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Yu A, Beck M, Merzendorfer H, Yang Q. Advances in understanding insect chitin biosynthesis. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 164:104058. [PMID: 38072083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Chitin, a natural polymer of N-acetylglucosamine chains, is a principal component of the apical extracellular matrix in arthropods. Chitin microfibrils serve as structural components of natural biocomposites present in the extracellular matrix of a variety of invertebrates including sponges, molluscs, nematodes, fungi and arthropods. In this review, we summarize the frontier advances of insect chitin synthesis. More specifically, we focus on the chitin synthase (CHS), which catalyzes the key biosynthesis step. CHS is also known as an attractive insecticidal target in that this enzyme is absent in mammals, birds or plants. As no insect chitin synthase structure have been reported so far, we review recent studies on glycosyltransferase domain structures derived from fungi and oomycetes, which are conserved in CHS from all species containing chitin. Auxiliary proteins, which coordinate with CHS in chitin biosynthesis and assembly, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailing Yu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Marius Beck
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany.
| | - Qing Yang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
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2
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Böhringer AC, Deters L, Windfelder AG, Merzendorfer H. Dextran sulfate sodium and uracil induce inflammatory effects and disrupt the chitinous peritrophic matrix in the midgut of Tribolium castaneum. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 163:104029. [PMID: 37907139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Dextran sulfate sodium is used in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mice models to trigger chronic intestinal inflammation. In this study, we have analyzed DSS effects in the genetic model and pest beetle, Tribolium castaneum, which can be easily and cost-effectively cultivated and examined in very large quantities compensating for individual variations. We fed the larvae with DSS and uracil, which is known to induce the production of reactive oxygen species by activating DUOX, a member of the NADPH oxidase family. Both chemicals induced IBD-like phenotypes, including impaired growth and development, midgut thickening, epithelial swelling, and a loss of epithelial barrier function. RNAi mediated knockdown of DUOX expression enhanced the effects of DSS and uracil on mortality. Finally, we showed that both treatments result in an altered activity of the intestinal microbiome, similar as observed in IBD patients. Our findings suggest that both chemicals impair the epithelial barrier by increasing the permeability of the peritrophic matrix. The loss of the barrier function may facilitate the entry of midgut bacteria triggering innate immune responses that also affect the intestinal microbiome. As the observed effects resemble those induced by DSS treatment in mice, T. castaneum might be suitable high-throughput invertebrate model for IBD research and preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lara Deters
- University of Siegen, Department of Chemistry-Biology, 57068, Siegen, Germany
| | - Anton George Windfelder
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, 35392, Gießen, Germany; Experimental Radiology, Department of Medicine, Justus Liebig University, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- University of Siegen, Department of Chemistry-Biology, 57068, Siegen, Germany.
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3
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Chen W, Cao P, Liu Y, Yu A, Wang D, Chen L, Sundarraj R, Yuchi Z, Gong Y, Merzendorfer H, Yang Q. Author Correction: Structural basis for directional chitin biosynthesis. Nature 2023; 621:E31. [PMID: 37626189 PMCID: PMC10499597 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06553-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Cao
- Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuansheng Liu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Ailing Yu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rajamanikandan Sundarraj
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery and High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiguang Yuchi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery and High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yong Gong
- Center for Multi-disciplinary Research, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, School of Science and Technology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Qing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
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4
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Wellmeyer B, Böhringer AC, Rösner J, Merzendorfer H. Analyses of ecdysteroid transporters in the fat body of Tribolium castaneum. Insect Mol Biol 2023. [PMID: 36892191 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The control of insect moulting and metamorphosis involves ecdysteroids that orchestrate the execution of developmental genetic programs by binding to dimeric hormone receptors consisting of the ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP). In insects, the main ecdysteroids comprise ecdysone (E), which is synthesized in the prothoracic gland and secreted into the haemolymph, and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), which is considered the active form by binding to the nuclear receptor of the target cell. While biosynthesis of ecdysteroids has been studied in detail in different insects, the transport systems involved in guiding these steroid hormones across cellular membranes have just recently begun to be studied. By analysing RNAi phenotypes in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, we have identified three transporter genes, TcABCG-8A, TcABCG-4D and TcOATP4-C1, whose silencing results in phenotypes similar to that observed when the ecdysone receptor gene TcEcRA is silenced, that is, abortive moulting and abnormal development of adult compound eyes during the larval stage. The genes of all three transporters are expressed at higher levels in the larval fat body of T. castaneum. We analysed potential functions of these transporters by combining RNAi and mass spectrometry. However, the analysis of gene functions is challenged by mutual RNAi effects indicating interdependent gene regulation. Based on our findings, we propose that TcABCG-8A, TcABCG-4D and TcOATP4-C1 participate in the ecdysteroid transport in fat body cells, which are involved in E → 20E conversion catalysed by the P450 enzyme TcShade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Wellmeyer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, 57068, Germany
| | | | - Janin Rösner
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, 57068, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, 57068, Germany
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5
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Shi X, Li S, Yang L, Liu X, Merzendorfer H, Zhu KY, Zhang J. Clathrin heavy chain is essential for the development and reproduction of Locusta migratoria. Insect Sci 2022; 29:1601-1611. [PMID: 35290723 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Clathrin heavy chain (Chc) is a constituent of clathrin-coated vesicles and serves important functions in endocytosis and intracellular membrane trafficking but appears to have physiological roles also at the organismal level. Most of what we know about Chc functions originates from studies performed in fungal or vertebrate cells. However, the physiological functions of Chc in insects remain poorly understood. Here, we identified a Chc ortholog from a Locusta migratoria transcriptome database. RT-qPCR revealed that LmChc was constitutively expressed in fifth-instar nymphs. In this developmental stage, LmChc showed the highest expression in the ovary followed by hemolymph, testis, hindgut, midgut, and foregut. In isolated hemocytes, we detected the Chc protein in patches at the plasma membrane. To examine the role of LmChc in L. migratoria during development, RNA interference was performed by injecting dsRNA into the early fifth-instar nymphs. Silencing of LmChc caused a lethal phenotype with molting defect from nymph to adult. In addition, silencing of LmChc resulted in abnormal development of the ovaries, the size of which was significantly smaller than that in controls. Taken together, our results suggest that LmChc is a vital gene in L. migratoria that plays an important role in growth, development, and reproduction. LmChc may be used as an efficient RNAi target gene for developing dsRNA-based biological insecticides to manage insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuekai Shi
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Shuai Li
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaojian Liu
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | | | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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6
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Gao L, Wang Y, Abbas M, Zhang T, Ma E, Merzendorfer H, Zhu KY, Zhang J. Both LmDicer-1 and two LmDicer-2s participate in siRNA-mediated RNAi pathway and contribute to high gene silencing efficiency in Locusta migratoria. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 151:103865. [PMID: 36336194 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Dicers belong to a class of large RNase III multidomain ribonucleases and are central components of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathways. In insects, Dicer-2 has been known to cleave long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated-RNAi pathway. However, Dicer-1 is responsible for cleaving precursor microRNAs (pre28 miRNAs) in miRNA-mediated RNAi pathway. In this study, we identified one LmDicer-1 and two LmDicer-2 (LmDicer-2a and LmDicer-2b) genes in Locusta migratoria. The RNAi of RNAi assay showed that knockdown of each of the Dicer genes reduced RNAi efficiency against a target gene (Lmβ-Tubulin), suggesting that all these genes participated in the siRNA-mediated RNAi pathway. Sequence analyses of the siRNAs generated from dsLmβ-Tubulin after silencing each LmDicer gene showed no significant difference in the pattern of siRNAs mapped to dsLmβ-Tubulin. This result indicated that all the three LmDicers are capable of generating siRNAs from the dsRNA. We then generated recombinant proteins consisting of different domains using Escherichia coli expression system and incubated each recombinant protein with dsLmβ-Tubulin. We found that the recombinant Dicer proteins successfully cleaved dsLmβ-Tubulin. However, LmDicer-2a-R lacking dsRBD domain lost activity, suggesting that dsRBD domain is critical for Dicer function. Furthermore, overexpression of these proteins in Drosophila S2 cells improved RNAi efficiency. Our siRNA affinity chromatography and LC-MS/MS analysis identified LmDicer-2a, LmDicer-2b, LmR2D2, LmAgo2a, LmAgo1, LmStaufen and LmTARBP2 as constituents of RNA-induced silencing complex. Taken together, these data show that both LmDicer-1 and two LmDicer-2s all participate in siRNA-mediated RNAi pathway and likely contribute to high RNAi efficiency in L. migratoria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Gao
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China; College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China
| | - Mureed Abbas
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China
| | - Enbo Ma
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China
| | | | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, 123 Waters Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China.
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7
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Windfelder AG, Müller FHH, Mc Larney B, Hentschel M, Böhringer AC, von Bredow CR, Leinberger FH, Kampschulte M, Maier L, von Bredow YM, Flocke V, Merzendorfer H, Krombach GA, Vilcinskas A, Grimm J, Trenczek TE, Flögel U. High-throughput screening of caterpillars as a platform to study host-microbe interactions and enteric immunity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7216. [PMID: 36433960 PMCID: PMC9700799 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34865-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian models of human disease are expensive and subject to ethical restrictions. Here, we present an independent platform for high-throughput screening, using larvae of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta, combining diagnostic imaging modalities for a comprehensive characterization of aberrant phenotypes. For validation, we use bacterial/chemical-induced gut inflammation to generate a colitis-like phenotype and identify significant alterations in morphology, tissue properties, and intermediary metabolism, which aggravate with disease progression and can be rescued by antimicrobial treatment. In independent experiments, activation of the highly conserved NADPH oxidase DUOX, a key mediator of gut inflammation, leads to similar, dose-dependent alterations, which can be attenuated by pharmacological interventions. Furthermore, the developed platform could differentiate pathogens from mutualistic gastrointestinal bacteria broadening the scope of applications also to microbiomics and host-pathogen interactions. Overall, larvae-based screening can complement mammals in preclinical studies to explore innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions, thus representing a substantial contribution to improve mammalian welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton G. Windfelder
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Institute of Zoology and Developmental Biology; Cellular Recognition and Defense Processes, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany ,grid.418010.c0000 0004 0573 9904Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany ,grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Laboratory of Experimental Radiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Benedict Mc Larney
- grid.51462.340000 0001 2171 9952Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA ,grid.51462.340000 0001 2171 9952Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Michael Hentschel
- grid.411656.10000 0004 0479 0855Department of Nuclear Medicine, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Christina Böhringer
- grid.5836.80000 0001 2242 8751Department of Chemistry and Biology, School of Science and Technology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Christoph-Rüdiger von Bredow
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Applied Zoology, Department of Biology, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Florian H. Leinberger
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Institute of Zoology and Developmental Biology; Cellular Recognition and Defense Processes, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marian Kampschulte
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Laboratory of Experimental Radiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lorenz Maier
- grid.411656.10000 0004 0479 0855Department of Nuclear Medicine, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yvette M. von Bredow
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Institute of Zoology and Developmental Biology; Cellular Recognition and Defense Processes, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vera Flocke
- grid.411327.20000 0001 2176 9917Experimental Cardiovascular Imaging, Molecular Cardiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- grid.5836.80000 0001 2242 8751Department of Chemistry and Biology, School of Science and Technology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Gabriele A. Krombach
- grid.411067.50000 0000 8584 9230Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University-Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- grid.418010.c0000 0004 0573 9904Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany ,grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Department of Applied Entomology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jan Grimm
- grid.51462.340000 0001 2171 9952Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA ,grid.51462.340000 0001 2171 9952Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA ,grid.5386.8000000041936877XPharmacology Department, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY USA ,grid.51462.340000 0001 2171 9952Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA ,grid.413734.60000 0000 8499 1112Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Tina E. Trenczek
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Institute of Zoology and Developmental Biology; Cellular Recognition and Defense Processes, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Flögel
- grid.411327.20000 0001 2176 9917Experimental Cardiovascular Imaging, Molecular Cardiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Chen W, Cao P, Liu Y, Yu A, Wang D, Chen L, Sundarraj R, Yuchi Z, Gong Y, Merzendorfer H, Yang Q. Structural basis for directional chitin biosynthesis. Nature 2022; 610:402-408. [PMID: 36131020 PMCID: PMC9556331 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05244-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chitin, the most abundant aminopolysaccharide in nature, is an extracellular polymer consisting of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) units1. The key reactions of chitin biosynthesis are catalysed by chitin synthase2-4, a membrane-integrated glycosyltransferase that transfers GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to a growing chitin chain. However, the precise mechanism of this process has yet to be elucidated. Here we report five cryo-electron microscopy structures of a chitin synthase from the devastating soybean root rot pathogenic oomycete Phytophthora sojae (PsChs1). They represent the apo, GlcNAc-bound, nascent chitin oligomer-bound, UDP-bound (post-synthesis) and chitin synthase inhibitor nikkomycin Z-bound states of the enzyme, providing detailed views into the multiple steps of chitin biosynthesis and its competitive inhibition. The structures reveal the chitin synthesis reaction chamber that has the substrate-binding site, the catalytic centre and the entrance to the polymer-translocating channel that allows the product polymer to be discharged. This arrangement reflects consecutive key events in chitin biosynthesis from UDP-GlcNAc binding and polymer elongation to the release of the product. We identified a swinging loop within the chitin-translocating channel, which acts as a 'gate lock' that prevents the substrate from leaving while directing the product polymer into the translocating channel for discharge to the extracellular side of the cell membrane. This work reveals the directional multistep mechanism of chitin biosynthesis and provides a structural basis for inhibition of chitin synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Cao
- Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuansheng Liu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Ailing Yu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rajamanikandan Sundarraj
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery and High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiguang Yuchi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery and High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yong Gong
- Center for Multi-disciplinary Research, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, School of Science and Technology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Qing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
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9
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Chen J, Zou X, Zhu W, Duan Y, Merzendorfer H, Zhao Z, Yang Q. Fatty acid binding protein is required for chitin biosynthesis in the wing of Drosophila melanogaster. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 149:103845. [PMID: 36165873 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chitin, the major structural polysaccharide in arthropods such as insects and mites, is a linear polymer of N-acetylglucosamine units. The growth and development of insects are intimately coupled with chitin biosynthesis. The membrane-bound β-glycosyltransferase chitin synthase is known to catalyze the key polymerization step of N-acetylglucosamine. However, the additional proteins that might assist chitin synthase during chitin biosynthesis are not well understood. Recently, fatty acid binding protein (Fabp) has been suggested as a candidate that interacts with the chitin synthase Krotzkopf verkehrt (Kkv) in Drosophila melanogaster. Here, using split-ubiquitin membrane yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays, we have demonstrated that the Fabp-B splice variant physically interacts with Kkv in vitro. The global knockdown of Fabp in D. melanogaster using RNA interference (RNAi) induced lethality at the larval stage. Moreover, in tissue-specific RNAi experiments, silenced Fabp expression in the epidermis and tracheal system caused a lethal larval phenotype. Fabp knockdown in the wings resulted in an abnormal wing development and uneven cuticular surface. In addition to reducing the chitin content in the first longitudinal vein of wings, Fabp silencing also caused the loss of procuticle laminate structures. This study revealed that Fabp plays an important role in chitin synthesis and contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the complex insect chitin biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, 100193, China; Department of Entomology, MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xu Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Weixing Zhu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Yanwei Duan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No 7 Pengfei Road, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, Siegen, 57068, Germany
| | - Zhangwu Zhao
- Department of Entomology, MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Qing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, 100193, China; School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No 7 Pengfei Road, Shenzhen, 518120, China.
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Rösner J, Merzendorfer H. Identification of two ABCC transporters involved in malathion detoxification in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Insect Sci 2022; 29:1096-1104. [PMID: 34730283 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ABC transporters have been suggested to be involved in insecticide detoxification in different insect species mainly based on the indirect observation of transcriptional upregulation of ABC gene expression in response to insecticide exposure. Previous studies performed by us and others in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, have analyzed the function of TcABCA-C and TcABCG-H genes using RNA interference (RNAi) and demonstrated that specific TcABCA and TcABCC genes are involved in the elimination of the pyrethroid tefluthrin and the benzoylurea diflubenzuron, because gene silencing increased the beetle's susceptibility to the insecticides. In this study, we focused on the potential functions of TcABCA-C genes in detoxification of the pyrethroid cyfluthrin (CF), the organophosphate malathion (MAL) and the diacylhdyazine tebufenozide (TBF). Analysis of transcript levels of selected TcABCA-C genes in response to treatment with these three chemically unrelated insecticides revealed that some genes were particularly upregulated after insecticide treatment. In addition, the ABC inhibitor verapamil synergized significantly the toxicity of MAL but only negligibly CF and TBF toxicities. Finally, silencing of two TcABCC genes by RNAi revealed a significant increase in susceptibility to MAL. In contrast, we did not observe a significant increase in insecticide-induced mortalities when knocking down TcABC genes in larvae treated with CF or TBF, although they were upregulated in response to insecticide treatment. Our results suggest that two pleiotropic ABCC transporters expressed in metabolic and excretory tissues contribute to the elimination of MAL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janin Rösner
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
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Zhu W, Duan Y, Chen J, Merzendorfer H, Zou X, Yang Q. SERCA interacts with chitin synthase and participates in cuticular chitin biogenesis in Drosophila. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 145:103783. [PMID: 35525402 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The biogenesis of chitin, a major structural polysaccharide found in the cuticle and peritrophic matrix, is crucial for insect growth and development. Chitin synthase, a membrane-integral β-glycosyltransferase, has been identified as the core of the chitin biogenesis machinery. However, a yet unknown number of auxiliary proteins appear to assist in chitin biosynthesis, whose precise function remains elusive. Here, we identified a sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, as a chitin biogenesis-associated protein. The physical interaction between DmSERCA and epidermal chitin synthase (Krotzkopf verkehrt, Kkv) was demonstrated and analyzed using split-ubiquitin membrane yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescent complementation, pull-down, and immunoprecipitation assays. The interaction involves N-terminal regions (aa 48-81 and aa 247-33) and C-terminal regions (aa 743-783 and aa 824-859) of DmSERCA and two N-terminal regions (aa 121-179 and aa 369-539) of Kkv, all of which are predicted be transmembrane helices. While tissue-specific knock-down of DmSERCA in the epidermis caused larval and pupal lethality, the knock-down of DmSERCA in wings resulted in smaller and crinkled wings, a significant decrease in chitin deposition, and the loss of chitin lamellar structure. Although DmSERCA is well-known for its role in muscular contraction, this study reveals a novel role in chitin synthesis, contributing to our knowledge on the machinery of chitin biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixing Zhu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Yanwei Duan
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Jiqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, Siegen, 57068, Germany
| | - Xu Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qing Yang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, 100193, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No 7 Pengfei Road, Shenzhen, 518120, China.
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12
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Shi X, Liu X, Cooper AM, Silver K, Merzendorfer H, Zhu KY, Zhang J. Vacuolar (H + )-ATPase subunit c is essential for the survival and systemic RNA interference response in Locusta migratoria. Pest Manag Sci 2022; 78:1555-1566. [PMID: 34981606 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vacuolar (H+ )-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a multi-subunit enzyme that hydrolyzes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to transport protons across a cellular membrane, and it plays an important role in numerous biological processes, including in growth, development and immune responses. The c subunit of V-ATPase is a highly conserved subunit of the rotatory proteolipid ring that is required for binding and transporting protons. To date, there are only a few published reports on V-ATPase-c functions in insects. RESULTS We identified and characterized the V-ATPase-c gene in Locusta migratoria, one of the most destructive agricultural insect pests in the world. LmV-ATPase-c was predominately expressed in Malpighian tubules of nymphs, followed by the hindgut and ovary, while the other tissues showed relatively low expression levels. Silencing of LmV-ATPase-c caused severe molting defects in nymphs and a high mortality rate of > 90%. Histological staining and microscopic examination of sections from the abdominal cuticle revealed the absence of newly formed cuticle in nymphs that were injected with dsLmV-ATPase-c. In addition, silencing of LmV-ATPase-c transcript levels significantly impaired RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency of a reporter gene. By quantifying double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) amounts by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we found that RNAi against LmV-ATPase-c provoked a dramatic accumulation of dsRNA in the endosomes of epidermal and midgut cells of Locusta migratoria. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that LmV-ATPase-c is indispensable for the formation of new cuticle during the molting process and has pivotal functions in dsRNA escape from endosomes. LmV-ATPase-c might be a valuable target for developing new strategies for insect pest management. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuekai Shi
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- College of Life Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaojian Liu
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | | | - Kristopher Silver
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | | | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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Liu XJ, Liang XY, Guo J, Shi XK, Merzendorfer H, Zhu KY, Zhang JZ. V-ATPase subunit a is required for survival and midgut development of Locusta migratoria. Insect Mol Biol 2022; 31:60-72. [PMID: 34528734 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The vacuolar-type H+ -ATPase (V-ATPase) is an ATP-dependent proton pump, which regulates various cellular processes. To date, most functional studies on V-ATPases of insects have focused on subunits of the V1 complex, and there is little information on the VO genes. In this study, two cDNA sequences of LmV-ATPase a were identified in Locusta migratoria. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that LmV-ATPase a1 and LmV-ATPase a2 are differentially expressed in various tissues and developmental stages. Injection of dsRNA for the common region of LmV-ATPase a1 and LmV-ATPase a2 into third-instar nymphs resulted in a significant suppression of LmV-ATPase a. The injected nymphs ceased feeding, lost body weight and finally died at a mortality of 98.6%. Furthermore, aberrations of midgut epithelial cells, the accumulation of electron-lucent vesicles in the cytoplasm, and a partially damaged brush border were observed in dsLmV-ATPase a-injected nymphs using transmission electron microscopy. Especially, the mRNA level of wingles, and notch genes were dramatically down-regulated in the dsLmV-ATPase a-injected nymphs. Taken together, our results suggest that LmV-ATPase a is required for survival and midgut development of L. migratoria. Hence, this gene could be a good target for RNAi-based control against locusts.
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Affiliation(s)
- X-J Liu
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - X-Y Liang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - J Guo
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - X-K Shi
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - H Merzendorfer
- Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - K Y Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - J-Z Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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Duan Y, Zhu W, Zhao X, Merzendorfer H, Chen J, Zou X, Yang Q. Choline transporter-like protein 2 interacts with chitin synthase 1 and is involved in insect cuticle development. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 141:103718. [PMID: 34982980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chitin is an aminopolysaccharide present in insects as a major structural component of the cuticle. However, current knowledge on the chitin biosynthetic machinery, especially its constituents and mechanism, is limited. Using three independent binding assays, including co-immunoprecipitation, split-ubiquitin membrane yeast two-hybrid assay, and pull-down assay, we demonstrate that choline transporter-like protein 2 (Ctl2) interacts with krotzkopf verkehrt (kkv) in Drosophila melanogaster. The global knockdown of Ctl2 by RNA interference (RNAi) induced lethality at the larval stage. Tissue-specific RNAi to silence Ctl2 in the tracheal system and in the epidermis of the flies resulted in lethality at the first larval instar. The knockdown of Ctl2 in wings led to shrunken wings containing accumulated fluid. Calcofluor White staining demonstrated reduced chitin content in the first longitudinal vein of Ctl2 knockdown wings. The pro-cuticle, which was thinner compared to wildtype, exhibited a reduced number of chitin laminar layers. Phylogenetic analyses revealed orthologues of Ctl2 in different insect orders with highly conserved domains. Our findings provide new insights into cuticle formation, wherein Ctl2 plays an important role as a chitin-synthase interacting protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Duan
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Weixing Zhu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhao
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, Siegen, 57068, Germany
| | - Jiqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xu Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qing Yang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, 100193, China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No 7 Pengfei Road, Shenzhen, 518120, China.
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15
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Kottaipalayam-Somasundaram SR, Jacob JP, Aiyar B, Merzendorfer H, Nambiar-Veetil M. Chitin metabolism as a potential target for RNAi-based control of the forestry pest Hyblaea puera Cramer (Lepidoptera: Hyblaeidae). Pest Manag Sci 2022; 78:296-303. [PMID: 34487617 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyblaea puera, commonly known as the teak defoliator, is a serious pest in teak plantations. Despite the availability of control measures, this pest causes losses in yield and quality of timber through voracious feeding. RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising strategy for the control of this pest. Chitin metabolism, which is vital for the growth and development of arthropods, is a potential target for developing RNAi-based insecticides. RESULTS To assess the effects of chitin metabolism inhibition, H. puera larvae were treated with a chitin synthesis inhibitor, diflubenzuron (DFB). DFB treatment caused pupal deformities and disrupted eclosion. Partial gene sequences for three key genes of H. puera chitin metabolism were cloned and sequenced: chitin synthase 1 (HpCHS1), chitinase-h (HpChi-h) and ecdysone receptor (HpEcR). Feeding dsRNA cognate for these three target genes to the first instar of H. puera resulted in mortality and reduction in the corresponding transcript levels as assessed through qRT-PCR. This is the first report of RNAi in this forestry pest. The highest mortality was 45.9%, in response to dsHpEcR treatment; HpChi-h transcripts were the most down-regulated in response to dsHpEcR feeding. DsHpEcR RNAi resulted in growth inhibition and molting arrest. The mortalities were 29.7% and 32.4% for dsHpCHS1 and dsHpChi-h feeding, respectively. CONCLUSION Chitin metabolism could be a potential target for RNAi-based control of H. puera, and HpCHS1, HpChi-h and HpEcR could be suitable target genes. However, the RNAi efficacy needs to be improved through formulations that improve stability and uptake, and employing better delivery strategies. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sowmiya R Kottaipalayam-Somasundaram
- Plant Biotechnology and Cytogenetics Division, Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore, India
- Department Biology/Chemistry, Animal Physiology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - John P Jacob
- Forest Protection Division, Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore, India
| | - Balasubramanian Aiyar
- Plant Biotechnology and Cytogenetics Division, Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore, India
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department Biology/Chemistry, Animal Physiology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Mathish Nambiar-Veetil
- Plant Biotechnology and Cytogenetics Division, Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore, India
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16
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Rösner J, Tietmeyer J, Merzendorfer H. Functional analysis of ABCG and ABCH transporters from the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Pest Manag Sci 2021; 77:2955-2963. [PMID: 33620766 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC transporter) subfamilies ABCA-C and ABCG-H have been implicated in insecticide detoxification, mostly based on findings of elevated gene expression in response to insecticide treatment. We previously characterized TcABCA-C genes from the model beetle and pest Tribolium castaneum and demonstrated that TcABCA and TcABCC genes are involved in the elimination of diflubenzuron, because RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing increased susceptibility. In this study, we focused on the potential functions of TcABCG and TcABCH genes in insecticide detoxification. RESULTS When we silenced the expression of TcABCG-H genes using RNAi, we noticed a previously unreported developmental RNAi phenotype for TcABCG-4F, which is characterized by 50% mortality and ecdysial arrest during adult moult. When we knocked down the Drosophila brown orthologue TcABCG-XC, we did not obtain apparent eye colour phenotypes but did observe a loss of riboflavin uptake by Malpighian tubules. Next, we determined the expression profiles of all TcABCG-H genes in different tissues and developmental stages and analysed transcript levels in response to treatment with four chemically unrelated insecticides. We found that some genes were specifically upregulated after insecticide treatment. However, when we determined insecticide-induced mortalities in larvae that were treated by double-stranded RNA injection to silence those TcABCG-H genes that were upregulated, we did not observe a significant increase in susceptibility to insecticides. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the observed insecticide-dependent induction of TcABCG-H gene expression reflects an unspecific stress response, and hence underlines the significance of functional studies on insecticide detoxification. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janin Rösner
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Johanne Tietmeyer
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
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Rösner J, Wellmeyer B, Merzendorfer H. Tribolium castaneum: A Model for Investigating the Mode of Action of Insecticides and Mechanisms of Resistance. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:3554-3568. [PMID: 32400327 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200513113140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, is a worldwide insect pest of stored products, particularly food grains, and a powerful model organism for developmental, physiological and applied entomological research on coleopteran species. Among coleopterans, T. castaneum has the most fully sequenced and annotated genome and consequently provides the most advanced genetic model of a coleopteran pest. The beetle is also easy to culture and has a short generation time. Research on this beetle is further assisted by the availability of expressed sequence tags and transcriptomic data. Most importantly, it exhibits a very robust response to systemic RNA interference (RNAi), and a database of RNAi phenotypes (iBeetle) is available. Finally, classical transposonbased techniques together with CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene knockout and genome editing allow the creation of transgenic lines. As T. castaneum develops resistance rapidly to many classes of insecticides including organophosphates, methyl carbamates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids and insect growth regulators such as chitin synthesis inhibitors, it is further a suitable test system for studying resistance mechanisms. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in research focusing on the mode of action of insecticides and mechanisms of resistance identified using T. castaneum as a pest model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janin Rösner
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, 57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Wellmeyer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, 57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, 57068 Siegen, Germany
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18
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Rösner J, Merzendorfer H. Transcriptional plasticity of different ABC transporter genes from Tribolium castaneum contributes to diflubenzuron resistance. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 116:103282. [PMID: 31740345 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of insecticide resistance challenges the sustainability of pest control and several studies have shown that ABC transporters contribute to this process. ABC transporters are known to transport a large range of chemically diverse molecules across cellular membranes, and therefore the identification of ABC transporters involved in insecticide resistance is difficult. Here, we describe a comprehensive strategy for the identification of whole sets of ABC transporters involved in insecticide resistance using the pest beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Tc) as a model. We analyzed the expression of ABCA to ABCC genes in different tissues and developmental stages using larvae that were sensitive or resistant to diflubenzuron (DFB). The mRNA levels of several ABC genes expressed in excretory or metabolic tissues such as midgut, Malpighian tubules or fat body were markedly upregulated in response to DFB. Next, we monitored mortality in the presence of the ABC inhibitor verapamil, and found that it causes sensitization to DFB. We furthermore established a competitive assay for the elimination of DFB, based on Texas Red (TR) fluorescence. We monitored TR elimination in larvae that were treated with DFB or different ABC inhibitors, and combinations of them. TR elimination was decreased significantly in the presence of DFB, verapamil and the ABCC inhibitor MK-571. The effect was synergized when DFB and verapamil were both present suggesting that the transport of TR and DFB involves overlapping sets of ABC transporters. Finally, we silenced the expression of DFB-responding ABC genes by RNA interference and then followed the survival rates after DFB exposure. Mortality increased particularly when specific ABCA and ABCC genes were silenced. Taken together, we were able to show that different ABC transporters expressed in metabolic and excretory tissues contribute to the elimination of DFB. Up- or down-regulation of gene expression occurs within a few days already at very low DFB concentrations. These results suggests that transcriptional plasticity of several ABC genes allows adaptation of the efflux capacity in different tissues to eliminate insecticides and/or their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janin Rösner
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, 57068, Siegen, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse 2, 57068, Siegen, Germany.
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Muthukrishnan S, Merzendorfer H, Arakane Y, Yang Q. Chitin Organizing and Modifying Enzymes and Proteins Involved In Remodeling of the Insect Cuticle. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1142:83-114. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-7318-3_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Abstract
Chitin is a linear polysaccharide of N-acetylglucosamine, which is highly abundant in nature and mainly produced by marine crustaceans. Chitosan is obtained by hydrolytic deacetylation. Both polysaccharides are renewable resources, simply and cost-effectively extracted from waste material of fish industry, mainly crab and shrimp shells. Research over the past five decades has revealed that chitosan, in particular, possesses unique and useful characteristics such as chemical versatility, polyelectrolyte properties, gel- and film-forming ability, high adsorption capacity, antimicrobial and antioxidative properties, low toxicity, and biocompatibility and biodegradability features. A plethora of chemical chitosan derivatives have been synthesized yielding improved materials with suggested or effective applications in water treatment, biosensor engineering, agriculture, food processing and storage, textile additives, cosmetics fabrication, and in veterinary and human medicine. The number of studies in this research field has exploded particularly during the last two decades. Here, we review recent advances in utilizing chitosan and chitosan derivatives in different technical, agricultural, and biomedical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ephraim Cohen
- Department of Entomology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- School of Science and Technology, Institute of Biology – Molecular Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
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Abstract
Chitin-containing organisms, such as fungi and arthropods, use chitin as a structural component to protect themselves from harsh environmental conditions. Hosts such as mammals and plants, however, sense chitin to initiate innate and adaptive immunity and exclude chitin-containing organisms. A number of protein factors are then expressed, and several signaling pathways are triggered. In this chapter, we focus on the responses and signal transduction pathways that are activated in mammals and plants upon invasion by chitin-containing organisms. As host chitinases play important roles in the glycolytic processing of chitin, which is then recognized by pattern-recognition receptors, we also pay special attention to the chitinases that are involved in immune recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Jiang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Han Bao
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry and Biology - Molecular Biology, University of Siegen, 57076, Siegen, Germany
| | - Qing Yang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116023, China. .,State Laboratory of Biology for Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection at Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Gohlke S, Heine D, Schmitz HP, Merzendorfer H. Septin-associated protein kinase Gin4 affects localization and phosphorylation of Chs4, the regulatory subunit of the Baker's yeast chitin synthase III complex. Fungal Genet Biol 2018; 117:11-20. [PMID: 29763674 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Chitin is mainly formed by the chitin synthase III complex (CSIII) in yeast cells. This complex is considered to be composed of the catalytic subunit Chs3 and the regulatory subunit Chs4, both of which are phosphoproteins and transported to the plasma membrane by different trafficking routes. During cytokinesis, Chs3 associates with Chs4 and other proteins at the septin ring, which results in an active CSIII complex. In this study, we focused on the role of Chs4 as a regulatory subunit of the CSIII complex. We analyzed the dynamic localization and interaction of Chs3 and Chs4 during cell division, and found that both proteins transiently co-localize and physically interact only during bud formation and later in a period during septum formation and cytokinesis. To identify unknown binding partners of Chs4, we conducted different screening approaches, which yielded several novel candidates of Chs4-binding proteins including the septin-associated kinase Gin4. Our further studies confirmed this interaction and provided first evidence that Chs4 phosphorylation is partially dependent on Gin4, which is required for proper localization of Chs4 at the bud neck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Gohlke
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Osnabrueck, 49068 Osnabrueck, Germany; Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, 57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Daniela Heine
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Osnabrueck, 49068 Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Schmitz
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Osnabrueck, 49068 Osnabrueck, Germany
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Vogt S, Kelkenberg M, Nöll T, Steinhoff B, Schönherr H, Merzendorfer H, Nöll G. Rapid determination of binding parameters of chitin binding domains using chitin-coated quartz crystal microbalance sensor chips. Analyst 2018; 143:5255-5263. [DOI: 10.1039/c8an01453a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Chitin present in fungal cell walls has been considered as a diagnostic polymer for the detection of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Vogt
- Organic Chemistry
- Department of Chemistry and Biology
- University of Siegen
- 57076 Siegen
- Germany
| | - Marco Kelkenberg
- Molecular Biology
- Department of Chemistry and Biology
- University of Siegen
- 57076 Siegen
- Germany
| | - Tanja Nöll
- Organic Chemistry
- Department of Chemistry and Biology
- University of Siegen
- 57076 Siegen
- Germany
| | - Benedikt Steinhoff
- Physical Chemistry I and Research Center of Micro and Nanochemistry and Engineering (Cμ)
- Department of Chemistry and Biology
- University of Siegen
- 57076 Siegen
- Germany
| | - Holger Schönherr
- Physical Chemistry I and Research Center of Micro and Nanochemistry and Engineering (Cμ)
- Department of Chemistry and Biology
- University of Siegen
- 57076 Siegen
- Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Molecular Biology
- Department of Chemistry and Biology
- University of Siegen
- 57076 Siegen
- Germany
| | - Gilbert Nöll
- Organic Chemistry
- Department of Chemistry and Biology
- University of Siegen
- 57076 Siegen
- Germany
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25
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Albaum D, Broehan G, Muthukrishnan S, Merzendorfer H. Functional analysis of TcCTLP-5C 2, a chymotrypsin-like serine protease needed for molting in Tribolium castaneum. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 86:20-28. [PMID: 28522347 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In a previous study, we have characterized a gene family encoding chymotrypsin-like proteases from the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (TcCTLPs). We identified 14 TcCTLP genes that were predominantly expressed in the midgut, where they presumably function in digestion. Two genes (TcCTLP-6C and TcCTLP-5C2), however, additionally showed considerable expression in the carcass, and RNAi studies demonstrated that they are required for molting (Broehan et al., 2010; Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol 40, 274-83). Thus, the enzyme has distinct functions in different physiological environments. To study molecular adaptations that facilitate enzyme function in different environments, we performed an in-depth analysis of the molecular and enzymatic properties of TcCTLP-5C2. We expressed different mutated versions of TcCTLP-5C2 in form of factor Xa activatable pro-enzymes in insect cells using a baculoviral expression system, and purified the recombinant proteins by affinity chromatography. By measuring and comparing the enzyme activities, we obtained information about the significance of single amino acid residues in motifs that determine substrate specificity and pH tolerance. Further, we showed that TcCTLP-5C2 is modified by N-glycosylation at amino acid position N137, which lies opposite to the catalytic cleft. Comparison of the enzymatic properties of non-glycosylated and glycosylated TcCTLP-5C2 versions showed that N-glycosylation decreases Vmax (maximum velocity) and kcat (turnover) while leaving the Km (specificity) unchanged. Thus, we provide evidence that N-glycosylation alters catalytic behavior by allosteric effects presumably due to altered structural dynamics as observed for chemically glycosylated enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Albaum
- Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, 57076 Siegen, Germany
| | - Gunnar Broehan
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 12163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, 141 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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26
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Gohlke S, Muthukrishnan S, Merzendorfer H. In Vitro and In Vivo Studies on the Structural Organization of Chs3 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E702. [PMID: 28346351 PMCID: PMC5412288 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chitin biosynthesis in yeast is accomplished by three chitin synthases (Chs) termed Chs1, Chs2 and Chs3, of which the latter accounts for most of the chitin deposited within the cell wall. While the overall structures of Chs1 and Chs2 are similar to those of other chitin synthases from fungi and arthropods, Chs3 lacks some of the C-terminal transmembrane helices raising questions regarding its structure and topology. To fill this gap of knowledge, we performed bioinformatic analyses and protease protection assays that revealed significant information about the catalytic domain, the chitin-translocating channel and the interfacial helices in between. In particular, we identified an amphipathic, crescent-shaped α-helix attached to the inner side of the membrane that presumably controls the channel entrance and a finger helix pushing the polymer into the channel. Evidence has accumulated in the past years that chitin synthases form oligomeric complexes, which may be necessary for the formation of chitin nanofibrils. However, the functional significance for living yeast cells has remained elusive. To test Chs3 oligomerization in vivo, we used bimolecular fluorescence complementation. We detected oligomeric complexes at the bud neck, the lateral plasma membrane, and in membranes of Golgi vesicles, and analyzed their transport route using various trafficking mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Gohlke
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, 49068 Osnabrück, Germany.
- Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, 57068 Siegen, Germany.
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas-State University, Manhattan 66506, KS, USA.
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, 49068 Osnabrück, Germany.
- Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, 57068 Siegen, Germany.
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27
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Kanost MR, Arrese EL, Cao X, Chen YR, Chellapilla S, Goldsmith MR, Grosse-Wilde E, Heckel DG, Herndon N, Jiang H, Papanicolaou A, Qu J, Soulages JL, Vogel H, Walters J, Waterhouse RM, Ahn SJ, Almeida FC, An C, Aqrawi P, Bretschneider A, Bryant WB, Bucks S, Chao H, Chevignon G, Christen JM, Clarke DF, Dittmer NT, Ferguson LCF, Garavelou S, Gordon KHJ, Gunaratna RT, Han Y, Hauser F, He Y, Heidel-Fischer H, Hirsh A, Hu Y, Jiang H, Kalra D, Klinner C, König C, Kovar C, Kroll AR, Kuwar SS, Lee SL, Lehman R, Li K, Li Z, Liang H, Lovelace S, Lu Z, Mansfield JH, McCulloch KJ, Mathew T, Morton B, Muzny DM, Neunemann D, Ongeri F, Pauchet Y, Pu LL, Pyrousis I, Rao XJ, Redding A, Roesel C, Sanchez-Gracia A, Schaack S, Shukla A, Tetreau G, Wang Y, Xiong GH, Traut W, Walsh TK, Worley KC, Wu D, Wu W, Wu YQ, Zhang X, Zou Z, Zucker H, Briscoe AD, Burmester T, Clem RJ, Feyereisen R, Grimmelikhuijzen CJP, Hamodrakas SJ, Hansson BS, Huguet E, Jermiin LS, Lan Q, Lehman HK, Lorenzen M, Merzendorfer H, Michalopoulos I, Morton DB, Muthukrishnan S, Oakeshott JG, Palmer W, Park Y, Passarelli AL, Rozas J, Schwartz LM, Smith W, Southgate A, Vilcinskas A, Vogt R, Wang P, Werren J, Yu XQ, Zhou JJ, Brown SJ, Scherer SE, Richards S, Blissard GW. Multifaceted biological insights from a draft genome sequence of the tobacco hornworm moth, Manduca sexta. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 76:118-147. [PMID: 27522922 PMCID: PMC5010457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Manduca sexta, known as the tobacco hornworm or Carolina sphinx moth, is a lepidopteran insect that is used extensively as a model system for research in insect biochemistry, physiology, neurobiology, development, and immunity. One important benefit of this species as an experimental model is its extremely large size, reaching more than 10 g in the larval stage. M. sexta larvae feed on solanaceous plants and thus must tolerate a substantial challenge from plant allelochemicals, including nicotine. We report the sequence and annotation of the M. sexta genome, and a survey of gene expression in various tissues and developmental stages. The Msex_1.0 genome assembly resulted in a total genome size of 419.4 Mbp. Repetitive sequences accounted for 25.8% of the assembled genome. The official gene set is comprised of 15,451 protein-coding genes, of which 2498 were manually curated. Extensive RNA-seq data from many tissues and developmental stages were used to improve gene models and for insights into gene expression patterns. Genome wide synteny analysis indicated a high level of macrosynteny in the Lepidoptera. Annotation and analyses were carried out for gene families involved in a wide spectrum of biological processes, including apoptosis, vacuole sorting, growth and development, structures of exoskeleton, egg shells, and muscle, vision, chemosensation, ion channels, signal transduction, neuropeptide signaling, neurotransmitter synthesis and transport, nicotine tolerance, lipid metabolism, and immunity. This genome sequence, annotation, and analysis provide an important new resource from a well-studied model insect species and will facilitate further biochemical and mechanistic experimental studies of many biological systems in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Kanost
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
| | - Estela L Arrese
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Yun-Ru Chen
- Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Sanjay Chellapilla
- KSU Bioinformatics Center, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Marian R Goldsmith
- Biological Sciences Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Ewald Grosse-Wilde
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse, 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - David G Heckel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Nicolae Herndon
- KSU Bioinformatics Center, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Alexie Papanicolaou
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, 2753, Australia
| | - Jiaxin Qu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jose L Soulages
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - James Walters
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - Robert M Waterhouse
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland; Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, 415 Main Street, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Seung-Joon Ahn
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Francisca C Almeida
- Departament de Genètica and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chunju An
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Peshtewani Aqrawi
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Anne Bretschneider
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - William B Bryant
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Sascha Bucks
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse, 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Hsu Chao
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Germain Chevignon
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, UFR Sciences et Techniques, Université François-Rabelais, Tours, France
| | - Jayne M Christen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - David F Clarke
- CSIRO Land and Water, Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Neal T Dittmer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | | | - Spyridoula Garavelou
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Karl H J Gordon
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Ramesh T Gunaratna
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Yi Han
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Frank Hauser
- Center for Functional and Comparative Insect Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-21oo, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yan He
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Hanna Heidel-Fischer
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Ariana Hirsh
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Yingxia Hu
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Hongbo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Divya Kalra
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Christian Klinner
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse, 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Christopher König
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse, 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Christie Kovar
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ashley R Kroll
- Department of Biology, Reed College, Portland, OR, 97202, USA
| | - Suyog S Kuwar
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Sandy L Lee
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Rüdiger Lehman
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Bioresources Project Group, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394, Gießen, Germany
| | - Kai Li
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Zhaofei Li
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Hanquan Liang
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Shanna Lovelace
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, 04104, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Jennifer H Mansfield
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Kyle J McCulloch
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Tittu Mathew
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Brian Morton
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Donna M Muzny
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David Neunemann
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Fiona Ongeri
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yannick Pauchet
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Ling-Ling Pu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ioannis Pyrousis
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Xiang-Jun Rao
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Amanda Redding
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Charles Roesel
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alejandro Sanchez-Gracia
- Departament de Genètica and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sarah Schaack
- Department of Biology, Reed College, Portland, OR, 97202, USA
| | - Aditi Shukla
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Guillaume Tetreau
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY, 14456, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Guang-Hua Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Walther Traut
- Institut fuer Biologie, Universitaet Luebeck, D-23538, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Tom K Walsh
- CSIRO Land and Water, Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Kim C Worley
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Wenbi Wu
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Yuan-Qing Wu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiufeng Zhang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hannah Zucker
- Neuroscience Program, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, 13323, USA
| | - Adriana D Briscoe
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | | | - Rollie J Clem
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - René Feyereisen
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cornelis J P Grimmelikhuijzen
- Center for Functional and Comparative Insect Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-21oo, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stavros J Hamodrakas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Bill S Hansson
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse, 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Huguet
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, UFR Sciences et Techniques, Université François-Rabelais, Tours, France
| | - Lars S Jermiin
- CSIRO Land and Water, Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Que Lan
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
| | - Herman K Lehman
- Biology Department and Neuroscience Program, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, 13323, USA
| | - Marce Lorenzen
- Dept. Entomology, North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- University of Siegen, School of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Institute of Biology - Molecular Biology, Adolf-Reichwein-Strasse. 2, AR-C3010, 57076 Siegen, Germany
| | - Ioannis Michalopoulos
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - David B Morton
- Department of Integrative Biosciences, School of Dentistry, BRB421, L595, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - John G Oakeshott
- CSIRO Land and Water, Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Will Palmer
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Yoonseong Park
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | | | - Julio Rozas
- Departament de Genètica and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Wendy Smith
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Agnes Southgate
- Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, 29424, USA
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Richard Vogt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29205, USA
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY, 14456, USA
| | - John Werren
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Xiao-Qiang Yu
- University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5007 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA
| | - Jing-Jiang Zhou
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Susan J Brown
- KSU Bioinformatics Center, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Steven E Scherer
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Stephen Richards
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Gary W Blissard
- Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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Abstract
Chitin is a major component of the exoskeleton and the peritrophic matrix of insects. It forms complex structures in association with different assortments of cuticle and peritrophic matrix proteins to yield biocomposites with a wide range of physicochemical and mechanical properties. The growth and development of insects are intimately coupled with the biosynthesis, turnover, and modification of chitin. The genes encoding numerous enzymes of chitin metabolism and proteins that associate with and organize chitin have been uncovered by bioinformatics analyses. Many of these proteins are encoded by sets of large gene families. There is specialization among members within each family, which function in particular tissues or developmental stages. Chitin-containing matrices are dynamically modified at every developmental stage and are under developmental and/or physiological control. A thorough understanding of the diverse processes associated with the assembly and turnover of these chitinous matrices offers many strategies to achieve selective pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wenqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China;
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China;
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506; ,
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Merzendorfer H. Evolution of insects' renal control system. J Exp Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.112532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Merzendorfer H. Dragonfly hunting is based on predictive models. J Exp Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.112185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Merzendorfer H. Bat's jamming sonar tricks echolocation in rivals. J Exp Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.112052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Kelkenberg M, Odman-Naresh J, Muthukrishnan S, Merzendorfer H. Chitin is a necessary component to maintain the barrier function of the peritrophic matrix in the insect midgut. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 56:21-28. [PMID: 25449129 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In most insects, the peritrophic matrix (PM) partitions the midgut into different digestive compartments, and functions as a protective barrier against abrasive particles and microbial infections. In a previous study we demonstrated that certain PM proteins are essential in maintaining the PM's barrier function and establishing a gradient of PM permeability from the anterior to the posterior part of the midgut which facilitates digestion (Agrawal et al., 2014). In this study, we focused on the effects of a reduction in chitin content on PM permeability in larvae of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Oral administration of the chitin synthesis inhibitor diflubenzuron (DFB) only partially reduced chitin content of the larval PM even at high concentrations. We observed no nutritional effects, as larval growth was unaffected and neutral lipids were not depleted from the fat body. However, the metamorphic molt was disrupted and the insects died at the pharate pupal stage, presumably due to DFB's effect on cuticle formation. RNAi to knock-down expression of the gene encoding chitin synthase 2 in T. castaneum (TcCHS-2) caused a complete loss of chitin in the PM. Larval growth was significantly reduced, and the fat body was depleted of neutral lipids. In situ PM permeability assays monitoring the distribution of FITC dextrans after DFB exposure or RNAi for TcCHS-2 revealed that PM permeability was increased in both cases. RNAi for TcCHS-2, however, led to a higher permeation of the PM by FITC dextrans than DFB treatment even at high doses. Similar effects were observed when the chitin content was reduced by feeding DFB to adult yellow fever mosquitos, Aedes aegypti. We demonstrate that the presence of chitin is necessary for maintaining the PM's barrier function in insects. It seems that the insecticidal effects of DFB are mediated by the disruption of cuticle synthesis during the metamorphic molt rather than by interfering with larval nutrition. However, as DFB clearly affects PM permeability, it may be suitable to increase the efficiency of pesticides targeting the midgut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Kelkenberg
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück 49069, Germany
| | - Jothini Odman-Naresh
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück 49069, Germany
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, 141 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück 49069, Germany.
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Merzendorfer H. Anthropogenic pollutants disturb moth navigation. J Exp Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.095109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Merzendorfer H. A novel ant protein for chemical communication. J Exp Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.094987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Demaeght P, Osborne EJ, Odman-Naresh J, Grbić M, Nauen R, Merzendorfer H, Clark RM, Van Leeuwen T. High resolution genetic mapping uncovers chitin synthase-1 as the target-site of the structurally diverse mite growth inhibitors clofentezine, hexythiazox and etoxazole in Tetranychus urticae. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2014; 51:52-61. [PMID: 24859419 PMCID: PMC4124130 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The acaricides clofentezine, hexythiazox and etoxazole are commonly referred to as 'mite growth inhibitors', and clofentezine and hexythiazox have been used successfully for the integrated control of plant mite pests for decades. Although they are still important today, their mode of action has remained elusive. Recently, a mutation in chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) was linked to etoxazole resistance. In this study, we identified and investigated a Tetranychus urticae strain (HexR) harboring recessive, monogenic resistance to each of hexythiazox, clofentezine, and etoxazole. To elucidate if there is a common genetic basis for the observed cross-resistance, we adapted a previously developed bulk segregant analysis method to map with high resolution a single, shared resistance locus for all three compounds. This finding indicates that the underlying molecular basis for resistance to all three compounds is identical. This locus is centered on the CHS1 gene, and as supported by additional genetic and biochemical studies, a non-synonymous variant (I1017F) in CHS1 associates with resistance to each of the tested acaricides in HexR. Our findings thus demonstrate a shared molecular mode of action for the chemically diverse mite growth inhibitors clofentezine, hexythiazox and etoxazole as inhibitors of an essential, non-catalytic activity of CHS1. Given the previously documented cross-resistance between clofentezine, hexythiazox and the benzyolphenylurea (BPU) compounds flufenoxuron and cycloxuron, CHS1 should be also considered as a potential target-site of insecticidal BPUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Demaeght
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Coupure Links 653, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Edward J Osborne
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, 257 South 1400 East, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Jothini Odman-Naresh
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastraße 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Miodrag Grbić
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., London N6A 5B7, Canada; Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y el Vino, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Ralf Nauen
- R&D, Pest Control Biology, Bayer CropScience, Alfred Nobel Str. 50, D-40789 Monheim, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastraße 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Richard M Clark
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, 257 South 1400 East, Utah 84112, USA; Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, 257 South 1400 East, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Thomas Van Leeuwen
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Coupure Links 653, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Agrawal S, Kelkenberg M, Begum K, Steinfeld L, Williams CE, Kramer KJ, Beeman RW, Park Y, Muthukrishnan S, Merzendorfer H. Two essential peritrophic matrix proteins mediate matrix barrier functions in the insect midgut. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2014; 49:24-34. [PMID: 24680676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2014] [Revised: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The peritrophic matrix (PM) in the midgut of insects consists primarily of chitin and proteins and is thought to support digestion and provide protection from abrasive food particles and enteric pathogens. We examined the physiological roles of 11 putative peritrophic matrix protein (PMP) genes of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (TcPMPs). TcPMP genes are differentially expressed along the length of the midgut epithelium of feeding larvae. RNAi of individual PMP genes revealed no abnormal developmental phenotypes for 9 of the 11 TcPMPs. However, RNAi for two PMP genes, TcPMP3 and TcPMP5-B, resulted in depletion of the fat body, growth arrest, molting defects and mortality. In situ permeability assays after oral administration of different-sized FITC-dextran beads demonstrated that the exclusion size of the larval peritrophic matrix (PM) decreases progressively from >2 MDa to <4 kDa from the anterior to the most posterior regions of the midgut. In the median midguts of control larvae, 2 MDa dextrans were completely retained within the PM lumen, whereas after RNAi for TcPMP3 and TcPMP5-B, these dextrans penetrated the epithelium of the median midgut, indicating loss of structural integrity and barrier function of the larval PM. In contrast, RNAi for TcPMP5-B, but not RNAi for TcPMP3, resulted in breakdown of impermeability to 4 and 40 kDa dextrans in the PM of the posterior midgut. These results suggest that specific PMPs are involved in the regulation of PM permeability, and that a gradient of barrier function is essential for survival and fat body maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinu Agrawal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, 141 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Marco Kelkenberg
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück 49069, Germany
| | - Khurshida Begum
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 103 Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Lea Steinfeld
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück 49069, Germany
| | - Clay E Williams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, 141 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Karl J Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, 141 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, ARS-USDA, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Richard W Beeman
- Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, ARS-USDA, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Yoonseong Park
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 103 Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, 141 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück 49069, Germany.
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Merzendorfer H. A unique way to see colors. J Exp Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.094839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Merzendorfer H. Airway clearance by reducing tensile strength. J Exp Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.094714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Odman-Naresh J, Duevel M, Muthukrishnan S, Merzendorfer H. A lepidopteran-specific gene family encoding valine-rich midgut proteins. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82015. [PMID: 24312395 PMCID: PMC3843731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Many lepidopteran larvae are serious agricultural pests due to their feeding activity. Digestion of the plant diet occurs mainly in the midgut and is facilitated by the peritrophic matrix (PM), an extracellular sac-like structure, which lines the midgut epithelium and creates different digestive compartments. The PM is attracting increasing attention to control lepidopteran pests by interfering with this vital function. To identify novel PM components and thus potential targets for insecticides, we performed an immunoscreening with anti-PM antibodies using an expression library representing the larval midgut transcriptome of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. We identified three cDNAs encoding valine-rich midgut proteins of M. sexta (MsVmps), which appear to be loosely associated with the PM. They are members of a lepidopteran-specific family of nine VMP genes, which are exclusively expressed in larval stages in M. sexta. Most of the MsVMP transcripts are detected in the posterior midgut, with the highest levels observed for MsVMP1. To obtain further insight into Vmp function, we expressed MsVMP1 in insect cells and purified the recombinant protein. Lectin staining and glycosidase treatment indicated that MsVmp1 is highly O-glycosylated. In line with results from qPCR, immunoblots revealed that MsVmp1 amounts are highest in feeding larvae, while MsVmp1 is undetectable in starving and molting larvae. Finally using immunocytochemistry, we demonstrated that MsVmp1 localizes to the cytosol of columnar cells, which secrete MsVmp1 into the ectoperitrophic space in feeding larvae. In starving and molting larvae, MsVmp1 is found in the gut lumen, suggesting that the PM has increased its permeability. The present study demonstrates that lepidopteran species including many agricultural pests have evolved a set of unique proteins that are not found in any other taxon and thus may reflect an important adaptation in the highly specialized lepidopteran digestive tract facing particular immune challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Margret Duevel
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Merzendorfer H. A new clock for molting. J Exp Biol 2013; 216:vi. [PMID: 24298647 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.084483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Merzendorfer H. CELL DEATH TRIGGERS LIFE IN MUSCLES. J Exp Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.081638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Merzendorfer H. PROTECTING SPERM IN SEMINAL FLUID. J Exp Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.077842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
Abstract Chitin is the most abundant natural aminopolysaccharide and serves as a structural component of extracellular matrices. It is found in fungal septa, spores, and cell walls, and in arthropod cuticles and peritrophic matrices, squid pens, mollusk shells, nematode egg shells, and some protozoan cyst walls. As prokaryotes, plants and vertebrates including humans do not produce chitin, its synthesis is considered as an attractive target site for fungicides, insecticides, and acaricides. Although no chitin synthesis inhibitor has been developed into a therapeutic drug to treat fungal infections in humans, a larger number of compounds have been successfully launched worldwide to combat arthropod pests in agriculture and forestry. This review summarizes the latest advances on the mode of action of chitin synthesis inhibitors with a special focus on those molecules that act on a postcatalytic step of chitin synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, 49069 Osnabrück, Germany.
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Merzendorfer H, Heinisch JJ. Microcompartments within the yeast plasma membrane. Biol Chem 2013; 394:189-202. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2012-0241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Recent research in cell biology makes it increasingly clear that the classical concept of compartmentation of eukaryotic cells into different organelles performing distinct functions has to be extended by microcompartmentation, i.e., the dynamic interaction of proteins, sugars, and lipids at a suborganellar level, which contributes significantly to a proper physiology. As different membrane compartments (MCs) have been described in the yeast plasma membrane, such as those defined by Can1 and Pma1 (MCCs and MCPs), Saccharomyces cerevisiae can serve as a model organism, which is amenable to genetic, biochemical, and microscopic studies. In this review, we compare the specialized microcompartment of the yeast bud neck with other plasma membrane substructures, focusing on eisosomes, cell wall integrity-sensing units, and chitin-synthesizing complexes. Together, they ensure a proper cell division at the end of mitosis, an intricately regulated process, which is essential for the survival and proliferation not only of fungal, but of all eukaryotic cells.
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Merzendorfer H. A NEW VIEW OF PHOTORECEPTORS. J Exp Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.077727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Broehan G, Kroeger T, Lorenzen M, Merzendorfer H. Functional analysis of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene family of Tribolium castaneum. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:6. [PMID: 23324493 PMCID: PMC3560195 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters belong to a large superfamily of proteins that have important physiological functions in all living organisms. Most are integral membrane proteins that transport a broad spectrum of substrates across lipid membranes. In insects, ABC transporters are of special interest because of their role in insecticide resistance. Results We have identified 73 ABC transporter genes in the genome of T. castaneum, which group into eight subfamilies (ABCA-H). This coleopteran ABC family is significantly larger than those reported for insects in other taxonomic groups. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this increase is due to gene expansion within a single clade of subfamily ABCC. We performed an RNA interference (RNAi) screen to study the function of ABC transporters during development. In ten cases, injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into larvae caused developmental phenotypes, which included growth arrest and localized melanization, eye pigmentation defects, abnormal cuticle formation, egg-laying and egg-hatching defects, and mortality due to abortive molting and desiccation. Some of the ABC transporters we studied in closer detail to examine their role in lipid, ecdysteroid and eye pigment transport. Conclusions The results from our study provide new insights into the physiological function of ABC transporters in T. castaneum, and may help to establish new target sites for insect control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Broehan
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Animal Physiology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück 49069, Germany
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Merzendorfer H. STRIATED MUSCLES EVOLVED INDEPENDENTLY. J Exp Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.064402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Merzendorfer H. HYDROPHOBICITY COUNTS IN LARGE AMOUNTS. J Exp Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.064287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Merzendorfer H. POTENTIAL ANTIDOTE TO SNAKE VENOM MYOTOXIN. J Exp Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.064162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Merzendorfer H, Kim HS, Chaudhari SS, Kumari M, Specht CA, Butcher S, Brown SJ, Manak JR, Beeman RW, Kramer KJ, Muthukrishnan S. Genomic and proteomic studies on the effects of the insect growth regulator diflubenzuron in the model beetle species Tribolium castaneum. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2012; 42:264-76. [PMID: 22212827 PMCID: PMC5066571 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Revised: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/09/2011] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Several benzoylphenyl urea-derived insecticides such as diflubenzuron (DFB, Dimilin) are in wide use to control various insect pests. Although this class of compounds is known to disrupt molting and to affect chitin content, their precise mode of action is still not understood. To gain a broader insight into the mechanism underlying the insecticidal effects of benzoylphenyl urea compounds, we conducted a comprehensive study with the model beetle species and stored product pest Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle) utilizing genomic and proteomic approaches. DFB was added to a wheat flour-based diet at various concentrations and fed to larvae and adults. We observed abortive molting, hatching defects and reduced chitin amounts in the larval cuticle, the peritrophic matrix and eggs. Electron microscopic examination of the larval cuticle revealed major structural changes and a loss of lamellate structure of the procuticle. We used a genomic tiling array for determining relative expression levels of about 11,000 genes predicted by the GLEAN algorithm. About 6% of all predicted genes were more than 2-fold up- or down-regulated in response to DFB treatment. Genes encoding enzymes involved in chitin metabolism were unexpectedly unaffected, but many genes encoding cuticle proteins were affected. In addition, several genes presumably involved in detoxification pathways were up-regulated. Comparative 2D gel electrophoresis of proteins extracted from the midgut revealed 388 protein spots, of which 7% were significantly affected in their levels by DFB treatment as determined by laser densitometry. Mass spectrometric identification revealed that UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase and glutathione synthetase were up-regulated. In summary, the red flour beetle turned out to be a good model organism for investigating the global effects of bioactive materials such as insect growth regulators and other insecticides. The results of this study recapitulate all of the different DFB-induced symptoms in a single model insect, which have been previously found in several different insect species, and further illustrate that DFB treatment causes a wide range of effects at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Biology, University of Osnabrück, 49069 Osnabrück, Germany.
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