1
|
Ashmore JS, Slippers B, Duong TA, Dittrich‐Schröder G. Understanding the genetics of sex determination in insects and its relevance to genetic pest management. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2025; 34:363-380. [PMID: 39739940 PMCID: PMC12054349 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 12/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/02/2025]
Abstract
Sex determination pathways regulate male and female-specific development and differentiation and offer potential targets for genetic pest management methods. Insect sex determination pathways are comprised of primary signals, relay genes and terminal genes. Primary signals of coleopteran, dipteran, hymenopteran and lepidopteran species are highly diverse and regulate the sex-specific splicing of relay genes based on the primary signal dosage, amino acid composition or the interaction with paternally inherited genes. In coleopterans, hymenopterans and some dipterans, relay genes are Transformer orthologs from the serine-arginine protein family that regulate sex-specific splicing of the terminal genes. Alternative genes regulate the splicing of the terminal genes in dipterans that lack Transformer orthologs and lepidopterans. Doublesex and Fruitless orthologs are the terminal genes. Doublesex and Fruitless orthologs are highly conserved zinc-finger proteins that regulate the expression of downstream proteins influencing physical traits and courtship behaviours in a sex-specific manner. Genetic pest management methods can use different mechanisms to exploit or disrupt female-specific regions of different sex determination genes. Female-specific regions of sex determination genes can be exploited to produce a lethal gene only in females or disrupted to impede female development or fertility. Reducing the number of fertile females in pest populations creates a male-biased sex ratio and eventually leads to the local elimination of the pest population. Knowledge on the genetic basis of sex determination is important to enable these sex determination pathways to be exploited for genetic pest management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jade S. Ashmore
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)University of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Bernard Slippers
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)University of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Tuan A. Duong
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)University of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Gudrun Dittrich‐Schröder
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)University of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Huang Z, Liu Z, Ma H, Zhou Y, Zhao P, Zhu H, Liu J, Man Y, Zhou X. RNAi-mediated knockdown of fruitless in Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) disrupts female sex pheromone biosynthesis and male courtship behavior. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2025:toaf076. [PMID: 40329518 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaf076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2025] [Revised: 03/02/2025] [Accepted: 03/08/2025] [Indexed: 05/08/2025]
Abstract
Strong fecundity is an important reason why the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), has become one of the most serious pests of cruciferous vegetables worldwide. Disrupting with courtship and mating behaviors has emerged as an important strategy for insect management. The fruitless (fru) gene encodes a transcription factor that contains a BTB (Broad-Complex, Tramtrack and Bric a brac) and a zinc finger pair related to the C2H2 class. It plays a crucial role in regulating insect courtship behavior. In this study, the fru gene of P. xylostella (Pxfru) was cloned, revealing 7 alternative splicing forms (Pxfru-1 to Pxfru-7). Pxfru-1 to Pxfru-3 were non-sex-specific transcripts, while the remaining forms were male-specific. Subcellular localization experiments demonstrated that the transcripts encoding proteins containing BTB and zinc finger domains (Pxfru-1 to Pxfru-3) localized to the cell nucleus, whereas Pxfru-4 and Pxfru-5, which contain only one BTB domain, were localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm, respectively. Knockdown the expression of fru in male moths delayed occurrence of mating and reduced their preference to female sex pheromones. Meanwhile, suppression of fru expression in female P. xylostella decreased their attractiveness to males. The results of GC-MS and Y-tube olfaction experiments indicated that this change may be attributed to alterations in the proportion of sex pheromones. This study represents the first report of the fru gene influencing pheromone ratios in female insects, and provides a new perspective for understanding the function of fru in the courtship behavior of non-model insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zizhou Huang
- Longping Branch, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Zheming Liu
- Hunan Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pesticide Biology and Precise Use Technology, Changsha, 410125, China
- Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Haihao Ma
- Longping Branch, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, China
- Hunan Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pesticide Biology and Precise Use Technology, Changsha, 410125, China
- Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Hunan Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pesticide Biology and Precise Use Technology, Changsha, 410125, China
- Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Piao Zhao
- Hunan Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pesticide Biology and Precise Use Technology, Changsha, 410125, China
- Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Hang Zhu
- Hunan Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pesticide Biology and Precise Use Technology, Changsha, 410125, China
- Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Longping Branch, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, China
- Hunan Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pesticide Biology and Precise Use Technology, Changsha, 410125, China
- Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Yilong Man
- Hunan Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pesticide Biology and Precise Use Technology, Changsha, 410125, China
- Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Xiaomao Zhou
- Longping Branch, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pesticide Biology and Precise Use Technology, Changsha, 410125, China
- Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Changsha, 410125, China
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Feng B, Hu Y, Wang F. Reduction in Gonad Development and Sperm Motility in Male Brown Planthopper Nilaparvata lugens via RNAi-Mediated Knockdown of tramtrack. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:3643. [PMID: 40332247 PMCID: PMC12026634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26083643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2025] [Revised: 04/08/2025] [Accepted: 04/09/2025] [Indexed: 05/08/2025] Open
Abstract
The brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens, a major rice pest, threatens global food security through rapid reproduction. This study investigates the role of the tramtrack (ttk) gene in male reproductive development and spermatogenesis using RNA interference (RNAi). Gene expression analysis revealed higher ttk levels in testes. RNAi-mediated knockdown of ttk in fourth-instar male nymphs reduced its expression by up to 80%, leading to severely impaired gonad development. Testes, vas deferens, and accessory glands in treated males exhibited 8-89% volume reductions compared to controls, accompanied by a 51-69% decline in sperm count and 60-85% reduction in sperm motility. Consequently, eggs fertilized by treated males showed a 73% decrease in hatching rates, with arrested embryonic development. These findings demonstrate ttk's critical role in spermatogenesis and gonad maturation in N. lugens, highlighting its potential as an RNAi target for sustainable pest control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fanghai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; (B.F.); (Y.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Varone M, Di Lillo P, Nikolouli K, Özel AE, Lucibelli F, Volpe G, Mazzucchiello SM, Carfora A, Aceto S, Saccone G, Bourtzis K, Salvemini M. The Early Sex-Specific Expression of the Fruitless Gene in the Asian Tiger Mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Its Functional Conservation in Male Courtship. INSECTS 2025; 16:280. [PMID: 40266775 PMCID: PMC11943076 DOI: 10.3390/insects16030280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2025] [Revised: 03/04/2025] [Accepted: 03/05/2025] [Indexed: 04/25/2025]
Abstract
The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is an invasive species and a vector for several significant human pathogens. Gaining a deeper understanding of its reproductive biology offers valuable insights into its evolutionary success and may inform the development of sustainable strategies to control its spread. This study presents a comprehensive structural and functional characterization of the fruitless gene in Ae. albopictus (Aalfru), a pivotal regulator of sexual behavior in insects. Through in silico analysis combined with molecular and functional genetics approaches, we identified a high degree of conservation in the fru gene structure and its regulation via sex-specific alternative splicing. Differently from Drosophila, Aedes aegypti, and other dipteran fruitless orthologs, Aalfru sex-specific regulation starts in 1-day-old embryos, rather than the late larval stage. Functional analysis using embryonic RNA interference (RNAi) demonstrated that, Ae. albopictus males with transiently disrupted fru expression at the embryonic stage showed significant deficits in adult mating behavior and failed to produce viable progeny. Our findings elucidate the Aalfru gene's molecular organization, developmental regulation, and critical role in courtship behavior, highlighting its importance in male sexual behavior and reproductive success in Ae. albopictus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Varone
- Department of Biology, University of Study of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy; (M.V.); (P.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.V.); (S.M.M.); (A.C.); (S.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Paola Di Lillo
- Department of Biology, University of Study of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy; (M.V.); (P.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.V.); (S.M.M.); (A.C.); (S.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Katerina Nikolouli
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria; (K.N.); (A.E.Ö.); (K.B.)
| | - Ayca Eda Özel
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria; (K.N.); (A.E.Ö.); (K.B.)
| | - Francesca Lucibelli
- Department of Biology, University of Study of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy; (M.V.); (P.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.V.); (S.M.M.); (A.C.); (S.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Gennaro Volpe
- Department of Biology, University of Study of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy; (M.V.); (P.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.V.); (S.M.M.); (A.C.); (S.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Sarah Maria Mazzucchiello
- Department of Biology, University of Study of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy; (M.V.); (P.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.V.); (S.M.M.); (A.C.); (S.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Angela Carfora
- Department of Biology, University of Study of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy; (M.V.); (P.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.V.); (S.M.M.); (A.C.); (S.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Serena Aceto
- Department of Biology, University of Study of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy; (M.V.); (P.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.V.); (S.M.M.); (A.C.); (S.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Giuseppe Saccone
- Department of Biology, University of Study of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy; (M.V.); (P.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.V.); (S.M.M.); (A.C.); (S.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria; (K.N.); (A.E.Ö.); (K.B.)
| | - Marco Salvemini
- Department of Biology, University of Study of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy; (M.V.); (P.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.V.); (S.M.M.); (A.C.); (S.A.); (G.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nakata M, Ueno M, Kikuchi Y, Iwami M, Takayanagi-Kiya S, Kiya T. CRISPR/Cas9- and Single-Stranded ODN-Mediated Knock-In in Silkworm Bombyx mori. Zoolog Sci 2024; 41:540-547. [PMID: 39636137 DOI: 10.2108/zs240019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 12/07/2024]
Abstract
Although genome editing techniques have made significant progress, introducing exogenous genes into the genome through knock-in remains a challenge in many organisms. In silkworm Bombyx mori, TALEN-mediated knock-in methods have been established. However, difficulties in construction and limitations of the target sequence have hindered the application of these methods. In the present study, we verified several CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in methods to expand the application of gene knock-in techniques and found that the short single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN)-mediated method is the most effective in silkworms. Using ssODN-mediated methods, we established knock-in silkworm strains that harbor an attP sequence, a 50 bp phiC31 integrase recognition site, at either the BmHr38 (Hormone receptor 38) or Bmdsx (doublesex) locus. Additionally, we found that the long ssODN (lsODN)-mediated method successfully introduced the GAL4 gene at the doublesex locus in embryos. The present study provides valuable information on CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in methods in silkworms, expanding the utility of genome editing techniques in insects and paving the way for analyzing gene and genome function in silkworms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masami Nakata
- Division of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Masumi Ueno
- Division of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kikuchi
- Division of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Masafumi Iwami
- Division of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Seika Takayanagi-Kiya
- Division of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Taketoshi Kiya
- Division of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Feng B, Hu Y, Wang FH. Effects of ttk on development and courtship of male Nilaparvata lugens. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:6465-6472. [PMID: 39172052 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transcription product of tramtrack (ttk) is an important transcription factor which plays many roles in the regulation of the development, differentiation and chromosome recombination of organisms. Few studies have been reported on the specific functions of ttk in other insects except Drosophila melanogaster. Our aims are to reveal the ttk effects on development and courtship of male rice pest brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens. RESULTS In this study, we first assayed spatiotemporal expression of ttk in BPH, then treated the fourth nymphs of BPH with dsttk. We found most individuals died before emerging to adults, the adult eclosion rate was only 18.89%. No courtship behavior was found in individuals injected with dsttk. Further research showed that the main frequency of courtship vibration signal (CVS) 431.3 Hz in the individuals injected with dsttk was significantly higher than 223 Hz in the individuals injected with dsGFP, and female adults nearly had no response to the 431.3 Hz CVS. CONCLUSION We found that about 81% of the 4-instar nymphs of BPH treated with dsttk died before they emerged as adults, the successfully emerged adults emitted the 431.3 Hz CVS to which female adults did not respond and lost the ability of courtship. This was first finding about the functions of ttk in rice planthopper and illustrated the potential of ttk as target for RNAi to control rice planthopper. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fang-Hai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang B, Mao Z, Chen Y, Ying J, Wang H, Sun Z, Li J, Zhang C, Zhuo J. Identification and Functional Analysis of the fruitless Gene in a Hemimetabolous Insect, Nilaparvata lugens. INSECTS 2024; 15:262. [PMID: 38667392 PMCID: PMC11050625 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The fruitless (fru) gene functions as a crucial "tuner" in male insect courtship behavior through distinct expression patterns. In Nilaparvata lugens, our previous research showed doublesex (dsx) influencing male courtship songs, causing mating failures with virgin females. However, the impact of fru on N. lugens mating remains unexplored. In this study, the fru homolog (Nlfru) in N. lugens yielded four spliceosomes: Nlfru-374-a/b, Nlfru-377, and Nlfru-433, encoding proteins of 374aa, 377aa, and 433aa, respectively. Notably, only Nlfru-374b exhibited male bias, while the others were non-sex-specific. All NlFRU proteins featured the BTB conserved domain, with NlFRU-374 and NlFRU-377 possessing the ZnF domain with different sequences. RNAi-mediated Nlfru or its isoforms' knockdown in nymph stages blocked wing-flapping behavior in mating males, while embryonic knockdown via maternal RNAi resulted in over 80% of males losing wing-flapping ability, and female receptivity was reduced. Nlfru expression was Nldsx-regulated, and yet courtship signals and mating success were unaffected. Remarkably, RNAi-mediated Nlfru knockdown up-regulated the expression of flightin in macropterous males, which regulated muscle stiffness and delayed force response, suggesting Nlfru's involvement in muscle development regulation. Collectively, our results indicate that Nlfru functions in N. lugens exhibit a combination of conservation and species specificity, contributing insights into fru evolution, particularly in Hemiptera species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jichong Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory for ManagingBiotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MARA and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (B.W.); (Z.M.); (Y.C.); (J.Y.); (H.W.); (Z.S.); (J.L.); (C.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|