1
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van’t Hof AE, Whiteford S, Yung CJ, Yoshido A, Zrzavá M, de Jong MA, Tan KL, Zhu D, Monteiro A, Brakefield PM, Marec F, Saccheri IJ. Zygosity-based sex determination in a butterfly drives hypervariability of Masculinizer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj6979. [PMID: 38701204 PMCID: PMC11067997 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj6979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Nature has devised many ways of producing males and females. Here, we report on a previously undescribed mechanism for Lepidoptera that functions without a female-specific gene. The number of alleles or allele heterozygosity in a single Z-linked gene (BaMasc) is the primary sex-determining switch in Bicyclus anynana butterflies. Embryos carrying a single BaMasc allele develop into WZ (or Z0) females, those carrying two distinct alleles develop into ZZ males, while (ZZ) homozygotes initiate female development, have mismatched dosage compensation, and die as embryos. Consequently, selection against homozygotes has favored the evolution of spectacular allelic diversity: 205 different coding sequences of BaMasc were detected in a sample of 246 females. The structural similarity of a hypervariable region (HVR) in BaMasc to the HVR in Apis mellifera csd suggests molecular convergence between deeply diverged insect lineages. Our discovery of this primary switch highlights the fascinating diversity of sex-determining mechanisms and underlying evolutionary drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjen E. van’t Hof
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Sam Whiteford
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Carl J. Yung
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Atsuo Yoshido
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Magda Zrzavá
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Maaike A. de Jong
- Netherlands eScience Center, Science Park 402, 1098 XH Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kian-Long Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Dantong Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Antónia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | | | - František Marec
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ilik J. Saccheri
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
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2
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Tian S, Asano Y, Banerjee TD, Wee JLQ, Lamb A, Wang Y, Murugesan SN, Ui-Tei K, Wittkopp PJ, Monteiro A. A micro-RNA is the effector gene of a classic evolutionary hotspot locus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.09.579741. [PMID: 38659873 PMCID: PMC11042203 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.09.579741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
In Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), the genomic region around the gene cortex is a 'hotspot' locus, repeatedly used to generate intraspecific melanic wing color polymorphisms across 100-million-years of evolution. However, the identity of the effector gene regulating melanic wing color within this locus remains unknown. Here, we show that none of the four candidate protein-coding genes within this locus, including cortex, serve as major effectors. Instead, a micro-RNA (miRNA), mir-193, serves as the major effector across three deeply diverged lineages of butterflies, and its function is conserved in Drosophila. In Lepidoptera, mir-193 is derived from a gigantic long non-coding RNA, ivory, and it functions by directly repressing multiple pigmentation genes. We show that a miRNA can drive repeated instances of adaptive evolution in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Tian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore; Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Yoshimasa Asano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo; Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tirtha Das Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore; Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Jocelyn Liang Qi Wee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore; Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Abigail Lamb
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, The University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1085, USA
| | - Yehan Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore; Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Suriya Narayanan Murugesan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore; Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Kumiko Ui-Tei
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo; Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo; Chiba, 277-8561, Japan
| | - Patricia J. Wittkopp
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, The University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1085, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, The University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1085, USA
| | - Antónia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore; Singapore, 117543, Singapore
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3
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Murugesan SN, Tian S, Monteiro A. Genome Assembly and Annotation of the Dark-Branded Bushbrown Butterfly Mycalesis mineus (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae). Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae051. [PMID: 38505885 PMCID: PMC10972688 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae051] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
We report a high-quality genome draft assembly of the dark-branded bushbrown, Mycalesis mineus, a member of the Satyrinae subfamily of nymphalid butterflies. This species is emerging as a promising model organism for investigating the evolution and development of phenotypic plasticity. Using 45.99 Gb of long-read data (N50 = 11.11 kb), we assembled a genome size of 497.4 Mb for M. mineus. The assembly is highly contiguous and nearly complete (96.8% of Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs lepidopteran genes were complete and single copy). The genome comprises 38.71% of repetitive elements and includes 20,967 predicted protein-coding genes. The assembled genome was super-scaffolded into 28 pseudo-chromosomes using a closely related species, Bicyclus anynana, with a chromosomal-level genome as a template. This valuable genomic tool will advance both ongoing and future research focused on this model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shen Tian
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
| | - Antónia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
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4
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Banerjee TD, Murugesan SN, Connahs H, Monteiro A. Spatial and temporal regulation of Wnt signaling pathway members in the development of butterfly wing patterns. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg3877. [PMID: 37494447 PMCID: PMC10371022 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg3877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling members are involved in the differentiation of cells associated with eyespot and band color patterns on the wings of butterflies, but the identity and spatio-temporal regulation of specific Wnt pathway members remains unclear. Here, we explore the localization and function of Armadillo/β-catenin dependent (canonical) and Armadillo/β-catenin independent (noncanonical) Wnt signaling in eyespot and band development in Bicyclus anynana by localizing Armadillo (Arm), the expression of all eight Wnt ligand and four frizzled receptor transcripts present in the genome of this species and testing the function of some of the ligands and receptors using CRISPR-Cas9. We show that distinct Wnt signaling pathways are essential for eyespot and band patterning in butterflies and are likely interacting to control their active domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirtha Das Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117557
| | | | - Heidi Connahs
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117557
| | - Antόnia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117557
- Science Division, Yale-NUS College, Singapore - 138527
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5
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How SHC, Banerjee TD, Monteiro A. Vermilion and cinnabar are involved in ommochrome pigment biosynthesis in eyes but not wings of Bicyclus anynana butterflies. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9368. [PMID: 37296302 PMCID: PMC10256707 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36491-9] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
If the same pigment is found in different tissues in a body, it is natural to assume that the same metabolic pathways are deployed similarly in each tissue. Here we show that this is not the case for ommochromes, the red and orange pigments found in the eyes and wings of butterflies. We tested the expression and function of vermilion and cinnabar, two known fly genes in the ommochrome pathway, in the development of pigments in the eyes and in the wings of Bicyclus anynana butterflies, both traits having reddish/orange pigments. By using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (HCR3.0) we localized the expression of vermilion and cinnabar in the cytoplasm of pigment cells in the ommatidia but observed no clear expression for either gene on larval and pupal wings. We then disrupted the function of both genes, using CRISPR-Cas9, which resulted in the loss of pigment in the eyes but not in the wings. Using thin-layer chromatography and UV-vis spectroscopy we identified the presence of ommochrome and ommochrome precursors in the orange wing scales and in the hemolymph of pupae. We conclude that the wings either synthesize ommochromes locally, with yet unidentified enzymes or incorporate these pigments synthesized elsewhere from the hemolymph. Different metabolic pathways or transport mechanisms, thus, lead to the presence of ommochromes in the wings and eyes of B. anynana butterflies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun Hong Chuen How
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117557, Singapore
| | - Tirtha Das Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117557, Singapore.
| | - Antόnia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117557, Singapore.
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6
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Nakazato Y, Otaki JM. Protein Delivery to Insect Epithelial Cells In Vivo: Potential Application to Functional Molecular Analysis of Proteins in Butterfly Wing Development. BIOTECH 2023; 12:biotech12020028. [PMID: 37092472 PMCID: PMC10123617 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12020028] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein delivery to cells in vivo has great potential for the functional analysis of proteins in nonmodel organisms. In this study, using the butterfly wing system, we investigated a method of protein delivery to insect epithelial cells that allows for easy access, treatment, and observation in real time in vivo. Topical and systemic applications (called the sandwich and injection methods, respectively) were tested. In both methods, green/orange fluorescent proteins (GFP/OFP) were naturally incorporated into intracellular vesicles and occasionally into the cytosol from the apical surface without any delivery reagent. However, the antibodies were not delivered by the sandwich method at all, and were delivered only into vesicles by the injection method. A membrane-lytic peptide, L17E, appeared to slightly improve the delivery of GFP/OFP and antibodies. A novel peptide reagent, ProteoCarry, successfully promoted the delivery of both GFP/OFP and antibodies into the cytosol via both the sandwich and injection methods. These protein delivery results will provide opportunities for the functional molecular analysis of proteins in butterfly wing development, and may offer a new way to deliver proteins into target cells in vivo in nonmodel organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yugo Nakazato
- The BCPH Unit of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Joji M Otaki
- The BCPH Unit of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
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7
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Thulluru A, Saad L, Nagah Abdou Y, Martin A, Kee HL. CRISPR in butterflies: An undergraduate lab experience to inactivate wing patterning genes during development. BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION : A BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 50:605-619. [PMID: 36054482 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR is a technique increasingly used in the laboratory for both fundamental and applied research. We designed and implemented a lab experience for undergraduates to carry out CRISPR technology in the lab, and knockout the wing patterning genes optix and WntA in Vanessa cardui butterflies. Students obtained spectacular phenotypic mutants of butterfly wings color and patterns, awakening curiosity about how genomes encode morphology. In addition, students successfully used molecular techniques to genotype and screen wild-type caterpillar larvae and butterflies for CRISPR edits in genes. Student feedback suggests that they experienced a meaningful process of scientific inquiry by carrying out the whole CRISPR workflow process, from the design and delivery of CRISPR components through microinjection of butterfly eggs, the rearing of live animals through their complete life cycle, and molecular and phenotypic analyses of the resulting mutants. We discuss our experience using CRISP genome editing experiments in butterflies to expose students to hands-on research experiences probing gene-to-phenotype relationships in a charismatic and live organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamani Thulluru
- Department of Biology, Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, USA
| | - Luisa Saad
- Department of Biology, Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, USA
| | | | - Arnaud Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Hooi Lynn Kee
- Department of Biology, Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, USA
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8
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Wee JLQ, Das Banerjee T, Prakash A, Seah KS, Monteiro A. Distal-less and spalt are distal organisers of pierid wing patterns. EvoDevo 2022; 13:12. [PMID: 35659745 PMCID: PMC9164424 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-022-00197-2] [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: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Two genes, Distal-less (Dll) and spalt (sal), are known to be involved in establishing nymphalid butterfly wing patterns. They function in several ways: in the differentiation of the eyespot’s central signalling cells, or foci; in the differentiation of the surrounding black disc; in overall scale melanisation (Dll); and in elaborating marginal patterns, such as parafocal elements. However, little is known about the functions of these genes in the development of wing patterns in other butterfly families. Here, we study the expression and function of Dll and sal in the development of spots and other melanic wing patterns of the Indian cabbage white, Pieris canidia, a pierid butterfly. In P. canidia, both Dll and Sal proteins are expressed in the scale-building cells at the wing tips, in chevron patterns along the pupal wing margins, and in areas of future scale melanisation. Additionally, Sal alone is expressed in the future black spots. CRISPR knockouts of Dll and sal showed that each gene is required for the development of melanic wing pattern elements, and repressing pteridine granule formation, in the areas where they are expressed. We conclude that both genes likely play ancestral roles in organising distal butterfly wing patterns, across pierid and nymphalid butterflies, but are unlikely to be differentiating signalling centres in pierids black spots. The genetic and developmental mechanisms that set up the location of spots and eyespots are likely distinct in each lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn Liang Qi Wee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S2 01-03, Singapore, 117558, Singapore.
| | - Tirtha Das Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S2 01-03, Singapore, 117558, Singapore
| | - Anupama Prakash
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S2 01-03, Singapore, 117558, Singapore
| | - Kwi Shan Seah
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S2 01-03, Singapore, 117558, Singapore
| | - Antonia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Block S2 01-03, Singapore, 117558, Singapore. .,Yale-NUS College, College Ave West, Singapore, 138527, Singapore.
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9
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Matsuoka Y, Monteiro A. Hox genes are essential for the development of eyespots in Bicyclus anynana butterflies. Genetics 2021; 217:1-9. [PMID: 33683353 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The eyespot patterns found on the wings of nymphalid butterflies are novel traits that originated first in hindwings and subsequently in forewings, suggesting that eyespot development might be dependent on Hox genes. Hindwings differ from forewings in the expression of Ultrabithorax (Ubx), but the function of this Hox gene in eyespot development as well as that of another Hox gene Antennapedia (Antp), expressed specifically in eyespots centers on both wings, are still unclear. We used CRISPR-Cas9 to target both genes in Bicyclus anynana butterflies. We show that Antp is essential for eyespot development on the forewings and for the differentiation of white centers and larger eyespots on hindwings, whereas Ubx is essential not only for the development of at least some hindwing eyespots but also for repressing the size of other eyespots. Additionally, Antp is essential for the development of silver scales in male wings. In summary, Antp and Ubx, in addition to their conserved roles in modifying serially homologous segments along the anterior-posterior axis of insects, have acquired a novel role in promoting the development of a new set of serial homologs, the eyespot patterns, in both forewings (Antp) and hindwings (Antp and Ubx) of B. anynana butterflies. We propose that the peculiar pattern of eyespot origins on hindwings first, followed by forewings, could be due to an initial co-option of Ubx into eyespot development followed by a later, partially redundant, co-option of Antp into the same network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Matsuoka
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Antónia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore, Singapore.,Science Division, Yale-NUS College, 138609 Singapore, Singapore
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10
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Crawford K, Diaz Quiroz JF, Koenig KM, Ahuja N, Albertin CB, Rosenthal JJC. Highly Efficient Knockout of a Squid Pigmentation Gene. Curr Biol 2020; 30:3484-3490.e4. [PMID: 32735817 PMCID: PMC7484294 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Seminal studies using squid as a model led to breakthroughs in neurobiology. The squid giant axon and synapse, for example, laid the foundation for our current understanding of the action potential [1], ionic gradients across cells [2], voltage-dependent ion channels [3], molecular motors [4-7], and synaptic transmission [8-11]. Despite their anatomical advantages, the use of squid as a model receded over the past several decades as investigators turned to genetically tractable systems. Recently, however, two key advances have made it possible to develop techniques for the genetic manipulation of squid. The first is the CRISPR-Cas9 system for targeted gene disruption, a largely species-agnostic method [12, 13]. The second is the sequencing of genomes for several cephalopod species [14-16]. If made genetically tractable, squid and other cephalopods offer a wealth of biological novelties that could spur discovery. Within invertebrates, not only do they possess by far the largest brains, they also express the most sophisticated behaviors [17]. In this paper, we demonstrate efficient gene knockout in the squid Doryteuthis pealeii using CRISPR-Cas9. Ommochromes, the pigments found in squid retinas and chromatophores, are derivatives of tryptophan, and the first committed step in their synthesis is normally catalyzed by Tryptophan 2,3 Dioxygenase (TDO [18-20]). Knocking out TDO in squid embryos efficiently eliminated pigmentation. By precisely timing CRISPR-Cas9 delivery during early development, the degree of pigmentation could be finely controlled. Genotyping revealed knockout efficiencies routinely greater than 90%. This study represents a critical advancement toward making squid genetically tractable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Crawford
- Biology Department, St. Mary's College of Maryland, 18952 E. Fisher Road, St. Mary's City, MD 20650, USA; The Eugene Bell Center, The Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Juan F Diaz Quiroz
- The Eugene Bell Center, The Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Kristen M Koenig
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 01451, USA; John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellowship Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 01451, USA
| | - Namrata Ahuja
- The Eugene Bell Center, The Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Caroline B Albertin
- The Eugene Bell Center, The Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Joshua J C Rosenthal
- The Eugene Bell Center, The Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.
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11
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Banerjee TD, Monteiro A. Dissection of Larval and Pupal Wings of Bicyclus anynana Butterflies. Methods Protoc 2020; 3:E5. [PMID: 31936719 PMCID: PMC7189656 DOI: 10.3390/mps3010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The colorful wings of butterflies are emerging as model systems for evolutionary and developmental studies. Some of these studies focus on localizing gene transcripts and proteins in wings at the larval and pupal stages using techniques such as immunostaining and in situ hybridization. Other studies quantify mRNA expression levels or identify regions of open chromatin that are bound by proteins at different stages of wing development. All these techniques require dissection of the wings from the animal but a detailed video protocol describing this procedure has not been available until now. Here, we present a written and accompanying video protocol where we describe the tools and the method we use to remove the larval and pupal wings of the African Squinting Bush Brown butterfly Bicyclus anynana. This protocol should be easy to adapt to other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirtha Das Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore;
| | - Antónia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore;
- Yale-NUS College, 10 College Avenue West, Singapore 138609, Singapore
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12
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Banerjee TD, Monteiro A. Molecular mechanisms underlying simplification of venation patterns in holometabolous insects. Development 2020; 147:dev.196394. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.196394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
How mechanisms of pattern formation evolve has remained a central research theme in the field of evolutionary and developmental biology. The mechanism of wing vein differentiation in Drosophila is a classic text-book example of pattern formation using a system of positional-information, yet very little is known about how species with a different number of veins pattern their wings, and how insect venation patterns evolved. Here, we examine the expression pattern of genes previously implicated in vein differentiation in Drosophila in two butterfly species with more complex venation Bicyclus anynana and Pieris canidia. We also test the function of some of these genes in B. anynana. We identify both conserved as well as new domains of decapentaplegic, engrailed, invected, spalt, optix, wingless, armadillo, blistered, and rhomboid gene expression in butterflies, and propose how the simplified venation in Drosophila might have evolved via loss of decapentaplegic, spalt and optix gene expression domains, silencing of vein inducing programs at Spalt-expression boundaries, and changes in gene expression of vein maintenance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirtha Das Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Antónia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Yale-NUS College, Singapore
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13
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Holzem M, Braak N, Brattström O, McGregor AP, Breuker CJ. Wnt Gene Expression During Early Embryogenesis in the Nymphalid Butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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14
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Gowri V, Dion E, Viswanath A, Piel FM, Monteiro A. Transgenerational inheritance of learned preferences for novel host plant odors inBicyclus anynanabutterflies. Evolution 2019; 73:2401-2414. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- V. Gowri
- Department of Biological SciencesNational University of Singapore 14 Science Drive 4 117543 Singapore
| | - Emilie Dion
- Department of Biological SciencesNational University of Singapore 14 Science Drive 4 117543 Singapore
| | - Athmaja Viswanath
- Department of Biological SciencesNational University of Singapore 14 Science Drive 4 117543 Singapore
| | - Florence Monteiro Piel
- Department of Biological SciencesNational University of Singapore 14 Science Drive 4 117543 Singapore
| | - Antónia Monteiro
- Department of Biological SciencesNational University of Singapore 14 Science Drive 4 117543 Singapore
- Yale‐NUS‐College 6 College Avenue East 138614 Singapore
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Kotwica-Rolinska J, Chodakova L, Chvalova D, Kristofova L, Fenclova I, Provaznik J, Bertolutti M, Wu BCH, Dolezel D. CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing Introduction and Optimization in the Non-model Insect Pyrrhocoris apterus. Front Physiol 2019; 10:891. [PMID: 31379599 PMCID: PMC6644776 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 technique is widely used in experimentation with human cell lines as well as with other model systems, such as mice Mus musculus, zebrafish Danio reiro, and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. However, publications describing the use of CRISPR/Cas9 for genome editing in non-model organisms, including non-model insects, are scarce. The introduction of this relatively new method presents many problems even for experienced researchers, especially with the lack of procedures to tackle issues concerning the efficiency of mutant generation. Here we present a protocol for efficient genome editing in the non-model insect species Pyrrhocoris apterus. We collected data from several independent trials that targeted several genes using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and determined that several crucial optimization steps led to a remarkably increased efficiency of mutant production. The main steps are as follows: the timing of embryo injection, the use of the heteroduplex mobility assay as a screening method, in vivo testing of sgRNA efficiency, and G0 germline mosaicism screening. The timing and the method of egg injections used here need to be optimized for other species, but other here-described optimization solutions can be applied immediately for genome editing in other insect species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kotwica-Rolinska
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Lenka Chodakova
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Daniela Chvalova
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Lucie Kristofova
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Iva Fenclova
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Jan Provaznik
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Maly Bertolutti
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Bulah Chia-Hsiang Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - David Dolezel
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
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