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Casuso A, Benavente BP, Leal Y, Carrera-Naipil C, Valenzuela-Muñoz V, Gallardo-Escárate C. Sex-Biased Transcription Expression of Vitellogenins Reveals Fusion Gene and MicroRNA Regulation in the Sea Louse Caligus rogercresseyi. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 26:243-260. [PMID: 38294574 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-024-10291-2] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The caligid ectoparasite, Caligus rogercresseyi, is one of the main concerns in the Chilean salmon industry. The molecular mechanisms displayed by the parasite during the reproductive process represent an opportunity for developing novel control strategies. Vitellogenin is a multifunctional protein recognized as a critical player in several crustaceans' biological processes, including reproduction, embryonic development, and immune response. This study aimed to characterize the C. rogercresseyi vitellogenins, including discovering novel transcripts and regulatory mechanisms associated with microRNAs. Herein, vitellogenin genes were identified by homology analysis using the reference sea louse genome, transcriptome database, and arthropods vitellogenin-protein database. The validation of expression transcripts was conducted by RNA nanopore sequencing technology. Moreover, fusion gene profiling, miRNA target analysis, and functional validation were performed using luciferase assay. Six putative vitellogenin genes were identified in the C. rogercresseyi genome with high homology with other copepods vitellogenins. Furthermore, miR-996 showed a putative role in regulating the Cr_Vitellogenin1 gene, which is highly expressed in females. Moreover, vitellogenin-fusion genes were identified in adult stages and highly regulated in males, demonstrating sex-related expression patterns. In females, the identified fusion genes merged with several non-vitellogenin genes involved in biological processes of ribosome assembly, BMP signaling pathway, and biosynthetic processes. This study reports the genome array of vitellogenins in C. rogercresseyi for the first time, revealing the putative role of fusion genes and miRNA regulation in sea lice biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Casuso
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Aquatic Genomics, Department of Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Bárbara P Benavente
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Aquatic Genomics, Department of Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Yeny Leal
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Aquatic Genomics, Department of Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Crisleri Carrera-Naipil
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Valentina Valenzuela-Muñoz
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Aquatic Genomics, Department of Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Cristian Gallardo-Escárate
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Aquatic Genomics, Department of Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
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2
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Schwartz MB, Prudnikova MM, Andreenkov OV, Volkova EI, Zhimulev IF, Antonenko OV, Demakov SA. Transcription factor DREF regulates expression of the microRNA gene bantam in Drosophila melanogaster. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2024; 28:131-137. [PMID: 38680180 PMCID: PMC11043500 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-24-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The bantam gene encodes a vital microRNA and has a complex expression pattern in various tissues at different stages of Drosophila development. This microRNA is involved in the control of normal development of the ocular and wing imaginal discs, the central nervous system, and also in maintaining the undifferentiated state of stem cells in the ovaries of adult females. At the cellular level, bantam stimulates cell proliferation and prevents apoptosis. The bantam gene is a target of several conserved signaling cascades, in particular, Hippo. At the moment, at least ten proteins are known to directly regulate the expression of this gene in different tissues of Drosophila. In this study, we found that the bantam regulatory region contains motifs characteristic of binding sites for DREF, a transcription factor that regulates the expression of Hippo cascade genes. Using transgenic lines containing a full-length bantam lethality-rescuing deletion fragment and a fragment with a disrupted DREF binding site, we show that these motifs are functionally significant because their disruption at the bantam locus reduces expression levels in the larvae and ovaries of homozygous flies, which correlates with reduced vitality and fertility. The effect of DREF binding to the promoter region of the bantam gene on its expression level suggests an additional level of complexity in the regulation of expression of this microRNA. A decrease in the number of eggs laid and a shortening of the reproductive period in females when the DREF binding site in the regulatory region of the bantam gene is disrupted suggests that, through bantam, DREF is also involved in the regulation of Drosophila oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Schwartz
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - M M Prudnikova
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - O V Andreenkov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - E I Volkova
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - I F Zhimulev
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - O V Antonenko
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - S A Demakov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Zheng J, Xu J, Zhang R, Du J, Wang H, Li J, Zhou D, Sun Y, Shen B. MicroRNA-989 targets 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor1 to regulate ovarian development and eggs production in Culex pipiens pallens. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:326. [PMID: 37705064 PMCID: PMC10498645 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05957-0] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female mosquitoes need a blood meal after mating for their eggs to develop, and this behavior leads to the spread of pathogens. Therefore, understanding the molecular regulation of reproduction in female mosquitoes is essential to control mosquito vector populations. In this study, we reported that microRNA-989 (miR-989), which targets 5-HTR1 (encoding secreted 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor1), is essential for mosquito reproduction. METHODS The spatiotemporal expression profile of miR-989 was detected using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). miR-989 antagomirs and antagomir-negative control (NC) were designed and synthesized to knock down the expression of endogenous miR-989 in female mosquitoes. RNA sequencing was used to analyze the ovarian response to miR-989 deletion. The targets of miR-989 were predicted and confirmed using RNAhybrid and dual-luciferase assays. RESULTS miR-989 is exclusively expressed in female mosquito ovaries and responds to blood feeding. Injection of the miR-989 antagomir resulted in smaller ovaries and reduced egg production. 5-HTR1 was demonstrated as a target of miR-989. The deletion of miR-989 contributed to the upregulation of 5-HTR1 expression. Knockdown of 5-HTR1 rescued the adverse egg production caused by miR-989 silencing. Thus, miR-989 might play an essential role in female reproduction by targeting 5-HTR1. CONCLUSIONS We found that miR-989 targets 5-HTR1 and participates in the regulation of reproduction in female mosquitoes. These findings expand our understanding of reproduction-related miRNAs and promote new control strategies for mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junnan Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Huai'an TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Huai'an, 223001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingwei Xu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruiming Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajia Du
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinze Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Shen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Gao Y, Yang L, Chen Y, Liu P, Zhou Y, Chen X, Gu J. Aal-circRNA-407 regulates ovarian development of Aedes albopictus, a major arbovirus vector, via the miR-9a-5p/Foxl axis. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011374. [PMID: 37146060 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aedes albopictus shows a rapid global expansion and dramatic vectorial capacity for various arboviruses, thus posing a severe threat to global health. Although many noncoding RNAs have been confirmed to play functional roles in various biological processes in Ae. albopictus, the roles of circRNA remain a mystery. In the present study, we first performed high-throughput circRNA sequencing in Ae. albopictus. Then, we identified a cysteine desulfurase (CsdA) superfamily gene-originated circRNA, named aal-circRNA-407, which was the third most abundant circRNA in adult females and displayed a fat body highly expressed manifestation and blood feeding-dependent onset. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of circRNA-407 resulted in a decrease in the number of developing follicles and a reduction in follicle size post blood meal. Furthermore, we demonstrated that circRNA-407 can act as a sponge of aal-miR-9a-5p to promote the expression of its target gene Foxl and eventually regulate ovarian development. Our study is the first to report a functional circRNA in mosquitoes, expanding our current understanding of important biological roles in mosquitoes and providing an alternative genetic strategy for mosquito control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yulan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Peiwen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoguang Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinbao Gu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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5
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Xie J, Cai Z, Zheng W, Zhang H. Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in response to gut microbiota depletion in the abdomens of female Bactrocera dorsalis. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:443-458. [PMID: 35751912 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Insect gut microbiota has been reported to participate in regulating host multiple biological processes including metabolism and reproduction. However, the corresponding molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in complex interactions between the gut microbiota and the host. Here, we used next-generation sequencing technology to characterize miRNA and mRNA expression profiles and construct the miRNA-gene regulatory network in response to gut microbiota depletion in the abdomens of female Bactrocera dorsalis. A total of 3016 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified. Based on the integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA sequencing data, 229 negatively correlated miRNA-gene pairs were identified from the miRNA-mRNA network. Gene ontology enrichment analysis indicated that DEMs could target several genes involved in the metabolic process, oxidation-reduction process, oogenesis, and insulin signaling pathway. Finally, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction further verified the accuracy of RNA sequencing results. In conclusion, our study provides the profiles of miRNA and mRNA expressions under antibiotics treatment and provides an insight into the roles of miRNAs and their target genes in the interaction between the gut microbiota and its host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfei Xie
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, China-Australia Joint Research Centre for Horticultural and Urban Pests, Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhaohui Cai
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, China-Australia Joint Research Centre for Horticultural and Urban Pests, Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Wenping Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, China-Australia Joint Research Centre for Horticultural and Urban Pests, Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, China-Australia Joint Research Centre for Horticultural and Urban Pests, Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
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6
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Abbas MN, Kausar S, Asma B, Ran W, Li J, Lin Z, Li T, Cui H. MicroRNAs reshape the immunity of insects in response to bacterial infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1176966. [PMID: 37153604 PMCID: PMC10161253 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1176966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between bacteria and insects can significantly impact a wide range of different areas because bacteria and insects are widely distributed around the globe. The bacterial-insect interactions have the potential to directly affect human health since insects are vectors for disease transmission, and their interactions can also have economic consequences. In addition, they have been linked to high mortality rates in economically important insects, resulting in substantial economic losses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are types of non-coding RNAs involved in regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. The length of miRNAs ranges from 19 to 22 nucleotides. MiRNAs, in addition to their ability to exhibit dynamic expression patterns, have a diverse range of targets. This enables them to govern various physiological activities in insects, like innate immune responses. Increasing evidence suggests that miRNAs have a crucial biological role in bacterial infection by influencing immune responses and other mechanisms for resistance. This review focuses on some of the most recent and exciting discoveries made in recent years, including the correlation between the dysregulation of miRNA expression in the context of bacterial infection and the progression of the infection. Furthermore, it describes how they profoundly impact the immune responses of the host by targeting the Toll, IMD, and JNK signaling pathways. It also emphasizes the biological function of miRNAs in regulating immune responses in insects. Finally, it also discusses current knowledge gaps about the function of miRNAs in insect immunity, in addition to areas that require more research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Saima Kausar
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bibi Asma
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenhao Ran
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Gastrointestinal Vascular Surgery, The Chongqing Ninth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingui Li
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Gastrointestinal Vascular Surgery, The Chongqing Ninth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Zini Lin
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Gastrointestinal Vascular Surgery, The Chongqing Ninth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Tiejun Li
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Gastrointestinal Vascular Surgery, The Chongqing Ninth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Tiejun Li, ; Hongjuan Cui,
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Tiejun Li, ; Hongjuan Cui,
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Regulation of vtg and VtgR in mud crab Scylla paramamosain by miR-34. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:7367-7376. [PMID: 35715603 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07530-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitellogenin (Vtg) is the precursor of major yolk protein and plays a crucial role in the maturation of oocytes and the production of eggs in oviparous animals. Vitellogenin receptor (VtgR) mediates the transport of Vtg explicitly to oocytes in the membrane. In a previous study, we found that miR-34 can regulate the expression of some eyestalk genes and affect reproduction in mud crab Scylla paramamosain, one of the most important economic crabs on the coasts of southern China. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, firstly, we found that miR-34 can target at 3'-UTR of Vtg and VtgR genes by using bioinformatic tools and predicted miR-34 might depress the expression of Vtg and VtgR. Secondly, the relative luciferase activity of HEK293T cells co-transfected with miRNA mimic and pmir-RB-REPORTTM-Vtg/VtgR-3'UTR was significantly lower than those of cells co-transfected with mimic NC and pmir-RB-REPORTTM-Vtg/VtgR-3'UTR. Finally, in vivo experiments showed that agomiR-34 could repress the expression of Vtg and VtgR genes, while Antigomir-34 could promote the expression of these two genes. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm our hypothesis and previous published results that miR-34 may indirectly regulate ovarian development by binding to the 3'-UTR of Vtg and VtgR genes and inhibiting their expression.
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8
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Perdomo HD, Hussain M, Parry R, Etebari K, Hedges LM, Zhang G, Schulz BL, Asgari S. Human blood microRNA hsa-miR-21-5p induces vitellogenin in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Commun Biol 2021; 4:856. [PMID: 34244602 PMCID: PMC8270986 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02385-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito vectors transmit various diseases through blood feeding, required for their egg development. Hence, blood feeding is a major physiological event in their life cycle, during which hundreds of genes are tightly regulated. Blood is a rich source of proteins for mosquitoes, but also contains many other molecules including microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we found that human blood miRNAs are transported abundantly into the fat body tissue of Aedes aegypti, a key metabolic center in post-blood feeding reproductive events, where they target and regulate mosquito genes. Using an artificial diet spiked with the mimic of an abundant and stable human blood miRNA, hsa-miR-21-5p, and proteomics analysis, we found over 40 proteins showing differential expression in female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes after feeding. Of interest, we found that the miRNA positively regulates the vitellogenin gene, coding for a yolk protein produced in the mosquito fat body and then transported to the ovaries as a protein source for egg production. Inhibition of hsa-miR-21-5p followed by human blood feeding led to a statistically insignificant reduction in progeny production. The results provide another example of the involvement of small regulatory molecules in the interaction of taxonomically vastly different taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo D. Perdomo
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Mazhar Hussain
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Rhys Parry
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Kayvan Etebari
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Lauren M. Hedges
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Guangmei Zhang
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Benjamin L. Schulz
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
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9
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Hormone-dependent activation and repression of microRNAs by the ecdysone receptor in the dengue vector mosquito Aedes aegypti. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2102417118. [PMID: 34155112 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102417118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Female mosquitoes transmit numerous devastating human diseases because they require vertebrate blood meal for egg development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles across multiple reproductive processes in female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, how miRNAs are controlled to coordinate their activity with the demands of mosquito reproduction remains largely unknown. We report that the ecdysone receptor (EcR)-mediated 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling regulates miRNA expression in female mosquitoes. EcR RNA-interference silencing linked to small RNA-sequencing analysis reveals that EcR not only activates but also represses miRNA expression in the female mosquito fat body, a functional analog of the vertebrate liver. EcR directly represses the expression of clustered miR-275 and miR-305 before blood feeding when the 20E titer is low, whereas it activates their expression in response to the increased 20E titer after a blood meal. Furthermore, we find that SMRTER, an insect analog of the vertebrate nuclear receptor corepressors SMRT and N-CoR, interacts with EcR in a 20E-sensitive manner and is required for EcR-mediated repression of miRNA expression in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. In addition, we demonstrate that miR-275 and miR-305 directly target glutamate semialdehyde dehydrogenase and AAEL009899, respectively, to facilitate egg development. This study reveals a mechanism for how miRNAs are controlled by the 20E signaling pathway to coordinate their activity with the demands of mosquito reproduction.
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10
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Xu TL, Sun YW, Feng XY, Zhou XN, Zheng B. Development of miRNA-Based Approaches to Explore the Interruption of Mosquito-Borne Disease Transmission. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:665444. [PMID: 34235091 PMCID: PMC8256169 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.665444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA or miR)-based approaches to interrupt the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases have been explored since 2005. A review of these studies and areas in which to proceed is needed. In this review, significant progress is reviewed at the level of individual miRNAs, and miRNA diversification and relevant confounders are described in detail. Current miRNA studies in mosquitoes include four steps, namely, identifying miRNAs, validating miRNA-pathogen interactions, exploring action mechanisms, and performing preapplication investigations. Notably, regarding the Plasmodium parasite, mosquito miRNAs generally bind to mosquito immunity- or development-related mRNAs, indirectly regulating Plasmodium infection; However, regarding arboviruses, mosquito miRNAs can bind to the viral genome, directly modifying viral replication. Thus, during explorations of miRNA-based approaches, researchers need select an ideal miRNA for investigation based on the mosquito species, tissue, and mosquito-borne pathogen of interest. Additionally, strategies for miRNA-based approaches differ for arboviruses and protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tie-Long Xu
- Evidence-Based Medicine Research Center, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Wen Sun
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Yu Feng
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China.,School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China.,School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China.,School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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11
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Yang L, Weiss BL, Williams AE, Aksoy E, de Silva Orfano A, Son JH, Wu Y, Vigneron A, Karakus M, Aksoy S. Paratransgenic manipulation of a tsetse microRNA alters the physiological homeostasis of the fly's midgut environment. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009475. [PMID: 34107000 PMCID: PMC8216540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tsetse flies are vectors of parasitic African trypanosomes, the etiological agents of human and animal African trypanosomoses. Current disease control methods include fly-repelling pesticides, fly trapping, and chemotherapeutic treatment of infected people and animals. Inhibiting tsetse's ability to transmit trypanosomes by strengthening the fly's natural barriers can serve as an alternative approach to reduce disease. The peritrophic matrix (PM) is a chitinous and proteinaceous barrier that lines the insect midgut and serves as a protective barrier that inhibits infection with pathogens. African trypanosomes must cross tsetse's PM in order to establish an infection in the fly, and PM structural integrity negatively correlates with trypanosome infection outcomes. Bloodstream form trypanosomes shed variant surface glycoproteins (VSG) into tsetse's gut lumen early during the infection establishment, and free VSG molecules are internalized by the fly's PM-producing cardia. This process results in a reduction in the expression of a tsetse microRNA (miR275) and a sequential molecular cascade that compromises PM integrity. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are critical in regulating many physiological processes. In the present study, we investigated the role(s) of tsetse miR275 by developing a paratransgenic expression system that employs tsetse's facultative bacterial endosymbiont, Sodalis glossinidius, to express tandem antagomir-275 repeats (or miR275 sponges). This system induces a constitutive, 40% reduction in miR275 transcript abundance in the fly's midgut and results in obstructed blood digestion (gut weights increased by 52%), a significant increase (p-value < 0.0001) in fly survival following infection with an entomopathogenic bacteria, and a 78% increase in trypanosome infection prevalence. RNA sequencing of cardia and midgut tissues from paratransgenic tsetse confirmed that miR275 regulates processes related to the expression of PM-associated proteins and digestive enzymes as well as genes that encode abundant secretory proteins. Our study demonstrates that paratransgenesis can be employed to study microRNA regulated pathways in arthropods that house symbiotic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Brian L. Weiss
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Adeline E. Williams
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Emre Aksoy
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alessandra de Silva Orfano
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Jae Hak Son
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Yineng Wu
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Aurelien Vigneron
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mehmet Karakus
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serap Aksoy
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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12
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Rozen-Gagnon K, Gu M, Luna JM, Luo JD, Yi S, Novack S, Jacobson E, Wang W, Paul MR, Scheel TKH, Carroll T, Rice CM. Argonaute-CLIP delineates versatile, functional RNAi networks in Aedes aegypti, a major vector of human viruses. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:834-848.e13. [PMID: 33794184 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Argonaute (AGO) proteins bind small RNAs to silence complementary RNA transcripts, and they are central to RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi is critical for regulation of gene expression and antiviral defense in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit Zika, chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever viruses. In mosquitoes, AGO1 mediates miRNA interactions, while AGO2 mediates siRNA interactions. We applied AGO-crosslinking immunoprecipitation (AGO-CLIP) for both AGO1 and AGO2, and we developed a universal software package for CLIP analysis (CLIPflexR), identifying 230 small RNAs and 5,447 small RNA targets that comprise a comprehensive RNAi network map in mosquitoes. RNAi network maps predicted expression levels of small RNA targets in specific tissues. Additionally, this resource identified unexpected, context-dependent AGO2 target preferences, including endogenous viral elements and 3'UTRs. Finally, contrary to current thinking, mosquito AGO2 repressed imperfect targets. These findings expand our understanding of small RNA networks and have broad implications for the study of antiviral RNAi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Rozen-Gagnon
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Meigang Gu
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Joseph M Luna
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ji-Dung Luo
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Soon Yi
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sasha Novack
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Eliana Jacobson
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Matthew R Paul
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Troels K H Scheel
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Carroll
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Charles M Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, the Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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13
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Teles-de-Freitas R, Barboza L, Bruno RV. Off with their heads: analysis of the circadian clock genes expression in the body of Aedes aegypti. Chronobiol Int 2021; 38:994-1001. [PMID: 33771062 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2021.1903030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The circadian clock of mosquitoes can influence physiological and behavioral processes linked to disease transmission. Currently, we know how clock genes are expressed in the head of the Aedes aegypti in different light and temperature regimens, but we still do not know anything about the expression of these genes in the body. The present work aims to contribute to this understanding. We observed that the expression of clock genes in the body of Aedes can be different from that in the head. Additionally, we found that temperature cycles have greater influence on the clock genes of the body of Aedes than light/dark cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayane Teles-de-Freitas
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Liliane Barboza
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafaela V Bruno
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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14
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Wu Z, Yang L, He Q, Zhou S. Regulatory Mechanisms of Vitellogenesis in Insects. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:593613. [PMID: 33634094 PMCID: PMC7901893 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.593613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitellogenesis is pre-requisite to insect egg production and embryonic development after oviposition. During insect vitellogenesis, the yolk protein precursor vitellogenin (Vg) is mainly synthesized in the fat body, transported by the hemolymph through the intercellular spaces (known as patency) in the follicular epithelium to reach the membrane of maturing oocytes, and sequestered into the maturing oocytes via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Insect vitellogenesis is governed by two critical hormones, the sesquiterpenoid juvenile hormone (JH) and the ecdysteriod 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). JH acts as the principal gonadotropic hormone to stimulate vitellogenesis in basal hemimetabolous and most holometabolous insects. 20E is critical for vitellogenesis in some hymenopterans, lepidopterans and dipterans. Furthermore, microRNA (miRNA) and nutritional (amino acid/Target of Rapamycin and insulin) pathways interplay with JH and 20E signaling cascades to control insect vitellogenesis. Revealing the regulatory mechanisms underlying insect vitellogenesis is critical for understanding insect reproduction and helpful for developing new strategies of insect pest control. Here, we outline the recent research progress in the molecular action of gonadotropic JH and 20E along with the role of miRNA and nutritional sensor in regulating insect vitellogenesis. We highlight the advancements in the regulatory mechanisms of insect vitellogenesis by the coordination of hormone, miRNA and nutritional signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxia Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Libin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Qiongjie He
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Shutang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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15
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Zhang X, Raikhel AS. Hormonal regulation of microRNA expression dynamics in the gut of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. RNA Biol 2020; 18:1682-1691. [PMID: 33317406 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1864181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti is an obligatory blood feeder and a major arboviral disease vector, evoking severe public health concerns worldwide. In adult female mosquitoes, the gut is critical for blood digestion and pathogen entry. We aimed for a systematic exploration of microRNA expression dynamics in the gut during the gonadotrophic cycle. Small RNA libraries were constructed from female mosquito gut tissues at five time points. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering revealed three expression clusters (early, mid and late) peaking at sequential time points - 24, 48 and 72 h posteclosion. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified at 24 h post-blood meal (PBM). Depletions of Methoprene-tolerant [Met; the juvenile hormone (JH) receptor] and Ecdysone receptor [EcR; the receptor to 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)] were performed using dsRNA to these genes to investigate impacts on microRNA expressions. Our results suggest that Met-mediated signalling downregulates miRNA expression from the early cluster and upregulates that from the late cluster. EcR signalling either up- or downregulated miRNA levels at 24 h PBM, indicating a differential effect of this receptor in miRNA gene expression. Furthermore, miR-281, which is the most abundant miRNA in the gut tissue, is induced and repressed by Met- and EcR-mediated signalling, respectively. Systematic depletion using synthetic antagomir and phenotype examinations indicate that miR-281 is obligatory for the normal progression of blood digestion, ovarian development and reproduction. Collectively, this study unveils expression dynamics of microRNAs in the female gut tissue during the gonadotrophic cycle and demonstrates that they are affected by JH and 20E signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufeng Zhang
- Department of Entomology and Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Alexander S Raikhel
- Department of Entomology and Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
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16
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Gaddelapati SC, Dhandapani RK, Palli SR. CREB-binding protein regulates metamorphosis and compound eye development in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194576. [PMID: 32389826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile hormones (JH) and ecdysone coordinately regulate metamorphosis in Aedes aegypti. We studied the function of an epigenetic regulator and multifunctional transactivator, CREB binding protein (CBP) in A. aegypti. RNAi-mediated knockdown of CBP in Ae. aegypti larvae resulted in suppression of JH primary response gene, Krüppel-homolog 1 (Kr-h1), and induction of primary ecdysone response gene, E93, resulting in multiple effects including early metamorphosis, larval-pupal intermediate formation, mortality and inhibition of compound eye development. RNA sequencing identified hundreds of genes, including JH and ecdysone response genes regulated by CBP. In the presence of JH, CBP upregulates Kr-h1 by acetylating core histones at the Kr-h1 promoter and facilitating the recruitment of JH receptor and other proteins. CBP suppresses metamorphosis regulators, EcR-A, USP-A, BR-C, and E93 through the upregulation of Kr-h1 and E75A. CBP regulates the expression of core eye specification genes including those involved in TGF-β and EGFR signaling. These studies demonstrate that CBP is an essential player in JH and 20E action and regulates metamorphosis and compound eye development in Ae. aegypti.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
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17
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Song J, Zhou S. Post-transcriptional regulation of insect metamorphosis and oogenesis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:1893-1909. [PMID: 31724082 PMCID: PMC11105025 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03361-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Metamorphic transformation from larvae to adults along with the high fecundity is key to insect success. Insect metamorphosis and reproduction are governed by two critical endocrines, juvenile hormone (JH), and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Recent studies have established a crucial role of microRNA (miRNA) in insect metamorphosis and oogenesis. While miRNAs target genes involved in JH and 20E-signaling pathways, these two hormones reciprocally regulate miRNA expression, forming regulatory loops of miRNA with JH and 20E-signaling cascades. Insect metamorphosis and oogenesis rely on the coordination of hormones, cognate genes, and miRNAs for precise regulation. In addition, the alternative splicing of genes in JH and 20E-signaling pathways has distinct functions in insect metamorphosis and oogenesis. We, therefore, focus in this review on recent advances in post-transcriptional regulation, with the emphasis on the regulatory role of miRNA and alternative splicing, in insect metamorphosis and oogenesis. We will highlight important new findings of miRNA interactions with hormonal signaling and alternative splicing of JH receptor heterodimer gene Taiman.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiasheng Song
- Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Shutang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
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18
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Fu X, Liu P, Dimopoulos G, Zhu J. Dynamic miRNA-mRNA interactions coordinate gene expression in adult Anopheles gambiae. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008765. [PMID: 32339167 PMCID: PMC7205314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized as important regulators of many biological processes in mosquitoes, vectors of numerous devastating infectious diseases. Identification of bona fide targets remains the bottleneck for functional studies of miRNAs. In this study, we used CLEAR-CLIP assays to systematically analyze miRNA-mRNA interactions in adult female Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Thousands of miRNA-target pairs were captured after direct ligation of the miRNA and its cognate target transcript in endogenous Argonaute–miRNA–mRNA complexes. Using two interactions detected in this manner, miR-309-SIX4 and let-7-kr-h1, we demonstrated the reliability of this experimental approach in identifying in vivo gene regulation by miRNAs. The miRNA-mRNA interaction dataset provided an invaluable opportunity to decipher targeting rules of mosquito miRNAs. Enriched motifs in the diverse targets of each miRNA indicated that the majority of mosquito miRNAs rely on seed-based canonical target recognition, while noncanonical miRNA binding sites are widespread and often contain motifs complementary to the central or 3’ ends of miRNAs. The time-lapse study of miRNA-target interactomes in adult female mosquitoes revealed dynamic miRNA regulation of gene expression in response to varying nutritional sources and physiological demands. Interestingly, some miRNAs exhibited flexibility to use distinct sequences at different stages for target recognition. Furthermore, many miRNA-mRNA interactions displayed stage-specific patterns, especially for those genes involved in metabolism, suggesting that miRNAs play critical roles in precise control of gene expression to cope with enormous physiological demands associated with egg production. The global mapping of miRNA-target interactions contributes to our understanding of miRNA targeting specificity in non-model organisms. It also provides a roadmap for additional studies focused on regulatory functions of miRNAs in Anopheles gambiae. Metazoan miRNAs typically bind to partially complementary sites in their target mRNAs. The interactions between miRNAs and target RNAs are generally stage-specific and context-dependent. Thus, identification of authentic miRNA targets remains a big challenge. Target identification is even more difficult in mosquitoes where miRNA-mRNA pairing rules are poorly characterized. Using an experimental approach, this study captures thousands of endogenous miRNA-target interactions in female mosquitoes at several critical stages during adult reproduction. Analyses of the target sequences reveal how individual miRNAs accomplish their target recognition in mosquitoes. Interestingly, many mosquito miRNAs exhibit flexibility to use distinct sequences at different stages to pair with their targets, greatly altering target selectivity and expanding target repertoire of miRNAs. Drastic changes in mRNA abundance have been previously reported when adult female mosquitoes attend to varying nutritional sources and physiological demands. The temporal patterns of miRNA-target interactions obtained in this study provide new insights into the roles of miRNAs in tightly controlled gene expression associated with blood-feeding and mosquito oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Fu
- The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Pengcheng Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jinsong Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Dong S, Fu X, Dong Y, Simões ML, Zhu J, Dimopoulos G. Broad spectrum immunomodulatory effects of Anopheles gambiae microRNAs and their use for transgenic suppression of Plasmodium. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008453. [PMID: 32330198 PMCID: PMC7202664 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, represents a major threat to human health. Plasmodium’s infection cycle in the Anopheles vector is critical for transmission of the parasite between humans. The midgut-stage bottleneck of infection is largely imposed by the mosquito’s innate immune system. microRNAs (miRNAs, small noncoding RNAs that bind to target RNAs to regulate gene expression) are also involved in regulating immunity and the anti-Plasmodium defense in mosquitoes. Here, we characterized the mosquito’s miRNA responses to Plasmodium infection using an improved crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) method, termed covalent ligation of endogenous Argonaute-bound RNAs (CLEAR)-CLIP. Three candidate miRNAs’ influence on P. falciparum infection and midgut microbiota was studied through transgenically expressed miRNA sponges (miR-SPs) in midgut and fat body tissues. MiR-SPs mediated conditional depletion of aga-miR-14 or aga-miR-305, but not aga-miR-8, increased mosquito resistance to both P. falciparum and P. berghei infection, and enhanced the mosquitoes’ antibacterial defenses. Transcriptome analysis revealed that depletion of aga-miR-14 or aga-miR-305 resulted in an increased expression of multiple immunity-related and anti-Plasmodium genes in mosquito midguts. The overall fitness cost of conditionally expressed miR-SPs was low, with only one of eight fitness parameters being adversely affected. Taken together, our results demonstrate that targeting mosquito miRNA by conditional expression of miR-SPs may have potential for the development of malaria control through genetically engineered mosquitoes. Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite that is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. The mosquito’s innate immune system plays an important role in controlling parasite infection. We have identified mosquito microRNAs (miRNAs) that are involved in regulating mosquito immunity to parasite infection. Transgenic mosquitoes that deplete the immunity-related miRNAs aga-miR-14 or aga-miR-305 through miRNA sponges, show increased resistance to both human and rodent parasite infection, and enhanced antibacterial defenses. Depletion of aga-miR-14 or aga-miR-305 resulted in an increased expression of multiple immunity-related and anti-Plasmodium genes, and the overall fitness cost of transgenic mosquitoes upon depletion of aga-miR-14 or aga-miR-305 was negligible. We show that targeting mosquito miRNA by transgenic expression of miRNA sponges may have potential for the development of malaria control through genetically engineered mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengzhang Dong
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Xiaonan Fu
- The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
| | - Yuemei Dong
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Maria L. Simões
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Jinsong Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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20
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MicroRNAs regulate innate immunity against uropathogenic and commensal-like Escherichia coli infections in the surrogate insect model Galleria mellonella. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2570. [PMID: 32054914 PMCID: PMC7018962 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59407-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains cause symptomatic urinary tract infections in humans whereas commensal-like E. coli strains in the urinary bladder cause long-term asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU). We previously reported that UPEC and ABU strains differentially regulate key DNA methylation and histone acetylation components in the surrogate insect host Galleria mellonella to epigenetically modulate innate immunity-related gene expression, which in turn controls bacterial growth. In this follow-up study, we infected G. mellonella larvae with UPEC strain CFT073 or ABU strain 83972 to identify differences in the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Our small RNA sequencing analysis showed that UPEC and ABU infections caused significant changes in the abundance of miRNAs in the larvae, and highlighted the differential expression of 147 conserved miRNAs and 95 novel miRNA candidates. We annotated the G. mellonella genome sequence to investigate the miRNA-regulated expression of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides, signaling proteins, and enzymatic regulators of DNA methylation and histone acetylation in infected larvae. Our results indicate that miRNAs play a role in the epigenetic reprograming of innate immunity in G. mellonella larvae to distinguish between pathogenic and commensal strains of E. coli.
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21
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Holmes CJ, Benoit JB. Biological Adaptations Associated with Dehydration in Mosquitoes. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10110375. [PMID: 31661928 PMCID: PMC6920799 DOI: 10.3390/insects10110375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes are a tremendous health and socioeconomic burden with hundreds of millions of people being impacted by mosquito-borne illnesses annually. Many factors have been implicated and extensively studied in disease transmission dynamics, but knowledge regarding how dehydration impacts mosquito physiology, behavior, and resulting mosquito-borne disease transmission remain underdeveloped. The lapse in understanding on how mosquitoes respond to dehydration stress likely obscures our ability to effectively study mosquito physiology, behavior, and vectorial capabilities. The goal of this review is to develop a profile of factors underlying mosquito biology that are altered by dehydration and the implications that are related to disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Holmes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
| | - Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
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22
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Assessing the Potential Interactions between Cellular miRNA and Arboviral Genomic RNA in the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060540. [PMID: 31185697 PMCID: PMC6631873 DOI: 10.3390/v11060540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the role of exogenous small interfering RNA (siRNA) and P-element induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathways in mosquito antiviral immunity is increasingly better understood, there is still little knowledge regarding the role of mosquito cellular microRNA (miRNA). Identifying direct interactions between the mosquito miRNAs and the RNA genome of arboviruses and choosing the relevant miRNA candidates to explore resulting antiviral mechanisms are critical. Here, we carried out genomic analyses to identify Aedes aegypti miRNAs that potentially interact with various lineages and genotypes of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses. By using prediction tools with distinct algorithms, several miRNA binding sites were commonly found within different genotypes/and or lineages of each arbovirus. We further analyzed those miRNAs that could target more than one arbovirus, required a low energy threshold to form miRNA-viralRNA (vRNA) complexes, and predicted potential RNA structures using RNAhybrid software. We predicted miRNA candidates that might participate in regulating arboviral replication in Ae. aegypti. Even without any experimental validation, which should be done as a next step, this study can shed further light on the role of miRNA in mosquito innate immunity and targets for future studies.
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Small RNA-Seq Analysis Reveals miRNA Expression Dynamics Across Tissues in the Malaria Vector, Anopheles gambiae. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2019; 9:1507-1517. [PMID: 30846481 PMCID: PMC6505144 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be a major global health problem, where disease transmission is deeply linked to the repeated blood feeding nature of the anautogenous mosquito. Given the tight link between blood feeding and disease transmission, understanding basic biology behind mosquito physiology is a requirement for developing effective vector-borne disease control strategies. In the mosquito, numerous loss of function studies with notable phenotypes demonstrate microRNAs (miRNAs) play significant roles in mosquito physiology. While the field appreciates the importance of a handful of miRNAs, we still need global mosquito tissue miRNA transcriptome studies. To address this need, our goal was to determine the miRNA transcriptome for multiple tissues of the pre-vitellogenic mosquito. To this end, by using small RNA-Seq analysis, we determined miRNA transcriptomes in tissues critical for mosquito reproduction and immunity including (i) fat body-abdominal wall enriched tissues, (ii) midguts, (iii) ovaries, and (iv) remaining tissues comprised of the head and thorax. We found numerous examples of miRNAs exhibiting pan-tissue high- or low- expression, tissue exclusion, and tissue enrichment. We also updated and consolidated the miRNA catalog and provided a detailed genome architecture map for the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae. This study aims to build a foundation for future research on how miRNAs and potentially other small RNAs regulate mosquito physiology as it relates to vector-borne disease transmission.
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Abstract
The insect fat body is analogous to vertebrate adipose tissue and liver. In this review, the new and exciting advancements made in fat body biology in the last decade are summarized. Controlled by hormonal and nutritional signals, insect fat body cells undergo mitosis during embryogenesis, endoreplication during the larval stages, and remodeling during metamorphosis and regulate reproduction in adults. Fat body tissues are major sites for nutrient storage, energy metabolism, innate immunity, and detoxification. Recent studies have revealed that the fat body plays a central role in the integration of hormonal and nutritional signals to regulate larval growth, body size, circadian clock, pupal diapause, longevity, feeding behavior, and courtship behavior, partially by releasing fat body signals to remotely control the brain. In addition, the fat body has emerged as a fascinating model for studying metabolic disorders and immune diseases. Potential future directions for fat body biology are also proposed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510631, China; , ,
| | - Xiaoqiang Yu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510631, China; , ,
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510631, China; , ,
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25
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Ruzzante L, Reijnders MJ, Waterhouse RM. Of Genes and Genomes: Mosquito Evolution and Diversity. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:32-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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26
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Evidence that microRNAs are part of the molecular toolkit regulating adult reproductive diapause in the mosquito, Culex pipiens. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203015. [PMID: 30496183 PMCID: PMC6264513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
For many insects, diapause is the primary mechanism for surviving unfavorable seasons. Some aspects of diapause regulation are well known, but we still lack a mechanistic understanding of molecular mechanisms that control the diapause pathway. Accumulating evidence suggests microRNAs regulate diapause in evolutionarily diverse insect species including flesh flies and moths, and, it is likely that microRNAs regulate multiple characteristics of diapause, including arrested egg follicle development and fat hypertrophy, in females of the Northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens. To investigate microRNA regulation of diapause in this species, we measured changes in egg follicle development and total lipid content over 22 days following adult emergence. We also evaluated changes in the abundance of candidate microRNAs associated with these physical changes during the same time frame. We found egg follicle size and lipid content were nearly the same in diapausing and nondiapausing females on the day of adult emergence, and then diverged over time such that by day 22 diapausing females had significantly smaller egg follicles and higher total lipids than their nondiapausing counterparts. Several microRNAs associated with lipid metabolism in insects, including miR-14-3p, miR-277-3p, and miR-305-5p, were underexpressed in diapausing females compared to nondiapausing females on the day of adult emergence, which suggests microRNA regulation occurs ahead of observed changes in these two features of the diapause phenotype. We also found miR-309-3p, miR-375-3p which stimulate ovarian development in other mosquito species, were underexpressed in diapausing females of Cx. pipiens at times after diapause is fully established and may be responsible for the arrest in ovarian development in this species. Taken together, our results demonstrate that changes in the abundance of some microRNAs is associated with phenotypic changes in diapause Cx. pipiens and suggests this epigenetic mechanism is part of the molecular toolkit regulating diapause.
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Nouzova M, Etebari K, Noriega FG, Asgari S. A comparative analysis of corpora allata-corpora cardiaca microRNA repertoires revealed significant changes during mosquito metamorphosis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 96:10-18. [PMID: 29605533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The corpora allata (CA) are a pair of endocrine glands with neural connections to the brain and close association with another neuroendocrine organ, the corpora cardiaca (CC). The CA from adult female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes synthesize fluctuating levels of juvenile hormone (JH), which have been linked to the ovarian development and are influenced by nutritional signals. In this study, we investigated the potential involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs), a type of small non-coding RNAs, in the regulation of gene expression in CA-CC complexes during mosquito reproductive development, at stages with distinct JH biosynthesis patterns. We analyzed the miRNA repertoires expressed in the CA-CC of pupae, sugar-fed and blood-fed female Ae. aegypti. In total, 156 mature miRNAs were detected in the CA-CC, with 84 displaying significant differences in expression among the three CA-CC developmental stages. There were more miRNAs that were expressed in pupae, and decreased or were absent after adult emergence, when compared with changes between CA-CC of sugar and blood-fed females. Analysis of the genes identified as potential targets for the CA-CC miRNA repertoires classified them into the broad categories of metabolism, information storage and processing, and cellular processes and signaling; with genes involved in cellular processes and signaling representing the largest portion. Among them, the signal-transduction mechanisms and intracellular trafficking, secretion and vesicular transport contained almost 55% of the genes' targets. A substantial number of miRNAs were differentially abundant in the libraries of the three developmental stages, and those changes were much more notable when pupae and adult stages were compared. We detected putative binding sites for some of the most abundant miRNAs on genes encoding JH biosynthetic enzymes and CC neuropeptides. These studies should help us to gain a better understanding of the regulation of CA-CC activity mediated by miRNAs during major developmental stages in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Nouzova
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Kayvan Etebari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Fernando G Noriega
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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28
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Feng X, Wu J, Zhou S, Wang J, Hu W. Characterization and potential role of microRNA in the Chinese dominant malaria mosquito Anopheles sinensis (Diptera: Culicidae) throughout four different life stages. Cell Biosci 2018; 8:29. [PMID: 29682276 PMCID: PMC5898052 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-018-0227-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND microRNAs (miRNAs) are one kind of small non-coding RNAs widely distributed in insects. Many studies have shown that miRNAs play critical roles in development, differentiation, apoptosis, and innate immunity. However, there are a few reports describing miRNAs in Anopheles sinensis, the most common, and one of the dominant malaria mosquito in China. Here, we investigated the global miRNA expression profile across four different developmental stages including embryo, larval, pupal, and adult stages using Illumina Hiseq 2500 sequencing. RESULTS In total, 164 miRNAs were obtained out of 107.46 million raw sequencing reads. 99 of them identified as known miRNAs, and the remaining 65 miRNAs were considered as novel. By analyzing the read counts of miRNAs in all developmental stages, 95 miRNAs showed stage-specific expression (q < 0.01 and |log2 (fold change)| > 1) in consecutive stages, indicating that these miRNAs may be involved in critical physiological activity during development. Sixteen miRNAs were identified to be commonly dysregulated throughout four developmental stages. Many miRNAs showed stage-specific expression, such as asi-miR-2943 was exclusively expressed in the embryo stage, and asi-miR-1891 could not be detected in larval stage. The expression of six selected differentially expressed miRNAs identified by qRT-PCR were consistent with our sequencing results. Furthermore, 5296 and 1902 target genes were identified for the dysregulated 68 known and 27 novel miRNAs respectively by combining miRanda and RNAhybrid prediction. GO annotation and KEGG pathway analysis for the predicted genes of dysregulated miRNAs revealed that they might be involved in a broad range of biological processes related with the development, such as membrane, organic substance transport and several key pathways including protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, propanoate metabolism and folate biosynthesis. Thirty-two key miRNAs were identified by microRNA-gene network analysis. CONCLUSION The present study represents the first global characterization of An. sinensis miRNAs in its four developmental stages. The presence and differential expression of An. sinensis miRNAs imply that such miRNAs may play critical roles in An. sinensis life cycle. A better understanding of the functions of these miRNAs will have great implication for the effective control of vector population and therefore interrupting malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Feng
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025 People’s Republic of China
- Joint Research Laboratory of Genetics and Ecology on Parasites-hosts Interaction, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases-Fudan University, Shanghai, 200025 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiatong Wu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuisen Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China
| | - Wei Hu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025 People’s Republic of China
- Joint Research Laboratory of Genetics and Ecology on Parasites-hosts Interaction, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases-Fudan University, Shanghai, 200025 People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China
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29
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Ferreira CM, Oliveira MP, Paes MC, Oliveira MF. Modulation of mitochondrial metabolism as a biochemical trait in blood feeding organisms: the redox vampire hypothesis redux. Cell Biol Int 2018; 42:683-700. [PMID: 29384241 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hematophagous organisms undergo remarkable metabolic changes during the blood digestion process, increasing fermentative glucose metabolism, and reducing respiratory rates, both consequence of functional mitochondrial remodeling. Here, we review the pathways involved in energy metabolism and mitochondrial functionality in a comparative framework across different hematophagous species, and consider how these processes regulate redox homeostasis during blood digestion. The trend across distinct species indicate that a switch in energy metabolism might represent an important defensive mechanism to avoid the potential harmful interaction of oxidants generated from aerobic energy metabolism with products derived from blood digestion. Indeed, in insect vectors, blood feeding transiently reduces respiratory rates and oxidant production, irrespective of tissue and insect model. On the other hand, a different scenario is observed in several unrelated parasite species when exposed to blood digestion products, as respiratory rates reduce and mitochondrial oxidant production increase. The emerging picture indicates that re-wiring of energy metabolism, through reduced mitochondrial function, culminates in improved tolerance to redox insults and seems to represent a key step for hematophagous organisms to cope with the overwhelming and potentially toxic blood meal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Ferreira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-590, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Matheus P Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-590, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-590, Brazil.,Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Marcia C Paes
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-590, Brazil.,Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20551-030, Brazil
| | - Marcus F Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-590, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-590, Brazil
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30
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Roy S, Saha TT, Zou Z, Raikhel AS. Regulatory Pathways Controlling Female Insect Reproduction. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 63:489-511. [PMID: 29058980 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 276] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis of vitellogenin and its uptake by maturing oocytes during egg maturation are essential for successful female reproduction. These events are regulated by the juvenile hormones and ecdysteroids and by the nutritional signaling pathway regulated by neuropeptides. Juvenile hormones act as gonadotropins, regulating vitellogenesis in most insects, but ecdysteroids control this process in Diptera and some Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera. The complex crosstalk between the juvenile hormones, ecdysteroids, and nutritional signaling pathways differs distinctly depending on the reproductive strategies adopted by various insects. Molecular studies within the past decade have revealed much about the relationships among, and the role of, these pathways with respect to regulation of insect reproduction. Here, we review the role of juvenile hormones, ecdysteroids, and nutritional signaling, along with that of microRNAs, in regulating female insect reproduction at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Roy
- Department of Entomology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, and Center for Disease Vector Research, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA; , ,
| | - Tusar T Saha
- Department of Entomology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, and Center for Disease Vector Research, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA; , ,
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
| | - Alexander S Raikhel
- Department of Entomology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, and Center for Disease Vector Research, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA; , ,
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31
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Ling L, Kokoza VA, Zhang C, Aksoy E, Raikhel AS. MicroRNA-277 targets insulin-like peptides 7 and 8 to control lipid metabolism and reproduction in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E8017-E8024. [PMID: 28874536 PMCID: PMC5617303 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1710970114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematophagous female mosquitoes transmit numerous devastating human diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and others. Because of their obligatory requirement of a vertebrate blood meal for reproduction, these mosquitoes need a lot of energy; therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms linking metabolism and reproduction is of particular importance. Lipids are the major energy store providing the fuel required for host seeking and reproduction. They are essential components of the fat body, a metabolic tissue that is the insect analog of vertebrate liver and adipose tissue. In this study, we found that microRNA-277 (miR-277) plays an important role in regulating mosquito lipid metabolism. The genetic disruption of miR-277 using the CRISPR-Cas9 system led to failures in both lipid storage and ovary development. miR-277 mimic injection partially rescued these phenotypic manifestations. Examination of subcellular localization of FOXO protein via CRISPR-assisted, single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide-mediated homology-directed repair revealed that insulin signaling is up-regulated in response to miR-277 depletion. In silico target prediction identified that insulin-like peptides 7 and 8 (ilp7 and ilp8) are putative targets of miR-277; RNA immunoprecipitation and a luciferase reporter assay confirmed that ilp7 and ilp8 are direct targets of this miRNA. CRISPR-Cas9 depletion of ilp7 and ilp8 led to metabolic and reproductive defects. These depletions identified differential actions of ILP7 and ILP8 in lipid homeostasis and ovarian development. Thus, miR-277 plays a critical role in mosquito lipid metabolism and reproduction by targeting ilp7 and ilp8, and serves as a monitor to control ILP7 and ILP8 mRNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ling
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
- Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
| | - Vladimir A Kokoza
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
| | - Changyu Zhang
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
| | - Emre Aksoy
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
- Graduate Program in Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
| | - Alexander S Raikhel
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521;
- Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
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Association of microRNAs with Argonaute proteins in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae after blood ingestion. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6493. [PMID: 28747726 PMCID: PMC5529372 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07013-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Drastic changes in gene expression occur after adult female mosquitoes take a blood meal and use the nutrients for egg maturation. A growing body of evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to this tightly controlled tissue- and stage-specific gene expression. To investigate the role of miRNAs, we monitored miRNA expression in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae during the 72-h period immediately after blood feeding. We also measured the association of miRNAs with Argonaute 1 (Ago1) and Argonaute 2 (Ago2) to assess the functional status of individual miRNA species. Overall, 173 mature miRNAs were precipitated with Ago1 and Ago2, including 12 new miRNAs, the orthologs of which are found thus far only in other Anopheles species. Ago1 is the predominant carrier of miRNAs in Anopheles gambiae. The abundance and Ago loading of most of the mature miRNAs were relatively stable after blood ingestion. However, miRNAs of the miR-309/286/2944 cluster were considerably upregulated after blood feeding. Injection of the specific antagomir for miR-309 resulted in smaller developing oocytes and ultimately fewer eggs. In addition, the Ago association of some miRNAs was not proportional to their cellular abundance, suggesting that integration of miRNAs into the Ago complexes is regulated by additional mechanisms.
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