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Kong X, Xie Y, Cao Y, Li Y, Zhang Y, Zou Z, Xia B, Xin T. Expression and functional analysis of adipokinetic hormone reveal its different roles in larval development and female fecundity in Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae). INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2025; 34:394-408. [PMID: 39643596 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12978] [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: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 11/19/2024] [Indexed: 12/09/2024]
Abstract
Adipokinetic hormone (AKH), a crucial neuropeptide, participates in the important physiological processes by specially binding to its receptor to activate the AKH signalling pathway. AKH regulates energy metabolism. However, it remains unknown whether AKH affects larval development and adult reproduction by influencing energy metabolism. In the present study, the AKH was identified from Panonychus citri and contained the conserved functional domain 'Q-[LIV]-[NT]-F-[ST]-X (2)-W' that characterises the AKH family. The relative expression levels of PcAKH revealed different patterns of AKH expression at different developmental stages of P. citri. Feeding of double-standard RNA against PcAKH induced decreased fecundity and reduced survival, which was accompanied by the down-regulation of vitellogenin gene expression. In addition, after silencing the PcAKH, lipid metabolism and carbohydrate homeostasis were disrupted, manifested by increased body width and weight, and fasting phenomenon. Further investigation found that compared with the control, physiological changes in trehalose and triglyceride contents were accompanied by variations in the mRNA expression levels of genes related to lipid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. The disorder of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism may affect adult female reproduction, which may lead to insufficient vitellogenin deposition. Moreover, the silencing of PcAKH seriously affected the growth and development of larvae, which was manifested as delayed development period and difficulty in moulting. Conclusively, all these results in current study demonstrated that double-stranded RNA silencing system targeting PcAKH effectively inhibited larval development and female fecundity by disturbing lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and PcAKH is a specific RNAi target for control of P. citri in the design and development of biopesticide in sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Kong
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ying Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ying Cao
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yujing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhiwen Zou
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bin Xia
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tianrong Xin
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Johnson MG, Barrett M. Review: Exploring correctness, usefulness, and feasibility of potential physiological operational welfare indicators for farmed insects to establish research priorities. Animal 2025:101501. [PMID: 40288947 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101501] [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: 10/30/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2025] [Accepted: 03/24/2025] [Indexed: 04/29/2025] Open
Abstract
While insects are already the largest group of terrestrial food and feed livestock animals in terms of absolute number of individuals, the insect farming industry is expected to continue growing rapidly in order to meet the nutritional demands of the human population during the 21st century. Accordingly, consumers, producers, legislators, and industry-adjacent researchers have expressed interest in further research and assessment of farmed insect welfare. Operational indicators of animal welfare are those that can be used to putatively assess the welfare of animals in the absence of true indicators of affective state (e.g., valenced/emotional state) and are commonly used for farmed vertebrate livestock species; however, significant behavioral and physiological differences between vertebrates and insects means these indicators must be examined for their correctness, usefulness, and feasibility prior to use with insect livestock. The most valuable operational welfare indicators would (1) correctly correspond to the insect's putative welfare state; (2) provide useful information about what is affecting the insect's welfare; and (3) be feasible for deployment at a large scale on farms. As there are many possible indicators that could be further researched in insects, evaluating the likely correctness, feasibility, and usefulness of these indicators in insects will allow researchers to prioritize which indicators to investigate first for use on farms. Thus, in this review, we explore whether physiological or somatic indicators of farmed vertebrate welfare, including whole-body, immune, neurobiological, and respiratory/cardiac indicators, may be correct, feasible, and useful for assessing farmed insect welfare. We review insect physiological systems, as well as any existing, welfare-relevant data from farmed or closely related insects. We end by proposing a priority list for physiological, operational welfare indicators that are most likely to correctly, usefully, and feasibly assess farmed insect welfare, which may guide indicator validation research priorities for insect welfare scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
| | - M Barrett
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA.
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da Silva RC, Bestea L, de Brito Sanchez G, Giurfa M. When the society dictates food search - Neural signalling underlying appetitive motivation in honey bees. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 89:102930. [PMID: 39490303 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2024.102930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 10/01/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 11/05/2024]
Abstract
In honey bees, appetitive motivation is primarily driven by the needs of the colony rather than individual needs. The regulation of appetitive behavior is achieved through the coordinated action of neuropeptides, hormones and biogenic amines, which integrate multiple signals to ensure appropriate appetitive responses. Dopamine signalling underpins a food-related wanting system that is sensitive to aversive experiences. The short neuropeptide F (sNPF) enhances appetitive responsiveness, food intake and behavioral and neural responsiveness to food-related odorants. Additionally, it facilitates appetitive learning and memory. On the contrary, tachykinin-related peptides (TRPs) inhibit appetitive responses. Physiological changes during the transition to the foraging state lead to distinct patterns of insulin and adipokinetic hormone (AKH) signaling, different from those seen in solitary insects, indicating that social life had significant consequences on the systems controlling appetitive motivation. Overall, studying the neural bases of appetitive behavior in bees reveals unique aspects that arise from their social lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Carvalho da Silva
- Neuroscience Paris-Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, CNRS, INSERM, Sorbonne University, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Louise Bestea
- School of Biological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriela de Brito Sanchez
- Neuroscience Paris-Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, CNRS, INSERM, Sorbonne University, F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Martin Giurfa
- Neuroscience Paris-Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, CNRS, INSERM, Sorbonne University, F-75005 Paris, France; Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France.
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Su S, Giurfa M. Response to comment on "Food Wanting is Mediated by Transient Activation of Dopaminergic Signaling in the Honeybee Brain". Science 2023; 381:eadg6207. [PMID: 37535721 DOI: 10.1126/science.adg6207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
In a technical comment, Barron et al. (1) criticized the work of Huang et al. (2) putting the accent on the quantification of dopamine levels via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), yet also including data interpretation through alternative hypotheses aimed at invalidating the original ones proposed by Huang et al. We thank the authors of this technical comment, which allows us to clarify technical aspects of our work that may have been unclear, and for promoting discussion around the conclusions of our work. Below we provide answers to the points raised in their comment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songkun Su
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Martin Giurfa
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
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Systemic glucose levels are modulated by specific wavelengths in the solar light spectrum that shift mitochondrial metabolism. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276937. [PMID: 36327250 PMCID: PMC9632789 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic glucose levels can be modulated with specific solar wavelengths that influence mitochondrial metabolism. Mitochondrial respiration can be modulated using light that shifts ATP production with exceptional conservation of effect across species, from insects to humans. Known wavelengths have opposing effects of photobiomodulation, with longer wavelengths (660–900 nm red/infrared) increasing ATP production, and 420 nm (blue) light suppressing metabolism. Increasing mitochondrial respiration should result in a greater demand for glucose, and a decrease should result in a reduced demand for glucose. Here we have tested the hypothesis that these wavelengths alter circulating glucose concentration. We first established an oral glucose tolerance test curve in a bumblebee model, which showed sustained increase in systemic glucose beyond that seen in mammals, with a gradual normalisation over eight hours. This extended period of increased systemic glucose provided a stable model for glucose manipulation. Bees were starved overnight and given a glucose load in the morning. In the first group glucose levels were examined at hourly intervals. In the second group, bees were additionally exposed to either 670 nm or 420 nm light and their blood glucose examined. Increasing mitochondrial activity with 670 nm light at the peak of circulating glucose, resulted in a significant 50% reduction in concentration measured. Exposure to 420nm light that retards mitochondrial respiration elevated systemic glucose levels by over 50%. The impact of 670 nm and 420 nm on mitochondria is highly conserved. Hence, different wavelengths of visible light may be used to modulate systemic metabolism bidirectionally and may prove an effective agent in mammals.
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Huang J, Zhang Z, Feng W, Zhao Y, Aldanondo A, de Brito Sanchez MG, Paoli M, Rolland A, Li Z, Nie H, Lin Y, Zhang S, Giurfa M, Su S. Food wanting is mediated by transient activation of dopaminergic signaling in the honey bee brain. Science 2022; 376:508-512. [PMID: 35482873 DOI: 10.1126/science.abn9920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The biological bases of wanting have been characterized in mammals, but whether an equivalent wanting system exists in insects remains unknown. In this study, we focused on honey bees, which perform intensive foraging activities to satisfy colony needs, and sought to determine whether foragers leave the hive driven by specific expectations about reward and whether they recollect these expectations during their waggle dances. We monitored foraging and dance behavior and simultaneously quantified and interfered with biogenic amine signaling in the bee brain. We show that a dopamine-dependent wanting system is activated transiently in the bee brain by increased appetite and individual recollection of profitable food sources, both en route to the goal and during waggle dances. Our results show that insects share with mammals common neural mechanisms for encoding wanting of stimuli with positive hedonic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingnan Huang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zhaonan Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Wangjiang Feng
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yuanhong Zhao
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Anna Aldanondo
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
| | - Maria Gabriela de Brito Sanchez
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
| | - Marco Paoli
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
| | - Angele Rolland
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
| | - Zhiguo Li
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Hongyi Nie
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yan Lin
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Shaowu Zhang
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Vision Science, Research School of Biology, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Martin Giurfa
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.,Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France.,Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Songkun Su
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
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Bestea L, Briard E, Carcaud J, Sandoz JC, Velarde R, Giurfa M, de Brito Sanchez MG. The short neuropeptide F (sNPF) promotes the formation of appetitive visual memories in honey bees. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20210520. [PMID: 35104428 PMCID: PMC8807059 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Motivation can critically influence learning and memory. Multiple neural mechanisms regulate motivational states, among which signalling via specific neuropeptides, such as NPY in vertebrates and NPF and its short variant sNPF in invertebrates, plays an essential role. The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a privileged model for the study of appetitive learning and memory. Bees learn and memorize sensory cues associated with nectar reward while foraging, and their learning is affected by their feeding state. However, the neural underpinnings of their motivational states remain poorly known. Here we focused on the short neuropeptide F (sNPF) and studied if it modulates the acquisition and formation of colour memories. Artificially increasing sNPF levels in partially fed foragers with a reduced motivation to learn colours resulted in significant colour learning and memory above the levels exhibited by starved foragers. Our results thus identify sNPF as a critical component of motivational processes involved in foraging and in the cognitive processes associated with this activity in honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Bestea
- Research Centre on Animal Cognition, Centre for Integrative Biology, CNRS, University of Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse cedex 09 F-31062, France
| | - Emmanuelle Briard
- Research Centre on Animal Cognition, Centre for Integrative Biology, CNRS, University of Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse cedex 09 F-31062, France
| | - Julie Carcaud
- Evolution, Genomes, Behavior and Ecology, CNRS (UMR 9191), IRD, University Paris Saclay, 1 avenue de la Terrasse, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91198, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Sandoz
- Evolution, Genomes, Behavior and Ecology, CNRS (UMR 9191), IRD, University Paris Saclay, 1 avenue de la Terrasse, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91198, France
| | - Rodrigo Velarde
- Research Centre on Animal Cognition, Centre for Integrative Biology, CNRS, University of Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse cedex 09 F-31062, France
- Latin American Society for Bee Research (SOLATINA), Bolivian Chapter, Santivañez 0134, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Martin Giurfa
- Research Centre on Animal Cognition, Centre for Integrative Biology, CNRS, University of Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse cedex 09 F-31062, France
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, People's Republic of China
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Maria Gabriela de Brito Sanchez
- Research Centre on Animal Cognition, Centre for Integrative Biology, CNRS, University of Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse cedex 09 F-31062, France
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The short neuropeptide F regulates appetitive but not aversive responsiveness in a social insect. iScience 2022; 25:103619. [PMID: 35005557 PMCID: PMC8719019 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide F (NPF) and its short version (sNPF) mediate food- and stress-related responses in solitary insects. In the honeybee, a social insect where food collection and defensive responses are socially regulated, only sNPF has an identified receptor. Here we increased artificially sNPF levels in honeybee foragers and studied the consequences of this manipulation in various forms of appetitive and aversive responsiveness. Increasing sNPF in partially fed bees turned them into the equivalent of starved animals, enhancing both their food consumption and responsiveness to appetitive gustatory and olfactory stimuli. Neural activity in the olfactory circuits of fed animals was reduced and could be rescued by sNPF treatment to the level of starved bees. In contrast, sNPF had no effect on responsiveness to nociceptive stimuli. Our results thus identify sNPF as a key modulator of hunger and food-related responses in bees, which are at the core of their foraging activities.
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Kodrík D, Krištůfek V, Svobodová Z. Bee year: Basic physiological strategies to cope with seasonality. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2021; 264:111115. [PMID: 34775045 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.111115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Worker honey bees are subject to biochemical and physiological changes throughout the year. This study aimed to provide the reasons behind these fluctuations. The markers analysed included lipid, carbohydrate, and protein levels in the haemolymph; the activity of digestive enzymes in the midgut; the levels of adipokinetic hormone (AKH) in the bee central nervous system; the levels of vitellogenins in the bee venom and haemolymph; and the levels of melittin in the venom. The levels of all the main nutrients in the haemolymph peaked mostly within the period of maximal bee activity, whereas the activity of digestive enzymes mostly showed a two-peak course. Furthermore, the levels of AKHs fluctuated throughout the year, with modest but significant variations. These data suggest that the role of AKHs in bee energy metabolism is somewhat limited, and that bees rely more on available food and less on body deposits. Interestingly, the non-metabolic characteristics also fluctuated over the year. The vitellogenin peak reached its maximum in the haemolymph in winter, which is probably associated with the immunoprotection of long-lived winter bees. The analysis of bee venom showed the maximal levels of vitellogenin in autumn; however, it is not entirely clear why this is the case. Finally, melittin levels showed strong fluctuations, suggesting that seasonal control was unlikely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalibor Kodrík
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, CAS, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Václav Krištůfek
- Institute of Soil Biology, Biology Centre, CAS, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeňka Svobodová
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, CAS, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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