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Shen Z, Liu Z, Chen J, Li Y, Mao J, Wang M, Zhang L. Functional analysis of adipokinetic hormone signaling in reproductive diapause of Coccinella septempunctata. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:3665-3674. [PMID: 38459943 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8070] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ladybeetle, Coccinella septempunctata, an important predator, is widely used to control aphids, whiteflies, mites, thrips, and lepidopteran pests. Diapause control technology is key to extending C. septempunctata shelf-life and commercialization. Lipid accumulation is a major feature of reproductive diapause, but the function of AKH signaling as a regulator of lipid mobilization in reproductive diapause remains unclear. This study aimed to identify and characterize AKH and AKHR genes, and clarify their functions in reproductive diapause. RESULTS The relative expression levels of CsAKH and CsAKHR were the highest in the head and fat body, respectively, and were significantly decreased under diapause conditions, both in developmental stages and tissues (head, midgut, fat body, and ovary). Furthermore, CsAKH and CsAKHR expression was increased significantly after juvenile hormone (JH) injection, but CsMet silencing significantly inhibited CsAKH and CsAKHR expression, whereas CsMet knockdown blocked the induction effect of JH. CsAKH and CsAKHR knockdown significantly reduced water content, increased lipid storage, and promoted the expression of genes related to lipid synthesis, but significantly blocked ovarian development, and induced forkhead box O (FOXO) gene expression in C. septempunctata under reproduction conditions. By contrast, injection of AKH peptide significantly inhibited FOXO expression, reduced lipid storage, and increased water content in C. septempunctata under diapause conditions. CONCLUSION These results indicate that CsAKH and CsAKHR are involved in the regulation of lipid accumulation and ovarian development during diapause in C. septempunctata, and provide a promising target for manipulating C. septempunctata diapause. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjian Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohan Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianjun Mao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lisheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Jiang S, Marco HG, Scheich N, He S, Wang Z, Gäde G, McMahon DP. Comparative analysis of adipokinetic hormones and their receptors in Blattodea reveals novel patterns of gene evolution. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 32:615-633. [PMID: 37382487 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) is a neuropeptide produced in the insect corpora cardiaca that plays an essential role in mobilising carbohydrates and lipids from the fat body to the haemolymph. AKH acts by binding to a rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), the adipokinetic hormone receptor (AKHR). In this study, we tackle AKH ligand and receptor gene evolution as well as the evolutionary origins of AKH gene paralogues from the order Blattodea (termites and cockroaches). Phylogenetic analyses of AKH precursor sequences point to an ancient AKH gene duplication event in the common ancestor of Blaberoidea, yielding a new group of putative decapeptides. In total, 16 different AKH peptides from 90 species were obtained. Two octapeptides and seven putatively novel decapeptides are predicted for the first time. AKH receptor sequences from 18 species, spanning solitary cockroaches and subsocial wood roaches as well as lower and higher termites, were subsequently acquired using classical molecular methods and in silico approaches employing transcriptomic data. Aligned AKHR open reading frames revealed 7 highly conserved transmembrane regions, a typical arrangement for GPCRs. Phylogenetic analyses based on AKHR sequences support accepted relationships among termite, subsocial (Cryptocercus spp.) and solitary cockroach lineages to a large extent, while putative post-translational modification sites do not greatly differ between solitary and subsocial roaches and social termites. Our study provides important information not only for AKH and AKHR functional research but also for further analyses interested in their development as potential candidates for biorational pest control agents against invasive termites and cockroaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixiong Jiang
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heather G Marco
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Nina Scheich
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shulin He
- College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zongqing Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Gerd Gäde
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Dino P McMahon
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
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Lismont E, Verbakel L, Vogel E, Corbisier J, Degroot GN, Verdonck R, Verlinden H, Marchal E, Springael JY, Vanden Broeck J. Can BRET-based biosensors be used to characterize G-protein mediated signaling pathways of an insect GPCR, the Schistocerca gregaria CRF-related diuretic hormone receptor? INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 122:103392. [PMID: 32387240 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane-bound receptors that are considered prime candidates for the development of novel insect pest management strategies. However, the molecular signaling properties of insect GPCRs remain poorly understood. In fact, most studies on insect GPCR signaling are limited to analysis of fluctuations in the secondary messenger molecules calcium (Ca2+) and/or cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). In the current study, we characterized a corticotropin-releasing factor-related diuretic hormone (CRF-DH) receptor of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. This Schgr-CRF-DHR is mainly expressed in the nervous system and in brain-associated endocrine organs. The neuropeptide Schgr-CRF-DH induced Ca2+-dependent aequorin-based bioluminescent responses in CHO cells co-expressing this receptor with the promiscuous Gα16 protein. Furthermore, when co-expressed with the cAMP-dependent bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based CAMYEL biosensor in HEK293T cells, this receptor elicited dose-dependent agonist-induced responses with an EC50 in the nanomolar range (4.02 nM). In addition, we tested if vertebrate BRET-based G protein biosensors, can also be used to detect direct Gα protein subunit activation by an insect GPCR. Therefore, we analyzed ten different human BRET-based G protein biosensors, representing members of all four Gα protein subfamilies; Gαs, Gαi/o, Gαq/11 and Gα12/13. Our data demonstrate that stimulation of Schgr-CRF-DHR by Schgr-CRF-DH can dose-dependently activate Gαi/o and Gαs biosensors, while no significant effects were observed with the Gαq/11 and Gα12/13 biosensors. Our study paves the way for future biosensor-based studies to analyze the signaling properties of insect GPCRs in both fundamental science and applied research contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Els Lismont
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lina Verbakel
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Elise Vogel
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Rik Verdonck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Heleen Verlinden
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elisabeth Marchal
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium; Imec, Kapeldreef 75, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Yves Springael
- Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM) Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Campus Erasme, 808 Route de Lennik, B-1070, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Ren L, Zhang X, Li Y, Shang Y, Chen S, Wang S, Qu Y, Cai J, Guo Y. Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes among the subfamily Sarcophaginae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and phylogenetic implications. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 161:214-222. [PMID: 32526299 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The subfamily Sarcophaginae is extremely diverse in morphology, habit and geographical distribution, and usually considered to be of significant ecological, medical, and forensic significance. In the present study, 18 mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of sarcophagid flies were first obtained. The rearrangement and orientation of genes were identical with that of ancestral insects. The degrees of compositional heterogeneity in the datasets were extremely low. Furthermore, 13 protein-coding genes were evolving under purifying selection. The phylogenic relationship of the genus-group taxa Boettcheria + (Sarcophaga + (Peckia + (Ravinia + Oxysarcodexia))) was strongly supported. Four subgenera were recovered as monophyletic (Liopygia, Liosarcophaga, Pierretia, Heteronychia) in addition to Parasarcophaga as polyphyletic. The sister-relationships between S. dux and S. aegyptiaca, S. pingi and S. kawayuensis were recovered, respectively. Moreover, the molecular phylogenetic relationships among the subgenera Helicophagella, Kozlovea, Kramerea, Pandelleisca, Phallocheira, Pseudothyrsocnema, Sinonipponia and Seniorwhitea were rarely put forward prior to this study. This study provides insight into the population genetics, molecular biology, and phylogeny for the subfamily Sarcophaginae, especially for the subgeneric classification of Sarcophaga. However, compared with the enormous species diversity of flesh flies, the available mitogenomes are still limited for recovering the phylogeny of Sarcophaginae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lipin Ren
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiangyan Zhang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanjie Shang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shan Chen
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiwen Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yihong Qu
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jifeng Cai
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yadong Guo
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Abstract
Two areas of research that have greatly increased in attention are: dipterans as vectors and the microbes they are capable of vectoring. Because it is the front-end of the fly that first encounters these microbes, this review focuses on the legs, mouthparts, and foregut, which includes the crop as major structures involved in dipteran vectoring ability. The legs and mouthparts are generally involved in mechanical transmission of microbes. However, the crop is involved in more than just mechanical transmission, for it is within the lumen of the crop that microbes are taken up with the meal of the fly, stored, and it is within the lumen that horizontal transmission of bacterial resistance has been demonstrated. In addition to storage of microbes, the crop is also involved in depositing the microbes via a process known as regurgitation. Various aspects of crop regulation are discussed and specific examples of crop involvement with microorganisms are discussed. The importance of biofilm and biofilm formation are presented, as well as, some physical parameters of the crop that might either facilitate or inhibit biofilm formation. Finally, there is a brief discussion of dipteran model systems for studying crop microbe interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Stoffolano
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
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Lu K, Wang Y, Chen X, Zhang X, Li W, Cheng Y, Li Y, Zhou J, You K, Song Y, Zhou Q, Zeng R. Adipokinetic Hormone Receptor Mediates Trehalose Homeostasis to Promote Vitellogenin Uptake by Oocytes in Nilaparvata lugens. Front Physiol 2019; 9:1904. [PMID: 30687120 PMCID: PMC6338042 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipokinetic hormones (AKHs) are well known to mobilize lipids and carbohydrates for energy-consuming activities in insects. These neuropeptides exert their functions by interacting with AKH receptors (AKHRs) located on the plasma membrane of fat body cells, which regulates energy mobilization by stimulating lipolysis of triacylglycerols (TAG) to diacylglycerols (DAG) and conversion of glycogen into trehalose. Here, we investigated the roles of AKH/AKHR signaling system in trehalose metabolism and vitellogenesis during female reproduction in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. Knockdown of AKHR expression by RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in a decrease of the circulating trehalose in hemolymph and significantly increased levels of two trehalases in fat bodies, indicating that the modulation of hemolymph trehalose levels by AKHR may be mediated by regulating trehalose degradation. In addition, adult females that had been injected with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for AKHR exhibited delayed oocyte maturation, prolonged pre-oviposition period, as well as decline in egg number and reduction in fecundity. Considering that these phenotypes resulting from AKHR silencing are similar to those of vitellogenin receptor (VgR) RNAi, we further analyzed a possible connection between AKHR and vitellogenesis. Knockdown of AKHR showed no effects on the Vg synthesis in fat bodies, whereas it significantly reduced the levels of VgR in ovaries. With RNAi-females, we observed an increase of Vg accumulation in hemolymph and a decrease of Vg deposition in ovaries. Moreover, the decrease in VgR expression and Vg incorporation by developing oocytes could be partially rescued by injection of trehalose into AKHR RNAi females. The present study has implicated trehalose in the AKH/AKHR signaling-mediated control of reproduction and provided new insight into mechanisms of AKH/AKHR regulation of trehalose metabolism in insect vitellogenesis, oocyte maturation and fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Lu
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xia Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenru Li
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yibei Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yue Li
- College of Crop Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jinming Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Keke You
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Song
- College of Crop Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rensen Zeng
- College of Crop Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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Lu K, Zhang X, Chen X, Li Y, Li W, Cheng Y, Zhou J, You K, Zhou Q. Adipokinetic Hormone Receptor Mediates Lipid Mobilization to Regulate Starvation Resistance in the Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1730. [PMID: 30555355 PMCID: PMC6281999 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid storage must be efficiently mobilized to sustain the energy demands during processes of exercise or starvation. In insects, adipokinetic hormone (AKH) and brummer lipase are well-known regulators of lipid mobilization. We recently demonstrated that brummer-dependent lipolysis regulates starvation resistance in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, one of the most destructive rice pests. The present work investigated the roles of the AKH signaling system in lipid mobilization during the starvation process in N. lugens. NlAKHR is a typical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and possesses high structure and sequence similarity to other insect AKHRs. Spatial and developmental expression profiles suggested that NlAKH is released from the corpora cardiaca to activate NlAKHR mainly expressed in the fat body. Starvation significantly induced the expression of NlAKH and NlAKHR, indicating a potential role of the AKH signaling system in starvation resistance. To reveal the functions of the AKH signaling system, a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated knockdown of NlAKHR and NlAKH peptide injection was performed. The results show NlAKHR silencing decreased the levels of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) in the hemolymph and increased triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in the fat body, whereas NlAKH injection led to a critical accumulation of DAG in the hemolymph and a severe reduction of TAG content in the fat body. Knockdown of NlAKHR resulted in prolonged lifespan and high levels of whole-body TAG, indicating an inability to mobilize TAG reserves during starvation. Conversely, the NlAKH injection reduced the survival and accelerated TAG mobilization during starvation, which further confirms the role of NlAKH in lipolysis. Moreover, NlAKHR silencing caused obesity in N. lugens, whereas NlAKH injection depleted organismal TAG reserves in vivo and produced a slim phenotype. These results indicate that lipid mobilization is regulated by the AKH signaling system, which is essential for adjusting body lipid homeostasis and ensuring energy supplement during starvation in N. lugens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xia Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yue Li
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wenru Li
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yibei Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jinming Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Keke You
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Marchal E, Schellens S, Monjon E, Bruyninckx E, Marco HG, Gäde G, Vanden Broeck J, Verlinden H. Analysis of Peptide Ligand Specificity of Different Insect Adipokinetic Hormone Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020542. [PMID: 29439466 PMCID: PMC5855764 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) is a highly researched insect neuropeptide that induces the mobilization of carbohydrates and lipids from the fat body at times of high physical activity, such as flight and locomotion. As a naturally occurring ligand, AKH has undergone quite a number of amino acid changes throughout evolution, and in some insect species multiple AKHs are present. AKH acts by binding to a rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor, which is related to the vertebrate gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors. In the current study, we have cloned AKH receptors (AKHRs) from seven different species, covering a wide phylogenetic range of insect orders: the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera); the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, and the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis (Coleoptera); the honeybee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera); the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera); and the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera). The agonistic activity of different insect AKHs, including the respective endogenous AKHs, at these receptors was tested with a bioluminescence-based assay in Chinese hamster ovary cells. All receptors were activated by their endogenous ligand in the nanomolar range. Based on our data, we can refute the previously formulated hypothesis that a functional AKH signaling system is absent in the beneficial species, Apis mellifera. Furthermore, our data also suggest that some of the investigated AKH receptors, such as the mosquito AKHR, are more selective for the endogenous (conspecific) ligand, while others, such as the locust AKHR, are more promiscuous and can be activated by AKHs from many other insects. This information will be of high importance when further analyzing the potential use of AKHRs as targets for developing novel pest control agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Marchal
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sam Schellens
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Emilie Monjon
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Evert Bruyninckx
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Heather G Marco
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch ZA-7700, South Africa.
| | - Gerd Gäde
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch ZA-7700, South Africa.
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Heleen Verlinden
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Hou QL, Chen EH, Jiang HB, Wei DD, Gui SH, Wang JJ, Smagghe G. Adipokinetic hormone receptor gene identification and its role in triacylglycerol mobilization and sexual behavior in the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis). INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 90:1-13. [PMID: 28919559 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Energy homeostasis requires continuous compensation for fluctuations in energy expenditure and availability of food resources. In insects, energy mobilization is under control of the adipokinetic hormone (AKH) where it is regulating the nutritional status by supporting the mobilization of lipids. In this study, we characterized the gene coding for the AKH receptor (AKHR) and investigated its function in the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) that is economically one of the most important pest insects of tropical and subtropical fruit. Bacdo-AKHR is a typical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that Bacdo-AKHR is closely related to insect AKHRs from other species. When expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, Bacdo-AKHR exhibited a high sensitivity and selectivity for AKH peptide (EC50 = 19.3 nM). Using qPCR, the developmental stage and tissue-specific expression profiles demonstrated that Bacdo-AKHR was highly expressed in both the larval and adult stages, and also specifically in the fat body and midgut of the adult with no difference in sex. To investigate the role of AKHR in B. dorsalis, RNAi assays were performed with dsRNA against Bacdo-AKHR in adult flies of both sexes and under starvation and feeding condition. As major results, the knockdown of this gene resulted in triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation. With RNAi-males, we observed a severe decrease in their sexual courtship activity when starved, but there was a partial rescue in copulation when refed. Also in RNAi-males, the tethered-flight duration declined compared with the control group when starved, which is confirming the dependency on energy metabolism. In RNAi-females, the sexual behavior was not affected, but their fecundity was decreased. Our findings indicate an interesting role of AKHR in the sexual behavior of males specifically. The effects are associated with TAG accumulation, and we also reported that the conserved role of AKH-mediated system in B. dorsalis is nutritional state-dependent. Hence, we provided further understanding on the multiple functions of AKH/AKHR in B. dorsalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Li Hou
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Er-Hu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Hong-Bo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Dan-Dan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Shun-Hua Gui
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China.
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Department of Crop Protection, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Marco HG, Verlinden H, Vanden Broeck J, Gäde G. Characterisation and pharmacological analysis of a crustacean G protein-coupled receptor: the red pigment-concentrating hormone receptor of Daphnia pulex. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6851. [PMID: 28761110 PMCID: PMC5537346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06805-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This is the first pharmacological characterisation of a neuropeptide G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) in a crustacean. We cloned the ORF of the red pigment-concentrating hormone from a German strain of Daphnia pulex (Dappu-RPCH), as well as that of the cognate receptor (Dappu-RPCHR). Dappu-RPCHR has the hallmarks of the rhodopsin superfamily of GPCRs, and is more similar to insect adipokinetic hormone (AKH) receptor sequences than to receptor sequences for AKH/corazonin-like peptide or corazonin. We provide experimental evidence that Dappu-RPCH specifically activates the receptor (EC50 value of 65 pM) in a mammalian cell-based bioluminescence assay. We further characterised the properties of the ligands for the Dappu-RPCHR by investigating the activities of a variety of naturally-occurring peptides (insect AKH and crustacean RPCH peptides). The insect AKHs had lower EC50 values than the crustacean RPCHs. In addition, we tested a series of Dappu-RPCH analogues, where one residue at a time is systematically replaced by an alanine to learn about the relative importance of the termini and side chains for activation. Mainly amino acids in positions 1 to 4 and 8 of Dappu-RPCH appear responsible for effective activation of Dappu-RPCHR. The substitution of Phe4 in Dappu-RPCH had the most damaging effect on its agonistic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather G Marco
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa.
| | - Heleen Verlinden
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gerd Gäde
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
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