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Chee FT, Harun S, Mohd Daud K, Sulaiman S, Nor Muhammad NA. Exploring gene regulation and biological processes in insects: Insights from omics data using gene regulatory network models. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 189:1-12. [PMID: 38604435 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Gene regulatory network (GRN) comprises complicated yet intertwined gene-regulator relationships. Understanding the GRN dynamics will unravel the complexity behind the observed gene expressions. Insect gene regulation is often complicated due to their complex life cycles and diverse ecological adaptations. The main interest of this review is to have an update on the current mathematical modelling methods of GRNs to explain insect science. Several popular GRN architecture models are discussed, together with examples of applications in insect science. In the last part of this review, each model is compared from different aspects, including network scalability, computation complexity, robustness to noise and biological relevancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fong Ting Chee
- Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sarahani Harun
- Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kauthar Mohd Daud
- Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Suhaila Sulaiman
- FGV R&D Sdn Bhd, FGV Innovation Center, PT23417 Lengkuk Teknologi, Bandar Baru Enstek, 71760 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
| | - Nor Azlan Nor Muhammad
- Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Guo R, Wang S, Guo S, Fan X, Zang H, Gao X, Jing X, Liu Z, Na Z, Zou P, Chen D. Regulatory Roles of Long Non-Coding RNAs Relevant to Antioxidant Enzymes and Immune Responses of Apis cerana Larvae Following Ascosphaera apis Invasion. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14175. [PMID: 37762477 PMCID: PMC10532054 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814175] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an essential part in controlling gene expression and a variety of biological processes such as immune defense and stress-response. However, whether and how lncRNAs regulate responses of Apis cerana larvae to Ascosphaera apis invasion has remained unclear until now. Here, the identification and structural analysis of lncRNAs in the guts of A. cerana worker larvae were conducted, and the expression profile of larval lncRNAs during the A. apis infection process was then analyzed, followed by an investigation of the regulatory roles of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in the host response. In total, 76 sense lncRNAs, 836 antisense lncRNAs, 184 intron lncRNAs, 362 bidirectional lncRNAs, and 2181 intron lncRNAs were discovered in the larval guts. Additionally, 30 known and 9 novel lncRNAs were potential precursors for 36 and 11 miRNAs, respectively. In the three comparison groups, 386, 351, and 272 DElncRNAs were respectively identified, indicating the change in the overall expression pattern of host lncRNAs following the A. apis invasion. Analysis of cis-acting effect showed that DElncRNAs in the 4-, 5-, and 6-day-old comparison groups putatively regulated 55, 30, and 20 up- and down-stream genes, respectively, which were involved in a series of crucial functional terms and pathways, such as MAPK signaling pathway, and cell process. Analysis showed that 31, 8, and 11 DElncRNAs as potential antisense lncRNAs may interact with 26, 8, and 9 sense-strand mRNAs. Moreover, investigation of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network indicated that 148, 283, and 257 DElncRNAs were putatively regulated. The expression of target genes by targeting corresponding DEmiRNAs included those associated with antioxidant enzymes and immune responses. These results suggested that DElncRNAs played a potential part in the larval guts responding to the A. apis infection through a cis-acting manner and ceRNA mechanisms. Our findings deepen our understanding of interactions between A. cerana larvae and A. apis and offer a basis for clarifying the DElncRNA-mediated mechanisms underlying the host response to fungal invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
- Apitherapy Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Siyi Wang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
| | - Sijia Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
| | - Xiaoxue Fan
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
| | - He Zang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
| | - Xuze Gao
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
| | - Xin Jing
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
| | - Zhitan Liu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
| | - Zhihao Na
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
| | - Peiyuan Zou
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
| | - Dafu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.G.); (S.W.); (S.G.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.G.); (X.J.); (Z.L.); (Z.N.); (P.Z.)
- Apitherapy Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
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Zafar J, Wu H, Xu Y, Lin L, Kang Z, Zhang J, Zhang R, Lu Y, Jin F, Xu X. Transcriptomic Analysis of Metarhizium anisopliae-Induced Immune-Related Long Non-Coding RNAs in Polymorphic Worker Castes of Solenopsis invicta. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13983. [PMID: 37762284 PMCID: PMC10531276 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a class of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins. Generally studied for their regulatory potential in model insects, relatively little is known about their immunoregulatory functions in different castes of eusocial insects, including Solenopsis invicta, a notoriously invasive insect pest. In the current study, we used Metarhizium anisopliae, an entomopathogenic fungus, to infect the polymorphic worker castes (Major and Minor Workers) and subjected them to RNA sequencing at different intervals (6, 24, and 48 h post-infection (hpi)). Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis identified 5719 (1869 known and 3850 novel) lncRNAs in all libraries. Genomic characteristics analysis showed that S. invicta lncRNAs exhibited structural similarities with lncRNAs from other eusocial insects, including lower exon numbers, shorter intron and exon lengths, and a lower expression profile. A comparison of lncRNAs in major and minor worker ants revealed that several lncRNAs were exclusively expressed in one worker caste and remained absent in the other. LncRNAs such as MSTRG.12029.1, XR_005575440.1 (6 h), MSTRG.16728.1, XR_005575440.1 (24 h), MSTRG.20263.41, and MSTRG.11994.5 (48 h) were only present in major worker ants, while lncRNAs such as MSTRG.8896.1, XR_005574239.1 (6 h), MSTRG.20289.8, XR_005575051.1 (24 h), MSTRG.20289.8, and MSTRG.6682.1 (48 h) were only detected in minor workers. Additionally, we performed real-time quantitative PCR and experimentally validated these findings. Functional annotation of cis-acting lncRNAs in major worker ants showed that lncRNAs targeted genes such as serine protease, trypsin, melanization protease-1, spaetzle-3, etc. In contrast, apoptosis and autophagy-related genes were identified as targets of lncRNAs in minor ants. Lastly, we identified several lncRNAs as precursors of microRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-8, miR-14, miR-210, miR-6038, etc., indicating a regulatory relationship between lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in antifungal immunity. These findings will serve as a genetic resource for lncRNAs in polymorphic eusocial ants and provide a theoretical basis for exploring the function of lncRNAs from a unique and novel perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fengliang Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, “Belt and Road” Technology Industry and Innovation Institute for Green and Biological Control of Agricultural Pests, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.Z.); (H.W.); (Y.X.); (L.L.); (Z.K.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Xiaoxia Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, “Belt and Road” Technology Industry and Innovation Institute for Green and Biological Control of Agricultural Pests, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.Z.); (H.W.); (Y.X.); (L.L.); (Z.K.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.L.)
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Wang Z, Wang S, Fan X, Zhang K, Zhang J, Zhao H, Gao X, Zhang Y, Guo S, Zhou D, Li Q, Na Z, Chen D, Guo R. Systematic Characterization and Regulatory Role of lncRNAs in Asian Honey Bees Responding to Microsporidian Infestation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065886. [PMID: 36982959 PMCID: PMC10058195 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are pivotal regulators in gene expression and diverse biological processes, such as immune defense and host-pathogen interactions. However, little is known about the roles of lncRNAs in the response of the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) to microsporidian infestation. Based on our previously obtained high-quality transcriptome datasets from the midgut tissues of Apis cerana cerana workers at 7 days post inoculation (dpi) and 10 dpi with Nosema ceranae (AcT7 and AcT10 groups) and the corresponding un-inoculated midgut tissues (AcCK7 and AcCK10 groups), the transcriptome-wide identification and structural characterization of lncRNAs were conducted, and the differential expression pattern of lncRNAs was then analyzed, followed by investigation of the regulatory roles of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in host response. Here, 2365, 2322, 2487, and 1986 lncRNAs were, respectively, identified in the AcCK7, AcT7, AcCK7, and AcT10 groups. After removing redundant ones, a total of 3496 A. c. cerana lncRNAs were identified, which shared similar structural characteristics with those discovered in other animals and plants, such as shorter exons and introns than mRNAs. Additionally, 79 and 73 DElncRNAs were screened from the workers' midguts at 7 dpi and 10 dpi, respectively, indicating the alteration of the overall expression pattern of lncRNAs in host midguts after N. ceranae infestation. These DElncRNAs could, respectively, regulate 87 and 73 upstream and downstream genes, involving a suite of functional terms and pathways, such as metabolic process and Hippo signaling pathway. Additionally, 235 and 209 genes co-expressed with DElncRNAs were found to enrich in 29 and 27 terms, as well as 112 and 123 pathways, such as ABC transporters and the cAMP signaling pathway. Further, it was detected that 79 (73) DElncRNAs in the host midguts at 7 (10) dpi could target 321 (313) DEmiRNAs and further target 3631 (3130) DEmRNAs. TCONS_00024312 and XR_001765805.1 were potential precursors for ame-miR-315 and ame-miR-927, while TCONS_00006120 was the putative precursor for both ame-miR-87-1 and ame-miR-87-2. These results together suggested that DElncRNAs are likely to play regulatory roles in the host response to N. ceranae infestation through the regulation of neighboring genes via a cis-acting effect, modulation of co-expressed mRNAs via trans-acting effect, and control of downstream target genes' expression via competing endogenous RNA networks. Our findings provide a basis for disclosing the mechanism underlying DElncRNA-mediated host N. ceranae response and a new perspective into the interaction between A. c. cerana and N. ceranae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixin Wang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Siyi Wang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xiaoxue Fan
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Kaiyao Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Haodong Zhao
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xuze Gao
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yiqiong Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Sijia Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Dingding Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Qiming Li
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zhihao Na
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Dafu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Rui Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
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Recent Advances and Future Potential of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Insects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032605. [PMID: 36768922 PMCID: PMC9917219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have witnessed a steep rise in interest amongst the scientific community. Because of their functional significance in several biological processes, i.e., alternative splicing, epigenetics, cell cycle, dosage compensation, and gene expression regulation, lncRNAs have transformed our understanding of RNA's regulatory potential. However, most knowledge concerning lncRNAs comes from mammals, and our understanding of the potential role of lncRNAs amongst insects remains unclear. Technological advances such as RNA-seq have enabled entomologists to profile several hundred lncRNAs in insect species, although few are functionally studied. This article will review experimentally validated lncRNAs from different insects and the lncRNAs identified via bioinformatic tools. Lastly, we will discuss the existing research challenges and the future of lncRNAs in insects.
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