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Pistillo OM, D'Isita I, Di Palma A, Germinara GS. Identification of the Sex Pheromone of the Asparagus Moth, Parahypopta Caestrum (Lepidoptera, Cossidae). J Chem Ecol 2024:10.1007/s10886-024-01504-y. [PMID: 38767818 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-024-01504-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Chemical, electrophysiological, and field trapping experiments were carried out to identify the female-produced sex pheromone of the asparagus moth, Parahypopta caestrum, a very serious pests of asparagus cultivations in southern Europe. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and electroantennogram detection (GC-MS-EAD) analysis of hexane and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) extracts of sex pheromone glands of calling females consistently detected four compounds eliciting EAG responses in male moth antennae. According to their GC retention times, mass spectra, and comparative EAG analyses with reference standards, these EAD-active compounds were identified as (Z)-9-tetradecenol (Z9-14:OH), (Z)-5-tetradecenyl acetate (Z5-14:Ac), (Z)-7-tetradecenyl acetate (Z7-14:Ac), and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac), respectively. In the SPME extracts from the head-space of individual abdominal tips, Z9-14:Ac, Z5-14:Ac, Z7-14:Ac, and Z9:14 OH were detected in the ratio of 82:9:5:4. In EAG dose-response experiments, Z9-14:Ac was the strongest antennal stimulant at different doses tested. In field trapping experiments, Z9-14:Ac, Z7-14:Ac, and Z5-14:Ac proven to be essential for male attraction and a their 85:5:10 blend loaded onto green rubber septum dispensers was significantly more effective than single-, two-, and any other three-component blend of these compounds. The addition of Z9-14:OH to the optimal blend resulted in a significant reduction of male catches. The attractive blend here identified allowed for an effective and accurate monitoring of P. caestrum flight activity in southern Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onofrio Marco Pistillo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences & Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Isita
- Department of Agricultural Sciences & Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonella Di Palma
- Department of Agricultural Sciences & Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giacinto Salvatore Germinara
- Department of Agricultural Sciences & Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
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2
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Juteršek M, Gerasymenko IM, Petek M, Haumann E, Vacas S, Kallam K, Gianoglio S, Navarro-Llopis V, Heethoff M, Fuertes IN, Patron N, Orzáez D, Gruden K, Warzecha H, Baebler Š. Transcriptome-informed identification and characterization of Planococcus citri cis- and trans-isoprenyl diphosphate synthase genes. iScience 2024; 27:109441. [PMID: 38523795 PMCID: PMC10960109 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Insect physiology and reproduction depend on several terpenoid compounds, whose biosynthesis is mainly unknown. One enigmatic group of insect monoterpenoids are mealybug sex pheromones, presumably resulting from the irregular coupling activity of unidentified isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs). Here, we performed a comprehensive search for IDS coding sequences of the pest mealybug Planococcus citri. We queried the available genomic and newly generated short- and long-read P. citri transcriptomic data and identified 18 putative IDS genes, whose phylogenetic analysis indicates several gene family expansion events. In vitro testing confirmed regular short-chain coupling activity with five gene products. With the candidate with highest IDS activity, we also detected low amounts of irregular coupling products, and determined amino acid residues important for chain-length preference and irregular coupling activity. This work therefore provides an important foundation for deciphering terpenoid biosynthesis in mealybugs, including the sex pheromone biosynthesis in P. citri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojca Juteršek
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Iryna M. Gerasymenko
- Plant Biotechnology and Metabolic Engineering, Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Marko Petek
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Elisabeth Haumann
- Plant Biotechnology and Metabolic Engineering, Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sandra Vacas
- Instituto Agroforestal del Mediterráneo-CEQA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kalyani Kallam
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UZ, UK
| | - Silvia Gianoglio
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Navarro-Llopis
- Instituto Agroforestal del Mediterráneo-CEQA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia, Spain
| | - Michael Heethoff
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Nicola Patron
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UZ, UK
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Kristina Gruden
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Heribert Warzecha
- Plant Biotechnology and Metabolic Engineering, Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Špela Baebler
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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3
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Pei X, Bai T, Luo Y, Zhang Z, Li S, Fan Y, Liu TX. Acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase modulates lipogenesis and sugar homeostasis in Blattella germanica. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:387-404. [PMID: 37486126 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13245] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Lipid and sugar homeostasis is critical for insect development and survival. In this study, we characterized an acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase gene in Blattella germanica (BgACC) that is involved in both lipogenesis and sugar homeostasis. We found that BgACC was dominantly expressed in the fat body and integument, and was significantly upregulated after molting. Knockdown of BgACC in 5th-instar nymphs did not affect their normal molting to the next nymphal stage, but it caused a lethal phenotype during adult emergence. BgACC-RNA interference (RNAi) significantly downregulated total free fatty acid (FFA) and triacylglycerol (TAG) levels, and also caused a significant decrease of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). Repression of BgACC in adult females affected the development of oocytes and resulted in sterile females, but BgACC-RNAi did not affect the reproductive ability of males. Interestingly, knockdown of BgACC also changed the expression of insulin-like peptide genes (BgILPs), which mimicked a physiological state of high sugar uptake. In addition, BgACC was upregulated when B. germanica were fed on a high sucrose diet, and repression of BgACC upregulated the expression of the glycogen synthase gene (BgGlyS). Moreover, BgACC-RNAi increased the circulating sugar levels and glycogen storage, and a longevity assay suggested that BgACC was important for the survival of B. germanica under conditions of high sucrose uptake. Our results confirm that BgACC is involved in multiple lipid biogenesis and sugar homeostasis processes, which further modulates insect reproduction and sugar tolerance. This study benefits our understanding of the crosstalk between lipid and sugar metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojin Pei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Tiantian Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuan Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhanfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yongliang Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tong-Xian Liu
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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Thakur H, Agarwal S, Buček A, Hradecký J, Sehadová H, Mathur V, Togaev U, van de Kamp T, Hamann E, Liu RH, Verma KS, Li HF, Sillam-Dussès D, Engel MS, Šobotník J. Defensive glands in Stylotermitidae (Blattodea, Isoptera). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2024; 79:101346. [PMID: 38520874 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2024.101346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
The large abundance of termites is partially achieved by their defensive abilities. Stylotermitidae represented by a single extant genus, Stylotermes, is a member of a termite group Neoisoptera that encompasses 83% of termite species and 94% of termite genera and is characterized by the presence of the frontal gland. Within Neoisoptera, Stylotermitidae represents a species-poor sister lineage of all other groups. We studied the structure of the frontal, labral and labial glands in soldiers and workers of Stylotermes faveolus, and the composition of the frontal gland secretion in S. faveolus and Stylotermes halumicus. We show that the frontal gland is a small active secretory organ in soldiers and workers. It produces a cocktail of monoterpenes in soldiers, and some of these monoterpenes and unidentified proteins in workers. The labral and labial glands are developed similarly to other termite species and contribute to defensive activities (labral in both castes, labial in soldiers) or to the production of digestive enzymes (labial in workers). Our results support the importance of the frontal gland in the evolution of Neoisoptera. Toxic, irritating and detectable monoterpenes play defensive and pheromonal functions and are likely critical novelties contributing to the ecological success of these termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Thakur
- Department of Entomology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Surbhi Agarwal
- Animal Plant Interactions Lab, Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara College, Benito Juarez Marg, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, India
| | - Aleš Buček
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jaromír Hradecký
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Sehadová
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Branišovská 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Vartika Mathur
- Animal Plant Interactions Lab, Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara College, Benito Juarez Marg, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, India
| | - Ulugbek Togaev
- Academy of Science of Uzbekistan, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Thomas van de Kamp
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany; Laboratory for Applications of Synchrotron Radiation (LAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstr. 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Elias Hamann
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Ren-Han Liu
- Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402202, Taiwan
| | - Kuldeep S Verma
- Department of Entomology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Hou-Feng Li
- Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402202, Taiwan
| | - David Sillam-Dussès
- University Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology, LEEC, UR 4443, Villetaneuse, France.
| | - Michael S Engel
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 10024-5192, USA
| | - Jan Šobotník
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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5
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Shi L, Liu X, Liu H, Shan S, Shen S, Bai M, Lan H, Khashaveh A, Gu S, Zhang Y. Knockout of the delta11-desaturase SfruDES1 disrupts sex pheromone biosynthesis, mating and oviposition in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 200:105832. [PMID: 38582595 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Moth insects rely on sex pheromones for long distance attraction and searching for sex partners. The biosynthesis of moth sex pheromones involves the catalytic action of multiple enzymes, with desaturases playing a crucial role in the process of carbon chain desaturation. However, the specific desaturases involved in sex pheromone biosynthesis in fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, have not been clarified. In this study, a Δ11 desaturase (SfruDES1) gene in FAW was knocked out using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system. A homozygous mutant of SfruDES1 was obtained through genetic crosses. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis results showed that the three main sex pheromone components (Z7-12:Ac, Z9-14:Ac, and Z11-16:Ac) and the three minor components (Z9-14:Ald, E11-14:Ac and Z11-14:Ac) of FAW were not detected in homozygous mutant females compared to the wild type. Furthermore, behavioral assay demonstrated that the loss of SfruDES1 resulted in a significant reduction in the attractiveness of females to males, along with disruptions in mating behavior and oviposition. Additionally, in a heterologous expression system, recombinant SfruDES1 could introduce a cis double bond at the Δ11 position in palmitic acid, which resulted in the changes in components of the synthesized products. These findings suggest desaturase plays a key role in the biosynthesis of sex pheromones, and knockout of the SfruDES1 disrupts sex pheromone biosynthesis and mating behavior in FAW. The SfruDES1 could serve as tool to develop a control method for S. frugiperda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaohe Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Huaijing Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuang Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shi Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; College of Agronomy & Reseources and Enviroment, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Minghui Bai
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; College of Plant Science &Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hao Lan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Adel Khashaveh
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shaohua Gu
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
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6
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Nonkhwao S, Plettner E, Daduang S. Protein-Ligand Binding and Structural Modelling Studies of Pheromone-Binding Protein-like Sol g 2.1 from Solenopsis geminata Fire Ant Venom. Molecules 2024; 29:1033. [PMID: 38474545 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sol g 2 is the major protein in Solenopsis geminata fire ant venom. It shares the highest sequence identity with Sol i 2 (S. invicta) and shares high structural homology with LmaPBP (pheromone-binding protein (PBP) from the cockroach Leucophaea maderae). We examined the specific Sol g 2 protein ligands from fire ant venom. The results revealed that the protein naturally formed complexes with hydrocarbons, including decane, undecane, dodecane, and tridecane, in aqueous venom solutions. Decane showed the highest affinity binding (Kd) with the recombinant Sol g 2.1 protein (rSol g 2.1). Surprisingly, the mixture of alkanes exhibited a higher binding affinity with the rSol g 2.1 protein compared to a single one, which is related to molecular docking simulations, revealing allosteric binding sites in the Sol g 2.1 protein model. In the trail-following bioassay, we observed that a mixture of the protein sol g 2.1 and hydrocarbons elicited S. geminata worker ants to follow trails for a longer time and distance compared to a mixture containing only hydrocarbons. This suggests that Sol g 2.1 protein may delay the evaporation of the hydrocarbons. Interestingly, the piperidine alkaloids extracted have the highest attraction to the ants. Therefore, the mixture of hydrocarbons and piperidines had a synergistic effect on the trail-following of ants when both were added to the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siriporn Nonkhwao
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Erika Plettner
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Sakda Daduang
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Protein and Proteomics Research Center for Commercial and Industrial Purposes (ProCCI), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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7
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Zeng F, Jiang H, Xu H, Shen R, Wang D. Comparative Transcriptomics Analysis Reveals Rusty Grain Beetle's Aggregation Pheromone Biosynthesis Mechanism in Response to Starvation. INSECTS 2024; 15:137. [PMID: 38392556 PMCID: PMC10888681 DOI: 10.3390/insects15020137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Pheromones are the basis of insect aggregation, mating, and other behaviors. Cucujoid grain beetles produce macrocyclic lactones as aggregation pheromones, yet research on their biosynthesis at the molecular level remains limited. The rusty grain beetle, C. ferrugineus, is an important economic species in China. Although two aggregation pheromone components have been identified, their suspected biosynthesis via the MVA pathway and the FAS pathway lacks molecular elucidation. Previous evidence supports that starvation affects the production of aggregation pheromones. Therefore, we constructed comparative transcriptome libraries of pheromone production sites in C. ferrugineus under starvation stress and identified genes related to pheromone biosynthesis and hormone regulation. A total of 2665 genes were significantly differentially expressed, of which 2029 genes were down-regulated in starved beetles. Putative C. ferrugineus genes directly involved in pheromone biosynthesis were identified, as well as some genes related to the juvenile hormone (JH) pathway and the insulin pathway, both of which were depressed in the starved beetles, suggesting possible functions in pheromone biosynthesis and regulation. The identification of genes involved in macrolide lactone biosynthesis in vivo holds great significance, aiding in the elucidation of the synthesis and regulatory mechanisms of cucujoid grain beetle pheromones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Zeng
- National Grain Industry (Storage Insect Pest Control) Technology Innovation Center, School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Grain Storage and Logistics National Engineering Research Center, School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Haixin Jiang
- National Grain Industry (Storage Insect Pest Control) Technology Innovation Center, School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Grain Storage and Logistics National Engineering Research Center, School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Haoqi Xu
- National Grain Industry (Storage Insect Pest Control) Technology Innovation Center, School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Grain Storage and Logistics National Engineering Research Center, School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ruotong Shen
- National Grain Industry (Storage Insect Pest Control) Technology Innovation Center, School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Grain Storage and Logistics National Engineering Research Center, School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Dianxuan Wang
- National Grain Industry (Storage Insect Pest Control) Technology Innovation Center, School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Grain Storage and Logistics National Engineering Research Center, School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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8
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Schäfer M, Sydow D, Schauer M, Doumbia J, Schmitt T, Rödel MO. Species- and sex-specific chemical composition from an internal gland-like tissue of an African frog family. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20231693. [PMID: 38196358 PMCID: PMC10777154 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1693] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Intraspecific chemical communication in frogs is understudied and the few published cases are limited to externally visible and male-specific breeding glands. Frogs of the family Odontobatrachidae, a West African endemic complex of five morphologically cryptic species, have large, fatty gland-like strands along their lower mandible. We investigated the general anatomy of this gland-like strand and analysed its chemical composition. We found the strand to be present in males and females of all species. The strand varies in markedness, with well-developed strands usually found in reproductively active individuals. The strands are situated under particularly thin skin sections, the vocal sac in male frogs and a respective area in females. Gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry and multivariate analysis revealed that the strands contain sex- and species-specific chemical profiles, which are consistent across geographically distant populations. The profiles varied between reproductive and non-reproductive individuals. These results indicate that the mandibular strands in the Odontobatrachidae comprise a so far overlooked structure (potentially a gland) that most likely plays a role in the mating and/or breeding behaviour of the five Odontobatrachus species. Our results highlight the relevance of multimodal signalling in anurans, and indicate that chemical communication in frogs may not be restricted to sexually dimorphic, apparent skin glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Schäfer
- Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - David Sydow
- Zoology III Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maria Schauer
- Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joseph Doumbia
- ONG EnviSud Guinée, Quartier Kipé T2 commune de Ratoma, 530 BP 558 Conakry, Guinea
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- Zoology III Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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9
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Ashok K, Bhargava CN, Asokan R, Pradeep C, Kennedy JS, Manamohan M, Rai A. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated mutagenesis of the major sex pheromone gene, acyl-CoA delta-9 desaturase (DES9) in Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126557. [PMID: 37657567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126557] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is a significant global pest causing serious yield loss on several staple crops. In this regard, this pest defies several management approaches based on chemicals, Bt transgenics etc., requiring effective alternatives. Recently CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing has opened up newer avenues to establish functions of various target genes before employing them for further application. The virgin female moths of S. frugiperda emit sex pheromones to draw conspecific males. Therefore, we have edited the key pheromone synthesis gene, fatty acyl-CoA Delta-9 desaturase (DES9) of the Indian population of S. frugiperda. In order to achieve a larger deletion of the DES9, we have designed two single guide RNA (sgRNA) in sense and antisense direction targeting the first exon instead of a single guide RNA. The sgRNA caused site-specific knockout with a larger deletion which impacted the mating. Crossing studies between wild male and mutant female resulted in no fecundity, while fecundity was normal when mutant male crossed with the wild female. This indicates that mating disruption is stronger in females where DES9 is mutated. The current work is the first of its kind to show that DES9 gene editing impacted the likelihood of mating in S. frugiperda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karuppannasamy Ashok
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560089, Karnataka, India; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Chikmagalur Nagaraja Bhargava
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560089, Karnataka, India; University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru 560065, Karnataka, India
| | - Ramasamy Asokan
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560089, Karnataka, India.
| | - Chalapathi Pradeep
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560089, Karnataka, India; University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru 560065, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | - Anil Rai
- ICAR - Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
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10
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de Fouchier A, Fruitet E, Lievers R, Kuperus P, Emerson J, Gould F, Heckel DG, Groot AT. Lipases and carboxylesterases affect moth sex pheromone compounds involved in interspecific mate recognition. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7505. [PMID: 37980401 PMCID: PMC10657362 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43100-w] [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: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Moth sex pheromones are a classical model for studying sexual selection. Females typically produce a species-specific pheromone blend that attracts males. Revealing the enzymes involved in the interspecific variation in blend composition is key for understanding the evolution of these sexual communication systems. The nature of the enzymes involved in the variation of acetate esters, which are prominent compounds in moth pheromone blends, remains unclear. We identify enzymes involved in acetate degradation using two closely related moth species: Heliothis (Chloridea) subflexa and H. (C.) virescens, which have different quantities of acetate esters in their sex pheromone. Through comparative transcriptomic analyses and CRISPR/Cas9 knockouts, we show that two lipases and two esterases from H. virescens reduce the levels of pheromone acetate esters when expressed in H. subflexa females. Together, our results show that lipases and carboxylesterases are involved in tuning Lepidoptera pheromones composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur de Fouchier
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8, Jena, Germany.
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, Sorbonne Université, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Elise Fruitet
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8, Jena, Germany
| | - Rik Lievers
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Kuperus
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Emerson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Fred Gould
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - David G Heckel
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8, Jena, Germany
| | - Astrid T Groot
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8, Jena, Germany
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11
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Song X, Qin YG, Zhang YH, Zhou YB, Chen D, Xie DH, Li ZX. Functional characterization of alkaline phosphatases involved alarm pheromone in the vetch aphid Megoura viciae. iScience 2023; 26:108115. [PMID: 37876794 PMCID: PMC10590853 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The alkaline phosphatases (ALPs) are highly promiscuous enzymes and have been extensively investigated in mammals for their medical significance, but their functional promiscuity is relatively poorly understood in insects. Here, we first identified four ALP genes (designated as MvALP1-4) in the vetch aphid Megoura viciae that contained one alkaline phosphatase site, three metal-binding sites, and varied other functional sites. Phylogenetic analysis, molecular docking and the spatiotemporal expression profiling of MvALP1-4 were very different, indicating a promiscuous functionality. We also found that MvALP4 involved the biosynthesis of aphid alarm pheromones (EβF) in vitro and in vivo. Finally, transcriptome analysis in the stimulated and unstimulated aphids supported the involvement of MvALPs in the biosynthesis of aphid alarm pheromones. Our study identified a multifunctional ALP involved terpene synthase enzyme activity in the aphid, which contributes to the understanding of the functional plasticity of ALPs in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Song
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yao-Guo Qin
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yi-Han Zhang
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yu-Bei Zhou
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Dong-Hai Xie
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zheng-Xi Li
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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12
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Gao Z, Xie M, Gui S, He M, Lu Y, Wang L, Chen J, Smagghe G, Gershenzon J, Cheng D. Differences in rectal amino acid levels determine bacteria-originated sex pheromone specificity in two closely related flies. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1741-1750. [PMID: 37550382 PMCID: PMC10504272 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01488-9] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Sex pheromones are widely used by insects as a reproductive isolating mechanism to attract conspecifics and repel heterospecifics. Although researchers have obtained extensive knowledge about sex pheromones, little is known about the differentiation mechanism of sex pheromones in closely related species. Using Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera cucurbitae as the study model, we investigated how the male-borne sex pheromones are different. The results demonstrated that both 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine (TMP) and 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine (TTMP) were sex pheromones produced by rectal Bacillus in the two flies. However, the TMP/TTMP ratios were reversed, indicating sex pheromone specificity in the two flies. Bacterial fermentation results showed that different threonine and glycine levels were responsible for the preference of rectal Bacillus to produce TMP or TTMP. Accordingly, threonine (glycine) levels and the expression of the threonine and glycine coding genes were significantly different between B. dorsalis and B. cucurbitae. In vivo assays confirmed that increased rectal glycine and threonine levels by amino acid feeding could significantly decrease the TMP/TTMP ratios and result in significantly decreased mating abilities in the studied flies. Meanwhile, decreased rectal glycine and threonine levels due to RNAi of the glycine and threonine coding genes was found to significantly increase the TMP/TTMP ratios and result in significantly decreased mating abilities. The study contributes to the new insight that insects and their symbionts can jointly regulate sex pheromone specificity in insects, and in turn, this helps us to better understand how the evolution of chemical communication affects speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijie Gao
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Mingxue Xie
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Shiyu Gui
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Muyang He
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Yongyue Lu
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Luoluo Wang
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Jingyuan Chen
- Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, 1050, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Gershenzon
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, 07745, Germany
| | - Daifeng Cheng
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
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13
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Guo X, He H, Sun J, Kang L. Plasticity of aggregation pheromones in insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 59:101098. [PMID: 37541387 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Pheromone plasticity is widely observed in insects and enhances their survival, adaptation, and reproductive success. Aggregation pheromones, which cause notable individual aggregation and consequently impact agriculture and human life, are renowned for their special function. Here, we present a review of research progress regarding pheromone plasticity in three typical aggregative insects: locusts, bark beetles, and cockroaches. These insects are major pest species with considerable impacts on the social economy and public health. Numerous studies have demonstrated the plasticity of aggregation pheromones in different populations of these insect species. Although pheromone chemicals and compositions vary across the three groups, the plasticity of aggregation pheromones is significantly impacted by population density, location, food resources, and gut symbiotic microorganisms, indicating the complexity of pheromone plasticity regulated by multiple factors. Finally, we discuss the potential application of pheromone plasticity in basic research and pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Helen He
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianghua Sun
- College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding, China.
| | - Le Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding, China.
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14
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Kim YS, Baek H, Yun HS, Lee JH, Lee KI, Kim HS, Yoon HS. The Prokaryotic Microalga Limnothrix redekei KNUA012 to Improve Aldehyde Decarbonylase Expression for Use as a Biological Resource. Pol J Microbiol 2023; 72:307-317. [PMID: 37725893 PMCID: PMC10561079 DOI: 10.33073/pjm-2023-031] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The prokaryotic microalga Limnothrix redekei KNUA012 isolated from a freshwater bloom sample from Lake Hapcheon, Hapcheon-gun, South Korea, was investigated for its potential as a biofuel feedstock. Microalgae produce straight-chain alkanes/alkenes from acyl carrier protein-linked fatty acyls via aldehyde decarbonylase (AD; EC 1.2.1.3), which can convert aldehyde intermediates into various biofuel precursors, such as alkanes and free fatty acids. In L. redekei KNUA012, long-chain ADs can convert fatty aldehyde intermediates into alkanes. After heterologous AD expression in Escherichia coli (pET28-AD), we identified an AD in L. redekei KNUA012 that can synthesize various alkanes, such as pentadecane (C15H32), 8-heptadecene (C17H34), and heptadecane (C17H36). These alkanes can be directly used as fuels without transesterification. Biodiesel constituents including dodecanoic acid (C13H26O2), tetradecanoic acid (C15H30O2), 9-hexa decenoic acid (C17H32O2), palmitoleic acid (C17H32O2), hexadecanoic acid (C17H34O2), 9-octadecenoic acid (C19H36O2), and octadecanoic acid (C19H38O2) are produced by L. redekei KNUA012 as the major fatty acids. Our findings suggest that Korean domestic L. redekei KNUA012 is a promising resource for microalgae-based biofuels and biofuel feedstock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Saeng Kim
- Research Institute of Ulleung-do and Dok-do, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Haeri Baek
- Water Quality Research Institute Daegu Metropolitan City, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Sik Yun
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hak Lee
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-In Lee
- Biotechnology Industrialization Center, Dongshin University, Naju, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Soon Kim
- Research Institute of Ulleung-do and Dok-do, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Advanced Bio-Resource Research Center, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Sung Yoon
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Advanced Bio-Resource Research Center, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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15
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Zhang B, Li F, Qu C, Duan H, Fu Y, Luo C. A novel domain-duplicated SlitFAR3 gene involved in sex pheromone biosynthesis in Spodoptera litura. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:611-624. [PMID: 36302113 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fatty acyl reductases (FARs) are key enzymes that participate in sex pheromone biosynthesis by reducing fatty acids to fatty alcohols. Lepidoptera typically harbor numerous FAR gene family members. Although FAR genes are involved in the biosynthesis of sex pheromones in moths, the key FAR gene of Spodoptera litura remains unclear. In this work, we predicted 30 FAR genes from the S. litura genome and identified a domain duplication within gene SlitFAR3, which exhibited high and preferential expression in the sexually mature female pheromone glands (PGs) and a rhythmic expression pattern during the scotophase of sex pheromone production. The molecular docking of SlitFAR3, as predicted using a 3D model, revealed a co-factor NADPH binding cavity and 2 substrate binding cavities. Functional expression in yeast cells combined with comprehensive gas chromatography indicated that the SlitFAR3 gene could produce fatty alcohol products. This study is the first to focus on the special phenomenon of FAR domain duplication, which will advance our understanding of biosynthesis-related genes from the perspective of evolutionary biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biyun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fengqi Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Qu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongxia Duan
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuejun Fu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chen Luo
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
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16
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Zhang BY, Li FQ, Qu C, Dewer Y, Fu YJ, Luo C. Identification and Expression Profiles of Candidate Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis Genes by the Transcriptome Analysis of Sex Pheromone Glands in Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera exigua. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:7009-7019. [PMID: 37126455 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c00749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Like many insects, females of the Noctuid moth Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera exigua release chemical signals to attract males from a long distance for successful mating. In this study, 98 and 86 genes related to the sex pheromone biosynthesis of S. litura and S. exigua were identified. The tissue expression profiles of highly expressed genes in sex pheromone glands (PGs) were further examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results displayed that only SlitDes5 and SexiDes5 gene were specifically and significantly overexpressed in the PGs of S. litura and S. exigua. The functional study of SlitDes5 gene showed that RNA interference reduced its expression level by 49.42%. In addition, the content of the sex pheromones of S. litura, Z9E11-14:OAc, Z9E12-14:OAc, E11-14:OAc, and Z9-14:OAc, decreased by 41.98% on average. Our findings provide a basis for better understanding the key genes that affect the biosynthesis of sex pheromones and for determining potential gene targets for pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Yun Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Feng-Qi Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Cheng Qu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Youssef Dewer
- Phytotoxicity Research Department, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki 12618, Egypt
| | - Yue-Jun Fu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Chen Luo
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
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17
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Li LL, Xu BQ, Li CQ, Li BL, Luo K, Li GW, Chen XL. Functional disparity of four pheromone-binding proteins from the plum fruit moth Grapholita funebrana Treitscheke in detection of sex pheromone components. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 225:1267-1279. [PMID: 36423808 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Grapholita funebrana, also known as the plum fruit moth, is an oligophagous pest species that causes enormous economic losses of the fruits of Rosaceae. An eco-friendly method for the control of G. funebrana besides chemical control has not yet been developed. The sex pheromone communication system plays an important role in moth courtship and mating, in which pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) are critical. In this research, we identified four PBPs, namely, GfunPBP1.1, GfunPBP1.2, GfunPBP2, and GfunPBP3, from the antennae of G. funebrana. The results of real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) showed that all four GfunPBPs were overwhelmingly expressed in the antennae and that GfunPBP1.2 and GfunPBP2 showed male-biased expression patterns, whereas GfunPBP1.1 and GfunPBP3 were equally expressed between sexes. The results of ligand-binding assays illustrated that although all four recombinant GfunPBPs (rGfunPBPs) had binding activity with the tested sex pheromone compounds, their preferred ligands were significantly different. rGfunPBP2 had the strongest binding affinity to Z8-12:Ac and Z8-12:OH; rGfunPBP1.1 preferred to bind Z8-14:Ac, Z10-14:Ac, and 12:OH more than to the other three GfunPBPs; and rGfunPBP1.2 exhibited stronger binding affinity to E8-12:Ac than to the other rGfunPBPs. Molecular docking results demonstrated that hydrophobic forces, especially van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds, were the most important forces that maintained GfunPBP-pheromone ligand complexes. This study will improve our understanding of the sex pheromone recognition mechanisms of G. funebrana and promote the development of novel strategies for controlling G. funebrana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Lin Li
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China
| | - Bing-Qiang Xu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumchi 830091, China
| | - Chun-Qin Li
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China
| | - Bo-Liao Li
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China
| | - Kun Luo
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China
| | - Guang-Wei Li
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China.
| | - Xiu-Lin Chen
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China.
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18
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Zhao Y, Wei HM, Yuan JL, Xu L, Sun JQ. A comprehensive genomic analysis provides insights on the high environmental adaptability of Acinetobacter strains. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1177951. [PMID: 37138596 PMCID: PMC10149724 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1177951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter is ubiquitous, and it has a high species diversity and a complex evolutionary pattern. To elucidate the mechanism of its high ability to adapt to various environment, 312 genomes of Acinetobacter strains were analyzed using the phylogenomic and comparative genomics methods. It was revealed that the Acinetobacter genus has an open pan-genome and strong genome plasticity. The pan-genome consists of 47,500 genes, with 818 shared by all the genomes of Acinetobacter, while 22,291 are unique genes. Although Acinetobacter strains do not have a complete glycolytic pathway to directly utilize glucose as carbon source, most of them harbored the n-alkane-degrading genes alkB/alkM (97.1% of tested strains) and almA (96.7% of tested strains), which were responsible for medium-and long-chain n-alkane terminal oxidation reaction, respectively. Most Acinetobacter strains also have catA (93.3% of tested strains) and benAB (92.0% of tested strains) genes that can degrade the aromatic compounds catechol and benzoic acid, respectively. These abilities enable the Acinetobacter strains to easily obtain carbon and energy sources from their environment for survival. The Acinetobacter strains can manage osmotic pressure by accumulating potassium and compatible solutes, including betaine, mannitol, trehalose, glutamic acid, and proline. They respond to oxidative stress by synthesizing superoxide dismutase, catalase, disulfide isomerase, and methionine sulfoxide reductase that repair the damage caused by reactive oxygen species. In addition, most Acinetobacter strains contain many efflux pump genes and resistance genes to manage antibiotic stress and can synthesize a variety of secondary metabolites, including arylpolyene, β-lactone and siderophores among others, to adapt to their environment. These genes enable Acinetobacter strains to survive extreme stresses. The genome of each Acinetobacter strain contained different numbers of prophages (0-12) and genomic islands (GIs) (6-70), and genes related to antibiotic resistance were found in the GIs. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the alkM and almA genes have a similar evolutionary position with the core genome, indicating that they may have been acquired by vertical gene transfer from their ancestor, while catA, benA, benB and the antibiotic resistance genes could have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer from the other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Lab for Microbial Resources, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hua-Mei Wei
- Lab for Microbial Resources, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jia-Li Yuan
- Lab for Microbial Resources, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Lian Xu
- Jiangsu Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-Saving Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ji-Quan Sun
- Lab for Microbial Resources, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
- *Correspondence: Ji-Quan Sun,
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Farris SM. Insect PRXamides: Evolutionary Divergence, Novelty, and Loss in a Conserved Neuropeptide System. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2023; 23:3. [PMID: 36661324 PMCID: PMC9853942 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieac079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The PRXamide neuropeptides have been described in both protostome and deuterostome species, including all major groups of the Panarthropoda. Best studied are the insect PRXamides consisting of three genes: pk/pban, capa, and eth, each encoding multiple short peptides that are cleaved post-translationally. Comparisons of genome and transcriptome sequences reveal that while retaining its fundamental ancestral organization, the products of the pk/pban gene have undergone significant change in the insect Order Diptera. Basal dipteran pk/pban genes are much like those of other holometabolous insects, while more crown species have lost two peptide coding sequences including the otherwise ubiquitous pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN). In the genomic model species Drosophila melanogaster, one of the remaining peptides (hugin) plays a potentially novel role in feeding and locomotor regulation tied to circadian rhythms. Comparison of peptide coding sequences of pk/pban across the Diptera pinpoints the acquisition or loss of the hugin and PBAN peptide sequences respectively, and provides clues to associated changes in life history, physiology, and/or behavior. Interestingly, the neural circuitry underlying pk/pban function is highly conserved across the insects regardless of the composition of the pk/pban gene. The rapid evolution and diversification of the Diptera provide many instances of adaptive novelties from genes to behavior that can be placed in the context of emerging selective pressures at key points in their phylogeny; further study of changing functional roles of pk/pban may then be facilitated by the high-resolution genetic tools available in Drosophila melanogaster.
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Li C, Wu Y, Yin X, Gong Z, Xing H, Miao J, Wang S, Liu J, Na R, Li QX. Modular synthesis of the pheromone (2S,7S)-2,7-nonanediyl dibutyrate and its racemate and their field efficacy to control orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:97-104. [PMID: 36087296 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sudden outbreaks of the orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) cause huge wheat yield losses. Use of sex pheromones is more efficient than laborious egg counting to monitor these hidden-concealed insects. Quick synthesis of the sex pheromones is therefore required to meet the sudden outbreak needs. RESULTS A synthetic approach of stereospecific and racemic S. mosellana pheromones was presented. This method afforded the stereospecific and racemic S. mosellana pheromones in three steps and high enantioselectivity (> 98% ee for (2S,7S)-2,7-nonanediyl dibutyrate) in less than 1 day with 74% and 73% overall yields, respectively, whereas most conventional methods require longer synthesis time with less than 40% yield. The synthesis routes could quickly and economically afford the pheromones, starting from synthon (S)-but-3-yn-2-ol (1a) or but-3-yn-2-ol (1b), through the same three-step processes of coupling, reduction, and esterification. The Y-tube olfactometer results showed significant attractiveness of the synthetic stereospecific and racemic sex pheromones to S. mosellana males relative to the blank control (P < 0.001). Field trials also demonstrated significant attractiveness of the synthetic stereospecific and racemic sex pheromones relative to the blank control (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION This modular approach is conducive to the deployment of field traps and timely responses to S. mosellana outbreaks and can be a time-saving and cost-effective tool to manage S. mosellana. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changkai Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Wu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinming Yin
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhongjun Gong
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongxia Xing
- Seed Control Station of Agriculture and Rural Bureau, Handan, China
| | - Jin Miao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shuzhi Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Luoyang Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Luoyang, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Risong Na
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qing X Li
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
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Utilizing Alcohol for Alkane Biosynthesis by Introducing a Fatty Alcohol Dehydrogenase. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0126422. [PMID: 36416567 PMCID: PMC9746291 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01264-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alkanes produced by microorganisms are expected to be an alternative to fossil fuels as an energy source. Microbial synthesis of alkanes involves the formation of fatty aldehydes via fatty acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) intermediates derived from fatty acid metabolism, followed by aldehyde decarbonylation to generate alkanes. Advancements in metabolic engineering have enabled the construction of such pathways in various microorganisms, including Escherichia coli. However, endogenous aldehyde reductases in the host microorganisms are highly active in converting fatty aldehydes to fatty alcohols, limiting the substrate pool for alkane production. To reuse the alcohol by-product, a screening of fatty alcohol-assimilating microorganisms was conducted, and a bacterial strain, Pantoea sp. strain 7-4, was found to convert 1-tetradecanol to tetradecanal. From this strain, an alcohol dehydrogenase, PsADH, was purified and found to be involved in 1-tetradecanol-oxidizing reaction. Subsequent heterologous expression of the PsADH gene in E. coli was conducted, and recombinant PsADH was purified for a series of biochemical characterizations, including cofactors, optimal reaction conditions, and kinetic parameters. Furthermore, direct alkane production from alcohol was achieved in E. coli by coexpressing PsADH with a cyanobacterial aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase and a reducing system, including ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductase, from Nostoc punctiforme PCC73102. The alcohol-aldehyde-alkane synthetic route established in this study will provide a new approach to utilizing fatty alcohols for the production of alkane biofuel. IMPORTANCE Alcohol dehydrogenases are a group of enzymes found in many organisms. Unfortunately, studies on these enzymes mainly focus on their activities toward short-chain alcohols. In this study, we discovered an alcohol dehydrogenase, PsADH, from the bacterium Pantoea sp. 7-4, which can oxidize 1-tetradecanol to tetradecanal. The medium-chain aldehyde products generated by this enzyme can serve as the substrate of aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase to produce alkanes. The enzyme found in this study can be applied to the biosynthetic pathway involving the formation of medium-chain aldehydes to produce alkanes and other valuable compounds.
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Qu C, Kang Z, Zhang B, Fang Y, Wang R, Li F, Zhao H, Luo C. Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Candidate Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis Genes in the Fall Armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda). INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13121078. [PMID: 36554988 PMCID: PMC9783692 DOI: 10.3390/insects13121078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Spodoptera frugiperda is an agricultural pest causing substantial damage and losses to commercial crops. Sex pheromones are critical for successful mating in Lepidoptera and have been used for monitoring and control of many pest species. The sex pheromone of S. frugiperda is known, but the genes involved in its biosynthesis have not been identified. We systematically studied 99 candidate sex pheromone genes in the genome of S. frugiperda including 1 acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), 11 fatty acid synthases (FASs), 17 desaturases (DESs), 4 fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs), 29 fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FARs), 17 acetyl-CoA acetyltransferases (ACTs), 5 acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACDs), 3 enoyl-CoA hydratases (ECHs), 3 hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenases (HCDs), 6 ethyl-CoA thiolases (KCTs), and 3 acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs). Based on the comparative transcriptome results, we found 22 candidate sex pheromone biosynthesis genes predominately expressed in pheromone glands (PGs) than abdomens without PGs including SfruFAS4, SfruFATP3, SfruACD5, SfruKCT3, SfruDES2, SfruDES5, SfruDES11, SfruDES13, SfruFAR1, SfruFAR2, SfruFAR3, SfruFAR6, SfruFAR7, SfruFAR8, SfruFAR9, SfruFAR10, SfruFAR11, SfruFAR14, SfruFAR16, SfruFAR29, SfruACT6, and SfruACT10. A combination of phylogenetic and tissue-specific transcriptomic analyses indicated that SfruDES5, SfruDES11, SfruFAR2, SfruFAR3, and SfruFAR9 may be key genes involved in the sex pheromone synthesis of S. frugiperda. Our results could provide a theoretical basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of sex pheromone biosynthesis in S. frugiperda, and also provide new targets for developing novel pest control methods based on disrupting sexual communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Qu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Zhiwei Kang
- School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Biyun Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Yong Fang
- Hunan Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Ran Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Fengqi Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Haipeng Zhao
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
- Correspondence: (H.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Chen Luo
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
- Correspondence: (H.Z.); (C.L.)
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23
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Castro-Vargas C, Pandey G, Yeap HL, Lacey MJ, Lee SF, Park SJ, Taylor PW, Oakeshott JG. Diversity and sex differences in rectal gland volatiles of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273210. [PMID: 36001616 PMCID: PMC9401129 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rectal gland volatiles are key mediators of sexual interactions in tephritid fruit flies. We used solid-phase microextraction (SPME) plus gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) to substantially expand rectal gland chemical characterisation of the Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae); Qfly). The SPME GC-MS analysis identified 24 of the 30 compounds previously recorded from Qfly rectal glands, plus another 21 compounds that had not previously been reported. A few amides and fatty acid esters dominated the chromatograms of males and females respectively, but we also found other esters, alcohols and aldehydes and a ketone. The GC-FID analyses also revealed over 150 others, as yet unidentified, volatiles, generally in lesser amounts. The GC-FID analyses also showed 49 and 12 compounds were male- and female-specific, respectively, both in single sex (virgin) and mixed sex (mostly mated) groups. Another ten compounds were male-specific among virgins but undetected in mixed sex groups, and 29 were undetected in virgins but male-specific in mixed sex groups. The corresponding figures for females were four and zero, respectively. Most short retention time peaks (including a ketone and an ester) were male-specific, whereas most female-biased peaks (including five fatty acid esters) had long retention times. Our results indicate previously unsuspected diversity of rectal gland volatiles that might have pheromone functions in males, but far fewer in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Castro-Vargas
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT, Australia
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Gunjan Pandey
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT, Australia
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Heng Lin Yeap
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael J. Lacey
- National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT, Australia
| | - Siu Fai Lee
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT, Australia
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Soo J. Park
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillip W. Taylor
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - John G. Oakeshott
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Black Mountain, ACT, Australia
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
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24
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Cha WH, Lee DW. Suppression of pheromone biosynthesis and mating behavior by RNA interference of pheromone gland-specific fatty acyl reductase in Maruca vitrata. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1135-1144. [PMID: 34971127 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In moths, various enzymes, such as fatty acid synthases, fatty acyl desaturases, and fatty acyl reductases (FARs), are involved in pheromone biosynthesis. In particular, pheromone gland-specific FAR (pgFAR) plays an important role in converting the functional group from carboxylic to alcohol during pheromone biosynthesis. A novel pgFAR of Maruca vitrata, Mvi-pgFAR, was identified through transcriptome sequencing of its pheromone gland. To investigate the involvement of Mvi-pgFAR in pheromone biosynthesis, Mvi-pgFAR was cloned from the pheromone gland and suppressed by RNA interference (RNAi). Mvi-pgFAR harbored several conserved motifs related to NAD(P)H-binding, N-glycosylation, and adenosine / guanosine triphosphate binding. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Mvi-pgFAR with other lepidopteran pgFARs formed an independent clade. Mvi-pgFAR was specifically expressed only in the pheromone gland. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that the diurnal expression levels of Mvi-pgFAR in the pheromone gland were the highest at 2 h before the scotophase. After primarily confirming Mvi-pgFAR suppression by RNAi, (E,E)-10,12-hexadecadienal (E10E12-16:Ald), a major sex pheromone component, was quantified by gas chromatography. When Mvi-pgFAR was successfully suppressed, E10E12-16:Ald production was reduced by up to half of that of the control, and the mating rate was subsequently decreased. Our results demonstrate that Mvi-pgFAR downregulation can suppress mating behavior by changing the relative sex pheromone component ratio, suggesting that Mvi-pgFAR can be used as a novel control target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wook Hyun Cha
- Department of Biosafety, Kyungsung University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Weon Lee
- Department of Biosafety, Kyungsung University, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Metabolomics Research Center for Functional Materials, Kyungsung University, Busan, Republic of Korea
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25
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Park Y, Vatanparast M. Suppression of PBAN receptor expression reduces fecundity in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 110:e21897. [PMID: 35368094 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, native to the tropical and subtropical areas of the American continent is one of the world's most destructive insect pests. In most insects, sex pheromone production is initiated following the activation of a pheromone-biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (PBAN) receptor, which belongs to G protein-coupled receptor. We explored expression level of S. frugiperda PBAN receptor (Sf-PBANr) gene and validated the physiological function by assessing the fecundity of adult females subjected to its specific RNA interference (RNAi). Sf-PBANr was predicted from a transcriptome of S. frugiperda. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay showed its expression in all developmental stages of S. frugiperda. Specific suppression of Sf-PBANr by RNAi in either sex significantly reduced the total number of laid eggs per adult female. Matings between both RNAi-treated males and female resulted in 63.3% reduction in fecundity. In contrast, the RNAi effect was less 47.5%-49.5% at the matings from single-parent RNAi treatment. These results suggest that the Sf-PBANr is associated with female of S. frugiperda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngjin Park
- Plant Quarantine Technology Center, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohammad Vatanparast
- Plant Quarantine Technology Center, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea
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26
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Nieberding CM, Beldade P, Baumlé V, San Martin G, Arun A, Lognay G, Montagné N, Bastin-Héline L, Jacquin-Joly E, Noirot C, Klopp C, Visser B. Mosaic Evolution of Molecular Pathways for Sex Pheromone Communication in a Butterfly. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1372. [PMID: 36011283 PMCID: PMC9407440 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Unraveling the origin of molecular pathways underlying the evolution of adaptive traits is essential for understanding how new lineages emerge, including the relative contribution of conserved ancestral traits and newly evolved derived traits. Here, we investigated the evolutionary divergence of sex pheromone communication from moths (mostly nocturnal) to butterflies (mostly diurnal) that occurred ~119 million years ago. In moths, it is the females that typically emit pheromones to attract male mates, but in butterflies males emit pheromones that are used by females for mate choice. The molecular bases of sex pheromone communication are well understood in moths, but they have remained relatively unexplored in butterflies. We used a combination of transcriptomics, real time qPCR, and phylogenetics to identify genes involved in the different steps (i.e., production, regulation, and reception) of sex pheromone communication of the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Our results show that the biosynthesis and reception of sex pheromones relies both on moth-specific gene families (reductases) and on more ancestral insect gene families (desaturases, olfactory receptors, odorant binding proteins). Interestingly, B. anynana appears to use what was believed to be the moth-specific neuropeptide Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide (PBAN) for regulating sex pheromone production. Altogether, our results suggest that a mosaic pattern best explains how sex pheromone communication evolved in butterflies, with some molecular components derived from moths, and others conserved from more ancient insect ancestors. This is the first large-scale investigation of the genetic pathways underlying sex pheromone communication in a butterfly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Nieberding
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics Group, Earth and Life Institute, UC Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; (V.B.); (G.S.M.); (A.A.); (G.L.)
| | - Patrícia Beldade
- Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) & Global Change and Sustainability Institute (CHANGE), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon (FCUL), 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Véronique Baumlé
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics Group, Earth and Life Institute, UC Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; (V.B.); (G.S.M.); (A.A.); (G.L.)
| | - Gilles San Martin
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics Group, Earth and Life Institute, UC Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; (V.B.); (G.S.M.); (A.A.); (G.L.)
| | - Alok Arun
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics Group, Earth and Life Institute, UC Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; (V.B.); (G.S.M.); (A.A.); (G.L.)
| | - Georges Lognay
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics Group, Earth and Life Institute, UC Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; (V.B.); (G.S.M.); (A.A.); (G.L.)
| | - Nicolas Montagné
- INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Sorbonne Université, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, Université de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France; (N.M.); (L.B.-H.); (E.J.-J.)
| | - Lucie Bastin-Héline
- INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Sorbonne Université, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, Université de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France; (N.M.); (L.B.-H.); (E.J.-J.)
| | - Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly
- INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Sorbonne Université, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, Université de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France; (N.M.); (L.B.-H.); (E.J.-J.)
| | - Céline Noirot
- Plateforme Bio-Informatique GenoToul, MIAT, INRAE, UR875 Mathématiques et Informatique Appliquées Toulouse, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (C.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Christophe Klopp
- Plateforme Bio-Informatique GenoToul, MIAT, INRAE, UR875 Mathématiques et Informatique Appliquées Toulouse, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (C.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Bertanne Visser
- Evolution and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium;
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27
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Cama B, Ehlers S, Szczerbowski D, Thomas-Oates J, Jiggins CD, Schulz S, McMillan WO, Dasmahapatra KK. Exploitation of an ancestral pheromone biosynthetic pathway contributes to diversification in Heliconius butterflies. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220474. [PMID: 35892212 PMCID: PMC9326301 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During courtship, male butterflies of many species produce androconial secretions containing male sex pheromones (MSPs) that communicate species identity and affect female choice. MSPs are thus likely candidates as reproductive barriers, yet their role in speciation remains poorly studied. Although Heliconius butterflies are a model system in speciation, their MSPs have not been investigated from a macroevolutionary perspective. We use GC/MS to characterize male androconial secretions in 33 of the 69 species in the Heliconiini tribe. We found these blends to be species-specific, consistent with a role in reproductive isolation. We detected a burst in blend diversification rate at the most speciose genus, Heliconius; a consequence of Heliconius and Eueides species using a fatty acid (FA) metabolic pathway to unlock more complex blends than basal Heliconiini species, whose secretions are dominated by plant-like metabolites. A comparison of 10 sister species pairs demonstrates a striking positive correlation between blend dissimilarity and range overlap, consistent with character displacement or reinforcement in sympatry. These results demonstrate for the first time that MSP diversification can promote reproductive isolation across this group of butterflies, showcasing how implementation of an ancestral trait, the co-option of the FA metabolic pathway for pheromone production, can facilitate rapid speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Cama
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Stephanie Ehlers
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, Braunschweig 38106, Germany
| | - Daiane Szczerbowski
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, Braunschweig 38106, Germany
| | - Jane Thomas-Oates
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Chris D. Jiggins
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, Braunschweig 38106, Germany
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Chen N, Liu YJ, Fan YL, Pei XJ, Yang Y, Liao MT, Zhong J, Li N, Liu TX, Wang G, Pan Y, Schal C, Li S. A single gene integrates sex and hormone regulators into sexual attractiveness. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:1180-1190. [PMID: 35788705 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01808-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Sex differentiation and hormones are essential for the development of sexual signals in animals, and the regulation of sexual signals involves complex gene networks. However, it is unknown whether a core gene is able to connect the upstream regulators for controlling sexual signal outputs and behavioural consequences. Here, we identify a single gene that integrates both sex differentiation and hormone signalling with sexual attractiveness in an insect model. CYP4PC1 in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, controls the rate-limiting step in producing female-specific contact sex pheromone (CSP) that stimulates male courtship. As revealed by behavioural, biochemical, molecular, genetic and bioinformatic approaches, in sexually mature females, CYP4PC1 expression and CSP production are coordinately induced by sex differentiation genes and juvenile hormone (JH) signalling. In adult males, direct inhibition of CYP4PC1 expression by doublesexM binding in gene promoter and lack of the gonadotropic hormone JH prevent CSP production, thus avoiding male-male attraction. By manipulating the upstream regulators, we show that wild-type males prefer to court cockroaches with higher CYP4PC1 expression and CSP production in a dose-dependent manner, regardless of their sex. These findings shed light on how sex-specific and high sexual attractiveness is conferred in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China.,Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, China
| | - Yong-Jun Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Liang Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.
| | - Xiao-Jin Pei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Tao Liao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiru Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Na Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, China
| | - Tong-Xian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,Laboratory of Insect Ecology and Molecular Biology, College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Guirong Wang
- Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yufeng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Coby Schal
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China. .,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China. .,Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, China.
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29
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Saba NU, Ye C, Zhang W, Wu T, Wang Y, Zhang X, Song Z, Xing L, Su X. The Antennal Sensilla and Expression Patterns of Olfactory Genes in the Lower Termite Reticulitermes aculabialis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2022; 22:11. [PMID: 36001302 PMCID: PMC9400615 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieac045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The insect olfactory system plays pivotal roles in insect survival and reproduction through odor detection. Morphological and physiological adaptations are caste-specific and evolved independently in workers, soldiers, and reproductives in termites. However, it is unclear whether the olfactory system is involved in the division of labor in termite colonies. In the present study, the antennal sensilla of alates, workers, soldiers, nymphs, and larvae of the termite Reticulitermes aculabialis Tsai et Hwang ( Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) were investigated. Transcriptomes were used to detect olfactory genes, and differential expression levels of olfactory genes were confirmed in various castes by qRT-PCR analysis. Nine types of sensilla were identified on the antennae of R. aculabialis, and soldiers possessed all 9 types. In 89,475 assembled unigenes, we found 16 olfactory genes, including 6 chemosensory protein (CSP) and 10 odorant-binding protein (OBP) genes. These OBP genes included 8 general odorant-binding protein genes (GOBPs) and 2 pheromone-binding protein-related protein (PBP) genes. Five CSP genes were more highly expressed in alates than in workers, soldiers, larvae, and nymphs, and the expression levels of CSP6 were significantly higher in nymphs. Seven GOBP and two PBP genes exhibited significantly higher expression levels in alates, and there were no significant differences in the expression levels of GOBP2 among workers, soldiers, alates, and larvae. These results suggest that alates, as primary reproductives, have unique expression patterns of olfactory genes, which play key roles in nuptial flight, mate seeking, and new colony foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wenxiu Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
| | - Taoyu Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yijie Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaohan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhuanzhuan Song
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lianxi Xing
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
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30
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Li J, Zhang L. Electroantennographic activity of 21 aliphatic compounds that bind well to a locust odorant-binding protein. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 110:e21911. [PMID: 35599375 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Odorants that bind well to odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) often trigger olfactory responses and have important biological significance. The locust Locusta migratoria (Meyen) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is a serious agricultural pest. Twenty-one saturated aliphatic compounds with carbon-oxygen bonds and straight chains of 10-17 carbon atoms bind well to an L. migratoria OBP. In this study, olfactory activities of these aliphatic compounds on L. migratoria adult males were tested by electroantennography (EAG) and comparatively analyzed. Four alcohols (undecanol, dodecanol, tridecanol, and tetradecanol), two ketones (2-dodecanone and 2-tridecanone), and two esters (ethyl octanoate and ethyl nonanoate) triggered strong EAG responses, and there was no significant difference between them. The results suggest that the eight compounds are more likely to have important biological significance than the other compounds. Moreover, we found that there is not necessarily a positive correlation between the olfactory activity of odorants and their binding ability with OBP. The study contributes to understanding the odorants with biological significance for L. migratoria and the molecular mechanism of the locust's olfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li
- Plant Protection College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Long Zhang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, China
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31
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Cortot J, Farine JP, Cobb M, Everaerts C, Ferveur JF. Factors affecting the biosynthesis and emission of a Drosophila pheromone. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:275647. [PMID: 35678110 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The most studied pheromone in Drosophila melanogaster, cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA), is synthesized in the male ejaculatory bulb and transferred to the female during copulation. Combined with other chemicals, cVA can modulate fly aggregation, courtship, mating and fighting. We explored the mechanisms underlying both cVA biosynthesis and emission in males of two wild types and a pheromonal mutant line. The effects of ageing, adult social interaction, and maternally transmitted cVA and microbes - both associated with the egg chorion - on cVA biosynthesis and emission were measured. While ageing and genotype changed both biosynthesis and emission in similar ways, early developmental exposure to maternally transmitted cVA and microbes strongly decreased cVA emission but not the biosynthesis of this molecule. This indicates that the release - but not the biosynthesis - of this sex pheromone strongly depends on early developmental context. The mechanism by which the preimaginal effects occur is unknown, but reinforces the significance of development in determining adult physiology and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Cortot
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, UMR6265 CNRS, UMR1324 INRA, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 6, Bd Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Farine
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, UMR6265 CNRS, UMR1324 INRA, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 6, Bd Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Matthew Cobb
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Claude Everaerts
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, UMR6265 CNRS, UMR1324 INRA, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 6, Bd Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Jean-François Ferveur
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, UMR6265 CNRS, UMR1324 INRA, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 6, Bd Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
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32
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Zhang B, Zhang Y, Guan R, Du M, Yin X, Zhao W, An S. Trehalase is required for sex pheromone biosynthesis in Helicoverpa armigera. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 31:334-345. [PMID: 35084068 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Trehalase (Treh) hydrolyzes trehalose to generate glucose and it plays important role in many physiological processes. Acetyl-CoA, the precursor of sex pheromone biosynthesis in the pheromone gland (PG) of Helicoverpa armigera, originates from glucose during glycolysis. However, the function of Treh in sex pheromone biosynthesis remains elusive. In the present study, H. armigera was used as a model to investigate the function of two Trehs (Treh1 and Treh2) in sex pheromone biosynthesis. Results demonstrated that knockdown of HaTreh1 or HaTreh2 in female PGs led to significant decreases in Z11-16:Ald production, female ability to attract males, and successful mating proportions. Pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) treatment triggered HaTreh1 and HaTreh2 activities in the isolated PGs and Sf9 cells. However, the activities of HaTreh1 and HaTreh2 triggered by PBAN were offset by H-89, the specific inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA). Furthermore, the H-89 treatment significantly decreased the phosphorylation level of Trhe2, which was induced by PBAN. In addition, sugar feeding (5% sugar) increased the enzyme activities of Treh1 and Treh2. In summary, our findings confirmed that PBAN activates Treh1/2 activities by recruiting cAMP/PKA signalling, promotes glycolysis to ensure the supply of acetyl-CoA, and ultimately facilitates sex pheromone biosynthesis and mating behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruobing Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengfang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinming Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenli Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shiheng An
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
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33
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Lu D, Guan W, Yang X, Wang Y, Kambe N, Qiu R. Cu-Catalyzed Dual C-O Bonds Cleavage of Cyclic Ethers with Carboxylic Acids, NaI, and TMSCF 3 to Give Iodoalkyl Ester. Org Lett 2022; 24:2826-2831. [PMID: 35394275 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c00732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Herein, by dual C-O bond cleavage of cyclic ethers with Cu catalysis, we eventually led to the development of a selective three-component coupling of commercially available chemicals, carboxylic acids, ethers, and halogens to synthesize more than 70 iodoalkyl esters in the presence of TMSCF3. This allows for the concise synthesis of highly functionalized iodoalkyl esters directly. And the synthetic insect pheromones were also disclosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Wenjian Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Xiaogang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Yuzhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Nobuaki Kambe
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.,Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Renhua Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
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34
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Fezza TJ, Siderhurst MS, Jang EB, Stacy EA, Price DK. Phenotypic disruption of cuticular hydrocarbon production in hybrids between sympatric species of Hawaiian picture-wing Drosophila. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4865. [PMID: 35318342 PMCID: PMC8941103 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08635-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Interspecies hybrids can express phenotypic traits far outside the range of parental species. The atypical traits of hybrids provide insight into differences in the factors that regulate the expression of these traits in the parental species. In some cases, the unusual phenotypic traits of hybrids can lead to phenotypic dysfunction with hybrids experiencing reduced survival or reproduction. Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in insects are important phenotypic traits that serve several functions, including desiccation resistance and pheromones for mating. We used gas chromatography mass spectrometry to investigate the differences in CHC production between two closely related sympatric Hawaiian picture-wing Drosophila species, Drosophila heteroneura and D. silvestris, and their F1 and backcross hybrid offspring. CHC profiles differed between males of the two species, with substantial sexual dimorphism in D. silvestris but limited sexual dimorphism in D. heteroneura. Surprisingly, F1 hybrids did not produce three CHCs, and the abundances of several other CHCs occurred outside the ranges present in the two parental species. Backcross hybrids produced all CHCs with greater variation than observed in F1 or parental species. Overall, these results suggest that the production of CHCs was disrupted in F1 and backcross hybrids, which may have important consequences for their survival or reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Fezza
- Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 West Kawili St., Hilo, HI, 96720, USA
| | - Matthew S Siderhurst
- Department of Chemistry, Eastern Mennonite University, 1200 Park Rd, Harrisonburg, VA, 22802, USA
| | - Eric B Jang
- Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research, D.K.I, U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 64 Nowelo Street, Hilo, HI, 96720, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Stacy
- Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 West Kawili St., Hilo, HI, 96720, USA.,School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Donald K Price
- Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 West Kawili St., Hilo, HI, 96720, USA. .,School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA.
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35
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Jiang Y, Han X, Feng N, Jin W, Zhang T, Zhang M, Shi M, Zhang B, Liu S, Hu D. Androgen plays an important role in regulating the synthesis of pheromone in the scent gland of muskrat. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 217:106026. [PMID: 34808361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.106026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The scent (musk) gland is an organ unique to muskrats and other scent-secreting animals, and the pheromones (musk) synthesized and secreted by the scent gland play a role in chemical communication among scent-secreting animals. The musk gland is synchronized with testicular developmental changes; however, little is known regarding androgen secretion from the testis and how this regulates pheromone synthesis and the secretion of scent. To investigate the effect of androgens on the synthesis of pheromones in the musk gland, we established a muskrat castration model by surgical removal of the testis, and analyzed the histomorphology, hormone concentration, gene expression, and changes in the chemical composition of the musk gland in castration and control groups by histomorphological analysis, Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). Histomorphological analysis results showed that after castration, muskrat gland cells underwent significant atrophy (P < 0.05). Hormone measurement results showed that there was a significant decrease in serum testosterone and muskrat musk testosterone (P < 0.05) after muskrat castration. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that 510 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) were mainly enriched in fatty acid metabolism, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, fatty acid degradation, PPAR signaling pathway, and fatty acid biosynthesis. GCMS results showed that macrocyclic ketones, steroids, fatty acids, alcohols, and esters in musk were significantly changed (P < 0.05). In conclusion, androgens were found to play an important function in the chemical communication exchange between muskrats through regulating pheromone synthesis in musk cells. This study provides a basis for understanding the mechanism of animal communication influenced by androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanlin Jiang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyu Han
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Nuannuan Feng
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijiang Jin
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianxiang Zhang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Meishan Zhang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghui Shi
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Baofeng Zhang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqiang Liu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.
| | - Defu Hu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.
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36
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Ehlers S, Schulz S. The scent chemistry of butterflies. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 40:794-818. [PMID: 36420976 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00067a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Butterflies use structurally highly diverse volatile compounds for communication, in addition to visual signals. These compounds originate from plants or a formed de novo especially by male butterflies that possess specific scent organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Ehlers
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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37
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Nuo SM, Yang AJ, Li GC, Xiao HY, Liu NY. Transcriptome analysis identifies candidate genes in the biosynthetic pathway of sex pheromones from a zygaenid moth, Achelura yunnanensis (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae). PeerJ 2021; 9:e12641. [PMID: 34993022 PMCID: PMC8679906 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In most moth species, sex pheromones responsible for mating and communication of both sexes are primarily produced by the pheromone glands (PGs) of female moths. Although the PG transcriptomes and pheromone production related genes from 24 moth species have been characterized, studies on the related information remain unknown in the Zygaenidae family. Here, we sequenced the PG transcriptome of a zygaenid moth, Achelura yunnanensis. Such the sequencing resulted in the yields of 47,632,610 clean reads that were assembled into 54,297 unigenes, coupled with RNA sequencing data from 12 other tissues. Based on the transcriptome, a total of 191 genes encoding pheromone biosynthesis and degradation enzymes were identified, 161 of which were predicted to have full-length sequences. A comparative analysis among 24 moth species of nine families indicated that the numbers of the genes were variable, ranging from 14 in two Grapholita species to 191 in A. yunnanensis. Phylogenetic analysis in parallel with the expression data highlighted some key genes, including three △9 and four △11 desaturases, four fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FARs) clustering in the pgFAR clade, and three significantly antennae-enriched aldehyde oxidases. An extensive tissue- and sex- expression profile revealed a broad distribution of the genes, in which 128 relatives were detected in the PGs and 127 in the antennae. This study reports, for the first time, the gene repertoires associated with the pheromone production in Zygaenidae, and provides a valuable resource for exploring putative roles of the PG-enriched genes in A. yunnanensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Mei Nuo
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - An-Jin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Gen-Ceng Li
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hai-Yan Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Nai-Yong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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38
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Wang QH, Gao X, Yu HS, Zhang Z, Yu QY. Exploring the Terminal Pathway of Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis and Metabolism in the Silkworm. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12121062. [PMID: 34940150 PMCID: PMC8706005 DOI: 10.3390/insects12121062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Insect sex pheromone biosynthesis has received widespread attention, while the terminal pathway related to aldehyde synthesis and metabolism is still poorly understood at a molecular level. Previous studies found that the silkworm, Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera, Bombycidae), has two pheromone compounds, bombykol and bombykal, with a ratio of 11:1, while its closest wild relative, B. mandarina, only uses bombykol as a pheromone. In this study, sex pheromone gland transcriptomes were compared between the domestic and wild silkworms. All the candidate gene families were identified. Then we used the differentially expressed information, tissue and developmental expression profiles, and phylogenetic analysis to identify the putative causal genes involved in the terminal pathway. Our findings provide insights into the aldehyde synthesis and metabolism pathways and evolutionary conservation in moths. Abstract Sex pheromones are vital to sexual communication and reproduction in insects. Although some key enzymes in pheromone production have been well studied, information on genes involved in the terminal pathway is limited. The domestic silkworm employs a pheromone blend containing (E,Z)-10,12-hexadecadienol (bombykol) and analogous (E,Z)-10,12-hexadecadienal (bombykal); whereas, its wild ancestor B. mandarina uses only bombykol. The two closely related moths might be a good model for exploring the genes involved in aldehyde pheromone synthesis and metabolism. By deep sequencing and analyzing the sex pheromone gland (PG) transcriptomes; we identified 116 candidate genes that may be related to pheromone biosynthesis, metabolism, and chemoreception. Spatiotemporal expression profiles and differentially expressed analysis revealed that four alcohol oxidases (BmorAO1; 2; 3; and 4); one aldehyde reductase (BmorAR1); and one aldehyde oxidase (BmorAOX5) might be involved in the terminal pathway. Phylogenetic analysis showed that, except for BmorAO3 and MsexAO3, AOs did not show a conversed orthologous relationship among moths; whereas, ARs and AOXs were phylogenetically conserved. This study provides crucial candidates for further functional elucidation, and which may be utilized as potential targets to disrupt sexual communication in other moth pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Hai Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Q.-H.W.); (X.G.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xing Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Q.-H.W.); (X.G.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Hong-Song Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China;
| | - Ze Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Q.-H.W.); (X.G.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Quan-You Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Q.-H.W.); (X.G.); (Z.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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39
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Ahmed S, Roy MC, Al Baki MA, Jung JK, Lee D, Kim Y. CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis against sex pheromone biosynthesis leads to loss of female attractiveness in Spodoptera exigua, an insect pestt. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259322. [PMID: 34788305 PMCID: PMC8598075 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Virgin female moths are known to release sex pheromones to attract conspecific males. Accurate sex pheromones are required for their chemical communication. Sex pheromones of Spodoptera exigua, a lepidopteran insect, contain unsaturated fatty acid derivatives having a double bond at the 12th carbon position. A desaturase of S. exigua (SexiDES5) was proposed to have dual functions by forming double bonds at the 11th and 12th carbons to synthesize Z9,E12-tetradecedienoic acid, which could be acetylated to be a main sex pheromone component Z9,E12-tetradecenoic acetate (Z9E12-14:Ac). A deletion of SexiDES5 using CRISPR/Cas9 was generated and inbred to obtain homozygotes. Mutant females could not produce Z9E12-14:Ac along with Z9-14:Ac and Z11-14:Ac. Subsequently, pheromone extract of mutant females did not induce a sensory signal in male antennae. They failed to induce male mating behavior including hair pencil erection and orientation. In the field, these mutant females did not attract any males while control females attracted males. These results indicate that SexiDES5 can catalyze the desaturation at the 11th and 12th positions to produce sex pheromone components in S. exigua. This study also suggests an application of the genome editing technology to insect pest control by generating non-attractive female moths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabbir Ahmed
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | | | | | - Jin Kyo Jung
- Division of Crop Cultivation and Environment Research, Department of Central Area Crop Science, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea
| | - Daeweon Lee
- Metabolomics Research Center for Functional Materials, Kyungsung University, Busan, Korea
| | - Yonggyun Kim
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
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Zhang X, Miao Q, Xu X, Ji B, Qu L, Wei Y. Developments in Fatty Acid-Derived Insect Pheromone Production Using Engineered Yeasts. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:759975. [PMID: 34858372 PMCID: PMC8632438 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.759975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of traditional chemical insecticides for pest control often leads to environmental pollution and a decrease in biodiversity. Recently, insect sex pheromones were applied for sustainable biocontrol of pests in fields, due to their limited adverse impacts on biodiversity and food safety compared to that of other conventional insecticides. However, the structures of insect pheromones are complex, and their chemical synthesis is not commercially feasible. As yeasts have been widely used for fatty acid-derived pheromone production in the past few years, using engineered yeasts may be promising and sustainable for the low-cost production of fatty acid-derived pheromones. The primary fatty acids produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other yeasts are C16 and C18, and it is also possible to rewire/reprogram the metabolic flux for other fatty acids or fatty acid derivatives. This review summarizes the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway in S. cerevisiae and recent progress in yeast engineering in terms of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies to produce insect pheromones. In the future, insect pheromones produced by yeasts might provide an eco-friendly pest control method in agricultural fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qin Miao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xia Xu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Boyang Ji
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lingbo Qu
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongjun Wei
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Chang Y, Zhang Y, Geng Z, Yao S, Zhao W, Yin X, An S. Hexokinase Is Required for Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis in Helicoverpa armigera. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12100889. [PMID: 34680657 PMCID: PMC8541617 DOI: 10.3390/insects12100889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Acetyl-CoA, the precursor of sex pheromone biosynthesis in Helicoverpa armigera, is generated from glycolysis. As the first speed-limited enzyme in glycolysis, Hexokinase (HK) plays an important role in acetyl-CoA production. However, the function of HK in sex pheromone production remains unclear. This study employed H. armigera as material to explore the role of HK in sex pheromone production. Results demonstrated that the transcription profile of HaHK in female moth pheromone glands (PGs) was consistent with the release fluctuation of sex pheromone. Interference of HaHK prevented the increase of acetyl-CoA content induced by PBAN. Therefore, knockdown of HaHK in female PGs caused significant decreases in (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald) production, female capability to attract males, and mating rate. Furthermore, sugar feeding (5% sugar) increased the transcription and enzymatic activity of HK. Pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) signal phospho-activated HaHK in PGs and Sf9 cells via protein kinase A (PKA), as shown by pharmacological inhibitor analysis. In general, our study confirmed that PBAN/cAMP/PKA signal activated HaHK, in turn promoted glycolysis to ensure the supply of acetyl-CoA, and finally facilitated sex pheromone biosynthesis and subsequent mating behavior.
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Xing Y, Thanasirungkul W, Aslam A, Niu F, Guo HR, Chi DF. Genes involved in the Type I pheromone biosynthesis pathway and chemoreception from the sex pheromone gland transcriptome of Dioryctria abietella. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2021; 40:100892. [PMID: 34428712 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2021.100892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Dioryctria abietella is a coniferous seed orchard pest that can damage a series of host plants and cause huge losses to the forest economy. Sex pheromones play an important role in lepidopteran sex communication for reproduction and can be used as biological control agents to monitor and trap pests. However, the genes involved in the biosynthesis, transportation, and degradation of D. abietella sex pheromones have not been studied extensively. Transcriptome analysis of female D. abietella sex pheromone glands (PGs) revealed that 210 candidate genes might be involved in sex pheromone biosynthesis (139 genes) and chemoreception systems (71 genes). The gene expression patterns exhibited four desaturase genes (DabiDES4-7) and one fatty acid reductase gene (DabiFAR6), which were more highly expressed in sex pheromone glands than in other tissues, suggesting that these enzymes play an important role in D. abietella sex pheromone synthesis. In addition, most DabiOBPs showed high expression in antennae, but only DabiOBP4 exhibited specific expression in sex pheromone glands, suggesting that they may play many physiological roles in D. abietella. We put forth a reasonable hypothesis about type I pheromone biosynthesis pathways based on these genes identified in the D. abietella sex pheromone gland transcriptome. Our findings lay a foundation for population monitoring, mating disruption, mass trapping, and the development of ecologically acceptable management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Xing
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wariya Thanasirungkul
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Asad Aslam
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Niu
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Ru Guo
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - De-Fu Chi
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
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Yao S, Zhang Y, Chang Y, Li X, Zhao W, An S. Pyruvate Kinase Is Required for Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis in Helicoverpa armigera. Front Physiol 2021; 12:707389. [PMID: 34421647 PMCID: PMC8371337 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.707389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyruvate kinase (PYK) is a speed-limited enzyme of glycolysis that catalyzes the formation of pyruvate, and plays an important role in acetyl-CoA synthesis. The acetyl-CoA is the precursor of sex pheromone biosynthesis in Helicoverpa armigera. However, the role of PYK in sex pheromone biosynthesis remains elusive. Here, PYK in H. armigera (HaPYK) was found to be highly expressed in the pheromone glands (PGs). The developmental expression profile of HaPYK was consistent with the fluctuation of sex pheromone release. Function analysis revealed that the knockdown of HaPYK led to a decrease in the levels of pyruvic acid and acetyl-CoA in PGs, which in turn caused a significant decrease in cis-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16: Ald) production, female capability to attract males, and mating frequency. Further study demonstrated that sugar feeding (5% sugar) increased the transcription and enzyme activity of HaPYK, thereby facilitating sex pheromone biosynthesis. Moreover, pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) upregulated HaPYK activity through protein kinase C (PKC), as shown by PKC-specific inhibitor analysis. Altogether, our results revealed that PBAN activated HaPYK by Ca2+/PKC, thereby regulating the synthesis of pyruvate and subsequent acetyl-CoA, ensuring the supply of sex pheromone precursor, and finally facilitating sex pheromone biosynthesis and mating behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangyan Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanpeng Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenli Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shiheng An
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
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A novel characteristic of a phytoplankton as a potential source of straight-chain alkanes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14190. [PMID: 34276049 PMCID: PMC8286971 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93204-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Biosynthesis of hydrocarbons is a promising approach for the production of alternative sources of energy because of the emerging need to reduce global consumption of fossil fuels. However, the suitability of biogenic hydrocarbons as fuels is limited because their range of the number of carbon atoms is small, and/or they contain unsaturated carbon bonds. Here, we report that a marine phytoplankton, Dicrateria rotunda, collected from the western Arctic Ocean, can synthesize a series of saturated hydrocarbons (n-alkanes) from C10H22 to C38H78, which are categorized as petrol (C10-C15), diesel oils (C16-C20), and fuel oils (C21-C38). The observation that these n-alkanes were also produced by ten other cultivated strains of Dicrateria collected from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans suggests that this capability is a common characteristic of Dicrateria. We also identified that the total contents of the n-alkanes in the Arctic D. rotunda strain increased under dark and nitrogen-deficient conditions. The unique characteristic of D. rotunda could contribute to the development of a new approach for the biosynthesis of n-alkanes.
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Li J, Gao P, Zhang L. Identification and expression characteristics of putative chemosensory proteins in the peach fruit borer Carposina sasakii Matsumura (Lepidoptera: Carposinidae). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2021; 39:100858. [PMID: 34082360 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2021.100858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are important for insect chemoreception, which bind, solubilize and transport hydrophobic chemical molecules from external environment to dendrite membrane of chemosensory neurons. Moreover, CSPs are also involved in non-sensory physiological activities. The peach fruit borers Carposina sasakii Matsumura (Lepidoptera: Carposinidae) seriously damage fruit trees and their chemoreception mainly occurs in the adult stage. We identified 10 putative CSPs (CsasCSP1 ~ CsasCSP10) from head transcriptomes of C. sasakii adult males and females, all of which are classic CSPs that have 4 conserved cysteines with a spacing pattern C1-X6-C2-X17-18-C3-X2-C4. Their phylogenetic characteristics were also described. An analysis using fluorescence quantitative PCR showed CsasCSP2 has the highest level of expression in the heads, so it is more likely to be involved in C. sasakii chemoreception than the other C. sasakii CSPs. CsasCSP1, CsasCSP3, CsasCSP4, CsasCSP6, CsasCSP7 and CsasCSP8 are expressed dominantly in the wings; CsasCSP5 and CsasCSP10 have the highest expression level in the thoraxes; CsasCSP9 is dominantly and equally expressed in the thoraxes and abdomens. This study contributes to understanding physiological functions of C. sasakii CSPs and chemosensory mechanism at C. sasakii molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li
- Plant Protection College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Ping Gao
- Plant Protection College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Long Zhang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Le VD, Dang CH, Nguyen CH, Nguyen HU, Nguyen TD. Synthesis of β-Methyl Alcohols: Influence of Alkyl Chain Length on Diastereoselectivity and New Attractants of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:5882-5886. [PMID: 34028273 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c01875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The diastereoselectivity of adducts in the addition reaction via the Felkin-Anh model is affected significantly by the steric effect of bulky groups. However, the influence of steric alkyl chain length has not been studied for the diastereoselectivity. In this work, we present a new strategy for the racemic synthesis of β-methyl alcohols to obtain various diastereomer ratios using the Felkin-Anh model. The addition of alkyl Grignard reagents to α-methyl aldehydes afforded diastereomer ratios of threo/erythro ≈ 2:1, while the reduction in structurally related ketones using LiAlH4 afforded ratios of threo/erythro ≈ 1:1. The experimental data showed no effect of alkyl chain length on either side on the stereoselectivity of adducts. All synthesized analogues were evaluated for attractiveness to Rhynchophorus ferrugineus weevils in the field. Five novel derivatives, including two alcohols and three ketones, were found to attract weevils in the field trials. Among them, 3-methyldecan-4-one (5b) and 4-methyldecan-5-ol (11a) were found to be the most attractive to the insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van-Dung Le
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1A, TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Chi-Hien Dang
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1A, TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Cong-Hao Nguyen
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1A, TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Hong-Ung Nguyen
- Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture, Tra Vinh University, 126 Nguyen Thien Thanh Street Ward 5, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Thanh-Danh Nguyen
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1A, TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
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Rizvi SAH, George J, Reddy GVP, Zeng X, Guerrero A. Latest Developments in Insect Sex Pheromone Research and Its Application in Agricultural Pest Management. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12060484. [PMID: 34071020 PMCID: PMC8224804 DOI: 10.3390/insects12060484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the first identification of the silkworm moth sex pheromone in 1959, significant research has been reported on identifying and unravelling the sex pheromone mechanisms of hundreds of insect species. In the past two decades, the number of research studies on new insect pheromones, pheromone biosynthesis, mode of action, peripheral olfactory and neural mechanisms, and their practical applications in Integrated Pest Management has increased dramatically. An interdisciplinary approach that uses the advances and new techniques in analytical chemistry, chemical ecology, neurophysiology, genetics, and evolutionary and molecular biology has helped us to better understand the pheromone perception mechanisms and its practical application in agricultural pest management. In this review, we present the most recent developments in pheromone research and its application in the past two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justin George
- Southern Insect Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA; (J.G.); (G.V.P.R.)
| | - Gadi V. P. Reddy
- Southern Insect Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA; (J.G.); (G.V.P.R.)
| | - Xinnian Zeng
- College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (A.G.)
| | - Angel Guerrero
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia-CSIC, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (A.G.)
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Lassance JM, Ding BJ, Löfstedt C. Evolution of the codling moth pheromone via an ancient gene duplication. BMC Biol 2021; 19:83. [PMID: 33892710 PMCID: PMC8063362 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01001-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Defining the origin of genetic novelty is central to our understanding of the evolution of novel traits. Diversification among fatty acid desaturase (FAD) genes has played a fundamental role in the introduction of structural variation in fatty acyl derivatives. Because of its central role in generating diversity in insect semiochemicals, the FAD gene family has become a model to study how gene family expansions can contribute to the evolution of lineage-specific innovations. Here we used the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) as a study system to decipher the proximate mechanism underlying the production of the ∆8∆10 signature structure of olethreutine moths. Biosynthesis of the codling moth sex pheromone, (E8,E10)-dodecadienol (codlemone), involves two consecutive desaturation steps, the first of which is unusual in that it generates an E9 unsaturation. The second step is also atypical: it generates a conjugated diene system from the E9 monoene C12 intermediate via 1,4-desaturation. RESULTS Here we describe the characterization of the FAD gene acting in codlemone biosynthesis. We identify 27 FAD genes corresponding to the various functional classes identified in insects and Lepidoptera. These genes are distributed across the C. pomonella genome in tandem arrays or isolated genes, indicating that the FAD repertoire consists of both ancient and recent duplications and expansions. Using transcriptomics, we show large divergence in expression domains: some genes appear ubiquitously expressed across tissue and developmental stages; others appear more restricted in their expression pattern. Functional assays using heterologous expression systems reveal that one gene, Cpo_CPRQ, which is prominently and exclusively expressed in the female pheromone gland, encodes an FAD that possesses both E9 and ∆8∆10 desaturation activities. Phylogenetically, Cpo_CPRQ clusters within the Lepidoptera-specific ∆10/∆11 clade of FADs, a classic reservoir of unusual desaturase activities in moths. CONCLUSIONS Our integrative approach shows that the evolution of the signature pheromone structure of olethreutine moths relied on a gene belonging to an ancient gene expansion. Members of other expanded FAD subfamilies do not appear to play a role in chemical communication. This advises for caution when postulating the consequences of lineage-specific expansions based on genomics alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Marc Lassance
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Bao-Jian Ding
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christer Löfstedt
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden.
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A new prenylated benzoquinone from Cyathocalyx pruniferus abrogates LPS-induced inflammatory responses associated with PGE 2, COX-2 and cytokines biosynthesis in human plasma. Inflammopharmacology 2021; 29:841-854. [PMID: 33864564 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-021-00807-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In our previous laboratory findings, Cyathocalyx pruniferus extracts exhibited platelet-activating factor inhibition, suggesting their anti-inflammatory potential. Hence, this study was designed with the aim to isolate phyto-constituents from C. pruniferus with potent anti-inflammatory activities. Column and volume liquid chromatography were used for isolation of phyto-constituents. The structure elucidation was carried out using spectroscopic analysis (HRESI-MS, 1H and 13C-NMR) and compared with published literature. For cytotoxicity analysis, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide assay was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated against the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6), prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) and cyclooxegenase-2 (COX-2), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human plasma using ELISA and radioimmunoassay (RIA). The chromatographic purification of methanol leaves extract afforded 13 (1-13) secondary metabolites. Additionally, cytotoxicity analysis suggested that isolates were non-cytotoxic at 100 μM. In anti-inflammatory evaluation, 2-octaprenyl-1, 4-benzoquinone (5) produced strong (≥ 70%) inhibition of PGE2, COX-2, IL-1β and IL-6 at 50 µM. Moreover, 2-octaprenyl-1,4-benzoquinone (5) exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition with IC50 values (µM) of 11.21, 6.61, 2.20 and 3.56 as compared to controls; indomethacin for PGE2 (11.84) and dexamethasone in COX-2 (5.19), IL-1β (1.83) and IL-6 (3.76) analysis, respectively. In conclusion, two new compounds including 2-octaprenyl-1, 4-benzoquinone (5) and 14-methyloctadec-1-ene (6) are reported for the first time from plant species. Additionally, 2-octaprenyl-1, 4-benzoquinone (5) dose-dependently suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory mediators involved in acute and chronic inflammation at non-cytotoxic concentrations.
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Wang Q, Liu JT, Zhang YJ, Chen JL, Li XC, Liang P, Gao XW, Zhou JJ, Gu SH. Coordinative mediation of the response to alarm pheromones by three odorant binding proteins in the green peach aphid Myzus persicae. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 130:103528. [PMID: 33482303 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) play an essential role for insect chemosensation in insect peripheral nervous systems of antennae. Each antennal sensilla contains more than one OBP at high concentrations but the interactions and cooperation between co-localized OBPs are rarely reported. In present study, we cloned, expressed and purified eight OBPs of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae. The effects of knocking down the expression of these OBP genes by RNAi on the electrophysiological and behavioural responses of M. persicae to the aphid alarm pheromone, (E)-β-farnesene (EβF) were investigated. The results showed that the aphids could still be repelled by EβF when the expression of each of three OBP genes was individually knocked down. However, the simultaneous knockdown of MperOBP3/7/9 expression significantly reduced the electrophysiological response and the repellent behaviours of M. persicae to EβF than the single OBP gene knockdown (P < 0.05). Rather than a normal saturation binding curve of individual OBP, the binding curve of MperOBP3/7/9 is bell-shaped with a higher affinity for the fluorescent probe N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine (1-NPN). The competitive binding assays confirmed that MperOBP3, MperOBP7, MperOBP9 and MperOBP3/7/9 mixture exhibited a stronger binding affinity for EβF, than for sex pheromones and plant volatiles with a dissociation constant of 2.5 μM, 1.1 μM, 3.9 μM and 1.0 μM, respectively. The competitive binding curve of MperOBP3/7/9 mixture to EβF is shallow without bottom plateau, suggesting a conformational change and a rapid dissociation after the displacement of all 1-NPN (in vivo after the saturation binding of all OBPs by EβF). The interaction between OBPs and formation of a heterogeneous unit may facilitate the delivery EβF to the OR at electrophysiological and behavioural levels during insect odorant signal transduction thus mediate M. persicae response to the alarm pheromone EβF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jing-Tao Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China; College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong-Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ju-Lian Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xian-Chun Li
- Department of Entomology and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
| | - Pei Liang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xi-Wu Gao
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jing-Jiang Zhou
- Biocontrol Engineering Laboratory of Crop Diseases and Pests of Gansu Province, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shao-Hua Gu
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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