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Lu Y, Xu Y, Yu C, Cheng S, Xia Q, Bin Z. Key molecules regulating the blood meals of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) revealed by transcriptomics. Vet Res Forum 2024; 15:171-179. [PMID: 38770198 PMCID: PMC11102794 DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2024.2011271.4007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus sanguineus, a repulsive obligate blood feeder, is a three-host tick inflicting tremendous damage. Blood-sucking initiates tick-pathogen-host interactions along with alterations in the expression levels of numerous bioactive ingredients. Key molecules regulating blood meals were identified using the transcriptomic approach. A total number of 744 transcripts showed statistically significantly differential expression including 309 significantly upregulated transcripts and 435 significantly downregulated transcripts in semiengorged female ticks compared to unfed ticks, all collected in 2021. The top 10 differentially upregulated transcripts with explicit functional annotations included turripeptide OL55-like protein, valine tRNA ligase-like protein and ice-structuring glycoprotein-like protein. The top 10 differentially down-regulated transcripts were uncharacterized proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed four associated terms in the cellular component category and 16 in the molecular function category among the top 20 terms. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in GO terms ID 0000323 (lytic vacuole) and ID 0005773 (vacuole). The top 20 enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways included metabolism, cellular processes, organismal systems and human diseases. The DEGs were enriched in the KEGG term ID: ko-04142 (lysosome pathway) associated with intracellular digestion in the tick midgut epithelium. Molecular markers annotated via comparative transcriptomic profiling were expected to be candidate markers for the purpose of tick control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Lu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China;
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China;
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
| | - Yijia Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
| | - Chenghang Yu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China;
| | - Shi Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
| | - Qianfeng Xia
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
| | - Zheng Bin
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China;
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Malta LGF, Koerich LB, D'Ávila Pessoa GC, Araujo RN, Sant'Anna MRV, Pereira MH, Gontijo NF. Clogmia albipunctata (Williston, 1893) midgut physiology: pH control and functional relationship with Lower Diptera (nematoceran) especially with hematophagous species. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2024; 290:111584. [PMID: 38224901 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.111584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Clogmia albipunctata (Williston, 1893) is a non-hematophagous insect belonging to the order Diptera, suborder Nematocera (Lower Diptera) and family Psychodidae. In the present work, we investigated how C. albipunctata control their midgut pH under different physiological conditions, comparing their midgut physiology with some nematoceran hematophagous species. The C. albipunctata midgut pH was measured after ingestion of sugar, protein and under the effect of the alkalinizing hormone released in the hemolymph of the hematophagous sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis obtained just after a blood meal. The midgut pH of unfed or sugar-fed C. albipunctata is 5.5-6, and its midgut underwent alkalinization after protein ingestion or under treatment with hemolymph collected from blood fed L. longipalpis. These results suggested that in nematocerans, mechanisms for pH control seem shared between hematophagous and non-hematophagous species. This kind of pH control is convenient for successful blood digestion. The independent evolution of many hematophagous groups from the Lower Diptera suggests that characteristics involved in midgut pH control were already present in non-hematophagous species and represent a readiness for adaptation to this feeding mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luccas Gabriel Ferreira Malta
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Barbosa Koerich
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grasielle Caldas D'Ávila Pessoa
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo N Araujo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Roberto Viana Sant'Anna
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcos H Pereira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nelder Figueiredo Gontijo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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3
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Da Lage JL, Fontenelle A, Filée J, Merle M, Béranger JM, Almeida CE, Folly Ramos E, Harry M. Evidence that hematophagous triatomine bugs may eat plants in the wild. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 165:104059. [PMID: 38101706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Blood feeding is a secondary adaptation in hematophagous bugs. Many proteins are secreted in the saliva that are devoted to coping with the host's defense and to process the blood meal. Digestive enzymes that are no longer required for a blood meal would be expected to be eventually lost. Yet, in many strictly hematophagous arthropods, α-amylase genes, which encode the enzymes that digest starch from plants, are still present and transcribed, including in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) and its related species, which transmit the Chagas disease. We hypothesized that retaining α-amylase could be advantageous if the bugs occasionally consume plant tissues. We first checked that the α-amylase protein of Rhodnius robustus retains normal amylolytic activity. Then we surveyed hundreds of gut DNA extracts from the sylvatic R. robustus to detect traces of plants. We found plant DNA in 8% of the samples, mainly identified as Attalea palm trees, where R. robustus are usually found. We suggest that although of secondary importance in the blood-sucking bugs, α-amylase may be needed during occasional plant feeding and thus has been retained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Luc Da Lage
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR 9191 Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Alice Fontenelle
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR 9191 Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jonathan Filée
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR 9191 Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marie Merle
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR 9191 Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jean-Michel Béranger
- Département Systématique and Evolution, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Carlos Eduardo Almeida
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elaine Folly Ramos
- Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente - DEMA, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Myriam Harry
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR 9191 Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Fazito do Vale V, Hevillin Rocha Simtob B, Ferreira Malta LG, Pessoa de Siqueira E. The common bed bug Cimex lectularius synthesizes hemozoin as an essential defense against the toxic effects of heme. Exp Parasitol 2023; 255:108653. [PMID: 37951390 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The common bed bug Cimex lectularius (Linnaeus 1758) is an ectoparasite that feeds preferably on human blood, being considered an important public health issue. Blood-feeding is a challenging process for hematophagous organisms, and one of the inherent risks with this kind of diet is the liberation of high doses of free heme after the digestion of hemoglobin. In order to deal with this potent cytotoxic agent, such organisms have acquired different defense mechanisms. Here, we use UV-visible spectrophotometry and infrared spectroscopy to show that C. lectularius crystalizes free heme to form the much less dangerous compound, hemozoin. According to our results, the peak of formation of hemozoin in the intestinal contents occurred 4-5 days after the blood meal, primarily in the posterior midgut. The quantification of the rate of conversion of heme to hemozoin revealed that at the end of digestion all the heme was in the form of hemozoin. Inhibition of the synthesis of hemozoin using the anti-malarial drug quinine led to an increase in both catalase activity in the intestinal epithelium and the mortality of the bed bugs, indicating that the insects were unable to cope with the oxidative stress generated by the overload of free heme. The data presented here show for the first time how C. lectularius deals with free heme, and how the process of formation of hemozoin is essential for the survival of these insects. Since resistance to insecticides is a common feature among field populations of bed bugs, there is an urgent need to develop alternative control methods. Thus, targeting the synthesis of hemozoin emerges as a possible novel strategy to fight bed bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Fazito do Vale
- Grupo de Pesquisa Triatomíneos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Ezequias Pessoa de Siqueira
- Grupo de Pesquisa Química de Produtos Naturais Bioativos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, Brazil.
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Rolandelli A, Laukaitis-Yousey HJ, Bogale HN, Singh N, Samaddar S, O’Neal AJ, Ferraz CR, Butnaru M, Mameli E, Xia B, Mendes MT, Butler LR, Marnin L, Cabrera Paz FE, Valencia LM, Rana VS, Skerry C, Pal U, Mohr SE, Perrimon N, Serre D, Pedra JH. Tick hemocytes have pleiotropic roles in microbial infection and arthropod fitness. bioRxiv 2023:2023.08.31.555785. [PMID: 37693411 PMCID: PMC10491215 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.31.555785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Uncovering the complexity of systems in non-model organisms is critical for understanding arthropod immunology. Prior efforts have mostly focused on Dipteran insects, which only account for a subset of existing arthropod species in nature. Here, we describe immune cells or hemocytes from the clinically relevant tick Ixodes scapularis using bulk and single cell RNA sequencing combined with depletion via clodronate liposomes, RNA interference, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats activation (CRISPRa) and RNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We observe molecular alterations in hemocytes upon tick infestation of mammals and infection with either the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi or the rickettsial agent Anaplasma phagocytophilum. We predict distinct hemocyte lineages and reveal clusters exhibiting defined signatures for immunity, metabolism, and proliferation during hematophagy. Furthermore, we perform a mechanistic characterization of two I. scapularis hemocyte markers: hemocytin and astakine. Depletion of phagocytic hemocytes affects hemocytin and astakine levels, which impacts blood feeding and molting behavior of ticks. Hemocytin specifically affects the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, whereas astakine alters hemocyte proliferation in I. scapularis. Altogether, we uncover the heterogeneity and pleiotropic roles of hemocytes in ticks and provide a valuable resource for comparative biology in arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin Rolandelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanna J. Laukaitis-Yousey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Haikel N. Bogale
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nisha Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sourabh Samaddar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anya J. O’Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Camila R. Ferraz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew Butnaru
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Enzo Mameli
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Baolong Xia
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - M. Tays Mendes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - L. Rainer Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Liron Marnin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Francy E. Cabrera Paz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Luisa M. Valencia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vipin S. Rana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Ciaran Skerry
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephanie E. Mohr
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Norbert Perrimon
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - David Serre
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joao H.F. Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Lu S, Martin-Martin I, Ribeiro JM, Calvo E. A deeper insight into the sialome of male and female Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:135. [PMID: 36941562 PMCID: PMC10027276 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09236-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During evolution, blood-feeding arthropods developed a complex salivary mixture that can interfere with host haemostatic and immune response, favoring blood acquisition and pathogen transmission. Therefore, a survey of the salivary gland contents can lead to the identification of molecules with potent pharmacological activity in addition to increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the hematophagic behaviour of arthropods. The southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, is a vector of several pathogenic agents, including viruses and filarial parasites that can affect humans and wild animals. RESULTS Previously, a Sanger-based transcriptome of the salivary glands (sialome) of adult C. quinquefasciatus females was published based on the sequencing of 503 clones organized into 281 clusters. Here, we revisited the southern mosquito sialome using an Illumina-based RNA-sequencing approach of both male and female salivary glands. Our analysis resulted in the identification of 7,539 coding DNA sequences (CDS) that were functionally annotated into 25 classes, in addition to 159 long non-coding RNA (LncRNA). Additionally, comparison of male and female libraries allowed the identification of female-enriched transcripts that are potentially related to blood acquisition and/or pathogen transmission. CONCLUSION Together, these findings represent an extended reference for the identification and characterization of the proteins containing relevant pharmacological activity in the salivary glands of C. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Lu
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ines Martin-Martin
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose M Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eric Calvo
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Alvarenga PH, Dias DR, Xu X, Francischetti IMB, Gittis AG, Arp G, Garboczi DN, Ribeiro JMC, Andersen JF. Functional aspects of evolution in a cluster of salivary protein genes from mosquitoes. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 146:103785. [PMID: 35568118 PMCID: PMC9662162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The D7 proteins are highly expressed in the saliva of hematophagous Nematocera and bind biogenic amines and eicosanoid compounds produced by the host during blood feeding. These proteins are encoded by gene clusters expressing forms having one or two odorant-binding protein-like domains. Here we examine functional diversity within the D7 group in the genus Anopheles and make structural comparisons with D7 proteins from culicine mosquitoes in order to understand aspects of D7 functional evolution. Two domain long form (D7L) and one domain short form (D7S) proteins from anopheline and culicine mosquitoes were characterized to determine their ligand selectivity and binding pocket structures. We previously showed that a D7L protein from Anopheles stephensi, of the subgenus Cellia, could bind eicosanoids at a site in its N-terminal domain but could not bind biogenic amines in its C-terminal domain as does a D7L1 ortholog from the culicine species Aedes aegypti, raising the question of whether anopheline D7L proteins had lost their ability to bind biogenic amines. Here we find that D7L from anopheline species belonging to two other subgenera, Nyssorhynchus and Anopheles, can bind biogenic amines and have a structure much like the Ae. aegypti ortholog. The unusual D7L, D7L3, can also bind serotonin in the Cellia species An. gambiae. We also show through structural comparisons with culicine forms that the biogenic amine binding function of single domain D7S proteins in the genus Anopheles may have evolved through gene conversion of structurally similar proteins, which did not have biogenic amine binding capability. Collectively, the data indicate that D7L proteins had a biogenic amine and eicosanoid binding function in the common ancestor of anopheline and culicine mosquitoes, and that the D7S proteins may have acquired a biogenic amine binding function in anophelines through a gene conversion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia H Alvarenga
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA; Laboratório de Bioquímica de Resposta ao Estresse, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Denis R Dias
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Resposta ao Estresse, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Xueqing Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ivo M B Francischetti
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Apostolos G Gittis
- Structural Biology Section, Research Technologies Branch (RTB) National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Gabriela Arp
- Structural Biology Section, Research Technologies Branch (RTB) National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - David N Garboczi
- Structural Biology Section, Research Technologies Branch (RTB) National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - José M C Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - John F Andersen
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
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Rocha FF, Gazzinelli-Guimarães PH, Soares AC, Lourdes RA, Estevão LRM, Rachid MA, Bueno LL, Gontijo NF, Pereira MH, Sant'Anna MRV, Natividade UA, Fujiwara RT, Araujo RN. Effect of Triatoma infestans saliva on mouse immune system cells: The role of the pore-forming salivary protein trialysin. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 143:103739. [PMID: 35149206 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Triatoma infestans is one of the most important vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Americas. While feeding, they release large amounts of saliva that will counteract the host's responses triggered at the bite site. Despite the various activities described on T. infestans saliva, little is known about its effect on the modulation of the host's immune system. This work aimed to describe the effects of T. infestans saliva on cells of the mouse immune system and access the role in hematophagy. The effect of saliva or salivary gland extract (SGE) was evaluated in vivo and in vitro by direct T. infestans feeding on mice or using different biological assays. Mice that were submitted to four bites by three specimens of T. infestans had their anti-saliva IgG serum levels approximately 2.4 times higher than controls, but no change in serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-α levels was observed. No macroscopic alterations were seen at the bite site, but an accumulation of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells shortly after the bite and 24 h later were observed in histological cuts. At low concentrations (up to ∼5 μg/well), SGE induced TNF-α production by macrophages and spleen cells, IFN-γ and IL-10 by spleen cells and NO by macrophages. However, at higher concentrations (10 and 20 μg/well), viability of macrophages and spleen cells was reduced by SGE, reducing the production of NO and cytokines (except TNF-α). The salivary trialysin was the main inducer of cell death as macrophage viability and NO production was restored in assays carried out with SGE from trialysin knockdown insects. The reduction of the salivary trialysin by RNAi affected the total ingestion rate, the weight gain, and retarded the molt from second to the fifth instar of T. infestans nymphs fed on mice. The results show that T. infestans saliva modulates the activity of cells of the host immune system and trialysin is an important salivary molecule that reduces host cells viability and impacts the feeding performance of T. infestans feeding on live hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda F Rocha
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Pedro H Gazzinelli-Guimarães
- Laboratory of Immunology and Genomics of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Adriana C Soares
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A Lourdes
- Laboratory of Immunology and Genomics of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lígia R M Estevão
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Milene A Rachid
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lilian L Bueno
- Laboratory of Immunology and Genomics of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Nelder F Gontijo
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos H Pereira
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mauricio R V Sant'Anna
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ulisses A Natividade
- Laboratory of Hematophagous Arthopods, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ricardo T Fujiwara
- Laboratory of Immunology and Genomics of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ricardo N Araujo
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratory of Hematophagous Arthopods, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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9
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Rodrigues Moreira Guerra L, Caldas D'Ávila Pessoa G, Horta Andrade P, Medeiros da Costa L, Diotaiuti L, Barbosa Koerich L, Viana Sant'Anna MR, Araujo RN, Gontijo NF, Horácio Pereira M. Bedbug salivation patterns during hematophagy in the skin of a mammalian host. J Insect Physiol 2021; 131:104235. [PMID: 33831435 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2021.104235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera:Cimicidae) infestations have increased over the past decades in several parts of the world, constituting a major urban pest with no reversion signs. The impact on human health caused by these insects, commonly known as bedbugs, is associated with their obligatory hematophagous habit. Allergies induced by hematophagous arthropod bites are related to the deposition of salivary molecules in the host tissues. Many reports of humans developing severe allergic reactions due to bedbug bites have been recorded, however, there is limited information on the salivation of bedbugs on the host, which was the objective of this study. C. lectularius females were fed on blood containing acridine orange fluorochrome, which labeled the principal salivary glands content. The salivation pattern of bedbugs was investigated using intravital microscopy during its blood meal on the ear skin of hairless mice. Saliva deposition occurred during all insect blood-feeding phases, beginning as soon as the mouthpart touched the host skin. During the probing phase, saliva was deposited in large quantities in the host dermis. In contrast, during the engorgement phase (which represents the largest blood meal of the insects), saliva was released at a much slower rate. The apparent release of saliva into the cannulated vessel and/or adjacent tissue occurs only sporadically during insect blood ingestion. However, a small area (spot) of fluorescence was detected around the proboscis tip during this feeding phase. An interesting feature of bedbugs is that they release saliva inside and outside the vessels without removing their mouthparts from the vessel lumen. This is an effective feeding strategy because it does not interrupt blood ingestion and decreases the mouthparts movements on the host's skin, minimizing the damage to tissues and contact time with the host (feeding time).
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Rodrigues Moreira Guerra
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Grasielle Caldas D'Ávila Pessoa
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Pedro Horta Andrade
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Lidiane Medeiros da Costa
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Liléia Diotaiuti
- Grupo de Pesquisa Triatomíneos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Barbosa Koerich
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maurício Roberto Viana Sant'Anna
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Nascimento Araujo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Nelder Figueiredo Gontijo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Horácio Pereira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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10
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Reinhold JM, Shaw R, Lahondère C. Beat the heat: Culex quinquefasciatus regulates its body temperature during blood feeding. J Therm Biol 2021; 96:102826. [PMID: 33627266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes are regarded as one of the most dangerous animals on earth. Because they are responsible for the spread of a wide range of both human and animal pathogens, research of the underlying mechanisms of their feeding behavior and physiology is critical. Among disease vector mosquitoes, Culex quinquefasciatus, a known carrier of West Nile virus and Western Equine Encephalitis, remains relatively understudied. As blood-sucking insects, adaptations (either at the molecular or physiological level) while feeding on warm blood are crucial to their survival, as overheating can result in death due to heat stress. Our research aims to determine how Cx. quinquefasciatus copes with the heat associated with warm blood meal ingestion and possibly uncover the adaptations this species uses to avoid thermal stress. Through the use of thermographic imaging, we analyzed the body temperature of Cx. quinquefasciatus while blood feeding. Infrared thermography has allowed us to identify a cooling strategy, evaporative cooling via the production of fluid droplets, and an overall low body temperature in comparison to the blood temperature during feeding. Understanding Cx. quinquefasciatus' adaptations and the strategies they employ to reduce their body temperature while blood feeding constitutes the first step towards discovering potential targets that could be used for their control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Reinhold
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Ryan Shaw
- Departement of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Chloé Lahondère
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; The Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; The Global Change Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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11
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Sabadin GA, Salomon TB, Leite MS, Benfato MS, Oliveira PL, da Silva Vaz I. An insight into the functional role of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes in adult Rhipicephalus microplus female ticks. Parasitol Int 2020; 81:102274. [PMID: 33352319 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ticks have developed physiological adaptations to transport, store, metabolize and secrete toxic components from the diet and environment. Different classes of enzymes are involved in these processes, however, the role of several of them is not yet characterized in Rhipicephalus microplus. In this context, this work investigated the action of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes, as well as the levels of essential cellular reductants in R. microplus partially engorged females (PEF) and fully engorged females (FEF). Results demonstrated that enzymes transcriptional levels and enzymatic activity from ovary and fat body were higher in PEF than in FEF, except for ovary Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), which was the only enzyme showing highest activity in the FEF stage. These results indicated a higher demand for antioxidant potential in these organs at the initial feeding phase than during egg-laying. In midgut, however, there was more variability in the transcriptional levels and activity of the different enzymes between the PEF and FEF phases. Similar NADPH levels were found in PEF and FEF phases, suggesting a remarkable capacity to maintain a regular supply of reducing power, despite the developmental changes and large intake of heme and iron. However, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were variable between PEF and FEF when distinct organs were compared. Taken together, our data suggest a higher demand for reducing potential in FEF ticks. The silencing of catalase (CAT) or thioredoxin reductase (TRx) genes in females did not impair feeding, egg-laying capacity, or larvae hatching. CAT-silenced ticks had increased ovary peroxidase activity, a possible compensatory antioxidant mechanism. Altogether, the results shed light on the complexity of the antioxidant and detoxification enzyme system in ticks and its involvement in different physiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela A Sabadin
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tiago B Salomon
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Milane S Leite
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mara S Benfato
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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12
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Rezende Araújo T, Leite Mota Júnior MA, Sampaio Vilela T, Bittecourt AJ, Azevedo Santos H, Fampa P. First report of the presence of Anaplasma marginale in different tissues of the stable-fly Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus, 1758) in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2020; 23:100515. [PMID: 33678370 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Stomoxys calcitrans is a cosmopolitan hematophagous insect with significant veterinary importance. Besides causing great stress with its bites, the fly is a mechanical vector of several pathogens of the most diverse phylogenetic groups to their hosts. The objective of this study was to test for the presence of Anaplasma marginale in stable flies collected at three points inside the campus of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The collected flies were dissected and separated into three parts - heads, carcass and guts - which were individually submitted to A. marginale specific semi nested PCR gene amplification. A total 150 samples of 50 flies were assayed and 11.33% were positive with predominant presence in guts. In parallel, 6 F1 colony S. calcitrans flies fed with bovine blood were also investigated, being all positive for the presence of the bacteria. This is the first report of the presence of A. marginale in S. calcitrans at Rio de Janeiro state, actually in Brazil, indicating that the epidemiological importance of this vector in the transmission of diseases with great economic impact must not be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thamires Rezende Araújo
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23897-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23897-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Miguel Angelo Leite Mota Júnior
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23897-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23897-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thamyris Sampaio Vilela
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23897-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23897-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Avelino José Bittecourt
- Departamento de Medicina e Cirurgia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23897-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Huarrisson Azevedo Santos
- Departamento de Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23897-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patricia Fampa
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23897-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
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13
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Karim S, Kumar D, Adamson S, Ennen JR, Qualls CP, Ribeiro JMC. The sialotranscriptome of the gopher-tortoise tick, Amblyomma tuberculatum. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101560. [PMID: 33007669 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The gopher tortoise tick, Amblyomma tuberculatum, is known to parasitize keystone ectotherm reptile species. The biological success of ticks requires precise mechanisms to evade host hemostatic and immune responses. Acquisition of a full blood meal requires attachment, establishment of the blood pool, and engorgement of the tick. Tick saliva contains molecules which counter the host responses to allow uninterrupted feeding on the host. RNASeq of the salivary glands of Amblyomma tuberculatum ticks were sequenced resulting in 138,030 pyrosequencing reads which were assembled into 29,991 contigs. A total of 1875 coding sequences were deduced from the transcriptome assembly, including 602 putative secretory and 982 putative housekeeping proteins. The annotated data sets are available as a hyperlinked spreadsheet. The sialotranscriptome assembled for this tick species made available a valuable resource for mining novel pharmacological activities and comparative analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahid Karim
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Deepak Kumar
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Steve Adamson
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Joshua R Ennen
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Carl P Qualls
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - José M C Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12732 Twinbrook Parkway, Room 3E28, Rockville MD 20852, USA.
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14
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Tull T, Henn F, Betz O, Eggs B. Structure and function of the stylets of hematophagous Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), with special reference to Dipetalogaster maxima. Arthropod Struct Dev 2020; 58:100952. [PMID: 32540512 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.100952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Kissing bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) are able to bend their rod-like maxillae while searching for blood vessels in the tissue of their vertebrate hosts. Little is known about the working mechanisms of these bending movements and the distal opening of the food channel. We compared the morphological structure of the stylets (mandibles and maxillae) of four triatomine species and analyzed the feeding process of Dipetalogaster maxima (Uhler, 1894). The maxillae of triatomine bugs are interlocked by a tongue-and-groove system, allowing longitudinal sliding. While penetrating the host tissue, the animals perform rapid alternate back and forth movements of the maxillae. The resistance of the surrounding tissue pushes the asymmetric apex of the maxillae away from its straight path, i.e., if one individual maxilla is protracted alone, its tip curves inwards, and the other maxilla follows. Once a blood vessel is tapped, the spine-like tip of the left maxilla splays outwards. Apically, each of the maxillae features an abutment, the left one exhibiting a notch that presumably facilitates splaying. The mechanical interaction of the two maxillary abutments enables the distal opening of the food channel but might also support the movements of the maxillary bundle attributable to different bending moment distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Tull
- Evolutionary Biology of Invertebrates, Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Fabian Henn
- Evolutionary Biology of Invertebrates, Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Betz
- Evolutionary Biology of Invertebrates, Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Eggs
- Evolutionary Biology of Invertebrates, Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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15
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The blood-feeding behavior evolved multiple times in Insecta lineages and it represents an excellent opportunity to study patterns of convergent molecular evolution regarding this habit. In insects the expansion of some gene families is linked with blood-feeding behavior, but a wide study comparing the evolution of these gene families among different lineages is still missing. Here we gathered genomic data from six independently-evolved hematophagous lineages, aiming to identify convergent expansions and/or contractions of gene families in hematophagous lineages of insects. RESULTS We found four rapidly evolving gene families shared by at least two hematophagous independently-evolved lineages, including a heat-shock and a chemosensory protein. On the expression of these four rapidly evolving gene families we found more genes expressed in mated individuals compared with virgin individuals in rapidly-expanded families and more genes expressed in non-blood-feeding individuals compared with blood-feeding individuals in rapidly-contracted families. CONCLUSION Our results reveal a new set of candidate genes to be explored in further analysis to help the development of new strategies to deal with blood-feeding vectors and also presents a new perspective to study the evolution of hematophagy identifying convergent molecular patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Freitas
- Laboratório de Genômica Evolutiva, Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Rua Bertrand Russell, S/N, Cidade Universitária, IB, Bloco H, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Mariana F Nery
- Laboratório de Genômica Evolutiva, Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Rua Bertrand Russell, S/N, Cidade Universitária, IB, Bloco H, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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16
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Heggland EI, Dondrup M, Nilsen F, Eichner C. Host gill attachment causes blood-feeding by the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) chalimus larvae and alters parasite development and transcriptome. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:225. [PMID: 32375890 PMCID: PMC7201535 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04096-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood-feeding is a common strategy among parasitizing arthropods, including the ectoparasitic salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis), feeding off its salmon host's skin and blood. Blood is rich in nutrients, among these iron and heme. These are essential molecules for the louse, yet their oxidative properties render them toxic to cells if not handled appropriately. Blood-feeding might therefore alter parasite gene expression. METHODS We infected Atlantic salmon with salmon louse copepodids and sampled the lice in two different experiments at day 10 and 18 post-infestation. Parasite development and presence of host blood in their intestines were determined. Lice of similar instar age sampled from body parts with differential access to blood, namely from gills versus lice from skin epidermis, were analysed for gene expression by RNA-sequencing in samples taken at day 10 for both experiments and at day 18 for one of the experiments. RESULTS We found that lice started feeding on blood when becoming mobile preadults if sitting on the fish body; however, they may initiate blood-feeding at the chalimus I stage if attached to gills. Lice attached to gills develop at a slower rate. By differential expression analysis, we found 355 transcripts elevated in lice sampled from gills and 202 transcripts elevated in lice sampled from skin consistent in all samplings. Genes annotated with "peptidase activity" were among the ones elevated in lice sampled from gills, while in the other group genes annotated with "phosphorylation" and "phosphatase" were pervasive. Transcripts elevated in lice sampled from gills were often genes relatively highly expressed in the louse intestine compared with other tissues, while this was not the case for transcripts elevated in lice sampled from skin. In both groups, more than half of the transcripts were from genes more highly expressed after attachment. CONCLUSIONS Gill settlement results in an alteration in gene expression and a premature onset of blood-feeding likely causes the parasite to develop at a slower pace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erna Irene Heggland
- Department of Biological Sciences and Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Michael Dondrup
- Department of Informatics and Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Frank Nilsen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Christiane Eichner
- Department of Biological Sciences and Sea Lice Research Centre (SLRC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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17
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Attardo GM, Abd-Alla AMM, Acosta-Serrano A, Allen JE, Bateta R, Benoit JB, Bourtzis K, Caers J, Caljon G, Christensen MB, Farrow DW, Friedrich M, Hua-Van A, Jennings EC, Larkin DM, Lawson D, Lehane MJ, Lenis VP, Lowy-Gallego E, Macharia RW, Malacrida AR, Marco HG, Masiga D, Maslen GL, Matetovici I, Meisel RP, Meki I, Michalkova V, Miller WJ, Minx P, Mireji PO, Ometto L, Parker AG, Rio R, Rose C, Rosendale AJ, Rota-Stabelli O, Savini G, Schoofs L, Scolari F, Swain MT, Takáč P, Tomlinson C, Tsiamis G, Van Den Abbeele J, Vigneron A, Wang J, Warren WC, Waterhouse RM, Weirauch MT, Weiss BL, Wilson RK, Zhao X, Aksoy S. Comparative genomic analysis of six Glossina genomes, vectors of African trypanosomes. Genome Biol 2019; 20:187. [PMID: 31477173 PMCID: PMC6721284 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-019-1768-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tsetse flies (Glossina sp.) are the vectors of human and animal trypanosomiasis throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Tsetse flies are distinguished from other Diptera by unique adaptations, including lactation and the birthing of live young (obligate viviparity), a vertebrate blood-specific diet by both sexes, and obligate bacterial symbiosis. This work describes the comparative analysis of six Glossina genomes representing three sub-genera: Morsitans (G. morsitans morsitans, G. pallidipes, G. austeni), Palpalis (G. palpalis, G. fuscipes), and Fusca (G. brevipalpis) which represent different habitats, host preferences, and vectorial capacity. RESULTS Genomic analyses validate established evolutionary relationships and sub-genera. Syntenic analysis of Glossina relative to Drosophila melanogaster shows reduced structural conservation across the sex-linked X chromosome. Sex-linked scaffolds show increased rates of female-specific gene expression and lower evolutionary rates relative to autosome associated genes. Tsetse-specific genes are enriched in protease, odorant-binding, and helicase activities. Lactation-associated genes are conserved across all Glossina species while male seminal proteins are rapidly evolving. Olfactory and gustatory genes are reduced across the genus relative to other insects. Vision-associated Rhodopsin genes show conservation of motion detection/tracking functions and variance in the Rhodopsin detecting colors in the blue wavelength ranges. CONCLUSIONS Expanded genomic discoveries reveal the genetics underlying Glossina biology and provide a rich body of knowledge for basic science and disease control. They also provide insight into the evolutionary biology underlying novel adaptations and are relevant to applied aspects of vector control such as trap design and discovery of novel pest and disease control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey M Attardo
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Adly M M Abd-Alla
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food & Agriculture, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alvaro Acosta-Serrano
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Merseyside, Liverpool, UK
| | - James E Allen
- VectorBase, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Rosemary Bateta
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology Research Institute - Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kikuyu, Kenya
| | - Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food & Agriculture, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jelle Caers
- Department of Biology - Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mikkel B Christensen
- VectorBase, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - David W Farrow
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Markus Friedrich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Aurélie Hua-Van
- Laboratoire Evolution, Genomes, Comportement, Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Emily C Jennings
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Denis M Larkin
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Daniel Lawson
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michael J Lehane
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Merseyside, Liverpool, UK
| | - Vasileios P Lenis
- Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Ernesto Lowy-Gallego
- VectorBase, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Rosaline W Macharia
- Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya.,Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anna R Malacrida
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Heather G Marco
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Daniel Masiga
- Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gareth L Maslen
- VectorBase, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Irina Matetovici
- Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Richard P Meisel
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Irene Meki
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food & Agriculture, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Michalkova
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA.,Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Wolfgang J Miller
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Minx
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Paul O Mireji
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology Research Institute - Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kikuyu, Kenya.,Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Lino Ometto
- Department of Sustainable Ecosystems and Bioresources, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy.,Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrew G Parker
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food & Agriculture, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rita Rio
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Clair Rose
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Merseyside, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew J Rosendale
- Department of Biology, Mount St. Joseph University, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Omar Rota-Stabelli
- Department of Sustainable Ecosystems and Bioresources, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Grazia Savini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Department of Biology - Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Scolari
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Martin T Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Peter Takáč
- Department of Animal Systematics, Ústav zoológie SAV; Scientica, Ltd, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Chad Tomlinson
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - George Tsiamis
- Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Patras, Agrinio, Etoloakarnania, Greece
| | | | - Aurelien Vigneron
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jingwen Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wesley C Warren
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Robert M Waterhouse
- Department of Ecology & Evolution, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology and Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brian L Weiss
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Richard K Wilson
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xin Zhao
- CAS Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Serap Aksoy
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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18
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Attardo GM, Abd-Alla AMM, Acosta-Serrano A, Allen JE, Bateta R, Benoit JB, Bourtzis K, Caers J, Caljon G, Christensen MB, Farrow DW, Friedrich M, Hua-Van A, Jennings EC, Larkin DM, Lawson D, Lehane MJ, Lenis VP, Lowy-Gallego E, Macharia RW, Malacrida AR, Marco HG, Masiga D, Maslen GL, Matetovici I, Meisel RP, Meki I, Michalkova V, Miller WJ, Minx P, Mireji PO, Ometto L, Parker AG, Rio R, Rose C, Rosendale AJ, Rota-Stabelli O, Savini G, Schoofs L, Scolari F, Swain MT, Takáč P, Tomlinson C, Tsiamis G, Van Den Abbeele J, Vigneron A, Wang J, Warren WC, Waterhouse RM, Weirauch MT, Weiss BL, Wilson RK, Zhao X, Aksoy S. Comparative genomic analysis of six Glossina genomes, vectors of African trypanosomes. Genome Biol 2019; 20:187. [PMID: 31477173 DOI: 10.1101/531749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tsetse flies (Glossina sp.) are the vectors of human and animal trypanosomiasis throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Tsetse flies are distinguished from other Diptera by unique adaptations, including lactation and the birthing of live young (obligate viviparity), a vertebrate blood-specific diet by both sexes, and obligate bacterial symbiosis. This work describes the comparative analysis of six Glossina genomes representing three sub-genera: Morsitans (G. morsitans morsitans, G. pallidipes, G. austeni), Palpalis (G. palpalis, G. fuscipes), and Fusca (G. brevipalpis) which represent different habitats, host preferences, and vectorial capacity. RESULTS Genomic analyses validate established evolutionary relationships and sub-genera. Syntenic analysis of Glossina relative to Drosophila melanogaster shows reduced structural conservation across the sex-linked X chromosome. Sex-linked scaffolds show increased rates of female-specific gene expression and lower evolutionary rates relative to autosome associated genes. Tsetse-specific genes are enriched in protease, odorant-binding, and helicase activities. Lactation-associated genes are conserved across all Glossina species while male seminal proteins are rapidly evolving. Olfactory and gustatory genes are reduced across the genus relative to other insects. Vision-associated Rhodopsin genes show conservation of motion detection/tracking functions and variance in the Rhodopsin detecting colors in the blue wavelength ranges. CONCLUSIONS Expanded genomic discoveries reveal the genetics underlying Glossina biology and provide a rich body of knowledge for basic science and disease control. They also provide insight into the evolutionary biology underlying novel adaptations and are relevant to applied aspects of vector control such as trap design and discovery of novel pest and disease control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey M Attardo
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Adly M M Abd-Alla
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food & Agriculture, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alvaro Acosta-Serrano
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Merseyside, Liverpool, UK
| | - James E Allen
- VectorBase, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Rosemary Bateta
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology Research Institute - Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kikuyu, Kenya
| | - Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food & Agriculture, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jelle Caers
- Department of Biology - Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mikkel B Christensen
- VectorBase, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - David W Farrow
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Markus Friedrich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Aurélie Hua-Van
- Laboratoire Evolution, Genomes, Comportement, Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Emily C Jennings
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Denis M Larkin
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Daniel Lawson
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michael J Lehane
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Merseyside, Liverpool, UK
| | - Vasileios P Lenis
- Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Ernesto Lowy-Gallego
- VectorBase, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Rosaline W Macharia
- Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anna R Malacrida
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Heather G Marco
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Daniel Masiga
- Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gareth L Maslen
- VectorBase, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Irina Matetovici
- Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Richard P Meisel
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Irene Meki
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food & Agriculture, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Michalkova
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Wolfgang J Miller
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Minx
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Paul O Mireji
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology Research Institute - Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kikuyu, Kenya
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Lino Ometto
- Department of Sustainable Ecosystems and Bioresources, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrew G Parker
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food & Agriculture, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rita Rio
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Clair Rose
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Merseyside, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew J Rosendale
- Department of Biology, Mount St. Joseph University, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Omar Rota-Stabelli
- Department of Sustainable Ecosystems and Bioresources, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Grazia Savini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Department of Biology - Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Scolari
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Martin T Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Peter Takáč
- Department of Animal Systematics, Ústav zoológie SAV; Scientica, Ltd, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Chad Tomlinson
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - George Tsiamis
- Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Patras, Agrinio, Etoloakarnania, Greece
| | | | - Aurelien Vigneron
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jingwen Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wesley C Warren
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Robert M Waterhouse
- Department of Ecology & Evolution, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology and Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brian L Weiss
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Richard K Wilson
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xin Zhao
- CAS Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Serap Aksoy
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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19
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Valzania L, Mattee MT, Strand MR, Brown MR. Blood feeding activates the vitellogenic stage of oogenesis in the mosquito Aedes aegypti through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 by the insulin and TOR pathways. Dev Biol 2019; 454:85-95. [PMID: 31153832 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Most mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti, only produce eggs after blood feeding on a vertebrate host. Oogenesis in A. aegypti consists of a pre-vitellogenic stage before blood feeding and a vitellogenic stage after blood feeding. Primary egg chambers remain developmentally arrested during the pre-vitellogenic stage but complete oogenesis to form mature eggs during the vitellogenic stage. In contrast, the signaling factors that maintain primary egg chambers in pre-vitellogenic arrest or that activate vitellogenic growth are largely unclear. Prior studies showed that A. aegypti females release insulin-like peptide 3 (ILP3) and ovary ecdysteroidogenic hormone (OEH) from brain neurosecretory cells after blood feeding. Here, we report that primary egg chambers exit pre-vitellogenic arrest by 8 h post-blood meal as evidenced by proliferation of follicle cells, endoreplication of nurse cells, and formation of cytoophidia. Ex vivo assays showed that ILP3 and OEH stimulate primary egg chambers to exit pre-vitellogenic arrest in the presence of nutrients but not in their absence. Characterization of associated pathways indicated that activation of insulin/insulin growth factor signaling (IIS) by ILP3 or OEH inactivated glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) via phosphorylation by phosphorylated Akt. GSK3 inactivation correlated with accumulation of the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Max and primary egg chambers exiting pre-vitellogenic arrest. Direct inhibition of GSK3 by CHIR-99021 also stimulated Myc/Max accumulation and primary egg chambers exiting pre-vitellogenic arrest. Collectively, our results identify GSK3 as a key factor in regulating the pre- and vitellogenic stages of oogenesis in A. aegypti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Valzania
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Melissa T Mattee
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Michael R Strand
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Mark R Brown
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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20
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Capriotti N, Ianowski JP, Gioino P, Ons S. The neuropeptide CCHamide2 regulates diuresis in the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.203000. [PMID: 31053646 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.203000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Given that hematophagous insects ingest large quantities of blood in a single meal, they must undergo a rapid post-prandial diuresis in order to maintain homeostasis. In the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), the coordinated activity of the Malpighian tubules and anterior midgut maintains water and ion balance during the post-prandial diuresis. Three to four hours after the meal, the diuretic process finishes, and the animal enters an antidiuretic state to ensure water conservation until the next blood intake. The diuretic and antidiuretic processes are tightly regulated by serotonin and neuropeptides in this insect. In the present work, we report that the neuropeptide precursor CCHamide2 is involved in the regulation of the post-prandial diuresis in R . prolixus Our results suggest a dual effect of RhoprCCHamide2 peptide, enhancing the serotonin-induced secretion by Malpighian tubules, and inhibiting serotonin-induced absorption across the anterior midgut. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a hormone presenting opposite effects in the two osmoregulatory organs (i.e. midgut and Malpighian tubules) in insects, probably reflecting the importance of a well-tuned diuretic process in hematophagous insects during different moments after the blood meal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Capriotti
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de Insectos, Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd 120 y 62 (1900), 1900 La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan P Ianowski
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E5
| | - Paula Gioino
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E5
| | - Sheila Ons
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de Insectos, Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd 120 y 62 (1900), 1900 La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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21
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Gondim KC, Atella GC, Pontes EG, Majerowicz D. Lipid metabolism in insect disease vectors. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 101:108-123. [PMID: 30171905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
More than a third of the world population is at constant risk of contracting some insect-transmitted disease, such as Dengue fever, Zika virus disease, malaria, Chagas' disease, African trypanosomiasis, and others. Independent of the life cycle of the pathogen causing the disease, the insect vector hematophagous habit is a common and crucial trait for the transmission of all these diseases. This lifestyle is unique, as hematophagous insects feed on blood, a diet that is rich in protein but relatively poor in lipids and carbohydrates, in huge amounts and low frequency. Another unique feature of these insects is that blood meal triggers essential metabolic processes, as molting and oogenesis and, in this way, regulates the expression of various genes that are involved in these events. In this paper, we review current knowledge of the physiology and biochemistry of lipid metabolism in insect disease vectors, comparing with classical models whenever possible. We address lipid digestion and absorption, hemolymphatic transport, and lipid storage by the fat body and ovary. In this context, both de novo fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis are discussed, including the related fatty acid activation process and the intracellular lipid binding proteins. As lipids are stored in order to be mobilized later on, e.g. for flight activity or survivorship, lipolysis and β-oxidation are also considered. All these events need to be finely regulated, and the role of hormones in this control is summarized. Finally, we also review information about infection, when vector insect physiology is affected, and there is a crosstalk between its immune system and lipid metabolism. There is not abundant information about lipid metabolism in vector insects, and significant current gaps in the field are indicated, as well as questions to be answered in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia C Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Georgia C Atella
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Emerson G Pontes
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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22
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Spencer CS, Yunta C, de Lima GPG, Hemmings K, Lian LY, Lycett G, Paine MJI. Characterisation of Anopheles gambiae heme oxygenase and metalloporphyrin feeding suggests a potential role in reproduction. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 98:25-33. [PMID: 29729387 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The mosquito Anopheles gambiae is the principal vector for malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. The ability of A. gambiae to transmit malaria is strictly related to blood feeding and digestion, which releases nutrients for oogenesis, as well as substantial amounts of highly toxic free heme. Heme degradation by heme oxygenase (HO) is a common protective mechanism, and a gene for HO exists in the An. gambiae genome HO (AgHO), although it has yet to be functionally examined. Here, we have cloned and expressed An. gambiae HO (AgHO) in E. coli. Purified recombinant AgHO bound hemin stoichiometrically to form a hemin-enzyme complex similar to other HOs, with a KD of 3.9 ± 0.6 μM; comparable to mammalian and bacterial HOs, but 7-fold lower than that of Drosophila melanogaster HO. AgHO also degraded hemin to biliverdin and released CO and iron in the presence of NADPH cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR). Optimal AgHO activity was observed at 27.5 °C and pH 7.5. To investigate effects of AgHO inhibition, adult female A. gambiae were fed heme analogues Sn- and Zn-protoporphyrins (SnPP and ZnPP), known to inhibit HO. These led to a dose dependent decrease in oviposition. Cu-protoporphyrin (CuPP), which does not inhibit HO had no effect. These results demonstrate that AgHO is a catalytically active HO and that it may play a key role in egg production in mosquitoes. It also presents a potential target for the development of compounds aimed at sterilising mosquitoes for vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristina Yunta
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | | | - Kay Hemmings
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Lu-Yun Lian
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gareth Lycett
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Mark J I Paine
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
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23
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector-borne infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms transmitted mainly by blood-sucking arthropod vectors. In laboratories, the handling of insects carrying human pathogens requires extra caution because of safety concerns over their escape risk. Based on standard insect containment practices, there have been cases where costly enhancements were required to definitely protect laboratory workers and neighbors from potential infection through mosquito bites. Here, we developed a mosquito rearing method that provides a reliable and cost-effective means to securely contain pathogen-infected females of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. RESULTS To debilitate the motility of A. aegypti females, mosquitoes were rendered completely flightless by ablation of either wing. The "single-winged" mosquitoes exhibited a severe defect in flying ability and were incubated in a container with inside surfaces covered with a net stretched to approximately 1-mm mesh, which helped the mosquitoes hold on and climb up the wall. In this container, flightless females consistently showed similar blood feeding and egg laying activities to intact females. Eighty-five percent of the flightless mosquitoes survived at 1 week after wing ablation, ensuring feasibility of the use of these mosquitoes for studying pathogen dynamics. CONCLUSIONS This mosquito rearing method, with a detailed protocol, is presented here and can be readily implemented as a highly secure insectary for vectors carrying human pathogens. For researchers in an environment where highly strict containment practices are mandatory, this method could offer appropriate opportunities to perform research on pathogen-mosquito interactions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Ote
- Department of Tropical Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Medical Entomology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Kanuka
- Department of Tropical Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Medical Entomology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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24
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Mendes-Sousa AF, Vale VF, Queiroz DC, Pereira-Filho AA, da Silva NCS, Koerich LB, Moreira LA, Pereira MH, Sant'Anna MR, Araújo RN, Andersen J, Valenzuela JG, Gontijo NF. Inhibition of the complement system by saliva of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) aquasalis. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 92:12-20. [PMID: 29128668 PMCID: PMC6318795 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Anopheline mosquitoes are vectors of malaria parasites. Their saliva contains anti-hemostatic and immune-modulator molecules that favor blood feeding and parasite transmission. In this study, we describe the inhibition of the alternative pathway of the complement system (AP) by Anopheles aquasalis salivary gland extracts (SGE). According to our results, the inhibitor present in SGE acts on the initial step of the AP blocking deposition of C3b on the activation surfaces. Properdin, which is a positive regulatory molecule of the AP, binds to SGE. When SGE was treated with an excess of properdin, it was unable to inhibit the AP. Through SDS-PAGE analysis, A. aquasalis presented a salivary protein with the same molecular weight as recombinant complement inhibitors belonging to the SG7 family described in the saliva of other anopheline species. At least some SG7 proteins bind to properdin and are AP inhibitors. Searching for SG7 proteins in the A. aquasalis genome, we retrieved a salivary protein that shared an 85% identity with albicin, which is the salivary alternative pathway inhibitor from A. albimanus. This A. aquasalis sequence was also very similar (81% ID) to the SG7 protein from A. darlingi, which is also an AP inhibitor. Our results suggest that the salivary complement inhibitor from A. aquasalis is an SG7 protein that can inhibit the AP by binding to properdin and abrogating its stabilizing activity. Albicin, which is the SG7 from A. albimanus, can directly inhibit AP convertase. Given the high similarity of SG7 proteins, the SG7 from A. aquasalis may also directly inhibit AP convertase in the absence of properdin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vladimir Fazito Vale
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Costa Queiroz
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Leonardo Barbosa Koerich
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | | | - Marcos Horácio Pereira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | | | | | - John Andersen
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Jesus Gilberto Valenzuela
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
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Williamson BN, Schwan TG. Conspecific hyperparasitism: An alternative route for Borrelia hermsii transmission by the tick Ornithodoros hermsi. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:334-339. [PMID: 29174448 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Ixodid and argasid ticks may hyperparasitize other individuals of their own species to acquire a blood meal, however most accounts are based on single observations and the behavior has rarely been studied. While maintaining laboratory colonies of Ornithodoros species, we noticed that unfed ticks occasionally fed on other ticks that were feeding on mice, and unfed ticks parasitized engorged ticks when confined together in tubes. Therefore, we investigated hyperparasitism by Ornithodoros hermsi and the ability of these ticks to acquire and transmit the relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia hermsii when feeding on other ticks. Various combinations of unfed and recently engorged male, female and nymphal ticks were confined for 1-2h as individual pairs or in groups, then examined to determine the number of ticks that acquired blood by feeding on others. Unfed O. hermsi males were far more likely to hyperparasitize other ticks than were females and nymphs, as 78.6% of males (114 of 145 ticks) fed when confined with recently engorged ticks. Unfed females and nymphs also hyperparasitized other ticks but far less frequently (only 6.7% combined; 17 of 254 ticks). Infection experiments demonstrated that unfed males acquired B. hermsii when parasitizing nymphs that had recently engorged on a spirochetemic mouse, and unfed infected males transmitted spirochetes to recently engorged nymphs. Some ticks infected via hyperparasitism subsequently transmitted B. hermsii to mice. Hyperparasitism by O. hermsi occurred more frequently than expected, although possibly influenced by our experimental design. The significance of this behavior as it may influence the horizontal transfer of B. hermsii in nature is not known but worthy of future consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandi N Williamson
- Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, United States.
| | - Tom G Schwan
- Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, United States
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Dashti ZJS, Gamieldien J, Christoffels A. Computational characterization of Iron metabolism in the Tsetse disease vector, Glossina morsitans: IRE stem-loops. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:561. [PMID: 27503259 PMCID: PMC4977773 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2932-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Iron metabolism and regulation is an indispensable part of species survival, most importantly for blood feeding insects. Iron regulatory proteins are central regulators of iron homeostasis, whose binding to iron response element (IRE) stem-loop structures within the UTRs of genes regulate expression at the post-transcriptional level. Despite the extensive literature on the mechanism of iron regulation in human, less attention has been given to insect and more specifically the blood feeding insects, where research has mainly focused on the characterization of ferritin and transferrin. We thus, examined the mechanism of iron homeostasis through a genome-wide computational identification of IREs and other enriched motifs in the UTRs of Glossina morsitans with the view to identify new IRE-regulated genes. Results We identified 150 genes, of which two are known to contain IREs, namely the ferritin heavy chain and the MRCK-alpha. The remainder of the identified genes is considered novel including 20 hypothetical proteins, for which an iron-regulatory mechanism of action was inferred. Forty-three genes were found with IRE-signatures of regulation in two or more insects, while 46 were only found to be IRE-regulated in two species. Notably 39 % of the identified genes exclusively shared IRE-signatures in other Glossina species, which are potentially Glossina-specific adaptive measures in addressing its unique reproductive biology and blood meal-induced iron overload. In line with previous findings, we found no evidence pertaining to an IRE regulation of Transferrin, which highlight the importance of ferritin heavy chain and the other proposed transporters in the tsetse fly. In the context of iron-sequestration, key players of tsetse immune defence against trypanosomes have been introduced namely 14 stress and immune response genes, while 28 cell-envelop, transport, and binding genes were assigned a putative role in iron trafficking. Additionally, we identified and annotated enriched motifs in the UTRs of the putative IRE-regulated genes to derive at a co-regulatory network that maintains iron homeostasis in tsetse flies. Three putative microRNA-binding sites namely Gy-box, Brd-box and K-box motifs were identified among the regulatory motifs, enriched in the UTRs of the putative IRE-regulated genes. Conclusion Beyond our current view of iron metabolism in insects, with ferritin and transferrin as its key players, this study provides a comprehensive catalogue of genes with possible roles in the acquisition; transport and storage of iron hence iron homeostasis in the tsetse fly. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2932-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Jalali Sefid Dashti
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, The South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Street, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Junaid Gamieldien
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, The South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Street, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Alan Christoffels
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, The South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Street, Bellville, South Africa.
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Esquivel CJ, Cassone BJ, Piermarini PM. A de novo transcriptome of the Malpighian tubules in non-blood-fed and blood-fed Asian tiger mosquitoes Aedes albopictus: insights into diuresis, detoxification, and blood meal processing. PeerJ 2016; 4:e1784. [PMID: 26989622 PMCID: PMC4793337 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. In adult female mosquitoes, the renal (Malpighian) tubules play an important role in the post-prandial diuresis, which removes excess ions and water from the hemolymph of mosquitoes following a blood meal. After the post-prandial diuresis, the roles that Malpighian tubules play in the processing of blood meals are not well described. Methods. We used a combination of next-generation sequencing (paired-end RNA sequencing) and physiological/biochemical assays in adult female Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) to generate molecular and functional insights into the Malpighian tubules and how they may contribute to blood meal processing (3–24 h after blood ingestion). Results/Discussion. Using RNA sequencing, we sequenced and assembled the first de novo transcriptome of Malpighian tubules from non-blood-fed (NBF) and blood-fed (BF) mosquitoes. We identified a total of 8,232 non-redundant transcripts. The Malpighian tubules of NBF mosquitoes were characterized by the expression of transcripts associated with active transepithelial fluid secretion/diuresis (e.g., ion transporters, water channels, V-type H+-ATPase subunits), xenobiotic detoxification (e.g., cytochrome P450 monoxygenases, glutathione S-transferases, ATP-binding cassette transporters), and purine metabolism (e.g., xanthine dehydrogenase). We also detected the expression of transcripts encoding sodium calcium exchangers, G protein coupled-receptors, and septate junctional proteins not previously described in mosquito Malpighian tubules. Within 24 h after a blood meal, transcripts associated with active transepithelial fluid secretion/diuresis exhibited a general downregulation, whereas those associated with xenobiotic detoxification and purine catabolism exhibited a general upregulation, suggesting a reinvestment of the Malpighian tubules’ molecular resources from diuresis to detoxification. Physiological and biochemical assays were conducted in mosquitoes and isolated Malpighian tubules, respectively, to confirm that the transcriptomic changes were associated with functional consequences. In particular, in vivo diuresis assays demonstrated that adult female mosquitoes have a reduced diuretic capacity within 24 h after a blood meal. Moreover, biochemical assays in isolated Malpighian tubules showed an increase in glutathione S-transferase activity and the accumulation of uric acid (an end product of purine catabolism) within 24 h after a blood meal. Our data provide new insights into the molecular physiology of Malpighian tubules in culicine mosquitoes and reveal potentially important molecular targets for the development of chemical and/or gene-silencing insecticides that would disrupt renal function in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Esquivel
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University/Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center , Wooster, OH , United States
| | - Bryan J Cassone
- Department of Biology, Brandon University , Brandon, Manitoba , Canada
| | - Peter M Piermarini
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University/Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center , Wooster, OH , United States
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Talyuli OAC, Bottino-Rojas V, Taracena ML, Soares ALM, Oliveira JHM, Oliveira PL. The use of a chemically defined artificial diet as a tool to study Aedes aegypti physiology. J Insect Physiol 2015; 83:1-7. [PMID: 26578294 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes obtain from vertebrate blood nutrients that are essential to oogenesis, such as proteins and lipids. As with all insects, mosquitoes do not synthesize cholesterol but take it from the diet. Here, we used a chemically defined artificial diet, hereafter referred to as Substitute Blood Meal (SBM), that was supplemented with cholesterol to test the nutritional role of cholesterol. SBM-fed and blood-fed mosquitoes were compared regarding several aspects of the insect physiology that are influenced by a blood meal, including egg laying, peritrophic matrix formation, gut microbiota proliferation, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of antioxidant genes, such as catalase and ferritin. Our results show that SBM induced a physiological response that was very similar to a regular blood meal. Depending on the nutritional life history of the mosquito since the larval stage, the presence of cholesterol in the diet increased egg development, suggesting that the teneral reserves of cholesterol in the newly hatched female are determinant of reproductive performance. We propose here the use of SBM as a tool to study other aspects of the physiology of mosquitoes, including their interaction with microbiota and pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octávio A C Talyuli
- Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil; Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Mabel L Taracena
- Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Ana Luiza Macedo Soares
- Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil; Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José Henrique M Oliveira
- Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Brazil.
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Wang MS, Adeola AC, Li Y, Zhang YP, Wu DD. Accelerated evolution of constraint elements for hematophagic adaptation in mosquitoes. Zool Res 2015; 36:320-327. [PMID: 26646568 PMCID: PMC4771951 DOI: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2015.6.320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Comparative genomics is a powerful approach that comprehensively interprets the genome. Herein, we performed whole genome comparative analysis of 16 Diptera genomes, including four mosquitoes and 12 Drosophilae. We found more than 540 000 constraint elements (CEs) in the Diptera genome, with the majority found in the intergenic, coding and intronic regions. Accelerated elements (AEs) identified in mosquitoes were mostly in the protein-coding regions (>93%), which differs from vertebrates in genomic distribution. Some genes functionally enriched in blood digestion, body temperature regulation and insecticide resistance showed rapid evolution not only in the lineage of the recent common ancestor of mosquitoes (RCAM), but also in some mosquito lineages. This may be associated with lineage-specific traits and/or adaptations in comparison with other insects. Our findings revealed that although universally fast evolution acted on biological systems in RCAM, such as hematophagy, same adaptations also appear to have occurred through distinct degrees of evolution in different mosquito species, enabling them to be successful blood feeders in different environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Shan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Adeniyi C Adeola
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China;Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Dong-Dong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
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Ribeiro JMC, Kazimirova M, Takac P, Andersen JF, Francischetti IMB. An insight into the sialome of the horse fly, Tabanus bromius. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 65:83-90. [PMID: 26369729 PMCID: PMC4646416 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Blood feeding animals face their host's defenses against tissue injury and blood loss while attempting to feed. One adaptation to surmount these barriers involves the evolution of a salivary potion that disarms their host's inflammatory and anti-hemostatic processes. The composition of the peptide moiety of this potion, or sialome (from the Greek sialo = saliva), can be deducted in part by proper interpretation of the blood feeder' sialotranscriptome. In this work we disclose the sialome of the blood feeding adult female Tabanus bromius. Following assembly of over 75 million Illumina reads (101 nt long) 16,683 contigs were obtained from which 4078 coding sequences were extracted. From these, 320 were assigned as coding for putative secreted proteins. These 320 contigs mapped 85% of the reads. The antigen-5 proteins family was studied in detail, indicating three Tabanus specific clades with and without disintegrin domains, as well as with and without leukotriene binding domains. Defensins were also detailed; a clade of salivary tabanid peptides was found lacking the propeptide domain ending in the KR dipeptide signaling furin cleavage. Novel protein families were also disclosed. Viral transcripts were identified closely matching the Kotonkan virus capsid proteins. Full length Mariner transposases were also identified. A total of 3043 coding sequences and their protein products were deposited in Genbank. Hyperlinked excel spreadsheets containing the coding sequences and their annotation are available at http://exon.niaid.nih.gov/transcriptome/T_bromius/Tbromius-web.xlsx (hyperlinked excel spreadsheet, 11 MB) and http://exon.niaid.nih.gov/transcriptome/T_bromius/Tbromius-SA.zip (Standalone excel with all local links, 360 MB). These sequences provide for a platform from which further proteomic studies may be designed to identify salivary proteins from T. bromius that are of pharmacological interest or used as immunological markers of host exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M C Ribeiro
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Maryland 20852, USA.
| | - Maria Kazimirova
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-84506 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Takac
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-84506 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - John F Andersen
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Maryland 20852, USA
| | - Ivo M B Francischetti
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Maryland 20852, USA
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Collini M, Albonico F, Hauffe HC, Mortarino M. Identifying the last bloodmeal of questing sheep tick nymphs (Ixodes ricinus L.) using high resolution melting analysis. Vet Parasitol 2015; 210:194-205. [PMID: 25941127 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus L., is an important hematophagous vector of zoonotic disease of both veterinary and public health importance in Europe. Risk models for tick-borne diseases can be improved by identifying the main hosts of this species in any given area. However, this generalist tick stays on a host for only a few days a year over its life cycle, making the study of its feeding ecology difficult. In contrast, ticks can easily be collected from vegetation when they are questing. Molecular methods have proved to be a reliable alternative to field observation, but most current methods have low sensitivity and/or low identification success (i.e. hosts are only identified to taxonomic levels higher than species). In this study we use Real-time PCR coupled with High Resolution Melting Analysis (HRMA) to identify the source of the last bloodmeal in questing tick nymphs. Twenty of the most important tick hosts were grouped taxonomically and six group-specific primer sets, targeting short mitochondrial DNA regions, were designed de novo. Firstly, we show that these primers successfully amplify target host DNA (from host tissue or engorged ticks), and that HRMA can be used to reliably identify hosts to species (or genera in the case of Sorex and Apodemus). Secondly, the new protocol was tested on field-collected questing nymphs. Bloodmeal source was identified in 65.4% of 52 individuals. In 83.3% of these, the host was identified to species or genera using HRMA alone. Moreover, the primer sets designed here can unequivocally identify mixed bloodmeals. The combination of sensitivity and identification success together with the closed-tube and single step approach that minimizes contamination, make Real-time HRMA a good alternative to current methods for bloodmeal identification.
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Galay RL, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, Mochizuki M, Fujisaki K, Tanaka T. Iron metabolism in hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae): the antidote to their toxic diet. Parasitol Int 2014; 64:182-9. [PMID: 25527065 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2014.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are notorious parasitic arthropods, known for their completely host-blood-dependent lifestyle. Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) feed on their hosts for several days and can ingest blood more than a hundred times their unfed weight. Their blood-feeding habit facilitates the transmission of various pathogens. It is remarkable how hard ticks cope with the toxic nature of their blood meal, which contains several molecules that can promote oxidative stress including iron. While it is required in several physiological processes, high amounts of iron can be dangerous because iron can also participate in the formation of free radicals that may cause cellular damage and death. Here we review the current knowledge on heme and inorganic iron metabolism in hard ticks and compare it with that in vertebrates and other arthropods. We briefly discuss the studies on heme transport, storage and detoxification, and the transport and storage of inorganic iron, with emphasis on the functions of tick ferritins. This review points out other aspects of tick iron metabolism that warrant further investigation, as compared to mammals and other arthropods. Further understanding of this physiological process may help in formulating new control strategies for tick infestation and the spread of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remil Linggatong Galay
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Masami Mochizuki
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Kozo Fujisaki
- National Agricultural and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
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Pitts RJ. A blood-free protein meal supporting oogenesis in the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse). J Insect Physiol 2014; 64:1-6. [PMID: 24607650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2014.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Female mosquitoes require blood meals to complete oogenesis, or egg development. Current methods of maintaining laboratory colonies of mosquitoes generally rely on the use of whole blood to feed females. Blood feeding protocols require special handling techniques, impart numerous potential health hazards, involve significant costs, and are widely variable in terms of their success rates. In this study, a simple protein formulation was provided to Aedes albopictus using a membrane feeding system. Under the experimental conditions tested, females readily accepted the blood-free meal and produced eggs in greater numbers than cohort females that were fed with whole human blood. Moreover, fertility was comparable between treatments and survivorship of hatched larvae was equal among feedings. This implies that a readily available blood-free meal could be utilized in the laboratory rearing of this species. The elimination of blood handling, reduced cost, and consistency of blood-free meals would potentially be advantageous to mosquito rearing facilities generally, and in terms of scale, to mass rearing facilities specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Jason Pitts
- Department of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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Waniek PJ, Araújo CAC, Momoli MM, Azambuja P, Jansen AM, Genta FA. Serine carboxypeptidases of Triatoma brasiliensis (Hemiptera, Reduviidae): Sequence characterization, expression pattern and activity localization. J Insect Physiol 2014; 63:9-20. [PMID: 24548612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2013] [Revised: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Using specific oligonucleotides, 5'- and 3'-RACE and sequencing, two cDNAs encoding serine carboxypeptidases (tbscp-1 and tbscp-2) from the midgut of the blood sucking heteropteran Triatoma brasiliensis were identified. Both cDNAs with an open reading frame of 1389bp, encode serine carboxypeptidase precursors of 463 amino acid residues, which possess a signal peptide cleavage site after Ala19. Analysis of tbscp-1 and tbscp-2 genomic DNA showed an absence of introns in both sequences and the presence of a further intron-free SCP encoding gene (tbscp-2b). By reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), tbscp-1 and tbscp-2 transcript abundance was found similarly in fifth instar nymphs at different days after feeding (daf), high in the posterior midgut (small intestine), lower in the anterior midgut (stomach) and fat body and almost undetectable in the salivary glands. In the anterior, middle and posterior regions of the small intestine at 5daf the transcript abundance of both genes was almost identical. Also in adult female and male insects at 5daf both genes showed the strongest signal in the posterior midgut. Molecular modeling suggested that TBSCP-1 has carboxypeptidase D activity; activities against Hippuryl-Phenylalanine and Hippuryl-Arginine were also located at the posterior midgut, both were induced after blood feeding. Treatment of the posterior midgut extracts with the serine protease inhibitor PMSF strongly reduced carboxypeptidase activity. These findings suggest that triatomines might use serine carboxypeptidases, which are usually found in lysosomes, as digestive enzymes in the posterior midgut lumen, from which TBSCP-1 and TBSCP-2 are possible candidates to fulfill this function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Waniek
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ/RJ, Av Brasil 4365, CEP 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ/RJ, Av Brasil 4365, CEP 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Catarina A C Araújo
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ/RJ, Av Brasil 4365, CEP 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marisa M Momoli
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ/RJ, Av Brasil 4365, CEP 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patricia Azambuja
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ/RJ, Av Brasil 4365, CEP 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana M Jansen
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ/RJ, Av Brasil 4365, CEP 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernando A Genta
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ/RJ, Av Brasil 4365, CEP 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Ribeiro JMC, Chagas AC, Pham VM, Lounibos LP, Calvo E. An insight into the sialome of the frog biting fly, Corethrella appendiculata. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2014; 44:23-32. [PMID: 24514880 PMCID: PMC4035455 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/18/2013] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The Nematocera infraorder Culicomorpha is believed to have descended from bloodfeeding ancestors over 200 million years ago, generating bloodfeeding and non-bloodfeeding flies in two superfamilies, the Culicoidea-containing the mosquitoes, the frog-feeding midges, the Chaoboridae, and the Dixidae-and the Chironomoidea-containing the black flies, the ceratopogonids, the Chironomidae, and the Thaumaleidae. Blood feeding requires many adaptations, including development of a sophisticated salivary potion that disarms host hemostasis, the physiologic mechanism comprising platelet aggregation, vasoconstriction, and blood clotting. The composition of the sialome (from the Greek sialo = saliva) from bloodfeeding animals can be inferred from analysis of their salivary gland transcriptome. While members of the mosquitoes, black flies, and biting midges have provided sialotranscriptome descriptions, no species of the frog-biting midges has been thus analyzed. We describe in this work the sialotranscriptome of Corethrella appendiculata, revealing a complex potion of enzymes, classical nematoceran protein families involved in blood feeding, and novel protein families unique to this species of frog-feeding fly. Bacterial (Wolbachia) and novel viral sequences were also discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M C Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
| | - Andrezza C Chagas
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Van M Pham
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - L P Lounibos
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, 200 9th Street SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962-4657, USA
| | - Eric Calvo
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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Qiu YT, Gort G, Torricelli R, Takken W, van Loon JJA. Effects of blood-feeding on olfactory sensitivity of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae: application of mixed linear models to account for repeated measurements. J Insect Physiol 2013; 59:1111-8. [PMID: 24036172 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2013.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Revised: 09/01/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction plays an important role in the host-seeking behavior of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. After a complete blood meal, female mosquitoes will not engage in host-seeking behavior until oviposition has occurred. We investigated if peripheral olfactory sensitivity changed after a blood meal by recording electroantennograms (EAGs) of female mosquitoes at three time points (2h, 48 h and 72 h) to 15 volatile kairomones of either human origin or documented to emanate from oviposition sites. The EAG-sensitivity was compared with that of females of similar age post eclosion. As is common practice in electrophysiological studies, the EAG recordings were obtained by repeated stimulation of the same antennal preparations. We introduce mixed linear modeling as an improved statistical analysis for electrophysiological data. Two hours after blood ingestion, olfactory sensitivity as quantified through EAG-recording increased significantly and selectively, i.e. for seven compounds, compared to unfed females of the same age. Such short-term electrophysiological sensitization in the olfactory system as a result of feeding has not been documented before for insects. Sensitization to six compounds persisted until 48 h or 72 h post-blood meal at one or more concentrations. Desensitization was observed at 48 and 72 h pbm in response to two and three kairomones, respectively. For several compounds, sensitization at the EAG-level corresponded with sensitization found previously in single sensillum studies on olfactory neurons in antennal sensilla trichodea of An. gambiae females. These effects are likely to reflect sensitization to oviposition cues, as eggs have matured 48-72 h pbm. Knowledge of changes in olfactory sensitivity to kairomones can be applied to increase trap catches of malaria mosquitoes that have taken a blood meal and need to locate oviposition sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Tong Qiu
- Laboratory of Entomology, P.O. Box 8031, 6700 EH Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Soares AC, Araújo RN, Carvalho-Tavares J, Gontijo NDF, Pereira MH. Intravital microscopy and image analysis of Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) hematophagy: the challenge of blood intake from mouse skin. Parasitol Int 2013; 63:229-36. [PMID: 23886517 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2013.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2012] [Revised: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hematophagous insects transmit many of the most dangerous parasitic diseases. The transmission usually occurs during hematophagy or just after as this is when the vector and the host are in contact. The contact time is determined by the feeding performance of the insect in each host. In triatomines, feeding performance interferes with both their life cycle and the vectorial competence to transmit the hemoflagellate Trypanosoma cruzi. Triatomine bugs are vessel feeders, obtaining their blood meals directly from the vessels (venules or arterioles) of their vertebrate hosts. The host blood intake rate is not constant during the feeding, and the sucking frequency of triatomines tends to be higher and to contain fewer interruptions in pigeons than in mice. To identify the difficulties encountered by triatomine bugs in obtaining blood meals from mouse skin, we used intravital microscopy techniques associated with electromyograms of the cibarial pump. To monitor the vibration of the cannulated vessels and the blood flow through the head of the insect during the engorgement phase, we introduced a novel method for image analysis. The mean number of vessels used during a Rhodnius prolixus blood meal was 3.4±1.2, and the insects fed more in venules (63%) than in arterioles (37%). An important increase in vascular permeability was observed throughout the feeding. Platelet aggregation, rolling and leukocyte adherence were analyzed on the venular endothelium, showing remarkable increases for some time following the R. prolixus feeding. The reduction in sucking frequency that was observed during insect feeding was likely due to the increased cibarial pump filling time. The monitoring of the vessel wall pulsation also permitted the registration of regurgitation-like movements during blood pumping, with these movements being recorded mostly during the second half of the feeding. The evaluation of blood flow through the head of the insect suggested that the regurgitation-like movements were not true regurgitations and were caused by abrupt difficulties in the function of the cibarial pump. The role of the platelet plugs and the changes in blood viscosity at the R. prolixus feeding site are discussed. The method introduced in the present study to analyze the images brings new insights into the interaction between hematophagous vectors and their hosts, reinforcing the importance of insect saliva throughout the feeding process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Coelho Soares
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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