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Xu X, Cui C, Du X, Chen J, He X, Zhu L, Hu C, Xu F, Ma C, Yu S, He X, Song H, Wang Y. PPARs Activity Affects the Hatchability Through Lipid Metabolism Regulation in Silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Biomolecules 2025; 15:492. [PMID: 40305260 PMCID: PMC12025131 DOI: 10.3390/biom15040492] [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: 01/27/2025] [Revised: 03/24/2025] [Accepted: 03/25/2025] [Indexed: 05/02/2025] Open
Abstract
Lipid metabolism serves as the primary energy source for organisms. Silkworm eggs for spring use are divided into two types: autumn-produced eggs for next spring rearing (AS) and spring-produced eggs for next spring rearing (SS). Production practice revealed significant differences in hatching rates between these two types of silkworm production strain QiufengA. In this study, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) primarily enriched in energy metabolism pathways. In particular, the PPARs are involved in energy regulation through lipid metabolism. Furthermore, both AS and SS contained the same eight long-chain fatty acids but in different amounts. Interference with PPARs activity in silkworm eggs disrupted the expression of key genes in this pathway, resulting in a significant decrease in hatching rate. Additionally, knockdown of the pathway key gene BmPlin4 led to the reduction in lipid droplets. In conclusion, PPARs regulates the hatching rate of silkworms mainly by affecting lipid metabolism. This study proved the importance of PPARs for hatching and identifies them as potential target genes for population control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Chunguang Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Xin Du
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Jine Chen
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Xiuling He
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Linbao Zhu
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Chengjie Hu
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Fang Xu
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Chenkai Ma
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Shaofang Yu
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Xingjian He
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Houhui Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Yongqiang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
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2
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Fu C, Yang T, Liao H, Huang Y, Wang H, Long W, Jiang N, Yang Y. Genome-wide identification and molecular evolution of elongation family of very long chain fatty acids proteins in Cyrtotrachelus buqueti. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:758. [PMID: 39095734 PMCID: PMC11297609 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10658-8] [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: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
To reveal the molecular function of elongation family of very long chain fatty acids(ELO) protein in Cyrtotrachelus buqueti, we have identified 15 ELO proteins from C.buqueti genome. 15 CbuELO proteins were located on four chromosomes. Their isoelectric points ranged from 9.22 to 9.68, and they were alkaline. These CbuELO proteins were stable and hydrophobic. CbuELO proteins had transmembrane movement, and had multiple phosphorylation sites. The secondary structure of CbuELO proteins was mainly α-helix. A total of 10 conserved motifs were identified in CbuELO protein family. Phylogenetic analysis showed that molecular evolutionary relationships of ELO protein family between C. buqueti and Tribolium castaneum was the closest. Developmental transcriptome analysis indicated that CbuELO10, CbuELO13 and CbuELO02 genes were key enzyme genes that determine the synthesis of very long chain fatty acids in pupae and eggs, CbuELO6 and CbuELO7 were that in the male, and CbuELO8 and CbuELO11 were that in the larva. Transcriptome analysis under different temperature conditions indicated that CbuELO1, CbuELO5, CbuELO12 and CbuELO14 participated in regulating temperature stress responses. Transcriptome analysis at different feeding times showed CbuELO12 gene expression level in all feeding time periods was significant downregulation. The qRT-PCR experiment verified expression level changes of CbuELO gene family under different temperature and feeding time conditions. Protein-protein interaction analysis showed that 9 CbuELO proteins were related to each other, CbuELO1, CbuELO4 and CbuELO12 had more than one interaction relationship. These results lay a theoretical foundation for further studying its molecular function during growth and development of C. buqueti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Fu
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Bamboo Pests Control and Resource Development, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China.
- College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China.
| | - Ting Yang
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Bamboo Pests Control and Resource Development, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
- College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
| | - Hong Liao
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Bamboo Pests Control and Resource Development, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
- College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
| | - YuLing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Bamboo Pests Control and Resource Development, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
- College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
| | - HanYu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Bamboo Pests Control and Resource Development, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
- College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
| | - WenCong Long
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Bamboo Pests Control and Resource Development, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
- College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
| | - Na Jiang
- College of Tourism and Geographical Science, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China
| | - YaoJun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Bamboo Pests Control and Resource Development, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China.
- College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, No. 778 Binhe Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, 614000, China.
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3
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Errbii M, Gadau J, Becker K, Schrader L, Oettler J. Causes and consequences of a complex recombinational landscape in the ant Cardiocondyla obscurior. Genome Res 2024; 34:863-876. [PMID: 38839375 PMCID: PMC11293551 DOI: 10.1101/gr.278392.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Eusocial Hymenoptera have the highest recombination rates among all multicellular animals studied so far, but it is unclear why this is and how this affects the biology of individual species. A high-resolution linkage map for the ant Cardiocondyla obscurior corroborates genome-wide high recombination rates reported for ants (8.1 cM/Mb). However, recombination is locally suppressed in regions that are enriched with TEs, that have strong haplotype divergence, or that show signatures of epistatic selection in C. obscurior The results do not support the hypotheses that high recombination rates are linked to phenotypic plasticity or to modulating selection efficiency. Instead, genetic diversity and the frequency of structural variants correlate positively with local recombination rates, potentially compensating for the low levels of genetic variation expected in haplodiploid social Hymenoptera with low effective population size. Ultimately, the data show that recombination contributes to within-population polymorphism and to the divergence of the lineages within C. obscurior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Errbii
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gadau
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Kerstin Becker
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Lukas Schrader
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Jan Oettler
- Lehrstuhl für Zoologie/Evolutionsbiologie, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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4
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Xu D, Tong Y, Chen B, Li B, Wang S, Zhang D. The influence of first desaturase subfamily genes on fatty acid synthesis, desiccation tolerance and inter-caste nutrient transfer in the termite Coptotermes formosanus. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:55-68. [PMID: 37750189 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12877] [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: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Desaturase enzymes play an essential role in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). In this study, we identified seven "first desaturase" subfamily genes (Cfor-desatA1, Cfor-desatA2-a, Cfor-desatA2-b, Cfor-desatB-a, Cfor-desatB-b, Cfor-desatD and Cfor-desatE) from the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus. These desaturases were highly expressed in the cuticle and fat body of C. formosanus. Inhibition of either the Cfor-desatA2-a or Cfor-desatA2-b gene resulted in a significant decrease in the contents of fatty acids (C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2) in worker castes. Moreover, we observed that inhibition of most of desaturase genes identified in this study had a negative impact on the survival rate and desiccation tolerance of workers. Interestingly, when normal soldiers were reared together with dsCfor-desatA2-b-treated workers, they exhibited higher mortality, suggesting that desaturase had an impact on trophallaxis among C. formosanus castes. Our findings shed light on the novel roles of desaturase family genes in the eusocial termite C. formosanus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Xu
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Tong
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bosheng Chen
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Baoling Li
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shengyin Wang
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dayu Zhang
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
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5
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Wang Z, Pu J, Richards C, Giannetti E, Cong H, Lin Z, Chung H. Evolution of a fatty acyl-CoA elongase underlies desert adaptation in Drosophila. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg0328. [PMID: 37647401 PMCID: PMC10468142 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg0328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Traits that allow species to survive in extreme environments such as hot-arid deserts have independently evolved in multiple taxa. However, the genetic and evolutionary mechanisms underlying these traits have thus far not been elucidated. Here, we show that Drosophila mojavensis, a desert-adapted fruit fly species, has evolved high desiccation resistance by producing long-chain methyl-branched cuticular hydrocarbons (mbCHCs) that contribute to a cuticular lipid layer reducing water loss. We show that the ability to synthesize these longer mbCHCs is due to evolutionary changes in a fatty acyl-CoA elongase (mElo). mElo knockout in D. mojavensis led to loss of longer mbCHCs and reduction of desiccation resistance at high temperatures but did not affect mortality at either high temperatures or desiccating conditions individually. Phylogenetic analysis showed that mElo is a Drosophila-specific gene, suggesting that while the physiological mechanisms underlying desert adaptation may be similar between species, the genes involved in these mechanisms may be species or lineage specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinan Wang
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jian Pu
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- College of Agriculture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Cole Richards
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Elaina Giannetti
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Haosu Cong
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Zhenguo Lin
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Henry Chung
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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6
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Sun W, Lange MI, Gadau J, Buellesbach J. Decoding the genetic and chemical basis of sexual attractiveness in parasitic wasps. eLife 2023; 12:e86182. [PMID: 37431891 PMCID: PMC10435230 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Attracting and securing potential mating partners is of fundamental importance for reproduction. Therefore, signaling sexual attractiveness is expected to be tightly coordinated in communication systems synchronizing senders and receivers. Chemical signaling has permeated through all taxa of life as the earliest and most widespread form of communication and is particularly prevalent in insects. However, it has been notoriously difficult to decipher how exactly information related to sexual signaling is encoded in complex chemical profiles. Similarly, our knowledge of the genetic basis of sexual signaling is very limited and usually restricted to a few case studies with comparably simple pheromonal communication mechanisms. The present study jointly addresses these two knowledge gaps by characterizing two fatty acid synthase genes that most likely evolved by tandem gene duplication and that simultaneously impact sexual attractiveness and complex chemical surface profiles in parasitic wasps. Gene knockdown in female wasps dramatically reduces their sexual attractiveness coinciding with a drastic decrease in male courtship and copulation behavior. Concordantly, we found a striking shift of methyl-branching patterns in the female surface pheromonal compounds, which we subsequently demonstrate to be the main cause for the greatly reduced male mating response. Intriguingly, this suggests a potential coding mechanism for sexual attractiveness mediated by specific methyl-branching patterns in complex cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles. So far, the genetic underpinnings of methyl-branched CHCs are not well understood despite their high potential for encoding information. Our study sheds light on how biologically relevant information can be encoded in complex chemical profiles and on the genetic basis of sexual attractiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhao Sun
- Institute for Evolution & Biodiversity, University of Münster, HüfferstrMünsterGermany
| | - Michelle Ina Lange
- Institute for Evolution & Biodiversity, University of Münster, HüfferstrMünsterGermany
| | - Jürgen Gadau
- Institute for Evolution & Biodiversity, University of Münster, HüfferstrMünsterGermany
| | - Jan Buellesbach
- Institute for Evolution & Biodiversity, University of Münster, HüfferstrMünsterGermany
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Cheng JY, Yu PH, Xia X, Zhang R, Wang LH, Fang JC, Hoffmann AA, Luo GH. Identification of a fatty acid synthase gene (FAS1) from Laodelphax striatellus planthoppers contributing to fecundity. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:599-610. [PMID: 36308064 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a multifunctional enzyme that plays an important role in the formation of fatty acids. The fatty acids take part in many processes, such as cell signaling and energy metabolism, and in insects they are important in both cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) formation and reproduction. Here we characterized the sequence structure and function of an FAS from the small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus. The full-length open reading frame (ORF) sequence of LsFAS1 was 7122 bp, encoding a predicted protein of 2373 amino acid residues. There were 7 functional domains in the LsFAS1 protein sequence. Gene expression screening by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed that LsFAS1 was expressed in all developmental stages. Relative expression was highest at the 4th-instar and female adult stages. Among different tissues, the expression level of LsFAS1 in the ovary was the highest. Phylogenetic analysis showed that LsFAS1 clustered in a clade with 2 FASs from Nilaparvata lugens. Furthermore, these 3 FASs are related to cockroach BgFAS and locust LmFAS. After RNA interference-mediated knock-down, most treated insects died at eclosion. In addition, the lifespan of dsFAS1-treated female adults was shorter than that of the dsGFP-injected control, and offspring production decreased. Also, the expression of vitellogenin (Vg) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) genes decreased. Virgin females dissected at days 2 and 4 post-eclosion showed many matured oocytes in planthoppers treated with dsGFP but not with dsFAS1. These data highlight the importance of LsFAS1 in SBPH, including a role in reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yan Cheng
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Pei-Han Yu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Xue Xia
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Ru Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Li-Hua Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Ji-Chao Fang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Ary A Hoffmann
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Guang-Hua Luo
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
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Moris VC, Podsiadlowski L, Martin S, Oeyen JP, Donath A, Petersen M, Wilbrandt J, Misof B, Liedtke D, Thamm M, Scheiner R, Schmitt T, Niehuis O. Intrasexual cuticular hydrocarbon dimorphism in a wasp sheds light on hydrocarbon biosynthesis genes in Hymenoptera. Commun Biol 2023; 6:147. [PMID: 36737661 PMCID: PMC9898505 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04370-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) cover the cuticle of insects and serve as desiccation barrier and as semiochemicals. While the main enzymatic steps of CHC biosynthesis are well understood, few of the underlying genes have been identified. Here we show how exploitation of intrasexual CHC dimorphism in a mason wasp, Odynerus spinipes, in combination with whole-genome sequencing and comparative transcriptomics facilitated identification of such genes. RNAi-mediated knockdown of twelve candidate gene orthologs in the honey bee, Apis mellifera, confirmed nine genes impacting CHC profile composition. Most of them have predicted functions consistent with current knowledge of CHC metabolism. However, we found first-time evidence for a fatty acid amide hydrolase also influencing CHC profile composition. In situ hybridization experiments furthermore suggest trophocytes participating in CHC biosynthesis. Our results set the base for experimental CHC profile manipulation in Hymenoptera and imply that the evolutionary origin of CHC biosynthesis predates the arthropods' colonization of land.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria C. Moris
- grid.5963.9Department of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Institute of Biology I (Zoology), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany ,grid.4989.c0000 0001 2348 0746Laboratory of Molecular Biology & Evolution (MBE), Department of Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lars Podsiadlowski
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany ,grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Martin
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany ,grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan Philip Oeyen
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany ,grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexander Donath
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Malte Petersen
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany ,grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300High Performance Computing & Analytics Lab, University of Bonn, Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jeanne Wilbrandt
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany ,grid.418245.e0000 0000 9999 5706Leibniz Institute on Aging — Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Misof
- grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change / ZFMK, Museum Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniel Liedtke
- grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Institute of Human Genetics, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Thamm
- grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ricarda Scheiner
- grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Niehuis
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Institute of Biology I (Zoology), University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
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Song Y, Gu F, Liu Z, Li Z, Wu F, Sheng S. The Key Role of Fatty Acid Synthase in Lipid Metabolism and Metamorphic Development in a Destructive Insect Pest, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169064. [PMID: 36012329 PMCID: PMC9409488 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a key enzyme in the lipid synthesis pathway, however, its roles in insects remain largely unknown. Here, we firstly identified two FAS genes from the transcriptome dataset of the general cutworm Spodoptera litura, which is a destructive insect pest of many crops. Both SlFAS1 and SlFAS2 were highly expressed in third instar larvae and in their fat bodies. Then, we successfully silenced SlFAS1 in third instar larvae and the content of α-linolenic acid and triglyceride was significantly decreased. Besides that, the effect of FAS on the metamorphic development in S. litura was evaluated. The results indicate that after silencing SlFAS1, the survival rates of S. litura larvae decreased significantly compared to the control groups. Silencing SlFAS1 in fifth instar larvae resulted in more malformed pupae and adults, and the emergence rates were significantly reduced. Furthermore, the ecdysone content in the haemolymph of fifth instar larvae was significantly decreased after silencing SlFAS1. In addition, knocking down SlFAS1 significantly alters the expression of other key genes in the lipogenesis pathway, implying that FAS has an impact on the lipogenesis pathway. The present study deepens the understanding of FAS in insects and provides novel potential targets for managing insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Song
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Fengming Gu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Zhixiang Liu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Zongnan Li
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Fu’an Wu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Sheng Sheng
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang 212100, China
- Correspondence:
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10
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Wang J, Song Y, Hwarari DT, Liang XH, Ding JH, Yan MW, Wu FA, Wang J, Sheng S. Fatty acid synthases and desaturases are essential for the biosynthesis of α-linolenic acid and metamorphosis in a major mulberry pest, Glyphodes pyloalis walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:2629-2642. [PMID: 35362207 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND α-linolenic acid is an essential unsaturated fatty acid in organisms. However, there is a large gap between α-linolenic acid accumulation and its synthesis mechanism in insects. Fatty acid synthases (FASs) and desaturases (Desats) are vital enzymes required for the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. RESULTS The pupae of Glyphodes pyloalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), which is a destructive pest of mulberry trees, contain the highest level of α-linolenic acid compared to other life-history stages. To further explore the synthesis mechanism of α-linolenic acid in G. pyloalis pupae, we constructed a pupal transcriptome dataset and identified 106 genes related to fatty acid metabolism from it. Among these, two fatty acid synthases (GpylFAS) and five desaturases (GpylDesat) were identified. A qRT-PCR validation revealed that GpylFAS1 and GpylDesat1, 2, 3, 5 were expressed highest at pupal stages. Furthermore, the content of α-linolenic acid decreased significantly after silencing GpylFAS1 and GpylDesat5, respectively. Besides, knocking down GpylFAS1 or GpylDesat5 resulted in more malformed pupae and adults, as well as lower emergence rates. Meanwhile, silencing GpylFAS1 or GpylDesat5 affected the expressions of the other GpylFASs and GpylDesats. CONCLUSION The present results illustrate the pivotal function of FASs and Desats in α-linolenic acid biosynthesis and metamorphosis in insects. Our research also broadens the sources of unsaturated fatty acids, especially for α-linolenic acid from insects, and provides novel insights for the management of mulberry insect pests from the perspective of utilization rather than control. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yan Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Delight T Hwarari
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xin-Hao Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jian-Hao Ding
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Meng-Wen Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Fu-An Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Sheng Sheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang, China
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11
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Vázquez M, Muñoz D, Medina R, Paxton RJ, de Oliveira FF, Quezada-Euán JJG. Sympatric cleptobiotic stingless bees have species-specific cuticular profiles that resemble their hosts. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2621. [PMID: 35173265 PMCID: PMC8850540 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06683-w] [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: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stingless bees are the largest group of eusocial pollinators with diverse natural histories, including obligate cleptobionts (genus Lestrimelitta) that completely abandoned flower visitation to rely on other stingless bees for food and nest materials. Species of Lestrimeliita are thought to specialize upon different host species, and deception through chemical similarity has been proposed as a mechanism to explain this phenomenon. In the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Scaptotrigona pectoralis is a species chemically distinct from, and not preferred as a host by, locally widespread Lestrimeliita niitkib; witnessing attacks on S. pectoralis colonies offered the opportunity to test the sensory deception hypothesis to cletoparasitism. Analysis of cuticular profiles revealed that the Lestrimelitta attacking S. pectoralis differed significantly in odour bouquet to L. niitkib and, in contrast, it resembled that of S. pectoralis. Further analyses, including morphometrics, mtDNA barcoding, and the examination of taxonomic features, confirmed the existence of two sympatric Lestrimelitta species. The results give support to the hypothesis of chemical deception as a cleptobiotic strategy in Lestrimelitta sp. This is the first evidence that sympatric cleptobionts of the same genus select hosts in accordance with species-specific cuticular profiles, with possible consequences for ecological adaptation and the evolution of these remarkable organisms and the community of stingless bee hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Vázquez
- Departamento de Apicultura Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km 15.5 Carr., Xmatkuil, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - David Muñoz
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Campus de Ingenierías y Ciencias Exactas, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Rubén Medina
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Campo Experimental Edzná, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Robert J Paxton
- Institute für Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Favizia Freitas de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Bionomia, Biogeografia e Sistemática de Insetos (BIOSIS), Museu de História Natural da Bahia (MHNBA), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo, Número 668, Campus de Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - José Javier G Quezada-Euán
- Departamento de Apicultura Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km 15.5 Carr., Xmatkuil, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
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12
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Nakano M, Morgan-Richards M, Trewick SA, Clavijo-McCormick A. Chemical Ecology and Olfaction in Short-Horned Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae). J Chem Ecol 2022; 48:121-140. [PMID: 35001201 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01333-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Chemoreception plays a crucial role in the reproduction and survival of insects, which often rely on their sense of smell and taste to find partners, suitable habitats, and food sources, and to avoid predators and noxious substances. There is a substantial body of work investigating the chemoreception and chemical ecology of Diptera (flies) and Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies); but less is known about the Orthoptera (grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, and wēta). Within the Orthoptera, the family Acrididae contains about 6700 species of short-horned grasshoppers. Grasshoppers are fascinating organisms to study due to their significant taxonomic and ecological divergence, however, most chemoreception and chemical ecology studies have focused on locusts because they are agricultural pests (e.g., Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria). Here we review studies of chemosensory systems and chemical ecology of all short-horned grasshoppers. Applications of genome editing tools and entomopathogenic microorganism to control locusts in association with their chemical ecology are also discussed. Finally, we identify gaps in the current knowledge and suggest topics of interest for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Nakano
- Wildlife & Ecology, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand.
| | - Mary Morgan-Richards
- Wildlife & Ecology, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand
| | - Steven A Trewick
- Wildlife & Ecology, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand
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13
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Sprenger PP, Hartke J, Schmitt T, Menzel F, Feldmeyer B. Candidate genes involved in cuticular hydrocarbon differentiation between cryptic, parabiotic ant species. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6174692. [PMID: 33729492 PMCID: PMC8104948 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are highly diverse and have multiple functions, including communication and waterproofing. CHC profiles form species-specific, complex blends of up to 150 compounds. Especially in ants, even closely related species can have largely different profiles, raising the question how CHC differences are mirrored in the regulation of biosynthetic pathways. The neotropical ants Crematogaster levior and Camponotus femoratus both consist of two cryptic species each that are morphologically similar, but express strongly different CHC profiles. This is ideal to study the molecular basis of CHC differences. We thus investigated gene expression differences in fat-body transcriptomes of these ants. Despite common garden conditions, we found several thousand differentially expressed transcripts within each cryptic species pair. Many of these were related to metabolic processes, probably accounting for physiological differences. Moreover, we identified candidate genes from five gene families involved in CHC biosynthesis. By assigning candidate transcripts to orthologs in Drosophila, we inferred which CHCs might be influenced by differential gene expression. Expression of these candidate genes was often mirrored in the CHC profiles. For example, Cr. levior A, which has longer CHCs than its cryptic sister species, had a higher expression of elongases and a lower expression of fatty acyl- CoA reductases. This study is one of the first to identify CHC candidate genes in ants and will provide a basis for further research on the genetic basis of CHC biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp P Sprenger
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany.,Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Juliane Hartke
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany.,Senckenberg Research Institute, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Florian Menzel
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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14
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Kabeya N, Ogino M, Ushio H, Haga Y, Satoh S, Navarro JC, Monroig Ó. A complete enzymatic capacity for biosynthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22 : 6n-3) exists in the marine Harpacticoida copepod Tigriopus californicus. Open Biol 2021; 11:200402. [PMID: 33906414 PMCID: PMC8080000 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-standing paradigm establishing that global production of Omega-3 (n–3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) derived almost exclusively from marine single-cell organisms, was recently challenged by the discovery that multiple invertebrates possess methyl-end (or ωx) desaturases, critical enzymes enabling the biosynthesis of n–3 LC-PUFA. However, the question of whether animals with ωx desaturases have complete n–3 LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathways and hence can contribute to the production of these compounds in marine ecosystems remained unanswered. In the present study, we investigated the complete enzymatic complement involved in the n–3 LC-PUFA biosynthesis in Tigriopus californicus, an intertidal harpacticoid copepod. A total of two ωx desaturases, five front-end desaturases and six fatty acyl elongases were successfully isolated and functionally characterized. The T. californicus ωx desaturases enable the de novo biosynthesis of C18 PUFA such as linoleic and α-linolenic acids, as well as several n–3 LC-PUFA from n–6 substrates. Functions demonstrated in front-end desaturases and fatty acyl elongases unveiled various routes through which T. californicus can biosynthesize the physiologically important arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids. Moreover, T. californicus possess a Δ4 desaturase, enabling the biosynthesis of docosahexaenoic acid via the ‘Δ4 pathway’. In conclusion, harpacticoid copepods such as T. californicus have complete n–3 LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathways and such capacity illustrates major roles of these invertebrates in the provision of essential fatty acids to upper trophic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Kabeya
- Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Konan 4-5-7, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masanari Ogino
- Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Konan 4-5-7, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideki Ushio
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Haga
- Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Konan 4-5-7, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuichi Satoh
- Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Konan 4-5-7, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Juan C Navarro
- Instituto de Acuicultura Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes 12595, Castellón, Spain
| | - Óscar Monroig
- Instituto de Acuicultura Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes 12595, Castellón, Spain
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15
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Holze H, Schrader L, Buellesbach J. Advances in deciphering the genetic basis of insect cuticular hydrocarbon biosynthesis and variation. Heredity (Edinb) 2021; 126:219-234. [PMID: 33139902 PMCID: PMC8027674 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-020-00380-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) have two fundamental functions in insects. They protect terrestrial insects against desiccation and serve as signaling molecules in a wide variety of chemical communication systems. It has been hypothesized that these pivotal dual traits for adaptation to both desiccation and signaling have contributed to the considerable evolutionary success of insects. CHCs have been extensively studied concerning their variation, behavioral impact, physiological properties, and chemical compositions. However, our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of CHC biosynthesis has remained limited and mostly biased towards one particular model organism (Drosophila). This rather narrow focus has hampered the establishment of a comprehensive view of CHC genetics across wider phylogenetic boundaries. This review attempts to integrate new insights and recent knowledge gained in the genetics of CHC biosynthesis, which is just beginning to incorporate work on more insect taxa beyond Drosophila. It is intended to provide a stepping stone towards a wider and more general understanding of the genetic mechanisms that gave rise to the astonishing diversity of CHC compounds across different insect taxa. Further research in this field is encouraged to aim at better discriminating conserved versus taxon-specific genetic elements underlying CHC variation. This will be instrumental in greatly expanding our knowledge of the origins and variation of genes governing the biosynthesis of these crucial phenotypic traits that have greatly impacted insect behavior, physiology, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrietta Holze
- Molecular Evolution and Sociobiology Group, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, DE-48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Lukas Schrader
- Molecular Evolution and Sociobiology Group, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, DE-48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Jan Buellesbach
- Molecular Evolution and Sociobiology Group, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, DE-48149, Münster, Germany.
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California-Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall #3114, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3114, USA.
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16
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Blomquist GJ, Ginzel MD. Chemical Ecology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology of Insect Hydrocarbons. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 66:45-60. [PMID: 33417824 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-031620-071754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) consist of complex mixtures of straight-chain alkanes and alkenes, and methyl-branched hydrocarbons. In addition to restricting water loss through the cuticle and preventing desiccation, they have secondarily evolved to serve a variety of functions in chemical communication and play critical roles as signals mediating the life histories of insects. In this review, we describe the physical properties of CHCs that allow for both waterproofing and signaling functions, summarize their roles as inter- and intraspecific chemical signals, and discuss the influences of diet and environment on CHC profiles. We also present advances in our understanding of hydrocarbon biosynthesis. Hydrocarbons are biosynthesized in oenocytes and transported to the cuticle by lipophorin proteins. Recent work on the synthesis of fatty acids and their ultimate reductive decarbonylation to hydrocarbons has taken advantage of powerful new tools of molecular biology, including genomics and RNA interference knockdown of specific genes, to provide new insights into the biosynthesis of hydrocarbons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary J Blomquist
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA;
| | - Matthew D Ginzel
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA;
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
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17
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Walsh J, Pontieri L, d'Ettorre P, Linksvayer TA. Ant cuticular hydrocarbons are heritable and associated with variation in colony productivity. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201029. [PMID: 32517627 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In social insects, cuticular hydrocarbons function in nest-mate recognition and also provide a waxy barrier against desiccation, but basic evolutionary features, including the heritability of hydrocarbon profiles and how they are shaped by natural selection are largely unknown. We used a new pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis) laboratory mapping population to estimate the heritability of individual cuticular hydrocarbons, genetic correlations between hydrocarbons, and fitness consequences of phenotypic variation in the hydrocarbons. Individual hydrocarbons had low to moderate estimated heritability, indicating that some compounds provide more information about genetic relatedness and can also better respond to natural selection. Strong genetic correlations between compounds are likely to constrain independent evolutionary trajectories, which is expected, given that many hydrocarbons share biosynthetic pathways. Variation in cuticular hydrocarbons was associated with variation in colony productivity, with some hydrocarbons experiencing strong directional selection. Altogether, this study builds on our knowledge of the genetic architecture of the social insect hydrocarbon profile and indicates that hydrocarbon variation is shaped by natural selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Walsh
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Luigi Pontieri
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Patrizia d'Ettorre
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology (LEEC), University of Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
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18
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Moriconi DE, Dulbecco AB, Juárez MP, Calderón-Fernández GM. A fatty acid synthase gene (FASN3) from the integument tissue of Rhodnius prolixus contributes to cuticle water loss regulation. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 28:850-861. [PMID: 31125161 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fatty acid synthase is a multifunctional enzyme involved in the formation of fatty acids. Despite the role of fatty acids in cell signalling and energy metabolism, and as precursors to pheromones and hydrocarbons that waterproof the cuticle, the insect fatty acid synthases have been scarcely studied. Here we perform the molecular characterization of three fatty acid synthase genes (fatty acid synthase RPRC000123, RPRC000269 and RPRC002909) in the Chagas disease vector, Rhodnius prolixus. Gene expression screening by reverse transcription quantitative PCR showed that RPRC000123 and RPRC002909 are expressed almost exclusively in the integument tissue whilst RPRC000269 is mostly expressed in the fat body and also in several body organs. Phylogenetic analysis, together with gene expression results, showed that RPRC000269, RPRC002909 and RPRC000123 are orthologues of Drosophila melanogaster fatty acid synthase 1 (FASN1), FASN2 and FASN3 genes, respectively. After RNA interference-mediated knockdown of RPRC000123, insects died immediately after moulting to the next developmental stage. However, mortality was prevented by placing the insects under saturated humidity conditions, suggesting that dehydration might play a role in the insects' death. Lipid analyses in RPRC000123-silenced insects showed reduced amounts of integument fatty acids and methyl-branched hydrocarbons, compared to controls. These data support an important role for FASN3 in the biosynthesis of the precursors to hydrocarbons that waterproof the insect cuticle.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Moriconi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - A B Dulbecco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - M P Juárez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - G M Calderón-Fernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
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19
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Fontana S, Chang NC, Chang T, Lee CC, Dang VD, Wang J. The fire ant social supergene is characterized by extensive gene and transposable element copy number variation. Mol Ecol 2019; 29:105-120. [PMID: 31736148 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In the fire ant Solenopsis invicta, a supergene composed of ~600 genes and having two variants, SB and Sb, regulates colony social form. In single queen colonies, all individuals carry only the SB allele, while in multiple queen colonies, some individuals carry the Sb allele. In this study, we characterized genes with copy number variation between SB and Sb-carrying individuals. We showed extensive acquisition of gene duplicates in the Sb genome, with some likely involved in polygyne-related phenotypes. We found 260 genes with copy number differences between SB and Sb, of which 239 have greater copy number in Sb. We observed transposable element (TE) accumulation on Sb, likely due to the accumulation of repetitive elements on the nonrecombining chromosome. We found a weak correlation between TE copy number and differential expression, suggesting some TEs may still be proliferating in Sb while many of the duplicated TEs have presumably been silenced. Among the 115 non-TE genes with higher copy in Sb, enzymes responsible for cuticular hydrocarbon synthesis were highly represented. These include a desaturase and an elongase, both potentially responsible for differential queen odour and likely beneficial for polygyne ants. These genes seem to have translocated into the supergene from other chromosomes and proliferated by multiple duplication events. While the presence of TEs in supergenes is well documented, little is known about duplication of non-TE genes and their possible adaptive role. Overall, our results suggest that gene duplications may be an important factor leading to monogyne and polygyne ant societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Fontana
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Biodiversity Taiwan International Graduate Program, Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ni-Chen Chang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tiffany Chang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chi Lee
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Viet-Dai Dang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Biodiversity Taiwan International Graduate Program, Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - John Wang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Pei XJ, Chen N, Bai Y, Qiao JW, Li S, Fan YL, Liu TX. BgFas1: A fatty acid synthase gene required for both hydrocarbon and cuticular fatty acid biosynthesis in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 112:103203. [PMID: 31425851 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), the evolutionary products of aquatic hexapod ancestors expanding to terrestrial environment, are deposited on the surface of insect integument and originally functioned primarily as waterproofing agents. CHCs are derived from the conserved fatty acid synthesis pathway in insects. However, the pivotal fatty acid synthase (FAS) involved in hydrocarbon (HC) biosynthesis remains unknown in many insect orders including the primitive Blattodea. Here, we investigated functional FAS genes that modulate cuticular lipid biogenesis in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). Based on our full-length transcriptomic data and the available genomic data, seven FAS genes (BgFas1-7) were identified from B. germanica. Tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that BgFas1, BgFas3, BgFas4 and BgFas7 were highly expressed in the integument, whereas BgFas2 was dominantly expressed in the fat body. BgFas5/6 mRNA was almost negligible in the tested tissues. Systemic RNAi screen was performed against BgFas1-7, we found that only RNAi knockdown of BgFas1 caused a dramatic reduction of methyl-branched HCs (mbHCs) and a slight decrease of straight-chain HCs (scHCs) for both internal and external HCs. Significant reduction of cuticular free fatty acids (cFFAs) was also detected within BgFas1-repressed cockroaches, while repression of CYP4G19 resulted in dramatic increase of cFFAs. Moreover, we found that BgFas1 mRNA levels were correlated with insect molting cycles, and could be induced by long-term mild dryness treatment. Furthermore, desiccation assay revealed that BgFas1 suppression accelerated water loss and led to early death of cockroaches under desiccation. Our results indicate that BgFas1 is necessary for both HC and cFFA biosynthesis in B. germanica. In addition, our study also confirms that cuticular lipids, particularly mbCHCs, are critical for desiccation resistance in B. germanica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jin Pei
- 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, 712100, PR China.
| | - Nan Chen
- 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, 712100, PR China; 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, 510631, China.
| | - Yu 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, 712100, PR China; 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, 510631, China.
| | - Jian-Wen Qiao
- 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, 712100, PR 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, 510631, China.
| | - Yong-Liang 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, 712100, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Tong-Xian Liu
- 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, 712100, PR China.
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21
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Patlar B, Weber M, Ramm SA. Genetic and environmental variation in transcriptional expression of seminal fluid proteins. Heredity (Edinb) 2019; 122:595-611. [PMID: 30356222 PMCID: PMC6461930 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-018-0160-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) are crucial mediators of sexual selection and sexual conflict. Recent studies have chiefly focused on environmentally induced plasticity as one source of variation in SFP expression, particularly in response to differing sperm competition levels. However, understanding the evolution of a trait in heterogenous environments requires estimates of both environmental and genetic sources of variation, as well as their interaction. Therefore, we investigated how environment (specifically mating group size, a good predictor of sperm competition intensity), genotype and genotype-by-environment interactions affect seminal fluid expression. To do so, we reared 12 inbred lines of a simultaneously hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano in groups of either two or eight worms and measured the expression levels of 58 putative SFP transcripts. We then examined the source of variation in the expression of each transcript individually and for multivariate axes extracted from a principal component analysis. We found that mating group size did not affect expression levels according to the single transcript analyses, nor did it affect the first principal component (presumably representing overall investment in seminal fluid production). However, mating group size did affect the relative expression of different transcripts captured by the second principal component (presumably reflecting variation in seminal fluid composition). Most transcripts were genetically variable in their expression level and several exhibited genotype-by-environment interactions; relative composition also showed high genetic variation. Collectively, our results reveal the tightly integrated nature of the seminal fluid transcriptome and provide new insights into the quantitative genetic basis of seminal fluid investment and composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Patlar
- Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Michael Weber
- Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Steven A Ramm
- Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Ronacher B. Innate releasing mechanisms and fixed action patterns: basic ethological concepts as drivers for neuroethological studies on acoustic communication in Orthoptera. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2019; 205:33-50. [PMID: 30617601 PMCID: PMC6394777 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-018-01311-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This review addresses the history of neuroethological studies on acoustic communication in insects. One objective is to reveal how basic ethological concepts developed in the 1930s, such as innate releasing mechanisms and fixed action patterns, have influenced the experimental and theoretical approaches to studying acoustic communication systems in Orthopteran insects. The idea of innateness of behaviors has directly fostered the search for central pattern generators that govern the stridulation patterns of crickets, katydids or grasshoppers. A central question pervading 50 years of research is how the essential match between signal features and receiver characteristics has evolved and is maintained during evolution. As in other disciplines, the tight interplay between technological developments and experimental and theoretical advances becomes evident throughout this review. While early neuroethological studies focused primarily on proximate questions such as the implementation of feature detectors or central pattern generators, later the interest shifted more towards ultimate questions. Orthoptera offer the advantage that both proximate and ultimate questions can be tackled in the same system. An important advance was the transition from laboratory studies under well-defined acoustic conditions to field studies that allowed to measure costs and benefits of acoustic signaling as well as constraints on song evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Ronacher
- Behavioural Physiology Group, Department of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstraße 13, Haus 18, 10099, Berlin, Germany.
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23
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Dani FR, Turillazzi S. Chemical Communication and Reproduction Partitioning in Social Wasps. J Chem Ecol 2018; 44:796-804. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-018-0968-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Hemimetabolous genomes reveal molecular basis of termite eusociality. Nat Ecol Evol 2018; 2:557-566. [PMID: 29403074 PMCID: PMC6482461 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0459-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Around 150 million years ago, eusocial termites evolved from within the cockroaches, 50 million years before eusocial Hymenoptera, such as bees and ants, appeared. Here, we report the 2-Gb genome of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, and the 1.3-Gb genome of the drywood termite Cryptotermes secundus. We show evolutionary signatures of termite eusociality by comparing the genomes and transcriptomes of three termites and the cockroach against the background of 16 other eusocial and non-eusocial insects. Dramatic adaptive changes in genes underlying the production and perception of pheromones confirm the importance of chemical communication in the termites. These are accompanied by major changes in gene regulation and the molecular evolution of caste determination. Many of these results parallel molecular mechanisms of eusocial evolution in Hymenoptera. However, the specific solutions are remarkably different, thus revealing a striking case of convergence in one of the major evolutionary transitions in biological complexity.
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Clemens J, Aufderheide J, Ronacher B. Relative weighting of acoustic information during mating decisions in grasshoppers indicates signatures of sexual selection. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2017; 203:891-901. [PMID: 28733816 PMCID: PMC5644699 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-017-1200-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The decision with whom to mate is crucial in determining an individual's fitness and is often based on the evaluation of visual or acoustic displays produced during courtship. Accordingly, the algorithms for evaluating such courtship signals are shaped by sexual selection and should reflect the expected benefits and costs of mating: signals bearing heterospecific features should be rapidly rejected, since mating would produce no fertile offspring, while signals resembling conspecific ones should be weighted proportional to mate quality. We test these hypotheses in females of the grasshopper Chorthippus biguttulus who assess males by their song, which is produced as a sequence of subunits with species and individual specific signatures. We present mixed sequences of subunits with conflicting cues and use a computational model of decision-making to infer how sensory information is weighted and integrated over the song. Consistent with our hypothesis, females do weight sensory cues according to the expected fitness benefits/costs: heterospecific subunits are weighted particularly negatively and lead to a rejection of the male early in the song. Conspecific subunits are weighted moderately, permitting a more complete evaluation of the full song. However, there exists an overall negative bias against mating, possible causes of which are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Clemens
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA.
| | - Jennifer Aufderheide
- Behavioral Physiology Group, Department of Biology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ronacher
- Behavioral Physiology Group, Department of Biology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, 10115, Berlin, Germany.
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