the hypothesis that the peripheral sensory mechanism is important for discrimination between nestmate and non-nestmate ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidehiro Watanabe
- Department of Earth System Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan,*Correspondence: Hidehiro Watanabe,
| | - Shoji Ogata
- Department of Earth System Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Nonoka Nodomi
- Department of Earth System Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kosuke Tateishi
- Department of Earth System Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nishino
- Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Matsubara
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mamiko Ozaki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan,KYOUSEI Science Center for Life and Nature, Nara Women’s University, Nara, Japan
| | - Fumio Yokohari
- Department of Earth System Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
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5
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Microstructures at the distal tip of ant chemosensory sensilla. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19328. [PMID: 36369461 PMCID: PMC9652420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21507-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants and other eusocial insects emit and receive chemical signals to communicate important information within the colony. In ants, nestmate recognition, task allocation, and reproductive distribution of labor are largely mediated through the detection of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) that cover the exoskeleton. With their large size and limited volatility, these CHCs are believed to be primarily detected through direct contact with the antennae during behavioral interactions. Here we first use scanning electron microscopy to investigate the unique morphological features of CHC-sensitive basiconic sensilla of two ant species, the black carpenter ant Camponotus pennsylvanicus and the Indian jumping ant Harpegnathos saltator. These basiconic sensilla possess an abundance of small pores typical of most insect olfactory sensilla, but also have a large concave depression at the terminal end. Basiconic sensilla are enriched at the distal segments of the antennae in both species, which aligns with their proposed role in contact chemosensation of CHCs. A survey of these sensilla across additional ant species shows varied microstructures at their tips, but each possess surface textures that would also increase sensory surface area. These unique ant chemosensory sensilla represent yet another example of how specialized structures have evolved to serve the functional requirements of eusocial communication.
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Yang F, Zhang G, Liu J, Duan S, Li L, Lu Y, Wang MQ, Zhou A. Sublethal Exposure to Cadmium Induces Chemosensory Dysfunction in Fire Ants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:12440-12451. [PMID: 35944015 PMCID: PMC9454817 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ants easily accumulate cadmium (Cd) from the food web in terrestrial ecosystems. Cd contamination may cause olfactory dysfunction and consequently disorders in the social behavior of ants. To explore the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of Cd exposure on the chemosensory process of ants, we characterized the Cd-induced variations in the expression of genes involved in chemoreception and electrophysiological and behavioral sensitivity to semiochemicals by using the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, as a model system. As a result, Cd exposure increased Cd accumulation and decreased the survival rate of S. invicta. Cd exposure altered the expression profiles of odor binding protein genes of S. invicta (SiOBPs). Specifically, SiOBP15 protein expression was upregulated upon Cd exposure. Both SiOBP7 and SiOBP15 exhibited high binding affinities to limonene, nonanal, and 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine. S. invicta exposed to Cd showed less sensitive electrophysiological and behavioral response to the three chemicals but exhibited sensitive perception to undecane. Silencing of SiOBP7 and SiOBP15 abolished the behavioral response of S. invicta to nonanal and undecane, respectively, suggesting that SiOBP7 and SiOBP15 play essential roles in the chemoreception of S. invicta. In general, our results suggest that Cd contamination may interfere with olfactory signal transduction by altering the expression of SiOBPs, consequently evoking chemosensory dysfunction in fire ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxiang Yang
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Guoqing Zhang
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jinlong Liu
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shuanggang Duan
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lei Li
- Environment
and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese
Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China
| | - Yongyue Lu
- Department
of Entomology, South China Agricultural
University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Man-Qun Wang
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Aiming Zhou
- Hubei
Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory,
College of Plant Science and Technology,
Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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Uebi T, Sakita T, Ikeda R, Sakanishi K, Tsutsumi T, Zhang Z, Ma H, Matsubara R, Matsuyama S, Nakajima S, Huang RN, Habe S, Hefetz A, Ozaki M. Chemical identification of an active component and putative neural mechanism for repellent effect of a native ant’s odor on invasive species. Front Physiol 2022; 13:844084. [PMID: 36111148 PMCID: PMC9468892 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.844084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The invasive Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) and the red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) constitute a worldwide threat, causing severe disruption to ecological systems and harming human welfare. In view of the limited success of current pest control measures, we propose here to employ repellents as means to mitigate the effect of these species. We demonstrate that cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) used as nestmate-recognition pheromone in the Japanese carpenter ant (Camponotus japonicus), and particularly its (Z)-9-tricosene component, induced vigorous olfactory response and intense aversion in these invasive species. (Z)-9-Tricosene, when given to their antennae, caused indiscriminate glomerular activation of antennal lobe (AL) regions, creating neural disarray and leading to aversive behavior. Considering the putative massive central neural effect, we suggest that the appropriate use of certain CHCs of native ants can facilitate aversive withdrawal of invasive ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Uebi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
- KYOUSEI Science Center for Life and Nature, Nara Women’s University, Nara, Japan
| | - Tomoya Sakita
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ryo Ikeda
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Keita Sakanishi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Tsutsumi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Zijian Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Huiying Ma
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Matsubara
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shigeru Matsuyama
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Satoko Nakajima
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Rong-Nan Huang
- Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shunya Habe
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Abraham Hefetz
- School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mamiko Ozaki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
- KYOUSEI Science Center for Life and Nature, Nara Women’s University, Nara, Japan
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
- Morphogenetic Signaling Team, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
- *Correspondence: Mamiko Ozaki,
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Yang F, Shao R, Zhao J, Li L, Wang M, Zhou A. Cadmium exposure disrupts the olfactory sensitivity of fire ants to semiochemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 287:117359. [PMID: 34020258 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Ants are eusocial insects and have evolved sensitive chemosensory systems for social communication. However, the effect of heavy metal contamination on the olfactory sensitivity of ants remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the survival and olfactory response of Solenopsis invicta under cadmium (Cd) exposure. As a result, exposure to dietary Cd at different concentrations (100, 300 and 500 mg/L) caused higher Cd accumulation and lower survival of the ants compared with the control (0 mg/L). Cd exposure induced diverse expression patterns of odor binding protein genes (SiOBPs) in S. invicta antenna. Specifically, the expression of SiOBP4, SiOBP11, SiOBP12 and SiOBP16 was increased by 1.84-, 1.14-, 0.83- and 1.76-fold, respectively, at 300 mg/L Cd, while SiOBP7 and SiOBP9 were suppressed as Cd concentration increased. Electroantennography (EAG) and behavioral bioassays were performed to further evaluate the effect of Cd contamination on the olfactory sensitivity of S. invicta workers to 2, 4, 6-trimethylpyridine (TMP) and 2-ethyl-3,6(5)-dimethylpyrazine (EDP), the two frequent functional semiochemicals for S. invicta. The results showed that under no Cd exposure, S. invicta workers exhibited strong EAG response and apparent residing repellence to TMP and EDP, but Cd exposure suppressed EAG response and deprived the behavioral repellence to TMP and EDP of the workers, suggesting that Cd exposure decreases the olfactory sensitivity of S. invicta to these two functional semiochemicals. Further fluorescence competitive binding assay revealed that SiOBP7 had strong binding affinity to TMP and EDP, suggesting that the decrease in olfactory sensitivity may be attributed to the inhibitory effect of Cd exposure on SiOBP7. Overall, our results suggest that Cd exposure may not only directly decrease the survival of ants, but also affect their olfactory recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxiang Yang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Rui Shao
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Lei Li
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Manqun Wang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Aiming Zhou
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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9
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Mizutani H, Tagai K, Habe S, Takaku Y, Uebi T, Kimura T, Hariyama T, Ozaki M. Antenna Cleaning Is Essential for Precise Behavioral Response to Alarm Pheromone and Nestmate-Non-Nestmate Discrimination in Japanese Carpenter Ants ( Camponotus japonicus). INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12090773. [PMID: 34564213 PMCID: PMC8471180 DOI: 10.3390/insects12090773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Grooming is a common behavior in animals. It serves the function of removing foreign materials and excessive amounts of self-secreted materials from the body’s surface. Social insects, such as honeybees or ants, use various types of pheromones, some of which propagate information about the environment to conspecific individuals, for chemical communication. The individuals that receive such information can respond with suitable behaviors to protect themselves and their society. Hence, grooming is important for the maintenance of the correct performance of their sensory organs on antennae for pheromone perception. Here, we experimentally limited self-grooming of the antennae in workers of the Japanese carpenter ant (Camponotus japonicus) by removing a pair of antennal cleaning apparatuses from the forelegs and investigated their behavioral change in response to exposure to the alarm pheromone or to encounters with nestmates or non-nestmates. Comparisons between self-grooming-nonlimited and self-grooming-limited ants showed that the self-grooming-limited ants gradually exhibited decreased locomotion activity in their fight-or-flight response to the alarm pheromone and experienced increased failure in nestmate and non-nestmate discrimination. Thus, the results of the present study suggest that antennal sensory system maintenance supports social communication, which is indispensable not only to the individual workers but also to the survival of their society. Abstract Self-grooming of the antennae is frequently observed in ants. This antennal maintenance behavior is presumed to be essential for effective chemical communication but, to our knowledge, this has not yet been well studied. When we removed the antenna-cleaning apparatuses of the Japanese carpenter ant (C. japonicus) to limit the self-grooming of the antennae, the worker ants demonstrated the self-grooming gesture as usual, but the antennal surface could not be sufficiently cleaned. By using scanning electron microscopy with NanoSuit, we observed the ants’ antennae for up to 48 h and found that the antennal surfaces gradually became covered with self-secreted surface material. Concurrently, the self-grooming-limited workers gradually lost their behavioral responsiveness to undecane—the alarm pheromone. Indeed, their locomotive response to the alarm pheromone diminished for up to 24 h after the antenna cleaner removal operation. In addition, the self-grooming-limited workers exhibited less frequent aggressive behavior toward non-nestmate workers, and 36 h after the operation, approximately half of the encountered non-nestmate workers were accepted as nestmates. These results suggest that the antennal sensing system is affected by excess surface material; hence, their proper function is prevented until they are cleaned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitomi Mizutani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kobe University, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan;
| | - Kazuhiro Tagai
- School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0092, Japan; (K.T.); (T.K.)
| | - Shunya Habe
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8354, Japan;
| | - Yasuharu Takaku
- Preeminent Medical Photonics Education and Research Center, Institute for NanoSuit Research & NanoSuit Inc., Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan; (Y.T.); (T.H.)
| | - Tatsuya Uebi
- KYOUSEI Science Center for Life and Nature, Nara Women’s University, Nara 630-8263, Japan;
| | - Toshifumi Kimura
- School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0092, Japan; (K.T.); (T.K.)
| | - Takahiko Hariyama
- Preeminent Medical Photonics Education and Research Center, Institute for NanoSuit Research & NanoSuit Inc., Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan; (Y.T.); (T.H.)
| | - Mamiko Ozaki
- KYOUSEI Science Center for Life and Nature, Nara Women’s University, Nara 630-8263, Japan;
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
- Morphogenetic Signaling Team, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-742-20-3687
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Ferguson ST, Bakis I, Zwiebel LJ. Advances in the Study of Olfaction in Eusocial Ants. INSECTS 2021; 12:252. [PMID: 33802783 PMCID: PMC8002415 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, spurred in part by the sequencing of the first ant genomes, there have been major advances in the field of olfactory myrmecology. With the discovery of a significant expansion of the odorant receptor gene family, considerable efforts have been directed toward understanding the olfactory basis of complex social behaviors in ant colonies. Here, we review recent pivotal studies that have begun to reveal insights into the development of the olfactory system as well as how olfactory stimuli are peripherally and centrally encoded. Despite significant biological and technical impediments, substantial progress has been achieved in the application of gene editing and other molecular techniques that notably distinguish the complex olfactory system of ants from other well-studied insect model systems, such as the fruit fly. In doing so, we hope to draw attention not only to these studies but also to critical knowledge gaps that will serve as a compass for future research endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laurence J. Zwiebel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; (S.T.F.); (I.B.)
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Takaya E, Takeichi Y, Ozaki M, Kurihara S. Sequential semi-supervised segmentation for serial electron microscopy image with small number of labels. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 351:109066. [PMID: 33417965 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Segmentation of electron microscopic continuous section images by deep learning has attracted attention as a technique to reduce the cost of annotation for researchers attempting to make observations using 3D reconstruction methods. However, when the observed samples are rare, or scanning circumstances are unstable, pursuing generalization performance for newly obtained samples is not appropriate. NEW METHODS We assume a transductive setting that predicts all labels in a dataset from only partially obtained labels while avoiding the pursuit of generalization performance for unknown data. Then, we propose sequential semi-supervised segmentation (4S), which semi-automatically extracts neural regions from electron microscopy image stacks. This method focuses on the fact that adjacent images have a strong correlation in serial images. Our 4S repeats training, inference, and pseudo-labeling using a minimal number of teacher labels and performs segmentation on all slices. RESULT Our experiments using two types of serial section images showed effectiveness in terms of both quality and quantity. In addition, we experimentally clarified the effect of the number and position of teacher labels on performance. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Compared with supervised learning when a small number of labeled data was obtained, the performance of the proposed method was shown to be superior. CONCLUSION Our 4S leverages a limited number of labeled data and a large amount of unlabeled data to extract neural regions from serial image stacks in a transductive setting. We plan to develop this method as a core module of a general-purpose annotation tool in our future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eichi Takaya
- School of Science for Open and Environmental Systems, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Takeichi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mamiko Ozaki
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan; Division of Strategic Research of the Humanosphere, Research Institute of Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; KYOUSEI Science Center for Life and Nature, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan; RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kurihara
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Kanagawa, Japan
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12
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Ng R, Wu ST, Su CY. Neuronal Compartmentalization: A Means to Integrate Sensory Input at the Earliest Stage of Information Processing? Bioessays 2020; 42:e2000026. [PMID: 32613656 PMCID: PMC7864560 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In numerous peripheral sense organs, external stimuli are detected by primary sensory neurons compartmentalized within specialized structures composed of cuticular or epithelial tissue. Beyond reflecting developmental constraints, such compartmentalization also provides opportunities for grouped neurons to functionally interact. Here, the authors review and illustrate the prevalence of these structural units, describe characteristics of compartmentalized neurons, and consider possible interactions between these cells. This article discusses instances of neuronal crosstalk, examples of which are observed in the vertebrate tastebuds and multiple types of arthropod chemosensory hairs. Particular attention is paid to insect olfaction, which presents especially well-characterized mechanisms of functional, cross-neuronal interactions. These examples highlight the potential impact of peripheral processing, which likely contributes more to signal integration than previously considered. In surveying a wide variety of structural units, it is hoped that this article will stimulate future research that determines whether grouped neurons in other sensory systems can also communicate to impact information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chih-Ying Su
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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13
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Wen D, Li X, Geng X, Hirai M, Ajito S, Takahashi K, Ozaki M, Hojo MK, Uebi T, Iwasa T. Characterization of Localization, Ligand Binding, and pH-Dependent Conformational Changes of Two Chemosensory Proteins Expressed in the Antennae of the Japanese Carpenter Ant, Camponotus Japonicus. Zoolog Sci 2020; 37:371-381. [PMID: 32729716 DOI: 10.2108/zs190138] [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: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Camponotus japonicus uses basiconic antennal sensilla (s. basiconica) to sense a colony-specific blend of species-specific cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). The inner portion of the s. basiconica is filled with sensillar lymph and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) presumed to transport CHCs to olfactory neuron receptors. Although 12 CSPs have been found in C. japonicus antennae, we focused on CjapCSP1 and CjapCSP13. The molecular basis of CSP1 function was explored by observation of its structure in solution at pH 4.0 and 7.0 through circular dichroism (CD) and X-ray solution scattering. Although the secondary structure did not vary with pH change, the radius of gyration (Rg) was larger by 5.3% (0.74 Å increase) at pH 4.0 than at pH 7.0. The dissociation constant (Kd) for CjapCSP1 measured with a fluorescent probe, 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine, was larger at pH 4.0 than at pH 7.0, suggesting that acidic pH triggers ligand dissociation. In contrast to CjapCSP1, the Rg of CjapCSP13 was slightly smaller at pH 4.0 than at pH 7.0. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry with protein-specific antisera revealed that both CjapCSP1 and CjapCSP13 are detected in the antennae, but differ in their specific internal localization. Binding to four compounds, including the ant CHC (z)-9-tricosene, was examined. Although both CjapCSP1 and CjapCSP13 bound to (z)-9-tricosene, CjapCSP13 bound with higher affinity than CjapCSP1 and showed different binding properties. CjapCSP1 and CjapCSP13 are synthesized by the same cells of the antenna, but function differently in CHC distribution due to differences in their localization and binding characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durige Wen
- Division of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, Muroran 050-8585, Japan
| | - Xing Li
- Division of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, Muroran 050-8585, Japan
| | - Xiong Geng
- Division of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, Muroran 050-8585, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Hirai
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Gunma University, Maebashi 371-8510, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ajito
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Gunma University, Maebashi 371-8510, Japan
| | - Kosuke Takahashi
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Gunma University, Maebashi 371-8510, Japan
| | - Mamiko Ozaki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Masaru K Hojo
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Uebi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Iwasa
- Division of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, Muroran 050-8585, Japan.,Academic Support Center, Kogakuin University, 2665-1 Nakano, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0015, Japan,
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14
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Yoshimura R, Suetsugu T, Kawahara A, Nakata K, Shikata M, Tanaka S, Ono T, Fushiki D, Endo Y. Formation of functional innexin hemichannels, as well as gap junctional channels, in an insect cell line, NIAs-AeAl-2, derived from Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae): A partial but significant contribution of innexin 2. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 124:104060. [PMID: 32446763 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2020.104060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, gap junctions and hemichannels consisting of connexins are important cell surface structures for communication with neighboring cells and for the regulation of various cell functions. To date, various gap-junction-related proteins have been found, including innexins in invertebrates and pannexins in vertebrates. Significant contributions of gap junctions by innexins and (hemi-)channels by pannexins to numerous functions have been reported. Verification of the presence and functional significance of innexin hemichannels, however, remains a gap in our knowledge in innexin physiology. In this study, we revealed the localization of an innexin protein (innexin 2) on the cell surface in mosquito tissues and cultured cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated the presence of functional hemichannels, as well as gap junctions, in mosquito cells using dye transfer assays. The inward uptake of fluorescent dye was inhibited by anti-innexin 2 antibody. These results suggest that innexin hemichannels are formed to function in cultured mosquito cells, in at least a partially innexin 2-dependent manner. Although only a few studies on insect hemichannels have been published, innexin-based hemichannels, as well as innexin gap junctions, could also significantly contribute to insect intercellular signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoichi Yoshimura
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan.
| | - Taeko Suetsugu
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; Laboratory for Cell Asymmetry, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, 2-2-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Ai Kawahara
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Kana Nakata
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Masato Shikata
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Souma Tanaka
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Ono
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Daisuke Fushiki
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Endo
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
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