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Bidoli C, Miccoli A, Buonocore F, Fausto AM, Gerdol M, Picchietti S, Scapigliati G. Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Early Hemocyte Responses upon In Vivo Stimulation with LPS in the Stick Insect Bacillus rossius (Rossi, 1788). INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13070645. [PMID: 35886821 PMCID: PMC9316843 DOI: 10.3390/insects13070645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Non-model insect species such as B. rossius suffer from a profound gap of knowledge regarding the temporal progression of physiological responses following the challenge with bacterial pathogens or cell wall components thereof. The reason for this mostly lies in the lack of genomic/transcriptomic resources, which would provide an unparalleled in-depth capacity in the analysis of molecular, biochemical, and metabolic mechanisms. We present a high-quality transcriptome obtained from high-coverage sequencing of hemocytes harvested from adult stick insect specimens both pre- and post-LPS stimulation. Such a resource served as the basis for a stringent differential gene expression and functional enrichment analyses, the results of which were characterized and discussed in depth. Selected transcripts encoding for C-type lectins and ML-domain containing proteins were further investigated from a phylogenetic perspective. Overall, these findings shed light on the physiological responses driven by a short-term LPS stimulation in the European stick insect. Abstract Despite a growing number of non-model insect species is being investigated in recent years, a greater understanding of their physiology is prevented by the lack of genomic resources. This is the case of the common European stick insect Bacillus rossius (Rossi, 1788): in this species, some knowledge is available on hemocyte-related defenses, but little is known about the physiological changes occurring in response to natural or experimental challenges. Here, the transcriptional signatures of adult B. rossius hemocytes were investigated after a short-term (2 h) LPS stimulation in vivo: a total of 2191 differentially expressed genes, mostly involved in proteolysis and carbohydrate and lipid metabolic processes, were identified in the de novo assembled transcriptome and in-depth discussed. Overall, the significant modulation of immune signals—such as C-type lectins, ML domain-containing proteins, serpins, as well as Toll signaling-related molecules—provide novel information on the early progression of LPS-induced responses in B. rossius.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Bidoli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (C.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Andrea Miccoli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.B.); (A.M.F.); (S.P.); (G.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.B.); (A.M.F.); (S.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Anna Maria Fausto
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.B.); (A.M.F.); (S.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (C.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Simona Picchietti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.B.); (A.M.F.); (S.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Giuseppe Scapigliati
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.B.); (A.M.F.); (S.P.); (G.S.)
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Zhang HJ, Lin YP, Liu M, Liang XY, Ji YN, Tang BZ, Hou YM. Functional conservation and division of two single-carbohydrate-recognition domain C-type lectins from the nipa palm hispid beetle Octodonta nipae (Maulik). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 100:103416. [PMID: 31255631 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
As an invasive pest, the complete and effective innate immune system is crucial for the nipa palm hispid beetle Octodonta nipae (Maulik) to adjust to new environments. C-type lectins (CTLs) are large families of carbohydrate-binding proteins that possess one or more characteristic carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRD) and function as pattern-recognition receptors, which play important roles in mediating humoral and cellular immunity. In the present study, for the first time, we report two CTL-Ss (single-CRD CTLs) from O. nipae (Maulik) (designated OnCTL1 and OnCTL2). The two CTL-Ss share high identity at conserved amino acids associated with conserved carbohydrate binding sites Gln-Pro-Asp (QPD) motifs and clearly show a 1:1 orthologous relationship in insects, which endow them with functional conservation and diversification. mRNA abundance analysis showed that OnCTL1 was upregulated upon Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli challenge at 6 and 12 h, while OnCTL2 underwent no changes upon E. coli challenge and was even downregulated after S. aureus infection. Knockdown of OnCTL1 significantly decreased the transcripts of two key serine proteases (prophenoloxidase activating factors), OnPPAF1 and OnPPAF3, followed by the reduction of haemolymph phenoloxidase activity; it also increased the expression of Defensin2B. In contrast, silencing of OnCTL2 significantly decreased the expression of Defensin2B and Attacin3C, the encapsulation index, and the phagocytosis rate compared to the dsEGFP group. The spreading results showed that more irregularly shaped plasmatocytes and lower levels of aggregation were found in OnCTL2-silenced pupae than in the dsOnCTL1 and dsEGFP groups. We can infer from the results of this study that the two OnCTLs play important roles in the immune system and generate a functional division: OnCTL1 seems to function more in humoral immunity including mediating bacterial recognition and activating the phenoloxidase cascade, and OnCTL2 plays a greater role in enhancing cellular immunity. These observations could replenish information on the functional diversification of insect CTLs, and also provide valuable information to unravel the immunity in O. nipae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Jian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Ya-Ping Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Min Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xin-Yu Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Ya-Nan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Bao-Zhen Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - You-Ming Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Department of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
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Bi J, Feng F, Li J, Mao J, Ning M, Song X, Xie J, Tang J, Li B. A C-type lectin with a single carbohydrate-recognition domain involved in the innate immune response of Tribolium castaneum. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 28:649-661. [PMID: 30843264 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
C-type lectins are one of the pattern-recognition proteins involved in innate immunity in invertebrates. Although there are 16 C-type lectin genes that have been identified in the genome of Tribolium castaneum, their functions and mechanisms in innate immunity remain unknown. Here, we identified one C-type lectin orthologue, TcCTL6 (TC003708), by sequencing random clones from the cDNA library of the coleopteran beetle, T. castaneum. TcCTL6 contains a 654 bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 217 amino acids that includes a single carbohydrate-recognition domain. The expression of TcCTL6 was significantly induced by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and stimulation with carbohydrates, including lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan. A binding assay suggested that the recombinant TcCTL6 not only bound to lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan but also bound to Gram-positive (S. aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus thuringiensis) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in the presence of calcium ions. Furthermore, when TcCTL6 was knocked down by RNA interference, four antimicrobial peptides (attacin1, attacin2, coleoptericin1 and coleoptericin2) were significantly decreased. These results demonstrate that TcCTL6 plays a vital role in the immune response towards pathogen infection by influencing the expression of antimicrobial peptides and the agglutination of bacteria in the presence of calcium ions in T. castaneum.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - F Feng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - J Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - J Mao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - M Ning
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - X Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - J Xie
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - J Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - B Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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Meng Q, Zhang J, Zhang H, Zhou G, Ni R, Zhao Y, Qin Q, Zou Z. Comparative analysis of C-type lectin domain proteins in the ghost moth, Thitarodes xiaojinensis (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae). INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 26:453-465. [PMID: 29274206 PMCID: PMC7379682 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Insects have a large family of C-type lectins involved in cell adhesion, pathogen recognition and activation of immune responses. In this study, 32 transcripts encoding C-type lectin domain proteins (CTLDPs) were identified from the Thitarodes xiaojinensis transcriptome. According to their domain structures, six CTLDPs with one carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) were classified into the CTL-S subfamily. The other 23 CTLDPs with two CRDs were grouped into the immulectin (IML) subfamily. The remaining three with extra regulatory domains were sorted into the CTL-X subfamily. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CTL-S and CTL-X members from different insects could form orthologous groups. In contrast, no T. xiaojinensis IML orthologues were found in other insects. Remarkable lineage-specific expansion in this subfamily was observed reflecting that these CTLDPs, as important receptors, have evolved diversified members in response to a variety of microbes. Prediction of binding ligands revealed that T. xiaojinensis, a cold-adapted species, conserved the ability of CRDs to combine with Ca2+ to keep its receptors from freezing. Comparative analysis of induction of CTLDP genes after different immune challenges indicated that IMLs might play critical roles in immune defenses. This study examined T. xiaojinensis CTLDPs and provides a basis for further studies of their characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ji‐Hong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Huan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Gui‐Ling Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ruo‐Yao Ni
- College of Life SciencesHebei UniversityBaodingHebeiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yan‐Ni Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Qi‐Lian Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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Wang X, Luo H, Zhang R. Innate immune responses in the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 83:22-33. [PMID: 29241953 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Innate immunity, the evolutionarily conserved defense system, has been extensively analyzed in insect models over recent decades. The significant progress in this area has formed our dominant conceptual framework of the innate immune system, but critical advances in other insects have had a profound impact on our insights into the mystery of innate immunity. In recent years, we focused on the immune responses in Antheraea pernyi, an important commercial silkworm species reared in China. Here, we review the immune responses of A. pernyi based on immune-related gene-encoded proteins that are divided into five categories, namely pattern recognition receptors, hemolymph proteinases and their inhibitors, prophenoloxidase, Toll pathway factors and antimicrobial peptides, and others. Although the summarized information is limited since the research on A. pernyi immunity is in its infancy, we hope to provide evidence for further exploration of innate immune mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xialu Wang
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, China
| | - Hao Luo
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, China.
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6
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Xia X, You M, Rao XJ, Yu XQ. Insect C-type lectins in innate immunity. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 83:70-79. [PMID: 29198776 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
C-type lectins (CTLs) are a family of proteins that contain characteristic modules of carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs) and they possess the binding activity to ligands in a calcium-dependent manner. CTLs play important roles in animal immune responses, and in insects, they are involved in opsonization, nodule formation, agglutination, encapsulation, melanization, and prophenoloxidase activation, as well as in maintaining gut microbiome homeostasis. In this review, we will summarize insect CTLs, compare the properties of insect CTLs with vertebrate CTLs, and focus mainly on the domain organization and functions of insect CTLs in innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Green Control of Insect Pests (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Minsheng You
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Green Control of Insect Pests (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Rao
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64110-2499, USA.
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Kausar S, Abbas MN, Qian C, Zhu B, Sun Y, Sun Y, Wang L, Wei G, Maqsood I, Liu CL. Serpin-14 negatively regulates prophenoloxidase activation and expression of antimicrobial peptides in Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 76:45-55. [PMID: 28545959 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Revised: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Genes encoding proteins of serpins superfamily are widely distributed in invertebrates. In insects, serpins play important roles in regulating immune responses and other physiological processes. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of cDNA of Apserpin-14 from Chinese oak silkworm (Antheraea pernyi). The Apserpin-14 gene contains 1206 bp open reading frame, encoding a predicted 401 amino acid residue protein. We expressed the recombinant Apserpin-14 protein in Escherichia coli and then purified protein was used to prepare rabbit anti-Apserpin-14 polyclonal antibodies. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that mRNA level of Apserpin-14 was highest in the fat body, whereas, among developmental stages the 5th instar and pupal stage showed greatest expression. Furthermore, Escherichia coli, Beauveria bassiana, Micrococcus luteus and nuclear polyhedrosis virus challenge enhanced Apserpin-14 transcript in both the fat body and hemocyte. Recombinant Apserpin-14 added to hemolymph inhibited spontaneous melanization and suppressed prophenoloxidase activation stimulated by M. luteus, but did not affect phenoloxidase (PO) activity. Injection of recombinant Apserpin-14 protein into A. pernyi larvae significantly reduced the transcript levels of antimicrobial peptides in the fat body, while its depletion by double stranded RNA enhanced their expression. We concluded that Apserpin-14 likely involved in regulation of proPO activation and production of antimicrobial peptides, implying its important role in the innate immune system of A. pernyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saima Kausar
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | | | - Cen Qian
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Baojian Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Yu Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Yuxuan Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Guoqing Wei
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Iram Maqsood
- College of Wildlife Resources, Department of Wildlife Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University Harbin, China.
| | - Chao-Liang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
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Wang X, Wang K, He Y, Lu X, Wen D, Wu C, Zhang J, Zhang R. The functions of serpin-3, a negative-regulator involved in prophenoloxidase activation and antimicrobial peptides expression of Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 69:1-11. [PMID: 27919647 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Serpins are a superfamily of proteins engaged in various physiological processes in all kingdoms of life. To date, many striking results have demonstrated serpins are involved in the invertebrate immune system by regulating the proteolytic cascades. However, in most insect species, the immune functions of serpins in response against pathogen invasion remain obscure. In this study, we identified a full-length cDNA sequence of serpin, named serpin-3, from the Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi. Sequence alignments have indicated that Apserpin-3 might regulate the melanization reaction via inhibiting prophenoloxidases-activating protease(s) in plasma. Furthermore, it was detected to be primarily transcribed within the fat body, epidermis and hemocytes with significant induction following immune-challenge. Further studies have shown that the knockdown of serpin-3 up-regulated the prophenoloxidases cascade stimulated by pathogen in hemolymph, while the addition of recombinant serpin-3 along with the same elicitor led to the suppressed activation of prophenoloxidase. Besides, the injection of dsRNA of serpin-3 caused the elevated expression of antimicrobial peptides. Altogether, we arrived at a conclusion that serpin-3 might act as a negative-regulator in prophenoloxidases activation and inhibit the production of antimicrobial peptides in Antheraea pernyi larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xialu Wang
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Kailin Wang
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Yuanyuan He
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Xinrui Lu
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Daihua Wen
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Chunfu Wu
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Jinghai Zhang
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China.
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Sun Y, Jiang Y, Wang Y, Li X, Yang R, Yu Z, Qin L. The Toll Signaling Pathway in the Chinese Oak Silkworm, Antheraea pernyi: Innate Immune Responses to Different Microorganisms. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160200. [PMID: 27483463 PMCID: PMC4970820 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Toll pathway is one of the most important signaling pathways regulating insect innate immunity. Spatzle is a key protein that functions as a Toll receptor ligand to trigger Toll-dependent expression of immunity-related genes. In this study, a novel spatzle gene (ApSPZ) from the Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi was identified. The ApSPZ cDNA is 1065 nucleotides with an open reading frame (ORF) of 777 bp encoding a protein of 258 amino acids. The protein has an estimated molecular weight of 29.71 kDa and an isoelectric point (PI) of 8.53. ApSPZ is a nuclear and secretory protein with no conserved domains or membrane helices and shares 40% amino acid identity with SPZ from Manduca sexta. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that ApSPZ might be a new member of the Spatzle type 1 family, which belongs to the Spatzle superfamily. The expression patterns of several genes involved in the Toll pathway were examined at different developmental stages and various tissues in 5th instar larvae. The examined targets included A. pernyi spatzle, GNBP, MyD88, Tolloid, cactus and dorsalA. The RT-PCR results showed that these genes were predominantly expressed in immune-responsive fat body tissue, indicating that the genes play a crucial role in A. pernyi innate immunity. Moreover, A. pernyi infection with the fungus Nosema pernyi and the gram-positive bacterium Enterococcus pernyi, but not the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, activated the Toll signaling pathway. These results represent the first study of the Toll pathway in A. pernyi, which provides insight into the A. pernyi innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sun
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Liaoning Engineering & Technology Research Center for Insect Resources, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Yiren Jiang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Liaoning Engineering & Technology Research Center for Insect Resources, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Yong Wang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Liaoning Engineering & Technology Research Center for Insect Resources, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Xisheng Li
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
- Sericultural Research Institute of Liaoning Province, Fengcheng, 118100, China
| | - Ruisheng Yang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Liaoning Engineering & Technology Research Center for Insect Resources, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Zhiguo Yu
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
- * E-mail: (ZY); (LQ)
| | - Li Qin
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Liaoning Engineering & Technology Research Center for Insect Resources, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
- * E-mail: (ZY); (LQ)
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Lu WX, Yue D, Hai ZJ, Daihua W, Yi ZM, Fu WC, Rong Z. Cloning, expression, and characterization of prophenoloxidase from Antheraea pernyi. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 88:45-63. [PMID: 25521627 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Prophenoloxidase (PPO) is an essential enzyme in insect innate immunity because of its role in humoral defense. In this study, we have cloned a full-length cDNA of Antheraea pernyi prophenoloxidase (ApPPO) with an open-reading frame encoding 683 amino acids, and the deduced amino acid sequence of ApPPO exhibited a high similarity with those of lepidoptera. The expression of ApPPO was inducible so that the mRNA level was significantly upregulated in the microbial challenged tissues, including fat body, hemocytes, and midgut. To better investigate the enzymatic and immunological properties of ApPPO, recombinant ApPPO (rApPPO) was produced in Escherichia coli. Several functional verification experiments were performed after studying the enzymatic properties. It was found that rApPPO could be stimulated by the microbial challenged larvae hemolymph and then killed bacteria in the radial diffusion assay. Furthermore, rApPPO also induced the transcription of cecropins after injected into the larvae 24 h later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Xia Lu
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, P. R. China; Benxi Institute of Medicines, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, P. R. China
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