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Jiang K, Yu H, Kong L, Liu S, Li Q. cAMP-Mediated CREM-MITF-TYR Axis Regulates Melanin Synthesis in Pacific Oysters. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 26:460-474. [PMID: 38613620 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-024-10309-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Colorful shells in bivalves are mostly caused by the presence of biological pigments, among which melanin is a key component in the formation of shell colours. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is an important messenger in the regulation of pigmentation in some species. However, the role of cAMP in bivalve melanogenesis has not yet been reported. In this study, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to determine the role of cAMP in regulating melanogenesis in Pacific oysters. Besides, the function of cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) and the interactions between CREM and melanogenic genes were investigated. Our results showed that a high level of cAMP promotes the expression of melanogenic genes in Pacific oysters. CREM controls the expression of the MITF gene under cAMP regulation. In addition, CREM can regulate melanogenic gene expression, tyrosine metabolism, and melanin synthesis. These results indicate that cAMP plays an important role in the regulation of melanogenesis in Pacific oysters. CREM is a key transcription factor in the oyster melanin synthesis pathway, which plays a crucial role in oyster melanin synthesis through a cAMP-mediated CREM-MITF-TYR axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunyin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Lingfeng Kong
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Shikai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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Jiang K, Xu C, Yu H, Kong L, Liu S, Li Q. Transcriptomic and Physiological Analysis Reveal Melanin Synthesis-Related Genes and Pathways in Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas). MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 26:364-379. [PMID: 38483671 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-024-10302-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Shell color is one of the shell traits of molluscs, which has been regarded as an economic trait in some bivalves. Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) are important aquaculture shellfish worldwide. In the past decade, several shell color strains of C. gigas were developed through selective breeding, which provides valuable materials for research on the inheritance pattern and regulation mechanisms of shell color. The inheritance patterns of different shell colors in C. gigas have been identified in certain research; however, the regulation mechanism of oyster pigmentation and shell color formation remains unclear. In this study, we performed transcriptomic and physiological analyses using black and white shell oysters to investigate the molecular mechanism of melanin synthesis in C. gigas. Several pigmentation-related pathways, such as cytochrome P450, melanogenesis, tyrosine metabolism, and the cAMP signaling pathway were found. The majority of differentially expressed genes and some signaling molecules from these pathways exhibited a higher level in the black shell oysters than in the white, especially after L-tyrosine feeding, suggesting that those differences may cause a variation of tyrosine metabolism and melanin synthesis. In addition, the in vitro assay using primary cells from mantle tissue showed that L-tyrosine incubation increased cAMP level, gene and protein expression, and melanin content. This study reveals the difference in tyrosine metabolism and melanin synthesis in black and white shell oysters and provides evidence for the potential regulatory mechanism of shell color in oysters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunyin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Chengxun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Lingfeng Kong
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Shikai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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3
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Gong LL, Zhang MQ, Ma YF, Feng HY, Zhao YQ, Zhou YY, He M, Smagghe G, He P. RNAi of yellow-y, required for normal cuticle pigmentation, impairs courtship behavior and oviposition in the German cockroach (Blattella germanica). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 115:e22114. [PMID: 38659314 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The insect cuticle plays a key role in maintaining the insect's physiological function and behavior. Herein, the yellow-y protein is required to produce black melanin, and is expressed in a pattern that correlates with the distribution of this pigment. However, yellow-y can also have other functions, for instance, in insect behavior, but not much is known. In this study, we have studied the yellow-y gene in one important model and pest species, namely the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), which is to our knowledge the first time reported. In essence, we identified the yellow-y gene (BgY-y) and characterized its function by using RNA interference (RNAi). Silencing of BgY-y gene led to different developmental abnormalities (body weight and wings) in both genders. Specifically, there was an abundant decrease in melanin, turning the body color in pale yellow and the cuticle softer and more transparent. Interestingly, we also observed that the knockdown of BgY-y impaired the male cockroaches to display a weaker response to female-emitted contact sex pheromones, and also that the oviposition ability was weakened in the RNAi females. This study comprehensively analyzed the biological functions of the yellow-y gene in German cockroaches from the perspectives of development, body color, courtship behavior and oviposition, and as a consequence, this may opens new avenues to explore it as a novel pest control gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang-Lang Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Meng-Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yun-Feng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong-Yan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Ya-Qin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yang-Yuntao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Ming He
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Institute Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peng He
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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Wang S, McNamara ME, Wang B, Hui H, Jiang B. The origins of colour patterns in fossil insects revealed by maturation experiments. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231333. [PMID: 37727088 PMCID: PMC10509590 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1333] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Many fossil insects show monochromatic colour patterns that may provide valuable insights into ancient insect behaviour and ecology. Whether these patterns reflect original pigmentary coloration is, however, unknown, and their formation mechanism has not been investigated. Here, we performed thermal maturation experiments on extant beetles with melanin-based colour patterns. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that melanin-rich cuticle is more resistant to degradation than melanin-poor cuticle: with progressive maturation, melanin-poor cuticle regions experience preferential thinning and loss, yet melanin-rich cuticle remains. Comparative analysis of fossil insects with monotonal colour patterns confirms that the variations in tone correspond to variations in preserved cuticle thickness. These preserved colour patterns can thus be plausibly explained as melanin-based patterning. Recognition of melanin-based colour patterns in fossil insects opens new avenues for interpreting the evolution of insect coloration and behaviour through deep time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research & Lunar and Planetary Science Institute, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 39 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, People's Republic of China
- School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork T23 TK30, Ireland
- Environmental Research Institute, Ellen Hutchins Building, University College Cork, Cork T23 XE10, Ireland
| | - Maria E. McNamara
- School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork T23 TK30, Ireland
- Environmental Research Institute, Ellen Hutchins Building, University College Cork, Cork T23 XE10, Ireland
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 39 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Hejiu Hui
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research & Lunar and Planetary Science Institute, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoyu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research & Lunar and Planetary Science Institute, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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Naccarato A, Vommaro ML, Amico D, Sprovieri F, Pirrone N, Tagarelli A, Giglio A. Triazine Herbicide and NPK Fertilizer Exposure: Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Rare Earth Elements, Effects on Cuticle Melanization, and Immunocompetence in the Model Species Tenebrio molitor. TOXICS 2023; 11:499. [PMID: 37368599 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11060499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use of agrochemicals, including fertilizers and herbicides, has led to worrying metal contamination of soils and waters and raises serious questions about the effects of their transfer to different levels of the trophic web. Accumulation and biomagnification of essential (K, Na, Mg, Zn, Ca), nonessential (Sr, Hg, Rb, Ba, Se, Cd, Cr, Pb, As), and rare earth elements (REEs) were investigated in newly emerged adults of Tenebrio molitor exposed to field-admitted concentrations of a metribuzin-based herbicide and an NPK blend fertilizer. Chemical analyses were performed using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) supported by unsupervised pattern recognition techniques. Physiological parameters such as cuticle melanization, cellular (circulating hemocytes), and humoral (phenoloxidase enzyme activity) immune responses and mass loss were tested as exposure markers in both sexes. The results showed that NPK fertilizer application is the main cause of REE accumulation in beetles over time, besides toxic elements (Sr, Hg, Cr, Rb, Ba, Ni, Al, V, U) also present in the herbicide-treated beetles. The biomagnification of Cu and Zn suggested a high potential for food web transfer in agroecosystems. Gender differences in element concentrations suggested that males and females differ in element uptake and excretion. Differences in phenotypic traits show that exposure affects metabolic pathways involving sequestration and detoxification during the transition phase from immature-to-mature beetles, triggering a redistribution of resources between sexual maturation and immune responses. Our findings highlight the importance of setting limits for metals and REEs in herbicides and fertilizers to avoid adverse effects on species that provide ecosystem services and contribute to soil health in agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attilio Naccarato
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria,87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Maria Luigia Vommaro
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Domenico Amico
- CNR-Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Pirrone
- CNR-Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Antonio Tagarelli
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria,87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Anita Giglio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
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Abdelmawla A, Yang C, Li X, Li M, Li CL, Liu YB, He XJ, Zeng ZJ. Feeding Asian honeybee queens with European honeybee royal jelly alters body color and expression of related coding and non-coding RNAs. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1073625. [PMID: 36776963 PMCID: PMC9908965 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1073625] [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: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: The Asian honeybee (Apis cerana) and the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) are reproductively isolated. Previous studies reported that exchanging the larval food between the two species, known as nutritional crossbreeding, resulted in obvious changes in morphology, physiology and behavior. This study explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the honeybee nutritional crossbreeding. Methods: This study used full nutritional crossbreeding technology to rear A. cerana queens by feeding them with an A. mellifera royal jelly-based diet in an incubator. The body color and the expression of certain genes, microRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA among nutritional crossbred A. cerana queens (NQ), and control A. cerana queens (CQ) were compared. The biological functions of two target genes, TPH1 and KMO, were verified using RNA interference. Results: Our results showed that the NQ's body color turned yellow compared to the black control queens. Whole transcriptome sequencing results showed that a total of 1484, 311, 92, and 169 DEGs, DElncRNAs, DEmiRNAs, and DEcircRNAs, respectively, were identified in NQ and CQ, in which seven DEGs were enriched for three key pathways (tryptophan, tyrosine, and dopamine) involved in melanin synthesis. Interestingly, eight DElncRNAs and three DEmiRNAs were enriched into the key pathways regulating the above key DEGs. No circRNAs were enriched into these key pathways. Knocking down two key genes (KMO and TPH1) resulted in altered body color, suggesting that feeding NQ's an RNAi-based diet significantly downregulated the expression of TPH1 and KMO in 4-day-old larvae, which confirmed the function of key DEGs in the regulation of honeybee body color. Conclusion: These findings reveal that the larval diets from A. mellifera could change the body color of A. cerana, perhaps by altering the expression of non-coding RNAs and related key genes. This study serves as a model of epigenetic regulation in insect body color induced by environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Abdelmawla
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China,Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt
| | - Chen Yang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xin Li
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Mang Li
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chang Long Li
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yi Bo Liu
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xu Jiang He
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Bee Keeping, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China,*Correspondence: Xu Jiang He, ; Zhi Jiang Zeng,
| | - Zhi Jiang Zeng
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Bee Keeping, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China,*Correspondence: Xu Jiang He, ; Zhi Jiang Zeng,
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Zhu W, Chi S, Wang Y, Li H, Wang Z, Gu S, Sun T, Xiang H, You P, Ren Y. A chromosome-level genome assembly of the Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata provides insights into the evolution of ladybird beetles. DNA Res 2023; 30:6988042. [PMID: 36645207 PMCID: PMC9936504 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsad001] [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: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The ladybird beetle Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata is an economically significant oligophagous pest that induces damage to many Solanaceae crops. An increasing number of studies have examined the population and phenotype diversity of ladybird beetles. However, few comparative genome analyses of ladybird beetle species have been conducted. Here, we obtained a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of H. vigintioctomaculata using various sequencing technologies, and the chromosome-level genome assembly was ~581.63 Mb, with 11 chromosomes successfully assembled. The phylogenetic analysis showed that H. vigintioctomaculata is a more ancient lineage than the other three sequenced ladybird beetles, Harmonia axyridis, Propylea japonica, and Coccinella septempunctata. We also compared positively selected genes (PSGs), transposable elements (TEs) ratios and insertion times, and key gene families associated with environmental adaptation among these ladybird beetles. The pattern of TEs evolution of H. vigintioctomaculata differs from the other three ladybird beetles. The PSGs were associated with ladybird beetles development. However, the key gene families associated with environmental adaptation in ladybird beetles varied. Overall, the high-quality draft genome sequence of H. vigintioctomaculata provides a useful resource for studies of beetle biology, especially for the invasive biology of ladybird beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Zhongkai Wang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Songdong Gu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Crop Pest Management of Shandong Province, College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Ting Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
| | - Hui Xiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | | | - Yandong Ren
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel. +86-029-85310266; (Y.R.)
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Chi S, Wang Y, Wang Z, Li H, Gu S, Ren Y. A chromosome-level genome of Semiothisa cinerearia provides insights into its genome evolution and control. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:718. [PMID: 36271350 PMCID: PMC9585740 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08949-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Semiothisa cinerearia belongs to Geometridae, which is one of the most species-rich families of lepidopteran insects. It is also one of the most economically significant pests of the Chinese scholar tree (Sophora japonica L.), which is an important urban greenbelt trees in China due to its high ornamental value. A genome assembly of S. cinerearia would facilitate study of the control and evolution of this species. RESULTS We present a reference genome for S. cinerearia; the size of the genome was ~ 580.89 Mb, and it contained 31 chromosomes. Approximately 43.52% of the sequences in the genome were repeat sequences, and 21,377 protein-coding genes were predicted. Some important gene families involved in the detoxification of pesticides (P450) have expanded in S. cinerearia. Cytochrome P450 gene family members play key roles in mediating relationships between plants and insects, and they are important in plant secondary metabolite detoxification and host-plant selection. Using comparative analysis methods, we find positively selected gene, Sox15 and TipE, which may play important roles during the larval-pupal metamorphosis development of S. cinerearia. CONCLUSION This assembly provides a new genomic resource that will aid future comparative genomic studies of Geometridae species and facilitate future evolutionary studies on the S. cinerearia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengqi Chi
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Crop Pest Management of Shandong Province, College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
| | - Yanchun Wang
- College of Science and Information, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Zhongkai Wang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Haorong Li
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Songdong Gu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Crop Pest Management of Shandong Province, College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Yandong Ren
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China.
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9
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Chen S, Nanda S, Guo M, Kong L, Yang C, Liu Z, Gao R, Qiu B, Zhang Y, Zhou X, Pan H. Tyrosine hydroxylase involved in cuticle tanning and reproduction in the 28-spotted potato ladybeetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3859-3870. [PMID: 35524967 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6980] [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: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a melanin synthesis pathway enzyme hydroxylating tyrosine into 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, is involved in the pigmentation and sclerotization of insect cuticles. However, the role of TH in 28-spotted potato ladybeetle (Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata), an emerging pest of the solanaceous crops has been explored to a limited extent. In this study, we integrated dietary RNA interference (RNAi) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining with various bioassays to analyze the role of tyrosine hydroxylase (HvTH) throughout the developmental processes of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. RESULTS The results revealed that ingestion of dsHvTH led to cuticle tanning impairment, arrested larval feeding in the first and second instars of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, and subsequently resulted in 100% mortality. The H&E staining assays revealed that dsHvTH prevented new abdominal cuticle formation. A pharmacological study using 3-iodo-tyrosine (3-IT), a HvTH inhibitor, disrupted larval-larval-pupal cuticle tanning during the third-fourth instar larval development and eventually failed to pupate. Similarly, dsHvTH fed to fourth instars hindered larval-pupal-adult cuticle tanning, and the eclose adults were 100% malformed. Ingestion of dsHvTH or 3-IT significantly down-regulated HvTH, HvDDC, Hvebony, and Hvlaccase2 expression and reduced dopamine levels. Finally, HvTH silencing in adult females substantially reduced the offspring hatching rates. CONCLUSIONS The collective results of the study suggested that HvTH plays conserved roles in larval-pupal-adult cuticle melanization and sclerotization while exhibiting a novel function in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata reproduction. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Satyabrata Nanda
- MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, India
| | - Mujuan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lan Kong
- Department of Computer Science, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, USA
| | - Chunxiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuoqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ran Gao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoli Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Huipeng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Wu MM, Chen X, Xu QX, Zang LS, Wang S, Li M, Xiao D. Melanin Synthesis Pathway Interruption: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Knockout of dopa decarboxylase (DDC) in Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2022; 22:6694719. [PMID: 36082675 PMCID: PMC9459435 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieac048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 technology is a very powerful genome editing tool and has been used in many insect species for functional genomics studies through targeted gene mutagenesis. Here, we successfully established CRISPR/Cas9 research platform in Asian multi-colored ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, an important natural enemy in biological control. In this study, one pivotal gene dopa decarboxylase (DDC) in melanin synthesis was targeted by CRISPR/Cas9 to generate mutants in H. axyridis by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Our results showed that injection of single guide RNA of the DDC and Cas9 protein into preblastoderm eggs induced one insertion and four deletion (indels) mutant H. axyridis. Mutations of HaDDC gene generated 25% mutant rate with melanin missing phenotype in larva, pupa,l and adult stage. The predation ability of the fourth instar larvae has no significant difference between wild (control) and mutant H. axyridis (G0), while these mutant fourth instar larvae had longer developmental period than that of the wild type. Consequently, the total predation of the fourth instar larvae was significantly increased in H. axyridis mutants comparing with the wild type. These results indicated that the success of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in H. axyridis. The gene editing platform in H. axyridis would facilitate the gene function research and promote special strain of predatory ladybird beetle generation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qing-xuan Xu
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Lian-sheng Zang
- Jilin Engineering Research Center of Resource Insects Industrialization, Institute of Biological Control, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering of Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Su Wang
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Ming Li
- Corresponding author, e-mail: (M.L.), (D.X.)
| | - Da Xiao
- Corresponding author, e-mail: (M.L.), (D.X.)
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11
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Tian R, Chen X, Wu M, Xu Q, Wang S, Zang L, Xiao D. The Molecular Properties and Roles of Pannier in Harmonia axyridis's Metamorphosis and Melanin Synthesis. Front Physiol 2022; 13:909258. [PMID: 35592031 PMCID: PMC9110671 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.909258] [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: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The GATA transcription factor Pannier is identified as the major regulatory gene in color pattern formation in the Asian multi-colored ladybird beetle (Harmonia axyridis). however, the mechanisms of Pannier in regulating melanin synthesis and development in H. axyridis remain elusive. In this study, we identified and characterized Pannier in H. axyridis (HaPnr) and showed it to have two alternative spliced variants named HaPnr-α and HaPnr-β. Analyses of developmental stage expression patterns revealed that HaPnr, HaPnr-α and HaPnr-β were constitutively expressed throughout all developmental stages. To examine the role of HaPnr in H. axyridis development, RNA interference was performed in late larvae (the fourth instar) and early pupae (the first day of pupa stage). The transcript levels of HaPnr were effectively suppressed after the injection of double-stranded RNA of HaPnr (dsHaPnr). The fourth instar larvae injected with dsHaPnr reduced the pupation rates to only 61.50%, compared with 88.5% in the dsGFP-injected group. The un-pupated larvae gradually died after 1 week, and visually unaffected pupae emerged into abnormal adults with malformed hind wings and melanin absent from the cuticle. These abnormal adults gradually died 10 days after eclosion. However, when early pupae were injected with dsHaPnr, the normal eclosion rate was achieved at 88.41% on day 6 after the injection. In addition, these successful eclosion adults also showed an absence of melanin in the cuticle, but they could mate normally and have normal fecundity as compared with the control. We further demonstrated that the suppression of HaPnr-α or HaPnr-β individually did not affect the pupation and eclosion process. The suppression of HaPnr-α expression resulted in elytra melanin decreasing in both the conspicua and the succinea subgroup in H. axyridis. Even though the suppression of HaPnr-β expression only affected the melanin synthesis in the succinea subgroup, it significantly prolonged the time taken for melanin synthesis to occur in the conspicua subgroup in H. axyridis. These results indicate that HaPnr plays an essential role in insect development, especially during their metamorphosis, and also support our hypothesis that HaPnr could regulate melanin synthesis in H. axyridis under the combined action with its two splicing variants, HaPnr-α and HaPnr-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renbin Tian
- Jilin Engineering Research Center of Resource Insects Industrialization, Institute of Biological Control, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering of Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Mengmeng Wu
- Jilin Engineering Research Center of Resource Insects Industrialization, Institute of Biological Control, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingxuan Xu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Su Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liansheng Zang
- Jilin Engineering Research Center of Resource Insects Industrialization, Institute of Biological Control, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering of Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Da Xiao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
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12
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Galeb HA, Lamantia A, Robson A, König K, Eichhorn J, Baldock SJ, Ashton MD, Baum JV, Mort RL, Robinson BJ, Schacher FH, Chechik V, Taylor AM, Hardy JG. The Polymerization of Homogentisic Acid in Vitro as a Model for Pyomelanin Formation. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202100489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa A. Galeb
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry Science and Arts College, Rabigh Campus King Abdulaziz University Jeddah 21577 Saudi Arabia
| | - Angelo Lamantia
- Department of Physics Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YW United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Robson
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
| | - Katja König
- Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie Friedrich‐Schiller‐Universität Jena Lessingstraße 8 Jena 07743 Germany
| | - Jonas Eichhorn
- Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie Friedrich‐Schiller‐Universität Jena Lessingstraße 8 Jena 07743 Germany
| | - Sara J. Baldock
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
| | - Mark D. Ashton
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
| | - John V. Baum
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
| | - Richard L. Mort
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YG United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin J. Robinson
- Department of Physics Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YW United Kingdom
- Materials Science Institute Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
| | - Felix H. Schacher
- Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie Friedrich‐Schiller‐Universität Jena Lessingstraße 8 Jena 07743 Germany
| | - Victor Chechik
- Department of Chemistry University of York Heslington, York YO10 5DD United Kingdom
| | - Adam M. Taylor
- Lancaster Medical School Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YW United Kingdom
| | - John G. Hardy
- Department of Chemistry Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
- Materials Science Institute Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB United Kingdom
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13
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Zhang Y, Wang XX, Feng ZJ, Tian HG, Feng Y, Liu TX. Aspartate-β-alanine-NBAD pathway regulates pupal melanin pigmentation plasticity of ladybird Harmonia axyridis. INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:1651-1663. [PMID: 33063466 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity is observed in many animal species and it is effective for them to cope with many types of environmental threats. The multicolored Asian ladybird Harmonia axyridis shows a cuticular pigmentation plasticity that can be rapidly induced by temperature changes, and in the form of changeable melanin spot patterns to adjust heat-absorbing. Here, H. axyridis with thermal stimulation were selected for determining the molecular regulations behind it. First, we confirmed the melanin level changes of H. axyridis pupa could be induced by temperature, and then screened the efficient time window for thermal sensing of H. axyridis pre-pupa; it is suggested that the late stage of pre-pupa (late stage of 4th instar larva) is the critical period to sense thermal signals and adjust its pupal melanin spot area size to adapt to upcoming thermal conditions. The Ha-ADC (aspartate decarboxylase) and Ha-ebony (NBAD synthase) of aspartate-β-alanine-NBAD pathway were then proved in regulation of cuticular melanization for pupa through RNA interference experiments; knockdown of these two genes enlarged the melanin spot size. Finally, we designed a random injection of Ha-ADC at different pre-pupal stages, to further study the regulation window during this process. Combined with all evidence observed, we suggested the spot size determination can be regulated very close to the time point of pupation, and genes of the aspartate-β-alanine-NBAD pathway play an important role at the molecular level. In brief, H. axyridis exhibits a flexible active physiological regulation through transcriptional modification to thermal changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266109, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Xing-Xing Wang
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266109, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Zhu-Jun Feng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Hong-Gang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Yi Feng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Tong-Xian Liu
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266109, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
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14
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Popadić A, Tsitlakidou D. Regional patterning and regulation of melanin pigmentation in insects. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 69:163-170. [PMID: 34087530 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Insects display an immense diversity in melanin pigmentation, which is generated by the interplay between the regulatory genes (that provide general patterning information) and effector genes (that provide coloration of the pattern). However, recent studies encompassing several different orders (Hemiptera, Blattodea, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera) have shown that knockdowns of melanin producing genes alone can generate distinct region-specific patterns. This review surveys the most recent studies to further document the regional patterning of effector genes, and highlights the new advances and their implications for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Popadić
- Biological Sciences Department, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
| | - Despina Tsitlakidou
- Biological Sciences Department, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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15
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Rahman SR, Terranova T, Tian L, Hines HM. Developmental Transcriptomics Reveals a Gene Network Driving Mimetic Color Variation in a Bumble Bee. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6244266. [PMID: 33881508 PMCID: PMC8220310 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A major goal of evolutionary genetics and evo-devo is to understand how changes in genotype manifest as changes in phenotype. Bumble bees display remarkable color pattern diversity while converging onto numerous regional Müllerian mimicry patterns, thus enabling exploration of the genetic mechanisms underlying convergent phenotypic evolution. In western North America, multiple bumble bee species converge onto local mimicry patterns through parallel shifts of midabdominal segments from red to black. It was previously demonstrated that a Hox gene, Abd-B, is the key regulator of the phenotypic switch in one of these species, Bombus melanopygus, however, the mechanism by which Abd-B regulates color differentiation remains unclear. Using tissue/stage-specific transcriptomic analysis followed by qRT–PCR validation, this study reveals a suite of genes potentially involved downstream of Abd-B during color pattern differentiation. The data support differential genes expression of not only the first switch gene Abd-B, but also an intermediate developmental gene nubbin, and a whole suite of downstream melanin and redox genes that together reinforce the observed eumelanin (black)-pheomelanin (red) ratios. These include potential genes involved in the production of insect pheomelanins, a pigment until recently not thought to occur in insects and thus lacking known regulatory enzymes. The results enhance understanding of pigmentation gene networks involved in bumble bee color pattern development and diversification, while providing insights into how upstream regulators such as Hox genes interact with downstream morphogenic players to facilitate this adaptive phenotypic radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthok Rasique Rahman
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Tatiana Terranova
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Heather M Hines
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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16
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Evo-devo of wing colour patterns in beetles. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 69:97-102. [PMID: 33744509 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Insects have evolved tremendously diverse wing colour patterns that fulfil ecologically vital functions, including intraspecific sexual signalling, mimesis, mimicry, and detering predators. Beetles, which form the most species-rich order Coleoptera, have amazingly diverse wing colour patterns; however, the molecular mechanisms that give rise to these patterns remain poorly understood. Recently, the gene pannier (pnr), which encodes a transcription factor of the GATA family, was identified as an essential player in the wing patterning of the multi-coloured Asian ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis. Here we review recent progress in understanding the molecular underpinnings of wing colour pattern formation in H. axyridis.
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17
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Chen M, Mei Y, Chen X, Chen X, Xiao D, He K, Li Q, Wu M, Wang S, Zhang F, Li F. A chromosome-level assembly of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis as a genomic resource to study beetle and invasion biology. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 21:1318-1332. [PMID: 33529495 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), is a well-known model organism for genetic studies and is also a well-studied natural enemy used for pest control. It became an invasive species after being introduced to North America and Europe as a pest control agent. Though two genome assemblies for this insect have been previously reported, a high-quality genome assembly at the chromosome level is still not available. Here, we obtained a new chromosome-level genome assembly of H. axyridis by combining various sequencing technologies, namely Illumina short reads, PacBio long reads, 10X Genomics and Hi-C. The chromosome-level genome assembly is 423 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 45.92 Mb. Using Hi-C data 1,897 scaffolds were anchored to eight chromosomes. A total of 730,068 repeat sequences were identified, making up 51.2% of the assembled genome. After masking these repeat sequences, we annotated 22,810 protein-encoding genes. The X chromosome and Y-linked scaffolds were also identified by resequencing male and female genomes and calculating the male to female coverage ratios. Two gene families associated with environmental adaptation, odorant receptor and cytochrome P450, were analysed and showed no obvious expansion in H. axyridis. We successfully constructed a putative biosynthesis pathway of harmonine, a defence compound in the haemolymph of H. axyridis, which is a key factor for H. axyridis strong immunity. The chromosome-level genome assembly of H. axyridis is a helpful resource for studies of beetle biology and invasive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyao Chen
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Mei
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Da Xiao
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kang He
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Wu
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Su Wang
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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18
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Galeb HA, Wilkinson EL, Stowell AF, Lin H, Murphy ST, Martin‐Hirsch PL, Mort RL, Taylor AM, Hardy JG. Melanins as Sustainable Resources for Advanced Biotechnological Applications. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2021; 5:2000102. [PMID: 33552556 PMCID: PMC7857133 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202000102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Melanins are a class of biopolymers that are widespread in nature and have diverse origins, chemical compositions, and functions. Their chemical, electrical, optical, and paramagnetic properties offer opportunities for applications in materials science, particularly for medical and technical uses. This review focuses on the application of analytical techniques to study melanins in multidisciplinary contexts with a view to their use as sustainable resources for advanced biotechnological applications, and how these may facilitate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa A. Galeb
- Department of ChemistryLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
- Department of ChemistryScience and Arts CollegeRabigh CampusKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddah21577Saudi Arabia
| | - Emma L. Wilkinson
- Department of Biomedical and Life SciencesLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YGUK
| | - Alison F. Stowell
- Department of Organisation, Work and TechnologyLancaster University Management SchoolLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YXUK
| | - Hungyen Lin
- Department of EngineeringLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
| | - Samuel T. Murphy
- Department of EngineeringLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
- Materials Science InstituteLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
| | - Pierre L. Martin‐Hirsch
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustRoyal Preston HospitalSharoe Green LanePrestonPR2 9HTUK
| | - Richard L. Mort
- Department of Biomedical and Life SciencesLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YGUK
| | - Adam M. Taylor
- Lancaster Medical SchoolLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
| | - John G. Hardy
- Department of ChemistryLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
- Materials Science InstituteLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
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19
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Molecular and Potential Regulatory Mechanisms of Melanin Synthesis in Harmonia axyridis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062088. [PMID: 32197465 PMCID: PMC7139685 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanization is a common phenomenon in insects, and melanin synthesis is a conserved physiological process that occurs in epidermal cells. Moreover, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of melanin synthesis influencing insect pigmentation are well-suited for investigating phenotype variation. The Asian multi-colored (Harlequin) ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, exhibits intraspecific polymorphism based on relative levels of melanization. However, the specific characteristics of melanin synthesis in H. axyridis remains elusive. In this study, we performed gene-silencing analysis of the pivotal inverting enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) in the tyrosine metabolism pathway to investigate the molecular and regulatory mechanism of melanin synthesis in H. axyridis. Using RNAi of TH and DDC genes in fourth instar larvae, we demonstrated that dopamine melanin was the primary contributor to the overall body melanization of H. axyridis. Furthermore, our study provides the first conclusive evidence that dopamine serves as a melanin precursor for synthesis in the early pupal stage. According to transcription factor Pannier, which is essential for the formation of melanic color on the elytra in H. axyridis, we further demonstrated that suppression of HaPnr can significantly decrease expression levels of HaTH and HaDDC. These results in their entirety lead to the conclusion that transcription factor Pannier can regulate dopamine melanin synthesis in the dorsal elytral epidermis of H. axyridis.
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