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Asgari D, Tate AT. How the Structure of Signaling Regulation Evolves: Insights From an Evolutionary Model. Mol Biol Evol 2025; 42:msaf104. [PMID: 40341936 PMCID: PMC12093320 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaf104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2025] [Accepted: 04/23/2025] [Indexed: 05/11/2025] Open
Abstract
To monitor environmental changes, signaling pathways attenuate their activity with negative feedback loops (NFLs), where proteins produced upon stimulation downregulate the response. NFLs function both upstream of signaling to reduce input and downstream to reduce output. Unlike upstream NFLs, downstream NFLs regulate gene expression without the involvement of intermediate proteins. Thus, we hypothesized that downstream NFLs evolve under more stringent selection than upstream NFLs. Indeed, genes encoding downstream NFLs evolve at a slower and more consistent rate than upstream genes, suggesting that the latter may be under weaker or more context-specific selection. This suggests that downstream NFLs evolve more robustly, whereas upstream NFLs are more susceptible to changes in signaling proteins and stimuli. We tested these assumptions using a minimal model of immune signaling, which predicts robust evolution of downstream NFLs to changes in model parameters. This is consistent with their critical role in regulating signaling and the conservative rate of evolution. Furthermore, we show that the number of signaling steps needed to activate a downstream NFL is influenced by the cost of signaling. Our model predicts that upstream NFLs are more likely to evolve under a shorter half-life of signaling proteins, absence of host-pathogen co-evolution, and a high infection rate. Although it has been proposed that NFLs evolve to reduce the cost of signaling, we show that a high cost does not necessarily predict the evolution of upstream NFLs. The insights from our model have broad implications for understanding the evolution of regulatory mechanisms across signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danial Asgari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ann T Tate
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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2
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Kwak Y, Argandona JA, Miao S, Son TJ, Hansen AK. A dual insect symbiont and plant pathogen improves insect host fitness under arginine limitation. mBio 2025; 16:e0358824. [PMID: 39998220 PMCID: PMC11980576 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03588-24] [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: 11/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2025] [Indexed: 02/26/2025] Open
Abstract
Some facultative bacterial symbionts are known to benefit insects, but nutritional advantages are rare among these non-obligate symbionts. Here, we demonstrate that the facultative symbiont Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous enhances the fitness of its psyllid insect host, Bactericera cockerelli, by providing nutritional benefits. L. psyllaurous, an unculturable pathogen of solanaceous crops, also establishes a close relationship with its insect vector, B. cockerelli, increasing in titer during insect development, vertically transmitting through eggs, and colonizing various tissues, including the bacteriome, which houses the obligate nutritional symbiont, Carsonella. Carsonella supplies essential amino acids to its insect host but has gaps in some of its essential amino acid pathways that the psyllid complements with its own genes, many of which have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria. Our findings reveal that L. psyllaurous increases psyllid fitness on plants by reducing developmental time and increasing adult weight. In addition, through metagenomic sequencing, we reveal that L. psyllaurous maintains complete pathways for synthesizing the essential amino acids arginine, lysine, and threonine, unlike the psyllid's other resident microbiota, Carsonella, and two co-occurring Wolbachia strains. RNA sequencing reveals the downregulation of a HGT collaborative psyllid gene (ASL), which indicates a reduced demand for arginine supplied by Carsonella when the psyllid is infected with L. psyllaurous. Notably, artificial diet assays show that L. psyllaurous enhances psyllid fitness on an arginine-deplete diet. These results corroborate the role of L. psyllaurous as a beneficial insect symbiont, contributing to the nutrition of its insect host.IMPORTANCEUnlike obligate symbionts that are permanently associated with their hosts, facultative symbionts rarely show direct nutritional contributions, especially under nutrient-limited conditions. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous, a facultative symbiont and a plant pathogen, enhances the fitness of its Bactericera cockerelli host by supplying an essential nutrient arginine that is lacking in the plant sap diet. Our findings reveal how facultative symbionts can play a vital role in helping their insect hosts adapt to nutrient-limited environments. This work provides new insights into the dynamic interactions between insect hosts, their symbiotic microbes, and their shared ecological niches, broadening our understanding of symbiosis and its role in shaping adaptation and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younghwan Kwak
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | - Jacob A. Argandona
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Sen Miao
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Thomas J. Son
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Allison K. Hansen
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
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3
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Ray AM, Tehel A, Rasgon JL, Paxton RJ, Grozinger CM. The intensity of the transcriptional response varies across infection with distinct viral strains in an insect host. BMC Genomics 2025; 26:175. [PMID: 39984832 PMCID: PMC11846320 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-025-11365-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2025] [Indexed: 02/23/2025] Open
Abstract
Organisms respond to infectious agents through diverse immune strategies, and may need to cater a specific response to distinct pathogen challenges, such as various strains of a virus, to maximize fitness. Deformed wing virus (DWV) is one of the most damaging viruses of honey bees (Apis mellifera) across the globe, with variant DWV-B currently expanding at the expense of variant DWV-A. While previous research has characterized general host transcriptomic responses to viral exposure, host responses to different DWV strains have not been fully explored. Here, we performed experimental infections with the two dominant strains of DWV, A and B, as well as a mixed infection, and conducted transcriptomic analyses to compare differences in host molecular response to infection. We confirmed canonical anti-viral response to DWV infection, including upregulation of Toll pathway genes and the antimicrobial peptides abaecin and hymenoptaecin. Furthermore, our results suggest a potential role of aerobic glycolysis during viral infection in honey bees. DWV-A and mixed infections were associated with differential expression of a much larger number of host genes than infection with DWV-B. That DWV-B potentially elicits a reduced host immune response may provide a mechanistic explanation for its higher virulence and global emergence. Overall, this study provides the first evidence for strain-specific immune responses to DWV infection, and integrates these findings into the broader domain of insect immunity and host-pathogen dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson M Ray
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Anja Tehel
- Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jason L Rasgon
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Robert J Paxton
- Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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4
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Bak NK, Mackay TFC, Morgante F, Nielsen KL, Nielsen JL, Kristensen TN, Rohde PD. The Role of Genetic Variation in Shaping Phenotypic Responses to Diet in Aging Drosophila melanogaster. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2025:2025.01.09.632132. [PMID: 39868103 PMCID: PMC11761520 DOI: 10.1101/2025.01.09.632132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2025]
Abstract
Nutrition plays a central role in healthy living, however, extensive variability in individual responses to dietary interventions complicates our understanding of its effects. Here we present a comprehensive study utilizing the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP), investigating how genetic variation influences responses to diet and aging. Quantitative genetic analyses of the impact of dietary restriction on lifespan, locomotor activity, dry weight, and heat knockdown time were performed. Locomotor activity, dry weight and heat knockdown time were measured on the same individual flies. We found significant genotype-by-diet interaction (GDI) and genotype-by-age interaction (GAI) for all traits. Therefore, environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping trait variation at different ages and diets, and/or distinct genetic variation influences these traits at different ages and diets. Our genome wide association study also identified a quantitative trait locus for age-dependent dietary response. The observed GDI and GAI indicates that susceptibility to environmental influences changes as organisms age, which could have significant implications for dietary recommendations and interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging in humans. The identification of associations between DNA sequence variation and age-dependent dietary responses opens new avenues for research into the genetic mechanisms underlying these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Trudy F. C. Mackay
- Center for Human Genetics and Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Greenwood, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Fabio Morgante
- Center for Human Genetics and Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Greenwood, South Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - Jeppe Lund Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Palle Duun Rohde
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Elliott ER, Cooper RL. Fluoxetine antagonizes the acute response of LPS: Blocks K2P channels. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2025; 287:110045. [PMID: 39307514 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.110045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
The channels responsible for maintaining resting membrane potential are known as K2P (two-P-domain K+ subunit) channels, a subset of which are known to be blocked by Fluoxetine. In this experiment, the compound's effects on the membrane potential were examined on muscles in larval Drosophila overexpressing a subtype of K2P channel (known in Drosophila as dORKA1 or ORKA1) and compared to larvae without overexpression. The compound was also observed in sequence and/or combination with a form of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that transiently activates K2P channels. Different concentrations of Fluoxetine were tested, and it was also examined in cocktail with the LPS. At 25 μM Fluoxetine exposure, muscle in control larvae underwent depolarization, while muscles overexpressing K2P channels hyperpolarized; at 50 μM, however, much more variable responses were observed. The LPS caused hyperpolarization in both larval strains, but the effect was more transient in the Canton-S line than in the K2P overexpressors. Finally, LPS continued to cause hyperpolarization even in the presence of Fluoxetine, while Fluoxetine quickly depolarized the muscle during exposure to LPS. The cocktail showed a smaller effect on muscles overexpressing ORKA1 as compared to the controls, indicating that Fluoxetine does not block the ORKA1 subtype. This study is significant because it demonstrates how overexpression of K2P channels alters membrane response to LPS and Fluoxetine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robin L Cooper
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506, KY, USA.
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Paludan SR, Pradeu T, Pichlmair A, Wray KB, Mikkelsen JG, Olagnier D, Mogensen TH. Early host defense against virus infections. Cell Rep 2024; 43:115070. [PMID: 39675007 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.115070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 10/25/2024] [Accepted: 11/22/2024] [Indexed: 12/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Early host defense eliminates many viruses before infections are established while clearing others so they remain subclinical or cause only mild disease. The field of immunology has been shaped by broad concepts, including the pattern recognition theory that currently dominates innate immunology. Focusing on early host responses to virus infections, we analyze the literature to build a working hypothesis for the principles that govern the early line of cellular antiviral defense. Aiming to ultimately arrive at a criteria-based theory with strong explanatory power, we propose that both controlling infection and limiting inflammation are key drivers for the early cellular antiviral response. This response, which we suggest is exerted by a set of "microbe- and inflammation-restricting mechanisms," directly restrict viral replication while also counteracting inflammation. Exploring the mechanisms and physiological importance of the early layer of cellular antiviral defense may open further lines of research in immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Søren R Paludan
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Center for Immunology of Viral Infections, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Thomas Pradeu
- CNRS UMR 5164 ImmunoConcept, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; Chapman University, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Andreas Pichlmair
- Center for Immunology of Viral Infections, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - K Brad Wray
- Center for Immunology of Viral Infections, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Centre for Science Studies, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Center for Immunology of Viral Infections, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David Olagnier
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Center for Immunology of Viral Infections, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Trine H Mogensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Center for Immunology of Viral Infections, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Wang Z, Wang M, Zhou Y, Feng K, Tang F. A comprehensive analysis of the defense responses of Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) provides insights into the changes during Serratia marcescens infection. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:1044. [PMID: 39506655 PMCID: PMC11539531 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10955-2] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2024] [Indexed: 11/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) is a highly damaging agroforestry pest. Serratia marcescens is a broad-spectrum insecticidal pathogen and is highly lethal to O. formosanus. However, little is known about the mechanism between them. To improve the biological control of pests, a more in-depth analysis of the interactions between the pests and the pathogens is essential. RESULTS We used RNA-seq, enzyme activity assays and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) to explore the defense responses of O. formosanus against SM1. RNA-seq results showed that 1,160, 2,531 and 4,536 genes were differentially expressed at 3, 6 and 12 h after SM1 infection, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) results indicated that immune response and energy metabolism were involved in the defense of O. formosanus against SM1. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and ROS synthesis genes were significantly elevated, and the antioxidant system were induced in O. formosanus after SM1 infection. In addition, the cellular immune genes were affected, and the Toll, immune deficiency (Imd), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) and melanization pathways were activated. In vitro, Oftermicin, an antimicrobial peptide, had a significantly inhibitory effect on SM1. Furthermore, the expression levels and enzyme activities of phosphofructokinase (PFK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) in glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycles were increased. CONCLUSIONS Our results clearly demonstrated that O. formosanus defended against SM1 by activating the antioxidant system, innate immunity and energy metabolism. This study would provide useful information for the development of biological controls of O. formosanus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
- College of Forestry and Grassland, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing, 210037, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
- College of Forestry and Grassland, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing, 210037, China
| | - Yujingyun Zhou
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
- College of Forestry and Grassland, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing, 210037, China
| | - Kai Feng
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
- College of Forestry and Grassland, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing, 210037, China
| | - Fang Tang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
- College of Forestry and Grassland, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing, 210037, China.
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8
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Cai X, Liu J, Lin C, Cao W, Zhang L, Ding S, Yang D, Liu X. Chromosome-level genome assembly of Scathophaga stercoraria provides new insights into the evolutionary adaptations of dung flies. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 281:136424. [PMID: 39393738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 10/01/2024] [Accepted: 10/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/13/2024]
Abstract
The yellow dung fly Scathophaga stercoraria is a widely distributed species in high-altitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It plays important roles as a decomposer, predator, and pollinator in the ecosystem. As a staple model organism, S. stercoraria serves as a standard test species for assessing the toxicity of drug residues in livestock dung and has been the focus of numerous studies. The genetic mechanisms underlying the ecological adaptability of S. stercoraria remain poorly understood. To fill the gap, we first assembled a high-quality chromosome-level genome of S. stercoraria, resulting in a final assembly size of 549.64 Mb, with a contig N50 of 4.06 Mb, and 92.53 % of the sequence anchored to six chromosomes. Gene family analysis revealed an expansion of Toll (Toll1), GNBP3, Cyp303a1, Cyp4d14, Cyp6g1, OR67d, and yolk protein genes in the S. stercoraria genome. Transcriptome analysis indicated that most genes in the trypsin and carboxypeptidase gene families are predominantly expressed during the larval stage, whereas the α-Amylase gene family is mainly expressed during the adult stage. Additionally, PGRP-SC is highly expressed during the larval stage, OBPs are primarily expressed during the adult stage, and yolk protein genes exhibit female-biased expression. Our study not only provides a new resource for the dung flies genomic pool, but also identifies the expression patterns of key ecologically adaptative genes and gene families at the developmental stages, which provides new insights into the ecological adaptive evolution of dung flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Cai
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiuzhou Liu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chen Lin
- Institute of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Huhhot, 010022, China
| | - Wenqiang Cao
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Leyou Zhang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuangmei Ding
- The Institute of Scientific and Technical Research on Archives, National Archives Administration of China, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Ding Yang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science & Technology of Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China.
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9
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Asgari D, Tate AT. How the Structure of Signaling Regulation Evolves: Insights from an Evolutionary Model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.10.23.619883. [PMID: 39484560 PMCID: PMC11526956 DOI: 10.1101/2024.10.23.619883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2024]
Abstract
To remain responsive to environmental changes, signaling pathways attenuate their activity with negative feedback loops (NFLs), where proteins produced upon stimulation downregulate the response. NFLs function both upstream of signaling to reduce input and downstream to reduce output. Unlike upstream NFLs, downstream NFLs directly regulate gene expression without the involvement of intermediate proteins. Thus, we hypothesized that downstream NFLs evolve under more stringent selection than upstream NFLs. Indeed, genes encoding downstream NFLs exhibit a slower evolutionary rate than upstream genes. Such differences in selective pressures could result in the robust evolution of downstream NFLs while making the evolution of upstream NFLs more sensitive to changes in signaling proteins and stimuli. Here, we test these assumptions within the context of immune signaling. Our minimal model of immune signaling predicts robust evolution of downstream NFLs to changes in model parameters. This is consistent with their critical role in regulating signaling and the conservative rate of evolution. Furthermore, we show that the number of signaling steps needed to activate a downstream NFL is influenced by the cost of signaling. Our model predicts that upstream NFLs are more likely to evolve under a shorter half-life of signaling proteins, absence of host-pathogen co-evolution, and a high infection rate. Although it has been proposed that NFLs evolve to reduce the cost of signaling, we show that a high cost does not necessarily predict the evolution of upstream NFLs. The insights from our model have broad implications for understanding the evolution of regulatory mechanisms across signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danial Asgari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN 37232
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN 37232
| | - Ann T. Tate
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN 37232
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN 37232
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10
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Asgari D, Stewart AJ, Meisel RP. The role of uncertainty and negative feedback loops in the evolution of induced immune defenses. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkae182. [PMID: 39106431 PMCID: PMC11457078 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae182] [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: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Organisms use constitutive or induced defenses against pathogens and other external threats. Constitutive defenses are constantly on, whereas induced defenses are activated when needed. Each of these strategies has costs and benefits, which can affect the type of defense that evolves in response to pathogens. In addition, induced defenses are usually regulated by multiple negative feedback mechanisms that prevent overactivation of the immune response. However, it is unclear how negative feedback affects the costs, benefits, and evolution of induced responses. To address this gap, we developed a mechanistic model of the well-characterized Drosophila melanogaster immune signaling network that includes 3 separate mechanisms of negative feedback as a representative of the widespread phenomenon of multilevel regulation of induced responses. We show that, under stochastic fly-bacteria encounters, an induced defense is favored when bacterial encounters are rare or uncertain, but in ways that depend on the bacterial proliferation rate. Our model also predicts that the specific negative regulators that optimize the induced response depend on the bacterial proliferation rate, linking negative feedback mechanisms to the factors that favor induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danial Asgari
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Alexander J Stewart
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AJ, UK
| | - Richard P Meisel
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
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11
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Muhammad A, Sun C, Shao Y. The humoral immune response of the lepidopteran model insect, silkworm Bombyx mori L., to microbial pathogens. CURRENT RESEARCH IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 6:100097. [PMID: 39364346 PMCID: PMC11447326 DOI: 10.1016/j.cris.2024.100097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Insects are valuable models for studying innate immunity and its role in combating infections. The silkworm Bombyx mori L., a well-studied insect model, is susceptible to a range of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and microsporidia. Their susceptibility makes it a suitable model for investigating host-pathogen interactions and immune responses against infections and diseases. This review focuses on the humoral immune response and the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), the phenoloxidase (PO) system, and other soluble factors that constitute the primary defense of silkworms against microbial pathogens. The innate immune system of silkworms relies on pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which then activate various immune pathways including Imd, Toll, JAK/STAT, and RNA interference (RNAi). Their activation triggers the secretion of AMPs, enzymatic defenses (lysozyme and PO), and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Collectively, these pathways work together to neutralize and eliminate pathogens, thereby contributing to the defense mechanism of silkworms. Understanding the innate immunity of silkworms can uncover conserved molecular pathways and key immune components shared between insects and vertebrates. Additionally, it can provide valuable insights for improving sericulture practices, developing strategies to control diseases affecting silk production, and providing a theoretical foundation for developing pest control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar Muhammad
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Sun
- Analysis Center of Agrobiology and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongqi Shao
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China
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12
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Zhou H, Huang Y, Jia C, Pang Y, Liu L, Xu Y, Jin P, Qian J, Ma F. NF-κB factors cooperate with Su(Hw)/E4F1 to balance Drosophila/human immune responses via modulating dynamic expression of miR-210. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6906-6927. [PMID: 38742642 PMCID: PMC11229355 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in controlling immune responses, but their dynamic expression mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we firstly confirm that the conserved miRNA miR-210 negatively regulates innate immune responses of Drosophila and human via targeting Toll and TLR6, respectively. Secondly, our findings demonstrate that the expression of miR-210 is dynamically regulated by NF-κB factor Dorsal in immune response of Drosophila Toll pathway. Thirdly, we find that Dorsal-mediated transcriptional inhibition of miR-210 is dependent on the transcriptional repressor Su(Hw). Mechanistically, Dorsal interacts with Su(Hw) to modulate cooperatively the dynamic expression of miR-210 in a time- and dose-dependent manner, thereby controlling the strength of Drosophila Toll immune response and maintaining immune homeostasis. Fourthly, we reveal a similar mechanism in human cells, where NF-κB/RelA cooperates with E4F1 to regulate the dynamic expression of hsa-miR-210 in the TLR immune response. Overall, our study reveals a conservative regulatory mechanism that maintains animal innate immune homeostasis and provides new insights into the dynamic regulation of miRNA expression in immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Zhou
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 210002 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Chaolong Jia
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Yujia Pang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 210002 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Liu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Yina Xu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Jinjun Qian
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei Ma
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
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13
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Frunze O, Kim H, Lee JH, Kwon HW. The Effects of Artificial Diets on the Expression of Molecular Marker Genes Related to Honey Bee Health. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4271. [PMID: 38673857 PMCID: PMC11049949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084271] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are commonly used to study metabolic processes, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying nutrient transformation, particularly proteins and their effects on development, health, and diseases, still evoke varying opinions among researchers. To address this gap, we investigated the digestibility and transformation of water-soluble proteins from four artificial diets in long-lived honey bee populations (Apis mellifera ligustica), alongside their impact on metabolism and DWV relative expression ratio, using transcriptomic and protein quantification methods. Diet 2, characterized by its high protein content and digestibility, was selected for further analysis from the other studied diets. Subsequently, machine learning was employed to identify six diet-related molecular markers: SOD1, Trxr1, defensin2, JHAMT, TOR1, and vg. The expression levels of these markers were found to resemble those of honey bees who were fed with Diet 2 and bee bread, renowned as the best natural food. Notably, honey bees exhibiting chalkbrood symptoms (Control-N) responded differently to the diet, underscoring the unique nutritional effects on health-deficient bees. Additionally, we proposed a molecular model to elucidate the transition of long-lived honey bees from diapause to development, induced by nutrition. These findings carry implications for nutritional research and beekeeping, underscoring the vital role of honey bees in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Frunze
- Department of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; (O.F.); (J.-H.L.)
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors (CRCIV), Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjee Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; (O.F.); (J.-H.L.)
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors (CRCIV), Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Hyeon Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; (O.F.); (J.-H.L.)
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors (CRCIV), Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Wook Kwon
- Department of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; (O.F.); (J.-H.L.)
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors (CRCIV), Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
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14
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Huang Y, Wang T, Jiang C, Li S, Zhou H, Li R. Relish-facilitated lncRNA-CR11538 suppresses Drosophila Imd immune response and maintains immune homeostasis via decoying Relish away from antimicrobial peptide promoters. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 151:105098. [PMID: 37956726 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.105098] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Innate immunity plays a crucial role in host defense against pathogen invasion and its strength and duration requires precise control. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have become important regulators of innate immunity, yet their roles in Drosophila immune responses remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified that the overexpression of lncRNA-CR11538 inhibits the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) Dpt and AttA in Drosophila upon Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection, and influences the survival rate of flies after E. cloacae infection. Mechanically, lncRNA-CR11538 decoys Relish away from AMPs promoter region. We further revealed that Relish can promote the transcription of lncRNA-CR11538. After analyzing the dynamic expression profile of lncRNA-CR11538 during Imd immune response, we put forward a hypothesis that in the late stage of Imd immune response, lncRNA-CR11538 can be activated by Relish and further decoy Relish away from the AMPs promoter to suppress excessive immune signal and maintain immune homeostasis. This mechanism we proposed provides insights into the complex regulatory networks controlling immune responses in Drosophila and suggests potential targets for therapeutic intervention in diseases involving dysregulated immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Huang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China
| | - Tan Wang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China
| | - Chun Jiang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, 210002, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Shengjie Li
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China
| | - Hongjian Zhou
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, 210002, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Ruimin Li
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, 455000, PR China.
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15
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Xu Y, Ma L, Liu S, Liang Y, Liu Q, He Z, Tian L, Duan Y, Cai W, Li H, Song F. Chromosome-level genome of the poultry shaft louse Menopon gallinae provides insight into the host-switching and adaptive evolution of parasitic lice. Gigascience 2024; 13:giae004. [PMID: 38372702 PMCID: PMC10904027 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giae004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lice (Psocodea: Phthiraptera) are one important group of parasites that infects birds and mammals. It is believed that the ancestor of parasitic lice originated on the ancient avian host, and ancient mammals acquired these parasites via host-switching from birds. Here we present the first chromosome-level genome of Menopon gallinae in Amblycera (earliest diverging lineage of parasitic lice). We explore the transition of louse host-switching from birds to mammals at the genomic level by identifying numerous idiosyncratic genomic variations. RESULTS The assembled genome is 155 Mb in length, with a contig N50 of 27.42 Mb. Hi-C scaffolding assigned 97% of the bases to 5 chromosomes. The genome of M. gallinae retains a basal insect repertoire of 11,950 protein-coding genes. By comparing the genomes of lice to those of multiple representative insects in other orders, we discovered that gene families of digestion, detoxification, and immunity-related are generally conserved between bird lice and mammal lice, while mammal lice have undergone a significant reduction in genes related to chemosensory systems and temperature. This suggests that mammal lice have lost some of these genes through the adaption to environment and temperatures after host-switching. Furthermore, 7 genes related to hematophagy were positively selected in mammal lice, suggesting their involvement in the hematophagous behavior. CONCLUSIONS Our high-quality genome of M. gallinae provides a valuable resource for comparative genomic research in Phthiraptera and facilitates further studies on adaptive evolution of host-switching within parasitic lice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xu
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shanlin Liu
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yanxin Liang
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Liu
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhixin He
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuange Duan
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wanzhi Cai
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fan Song
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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16
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Pan W, Yao X, Lin L, Liu X, Jin P, Ma F. The Relish/miR-275/Dredd mediated negative feedback loop is crucial to restoring immune homeostasis of Drosophila Imd pathway. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 162:104013. [PMID: 37804878 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104013] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The NF-κB/Relish, as a core transcription factor of Drosophila immune deficiency (Imd) pathway, activates the transcriptions of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to combat gram-negative bacterial infections, but its role in regulating miRNA expression during immune response has less been reported. We here describe a negative feedback loop of Imd signaling mediated by Relish/miR-275/Dredd that controls Drosophila immune homeostasis after Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection. Our results demonstrate that Relish may directly activate the transcription of miR-275 via binding to its promoter in vitro and vivo, particularly miR-275 further inhibits the expression of Dredd through binding to its 3'UTR to negatively control Drosophila Imd immune response. Remarkably, the ectopic expression of miR-275 significantly reduces Drosophila lifespan. More importantly, our work uncovers a new mechanism by which Relish can flexibly switch its role to maintain Drosophila immune response and homeostasis during infection. Collectively, our study not only reveals the functional duality of Relish in regulating immune response of Drosophila Imd pathway, but also provides a new insight into the maintenance of animal innate immune homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwan Pan
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Xiaolong Yao
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Lu Lin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Xiaoqi Liu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China.
| | - Fei Ma
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China.
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17
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Wang R, Lin Z, Zhou L, Chen C, Yu X, Zhang J, Zou Z, Lu Z. Rho 1 participates in parasitoid wasp eggs maturation and host cellular immunity inhibition. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:677-692. [PMID: 36271788 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Endoparasitoid wasps introduce venom into their host insects during the egg-laying stage. Venom proteins play various roles in the host physiology, development, immunity, and behavior manipulation and regulation. In this study, we identified a venom protein, MmRho1, a small guanine nucleotide-binding protein derived from ovary in the endoparasitoid wasp Microplitis mediator and found that knockdown of its expression by RNA interference caused down-regulation of vitellogenin and juvenile hormone, egg production, and cocoons formation in the female wasps. We demonstrated that MmRho1 entered the cotton bollworm's (host) hemocytes and suppressed cellular immune responses after parasitism using immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, wasp MmRho1 interacted with the cotton bollworm's actin cytoskeleton rearrangement regulator diaphanous by yeast 2-hybrid and glutathione s-transferase pull-down. In conclusion, this study indicates that MmRho1 plays dual roles in wasp development and the suppression of the host insect cellular immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lizhen Zhou
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Caihua Chen
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xianhao Yu
- Engineering Research Center of Natural Enemies, Institute of Biological Control, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Natural Enemies, Institute of Biological Control, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
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18
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Brock KE, Elliott ER, Abul-Khoudoud MO, Cooper RL. The effects of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial toxins (LTA & LPS) on cardiac function in Drosophila melanogaster larvae. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 147:104518. [PMID: 37119936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The effects of Gram negative and positive bacterial sepsis depend on the type of toxins released, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Previous studies show LPS to rapidly hyperpolarize larval Drosophila skeletal muscle, followed by desensitization and return to baseline. In larvae, heart rate increased then decreased with exposure to LPS. However, responses to LTA, as well as the combination of LTA and LPS, on the larval Drosophila heart have not been previously examined. This study examined the effects of LTA and a cocktail of LTA and LPS on heart rate. The combined effects were examined by first treating with either LTA or LPS only, and then with the cocktail. The results showed a rapid increase in heart rate upon LTA application, followed by a gradual decline over time. When applying LTA followed by the cocktail, an increase in the rate occurred. However, if LPS was applied before the cocktail, the rate continued declining. These responses indicate the receptors or cellular cascades responsible for controlling heart rate within seconds and the rapid desensitization are affected by LTA or LPS and a combination of the two. The mechanisms for rapid changes which are not regulated by gene expression by exposure to LTA or LPS or associated bacterial peptidoglycans have yet to be identified in cardiac tissues of any organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn E Brock
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0225, USA.
| | - Elizabeth R Elliott
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0225, USA.
| | | | - Robin L Cooper
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0225, USA.
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19
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Yan S, Li N, Guo Y, Chen Y, Ji C, Yin M, Shen J, Zhang J. Chronic exposure to the star polycation (SPc) nanocarrier in the larval stage adversely impairs life history traits in Drosophila melanogaster. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:515. [PMID: 36482441 PMCID: PMC9730587 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01705-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nanomaterials are widely used as pesticide adjuvants to increase pesticide efficiency and minimize environmental pollution. But it is increasingly recognized that nanocarrier is a double-edged sword, as nanoparticles are emerging as new environmental pollutants. This study aimed to determine the biotoxicity of a widely applied star polycation (SPc) nanocarrier using Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly, as an in vivo model. RESULTS The lethal concentration 50 (LC50) value of SPc was identified as 2.14 g/L toward third-instar larvae and 26.33 g/L for adults. Chronic exposure to a sub lethal concentration of SPc (1 g/L) in the larval stage showed long-lasting adverse effects on key life history traits. Exposure to SPc at larval stage adversely impacted the lifespan, fertility, climbing ability as well as stresses resistance of emerged adults. RNA-sequencing analysis found that SPc resulted in aberrant expression of genes involved in metabolism, innate immunity, stress response and hormone production in the larvae. Orally administrated SPc nanoparticles were mainly accumulated in intestine cells, while systemic responses were observed. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that SPc nanoparticles are hazardous to fruit flies at multiple levels, which could help us to develop guidelines for further large-scale application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yan
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Na Li
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Yuankang Guo
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Yao Chen
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Chendong Ji
- grid.48166.3d0000 0000 9931 8406State Key Lab of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Lab of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Meizhen Yin
- grid.48166.3d0000 0000 9931 8406State Key Lab of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Lab of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Shen
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Junzheng Zhang
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
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20
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Zhou H, Wu S, Liu L, Liu X, Lan S, Jiang J, Yang W, Jin P, Xia X, Ma F. Drosophila Relish-mediated miR-317 expression facilitates immune homeostasis restoration via inhibiting PGRP-LC. Eur J Immunol 2022; 52:1934-1945. [PMID: 36155909 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Innate immunity is the first and essential line for resisting pathogens, and the immune intensity and duration need to be strictly regulated to balance excessive or insufficient immune response. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of immune response in Drosophila, yet how immune-related miRNAs are regulated remains poorly understood. Herein, we elucidated that the involvement of miR-317 in NF-κB transcription factor Relish mediated Drosophila Imd pathway in response to Gram-negative (G-) bacteria stimulation. Remarkably, the dynamic expression profiling for immune response indicated that Relish simultaneously enhances the expression of the effector antimicrobial peptide Dpt as well as miR-317 post-infection. Upregulation of miR-317 could further down-regulate the expression of PGRP-LC, thereby forming a feedback in Drosophila Imd pathway to prevent over-activation and restore immune homeostasis. Taken together, our study not only uncovers a novel Relish/miR-317/PGRP-LC regulatory axis to attenuate Drosophila Imd immune response and facilitate immune homeostasis restoration, but also provides vital insights into the complex mechanisms of animal innate immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Zhou
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, P. R. China.,Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China
| | - Shanshan Wu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, P. R. China
| | - Li Liu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqi Liu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, P. R. China
| | - Siyu Lan
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, P. R. China
| | - Jiajun Jiang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, P. R. China
| | - Wan Yang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, P. R. China
| | - Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Xia
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China
| | - Fei Ma
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, P. R. China
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21
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Wang C, Guo X, Li Y, Zhang J, Fu Y. miR-34-5p, encoded by Spodoptera frugiperda, participates in anti-baculovirus by regulating innate immunity in the insect host. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 222:2190-2199. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.09.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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22
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Antimicrobial potential of a ponericin-like peptide isolated from Bombyx mori L. hemolymph in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15493. [PMID: 36109567 PMCID: PMC9477818 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19450-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The main effectors in the innate immune system of Bombyx mori L. are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Here, we infected B. mori with varied inoculum sizes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 25668 cells to investigate changes in morpho-anatomical responses, physiological processes and AMP production. Ultraviolet-visible spectra revealed a sharp change in λmax from 278 to 285 nm (bathochromic shift) in the hemolymph of infected B. mori incubated for 24 h. Further, Fourier Transform InfraRed studies on the hemolymph extracted from the infected B. mori showed a peak at 1550 cm-1, indicating the presence of α-helical peptides. The peptide fraction was obtained through methanol, acetic acid and water mixture (90:1:9) extraction, followed by peptide purification using Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The fraction exhibiting antibacterial properties was collected and characterized by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight. A linear α-helical peptide with flexible termini (LLKELWTKMKGAGKAVLGKIKGLL) was found, corresponding to a previously described peptide from ant venom and here denominated as Bm-ponericin-L1. The antibacterial activity of Bm-ponericin-L1 was determined against ESKAPE pathogens. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the membrane disruption potential of Bm-ponericin-L1. Moreover, this peptide also showed promising antibiofilm activity. Finally, cell viability and hemolytic assays revealed that Bm-ponericin-L1 is non-toxic toward primary fibroblasts cell lines and red blood cells, respectively. This study opens up new perspectives toward an alternative approach to overcoming multiple-antibiotic-resistance by means of AMPs through invertebrates' infection with human pathogenic bacteria.
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Feng K, Li W, Tang X, Luo J, Tang F. Termicin silencing enhances the toxicity of Serratia marcescens Bizio (SM1) to Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 185:105120. [PMID: 35772836 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Termites are often exposed to a variety of pathogens during their life cycle, which has led to the development of an innate immune system to resist these pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play a crucial role in the innate immune system in insects. However, clear information on AMPs in termites has not been obtained. Therefore, exploring the function of AMPs in the subterranean termite Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) can lead to the development of novel termite control strategies that integrate RNA interference (RNAi) and pathogens. Here we first obtained two Oftermicins from O. formosanus and observed that the expression of these Oftermicin genes was significantly upregulated at the mRNA level after treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Serratia marcescens Bizio (SM1). Interestingly, the expression of these Oftermicins increased not only in the donor termites but also in the recipient termites through transmission experiments. Bioassay experiments showed that the mortality of O. formosanus treated with SM1 after RNAi was significantly higher than that of other groups. In summary, dsOftermicins are important immunosuppressants for termite control and Oftermicins are optimal targets for termite control based on the combined use of RNAi and pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Feng
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People's Republic of China; College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- College of Life Sciences, Yangtze University, Jingmi Road 266, Jingzhou 434025, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Tang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People's Republic of China; College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Luo
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People's Republic of China; College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Tang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People's Republic of China; College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People's Republic of China.
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Mutations of γCOP Gene Disturb Drosophila melanogaster Innate Immune Response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126499. [PMID: 35742941 PMCID: PMC9223523 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster (the fruit fly) is a valuable experimental platform for modeling host–pathogen interactions. It is also commonly used to define innate immunity pathways and to understand the mechanisms of both host tolerance to commensal microbiota and response to pathogenic agents. Herein, we investigate how the host response to bacterial infection is mirrored in the expression of genes of Imd and Toll pathways when D. melanogaster strains with different γCOP genetic backgrounds are infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. Using microarray technology, we have interrogated the whole-body transcriptome of infected versus uninfected fruit fly males with three specific genotypes, namely wild-type Oregon, γCOPS057302/TM6B and γCOP14a/γCOP14a. While the expression of genes pertaining to Imd and Toll is not significantly modulated by P. aeruginosa infection in Oregon males, many of the components of these cascades are up- or downregulated in both infected and uninfected γCOPS057302/TM6B and γCOP14a/γCOP14a males. Thus, our results suggest that a γCOP genetic background modulates the gene expression profiles of Imd and Toll cascades involved in the innate immune response of D. melanogaster, inducing the occurrence of immunological dysfunctions in γCOP mutants.
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Zhou H, Ni J, Wu S, Ma F, Jin P, Li S. lncRNA-CR46018 positively regulates the Drosophila Toll immune response by interacting with Dif/Dorsal. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 124:104183. [PMID: 34174242 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Toll signaling pathway is highly conserved from insects to mammals. Drosophila is a model species that is commonly used to study innate immunity. Although many studies have assessed protein-coding genes that regulate the Toll pathway, it is unclear whether long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play regulatory roles in the Toll pathway. Here, we evaluated the expression of the lncRNA CR46018 in Drosophila. Our results showed that this lncRNA was significantly overexpressed after infection of Drosophila with Micrococcus luteus. A CR46018-overexpressing Drosophila strain was then constructed; we expected that CR46018 overexpression would enhance the expression of various antimicrobial peptides downstream of the Toll pathway, regardless of infection with M. luteus. RNA-seq analysis of CR46018-overexpressing Drosophila after infection with M. luteus showed that upregulated genes were mainly enriched in Toll and Imd signaling pathways. Moreover, bioinformatics predictions and RNA-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that CR46018 interacted with the transcription factors Dif and Dorsal to enhance the Toll pathway. During gram-positive bacterial infection, flies overexpressing CR46018 showed favorable survival compared with flies in the control group. Overall, our current work not only reveals a new immune regulatory factor, lncRNA-CR46018, and explores its potential regulatory model, but also provides a new perspective for the effect of immune disorders on the survival of Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Zhou
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China.
| | - Jiajia Ni
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China.
| | - Shanshan Wu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China.
| | - Fei Ma
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China.
| | - Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China.
| | - Shengjie Li
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Special Biomass Byproduct Resource Utilization, School of Food Science, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, 211171, PR China.
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Tang R, Huang W, Guan J, Liu Q, Beerntsen BT, Ling E. Drosophila H2Av negatively regulates the activity of the IMD pathway via facilitating Relish SUMOylation. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009718. [PMID: 34370736 PMCID: PMC8376203 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects depend on the innate immune response for defense against a wide array of pathogens. Central to Drosophila immunity are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), released into circulation when pathogens trigger either of the two widely studied signal pathways, Toll or IMD. The Toll pathway responds to infection by Gram-positive bacteria and fungi while the IMD pathway is activated by Gram-negative bacteria. During activation of the IMD pathway, the NF-κB-like transcription factor Relish is phosphorylated and then cleaved, which is crucial for IMD-dependent AMP gene induction. Here we show that loss-of-function mutants of the unconventional histone variant H2Av upregulate IMD-dependent AMP gene induction in germ-free Drosophila larvae and adults. After careful dissection of the IMD pathway, we found that Relish has an epistatic relationship with H2Av. In the H2Av mutant larvae, SUMOylation is down-regulated, suggesting a possible role of SUMOylation in the immune phenotype. Eventually we demonstrated that Relish is mostly SUMOylated on amino acid K823. Loss of the potential SUMOylation site leads to significant auto-activation of Relish in vivo. Further work indicated that H2Av regulates Relish SUMOylation after physically interacting with Su(var)2-10, the E3 component of the SUMOylation pathway. Biochemical analysis suggested that SUMOylation of Relish prevents its cleavage and activation. Our findings suggest a new mechanism by which H2Av can negatively regulate, and thus prevent spontaneous activation of IMD-dependent AMP production, through facilitating SUMOylation of the NF-κB like transcription factor Relish. Toll and IMD signaling pathways should be involved in the production of antimicrobial peptides in animals upon infection. Immunity responses are energy consuming. Thus, these two pathways are fine-tuned. Animal H2A variant histones are involved in many physiological functions. In Drosophila, the production of antibacterial peptides is out of control in the mutant of H2A variant (H2Av810). After careful examination, we found that Relish, the transcription factor of the IMD pathway, was activated in this mutant. Eventually we demonstrate that Relish can be SUMOylated with the involvement of H2Av. Loss of the main SUMOylation site in Relish induces it to auto-activate following over-expression. Therefore, H2Av is a negative regulator of the IMD signaling pathway by maintaining the normal level of Relish SUMOylation in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Tang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wuren Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingmin Guan
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuning Liu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetland, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, China
| | - Brenda T. Beerntsen
- Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Erjun Ling
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Shahriari M, Zibaee A, Khodaparast SA, Fazeli-Dinan M, Hoda H, Armand A. Immunological interactions of Chilo suppressalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) with the native entomopathogenic fungi. Microb Pathog 2021; 154:104858. [PMID: 33771627 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi can attack many insect hosts and have been applied as the eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic chemicals for the control of pests. Insects have developed different defense systems encountering entomopathogens including humoral and cellular immune responses. In the present study, injection of some native entomopathogenic fungi to the Chilo suppressalis Walker larvae resulted in an enhancement of the cellular and antimicrobial defenses. The numbers of total and differential hemocytes increased rapidly in the first 3 and 6 h but those gradually reduced 12 and 24 h post-injections. The nodule formation and phenoloxidase activity increased at the time intervals after fungal infection. A similar trend was found in the transcription of antimicrobial peptides including attacin1 and 2, cecropin1 and 2, gallerimycin, defensin, lysozyme, and prophenoloxidase-activating proteinase-3 during infection fungi. In all cases, the target gene transcription was upper in the larvae injected by the fungi than that of control larvae. These results may elucidate better knowledge on the interaction of the fungi present in agroecosystems with the target insect pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Shahriari
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Arash Zibaee
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Seyyed Akbar Khodaparast
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Fazeli-Dinan
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and Health Sciences Research Centre, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hassan Hoda
- Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension, Amol, Iran
| | - Alireza Armand
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
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Liu FF, Ding C, Yang LL, Li H, Rao XJ. Identification and analysis of two lebocins in the oriental armyworm Mythimna separata. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 116:103962. [PMID: 33301794 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The insect immune system can produce defensive molecules, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), to eliminate invading pathogens. Here, we report the identification of two cDNAs (MseLeb1, MseLeb2) that encode lepidopteral lebocin preproproteins in the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata. Their open reading frames are 483/492 bp that encode 161/164 aa peptides. MseLeb1 is mainly expressed in the fat body and epidermis, while MseLeb2 is mainly expressed in the fat body, Malpighian tube, and epidermis. They were significantly induced by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Beauveria bassiana in hemocytes. The preproproteins can be processed after RXXR motifs into mature peptides. Multiple sequence alignment indicates that MseLeb1 (18-42, 121-161) are potentially active peptides. Five peptides were synthesized for analyses: 18-42, 121-161, 121-154, 121-151, 121-146. Synthetic peptides showed agglutinating activity, but no hemolytic activity. Bacterial growth assay, colony formation assay, and electron microscopy revealed that synthetic peptides can inhibit bacterial growth and disrupt bacterial cell wall. B. bassiana conidia and blastospores were lysed by synthetic peptides. These results indicate that MseLeb1 and MseLeb2 are immune responsive lebocins, and the mature peptides have antibacterial and antifungal activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Fang Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Chen Ding
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Li-Ling Yang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Hao Li
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Rao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
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Muhammad A, Habineza P, Wang X, Xiao R, Ji T, Hou Y, Shi Z. Spätzle Homolog-Mediated Toll-Like Pathway Regulates Innate Immune Responses to Maintain the Homeostasis of Gut Microbiota in the Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae). Front Microbiol 2020; 11:846. [PMID: 32523559 PMCID: PMC7261851 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spätzle (Spz) is a dimeric ligand that responds to the Gram-positive bacterial or fungal infection by binding Toll receptors to induce the secretion of antimicrobial peptides. However, whether the Toll-like signaling pathway mediates the innate immunity of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus to modulate the homeostasis of gut microbiota has not been determined. In this study, we found that a Spz homolog, RfSpätzle, is a secretory protein comprising a signal peptide and a conservative Spz domain. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that RfSpätzle was significantly induced to be expressed in the fat body and gut by the systemic and oral infection with pathogenic microbes. The expression levels of two antimicrobial peptide genes, RfColeoptericin and RfCecropin, were downregulated significantly by RfSpätzle knockdown, indicating that their secretion is under the regulation of the RfSpätzle-mediated signaling pathway. After being challenged by pathogenic microbes, the cumulative mortality rate of RfSpätzle-silenced individuals was drastically increased as compared to that of the controls. Further analysis indicated that these larvae possessed the diminished antibacterial activity. Moreover, RfSpätzle knockdown altered the relative abundance of gut bacteria at the phylum and family levels. Taken together, these findings suggest that RfSpätzle is involved in RPW immunity to confer protection and maintain the homeostasis of gut microbiota by mediating the production of antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar Muhammad
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Prosper Habineza
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xinghong Wang
- Guizhou Institute of Biology, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
| | - Rong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Tianliang Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Youming Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhanghong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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Huo Z, Liu Y, Yang J, Xie W, Wang S, Wu Q, Zhou X, Pang B, Zhang Y. Transcriptomic Analysis of Mating Responses in Bemisia tabaci MED Females. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11050308. [PMID: 32423081 PMCID: PMC7290661 DOI: 10.3390/insects11050308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mating triggers substantial changes in gene expression and leads to subsequent physiological and behavioral modifications. However, postmating transcriptomic changes responding to mating have not yet been fully understood. Here, we carried out RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis in the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MED, to identify genes in females in response to mating. We compared mRNA expression in virgin and mated females at 24 h. As a result, 434 differentially expressed gene transcripts (DEGs) were identified between the mated and unmated groups, including 331 up- and 103 down-regulated. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that many of these DEGs encode binding-related proteins and genes associated with longevity. An RT-qPCR validation study was consistent with our transcriptomic analysis (14/15). Specifically, expression of P450s (Cyp18a1 and Cyp4g68), ubiquitin-protein ligases (UBR5 and RNF123), Hsps (Hsp68 and Hsf), carboxylase (ACC-2), facilitated trehalose transporters (Tret1-2), transcription factor (phtf), and serine-protein kinase (TLK2) were significantly elevated in mated females throughout seven assay days. These combined results offer a glimpe of postmating molecular modifications to facilitate reproduction in B. tabaci females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijia Huo
- Research Center for Grassland Entomology, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010020, China;
| | - Yating Liu
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.L.); (J.Y.); (W.X.); (S.W.); (Q.W.)
| | - Jinjian Yang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.L.); (J.Y.); (W.X.); (S.W.); (Q.W.)
| | - Wen Xie
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.L.); (J.Y.); (W.X.); (S.W.); (Q.W.)
| | - Shaoli Wang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.L.); (J.Y.); (W.X.); (S.W.); (Q.W.)
| | - Qingjun Wu
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.L.); (J.Y.); (W.X.); (S.W.); (Q.W.)
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA;
| | - Baoping Pang
- Research Center for Grassland Entomology, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010020, China;
- Correspondence: (B.P.); (Y.Z.); Tel.: +86-471-4318472 (B.P.); +86-010-82109518 (Y.Z.)
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.L.); (J.Y.); (W.X.); (S.W.); (Q.W.)
- Correspondence: (B.P.); (Y.Z.); Tel.: +86-471-4318472 (B.P.); +86-010-82109518 (Y.Z.)
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Nesa J, Sadat A, Buccini DF, Kati A, Mandal AK, Franco OL. Antimicrobial peptides fromBombyx mori: a splendid immune defense response in silkworms. RSC Adv 2020; 10:512-523. [PMID: 35492565 PMCID: PMC9047522 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra06864c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bombyx mori L., a primary producer of silk, is the main tool in the sericulture industry and provides the means of livelihood to a large number of people. Silk cocoon crop losses due to bacterial infection pose a major threat to the sericulture industry. Bombyx mori L., a silkworm of the mulberry type, has a sophisticated inherent innate immune mechanism to combat such invasive pathogens. Among all the components in this defense system, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are notable due to their specificity towards the invading pathogens without harming the normal host cells. Bombyx mori L. so far has had AMPs identified that belong to six different families, namely cecropin, defensin, moricin, gloverin, attacin and lebocin, which are produced by the Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) pathways. Their diverse modes of action depend on microbial pathogens and are still under investigation. This review examines the recent progress in understanding the immune defense mechanism of Bombyx mori based on AMPs. AMPs produced by B. mori induced by microbial challenge in the fat body.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannatun Nesa
- Chemical Biology Laboratory
- Department of Sericulture
- Raiganj University
- India
| | - Abdul Sadat
- Insect Ecology and Conservation Biology Laboratory
- Department of Sericulture
- Raiganj University
- India
| | - Danieli F. Buccini
- S-INOVA Biotech, Post-Graduate Program in Biotechnology
- Catholic University Dom Bosco
- Campo Grande
- Brazil
| | - Ahmet Kati
- Biotechnology Department
- Institution of Health Science
- University of Health Science
- Istanbul
- Turkey
| | - Amit K. Mandal
- Chemical Biology Laboratory
- Department of Sericulture
- Raiganj University
- India
- Centre for Nanotechnology Sciences
| | - Octavio L. Franco
- S-INOVA Biotech, Post-Graduate Program in Biotechnology
- Catholic University Dom Bosco
- Campo Grande
- Brazil
- Center of Proteomic and Biochemical Analysis
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Encinas-García T, Mendoza-Cano F, Porchas-Cornejo M, Peña-Rodríguez A, Enríquez-Espinoza T, Sánchez-Paz A. The white spot syndrome virus hijacks the expression of the Penaeus vannamei Toll signaling pathway to evade host immunity and facilitate its replication. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 92:905-912. [PMID: 31302285 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.07.026] [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: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), the most lethal pathogen of shrimp, is a dsDNA virus with approximately a 300,000 base pairs and contains approximately 180-500 predicted open reading frames (ORFs), of which only 6% show homology to any known protein from other viruses or organisms. Although most of its ORFs encode enzymes for nucleotide metabolism, DNA replication, and protein modification, the WSSV uses some of its encoded proteins successfully to take control of the metabolism of the host and avoid immune responses. The contribution of the shrimp innate immune response to prevent viral invasions is recognized but yet not fully understood. Thus, the role of several components of Toll pathway of the shrimp Penaeus vannamei against WSSV has been previously described, and the consequential effects occurring through the cascade remain unknown. In the current study the effects of WSSV over various components of the shrimp Toll pathway were studied. The gene expression of Spätzle, Toll, Tube, Cactus and Dorsal was altered after 6-12 h post inoculation. The expression of LvToll3, LvCactus, LvDorsal, decreased ~4.4-, ~3.7- and ~7.3-fold at 48, 24 and 48 hpi, respectively. Furthermore, a remarkable reduction (~18-fold) in the expression of the gene encoding LvCactus in WSSV infected specimens was observed at 6 hpi. This may be a sophisticated strategy exploited by WSSV to evade the Toll-mediated immune action, and to promote its replication, thereby contributing to viral fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trinidad Encinas-García
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), Laboratorio de Análisis, Referencia y Diagnóstico en Sanidad Acuícola, Calle Hermosa, 101. Col. Los Ángeles, Hermosillo, Sonora, C. P. 83106, Mexico
| | - Fernando Mendoza-Cano
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), Laboratorio de Análisis, Referencia y Diagnóstico en Sanidad Acuícola, Calle Hermosa, 101. Col. Los Ángeles, Hermosillo, Sonora, C. P. 83106, Mexico
| | - Marco Porchas-Cornejo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. Km 2.35 Carretera a Las Tinajas, S/N Colonia Tinajas, Guaymas, Sonora, C.P. 85460, Mexico
| | - Alberto Peña-Rodríguez
- CONACyT, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), IPN 195, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, BCS, 23096, Mexico
| | - Tania Enríquez-Espinoza
- Universidad Estatal de Sonora. Unidad Académica Hermosillo, Ley Federal del Trabajo s/n, Hermosillo, Sonora, C. P. 83100, Mexico
| | - Arturo Sánchez-Paz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), Laboratorio de Análisis, Referencia y Diagnóstico en Sanidad Acuícola, Calle Hermosa, 101. Col. Los Ángeles, Hermosillo, Sonora, C. P. 83106, Mexico.
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Lin YR, Parikh H, Park Y. Stress resistance and lifespan enhanced by downregulation of antimicrobial peptide genes in the Imd pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 10:622-631. [PMID: 29677000 PMCID: PMC5940113 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Biological behaviors and longevity of ectothermic animals are remarkably influenced by ambient temperature. Development at 18°C significantly enhances the stress resistance of adult flies with more accumulation of nutrients (especially fat) in the body than development at 25°C. Gene expression analysis between the flies developed at 18°C and 25°C revealed that the Immune deficiency (Imd) pathway, including the downstream antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), is downregulated in the flies developed at 18°C. When hypomorphic imd mutant flies with reduced AMP expressions were developed at 25°C, they showed induced stress resistance with higher fat content in the body similar to the wild-type flies developed at 18°C. However, severe hypomorphic imd mutants could not enhance stress resistance due to the downregulation of another downstream JNK pathway that expresses stress tolerance genes. Interestingly, the downregulation of AMP genes, itself, extended lifespan with increased stress resistance. Especially, fat body-specific downregulation of Imd AMP genes exhibited a longer lifespan with higher heat resistance. The fat body is known to function in metabolic homeostasis, stress tolerance, growth, and longevity in Drosophila. Here, we provide the first evidence that mild downregulation of the Imd pathway with AMP genes increases fat content, stress resistance, and lifespan in adult flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuh-Ru Lin
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.,Present address: Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Hardik Parikh
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.,Present address: Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Yongkyu Park
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A. Frank
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
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Li R, Huang Y, Zhang Q, Zhou H, Jin P, Ma F. The miR-317 functions as a negative regulator of Toll immune response and influences Drosophila survival. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 95:19-27. [PMID: 30708026 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The miR-317 has been revealed to involve in the reproductive response and the larval ovary morphogenesis of Drosophila. However, whether the miR-317 can also regulate Drosophila innate immune responses, which remains unclear to date. Here we have verified that miR-317 can directly target the 3'UTR of Dif-Rc to down-regulate the expression levels of AMP Drs to negatively control Drosophila Toll immune response in vivo and vitro. Specially, the Dif is an important transcription factor of Toll pathway with four transcripts (Dif-Ra, Dif-Rb, Dif-Rc and Dif-Rd). Our results show that miR-317 only targets to Dif-Rc, but not Dif-Ra/b/d, implying that miRNAs can regulate different isoforms of an alternative splicing gene to fine tune immune responses and maintain homeostasis in post-transcriptional level. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the miR-317 sponge can restore the expression levels of Drs and Dif-Rc at mRNA and protein levels. Remarkably, during Gram-positive bacterial infection, the overexpressed miR-317 flies have poor survival outcome, whereas the knockout miR-317 flies have favorable survival compared to the control group, respectively, suggesting that the miR-317 might play a key role in Drosophila survival. Taken together, our current works not only reveal an innate immune function and a novel regulation pattern of miR-317, but also provide a new insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms of immunity disorder influencing on Drosophila survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruimin Li
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Hongjian Zhou
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China.
| | - Fei Ma
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China.
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Kumar D, Sun Z, Cao G, Xue R, Hu X, Gong C. Bombyx mori bidensovirus infection alters the intestinal microflora of fifth instar silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae. J Invertebr Pathol 2019; 163:48-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Kopp Z, Park Y. Longer lifespan in the Rpd3 and Loco signaling results from the reduced catabolism in young age with noncoding RNA. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:230-239. [PMID: 30620723 PMCID: PMC6339784 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Downregulation of Rpd3 (histone deacetylase) or Loco (regulator of G-protein signaling protein) extends Drosophila lifespan with higher stress resistance. We found rpd3-downregulated long-lived flies genetically interact with loco-upregulated short-lived flies in stress resistance and lifespan. Gene expression profiles between those flies revealed that they regulate common target genes in metabolic enzymes and signaling pathways, showing an opposite expression pattern in their contrasting lifespans. Functional analyses of more significantly changed genes indicated that the activities of catabolic enzymes and uptake/storage proteins are reduced in long-lived flies with Rpd3 downregulation. This reduced catabolism exhibited from a young age is considered to be necessary for the resultant longer lifespan of the Rpd3- and Loco-downregulated old flies, which mimics the dietary restriction (DR) effect that extends lifespan in the several species. Inversely, those catabolic activities that break down carbohydrates, lipids, and peptides were high in the short lifespan of Loco-upregulated flies. Long noncoding gene, dntRL (CR45923), was also found as a putative target modulated by Rpd3 and Loco for the longevity. Interestingly, this dntRL could affect stress resistance and lifespan, suggesting that the dntRL lncRNA may be involved in the metabolic mechanism of Rpd3 and Loco signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Kopp
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Yongkyu Park
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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Li J, Heerman MC, Evans JD, Rose R, Li W, Rodríguez-García C, DeGrandi-Hoffman G, Zhao Y, Huang S, Li Z, Hamilton M, Chen Y. Pollen reverses decreased lifespan, altered nutritional metabolism, and suppressed immunity in honey bees (Apis mellifera) treated with antibiotics. J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.202077. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.202077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nutrition is involved in regulating multiple aspects of honeybee biology such as caste, immunity, lifespan, growth and behavioral development. Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a major pathogenic factor which threatens honeybee populations, and its replication is regulated by nutrition status and immune responses of honeybees. The alimentary canal of the honeybee is home to a diverse microbial community that provides essential nutrients and serves to bolster immune responses. However, to what extent gut bacteria affect honeybee nutrition metabolism and immunity with respect to DWV has not been investigated fully. In this study, newly emerged worker bees were subjected to four diets that contained 1) pollen, 2) pollen and antibiotics, 3) neither pollen nor antibiotics, 4) antibiotics alone. The expression level of two nutrition genes target of rapamycin (tor) and insulin like peptide (ilp1), one nutritional marker gene vitellogenin (vg), five major royal jelly proteins genes (mrjp1-5), one antimicrobial peptide regulating gene relish (rel), and DWV virus titer and its replication intermediate, negative RNA strand, were determined by qRT-PCR from the honeybees after 7 days post antibiotic treatment. Additionally, honeybee head weight and survival rate were measured. We observed that antibiotics decreased the expression of tor and rel, increased DWV titer and its replication activity. Expression of ilp1, five mrjps, vg, and honeybee head weight were also reduced compared to bees on a pollen diet. Antibiotics also caused a significant drop in survivorship, which could be rescued by addition of pollen to diets. Of importance, pollen could partially rescue the loss of vg and mrjp2 while also increasing head weight of antibiotic-treated bees. Our results illuminate the roles of bacteria in honeybee nutrition, metabolism, and immunity; which confer the capability of inhibiting virus replication, extending honeybee lifespan, and improving overall health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghong Li
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Matthew C. Heerman
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Jay D. Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Robyn Rose
- USDA APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine, 4700 River Rd, Riverdale, MD 20737, USA
| | - Wenfeng Li
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | | | | | - Yazhou Zhao
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Shaokang Huang
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zhiguo Li
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Michele Hamilton
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Yanping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
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Drosophila as a Model to Study Brain Innate Immunity in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123922. [PMID: 30544507 PMCID: PMC6321579 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity is the first line of defense against invading pathogens and plays an essential role in defending the brain against infection, injury, and disease. It is currently well recognized that central nervous system (CNS) infections can result in long-lasting neurological sequelae and that innate immune and inflammatory reactions are highly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. Due to the conservation of the mechanisms that govern neural development and innate immune activation from flies to mammals, the lack of a classical adaptive immune system and the availability of numerous genetic and genomic tools, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster presents opportunities to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with immune function in brain tissue and how they relate to infection, injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we present an overview of currently identified innate immune mechanisms specific to the adult Drosophila brain.
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40
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Fabian DK, Garschall K, Klepsatel P, Santos‐Matos G, Sucena É, Kapun M, Lemaitre B, Schlötterer C, Arking R, Flatt T. Evolution of longevity improves immunity in Drosophila. Evol Lett 2018; 2:567-579. [PMID: 30564440 PMCID: PMC6292704 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Much has been learned about the genetics of aging from studies in model organisms, but still little is known about naturally occurring alleles that contribute to variation in longevity. For example, analysis of mutants and transgenes has identified insulin signaling as a major regulator of longevity, yet whether standing variation in this pathway underlies microevolutionary changes in lifespan and correlated fitness traits remains largely unclear. Here, we have analyzed the genomes of a set of Drosophila melanogaster lines that have been maintained under direct selection for postponed reproduction and indirect selection for longevity, relative to unselected control lines, for over 35 years. We identified many candidate loci shaped by selection for longevity and late-life fertility, but - contrary to expectation - we did not find overrepresentation of canonical longevity genes. Instead, we found an enrichment of immunity genes, particularly in the Toll pathway, suggesting that evolutionary changes in immune function might underpin - in part - the evolution of late-life fertility and longevity. To test whether this genomic signature is causative, we performed functional experiments. In contrast to control flies, long-lived flies tended to downregulate the expression of antimicrobial peptides upon infection with age yet survived fungal, bacterial, and viral infections significantly better, consistent with alleviated immunosenescence. To examine whether genes of the Toll pathway directly affect longevity, we employed conditional knockdown using in vivo RNAi. In adults, RNAi against the Toll receptor extended lifespan, whereas silencing the pathway antagonist cactus--causing immune hyperactivation - dramatically shortened lifespan. Together, our results suggest that genetic changes in the age-dependent regulation of immune homeostasis might contribute to the evolution of longer life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K. Fabian
- Centre for Pathogen Evolution, Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
- Institut für PopulationsgenetikVetmeduni ViennaViennaAustria
- Vienna Graduate School of Population GeneticsViennaAustria
| | - Kathrin Garschall
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Peter Klepsatel
- Institut für PopulationsgenetikVetmeduni ViennaViennaAustria
- Institute of ZoologySlovak Academy of Sciences845 06 BratislavaSlovakia
| | | | - Élio Sucena
- Instituto Gulbenkian de CiênciaOeirasPortugal
- Departamento de Biologia AnimalFaculdade de Ciências da Universidade de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - Martin Kapun
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Bruno Lemaitre
- Global Health InstituteSchool of Life Sciences, EPFLLausanneSwitzerland
| | | | - Robert Arking
- Department of Biological SciencesWayne State UniversityDetroitMichigan
| | - Thomas Flatt
- Institut für PopulationsgenetikVetmeduni ViennaViennaAustria
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FribourgFribourgSwitzerland
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Chen Y, Aweya JJ, Sun W, Wei X, Gong Y, Ma H, Zhang Y, Wen X, Li S. SpToll1 and SpToll2 modulate the expression of antimicrobial peptides in Scylla paramamosain. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 87:124-136. [PMID: 29935285 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Tolls and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were the first pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) identified to play key roles in host innate immunity. However, relatively little is known about other types of Toll-like receptors in Scylla paramamosain, although a Toll-like receptor (SpToll1) has recently been cloned. In this study, we cloned and characterized another novel Toll-like receptor 2 (SpToll2) from S. paramamosain. The full-length cDNA of SpToll2 is 3391 bp with a 2646 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative protein of 881 amino acids, and predicted to contain six extracellular leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains, a transmembrane domain and an intracellular Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SpToll2 clustered with Drosophila Toll1, and shared high homology with PtToll4. Real-time qPCR analysis showed that SpToll2 was widely expressed in all tissues tested, with the highest level found in hemocytes and hepatopancreas while the lowest in heart and muscle. The transcript levels of both SpToll1 and SpToll2 in mud crabs hemocytes was induced following challenge with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). In addition, recombinant SpToll1-LRR and SpToll2-LRR proteins could bind to V. parahaemolyticus, S. aureus, Escherichia coli, and Beta Streptococcus. In order to study the signaling pathway of AMPs' expression in mud crab, RNA interference were used to test the expression of SpAMPs after the challenges with V. parahaemolyticus or S. aureus. The data suggested that SpToll1and SpToll2 could regulate the transcripts of several AMPs and four immune related mediators (SpMyD88, SpTube, SpPelle and SpTRAF6) at different scale. While silencing of SpToll1 post pathogens challenge attenuated the expression of SpHistin, SpALF1 and SpALF5 in mud crab's hemocytes, depletion of SpToll2 post pathogens challenge inhibited the expression of SpALF1-6, SpGRP, SpArasin and SpHyastastin. Furthermore, the results of overexpression assay also showed SpToll1 and SpToll2 could enhance the promoter activities of SpALFs in mud crab. Taken together, these results indicated that SpToll1 and SpToll2 might play important roles in host defense against pathogen invasions in S. paramamosain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Marine Biology Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Jude Juventus Aweya
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Marine Biology Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Wanwei Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Marine Biology Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Marine Biology Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Yi Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Marine Biology Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Hongyu Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Marine Biology Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Yueling Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Marine Biology Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Xiaobo Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Marine Biology Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Shengkang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Marine Biology Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China.
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42
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Nematobacterial Complexes and Insect Hosts: Different Weapons for the Same War. INSECTS 2018; 9:insects9030117. [PMID: 30208626 PMCID: PMC6164499 DOI: 10.3390/insects9030117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are widely used as biological control agents against insect pests, the efficacy of these organisms strongly depends on the balance between the parasitic strategies and the immune response of the host. This review summarizes roles and relationships between insect hosts and two well-known EPN species, Steinernema feltiae and Steinernema carpocapsae and outlines the main mechanisms of immune recognition and defense of insects. Analyzing information and findings about these EPNs, it is clear that these two species use shared immunosuppression strategies, mainly mediated by their symbiotic bacteria, but there are differences in both the mechanism of evasion and interference of the two nematodes with the insect host immune pathways. Based on published data, S. feltiae takes advantage of the cross reaction between its body surface and some host functional proteins, to inhibit defensive processes; otherwise, secretion/excretion products from S. carpocapsae seem to be the main nematode components responsible for the host immunosuppression.
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43
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Min KJ, Tatar M. Unraveling the Molecular Mechanism of Immunosenescence in Drosophila. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2472. [PMID: 30134574 PMCID: PMC6164973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A common feature of the aging process is a decline in immune system performance. Extensive research has sought to elucidate how changes in adaptive immunity contribute to aging and to provide evidence showing that changes in innate immunity have an important role in the overall decline of net immune function. Drosophila is an emerging model used to address questions related to immunosenescence via research that integrates its capacity for genetic dissection of aging with groundbreaking molecular biology related to innate immunity. Herein, we review information on the immunosenescence of Drosophila and suggest its possible mechanisms that involve changes in insulin/IGF(insulin-like growth factor)-1 signaling, hormones such as juvenile hormone and 20-hydroxyecdysone, and feedback system degeneration. Lastly, the emerging role of microbiota on the regulation of immunity and aging in Drosophila is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Jin Min
- Department of Biological Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea.
| | - Marc Tatar
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
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Huang Y, Wang W, Xu Z, Pan J, Zhao Z, Ren Q. Eriocheir sinensis microRNA-7 targets crab Myd88 to enhance white spot syndrome virus replication. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 79:274-283. [PMID: 29775740 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. In this study, the function of microRNA-7 (miR-7) in host-virus interaction was investigated. Replication of White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was enhanced with the overexpression of miR-7 and inhibited with the downregulation of miR-7 by using anti-miRNA oligonucleotide AMO-miR-7. The target gene of miR-7 was predicted using bioinformatics methods. Results showed that crab myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88) could be targeted by miR-7. When the expression of Myd88 was knocked down by sequence-specific siRNA, WSSV copies in crabs were significantly increased. Further findings revealed that knockdown of Myd88, Tube, or Pelle inhibited the expressions of interleukin enhancer-binding factor 2 homolog (ILF2) and interleukin-16-like gene (IL-16L). While ILF2 was silenced, IL-16L expression was inhibited. The overexpression of miR-7 inhibited the expressions of ILF2 and IL-16L. Moreover, when ILF2 or IL-16L was silenced, WSSV copies in crabs were increased. Thus, the upregulated expression of miR-7 during WSSV challenge suppressed the host Myd88-ILF2-(IL-16L) signaling pathway in crabs and enhanced WSSV replication. Our study indicated that WSSV utilized crab miR-7 to enhance virus replication during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Huang
- College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity & Biotechnology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Aquatic Crustacean Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity & Biotechnology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Aquatic Crustacean Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Zhiqiang Xu
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210017, China
| | - Jianlin Pan
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210017, China
| | - Zhe Zhao
- College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Qian Ren
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity & Biotechnology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Aquatic Crustacean Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China.
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45
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Kounatidis I, Chtarbanova S. Role of Glial Immunity in Lifespan Determination: A Drosophila Perspective. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1362. [PMID: 29942319 PMCID: PMC6004738 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing body of evidence indicates that proper glial function plays an important role in neuroprotection and in organismal physiology throughout lifespan. Work done in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster has revealed important aspects of glial cell biology in the contexts of longevity and neurodegeneration. In this mini review, we summarize recent findings from work done in the fruit fly Drosophila about the role of glia in maintaining a healthy status during animal’s life and discuss the involvement of glial innate immune pathways in lifespan and neurodegeneration. Overactive nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways and defective phagocytosis appear to be major contributors to lifespan shortening and neuropathology. Glial NF-κB silencing on the other hand, extends lifespan possibly through an immune–neuroendocrine axis. Given the evolutionary conservation of NF-κB innate immune signaling and of macrophage ontogeny across fruit flies, rodents, and humans, the above observations in glia could potentially support efforts for therapeutic interventions targeting to ameliorate age-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Kounatidis
- Cell Biology, Development, and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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46
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Chen YW, Ko WC, Chen CS, Chen PL. RIOK-1 Is a Suppressor of the p38 MAPK Innate Immune Pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Immunol 2018; 9:774. [PMID: 29719537 PMCID: PMC5913292 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity is the primary defense mechanism against infection in metazoans. However, aberrant upregulation of innate immune-signaling pathways can also be detrimental to the host. The p38 MAPK/PMK-1 innate immune-signaling pathway has been demonstrated to play essential roles in cellular defenses against numerous infections in metazoans, including Caenorhabditis elegans. However, the negative regulators that maintain the homeostasis of this important innate immune pathway remain largely understudied. By screening a focused RNAi library against the kinome of C. elegans, we identified RIOK-1, a human RIO kinase homolog, as a novel suppressor of the p38 MAPK/PMK-1 signal pathway. We demonstrated that the suppression of riok-1 confers resistance to Aeromonas dhakensis infection in C. elegans. Using quantitative real time-PCR and riok-1 reporter worms, we found the expression levels of riok-1 to be significantly upregulated in worms infected with A. dhakensis. Our genetic epistasis analysis suggested that riok-1 acts on the upstream of the p38 MAPK/pmk-1 genetic pathway. Moreover, the suppression of riok-1 enhanced the p38 MAPK signal, suggesting that riok-1 is a negative regulator of this innate pathway in C. elegans. Our epistatic results put riok-1 downstream of skn-1, which encodes a p38 MAPK downstream transcription factor and serves as a feedback loop to the p38 MAPK pathway during an A. dhakensis infection. In conclusion, riok-1 is proposed as a novel innate immune suppressor and as a negative feedback loop model involving p38 MAPK, SKN-1, and RIOK-1 in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wei Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chien Ko
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Shi Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Lin Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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47
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Li S, Xu J, Sun L, Li R, Jin P, Ma F. Drosophila miR-964 modulates Toll signaling pathway in response to bacterial infection. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 77:252-258. [PMID: 28823799 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that microRNA (miRNA) plays important roles in the control of immune response and tolerance. We previously found that the expression level of antimicrobial peptide gene Drosomycin (Drs) is decreased in miR-964 overexpressing flies. Here, we further verified that miR-964 deficiency leads to hyper-activation of Drs. In addition, we employed three widely-used bioinformatic algorithms to screen potential miR-964 targets. Finally, we identified that miR-964 modulates Toll signaling pathway, at least in part, by repressing the expression of Drs. Taken together, our study identifies miR-964 as a modulator of Toll signaling and enriches the repertoire of immune-modulating miRNAs in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengjie Li
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Jiao Xu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Lianjie Sun
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Ruimin Li
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Fei Ma
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China.
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Li JH, Evans JD, Li WF, Zhao YZ, DeGrandi-Hoffman G, Huang SK, Li ZG, Hamilton M, Chen YP. New evidence showing that the destruction of gut bacteria by antibiotic treatment could increase the honey bee's vulnerability to Nosema infection. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187505. [PMID: 29125851 PMCID: PMC5681286 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
It has become increasingly clear that gut bacteria play vital roles in the development, nutrition, immunity, and overall fitness of their eukaryotic hosts. We conducted the present study to investigate the effects of gut microbiota disruption on the honey bee's immune responses to infection by the microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae. Newly emerged adult workers were collected and divided into four groups: Group I-no treatment; Group II-inoculated with N. ceranae, Group III-antibiotic treatment, and Group IV-antibiotic treatment after inoculation with N. ceranae. Our study showed that Nosema infection did not cause obvious disruption of the gut bacterial community as there was no significant difference in the density and composition of gut bacteria between Group I and Group II. However, the elimination of gut bacteria by antibiotic (Groups III and IV) negatively impacted the functioning of the honey bees' immune system as evidenced by the expression of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides abaecin, defensin1, and hymenoptaecin that showed the following ranking: Group I > Group II > Group III > Group IV. In addition, significantly higher Nosema levels were observed in Group IV than in Group II, suggesting that eliminating gut bacteria weakened immune function and made honey bees more susceptible to Nosema infection. Based on Group IV having displayed the highest mortality rate among the four experimental groups indicates that antibiotic treatment in combination with stress, associated with Nosema infection, significantly and negatively impacts honey bee survival. The present study adds new evidence that antibiotic treatment not only leads to the complex problem of antibiotic resistance but can impact honey bee disease resistance. Further studies aimed at specific components of the gut bacterial community will provide new insights into the roles of specific bacteria and possibly new approaches to improving bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Hong Li
- USDA-ARS Bee research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States of America
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jay D. Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States of America
| | - Wen Feng Li
- USDA-ARS Bee research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States of America
| | - Ya Zhou Zhao
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Shao Kang Huang
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi Guo Li
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Michele Hamilton
- USDA-ARS Bee research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States of America
| | - Yan Ping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Gao L, Wang H, Liu Z, Liu S, Zhao G, Xu B, Guo X. The initial analysis of a serine proteinase gene (AccSp10) from Apis cerana cerana: possible involvement in pupal development, innate immunity and abiotic stress responses. Cell Stress Chaperones 2017; 22:867-877. [PMID: 28695333 PMCID: PMC5655375 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-017-0818-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine proteinases play important roles in innate immunity and insect development. We isolated a serine proteinase gene, designated AccSp10, from the Chinese honeybees (Apis cerana cerana). RT-qPCR and a Western blot analysis at different pupal development stages indicated that AccSp10 might be involved in melanin formation in pupae and promote pupal development. In adult workers, the expression of AccSp10 was upregulated by treatments mimicking harmful environments such as the presence of Bacillus bombysepticus, different temperatures (4, 24 and 42 °C), HgCl2, H2O2 and paraquat; the exception was treatment with VC (vitamin C), which did not upregulate AccSp10 expression. Western blot confirmed the results. A disc diffusion assay indicated that recombinant AccSp10 accelerated E. coli cell death during stimulation with harmful substances (HgCl2, paraquat and cumene hydroperoxide). These findings suggest that AccSp10 may be involved in the pupal development of Chinese honeybees and protection against microorganisms and abiotic harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, People's Republic of China
- College of Life Sciences, Taishan Medical University, Taian, Shandong, 271016, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongfang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuchang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangdong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Baohua Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xingqi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, People's Republic of China.
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50
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Tesovnik T, Cizelj I, Zorc M, Čitar M, Božič J, Glavan G, Narat M. Immune related gene expression in worker honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica) pupae exposed to neonicotinoid thiamethoxam and Varroa mites (Varroa destructor). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187079. [PMID: 29088251 PMCID: PMC5663428 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Varroa destructor is one of the most common parasites of honey bee colonies and is considered as a possible co-factor for honey bee decline. At the same time, the use of pesticides in intensive agriculture is still the most effective method of pest control. There is limited information about the effects of pesticide exposure on parasitized honey bees. Larval ingestion of certain pesticides could have effects on honey bee immune defense mechanisms, development and metabolic pathways. Europe and America face the disturbing phenomenon of the disappearance of honey bee colonies, termed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). One reason discussed is the possible suppression of honey bee immune system as a consequence of prolonged exposure to chemicals. In this study, the effects of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam on honey bee, Apis mellifera carnica, pupae infested with Varroa destructor mites were analyzed at the molecular level. Varroa-infested and non-infested honey bee colonies received protein cakes with or without thiamethoxam. Nurse bees used these cakes as a feed for developing larvae. Samples of white-eyed and brown-eyed pupae were collected. Expression of 17 immune-related genes was analyzed by real-time PCR. Relative gene expression in samples exposed only to Varroa or to thiamethoxam or simultaneously to both Varroa and thiamethoxam was compared. The impact from the consumption of thiamethoxam during the larval stage on honey bee immune related gene expression in Varroa-infested white-eyed pupae was reflected as down-regulation of spaetzle, AMPs abaecin and defensin-1 and up-regulation of lysozyme-2. In brown-eyed pupae up-regulation of PPOact, spaetzle, hopscotch and basket genes was detected. Moreover, we observed a major difference in immune response to Varroa infestation between white-eyed pupae and brown-eyed pupae. The majority of tested immune-related genes were upregulated only in brown-eyed pupae, while in white-eyed pupae they were downregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Tesovnik
- Department of Animal Sciences, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Ivanka Cizelj
- Department of Animal Sciences, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Minja Zorc
- Department of Animal Sciences, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Manuela Čitar
- Department of Animal Sciences, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Janko Božič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gordana Glavan
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Narat
- Department of Animal Sciences, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
- * E-mail:
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