Methuselah/Methuselah-like G protein-coupled receptors constitute an ancient metazoan gene family

Methuselah-like 2 mediated 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling regulates molting and fecundity in Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

BACKGROUND

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are very promising as the targets of endogenous neuropeptides/neuromodulators that, upon binding to receptors, induce profound changes in insect physiology. The Methuselan/Methuselan-like subfamily of GPCRs is reported to be associated with longevity and stress resistance. A previous study showed the fungicide jingangmycin-induced expression of Mthl2 and enhanced stress resistance in Nilaparvata lugens. However, the other physiological functions of Mthl2 remain unelucidated.

RESULTS

The Mthl2 was highly expressed before molting and decreased after that until the next ecdysis, showing a cyclical pattern related to molting behavior and predominantly distributed in cuticle-producing and reproductive tissues in N. lugens. Silencing Mthl2 by RNAi in nymphs disrupted the synthesis of 20E, caused downregulation of the 20E signaling-related genes, and further affected the transcription of cuticular proteins. Moreover, it led to the malformation of the integument structure and a declined emergence rate, whereas exogenous 20E could rescue the declined emergence rate caused by knockdown of Mthl2. Furthermore, depletion of Mthl2 through RNAi in the N. lugens nymphal stage influenced the development of the ovaries and fecundity in female adults. The soluble protein content in reproductive tissues, the protein and transcript levels of Vitellogenin (Vg) were significantly decreased after silencing of Mthl2, ultimately leading to a decline in the number of offspring with an obviously transgenerational consequence.

CONCLUSION

The current study revealed the physiological functions of Mthl2 in molting and fecundity of N. lugens, which can be used as an RNAi-based insecticide discovery to control this pest. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Unraveling the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily in aphids: Contractions and duplications linked to phloem feeding

The G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) superfamily is the largest and most diverse transmembrane receptor family, playing crucial roles in regulating various physiological processes. As one of the most destructive pests, aphids have been subject to previous studies, which revealed fewer GPCR superfamily members in Acyrthosiphon pisum and Aphis gossypii and the loss of multiple neuropeptide GPCRs. To elucidate the contraction patterns and evolutionary features of the aphid GPCR superfamily, we identified 97, 105, and 95 GPCR genes in Rhopalosiphum maidis, A. pisum, and A. gossypii, respectively. Comparative analysis and phylogenetic investigations with other hemipteran insects revealed a contracted GPCR superfamily in aphids. This contraction mainly occurred in biogenic amine receptors, GABA-B-R, and fz families, and several neuropeptide receptors such as ACPR, CrzR, and PTHR were completely lost. This phenomenon may be related to the parasitic nature of aphids. Additionally, several GPCRs associated with aphid feeding and water balance underwent duplication, including Lkr, NPFR, CCHa1-R, and DH-R, Type A LGRs, but the SK/CCKLR that inhibits feeding was completely lost, indicating changes in feeding genes that underpin the aphid's prolonged phloem feeding behavior. Furthermore, we observed fine-tuning in opsins, with reduced long-wavelength opsins and additional duplications of short-wavelength opsin, likely associated with daytime activity. Lastly, we found variations in the number of mthl genes in aphids. In conclusion, our investigation sheds light on the GPCR superfamily in aphids, revealing its association with diet lifestyle and laying the foundation for understanding and developing control strategies for the aphid GPCR superfamily.

Climate has contributed to population diversification of Daphnia galeata across Eurasia

Climate is a fundamental abiotic factor that plays a key role in driving the evolution, distribution and population diversification of species. However, there have been few investigations of genomic signatures of adaptation to local climatic conditions in cladocerans. Here, we have provided the first high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly (~143 Mb, scaffold N50 12.6 Mb) of the waterflea, Daphnia galeata, and investigated genomic variation in 22 populations from Central Europe and Eastern China. Our ecological-niche models suggested that the historic distribution of D. galeata in Eurasia was significantly affected by Quaternary climate fluctuations. We detected pronounced genomic and morphometric divergences between European and Chinese D. galeata populations. Such divergences could be partly explained by genomic signatures of thermal adaptation to distinct climate regimes: a set of candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) potentially associated with climate were detected. These SNPs were in genes significantly enriched in the Gene ontology terms "determination of adult lifespan" and "translation repressor activity", and especially, mthl5 and SOD1 involved in the IIS pathway, and EIF4EBP2 involved in the target of the rapamycin signalling pathway. Our study indicates that certain alleles might be associated with particular temperature regimes, playing a functional role in shaping the population structure of D. galeata at a large geographical scale. These results highlight the potential role of molecular variation in the response to climate variation, in the context of global climate change.

mthl1, a potential Drosophila homologue of mammalian adhesion GPCRs, is involved in antitumor reactions to injected oncogenic cells in flies

Injection of OCs into adult male flies induces a strong transcriptomic response in the host flies featuring in particular genes encoding bona fide G coupled proteins, among which the gene for methuselah like 1 is prominent. The injection is followed after a 3-d lag period, by the proliferation of the oncogenic cells. We hypothesized that through the product of mthl1 the host might control, at least in part, this proliferation as a defense reaction. Through a combination of genetic manipulations of the mthl1 gene (loss of function and overexpression of mthl1), we document that indeed this gene has an antiproliferative effect. Parallel injections of primary embryonic Drosophila cells or of various microbes do not exhibit this effect. We further show that mthl1 controls the expression of a large number of genes coding for chemoreceptors and genes implicated in regulation of development. Of great potential interest is our observation that the expression of the mouse gene coding for the adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor E1 (Adgre1, also known as F4/80), a potential mammalian homologue of mthl1, is significantly induced by B16-F10 melanoma cell inoculation 3 d postinjection in both the bone marrow and spleen (nests of immature and mature myeloid-derived immune cells), respectively. This observation is compatible with a role of this GPCR in the early response to injected tumor cells in mice.

Characterization and expression profiling of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Spodoptera litura is a highly destructive omnivorous pest, and they caused serious damage to various crops. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate dozens of physiological processes including reproduction, development, life span and behaviors, but the information of these receptors has been lacking in S. litura. Here, we methodically identified 122 GPCRs in S. litura and made an assay of their expression patterns in different tissues. Comparing the identified GPCRs with homologous genes of other insects, it is obvious that the subfamily A2 (biogenic amine receptors) and the subfamily A3 (neuropeptide and protein hormone receptors) of S. litura have expanded to a certain extent, which may be related to the omnivorous nature and drought environment resistance of S. litura. Besides, the large Methuselah (Mth)/Methuselah-like (Mthl) subfamily of S. litura may be involved in many physiological functions such as longevity and stress response. Apart from duplicate receptors, the loss of parathyroid hormone receptor (PTHR) and the bride of sevenless (Boss) receptor in the lepidopteran insects may imply a new pattern of wing formation and energy metabolism in lepidopteran insects. In addition, the high expression level of GPCRs in different tissues reflects the functional diversity of GPCRs regulating. Systemic identification and initial characterization of GPCRs in S. litura provide a basis for further studies to reveal the functions of these receptors in regulating physiology and behavior.

Independent pathways control muscle tissue size and sarcomere remodeling

Cell growth and proliferation must be balanced during development to attain a final adult size with the appropriate proportions of internal organs to maximize fitness and reproduction. While multiple signaling pathways coordinate Drosophila development, it is unclear how multi-organ communication within and between tissues converge to regulate systemic growth. One such growth pathway, mediated by insulin-like peptides that bind to and activate the insulin receptor in multiple target tissues, is a primary mediator of organismal size. Here we uncover a signaling role for the NUAK serine/threonine kinase in muscle tissue that impinges upon insulin pathway activity to limit overall body size, including a reduction in the growth of individual organs. In skeletal muscle tissue, manipulation of NUAK or insulin pathway components influences sarcomere number concomitant with modulation of thin and thick filament lengths, possibly by modulating the localization of Lasp, a nebulin repeat protein known to set thin filament length. This mode of sarcomere remodeling does not occur in other mutants that also exhibit smaller muscles, suggesting that a sensing mechanism exists in muscle tissue to regulate sarcomere growth that is independent of tissue size control.

Sirtuins are Not Conserved Longevity Genes

It is central to biology that sequence conservation suggests functional conservation. Animal longevity is an emergent property of selected traits that integrates capacities to perform physical and mental functions after reproductive maturity. Though the yeast SIR2 gene was nominated as a longevity gene based on extended replicative longevity of old mother cells, this is not a selected trait: SIR2 is selected against in chronological aging and the direct targets of SIR2 in replicative lifespan are not conserved. Though it would be difficult to imagine how a gene that advantages 1 in 5 million yeast cells could have anticipated causes of aging in animals, overexpression of SIR2 homologs was tested in invertebrates for longevity. Because artifactual positive results were reported years before they were sorted out and because it was not known that SIR2 functions as a pro-aging gene in yeast chronological aging and in flies subject to amino acid deprivation, a global pursuit of longevity phenotypes was driven by a mixture of framing bias, confirmation bias and hype. Review articles that propagate these biases are so rampant that few investigators have considered how weak the case ever was for sirtuins as longevity genes. Acknowledging that a few positive associations between sirtuins and longevity have been identified after thousands of person-years and billions of dollars of effort, we review the data and suggest rejection of the notions that sirtuins 1) have any specific connection to lifespan in animals and 2) are primary mediators of the beneficial effects of NAD repletion.

Identification and characterization of G protein-coupled receptors in Spodoptera frugiperda (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

Spodoptera frugiperda (Insecta: Lepidoptera) is a destructive invasive pest feeding on various plants and causing serious damage to several economically-important crops. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cellular receptors that coordinate diverse signaling processes, associated with many physiological processes and disease states. However, less information about GPCRs had been reported in S. frugiperda, limiting the recognition of signaling system and in-depth studies of this pest. Here, a total of 167 GPCRs were identified in S. frugiperda. Compared with other insects, the GPCRs of S. frugiperda were significantly expanded. A large of tandem duplication and segmental duplication events were observed, which may be the key factor to increase the size of GPCR family. In detail, these expansion events mainly concentrate on biogenic amine receptors, neuropeptide and protein hormone receptors, which may be involved in feeding, reproduction, life span, and tolerance of S. frugiperda. Additionally, 17 Mth/Mthl members were identified in S. frugiperda, which may be similar to the evolutionary pattern of 16 Mth/Mthl members in Drosophila. Moreover, the expression patterns across different developmental stages of all GPCR genes were also analyzed. Among these, most of the GPCR genes are poorly expressed in S. frugiperda and some highly expressed GPCR genes help S. frugiperda adapt to the environment better, such as Rh6 and AkhR. In this study, all GPCRs in S. frugiperda were identified for the first time, which provided a basis for further revealing the role of these receptors in the physiological and behavioral regulation of this pest.

G protein-coupled receptors that influence lifespan of human and animal models

Humanity has always sought to live longer and for this, multiple strategies have been tried with varying results. In this sense, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) may be a good option to try to prolong our life while maintaining good health since they have a substantial participation in a wide variety of processes of human pathophysiology and are one of the main therapeutic targets. In this way, we present the analysis of a series of GPCRs whose activity has been shown to affect the lifespan of animal and human models, and in which we put a special interest in describing the molecular mechanisms involved. Our compilation of data revealed that the mechanisms most involved in the role of GPCRs in lifespan are those that mimic dietary restriction, those related to insulin signaling and the AMPK and TOR pathways, and those that alter oxidative homeostasis and severe and/or chronic inflammation. We also discuss the possibility of using agonist or antagonist drugs, depending on the beneficial or harmful effects of each GPCR, in order to prolong people's lifespan and healthspan.

Identification and Functional Analysis of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in 20-Hydroxyecdysone Signaling From the Helicoverpa armigera Genome

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane receptors in animals and humans, which transmit various signals from the extracellular environment into cells. Studies have reported that several GPCRs transmit the same signal; however, the mechanism is unclear. In the present study, we identified all 122 classical GPCRs from the genome of Helicoverpa armigera, a lepidopteran pest species. Twenty-four GPCRs were identified as upregulated at the metamorphic stage by comparing the transcriptomes of the midgut at the metamorphic and feeding stages. Nine of them were confirmed to be upregulated at the metamorphic stage. RNA interference in larvae revealed the prolactin-releasing peptide receptor (PRRPR), smoothened (SMO), adipokinetic hormone receptor (AKHR), and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (HTR) are involved in steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)-promoted pupation. Frizzled 7 (FZD7) is involved in growth, while tachykinin-like peptides receptor 86C (TKR86C) had no effect on growth and pupation. Via these GPCRs, 20E regulated the expression of different genes, respectively, including Pten (encoding phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase), FoxO (encoding forkhead box O), BrZ7 (encoding broad isoform Z7), Kr-h1 (encoding Krüppel homolog 1), Wnt (encoding Wingless/Integrated) and cMyc, with hormone receptor 3 (HHR3) as their common regulating target. PRRPR was identified as a new 20E cell membrane receptor using a binding assay. These data suggested that 20E, via different GPCRs, regulates different gene expression to integrate growth and development.

Identification of G protein-coupled receptors required for vitellogenesis and egg development in an insect with panoistic ovary

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a superfamily of integral transmembrane proteins regulate a variety of physiological processes in insects. Juvenile hormone (JH) is known to stimulate Vitellogenin (Vg) synthesis in the fat body, secretion into the hemolymph and uptake by developing oocytes. However, the role of GPCRs in JH-dependent insect vitellogenesis and oocyte maturation remains elusive. In the present study, we performed transcriptomic analysis and RNA interference (RNAi) screening in vitellogenic females of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria. Of 22 GPCRs identified in ovarian transcriptome, LGR4, OR-A1, OR-A2, Mthl1, Mthl5 and Smo were most abundant in the ovary. By comparison, mAChR-C expressed at higher levels in the fat body, whereas Oct/TyrR, OARβ, AdoR and ADGRA3 were at higher expression levels in the brain. Our RNAi screening demonstrated that knockdown of six GPCRs resulted in defective phenotypes of Vg accumulation in developing oocytes, accompanied by blocked ovarian development and impaired oocyte maturation. While LGR4 and Oct/TyrR appeared to control Vg synthesis in the fat body, OR-A1, OR-A2, mAChR-C and CirlL regulated Vg transportation and uptake. The findings provide fundamental evidence for deciphering the regulatory mechanisms of GPCRs in JH-stimulated insect reproduction.

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in Insects-A Potential Target for New Insecticide Development

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play important roles in cell biology and insects' physiological processes, toxicological response and the development of insecticide resistance. New information on genome sequences, proteomic and transcriptome analysis and expression patterns of GPCRs in organs such as the central nervous system in different organisms has shown the importance of these signaling regulatory GPCRs and their impact on vital cell functions. Our growing understanding of the role played by GPCRs at the cellular, genome, transcriptome and tissue levels is now being utilized to develop new targets that will sidestep many of the problems currently hindering human disease control and insect pest management. This article reviews recent work on the expression and function of GPCRs in insects, focusing on the molecular complexes governing the insect physiology and development of insecticide resistance and examining the genome information for GPCRs in two medically important insects, mosquitoes and house flies, and their orthologs in the model insect species Drosophila melanogaster. The tissue specific distribution and expression of the insect GPCRs is discussed, along with fresh insights into practical aspects of insect physiology and toxicology that could be fundamental for efforts to develop new, more effective, strategies for pest control and resistance management.

Physiological functions of a methuselah-like G protein coupled receptor in Lymantria dispar Linnaeus

Insect G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been identified as a highly attractive target for new generation insecticides discovery due to their critical physiological functions. However, few insect GPCRs have been functionally characterized. Here, we cloned the full length of a methuselah-like GPCR gene (Ldmthl1) from the Asian gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. We then characterized the secondary and tertiary structures of Ldmthl1. We also predicted the global structure of this insect GPCR protein which is composed of three major domains. RNA interference of Ldmthl1 resulted in a reduction of gypsy moths' resistance to deltamethrin and suppressed expression of downstream stress-associated genes, such as P450s, glutathione S transferases, and heat shock proteins. The function of Ldmthl1 was further investigated using transgenic lines of Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila with overexpression of Ldmthl1 showed significantly longer lifespan than control flies. Taken together, our studies revealed that the physiological functions of Ldmthl1 in L. dispar are associated with longevity and resistance to insecticide stresses. Potentially, Ldmthl1 can be used as a target for new insecticide discovery in order to manage this notorious forest pest.

Fog signaling has diverse roles in epithelial morphogenesis in insects

The Drosophila Fog pathway represents one of the best-understood signaling cascades controlling epithelial morphogenesis. During gastrulation, Fog induces apical cell constrictions that drive the invagination of mesoderm and posterior gut primordia. The cellular mechanisms underlying primordia internalization vary greatly among insects and recent work has suggested that Fog signaling is specific to the fast mode of gastrulation found in some flies. On the contrary, here we show in the beetle Tribolium, whose development is broadly representative for insects, that Fog has multiple morphogenetic functions. It modulates mesoderm internalization and controls a massive posterior infolding involved in gut and extraembryonic development. In addition, Fog signaling affects blastoderm cellularization, primordial germ cell positioning, and cuboidal-to-squamous cell shape transitions in the extraembryonic serosa. Comparative analyses with two other distantly related insect species reveals that Fog's role during cellularization is widely conserved and therefore might represent the ancestral function of the pathway.

Genomic signatures of G-protein-coupled receptor expansions reveal functional transitions in the evolution of cephalopod signal transduction

Coleoid cephalopods show unique morphological and neural novelties, such as arms with tactile and chemosensory suckers and a large complex nervous system. The evolution of such cephalopod novelties has been attributed at a genomic level to independent gene family expansions, yet the exact association and the evolutionary timing remain unclear. In the octopus genome, one such expansion occurred in the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) repertoire, a superfamily of proteins that mediate signal transduction. Here, we assessed the evolutionary history of this expansion and its relationship with cephalopod novelties. Using phylogenetic analyses, at least two cephalopod- and two octopus-specific GPCR expansions were identified. Signatures of positive selection were analysed within the four groups, and the locations of these sequences in the Octopus bimaculoides genome were inspected. Additionally, the expression profiles of cephalopod GPCRs across various tissues were extracted from available transcriptomic data. Our results reveal the evolutionary history of cephalopod GPCRs. Unexpanded cephalopod GPCRs shared with other bilaterians were found to be mainly nervous tissue specific. By contrast, duplications that are shared between octopus and the bobtail squid or specific to the octopus' lineage generated copies with divergent expression patterns devoted to tissues outside of the brain. The acquisition of novel expression domains was accompanied by gene order rearrangement through either translocation or duplication and gene loss. Lastly, expansions showed signs of positive selection and some were found to form tandem clusters with shared conserved expression profiles in cephalopod innovations such as the axial nerve cord. Altogether, our results contribute to the understanding of the molecular and evolutionary history of signal transduction and provide insights into the role of this expansion during the emergence of cephalopod novelties and/or adaptations.

Characterization of G-protein coupled receptors from the blackback land crab Gecarcinus lateralis Y organ transcriptome over the molt cycle

BACKGROUND

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are ancient, ubiquitous, constitute the largest family of transducing cell surface proteins, and are integral to cell communication via an array of ligands/neuropeptides. Molt inhibiting hormone (MIH) is a key neuropeptide that controls growth and reproduction in crustaceans by regulating the molt cycle. It inhibits ecdysone biosynthesis by a pair of endocrine glands (Y-organs; YOs) through binding a yet uncharacterized GPCR, which triggers a signalling cascade, leading to inhibition of the ecdysis sequence. When MIH release stops, ecdysone is synthesized and released to the hemolymph. A peak in ecdysone titer is followed by a molting event. A transcriptome of the blackback land crab Gecarcinus lateralis YOs across molt was utilized in this study to curate the list of GPCRs and their expression in order to better assess which GPCRs are involved in the molt process.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine G. lateralis putative GPCRs were obtained by screening the YO transcriptome against the Pfam database. Phylogenetic analysis classified 49 as class A (Rhodopsin-like receptor), 35 as class B (Secretin receptor), and 9 as class C (metabotropic glutamate). Further phylogenetic analysis of class A GPCRs identified neuropeptide GPCRs, including those for Allatostatin A, Allatostatin B, Bursicon, CCHamide, FMRFamide, Proctolin, Corazonin, Relaxin, and the biogenic amine Serotonin. Three GPCRs clustered with recently identified putative CHH receptors (CHHRs), and differential expression over the molt cycle suggests that they are associated with ecdysteroidogenesis regulation. Two putative Corazonin receptors showed much higher expression in the YOs compared with all other GPCRs, suggesting an important role in molt regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Molting requires an orchestrated regulation of YO ecdysteroid synthesis by multiple neuropeptides. In this study, we curated a comprehensive list of GPCRs expressed in the YO and followed their expression across the molt cycle. Three putative CHH receptors were identified and could include an MIH receptor whose activation negatively regulates molting. Orthologs of receptors that were found to be involved in molt regulation in insects were also identified, including LGR3 and Corazonin receptor, the latter of which was expressed at much higher level than all other receptors, suggesting a key role in YO regulation.

Massive parallel expansions of Methuselah/Methuselah-like receptors in schizophoran Diptera

The Methuselah/Methuselah-like (Mth/Mthl) family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) is represented by 16 homologs in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Three of them have thus far been functionally characterized and found to play critical roles in cell adhesion, immunity, lifespan, and oxidative stress regulation. Evolutionary studies have shown that the large number of D. melanogaster Mth/Mthl GPCRs arose by at least two rounds of gene duplications. The first produced the "mth superclade" subfamily and was followed by the expansion of the "melanogaster subgroup" cluster within the "mth superclade" of Mth/Mthl GPCRs. The adaptive significance of the Mth/Mthl receptor repertoire expansion in Drosophila remains elusive. Studying the Mth/Mthl gene family content in newly available dipteran genomes, we find that the first expansion of the mthl superclade predates the diversification of schizophoran Diptera approximately 65 million years ago. Unexpectedly, we further find that the subsequent expansion of the melanogaster subgroup cluster was paralleled by independent mth superclade Mth/Mthl GPCR expansions in other schizophoran clades (Muscidae and Tephritidae). Our study thus reveals an even more dynamic diversification of mth superclade GPCRs than previously appreciated and linked to the emergence of schizophoran flies, the most dramatic radiation in the dipteran tree of life.

Gene Ages, Nomenclatures, and Functional Diversification of the Methuselah/Methuselah-Like GPCR Family in Drosophila and Tribolium

Affecting lifespan regulation and oxidative stress resistance, the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) gene methuselah (mth) plays important roles in the life history of Drosophila melanogaster. Substantial progress has been made in elucidating the molecular pathways by which mth affects these traits, yet conflicting ideas exist as to how old these genetic interactions are as well as how old the mth gene itself is. Root to these issues is the complex gene family history of the Mth/Mthl GPCR family, which experienced independent expansions in a variety of animal clades, leading to at least six subfamilies in insects. Within insects, drosophilid flies stand out by possessing up to three times more Mth/Mthl receptors due to the expansion of a single subfamily, the mth superclade subfamily, which contains an even younger subfamily introduced here as the melanogaster subgroup subfamily. As a result, most of the 16 Mth/Mthl receptors of D. melanogaster are characterized by n:1 orthology relationships to singleton mth superclade homologs in nondrosophilid species. This challenge is exacerbated by the inconsistent naming of Mth/Mthl orthologs across species. To consolidate this situation, we review established ortholog relationships among insect Mth/Mthl receptors, clarify the gene nomenclatures in two important satellite model species, the fruit fly relative D. virilis and the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, and discuss the genetic and functional evolution of the D. melanogaster Mth GPCR.

Identification, Characterization and Expression of Methuselah-Like Genes in Dastarcus helophoroides (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae)

Dastarcus helophoroides, which has a relatively longer lifespan compared to other insects, is one of the most effective natural enemies of many large-body long-horned beetles. Methuselah (Mth) is associated with the lifespan, stress resistance, and reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster, but Mth is not present in non-drosophiline insects. A number of methuselah-like genes (mth-likes, mthls) have been identified in non-drosophiline insects, but it is still unknown whether they are present in Dastarcus helophoroides. We identified three novel mth-like genes in D. helophoroides: mth-like1, mth-like2, and mth-like5, and carried out bioinformatic analysis based on the full-length nucleic acid sequences and deduced amino acid sequences. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed variations in expression patterns of mth-like genes in different tissues (highly expressed in reproductive systems) and at different developmental stages, indicating that mth-likes were likely be involved in reproduction and development. The altered mRNA expression in aging adults and under oxidation, high temperature, and starvation stress, indicated that mth-like genes were likely to be involved in aging and the resistance of oxidation, high temperature, and starvation. These results characterize, for the first time, the basic properties of three mth-like genes from D. helophoroides that probably play important roles in development, aging, reproduction, and stress resistance.