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Piersanti S, Rebora M, Salerno G, Vitecek S, Anton S. Sensory pathway in aquatic basal polyneoptera: Antennal sensilla and brain morphology in stoneflies. Arthropod Struct Dev 2024; 79:101345. [PMID: 38493543 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2024.101345] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Aquatic insects represent a great portion of Arthropod diversity and the major fauna in inland waters. The sensory biology and neuroanatomy of these insects are, however, poorly investigated. This research aims to describe the antennal sensilla of nymphs of the stonefly Dinocras cephalotes using scanning electron microscopy and comparing them with the adult sensilla. Besides, central antennal pathways in nymphs and adults are investigated by neuron mass-tracing with tetramethylrhodamine, and their brain structures are visualized with an anti-synapsin antibody. No dramatic changes occur in the antennal sensilla during nymphal development, while antennal sensilla profoundly change from nymphs to adults when switching from an aquatic to an aerial lifestyle. However, similar brain structures are used in nymphs and adults to process diverging sensory information, perceived through different sensilla in water and air. These data provide valuable insights into the evolution of aquatic heterometabolous insects, maintaining a functional sensory system throughout development, including a distinct adaptation of the peripheral olfactory systems during the transition from detection of water-soluble chemicals to volatile compounds in the air. From a conservation biology perspective, the present data contribute to a better knowledge of the biology of stoneflies, which are very important bioindicators in rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Simon Vitecek
- QUIVER, WasserCluster Lunz -Biologische Station, Dr.-Carl-Kupelwieserpromenade5, 3293, Lunz am See, Austria; Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Sylvia Anton
- IGEPP, INRAE, Institut Agro, University of Rennes, 2, rue André Le Nôtre, 49045, Angers Cedex 01, France.
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Rebora M, Salerno G, Piersanti S, Saitta V, Morelli Venturi D, Li C, Gorb S. The armoured cuticle of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22101. [PMID: 38092863 PMCID: PMC10719276 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49549-5] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We characterise in detail the larval and pupal cuticle of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), a key insect species in circular economy. In particular, we focus on ultrastructure using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, material characterization and composition (elements and minerals) with confocal laser scanning microscope, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, powder X-ray diffraction and mechanical properties with nanoindentation measurements. Calcium carbonate crystallizes on the epicuticle as blocks of calcite in the pupal cuticle. Calcium carbonate granules are stored in two specialised Malpighian tubules. CaCO3 is already present in the cuticle of young larval instars, but it is mainly in the form of amorphous calcium carbonate while the amount of calcite increases during larval development. The presence of calcite leads to cuticle hardening. Larval and pupal cuticles contain large amounts of resilin which guarantee cuticle flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 06121, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valerio Saitta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Diletta Morelli Venturi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chuchu Li
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098, Kiel, Germany.
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Rebora M, Salerno G, Piersanti S, Kovalev A, Gorb SN. The origin of black and white coloration of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2023; 14:496-508. [PMID: 37123532 PMCID: PMC10130904 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.14.41] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Micro- and nanostructures of the white and black scales on the tarsi of the mosquito Aedes albopictus are analysed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. Reflectance spectra of the white areas are measured. No clear difference is present in the morphology of micro- and nanostructures of black and white scales in SEM and TEM, but black scales contain a dark pigment. The white colour of the scales has a structural origin. The structural white produced by the micro- and nanostructures of the scales on the tarsi of Ae. albopictus appears bright and is angle-dependent, since the reflected light changes according to the angle detection and according to the tarsus orientation. The optical appearance of the scale system of Ae. albopictus has a complex nature and can be explained by the combination of several effects. Among them, multiple refraction and reflection on the micro- and nanostructures of the scales are mainly responsible for the white appearance. The results suggest that mosquito scales, in addition to their superhydrophobic function, produce structural white. The biological role of white and black patches in mate recognition and defensive behaviour in the mosquitoes of the genus Aedes is hypothesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alexander Kovalev
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098 Kiel, Germany
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Salerno G, Rebora M, Piersanti S, Saitta V, Gorb E, Gorb S. Coleoptera claws and trichome interlocking. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2023; 209:299-312. [PMID: 35616716 PMCID: PMC10006029 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-022-01554-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The present study tests the hypothesis that the specialized claws with a basal tooth found in some coccinellid beetles represent an adaptation to interlock with flexible unbranched trichomes of different plants. We compared the attachment ability of three Coleoptera species, Chnootriba elaterii, Harmonia axyridis (both Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and Chrysolina herbacea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with claws of different shape. The attachment ability of insect individuals with or without claws to a plant with leaves bearing straight non-branched trichomes (Cucurbita moschata) and to a plant with smooth leaves (Prunus laurocerasus) was measured in traction force experiments. Insect attachment ability was also tested on a resin replica of C. moschata leaf, to variate trichome stiffness, and on glass as a reference surface. Centrifugal force tester experiments were performed to compare the attachment ability of the two ladybird species to glass and to the leaf of C. moschata. Natural and artificial substrates were characterized in cryo-SEM. The collected data reveal that plant trichomes can enhance insect attachment to plant surface compared with smooth glass by increasing insect friction force, but this is directly related to the trichome stiffness. To effectively grasp soft trichomes, insects evolved special claws-associated structures, such as the dentate claws observed in Coccinellidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valerio Saitta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elena Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098, Kiel, Germany
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Saitta V, Rebora M, Piersanti S, Gorb E, Gorb S, Salerno G. Effect of Leaf Trichomes in Different Species of Cucurbitaceae on Attachment Ability of the Melon Ladybird Beetle Chnootriba elaterii. Insects 2022; 13:1123. [PMID: 36555032 PMCID: PMC9787368 DOI: 10.3390/insects13121123] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the attachment ability of the oligophagous melon ladybird beetle Chnootriba elaterii to leaves of several Cucurbitaceae species. Using cryo-SEM, we described adult and larva tarsal attachment devices and leaf surface structures (glandular and non-glandular trichomes) in Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo, Ecballium elaterium, Lagenaria siceraria and Luffa aegyptiaca. Using traction force experiments and centrifugal force tests, we measured the friction force exerted by females and larvae on plant leaves. We observed that Cucurbitaceae glandular trichomes do not affect insect attachment ability at both developmental stages, suggesting some adaptation of C. elaterii to its host plants, while non-glandular trichomes, when they are dense, short and flexible, heavily reduce the attachment ability of both insect stages. When trichomes are dense but stiff, only the larval force is reduced, probably because the larva has a single claw, in contrast to the adult having paired bifid dentate claws. The data on the mechanical interaction of C. elaterii at different developmental stages with different Cucurbitaceae species, combined with data on the chemical cues involved in the host plant selection, can help to unravel the complex factors driving the coevolution between an oligophagous insect and its host plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Saitta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Elena Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
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Piersanti S, Salerno G, Di Pietro V, Giontella L, Rebora M, Jones A, Fincke OM. Tests of search image and learning in the wild: Insights from sexual conflict in damselflies. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:4399-4412. [PMID: 33976818 PMCID: PMC8093675 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7335] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Search image formation, a proximal mechanism to maintain genetic polymorphisms by negative frequency-dependent selection, has rarely been tested under natural conditions. Females of many nonterritorial damselflies resemble either conspecific males or background vegetation. Mate-searching males are assumed to form search images of the majority female type, sexually harassing it at rates higher than expected from its frequency, thus selectively favoring the less common morph. We tested this and how morph coloration and behavior influenced male perception and intersexual encounters by following marked Ischnura elegans and noting their reactions to conspecifics. Contrary to search image formation and associative learning hypotheses, although males encountered the minority, male-like morph more often, sexual harassment and clutch size were similar for both morphs. Prior mating attempts or copula with morphs did not affect a male's subsequent reaction to them; males rarely attempted matings with immature females or males. Females mated early in the day, reducing the opportunity for males to learn their identity beforehand. Once encountered, the male-like morph was more readily noticed by males than the alternative morph, which once noticed was more likely to receive mating attempts. Flexible behavior gave morphs considerable control over their apparency to males, influencing intersexual encounters. Results suggested a more subtle proximal mechanism than male learning maintains these color polymorphisms and call for inferences of learning to be validated by behavior of wild receivers and their signalers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia, e BiotecnologieUniversity of PerugiaPerugiaItaly
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e AmbientaliUniversity of PerugiaPerugiaItaly
| | - Viviana Di Pietro
- Department of Life Science and SystemticsUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Leonardo Giontella
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia, e BiotecnologieUniversity of PerugiaPerugiaItaly
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia, e BiotecnologieUniversity of PerugiaPerugiaItaly
| | - Albyn Jones
- Department of MathematicsReed CollegePortlandORUSA
| | - Ola M. Fincke
- Department of BiologyUniversity of OklahomaNormanOKUSA
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Piersanti S, Rebora M, Salerno G, Anton S. The Antennal Pathway of Dragonfly Nymphs, from Sensilla to the Brain. Insects 2020; 11:E886. [PMID: 33339188 PMCID: PMC7765675 DOI: 10.3390/insects11120886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Dragonflies are hemimetabolous insects, switching from an aquatic life style as nymphs to aerial life as adults, confronted to different environmental cues. How sensory structures on the antennae and the brain regions processing the incoming information are adapted to the reception of fundamentally different sensory cues has not been investigated in hemimetabolous insects. Here we describe the antennal sensilla, the general brain structure, and the antennal sensory pathways in the last six nymphal instars of Libellula depressa, in comparison with earlier published data from adults, using scanning electron microscopy, and antennal receptor neuron and antennal lobe output neuron mass-tracing with tetramethylrhodamin. Brain structure was visualized with an anti-synapsin antibody. Differently from adults, the nymphal antennal flagellum harbors many mechanoreceptive sensilla, one olfactory, and two thermo-hygroreceptive sensilla at all investigated instars. The nymphal brain is very similar to the adult brain throughout development, despite the considerable differences in antennal sensilla and habitat. Like in adults, nymphal brains contain mushroom bodies lacking calyces and small aglomerular antennal lobes. Antennal fibers innervate the antennal lobe similar to adult brains and the gnathal ganglion more prominently than in adults. Similar brain structures are thus used in L. depressa nymphs and adults to process diverging sensory information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (S.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (S.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Sylvia Anton
- IGEPP, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Rennes, 49045 Angers, France
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Salerno G, Rebora M, Piersanti S, Matsumura Y, Gorb E, Gorb S. Variation of attachment ability of Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) during nymphal development and adult aging. J Insect Physiol 2020; 127:104117. [PMID: 33002513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2020.104117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present investigation reports data on the attachment ability of the Southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a relevant pest in the world, along its whole life cycle. Using a centrifugal force tester, we evaluated a) the differences in the attachment ability among the four active nymphal developmental instars (N2-N5 nymphs) and adult to hydrophilic glass, showing an increased attachment ability during ontogenesis, owing to increased pulvilli size and efficiency; b) the possible role of growth and body shape on insect attachment ability on hydrophilic glass during the intermoult period, revealing that N. viridula nymphs attach stronger (higher safety factor) in the first part of the intermoult period; c) the age-specific differences in the attachment ability of adults of both sexes on hydrophilic glass, showing the best performance at an intermediate age, in agreement with a higher proportion of resilin in comparison with younger or older insects; d) the difference in attachment ability on hydrophilic vs. hydrophobic glass along the insect development, revealing a strong effect of surface hydrophobicity on reducing the attachment of N. viridula nymphs and adults. The results on the attachment ability of a hemimetabolous insect along its life cycle are relevant because they 1) shed light on different adaptations of attachment pads in relation to insect size, shape and age; 2) deepen the knowledge on the functional morphological adaptations, thus potentially contributing to the development of suitable control systems for this important pest insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, Perugia, Italy
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Yoko Matsumura
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Elena Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
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Rebora M, Salerno G, Piersanti S, Gorb E, Gorb S. Role of Fruit Epicuticular Waxes in Preventing Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) Attachment in Different Cultivars of Olea europaea. Insects 2020; 11:E189. [PMID: 32192070 PMCID: PMC7142657 DOI: 10.3390/insects11030189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the major pest of cultivated olives (Olea europaea L.), and a serious threat in all of the Mediterranean Region. In the present investigation, we demonstrated with traction force experiments that B. oleae female adhesion is reduced by epicuticular waxes (EWs) fruit surface, and that the olive fruit fly shows a different ability to attach to the ripe olive surface of different cultivars of O. europaea (Arbequina, Carolea, Dolce Agogia, Frantoio, Kalamata, Leccino, Manzanilla, Picholine, Nostrale di Rigali, Pendolino and San Felice) in terms of friction force and adhesion, in relation with different mean values of olive surface wettability. Cryo-scanning morphological investigation revealed that the EW present on the olive surface of the different analyzed cultivars are represented by irregular platelets varying in the orientation, thus contributing to affect the surface microroughness and wettability in the different cultivars, and consequently the olive fruit fly attachment. Further investigations to elucidate the role of EW in olive varietal resistance to the olive fruit fly in relation to the olive developmental stage and environmental conditions could be relevant to develop control methods alternative to the use of harmful pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (M.R.); (S.P.)
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (M.R.); (S.P.)
| | - Elena Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098 Kiel, Germany; (E.G.); (S.G.)
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098 Kiel, Germany; (E.G.); (S.G.)
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Salerno G, Rebora M, Piersanti S, Gorb E, Gorb S. Mechanical ecology of fruit-insect interaction in the adult Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae). ZOOLOGY 2020; 139:125748. [PMID: 32078916 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2020.125748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fruit features represent a trade-off between dispersal and protection against frugivore insects. To prevent insect attack, plants evolved chemical and physical barriers, mainly studied in leaves, while limited knowledge is available for fruits, especially concerning mechanical barriers. We used the Mediterranean fruit fly to shed light on the mechanical ecology of insect-fruit attachment in a pest species. We tested the following hypotheses: is there any sexual dimorphism in attachment devices and attachment ability? Can the attachment ability of females of Ceratitis capitata to fruits of various host plants vary according to fruit surfaces with different morphology (smooth, hairy, waxy) or physico-chemical properties? The tarsal attachment devices were studied using Cryo-SEM and TEM. The maximum friction forces of C. capitata females on fruit surfaces of typical host plants were evaluated using a load cell force transducer. The attachment ability of both sexes on artificial surfaces was evaluated using a centrifugal force tester. Our data revealed sexual dimorphism in the size of pulvilli, which are wider in females. A higher friction force is exerted by females in comparison with males, in agreement with the need to firmly adhere to the host plant fruit during oviposition. Among the tested fruits, the stronger friction force was recorded on hairy or rough surfaces while a force reduction was recorded on waxy fruits. To unravel the mechanical ecology of insect-plant interaction between plants and species of Tephritidae can be useful to develop non-chemical methods to control these important crop pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, Perugia, 06121, Italy
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elena Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098, Kiel, Germany
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Piersanti S, Rebora M, Ederli L, Pasqualini S, Salerno G. Role of chemical cues in cabbage stink bug host plant selection. J Insect Physiol 2020; 120:103994. [PMID: 31830466 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.103994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The cabbage stink bugs of the genus Eurydema, encompassing several oligophagous species, such as Eurydema oleracea (L.), are known to be important pests of cabbage, broccoli, and other cole crops in Europe. Despite their economic importance, the knowledge regarding the role of chemical cues in host plant selection of these species is very limited. The present investigation on E. oleracea at the adult stage revealed the use of olfaction in host plant selection of this species and demonstrated with behavioural tests that E. oleracea preferred feeding on wild Eruca sativa, rather than on Brassica oleracea. Moreover, ultrastructural data revealed the antennal sensilla of E. oleracea, encompassing single walled and double walled olfactory sensilla, and electroantennographic recordings revealed their sensitivity to several host plant VOCs from E. sativa and B. oleracea. The data shown in the present research may be useful in the development of semiochemical-based strategies or trap crops for the control of this pest in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy.
| | - Luisa Ederli
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefania Pasqualini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
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12
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Costarelli A, Bianchet C, Ederli L, Salerno G, Piersanti S, Rebora M, Pasqualini S. Salicylic acid induced by herbivore feeding antagonizes jasmonic acid mediated plant defenses against insect attack. Plant Signal Behav 2019; 15:1704517. [PMID: 31852340 PMCID: PMC7012100 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2019.1704517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We recently reported the transcriptomic signature of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthetic and responsive genes in Arabidopsis thaliana plants infested with the herbivore Eurydema oleracea. We demonstrated that insect feeding causes induction of both SA- and JA-mediated signaling pathways. Using transgenic SA-deficient NahG plants, we also showed antagonistic cross-talk between these two phytohormones. To gain more insight into the roles of the SA and JA pathways in plant defenses against E. oleracea, we report here on the dynamics of SA and JA levels in the wild-type genotype Col-0 and the transgenic Arabidopsis NahG mutant that does not accumulate SA. We show that SA strongly accumulates in the wild-type plants after 24 h of herbivore infestation, while JA levels do not change significantly. On the contrary, in the infested NahG plants, SA levels were not affected by E. oleracea feeding, whereas JA levels which were constitutively higher than the wild-type did not significantly change after 6 hours of herbivore feeding. Accordingly, when the wild-type and the jar1-1 mutant (which fails to accumulate JA-Ile) Arabidopsis plants were challenged with E. oleracea in a two-choice arena, the insect fed preferentially on the jar1-1 plants over the wild-type. These data support the conclusion that E. oleracea infestation strongly induces the SA pathway in the wild-type, thus antagonizing JA-mediated plant defenses against herbivory, as a strategy to suppress plant immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Costarelli
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chantal Bianchet
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luisa Ederli
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefania Pasqualini
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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13
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Rebora M, Salerno G, Piersanti S, Michels J, Gorb S. Structure and biomechanics of the antennal grooming mechanism in the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula. J Insect Physiol 2019; 112:57-67. [PMID: 30521769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Insects devote a large amount of time to self-groom to remove foreign material, especially from their sensory appendages. Using various microscopy techniques and behavioural experiments on intact and ablated insects, the present study investigates the antennal grooming of the southern green stinkbug Nezara viridula, which represents a serious pest of different crops in most areas of the world. The antennal grooming behaviour encompasses an action of scraping involving the tibial comb complex (tibial comb + fossula) of both forelegs, generally followed by the tibial comb complex grooming of one leg using the tarsal hairy adhesive pad of the opposite leg (rubbing). From our observations, we can exclude a role in the antennal grooming of other structures such as the foretibial apparatus, while we show an involvement of this last structure in repositioning the stylets inside the labium. The external and internal morphology (cryo-scanning and transmission electron microscopy) and the evidence for the presence of large proportions of the elastic protein resilin (confocal laser scanning microscopy) in some parts of both the tibial comb complex and the foretibial apparatus are shown, and their functional roles are discussed. For the first time we demonstrated here the multipurpose role of the basitarsal hairy adhesive pad that is involved in both antennal grooming and adhesion to the substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy.
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Jan Michels
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Germany
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Germany
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14
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Rebora M, Frati F, Piersanti S, Salerno G, Selvaggini R, Fincke OM. Erratum to “Field tests of multiple sensory cues in sex recognition and harassment of a colour polymorphic damselfly” [Animal Behaviour 136 (2018) 127–136]. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Abstract
The larval antennal sensilla of two Zygoptera species, Calopteryx haemorroidalis (Calopterygidae) and Ischnura elegans (Coenagrionidae) are investigated with SEM and TEM. These two species have different antennae (geniculate, setaceous) and live in different environments (lotic, lentic waters). Notwithstanding this, similarities in the kind and distribution of sensilla are outlined: in both species the majority of sensilla types is located on the apical portion of the antenna, namely a composed coeloconic sensillum (possible chemoreceptor), two other coeloconic sensilla (possible thermo-hygroreceptors) and an apical seta (direct contact mechanoreceptor). Other mechanoreceptors, such as filiform hairs sensitive to movements of the surrounding medium or bristles positioned to sense the movements of the flagellar segments, are present on the antenna. Similarities in the antennal sensilla types and distribution are observed also with other dragonfly species, such as Onychogomphus forcipatus and Libellula depressa. A peculiar structure with an internal organization similar to that of a gland is observed in the apical antenna of C. haemorroidalis and I. elegans and it is present also in O. forcipatus and L. depressa. The possible function of this structure is at the moment unknown but deserves further investigations owing to its widespread presence in Odonata larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 1, 06121 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 1, 06121 Perugia, Italy
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16
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Rebora M, Piersanti S, Frati F, Salerno G. Antennal responses to volatile organic compounds in a stonefly. J Insect Physiol 2017; 98:231-237. [PMID: 28115118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Notwithstanding their long antennae, especially in the adult stage, Plecoptera represent a poorly studied group as regards their sensory structures and their ability to perceive olfactory stimuli is so far totally unknown. A recent investigation on the antenna of Dinocras cephalotes revealed two kinds of putative olfactory sensilla (multiporous single walled sensilla and digitated double walled sensilla). The present electrophysiological study (electroantennography, EAG), in which male and female antennae of D. cephalotes (Plecoptera, Perlidae) have been stimulated with a set of generic odours belonging to different functional groups, shows that Plecoptera can perceive olfactory cues through their antennal sensilla. Indeed, although many chemicals did not elicit any response, high EAG activity has been recorded in response to pentanoic acid, propanal, butyric acid, propionic acid, isoamylamine and ammonia. The response was very similar in both sexes even if propanal elicited a response only in males. EAG dose-responses curves in both males and females showed that EAG responses were similar in males and females and generally increased in amplitude with increasing doses of the chemicals. Behavioural, neuroanatomical and molecular investigations on Plecoptera olfaction, could be particularly interesting not only to increase the knowledge of the adult stonefly behaviour but also to better understand the adaptation of the olfactory sensory system in aquatic insects moving from land to water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy.
| | - Francesca Frati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
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17
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Rebora M, Tierno de Figueroa JM, Piersanti S. Antennal sensilla of the stonefly Dinocras cephalotes (Plecoptera: Perlidae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2016; 45:552-561. [PMID: 27742465 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2016.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Plecoptera, one of the most primitive groups of Neoptera, are important aquatic insects usually employed as bioindicators of high water quality. Notwithstanding the well-developed antennae of the adult, its sensory abilities are so far not well known. The present paper describes at ultrastructural level under scanning and transmission electron microscopy the antennal sensilla of the adult stonefly Dinocras cephalotes (Plecoptera, Perlidae). Adult males and females show a filiform antenna constituted of a scape, a pedicel and a flagellum composed of very numerous segments with no clear sexual dimorphism in the number and distribution of the antennal sensilla. The most represented sensilla are sensilla trichodea, with different length, whose internal structure reveal their mechanosensory function, sensilla chaetica, with an apical pore, with an internal structure revealing a typical gustatory function, porous pegs representing single-walled olfactory sensilla, digitated pegs with hollow cuticular spoke channels representing double-walled olfactory sensilla, pegs in pits for which we hypothesize a thermo-hygrosensory function. The diversity of described sensilla is discussed in relation to known biological aspects of the studied species. This opens new perspectives in the study of the behavior of these aquatic insects during their adult stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, 06121, Italy.
| | | | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, 06121, Italy
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18
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Frati F, Piersanti S, Rebora M, Salerno G. Volatile cues can drive the oviposition behavior in Odonata. J Insect Physiol 2016; 91-92:34-38. [PMID: 27349728 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Selection for the oviposition site represents the criterion for the behavioral process of habitat selection for the next generation. It is well known that in Odonata the most general cues are detected visually, but laboratory investigations on the coenagrionid Ischnura elegans showed through behavioral and electrophysiological assays that adults were attracted by olfactory cues emitted by prey and that males of the same species are attracted by female odor. The results of the present behavioral and electrophysiological investigations on I. elegans suggest the involvement of antennal olfactory sensilla in oviposition behavior. In particular, I. elegans females laid in the laboratory significantly more eggs in water from larval rearing aquaria than in distilled or tap water. Moreover, the lack of preference between rearing water and tap water with plankton suggests a role of volatiles related to conspecific and plankton presence in the oviposition site choice. I. elegans may rely on food odor for oviposition site selection, thus supporting the predictions of the "mother knows best" theory. These behavioral data are partially supported by electroantennographic responses. These findings confirm a possible role of olfaction in crucial aspects of Odonata biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Frati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy.
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
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19
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Piersanti S, Frati F, Rebora M, Salerno G. Carbon dioxide detection in adult Odonata. ZOOLOGY 2016; 119:137-142. [PMID: 26831359 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The present paper shows, by means of single-cell recordings, responses of antennal sensory neurons of the damselfly Ischnura elegans when stimulated by air streams at different CO2 concentrations. Unlike most insects, but similarly to termites, centipedes and ticks, Odonata possess sensory neurons strongly inhibited by CO2, with the magnitude of the off-response depending upon the CO2 concentration. The Odonata antennal sensory neurons responding to CO2 are also sensitive to airborne odors; in particular, the impulse frequency is increased by isoamylamine and decreased by heptanoic and pentanoic acid. Further behavioral investigations are necessary to assign a biological role to carbon dioxide detection in Odonata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Francesca Frati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
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20
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Rebora M, Piersanti S, Salerno G, Gorb S. The antenna of a burrowing dragonfly larva, Onychogomphus forcipatus (Anisoptera, Gomphidae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2015; 44:595-603. [PMID: 26113430 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The larva of the dragonfly Onychogomphus forcipatus (Anisoptera, Gomphidae) has a burrowing lifestyle and antennae composed of four short and broad segments (scape, pedicel and a two-segmented flagellum). The present ultrastructural investigation revealed that different sensilla and one gland are located on the antenna. There is a great diversity of mechanoreceptors of different kinds. In particular club-shaped sensilla, sensilla chaetica, and tree-like sensilla show the typical structure of bristles, the most common type of mechanoreceptors, usually responding to direct touch, while numerous long thin thorny trichoid sensilla show a morphology recalling the structure of filiform hair mechanoreceptors. The latter ones are presumably important in larval Odonata for current detection and rheotactic orientation, especially in a burrowing species. On the smooth apical cuticle of the second flagellar segment, three structures are visible: (1) a small ellipsoidal pit hosting a convoluted peg, the morphology of which resembles that of a typical chemoreceptor (even if pores are lacking), (2) a couple of small pits (not investigated under TEM), and (3) one wide depression with spherical structures, the internal morphology of which lets us assume that it is a gland with unknown function. This is the first report of an antennal gland in palaeopteran insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, 06121, Italy.
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, 06121, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, 06123, Italy
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute of the University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24098 Kiel, Germany
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21
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Simão D, Pinto C, Fernandes P, Peddie CJ, Piersanti S, Collinson LM, Salinas S, Saggio I, Schiavo G, Kremer EJ, Brito C, Alves PM. Evaluation of helper-dependent canine adenovirus vectors in a 3D human CNS model. Gene Ther 2015; 23:86-94. [PMID: 26181626 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy is a promising approach with enormous potential for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Viral vectors derived from canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) present attractive features for gene delivery strategies in the human brain, by preferentially transducing neurons, are capable of efficient axonal transport to afferent brain structures, have a 30-kb cloning capacity and have low innate and induced immunogenicity in preclinical tests. For clinical translation, in-depth preclinical evaluation of efficacy and safety in a human setting is primordial. Stem cell-derived human neural cells have a great potential as complementary tools by bridging the gap between animal models, which often diverge considerably from human phenotype, and clinical trials. Herein, we explore helper-dependent CAV-2 (hd-CAV-2) efficacy and safety for gene delivery in a human stem cell-derived 3D neural in vitro model. Assessment of hd-CAV-2 vector efficacy was performed at different multiplicities of infection, by evaluating transgene expression and impact on cell viability, ultrastructural cellular organization and neuronal gene expression. Under optimized conditions, hd-CAV-2 transduction led to stable long-term transgene expression with minimal toxicity. hd-CAV-2 preferentially transduced neurons, whereas human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV5) showed increased tropism toward glial cells. This work demonstrates, in a physiologically relevant 3D model, that hd-CAV-2 vectors are efficient tools for gene delivery to human neurons, with stable long-term transgene expression and minimal cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Simão
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - C Pinto
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - P Fernandes
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - C J Peddie
- The Francis Crick Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratory, London, UK
| | - S Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Charles Darwin', Università di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - L M Collinson
- The Francis Crick Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratory, London, UK
| | - S Salinas
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - I Saggio
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Charles Darwin', Università di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - G Schiavo
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - E J Kremer
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - C Brito
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - P M Alves
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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22
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Piersanti S, Frati F, Conti E, Rebora M, Salerno G. The sense of smell in Odonata: an electrophysiological screening. J Insect Physiol 2014; 70:49-58. [PMID: 25218659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Volatile chemicals mediate a great range of intra- and interspecific signalling and information in insects. Olfaction has been widely investigated mostly in Neoptera while the knowledge of this sense in most basal insects such as Paleoptera (Odonata and Ephemeroptera) is still poor. In the present study we show the results of an electrophysiological screening on two model species, Libellula depressa (Libellulidae) and Ischnura elegans (Coenagrionidae), representatives of the two Odonata suborders Anisoptera and Zygoptera, with the aim to deep the knowledge on the sense of smell of this insect order. The antennal olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) of these two species responded to the same 22 compounds (out of 48 chemicals belonging to different functional groups) encompassing mostly amines, carboxylic acids or aldehydes and belonging to green leaf volatiles, vertebrate related volatiles and volatiles emitted by standing waters bacteria. The properties of Odonata OSNs are very similar to those of ionotropic receptors (IRs) expressing OSNs in other insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesca Frati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Eric Conti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy.
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
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23
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Rebora M, Gaino E, Piersanti S. The epipharyngeal sensilla of the damselfly Ischnura elegans (Odonata, Coenagrionidae). Micron 2014; 66:31-6. [PMID: 25080274 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2014.05.003] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The knowledge on Odonata adult mouthparts sensilla is scanty and, notwithstanding the epipharynx in the labrum is considered an organ of taste, no ultrastructural investigation has been performed so far on this structure in Odonata. The labrum of the adult of the damselfly Ischnura elegans (Odonata, Coenagrionidae) shows on its ventral side the epipharynx with sensilla represented by articulated hairs and by small pegs located at the apex of slightly raised domes. Under scanning and transmission electron microscope, the articulated hairs, with a well developed socket and tubular body, have the typical structure of bristles, the most common type of insect mechanoreceptors, usually responding to direct touch; the pegs, showing an apical pore together with a variable number of sensory neurons (from two to five), the outer dendritic segments of which show a dendrite sheath stopping along their length, have features typical of contact chemoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 06121 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Elda Gaino
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 06121 Perugia, Italy
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Piersanti S, Frati F, Conti E, Gaino E, Rebora M, Salerno G. First evidence of the use of olfaction in Odonata behaviour. J Insect Physiol 2014; 62:26-31. [PMID: 24486162 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 12/22/2013] [Revised: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Dragonflies and damselflies are among the most ancient winged insects. Adults belonging to this order are visually oriented and are considered anosmic on the basis of neuroanatomical investigations. As a consequence, the chemical ecology of these predatory insects has long been neglected. Morphological and electrophysiological data demonstrated that dragonfly antennae possess olfactory sensilla. Additionally, a neuroanatomical study revealed the presence of spherical knots in the aglomerular antennal lobe that could allow for the perception of odour. However, the biological role of the antennal olfactory sensilla remains unknown, and no bioassay showing the use of olfaction in Odonata has been performed thus far. Here, we demonstrate through behavioural assays that adults of Ischnura elegans are attracted by olfactory cues emitted by prey; furthermore, using electrophysiological single-cell recordings, we prove that the antennal olfactory sensilla of I. elegans respond to prey odour. Our results clearly demonstrate the involvement of antennal olfactory sensilla in Odonata predation, thus showing, for the first time, the use of olfaction in Odonata biology. This finding indicates that the nervous system of Odonata is able to receive and process olfactory information, suggesting that the simple organisation of the antennal lobe does not prevent the use of olfaction in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesca Frati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Eric Conti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Elda Gaino
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Italy.
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Italy
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Rebora M, Piersanti S, Gaino E. The mechanoreceptors on the endophytic ovipositor of the dragonfly Aeshna cyanea (Odonata, Aeshnidae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2013; 42:369-378. [PMID: 23850774 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2013.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the mechanoreceptors located on the cutting valvulae of the ovipositor of the dragonfly Aeshna cyanea (Aeshnidae), using both SEM and TEM, with the aim of providing an overview of the sensory equipment of an odonatan endophytic ovipositor. Four kinds of sensilla have been described. Notwithstanding their different external and internal morphology, they show features typical of mechanoreceptors. Three of them are evident along the external surface of the two cutting valvulae in the form of sub-spherical pegs, pit organs type 1 (holes) and pit organs type 2 (depressions), these last are similar to amphinematic scolopidia, while the fourth type is represented by subintegumental mononematic scolopidia having no direct relationship with the cuticle. In spite of their structural differences, the morphology of the described mechanoreceptors is consistent with performing a main role in allowing the perception of compression/stretching of the thick cuticle of the valvulae and their bending due to the pressure acting on the distal end of the ovipositor during substrate penetration. Such an organization is coherent with the need of endophytic Odonata to be able to evaluate the stiffness of the plant where to lay eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di sotto, 06121 Perugia, Italy.
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Rebora M, Dell’Otto A, Rybak J, Piersanti S, Gaino E, Hansson BS. The antennal lobe of Libellula depressa (Odonata, Libellulidae). ZOOLOGY 2013; 116:205-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2013.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Rebora M, Piersanti S, Dell'Otto A, Gaino E. The gustatory sensilla on the endophytic ovipositor of Odonata. Arthropod Struct Dev 2013; 42:127-134. [PMID: 23137612 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2012.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Revised: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The present paper aims at describing the fine structure of coeloconic sensilla located on the cutting valves of the endophytic ovipositor of two Odonata species, the anisopteran Aeshna cyanea (Aeshnidae) and the zygopteran Ischnura elegans (Coenagrionidae), by carrying out parallel investigations under SEM and TEM. In both species these coeloconic sensilla are innervated by four unbranched neurons forming four outer dendritic segments enveloped by the dendrite sheath. One dendrite terminates at the base of the peg forming a well developed tubular body, while the other three enter the peg after interruption of the dendrite sheath. The cuticle of the peg shows an apical pore and a joint membrane. This last feature, together with the tubular body and the suspension fibers, represent the mechanosensory components of the sensillum while the pore and the dendrites entering the peg allow chemoreception. The ultrastructural organization of these coeloconic sensilla is in agreement with the one reported for insect gustatory sensilla. Our investigation describes for the first time typical insect gustatory sensilla in Odonata. Electrophysiological and behavioral studies are needed to verify the role that these structures can perform in sensing the egg-laying substrata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e Ambientale, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di sotto, 06121 Perugia, Italy.
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Rebora M, Salerno G, Piersanti S, Dell'otto A, Gaino E. Olfaction in dragonflies: electrophysiological evidence. J Insect Physiol 2012; 58:270-277. [PMID: 22154954 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2011.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Revised: 11/24/2011] [Accepted: 11/28/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The problem of olfaction in Paleoptera (Odonata, Ephemeroptera) cannot be considered fully elucidated until now. These insects have been traditionally considered anosmic, because their brain lacks glomerular antennal lobes, typically involved in Neoptera odor perception. In order to understand if the presumed coeloconic olfactory receptors described on the antennal flagellum of adult Odonata are really functioning, we performed an electrophysiological investigation with electroantennogram (EAG) and single cell recordings (SCR), using Libellula depressa L. (Odonata, Libellulidae) as a model species. Odors representing different chemical classes such as (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate (acetate ester), (E)-2-hexenal, octanal (aldehydes), (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol (alcohol), propionic acid, butyric acid (carboxylic acids), and 1,4-diaminobutane (amine) were tested. Most of the tested chemicals elicited depolarizing EAG responses in both male and female antennae; SCR show unambiguously for the first time the presence of olfactory neurons in the antennae of L. depressa and strongly support the olfactory function of the coeloconic sensilla located on the antennal flagellum of this species. Electrophysiological activity may not necessarily indicate behavioral activity, and the biological role of olfactory responses in Odonata must be determined in behavioral bioassays. This study represents a starting point for further behavioral, electrophysiological, neuroanatomical and molecular investigation on Odonata olfaction, a research field particularly interesting owing to the basal position of Paleoptera, also for tracing evolutionary trends in insect olfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e Ambientale, Via Elce di Sotto, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
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Piersanti S, Rebora M, Almaas TJ, Salerno G, Gaino E. Electrophysiological identification of thermo- and hygro-sensitive receptor neurons on the antennae of the dragonfly Libellula depressa. J Insect Physiol 2011; 57:1391-1398. [PMID: 21801729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2011.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Revised: 07/06/2011] [Accepted: 07/06/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Recent ultrastructural investigations on Odonata antennal flagellum describe two types of sensilla styloconica, T1 and T2. The styloconic sensilla are located in pits, at the bottom of deep cavities, and share common features typical of thermo-hygroreceptors. In order to ascertain if the Odonata antennae are involved in hygroreception and thermoreception, we carried out electrophysiological recordings (single cell recordings, SCR) from adult males and females of Libellula depressa L., 1758. After contact was established, the antenna was stimulated by rapid changes in temperature and humidity. The present research shows the occurrence of a dry (DC), a moist (MC) and a cold (CC) receptor neurons on the antennal flagellum of L. depressa. These data demonstrate for the first time the presence of functional thermo-hygroreceptors on the antennal flagellum of dragonflies. The present results extend our knowledge of the not visual sensory modalities of Odonata, a field of research unexplored so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e Ambientale, Via Elce di Sotto 1, Perugia, Italy.
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Rebora M, Piersanti S, Gaino E. The antennal sensilla of adult mayflies: Rhithrogena semicolorata as a case study. Micron 2009; 40:571-6. [PMID: 19428262 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2009.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Received: 01/20/2009] [Revised: 03/10/2009] [Accepted: 03/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The present paper reports on an ultrastructural investigation of the sensilla on the antennal flagellum of the imago (SEM and TEM) and subimago (SEM) of the mayfly Rhithrogena semicolorata. Sensilla coeloconica of two different sizes, named big and small pegs, are distinguishable in both stages. The big pegs are lobe-shaped with a porous cuticle. The small pegs are more or less conical with a smooth cuticle. TEM seriate sections revealed that the big pegs are innervated by three neurons, which enter the peg. The dendrite sheath opens at the entrance to the peg and leaves the dendrites in contact with the outside through pores and pore tubules. This structure is in agreement with that reported for single-walled olfactory receptors. The small pegs may be innervated by two or four neurons. In both cases, two unbranched dendrites enter the peg and are in close association with the peg wall. These show features typical of hygroreceptors. In the small pegs innervated by four neurons, the other two neurons stop short of entering the peg, and one of them branches. This last could constitute the thermoreceptive unit. The function of the fourth neuron is unknown.The presence of olfactory sensilla in adult mayflies, such as Paleoptera, is relevant to the study of evolutionary trends in insect odour perception. Hygro-thermoreceptors are important in such fragile aquatic insects, which need a moist environment for moulting and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 1-06123 Perugia, Italy.
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Rebora M, Piersanti S, Gaino E. The antennal sensilla of the adult of Libellula depressa (Odonata: Libellulidae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2008; 37:504-510. [PMID: 18621586 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2008.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2008] [Revised: 03/17/2008] [Accepted: 03/24/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
An ultrastructural investigation (SEM, TEM) on the antennal flagellum of the adult of the dragonfly Libellula depressa (Odonata:Libellulidae) revealed sensilla located in pits on the lateral-ventral side of the antenna. These sensilla are represented by sensilla coeloconica and by deeply sunken sensilla. The sensilla coeloconica are innervated by three unbranched dendrites, which enter the peg and show a dendrite sheath ending at the base of the peg. The peg has no socket and its cuticle is irregular with wide pore-like structures at the base of which actual pores are visible. The structure of these coeloconic sensilla is in agreement with that reported for single-walled insect chemoreceptors. The deeply sunken sensilla are represented by two kinds of sensilla styloconica, named type-1 and type-2, located at the bottom of deep cavities appearing as simple openings on the antennal surface. These sensilla are no-pore sensilla with inflexible socket and unbranched dendrites and, notwithstanding their structural differences, share common features typical of thermo/hygroreceptors. The presence of chemoreceptors in adult dragonflies sheds light on evolutionary trends in insect perception; the previously unknown occurrence of thermo/hygroreceptors in dragonflies is very important in view of the reported ability of Odonata to thermoregulate heliothermically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e Ambientale, Via Elce di Sotto 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
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Rebora M, Piersanti S, Almaas TJ, Gaino E. Hygroreceptors in the larva of Libellula depressa (Odonata: Libellulidae). J Insect Physiol 2007; 53:550-8. [PMID: 17433360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2007.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2006] [Revised: 02/08/2007] [Accepted: 02/19/2007] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Ultrastructural and electrophysiological (single-cell recordings) investigations were carried out on the coeloconic sensilla borne by the apical antenna of the larvae of Libellula depressa (Odonata: Libellulidae). These sensilla appear as pegs located in pits. One of them is a compound sensillum constituted of two fused pegs in a common pit and the other two are single pegs located in separated pits close to each other. Coeloconic sensilla show position and ultrastructural details very similar to those described in insect hygroreceptors. The electrophysiological recordings on the apical antennae of the last larval instar of L. depressa clearly show the presence of moist and dry cells responding antagonistically to humidity changes. This study gives the first evidence of hygroreceptors in dragonfly larvae and represents the first electrophysiological approach to larval sensilla of aquatic insects. The presence of hygroreceptors in L. depressa larvae is in agreement with the hygropositive response shown by these insects in laboratory and field behavioural experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e Ambientale, Via Elce di Sotto, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
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Piersanti S, Rebora M, Salerno G, Gaino E. Behaviour of the larval dragonflyLibellula depressa(Odonata Libellulidae) in drying pools. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2007. [DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2007.9522572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Piersanti S, Sacchetti B, Funari A, Di Cesare S, Bonci D, Cherubini G, Peschle C, Riminucci M, Bianco P, Saggio I. Lentiviral transduction of human postnatal skeletal (stromal, mesenchymal) stem cells: in vivo transplantation and gene silencing. Calcif Tissue Int 2006; 78:372-84. [PMID: 16830199 DOI: 10.1007/s00223-006-0001-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2006] [Accepted: 03/25/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Systems for gene transfer and silencing in human skeletal stem cells (hSSCs, also stromal or mesenchymal stem cells) are important for addressing critical issues in basic hSSC and skeletal biology and for developing gene therapy strategies for treatment of skeletal diseases. Whereas recent studies have shown the efficacy of lentiviral transduction for gene transfer in hSSCs in vitro, no study has yet proven that lentivector-transduced hSSCs retain their distinctive organogenic potential in vivo, as probed by in vivo transplantation assays. Therefore, in addition to analyzing the in vitro growth and differentiation properties of hSSCs transduced with advanced-generation lentivectors, we ectopically transplanted LV-eGFP-transduced hSSCs (along with an osteoconductive carrier) in the subcutaneous tissue of immunocompromised mice. eGFP-transduced cells formed heterotopic ossicles, generating osteoblasts, osteocytes, and stromal cells in vivo, which still expressed GFP at 2 months after transplantation. eGFP-expressing cells could be recovered from the ossicles 8 weeks posttransplantation and reestablished in culture as viable and proliferating cells. Further, we investigated the possibility of silencing individual genes in hSSCs using lentivectors encoding short hairpin precursors of RNA interfering sequences under the control of the Pol-III-dependent H1 promoter. Significant long-term silencing of both lamin A/C and GFP (an endogenous gene and a transgene, respectively) was obtained with lentivectors encoding shRNAs. These data provide the basis for analysis of the effect of gene knockdown during the organogenesis of bone in the in vivo transplantation system and for further studies on the silencing of alleles carrying dominant, disease-causing mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Genetica e Biologia Molecolare, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Rebora M, Piersanti S, Gaino E. Visual and mechanical cues used for prey detection by the larva ofLibellula depressa(Odonata Libellulidae). ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2004. [DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2004.9522642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Caparros-Ruiz D, Lahmy S, Piersanti S, Echeverría M. Two ribosomal DNA-binding factors interact with a cluster of motifs on the 5' external transcribed spacer, upstream from the primary pre-rRNA processing site in a higher plant. Eur J Biochem 1997; 247:981-9. [PMID: 9288923 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1997.00981.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In radish the primary processing site in pre-rRNA has been mapped to a TTTTCGCGC sequence (motif P) in the 5' external transcribed spacer (5' ETS) of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) [Delcasso-Tremousaygue, D., Grellet, F., Panabières, F., Ananiev, E. & Delseny, M. (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 172, 767-776]. The processing site is just downstream of four similar motifs named A1, A2, A3 and B. The five motifs constitute cluster A123BP. We have described previously that in radish extracts a nuclear protein, nuclear factor B (NF B) specifically binds to motif B [Echeverría, M., Penon, P. & Delseny, M. (1994) Mol. Gen. Genet. 243, 442-452]. Here, by means of electrophoretic-mobility-shift assays, we describe an rDNA-binding activity, nuclear factor D (NF D), that interacts with the A123BP cluster. Using various rDNA probes and competitors we show that NF D binds specifically to the A123 clustered motifs but not to similar B or P motifs. We used sequence-specific DNA-affinity chromatography to separate NF D from NF B. DNase I footprinting was used to map the binding site of NF D on the A123BP cluster and we compared it with that of NF B on the same probe. The footprint of NF D extends from the A1 motif to the 5' end of the NF B-binding site and includes motifs A2 and A3 on each strand. The footprinting of NF B is restricted to motif B and adjacent nucleotides. Thus the NF D-binding and NF B-binding sites are distinct but overlap. These two factors bind with a high specificity to the A123BP cluster in the radish 5' ETS. The possibility that these factors regulate rDNA transcription elongation at the level of the primary pre-rRNA processing site in crucifers is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Caparros-Ruiz
- Laboratoire de Physiologie et Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UMR CNRS 5545, Université de Perpignan, France
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