Regulation of hemolymph trehalose level by an insulin-like peptide through diel feeding rhythm of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua

Unravelling the Role of Insulin-Like Peptide Genes in Bombyx mori: Potential Key Regulators of Insect Metabolism

Understanding gene expression in specific tissues and their modulation under environmental stimuli, such as nutritional deficiency, reveals the key physiological regulatory mechanisms of an organism. This study examined the tissue-specific expression of insulin-like peptide (ILP) genes (BmX and BmZ) in Bombyx mori larvae and their responses to hyperglycaemia, food deprivation and hormonal (20-hydroxyecdysone and bovine insulin) treatments. mRNA expression levels of BmX and BmZ were analyzed in the brain, fat body, midgut and ovary. The results revealed that BmX was highly expressed in the fat body, while both genes were abundant in the ovary. Hyperglycaemia increased BmX mRNA expression level in the midgut (3.07-fold) and brain (7.53-fold), while BmZ mRNA expression level was increased in all tissues except the midgut. Nutrient deficiency upregulated BmX mRNA expression level (1.36-fold) in the fat body while reducing it (-0.53-fold) in the midgut. Food deprivation progressively increased (0.77-fold at 24 h and 2.34-fold at 72 h) BmX mRNA expression level in the fat body, while both BmX and BmZ transcripts declined in the midgut. Insulin suppressed BmX (-0.25-fold) and BmZ (-0.91-fold) mRNA expression levels in food-deprived larvae in the fat body, whereas 20E consistently downregulated BmX, BmZ, and BmInR (insulin receptor) mRNA expression levels in all the conditions. These findings revealed the complex interaction of gene expression, tissue specificity, and environmental factors in B. mori larvae and provided insights into adaptive responses to nutritional stress and hormonal regulation in the insect with potential applications in sericulture and agricultural biotechnology.

Insights on the nutritional ecology of a nocturnal pollinating insect

Nutritional ecology examines the environmental effects on nutritional needs, food intake and foraging behaviors, and the use of nutrients ingested by animals. Adults of many insects' species feed on nectars rich in sugars allowing them to match the nutritional needs necessary for reproduction. Among insects, Lepidoptera are often considered opportunistic foragers that visit a wide variety of available flowers, although with some preferences. While nutritional ecology of diurnal Lepidoptera is beginning to be explored, very little work focuses on nocturnal species because they are complicated to study in the wild. To address this, we used new laboratory approaches to study feeding behaviors (number and duration of visits to artificial flowers, food preferences associated with the texture and odors of the flowers) as well as gustatory detection by antennae (proboscis extension reflex) in the male crop pest moth Agrotis ipsilon. We showed that (i) food responsiveness is age-dependent and increases mainly with sugar quantity and marginally with sugar quality, (ii) diet quality impacts feeding behaviors in the first days of adulthood, and (iii) male moths choose their food through floral cues. Taken together, these data allow to define this species as a generalist forager with a preference for flowers with sugary nectars rich in sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Our results thus provide considerable information on the close links between food sources and nutritional ecology in this species, which is important for guiding future studies on their behavioral ecology, population dynamics, as well as for population monitoring and for regional pest management.

Identification and Characterization of a Novel Insulin-like Receptor (LvRTK2) Involved in Regulating Growth and Glucose Metabolism of the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The insulin receptor (IR) plays a crucial role in the growth and metabolism of animals. However, there are still many questions regarding the IR in crustaceans, particularly their role in shrimp growth and glucose metabolism. In this study, we identified a novel insulin-like receptor gene in Litopenaeus vannamei and cloned its full length of 6439 bp. This gene exhibited a highly conserved sequence and structural characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed it as an unreported RTK2-type IR, namely, LvRTK2. Expression pattern analysis showed that LvRTK2 is primarily expressed in female reproductive and digestive organs. Through a series of in vivo and in vitro experiments, including glucose treatment, exogenous insulin treatment, and starvation treatment, LvRTK2 was confirmed to be involved in the endogenous glucose metabolic pathway of shrimp under different glucose variations. Moreover, long-term and short-term interference experiments with LvRTK2 revealed that the interference significantly reduced the shrimp growth rate and serum glucose clearance rate. Further studies indicated that LvRTK2 may regulate shrimp growth by modulating the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and a series of glucose metabolism events, such as glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogen synthesis, and glycogenolysis. This report on the characteristics and functions of LvRTK2 confirms the important role of RTK2-type IRs in regulating shrimp growth and glucose metabolism.

Response of the serine/threonine kinase AKT and phosphoinositide-dependent kinase PDK in Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to three kinds of foods and their regulation of reproductive function

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) is a typical omnivorous insect that feeds on host plants, pollens and mite eggs, and poses a threat to crops worldwide. The insulin signalling pathway (ISP) is a typical nutrient-sensitive pathway that participates in the regulation of various functions in insects. Serine/threonine kinases (AKTs) and phosphoinositide-dependent kinases (PDKs) are key components of the ISP. In this study, the FoAKT and FoPDK genes in F. occidentalis were cloned, and the effects of three foods on their expression were determined. The expression of FoAKT and FoPDK in the thrips fed on kidney bean leaves supplemented with pine pollen or mite eggs was higher than in those primarily fed on leaves alone. Meanwhile, the fecundity of thrips fed on leaves supplemented with pine pollen was highest. In addition, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of FoAKT and FoPDK decreased vitellogenin (Vg) content and Vg expression in females, shortened ovariole length, delayed egg development and reduced fecundity and offspring hatching rates. Furthermore, the synthesis of juvenile hormone (JH) was reduced, and the contents of glucose, trehalose, glycogen and trehalase were affected. These results suggest that FoAKT and FoPDK regulate the reproduction of F. occidentalis by regulating Vg and JH production as well as carbohydrate metabolism.

Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Function of Insulin-Related Peptide 1 (IRP1) in the Haliotis discus hanna

Abalone is a popular mollusk in the marine aquaculture industry of China. However, existing challenges, like slow growth, individual miniaturization, and the absence of abundant abalone, have emerged as significant obstacles impeding its long-term progress in aquaculture. Studies have demonstrated that insulin-related peptide (IRP) is a crucial factor in the growth of marine organisms. However, limited studies have been conducted on IRP in abalone. This study indicated that the hdh-MIRP1 open reading frame (ORF) was composed of 456 base pairs, which encoded 151 amino acids. Based on the gene expression and immunofluorescence analyses, the cerebral ganglion of Haliotis discus hannai (H. discus hannai) was the primary site of hdh-MIRP1 mRNA expression. Moreover, hdh-MIRP1 expression was observed to be higher in the larger group than in the smaller group abalones. Only single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was related to their growth characteristics. However, approximately 82 proteins that may interact with hdh-MIRP1 were identified. The functional enrichment analysis of the 82 genes indicated that hdh-MIRP1 may be involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism and the process of growth. This study established a benchwork for further investigating the role of IRP in the growth of abalone.

Regulation of feeding dynamics by the circadian clock, light and sex in an adult nocturnal insect

Animals invest crucial resources in foraging to support development, sustenance, and reproduction. Foraging and feeding behaviors are rhythmically expressed by most insects. Rhythmic behaviors are modified by exogenous factors like temperature and photoperiod, and internal factors such as the physiological status of the individual. However, the interactions between these factors and the circadian clock to pattern feeding behavior remains elusive. As Drosophila, a standard insect model, spends nearly all its life on food, we rather chose to focus on the adults of a non-model insect, Agrotis ipsilon, a nocturnal cosmopolitan crop pest moth having structured feeding activity. Our study aimed to explore the impact of environmental cues on directly measured feeding behavior rhythms. We took advantage of a new experimental set-up, mimicking an artificial flower, allowing us to specifically monitor feeding behavior in a naturalistic setting, e.g., the need to enter a flower to get food. We show that the frequency of flower visits is under the control of the circadian clock in males and females. Feeding behavior occurs only during the scotophase, informed by internal clock status and external photic input, and females start to visit flowers earlier than males. Shorter duration visits predominate as the night progresses. Importantly, food availability reorganizes the microstructure of feeding behavior, revealing its plasticity. Interestingly, males show a constant number of daily visits during the 5 days of adult life whereas females decrease visitations after the third day of adult life. Taken together, our results provide evidence that the rhythmicity of feeding behavior is sexually dimorphic and controlled by photoperiodic conditions through circadian clock-dependent and independent pathways. In addition, the use of the new experimental set-up provides future opportunities to examine the regulatory mechanisms of feeding behavior paving the way to investigate complex relationships between feeding, mating, and sleep-wake rhythms in insects.

Identification and functional characterization of insulin-like peptides in a pine beetle

Insulin - including insulin-like peptides (ILPs), relaxins and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) - is an evolutionarily conserved hormone in all metazoans It is involved in various physiological processes, such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, lifespan and stress resistance. However, there are no reports on the functional role of ILPs in the Chinese white pine beetle, Dendroctonus armandi. In this study, we have cloned and identified two ILP cDNAs in D. armandi. The expression levels of DaILP1 and DaILP2 were significantly changed in different developmental stages. Both ILPs were expressed mostly in the head and fat body. Moreover, starvation induces the reduction of ILP1 mRNA level in adults and larvae, while ILP2 only in larvae of D. armandi, respectively. Additionally, RNA-interference (RNAi) using double stranded RNA to knock down ILP1 and ILP2 reduced the mRNA levels of the target genes, and caused a significant reduction in body weight of D. armandi. Moreover, silencing ILP1 led to an increase of trehalose and glycogen and significantly enhanced starvation resistance in both adults and larvae. The results show that the ILP signaling pathway plays a significant role in growth and carbohydrate metabolism of D. armandi and may provide a potential molecular target for pest control.

Effects of insulin-like peptide 7 in Bemisia tabaci MED on tomato chlorosis virus transmission

BACKGROUND

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) is a semi-persistent plant virus that is primarily transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). It causes a serious disease that lowers tomato yield. Insulin-like peptide (ILP), an insulin homolog, regulates trehalose metabolism in a variety of insects. In a previous study, we discovered that trehalose metabolism is required for whiteflies to transmit ToCV effectively. Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing revealed that the BtILP7 gene was highly expressed in B. tabaci infected with ToCV. Therefore, the whitefly ILP7 gene may facilitate the transmission of ToCV and be an attractive target for the control of whiteflies and subsequently ToCV.

RESULTS

The ToCV content in B. tabaci MED was found to be correlated with BtILP7 gene expression. Subsequent RNA interference (RNAi) of the BtILP7 gene had a significant impact on B. tabaci MED's trehalose metabolism and reproductive capacity, as well as ability to transmit ToCV.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the BtILP7 gene was closely related to ToCV transmission by regulating trehalose metabolism and reproduction behavior, thus providing a secure and environmentally friendly management strategy for the control of whiteflies and ToCV-caused disease. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bombyxin-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis in relation to sugar transporter/trehalase expressions in Bombyx prothoracic glands

Our previous studies showed that bombyxin stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis in Bombyx mori prothoracic glands (PGs) during a long-term incubation period in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt-dependent manner. In the present study, we further investigated the downstream signaling cascade in bombyxin-stimulated PGs. Our results showed that upon treatment with bombyxin, expression levels of the sugar transport 1 (St1) and St4 genes and trehalase 1 (Treh1) gene, but not ecdysteroid biosynthesis genes were greatly enhanced compared to the controls. Treatment with LY294002 (an inhibitor of PI3K) reduced the enhanced St1 and Treh1 expression levels, clearly indicating the involvement of PI3K. Treatment with 1 mM of mpV(pic) (a potent inhibitor of protein phosphotyrosine phosphatase and activator of insulin receptor (InR) kinase) also stimulated expression levels of the St1 and Treh1 genes, thus further confirming the involvement of the InR. Determining Treh enzyme activity showed that bombyxin treatment stimulated Treh enzyme activity in time- and PI3K-dependent manners. Validamycin A (a Treh inhibitor) blocked bombyxin-stimulated Treh enzyme activity and partly decreased bombyxin-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis. A specific sugar transport inhibitor (cytochalasin B) and a glycolysis inhibitor (2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)) also reduced bombyxin-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis. Taken together, these results indicated that increased expressions of Sts and Treh1 and enhanced Treh enzyme activity downstream of InR/PI3K are involved in bombyxin-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis in B. mori PGs.

Knockout of cryptochrome 1 disturbs the locomotor circadian rhythm and development of Plutella xylostella

Cryptochrome 1 (CRY1) functions as a light-responsive photoreceptor, which is crucial for circadian rhythms. The identity and function of CRY1 in Plutella xylostella remain unknown. In this study, cry1 was cloned and identified in P. xylostella. Then, a cry1-knockout strain (Cry1-KO) of P. xylostella with a 2-bp deletion was established from the strain Geneva 88 (G88) using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. No daily temporal oscillation of cry1 was observed in G88 and Cry1-KO, and cry1 mean daily transcription of Cry1-KO was lower than that of G88. Both G88 and Cry1-KO demonstrated rhythmic locomotion under the light/dark condition with Cry1-KO being more active than G88 in the daytime, whereas Cry1-KO completely lost rhythmicity under constant darkness. The developmental period of pre-adult of Cry1-KO was longer than that of G88; the lifespan of the Cry1-KO male adult was shorter than that of G88; the fecundity of Cry1-KO was lower than that of G88; and Cry1-KO showed lower intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproduction rate (R₀ ), finite increase rate (λ), and longer mean generation time (T) than G88. Our results indicate that cry1 is involved in the regulation of locomotor circadian rhythm and development in P. xylostella, providing a potential target gene for controlling the pest and a basis for further investigation on circadian rhythms in lepidopterans.

Metformin-induced AMPK activation suppresses larval growth and molting probably by disrupting 20E synthesis and glycometabolism in fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea Drury

Metformin, considered to be a potent AMPK activator, is widely used for clinical therapy of cancer and diabetes due to its distinct function in regulating cell energy balance and body metabolism. However, the effect of metformin-induced AMPK activation on the growth and development of insects remains largely unknown. In the present study, we focused on the role of metformin in regulating the growth and development of Hyphantria cunea, a notorious defoliator in the forestry. Firstly, we obtained the complete coding sequences of HcAMPKα2, HcAMPKβ1, HcAMPKγ2 from H. cunea, which encoded a protein of 512, 281, and 680 amino acids respectively. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that these three subunits were highly homologous with the AMPK subunits from other lepidopteran species. According to the bioassay, we found metformin remarkably restrained the growth and development of H. cunea larvae, and caused molting delayed and body weight reduced. In addition, expressions of HcAMPKα2, HcAMPKβ1, and HcAMPKγ2 were upregulated 3.30-, 5.93- and 5.92-folds at 24 h after treatment, confirming that metformin activated AMPK signaling at the transcriptional level in H. cunea larvae. Conversely, the expressions of two vital Halloween genes (HcCYP306A1 and HcCYP314A1) in the 20E synthesis pathway were remarkably suppressed by metformin. Thus, we presumed that metformin delayed larval molting probably by impeding 20E synthesis in the H. cunea larvae. Finally, we found that metformin accelerated glycogen breakdown, elevated in vivo trehalose level, promoted chitin synthesis, and upregulated transcriptions of the genes in chitin synthesis pathway. Taken together, the findings provide a new insight into the molecular mechanisms by which AMPK regulates carbohydrate metabolism and chitin synthesis in insects.

The Role of Insulin-like Peptide in Maintaining Hemolymph Glucose Homeostasis in the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Insulin-like peptide (ILP) has been identified in various crustaceans, but whether it has a similar function in regulating hemolymph glucose as vertebrate insulin is unclear. We analyzed the components of hemolymph sugar in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and investigated the changes of hemolymph glucose concentration and the expressions of ILP and glucose metabolism genes under different treatments. We found glucose was a major component of hemolymph sugar in shrimp. Starvation caused hemolymph glucose to rise first and then decline, and the raised hemolymph glucose after exogenous glucose injection returned to basal levels within a short time, indicating that shrimp have a regulatory mechanism to maintain hemolymph glucose homeostasis. In addition, injections of bovine insulin and recombinant LvILP protein both resulted in a fast decline in hemolymph glucose. Notably, RNA interference of LvILP did not significantly affect hemolymph glucose levels, but it inhibited exogenous glucose clearance. Based on the detection of glucose metabolism genes, we found LvILP might maintain hemolymph glucose stability by regulating the expression of these genes. These results suggest that ILP has a conserved function in shrimp similar to insulin in vertebrates and plays an important role in maintaining hemolymph glucose homeostasis.

The Circadian Clock in Lepidoptera

With approximately 160,000 identified species of butterflies and moths, Lepidoptera are among the most species-rich and diverse insect orders. Lepidopteran insects have fundamental ecosystem functions as pollinators and valuable food sources for countless animals. Furthermore, Lepidoptera have a significant impact on the economy and global food security because many species in their larval stage are harmful pests of staple food crops. Moreover, domesticated species such as the silkworm Bombyx mori produce silk and silk byproducts that are utilized by the luxury textile, biomedical, and cosmetics sectors. Several Lepidoptera have been fundamental as model organisms for basic biological research, from formal genetics to evolutionary studies. Regarding chronobiology, in the 1970s, Truman's seminal transplantation experiments on different lepidopteran species were the first to show that the circadian clock resides in the brain. With the implementation of molecular genetics, subsequent studies identified key differences in core components of the molecular circadian clock of Lepidoptera compared to the dipteran Drosophila melanogaster, the dominant insect species in chronobiological research. More recently, studies on the butterfly Danaus plexippus have been fundamental in characterizing the interplay between the circadian clock and navigation during the seasonal migration of this species. Moreover, the advent of Next Generation Omic technologies has resulted in the production of many publicly available datasets regarding circadian clocks in pest and beneficial Lepidoptera. This review presents an updated overview of the molecular and anatomical organization of the circadian clock in Lepidoptera. We report different behavioral circadian rhythms currently identified, focusing on the importance of the circadian clock in controlling developmental, mating and migration phenotypes. We then describe the ecological importance of circadian clocks detailing the complex interplay between the feeding behavior of these organisms and plants. Finally, we discuss how the characterization of these features could be useful in both pest control, and in optimizing rearing of beneficial Lepidoptera.

Insulin-Like Peptide and FoxO Mediate the Trehalose Catabolism Enhancement during the Diapause Termination Period in the Chinese Oak Silkworm (Antheraea pernyi)

Simple Summary

In insects, the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signalling (IIS) pathway regulates the carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms, and plays important roles in diapause regulation. Trehalose accumulates in many diapausing insects, as it is a major carbohydrate reserve and a stress protectant. Because of metabolism depression, the trehalose concentration is maintained at relatively high levels over the diapause phase. In the present study, bovine insulin injection triggered diapause termination and synchronous eclosion in Antheraea pernyi pupae. Moreover, treatment with bovine insulin elevated the trehalose catabolism in diapausing pupae. As a homologue of vertebrate insulin, insulin-like peptide (ApILP) enhances the trehalose catabolism during the diapause termination process. The transcription factor forkhead box O (ApFoxO)—the downstream target of the IIS pathway—exhibited a contrasting effect on the trehalose catabolism to that of ApILP. These results suggest that ApILP and ApFoxO are involved in the regulation of trehalose catabolism during diapause termination in A. pernyi pupae.

Abstract

In insects, trehalose accumulation is associated with the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signalling (IIS) pathway. However, whether insulin-like peptide is involved in the regulation of the trehalose metabolism during diapause termination remains largely unknown. This study assessed whether insulin-like peptide (ApILP) enhances the trehalose catabolism in the pupae of Antheraeapernyi during their diapause termination process. Injection of 10 μg of bovine insulin triggered diapause termination and synchronous adult eclosion in diapausing pupae. Moreover, treatment with bovine insulin increased the expression of trehalase 1A (ApTre-1A) and trehalase 2 (ApTre-2), as well as the activity of soluble and membrane-bound trehalase, resulting in a decline in trehalose levels in the haemolymph. Silencing ApILP via RNA interference significantly suppressed the expression of ApTre-1A and ApTre-2, thus leading to an increase in the trehalose concentration during diapause termination. However, neither injection with bovine insulin nor ApILP knockdown directly affected trehalase 1B (ApTre-1B) expression. Moreover, overexpression of the transcription factor forkhead box O (ApFoxO) induced an increase in trehalose levels during diapause termination; however, depletion of ApFoxO accelerated the breakdown of trehalose in diapausing pupae by increasing the expression of ApTre-1A and ApTre-2. The results of this study help to understand the contributions of ApILP and ApFoxO to the trehalose metabolism during diapause termination.

Insulin-Like Peptides and Cross-Talk With Other Factors in the Regulation of Insect Metabolism

The insulin-like peptide (ILP) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signalling pathways play a crucial role in the regulation of metabolism, growth and development, fecundity, stress resistance, and lifespan. ILPs are encoded by multigene families that are expressed in nervous and non-nervous organs, including the midgut, salivary glands, and fat body, in a tissue- and stage-specific manner. Thus, more multidirectional and more complex control of insect metabolism can occur. ILPs are not the only factors that regulate metabolism. ILPs interact in many cross-talk interactions of different factors, for example, hormones (peptide and nonpeptide), neurotransmitters and growth factors. These interactions are observed at different levels, and three interactions appear to be the most prominent/significant: (1) coinfluence of ILPs and other factors on the same target cells, (2) influence of ILPs on synthesis/secretion of other factors regulating metabolism, and (3) regulation of activity of cells producing/secreting ILPs by various factors. For example, brain insulin-producing cells co-express sulfakinins (SKs), which are cholecystokinin-like peptides, another key regulator of metabolism, and express receptors for tachykinin-related peptides, the next peptide hormones involved in the control of metabolism. It was also shown that ILPs in Drosophila melanogaster can directly and indirectly regulate AKH. This review presents an overview of the regulatory role of insulin-like peptides in insect metabolism and how these factors interact with other players involved in its regulation.

The feeding status regulates the action of insulin and 20-hydroxyecdysone on haemolymph trehalose level in Bombyx larvae

Insulin in mammals is known for its effect on carbohydrate metabolism and maintenance of blood sugar levels. In the present study, we explored the effect of exogenous insulin and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) on carbohydrate metabolism in Bombyx mori under the fed and food-deprived conditions. The study showed that insulin and 20E regulate the trehalose (major circulating sugar) level in B. mori, and larval feeding status plays a decisive role in influencing the action of these two hormones. At feeding, both insulin and 20E showed its hypertrehalosemic action but at food deprivation, these hormones acted as hypotrehalosemic factors. Although both insulin and 20E showed the same effect on the haemolymph trehalose level either at feeding or food deprivation, the metabolic regulation was different for these two hormones. Insulin treatment to fed larvae increased the haemolymph trehalose level without altering the effectiveness of trehalose utilization but possibly by inducing the activity of glycogen phosphorylase enzyme and releasing glucose-1-P for the increased synthesis of trehalose. The treatment of 20E to fed larvae also increased the trehalose level, but concurrently it also increased both the enzyme activity of trehalase and glycogen phosphorylase. Insulin treatment to food-deprived larvae decreased the circulating trehalose level by increasing the trehalose breakdown as the mRNA expression level of trehalase-2 and enzyme activity of trehalase increased in these larvae. The treatment of 20E to food-deprived larvae decreased the haemolymph trehalose possibly by decreasing its synthesis, as glycogen phosphorylase enzyme activity decreased in these larvae, thus restricting the availability of glucose-1-P for trehalose synthesis. The study, thus suggests that both insulin and 20E regulate carbohydrate metabolism in B. mori.

Regulation of a Trehalose-Specific Facilitated Transporter (TRET) by Insulin and Adipokinetic Hormone in Rhodnius prolixus, a Vector of Chagas Disease

Using the blood-sucking kissing bug, Rhodnius prolixus as an experimental model, we have studied the involvement of insulin-like peptides (ILPs) and adipokinetic hormone (AKH) signaling in carbohydrate metabolism, focusing on the regulation of the trehalose-specific facilitated transporter (Rhopr-TRET), particularly in the ovaries. We find that trehalose stores in ovaries increase after feeding, synchronously with the beginning of vitellogenesis, but that the transcript expression of enzymes involved in trehalose synthesis show no changes between unfed and blood-fed animals. However, an eightfold increase in Rhopr-TRET transcript expression is observed in the ovaries post-blood meal. In vivo and ex vivo assays using exogenous insulins and Rhopr-AKH, reveal that Rhopr-TRET is up-regulated in ovaries by both peptide families. In accordance with these results, when ILP and AKH signaling cascades are impaired using RNA interference, Rhopr-TRET transcript is down-regulated. In addition, trehalose injection induces an up-regulation of Rhopr-TRET transcript expression and suggests an activation of insulin signaling. Overall, the results support the hypothesis of a direct trehalose uptake by ovaries from the hemolymph through Rhopr-TRET, regulated by ILP and/or AKH. We also show that Rhopr-TRET may work cooperatively with AKH signaling to support the release of trehalose from the ovaries into the hemolymph during the unfed (starved) condition. In conclusion, the results indicate that in females of R. prolixus, trehalose metabolism and its hormonal regulation by ILP and AKH play critical roles in adapting to different nutritional conditions and physiological states.

Roles of the PTP61F Gene in Regulating Energy Metabolism of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a negative regulator in the insulin signaling pathway. It belongs to a class of non-receptor phosphatases of protein tyrosine phosphatase and can catalyze the dephosphorylation of tyrosine to regulate cell differentiation, growth, and metabolism. However, few studies have focused on the role of PTP1B in regulating energy metabolism of insects. In this study, we investigated the expression profiles and the functions of a PTP1B gene (designated TcPTP61F) in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Quantitative real-time PCR analyzed showed that TcPTP61F was highly expressed in the pupal and adult stages. In adult tissues, TcPTP61F was prominently expressed in the tarsus and head. RNA interference-mediated silencing of TcPTP61F reduced the expression of eight genes in trehalose metabolic and glycolytic pathways. TcPTP61F depletion also caused a significant change in the distribution of trehalose, glucose, and glycogen. Additionally, knockdown of TcPTP61F inhibited the pyruvate kinase (PK) activity and significantly decreased the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level. The results suggest that TcPTP61F is indispensible for trehalose and energy metabolism of T. castaneum.

The Role of Peptide Hormones in Insect Lipid Metabolism

Lipids are the primary storage molecules and an essential source of energy in insects during reproduction, prolonged periods of flight, starvation, and diapause. The coordination center for insect lipid metabolism is the fat body, which is analogous to the vertebrate adipose tissue and liver. The fat body is primarily composed of adipocytes, which accumulate triacylglycerols in intracellular lipid droplets. Genomics and proteomics, together with functional analyses, such as RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9-targeted genome editing, identified various genes involved in lipid metabolism and elucidated their functions. However, the endocrine control of insect lipid metabolism, in particular the roles of peptide hormones in lipogenesis and lipolysis are relatively less-known topics. In the current review, the neuropeptides that directly or indirectly affect insect lipid metabolism are introduced. The primary lipolytic and lipogenic peptide hormones are adipokinetic hormone and the brain insulin-like peptides (ILP2, ILP3, ILP5). Other neuropeptides, such as insulin-growth factor ILP6, neuropeptide F, allatostatin-A, corazonin, leucokinin, tachykinins and limostatin, might stimulate lipolysis, while diapause hormone-pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide, short neuropeptide F, CCHamide-2, and the cytokines Unpaired 1 and Unpaired 2 might induce lipogenesis. Most of these peptides interact with one another, but mostly with insulin signaling, and therefore affect lipid metabolism indirectly. Peptide hormones are also involved in lipid metabolism during reproduction, flight, diapause, starvation, infections and immunity; these are also highlighted. The review concludes with a discussion of the potential of lipid metabolism-related peptide hormones in pest management.

Peptide Hormones in the Insect Midgut

Insects produce many peptide hormones that play important roles in regulating growth, development, immunity, homeostasis, stress, and other processes to maintain normal life. As part of the digestive system, the insect midgut is also affected by hormones secreted from the prothoracic gland, corpus allatum, and various neuronal cells; these hormones regulate the secretion and activity of insects’ digestive enzymes and change their feeding behaviors. In addition, the insect midgut produces certain hormones when it recognizes various components or pathogenic bacteria in ingested foods; concurrently, the hormones regulate other tissues and organs. In addition, intestinal symbiotic bacteria can produce hormones that influence insect signaling pathways to promote host growth and development; this interaction is the result of long-term evolution. In this review, the types, functions, and mechanisms of hormones working on the insect midgut, as well as hormones produced therein, are reviewed for future reference in biological pest control.

Secretion of secretory phospholipase A2 into Spodoptera exigua larval midgut lumen and its role in lipid digestion

In insects, lipid digestion is controversial because insects have no bile salts to solubilize dietary lipids. One hypothesis is that a secretory type of phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂ ) provides lysophospholipid (LPL) from dietary phospholipids (PLs). We identified a sPLA₂ , Se-sPLA₂ , in beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, that hydrolyses PLs at sn-2. Our goal was to investigate its role in lipid digestion. Se-sPLA₂ was expressed in the entire alimentary canal. Incubating the isolated midgut in a cell culture medium led to secretion of Se-sPLA₂ and other proteins. Ex vivo RNA interference (RNAi) of Se-sPLA₂ expression in isolated midgut culture led to significantly decreased Se-sPLA₂ secretion into the medium. Feeding double-stranded RNA specific to Se-sPLA₂ to larvae suppressed sPLA₂ activity in gut contents. A recombinant Se-sPLA₂ was susceptible to benzylideneacetone (BZA), a specific PLA₂ inhibitor. After feeding BZA to larvae, we recorded significant decreases in gut content sPLA₂ activity, body growth and total haemolymph lipid contents. RNAi against Se-sPLA₂ resulted in reduced digestibility. Addition of a specific LPL, 1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, to BZA-treated larvae rescued digestibility and larval growth. These results strongly bolster our hypothesis that Se-sPLA₂ secreted from the midgut acts in lipid digestion by providing necessary LPL to solubilize dietary neutral lipids.

Effects of starvation on respiratory metabolism and energy metabolism in the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Intermittent food shortages are commonly encountered in the wild. To cope with the threat of starvation, insects initiate a suite of behavioral activities and physiological countermeasures. The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, is a major agricultural pest worldwide, but how H. armigera modulates its metabolism under starvation remains ambiguous. In the present study, the respiratory rates (V̇_O2; ml g^-1 h^-1) from the third-larval instar to the pupal stage were first determined. Our results highlighted a transient rise during the larval-larval molt and larval-pupal transition, followed by a sharp decline in the pupal stage and, finally, an upward trend before eclosion. When subjected to food deprivation, the starved larvae experienced a significant decline in the rates of O₂ consumed and CO₂ produced, as well as in respiratory quotient (RQ) values, indicative of severe metabolic depression during starvation and a shift of metabolic substrates with prolonged starvation. For metabolic substrate analysis, an apparent decline in triglyceride and glycogen contents was observed in the starved larvae, and the hemolymph trehalose content was significantly reduced throughout starvation. In addition, comparative transcriptome analysis showed that 48 h of larval starvation caused substantial transcriptional regulations in several energetically costly processes, wherein the marked up-regulations were detected in the pathways of glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism. Overall, our work makes a comprehensive study on the respiratory rate and energy metabolism in the starved H. armigera larvae, and provides a deep insight into the physiological adaptive strategies to alleviate nutritional stress.

Toll/IMD signal pathways mediate cellular immune responses via induction of intracellular PLA 2 expression

Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂ ) hydrolyzes fatty acids from phospholipids at the sn-2 position. Two intracellular PLA₂ s, iPLA₂ A and iPLA₂ B, have been found in Spodoptera exigua. Both are calcium-independent cellular PLA₂ . Their orthologs have been found in other insects. These two iPLA₂ s are different in ankyrin motif of N terminal region. The objective of this study was to determine whether Toll/immune deficiency (IMD) signal pathways could mediate cellular immune responses via induction of iPLA₂ expression. Both iPLA ₂ s were expressed in all developmental stages of S. exigua, showing the highest expression in the adult stage. During larval stage, hemocyte is the main tissue showing expression of these iPLA₂ s. Both iPLA₂ s exhibited similar expression patterns after immune challenge with different microbial pathogens such as virus, bacteria, and fungi. Promoter component analysis of orthologs encoded in S. frugiperda indicated nuclear factor-κB- and Relish-responsible elements on their promoters, suggesting their expression in S. exigua under Toll/IMD immune signaling pathways. RNA interference (RNAi) of MyD88 or Pelle under Toll pathway suppressed inducible expression levels of both iPLA₂ s in response to Gram-positive bacteria containing Lys-type peptidoglycan or fungal infection. In contrast, RNAi against Relish under IMD pathway suppressed both iPLA₂ s in response to infection with Gram-negative bacteria. Under RNAi conditions, hemocytes significantly lost cellular immune response measured by nodule formation. However, addition of arachidonic acid (a catalytic product of PLA₂ ) rescued such immunosuppression. These results suggest that Toll/IMD signal pathways can mediate cellular immune responses via eicosanoid signaling by inducing iPLA₂ expression.

Identification and expression analysis of the Spodoptera exigua neuropeptidome under different physiological conditions

Neuropeptides are small signalling molecules acting as neurohormones, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Being part of the chemical communication system between cells within an organism, they are involved in the regulation of different aspects of animal physiology and behaviour such as feeding, reproduction, development and locomotion. Transcriptomic data from larval and adult tissues have been obtained and mined to generate a comprehensive neuropeptidome for the polyphagous insect pest Spodoptera exigua. Sixty-three neuropeptides have been identified and described based on their tissue specificity and their regulation in response to different abiotic perturbations. Expression analyses have identified those neuropeptides involved in ingestive and digestive behaviour of S. exigua larvae and revealed a general pattern of upregulation in the midgut during larval starvation. Our results represent a comprehensive neuropeptidome of a lepidopteran species that will be highly relevant to future studies and provide novel information of the insect's perception of its environment.

Insulin-like peptides of the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata, and their mediation effects on hemolymph trehalose level, larval development, and adult reproduction

Insulin-like peptides (ILPs) of insects mediate various physiological processes including hemolymph sugar level, immature growth, female reproduction, and lifespan. In target cells of ILPs, insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) is highly conserved in animals. IIS in the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is known to be involved in maintaining hemolymph trehalose levels and promoting larval growth. However, ILPs in M. vitrata have not been reported yet. This study predicted two ILP genes of Mv-ILP1 and Mv-ILP2 from transcriptome of M. vitrata. Mv-ILP1 and Mv-ILP2 shared high sequence homologies and domain architecture with Drosophila ILPs. Both ILPs exhibited similar expression patterns in most developmental stages, showing high expression levels in adult stage. In the larval stage, Mv-ILP1 and Mv-IlP2 were expressed mostly in the brain and fat body. However, in the adult stage, both ILP genes were expressed more in the abdomen than those in the head containing the brain. RNA interference (RNAi) of either Mv-ILP1 or Mv-ILP2 during larval stage resulted in significant malfunctioning in regulating hemolymph trehalose titers. RNAi-treated larvae also exhibited significant retardation of larval growth. RNAi treatment in adult stage interfered with the ovarian development of females. These results suggest that Mv-ILP1 and Mv-ILP2 play crucial roles in mediating larval growth and adult reproduction.

Regulation of hemolymph trehalose titers by insulin signaling in the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

A disaccharide, trehalose, is a main hemolymph sugar of the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata larvae, but its titers fluctuated with feeding activity. During diurnal feeding in the photophase, hemolymph trehalose remained at a relatively low level (69 mM) and increased (98 mM) during scotophase. Starvation significantly increased the hemolymph trehalose level, in which the elevation of trehalose titers was dependent on the non-feeding period. The down-regulation of the trehalose level during the active feeding period seemed to result from mediation of the insulin/IGF signal (IIS). Injection of a porcine insulin suppressed the trehalose level in a dose-dependent manner. Genes associated with IIS of M. vitrata were predicted from its larval transcriptome, and their expression was confirmed in different developmental stages and tissues. All seven IIS genes selected were expressed in all developmental stages and different tissues. Silencing of four IIS genes (insulin receptor, Forkhead box O, a serine-threonine protein kinase, target of rapamycin) by RNA interference significantly modulated the hemolymph trehalose level. Starvation treatment changed expression of two trehalose metabolism-associated genes (trehalose phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalase (TRE)) as well as the IIS genes. Silencing of TPS or TRE expression significantly down- or up-regulated the hemolymph trehalose level, respectively. In addition, silencing of IIS genes altered both TPS and TRE expression, indicating a functional link between IIS and trehalose metabolism. These results suggest that nutrients obtained from feeding activate IIS of M. vitrata, which then down-regulates the hemolymph trehalose level by altering trehalose metabolism.

A Rhodnius prolixus Insulin Receptor and Its Conserved Intracellular Signaling Pathway and Regulation of Metabolism

The insulin signaling pathway is a modulator of metabolism in insects and can regulate functions associated with growth and development, as well as lipid and carbohydrate balance. We have previously reported the presence of an insulin-like peptide and an insulin-like growth factor in Rhodnius prolixus, which are involved in the homeostasis of lipids and carbohydrates in post-feeding and non-feeding periods. In the present study, we have characterized the first insulin receptor (IR) to be discovered in R. prolixus, Rhopr-IR, and investigated its intracellular signaling cascade and its role in nutrient control. We identified a candidate protein sequence within R. prolixus putative peptidome and predicted its conserved features using bioinformatics. Tissue-specific expression analyses indicated that the Rhopr-IR transcript is differentially-expressed in all tissues tested, with the highest values observed in the central nervous system (CNS). Treatment of insects with the IR kinase activator BpV(phen), glucose, or porcine insulin resulted in the activation of protein phosphorylation in the fat body, and stimulated the phosphorylation of protein kinase Akt, an evolutionarily conserved key regulator of the intracellular insulin signaling cascade. We also observed activation of Akt and phosphorylation of its downstream targets glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (GSK3β) and the transcription factor FOXO for several days following a blood meal. We used dsRNA to knockdown transcript expression and examined the resulting effects on metabolism and intracellular signaling. Furthermore, knockdown of the Rhopr-IR transcript increased lipid levels in the hemolymph, while reducing lipid content in the fat body. Interestingly, the levels of carbohydrates in the hemolymph and in the fat body did not show any alterations. The activation of Akt and phosphorylation of FOXO were also reduced in knockdown insects, while the phosphorylation pattern of GSK3β did not change. Our results support the identification of the first IR in R. prolixus and suggest that Rhopr-IR signaling is involved in hemolymph nutrient homeostasis and fat body storage both in post-feeding and in non-feeding stages. These metabolic effects are likely regulated by the activation of Akt and downstream cascades similar to mammalian insulin signaling pathways.

Circadian regulation of caterpillar feeding and growth

Circadian clocks orchestrate many physiological processes in adult organisms. For example, rhythmic feeding behavior is regulated by the central clock in the nervous system in coordination with metabolic rhythms, which in turn depend mostly on peripheral clocks localized in many tissues. Disruption of the circadian clock leads to metabolic dysregulation both in mammals and in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster. Circadian coordination of feeding and metabolism has been studied mainly in adult insects and not in larval stages, which are dramatically different from adults in species with complete full metamorphosis. The goal of this study was to determine whether feeding and metabolism in lepidopteran larvae are subject to circadian regulation. We show that cotton leafworm caterpillars, Spodoptera littoralis, display rhythmic feeding behavior and that circadian clock genes are expressed in two peripheral tissues, the midgut and fat body. Even though both tissues display rhythmic circadian clock gene expression, the main component of the clock, per, is arrhythmic in the gut and rhythmic in the fat body. In both tissues, the presence of rhythmic physiological processes was observed, which suggested that metabolism is already driven by the circadian clock in the insect's juvenile stages.

Effects of starvation on the carbohydrate metabolism in Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)

Trehalose plays an important role in energy storage, metabolism, and protection from extreme environmental conditions in insects. Trehalose is the main blood sugar in insects, and it can be rapidly used as an energy source in times of need. To elucidate the mechanisms of the starvation response, we observed the effects of starvation on trehalose and glycogen, trehalase activity, and the relative gene expression of genes in the trehalose and glycogen metabolic pathways in the invasive beetle Harmonia axyridis. Our results show that trehalose levels and the activities of two types of trehalases decreased significantly in the first 8 h of starvation, while the relative expression of HaTreh1-1 increased. While trehalose remained nearly constant at a relatively high level from 8 to 24 h, glycogen levels decreased significantly from 8 h to 24 h of starvation. Likewise, glycogen phosphorylase (HaGP) expression was significantly higher at 12 to 24 h starvation than the first 8 h, while the expression of glycogen synthase (HaGS) was relatively stable. Furthermore, trehalose decreased significantly from 24 h starvation to 72 h starvation, while trehalase activities and the relative expression of some HaTreh genes generally increased toward the end of the starvation period. The expression of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (HaTPS) increased significantly, supporting the increase in trehalose synthesis. These results show that trehalose plays a key role in the energy provided during the starvation process through the molecular and biochemical regulation of trehalose and glycogen metabolism.

Summary: Effects of starvation on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of carbohydrate metabolism were regulated by trehalose and glycogen metabolism genes' expression changed in Harmonia axyridis (Pallas).

Identification of a hypertrehalosemic factor in Spodoptera exigua

Trehalose is a major blood sugar in insects with a range of physiological functions, including an energy source and a cryoprotectant. Hemolymph trehalose concentrations are tightly regulated according to physiological conditions. An insulin-like peptide, SeILP1, downregulates hemolymph trehalose concentrations in Spodoptera exigua. Here, we identified a factor that upregulates hemolymph trehalose concentration in S. exigua. Hemolymph trehalose concentrations were significantly increased after immune challenge or under starvation in a time-dependent manner. To determine endocrine factors responsible for the upregulation, stress-associated mediators, such as octopamine, serotonin, or eicosanoids were injected, but they did not upregulate hemolymph trehalose. On the other hand, injection with Schistocerca gregaria adipokinetic hormone (AKH) significantly increased hemolymph trehalose concentration in S. exigua. During upregulation of hemolymph trehalose by AKH injection, trehalose degradation appeared to be inhibited because expression of trehalase and SeILP1 were significantly suppressed while that of trehalose phosphate synthase was not significantly changed. Interrogation of a Spodoptera genome database identified an S. exigua AKH-like gene and its expression was confirmed. During starvation, its expression concentrations were increased, although RNA interference specific to the AKH-like hypertrehalosemic factor (SeHTF) gene significantly prevented the upregulation of hemolymph trehalose concentrations during starvation. A synthetic peptide of SeHTF was prepared and injected into S. exigua larvae. At nanomolar concentration, the synthetic SeHTF peptide effectively upregulated hemolymph trehalose concentrations. Here we report a novel hypertrehalosemic factor in S. exigua (SeHTF).

Identification of the first insulin-like peptide in the disease vector Rhodnius prolixus: Involvement in metabolic homeostasis of lipids and carbohydrates

Insulin-like peptides (ILPs) are functional analogs of insulin and have been identified in many insect species. The insulin cell signaling pathway is a conserved regulator of metabolism, and in insects, as well as in other animals, can modulate physiological functions associated with the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. In the present study, we have identified the first ILP from the Rhodnius prolixus genome (termed Rhopr-ILP) and investigated its involvement in energy metabolism of unfed and recently fed fifth instars. We have cloned the cDNA sequence and analyzed the expression profile of the transcript, which is predominantly present in neurosecretory cells in the brain, similar to other insect ILPs. Using RNAi, we have reduced the expression of this peptide transcript by 90% and subsequently measured the carbohydrate and lipid levels in the hemolymph, fat body and leg muscles. Reduced levels of Rhopr-ILP transcript induced increased carbohydrate and lipid levels in the hemolymph and increased lipid content in the fat body, in unfed insects and recently fed insects. Also their fat bodies displayed enlarged lipid droplets within the cells. On the other hand, the carbohydrate content in the fat body and in the leg muscles of unfed insects were decreased when compared to control insects. Our results indicate that Rhopr-ILP is a modulator of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, probably through signaling the presence of available energy and nutrients in the hemolymph.